CHAPTER 4: FATHER’S STRANGE REQUEST

One week back

“Everything has already been prepared, you don’t have to worry about anything” he stated, proudly. I can tell by his confidence that this is not something that’s been decided yesterday. He purposely chose not to tell me beforehand, well at least that’s what I think. I’m trying to come up with excuses to not give into him.

“Dad, this is not that simple, deciding to live in that old manor, banished from 18 years” I assured, still not sure about the number of years. I spoke again “I’m sure, you planned all of this - months ahead” looking away from his face.

“Well, months or weeks, it doesn’t matter son” he replied approaching me. He patted my shoulder, saying “I’m expecting you, next week if at all you have the slightest respect towards me” he imposed.

“Well, at least explain to me, what’s all this is about?” I questioned him looking straight at his face.

“You will know, once you arrive” he answered and left the room with his little secretary uncle following him behind. I don’t know what’s gotten into him all of a sudden, asking me to come live with him, in that old manor, which we’ve left behind to rot. Settled in the woods, probably haunted, I’m sure ghosts are living happily ever after in that rotten manor. I need to escape this melodramatic father to son request but I’m actually clueless as to what’s happening with him to behave this way. We were happy here, in Cardiff, in this beautiful villa built by our own company under his supervision, the one he built and loved very dearly and now all of a sudden, he is wishing to live in that terrible thing? Okay! two weeks, just two weeks, I’m going to live there – more like stay there and then escape with an excuse, some stupid reason, until then I need to find out what’s wrong. Next week is in 4 more days, and life couldn’t possibly get any more unpleasant. Seriously, located in the woods, if I ever crave for anything or need to get something, I need to drive myself back, like seriously who even wants to live in the jungle? My dad is definitely gone nuts, I can place my bets on him. Okay now I’m done thinking about this, I need to go on a shopping spree real bad, splurge some money like water in order to de-stress and the sad part is - do all of this on my own because not even a single mate of mine is in town.

The town seemed empty or maybe not but it isn’t packed, I don’t think it’s time for winter vacation yet but the town seemed like it’s taking a break. The mall was refreshing after escaping the blinding sun. All the stores were pretty bustling, I guess I was wrong about the town being empty. I straight went into Starbucks; a refreshing drink wouldn’t hurt. After long contemplation, I decided to go with Cinnamon Dolce Latte. At least the café wasn’t scurried with the crowd, I got my order pretty fast. Walking in the mall corridors wandering from store to store reminded me of Janet, my little sister. We always visited this same mall and it’s been a year since she left for Law school in France. What’s with women and their love for Paris, I mean I know for a fact that it is a romantic city with French men attracting women with their sophisticated language and their renowned fragrances, but with all this home sweet home drama that father is playing, I think I could use Janet’s company. The latte tasted delicious and somehow it reminded me of the small café I visited back in Polperro and the girl I met, not to mention that jerk who followed that girl. I wonder what he is doing there instead of Cardiff. I feel bad that I missed him that day. After hours of spending a sumptuous heap, I bought everything I could, things that aren’t even necessary in the first place. Everything from shoes to clothes, accessories to gadgets, even pyjamas from every brand I saw. My father implies that I need not shop like a woman. Well, I don’t think only women are born to shop this way, I don’t see a reason why men can’t empty their wallets up to their heart’s content. Anyways, when I got back to the home, I can sense something, I knew what it was, I straight went upstairs, announcing myself,

“Well, if it isn’t for my lovely father” I announced entering the drawing-room.

“Where have you been? Son” he enquired

“Just you know, doing what you don’t want me to do”

“So I was right, you were on your little de-stress sprees like a little woman, but that’s totally fine”

“Wait is this my father? I am speaking to” I questioned because this is not how he usually react

“Yes, since you agreed to come live in that manor, I was really happy for that and I cannot just belittle you for something you don’t even listen to me” he answered with a chuckle.

“Father, come on! It’s not like you asked for my opinion or something” I frowned

“Come on Mark, what’s with that face? Are you sixteen?” he laughed off while looking at me. He seemed happy and carefree and I don’t want that look to fade away. I have always loved him for the man he is. I don’t think he ever made a mistake in his life and I want to know what’s wrong this time, help him with whatever he is going through.

“So, what’s happening dad? Why is everyone so occupied?”

