CHAPTER TWO
595 Words
Paris France, 2 weeks before the k********g…
Stepping out of my room in just leggings and a crop top, I walk towards the balcony of my apartment where the morning light is streaming through the glass doors.
It has a perfect view of the city which is why I like to start my morning exercises here. Rolling the folded purple mat tucked under my armpit on the floor, I step onto the mat with a relaxed smile and start my yoga poses with a downward dog to stretch out my muscles.
The morning sun is warm on my pale skin, the happy sound of chipping birds is carried with the cool morning breeze, and the bustling sound of pedestrians going about their day is what I like to listen to the most while excising. It calms me.
For fourteen years I’ve always viewed Paris as a city of chains, a place where I’ve been exiled and bound to, but today it feels different.
Today I feel a tingle of excitement coursing through me and I don’t even know why, it just feels like something big and exciting is going to happen to me soon.
Straightening from my position I change possess. Settling down on the mat I stretch my legs out before me, breathing in slowly as I bent forward with my hands outstretched to touch my toes.
The sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs makes me lift my head to see my butler, Fredrickson walking over with my cell phone in hand. He’d been a surprise 13th birthday present. “A call for you miss.”
His overly polite way of talking is something I’m still having a hard time getting used to, especially with that British accent. I’ve told him to speak more comfortably with me but as always, he ignores my words.
He handed the phone over to me and I slowly stood, with a thankful nod I dismissed his presence and stare at my cell with mixed emotions.
On the one hand, there’s a tingling of joy at the sight of the numbers lighting up my screen, on the other my heart squeezes with nerves.
He never calls unless it’s extremely important or it’s to deliver bad news. And whichever it is, I hope it won’t ruin my good mood.
“Hello,” I say softly, swallowing past the lump in my throat I finish my sentence with a timid. “…Father.”
“No Aqua, it’s me.” When the sound of her nasally, old voice fills my ears I can’t help the sigh of disappointment that slips out of my lips.
Of course, how could I expect anything else?
Slumping my shoulders, I settle back down on the mat. “Good morning Mae,” I greet somberly. “What orders do you have for me today, and why are you using dads cell to call?”
“No orders dear,” She sighs. “Well, except for one.”
“What is it?”
“Uhm… I’m afraid I have some bad news to report.”
Frowning, I wonder why there’s hesitation in her voice. Kim Soo Mae is my father’s 50-year-old secretary, and she’s worked for my family long before I was born.
She’d been my temporary nanny until my father shipped me away, and since the years she’s known me, she’s aware I’m a person who likes being straight forward. Dawdling when you have something to say is something I despise.
“I know it would have been best to tell you in person but given the circumstances I—”
“Just tell me what it is!”
“Aquamarine, your father… he’s dead.”
- Writer
