CHAPTER 7. PERFIDY

The whole environment was unsettling. An old woman approached me and asked softly, "Are you the daughter of Mr. Robert Shay?"

I was astonished with the sudden mention of my father. But what that lady told me next was tremendous enough to shock me.

"I heard he has been imprisoned on the account of fraudulency", uttered the old lady.

After hearing the specifications on the whole information, I left to look for Seth. He was nowhere to be found. My thoughts were occupied with fear and I kept thinking that it might be Seth who framed my father. I couldn't really blame my thoughts as it was him who kept threatening me. Afrer finding the cab, I left for the N-city prison.

I rushed in to meet my father. After reaching the police station, I met up with my mother. Then, we went to see my father. He was sitting in the corner inside the cell. I took in a heavy breath and went towards him with a heavy heart, trying to control my tears. My father approached me and told me it wasn't him and that he had been falsely accused. I held his hands in mine and promised him that I will get him home as soon as possible. As we were only allowed to meet him briefly, the police officer ordered us to leave. The bailing of my father was also not possible in the night. We had to wait till the morning. Even though It felt really painful to leave my father in that condition, I had to do it as I had to take care of my mother also.

In the morning, when we were readying ourselves to leave, I heard footsteps making their way into our house. It was Daddy. He came back. I hugged him and welcomed him back. After being relieved off of the pain of separation and fear, I noticed another presence that followed my father. It was Seth. He accompanied my father to our house.

"It is because of my son that I am standing here", told my father.

"Dad, I am your son. I will always protect you. I will not let anything happen to you ever", assured Seth in a calming voice.

Hearing him say that, I wasn't able to hold my tears in anymore. Warm tears flooded down my cheeks and, I felt a comforting embrace. Seth hugged me and whispered in my ear, "I will not let anything happen to mom and dad".

Then, Seth told us about the culprit. It was his own uncle, Chad. He planned to denounce my father from his post, so that he could become the next COO. He was taken in the custody of the police. Seth apologized to my parents on behalf of his uncle and they forgave him.

While returning back to Seth's house, he returned back to being his cold self. He ignored me in the whole way and was busy reading newspaper. That man confused me so much. I couldn't understand anything he did. His sympathy and kindness that he showed few moments ago seemed like a dream. Why was he so ruthless with me earlier? If he hated me, Why didn't he let me go? Even though he knew I loved him, he kept toying with my emotions. He ended up hurting me countless times. And when I tried giving up on this relationship, he kept stretching his arms towards me to draw me in again. What were his feelings towards me? Was it just hate? If it was only hate, why did he help me and comfort me when I was at my worst? and, most importantly What was the reason for his hate? I needed to know the reason as only then, I would be able to move forward to the next chapter. I was tired of hanging in between with no knowledge of the existing scenario. I needed to set things straight between me and Seth. This unrequited love needed to come to a solid conclusion. It will be either all or nothing. My heart had been broken so many times that one more time wouldn't make much of a difference. I helded all these broken pieces of my unfathomable hope, desire and love and went on to gamble on more time. Will I be able to experience the bliss of mutual love or will I break some more?