“Well they are busy packing things to move them back to the manor”

“Wait! Moving things? Aren’t we gonna come back someday? What’s the use of moving things? Is the manor that empty? Is it haunted or something?” I questioned him, out of breath.

“Relax son, nothing is haunted, you won’t be meeting a beautiful ghost or something. Don’t get too romantic”

“Father! Do you think I’m scared or something? I am twenty-five - ishh, not sixteen” I shouted while falling onto the chaise longue.

“Yeah right, It’s good that you’ve gone shopping, pack them all, I’m pretty sure you purchased enough to last for a year or two” he mocked my amazing de-stressing skills.

“If only Janet is here” I mumbled to myself.

“Don’t make that face now, she might come back” he replied.

“Wait really?” I questioned, my face lit up and my eyes grew rounder.

“Might be son, might be, anyways, good night son”

“Good Night”

Three days later:

The week ended quickly, and I still couldn’t bring myself to the fact that I will be moving the next day to the paranormal manor which is left for the spirits who are probably making a beautiful ghost family, living happily ever after. Half of the things were already packed and moved to the manor and the other half will travel with us tomorrow. I am definitely not ready for this. It's not like I’m mad or something but I do not see a reason to go live there. Also, this house is where we grew up since childhood, me and Janet. I don’t want dad to remember the past if we go there because I know for a fact that we left the manor because something happened with mom and I don’t know a single thing. The topic was raised many times but we only get an “It’s nothing” in return, but I know that something happened back in the day. Maybe, this time I may find my answers. It was almost noon and I was still in bed in my brand new pyjamas. I got up and went straight into the kitchen, looking for Chiara and she’s nowhere to be seen. Chiara is the nanny me and Janet have had since we were born. She’s been working with us even before I was born and we love her so much. She cooks the juiciest and mouth-watering pizzas since she is from Italy and she also has her own family recipes generated from her ancestors. Her husband works here too, and he takes care of the rest of the household issues and he is one funny man but, he is extremely talented and does all kinds of chores. While I was looking for something to eat, I heard someone enter the kitchen and found that it’s Marcello, Chiara’s beloved husband,

“Mark, you’re here, I was looking for you” saying this, he walked faster towards the kitchen platform.

“Yeah, where is your lovely wife? I can’t find her anywhere”

“Oh! She’s long gone to the Manor, first thing in the morning”

“What? Aren’t we going tomorrow? Did she go there on her own?”

“Yes, we are going tomorrow but she and the other maids along with the movers left today to look after the things there, she told me that she prepared some food for you, so I came looking for you”

“Oh! Really, please I am very hungry by the way”

“Oh! Poor boy, go sit down at the table immediately, I will get you your meal right away after reheating them”

Ok, I replied to him and left the kitchen, after a few long minutes he came out with a load of dishes. She never disappoints me and knows exactly what I need. He placed everything in front of me along with a jar of orange juice. Every dish is just beyond amazing. I can never have enough of her food. After lunch, I felt completely filled and I don’t think I can have another meal for the day. I took a stroll around the house for one last time and found most of the rooms empty or covered with a white cloth over the furniture. I saw that father isn’t home and I felt pretty empty that even Chiara isn’t here. Marcello is busy as always, moving or repairing something. Janet is in France and I am left alone in this big fat world. I can’t play with my Xbox because the cables, lining were disconnected since we won’t be coming back anytime soon. At least that is what father thinks and he has always been careful about such things. He never listens. I went into the library, which I never did ever since I was a teen, and I went through all rows for a few minutes, went into the drawing-room and yes everything is completely covered except for my father’s desk. It seemed odd for some reason. Maybe, it will be when father gets back home. I went and sat at the desk, swinging left and right in his chair just like how Janet did back in the day and I found that his drawer is not completely closed leaving off an inch or two. When I opened the drawer, I found an old picture of my father and some man next to him. Probably, his friend or something. Father looked somewhat like me and it was a really old picture that it is almost ruined near the corners. I left the picture as it is in the drawer and went back to my room. Going back to my room is the only option left and I went through my phone for a few hours and I realized that I didn’t take a shower yet and decided to take one for a long time simply wasting water while I enjoyed it. The shower felt refreshing and I wanted to sleep. It’s just about time for supper but I still feel full from the afternoon. I decided to sleep early, ending this day much earlier instead of being bored to death.