Sweetie

Zeline visited her only Uncle Wendell, but she was fascinated by the nude portrait of a young woman in his villa. “You like it?” Breaking the silence enveloping the place her Uncle asked.

“This is beautiful” she said breathlessly with her eyes glued on the painting. She glanced to the approaching step of her Uncle Wendell. He was in his early fifty's but his physique is good with broad shoulders and lean body. Wearing a casual clothes on makes him look younger.

“I was surprised to hear that you're coming. Have a seat, dear” Wendell said.

A uniformed maid enter with a tray of food on her hand, after she places the foods and drinks to the center table she retreated immediately.

“I never have time to thank you personally for looking after Cravens Construction, Uncle. Here, accept it as a gift. It's a 33 yrs old wine” Zeline explained handling over the wine to her Uncle. Wendell delighted just seeing the bottle of wine.

“You're busy, Zeline. But I will accept this, its bad to refuse this kind of expensive wine” with a humor in his word.

Placing the bottle in one of the cabinets he looked at Zeline with a knowing eyes.

“you're a busy woman I don't buy your 'just a visit' reason. What's bring you here, Darling?” He said and asked taking a sip his juice.

With that Zeline knows she can't lie anymore.

“I heard from Atty. Costudio that you re-imbestigate the case of your parents” Wendell said that shocked Zeline but keeping herself restrained and act as if it's too casual thing to talk about.

“You heard it right, Uncle. The truth is I came here to ask you something” She finally said.

“Spill it! Don't hesitate, Zeline” he encourages!

She looked at his eyes, but she could not read his face. His smile doesn't reach its eyes. How can she trust this man if there's a little she know about him?

“I'm too young during that time to suspect any of their friends. Who do you think would do such a thing to my parents?”She asked without hesitation.

'Asking me for this matter doesn't bring you anywhere' instead of saying that he said

"I'm sorry Zeline but I myself didn't suspect anyone of his. Brother was a good-hearted person”

Wendell looked at his niece with a sad expression.

'A good-hearted man?' he thought

“Maybe one of his competitors in business?” She asked with a bit of enthusiasm and worried looked she doesn't know where these topics lead her.

“Maybe” he immediately said.

He walked toward Zeline And patted her shoulder giving the woman a comfort and assurance.

“I will help you just tell what you need and I do everything in my power to give it to you"

Thinking about it, it would be a big help but her mind was unease. She composed herself to as firm as she can beside her Uncle.

“Thank you, Uncle. That would be a big help” she said with a thin smile flustered on her beautiful face.

They talk for a while and Zeline find it odd. This man is still a stranger to her even though he was her Uncle. For what she remembers Uncle Wendell was never in their house before. He never visited and now he wants to help her?

“Sir Wendell there's a call for you” informed the maid to her employer. With that Zeline found a way to say goodbye.

She stands up on her seat and bid farewell to her Uncle

“I'm sorry Zeline I've been busy these days, let's talk about other time” Wendell said. It is also standing and ready to go to the waiting phone call.

“Don't be sorry uncle I know you're a busy man. Starting a company is not a joke. Goodbye” she said with a light smile.

“'I'll see you in the opening party then, Sweetie” he said and start walking away.

' I'll see you in the opening party then, Sweetie'

'Sweetie'

'Sweetie'

The last word playing inside her mind like a broken stereo. Zeline watched her Uncle back with a horror in her eyes.

'It can't be!' she thought

'Its good that you're awake now, Sweetie' the voice in her mind said.

She walked fast to her car and start driving away the villa with her hands clenching the steering wheel and knuckles turned white.

She managed to drive on the national road, but she was shaking so bad and it's so hard to breath. In that kind of state Zeline still manages to keep the car at the corner of road. Her trembling hands forced to open her shirt out of desperation.

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