Isabelle went to the garden. It is special spot whenever she need privacy to think. She sat cozily on the smooth grass and lean her back comfortably on the grass while enjoying the cool breeze it brings. She glance at the bright blue sky and sighed, "Ahhh..."
Isabelle was lost in thought. She wonder what it was to have a parent, someone who look after you and care about your existence. She wonder what it is to be happy, to live a normal life. Then one of the words of her Uncle Ivan spin through mind. "This is all because of your mother's lover.! He ruin your life..." Those words sank into her head, it always rings a bell whenever she thought of a better life.
Isabelle gaze at the sky and pour out her deepest question. "Will I be happy? Tell me, what does it mean to be complete because I don't know what that word even mean. Will there be a day where I'll wake up and all my worries is gone?"
Isabelle close her eyes and open them and shook her head pitifully, "No, there'll be no day. I'll never feel better right? I'll never feel better until I destroy the person who did this to me, he will have the taste of his own medicine.
"Isabelle...!" Ivan called out. "Isabelle?!" No response. Ivan went to her room in search for Isabelle. He left feeling a little bit disappointed, Isabelle wasn't in her room.
Ivan furrowed his brow, he can't find her in the sitting room neither in the terrace. He glance at the garden, Ivan knit his brow when he catch a glimpse of someone lying on the grass. Ivan was pierce in shock to see Isabelle in the garden sitting down all alone.
He went in the garden to have a proper glance. When he came closer he chuckles, "That is Isabelle."
Ivan came toward Isabelle and sat next to her. "Wow, this place look beautiful, quiet and peaceful," Ivan said while looking at the Sky as he pretend as if he didn't see anyone.
Isabelle smirked, "Yes it is, it really looks beautiful. This is why it is my favorite spot. In here, there's no problem, no fighting, no misunderstanding and no secret. Everywhere is peaceful and calm." she replied while staring at her uncle.
Ivan lean on the grass, "So tell me, what's on your mind?"
Isabelle smack her lips and gaze at him, "Uncle, when will I get to meet my father?"
Ivan cough rascally when being stormed with an exquisite question.
Isabelle knit a brow and pat him on the back, "Uncle, are you okay?"
He put his act together and clear his throat, "Isabelle, we've talk about this so many times, focus on your mission. You'll meet your father soon," Ivan respond with a calm voice.
This time, Isabelle wasn't buying his words. She freaked out, "When is that soon?! For sometime now that's the only thing you're good at saying, soon! Soon!! And soon!!!"
"For heaven sake Uncle, I'm tired of waiting. I need actions not words!" Please Uncle stop this, I want to see my father and that's period.!" Isabelle stunned out angrily without waiting for her Uncle's reply.
Ivan flinched. He place his hands on his chest as he breathe heavily, "Argh... How come I did see that coming?"
----
*** At the dining table ***
Richard and his family were having lunch together after a long while. The atomsphere was very quiet as everyone focus dearly on their meal.
This is Richard first meal with his family after successfully finished a huge project. He grit his teeth in disappointed seeing the quietness of the atmosphere. Richard clear his throat to break the silence in the room.
They'll glance at him and return back to their meal.
Richard frown, that was not a enough, he thoughts. "The summer holidays is coming to an end. Troy, Natalie I hope your preparing yourself for a new academic session?" Richard asked as he slice the beef in his plate.
Natalie glance at her Dad and chuckles, "Of course, Dad. You know I'm so excited to return back to school. I really miss my friends and my teachers, Wow! I can't wait to go back to school."
Richard grins cunnily. "Mission successful, this is why I remain unbeaten," Richard said in his mind.
"This is your first grade in senior high school and you're already behaving like this?" Tessa said with a look of disgust.
Richard broke in, "Natalie, don't be too excited. This is your first journey in the senior high, there are a lot of expectations. You need to be focus."
"Okay Dad," Natalie said as she lower her eyebrows.
Richard stare at his son who has been so quiet and ignorant. His mind was somewhere else, he look troubled.
Richard look at him and thought of making a conversation with his son, "Troy, is anything boring you?"
Troy became agitated after hearing his father's voice, he flush down his head and replied in low tone, "No, Dad. It just that we will playing our last game as Seaoaker before graduation and my coach is giving us a hard time."
Richard eyes widen, he squeeze out a smile, "Really? If that be the case, whenever the game will be played let me know, I will really want to watch you play." Richard pat Troy shoulder like a concern father.
Richard then added, "But don't neglect your studies."
"Yes Dad," Troy replied in a low tone as he avoid clashing eye contact with Richard.
After dinner, they all left to their various room. Richard mind was troubled over Troy behavior toward him. Troy hold huge grudges against his father, Richard. Richard, on the other hand, has been making up for that for years now.
Richard was in a bad mood. He was lost in deep thought, "What is missing? Where am I making mistake?"
Tessa came out of the bathroom after taking a cool shower, she saw Richard sitting on the bed and was lost in his thoughts again. Tessa sighed. At some point she wanted to stick to ignorimg him but her mind told her that it was about Troy again.
Tessa approached him, "Hon, are you okay, is this still about Troy?" she asked as she rub his back mildly.
Richard gasp and glance Tessa, "I've done everything to please that kid, yet he can't let go of the past. I mean, he is my son, his happiness is my top priority." Richard was dismayed and unhappy.
"Richard, don't be too hard on yourself. You're a good father, don't let Troy attitude toward you to get the best of you," Tessa console him.
"If I'm a good father then why do my own son hate me? I'm I not good enough?"
"I know, Richard don't rush him. Maybe, he needs more time to get over whatever came between the both of you." Tessa said as she share her own opinion.
Suddenly, Richard glared at Tessa. He became furious, with anger he push Tessa hands off his back and sparked, "More Time? Are you hearing yourself Tessa? More time?"
Tessa was flustered. She drew backward as her heart pond faster. "Richard I didn't..."
Richard didn't let her finished, "Ever since Troy came into my life all you've always say to me is Troy needs more time, he needs more time. Richard give him more time to get over your dispute with him." Richard paused.
Tessa was terrified and scared. What have she done? She should have mind her business. Now, she just unleash the devil itself.
Richard grab her hands angrily. He glare dangerously at her, "For heaven sake Tessa, have had enough! Have had enough of someone telling me how to fend for my own son! Troy is my son, my son alone!!! And I'm the one who makes decision here, not you!!!"
Richard scold her to his satisfaction. He stomped out of his room as he slammed the door very hard.
Tessa was shrinked with fear. What have she done? Tears rush down to her cheek. She sat on the bed as she started consoling herself, "Tessa, you should be used to this by now, so don't cry. Stop crying, you did this to yourself." She can't help but keep crying.
Sometimes Tessa regret getting married to Richard and sometimes she wish she had help her husband get out of jail maybe things would have turn out differently.
Ever since Richard and Tessa got married he barely treat her well. Richard disrespect her a lot unlike Alihandro who devoted himself for her. Richard beat her up whenever she went against his wishes. He also have an affair with other women, and Tessa knew about it but yet she can't do anything to hinder it. The worst of all, he forced himself on her anytime she failed to appeal to his urge.
Richard was never the man he claim to be.
Tessa should be used to this by now. Maybe this is her being punished for failing to support her family in their deepest need.