Page 89 of Unexpectedly In Love

I really didn’t want to engage in this conversation. “Well, everyone grieves differently, Cassy.”

She puts her hand on her hips. “Fine, when is he coming back home?”

My throat tightens. “I don’t know.” Saying it out loud hurts.

“You don’t know? Hmm.” Cassia turns her back to me and begins watering her plants again.

“He has to come back, he has Oceania to run.” He must come back; he can’t just leave me like that…Can he? I reach out and push the curls out of Kai’s face.

“You mention Oceania but nothing about you and Kai. I’m confused because you are his family. Shouldn’t that come first?” Cassia was hitting on the nerves I was choosing to ignore.

I wish I could turn this conversation around but when Cassia is focused on something nothing can distract her.

“We are his family. We are important to him,” I counter; my voice raises a bit.

“Okay.” She rests her brass watering can down and sits on the emerald sofa. Her mouth clenches. I know she had more to say. “Since you are important, what’s his plan?”

His plan? I don’t know what his plans are.

“I don’t know,” I whisper softly, looking down at my fingers, because I can feel tears gathering from behind my eyes.

“At least we know he is in Greece. But is he safe? Is he alive?” Cassia continues pushing.

“Fuck it, Cassia. I don’t fucking know!” I shout. Kai drops the wooden block; his bottom lip trembles and he begins to cry. Dragging Kai in my arms I rock him, feeling the need to cry too.

“Look at me, Ani.” Cassia somber eyes search my face. “I am not saying he doesn’t care for you. I am saying this is not it. This is not love, he needs to do better.”

When I look into my sister’s eyes the first tear rolls out down my cheek. Nothing hurts more than having someone you love, tell you that the person you love…. doesn’t love you back.

I feel defeated, like I want to take Kai and hide far away from everyone.

“I don’t know anything, he just left us. I don’t know when he is returning,” I hiccup, and tears roll down my face faster. “Can’t go back to the house. He is calling me by my government name. He’s pushing me away and after nearly five months, I don’t know what to do.”

Cassia crawls down from the chair to the floor right next to me. “If he doesn’t see your worth, he doesn’t deserve you.”

I bow my head in pain, because deep down I know she is right. She lifts my chin and wipes my face. “You are my baby sister. I will never judge you. Win or lose I will always love you. You know that right?”

I nod as I wipe my tears away. Kai falls asleep in my arms.

“I love you too,” I reply as she pulls me into a side hug.

“Even though in all of us your head is the biggest. A moment of silence for mom’s coochie.” Cassia chuckles.

I wipe my face. “I can’t stand you.”

ERYX

As I drift into my father’s dimly lit office my mind, I feel my mind being transported back to a time of elegance and power. I remember stepping on these deep mahogany oak floors, feeling intimidated and lost. My fingers graze the old book spines that are being held on an antique oak bookshelf. The Chesterfield leather sofa and the large marble fireplace only add to the timeless look of my father’s office.

The bust he had made of himself sits in the corner of his room behind his desk. I could only imagine the deals that would be signed on that large oak desk.

I wonder who were the men that sat on these leather chairs, are they alive? Did they like my father? Or did he strike fear in them wielding his power like a two-edged sword. My shoulders feel weighed down by the responsibilities to come. The people’s lives that I now hold in my hands. I hate the small taps of condolences that people give me. Speaking to me like they knew my dad. The truth is no one ever really knew him. Not even me, each person all had the same things to say, “Lucas was a great man.” But what makes a great man?

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock. I turn around and Khaos is standing near the threshold of the door.

“Everyone has left only; the elders remain to talk to you and me.”

“Let them come in here.” The sooner we speak the quicker I can leave and get back home. Home to who? I haven’t called Anise in three days. Would she be upset? After today it wouldn’t matter now. Our time was up.

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