CHAPTER 1: Family Situation

Mirabelle's POV

Oh my God, I killed him. I killed Richard.

I looked at Richard's lifeless body on the floor, then at the knife in my hand, there was no time to waste so I quickly wrapped the knife in a napkin I took from the kitchen, took his phone on the ground and left

A few years before the incident

It was a cold Sunday afternoon, I was watching a movie with my family when my dad phone rang, he picked it up and shouted Jesus few seconds in to the call

Daddy what happened, I asked, confusion written across my face

Daddy talk now

My sister's voice said calmly as she stood up and walked towards our father

“Our goods that was supposed to land within twelve hours has been destroyed on the sea

My dad said with tears rolling down his chin, his voice shaking and he dropped his phone on the floor

Honey you need to take it easy, please don't injure yourself, we will find a solution to this just don't do this to us please honey

My mum said with her voice trembling but also pretending to be strong

Daddy you really need to take it easy

I said as I picked up his phone to dial the number again

Hello, please you called my dad some minutes ago, can you please explain to me what happened

I asked the man

Madam, your father was expecting some goods from China. He has put all his business savings into bringing the goods down here but the ship has sunk already. I'm so sorry madam my regards to your dad.

He said with sadness in his voice and I felt it

Later that night, I discovered that my father had locked himself in the room and had refused to come out, my mother tried to convince him to open up so did my sister and I but still the door remained locked

So what are we going to do about dad, please, I don't want to lose him

My sister asked looking all unsettled

“We will do something about it

My mother replied almost immediately like she has been waiting for the question

This is really too much for him to carry alone, we are all family we should resolve this together as one

I said with a little bit of anger in me

The next morning my dad finally came out of the room looking miserable, looking almost like a mad man

We are broke

He said with a smile on his face

We are completely broke he repeated

Honey you need to eat bath and sleep, now is not the right time for this please

My mother said as she brought a cup of tea for my father to drink

But that's the truth, we have nothing left, our business is failing the business account is empty even to feed will soon be a problem

My dad said, like he has given up, like there was no other way

What about a loan, we can actually take a loan and buy some goods and with time we will return it

My sister suggested as she scratch her head like she wasn't sure of what she was saying

Brilliant idea

My mother added

My father nodded in disagreement as he stood up and walked towards his room

Why don't daddy want to apply for a loan, at least that should help us for the main time till we're back up on our feet

My sister asked looking confused and out of ideas

I sat quietly as I thought of reasons why my dad wouldn't want a loan, is he scared, is this a prank or is he keeping something from us, but nothing is really adding up

I went to my dad so that at least we could talk privately

Daddy are you scared

I asked calmly

No Mirabelle, I'm not

It's actually a shock that my father remember my name because it's been years I heard him call me that

Then what is the problem why don't you want to go ahead with Jessica's suggestion

I just can't Mirabelle, you won't understand

Again my dad called me by my name, that was when I knew this is no joke

I'm your first child daddy if you don't talk to me, who else do you want to talk to or do you now have a child outside somewhere that we know nothing of?

It's nothing like that, everything are just happening at the same time and it hurts that I can't do anything about it

My dad said sobbing

And that is why we are here for you daddy to help you, we are family not, your problem is our problem, family work together not ignoring one another

I said as I wiped away his tears

We have an outstanding loan that hasn't been paid

He said with pain, bitterness and sadness in his voice

My arms dropped, I never saw that coming, I was speechless not until my mum interrupted us

Breakfast is ready father and daughter, you should come eat your food before it gets cold

I stood up gently like was I was told the world was going to end if I stand and I walked to the dinning looking like I was going to be given life imprisonment if I walk properly

I tasted the food but it was completely tasteless, the water was like a forbidden one, I stared at the food like my life depends on it

Sis wassup

My sister asked

Mirabelle!!!!!

My mum shouted, as I woke up from my wonderland thought

Why are you absent, where is your mind

My mum asked

Don't tell me you are also thinking of the goods, please you guys should not injure yourself, you're all I have

My sister added

I'm fine I just need a moment please

I said as I walked into my room, my food untouched and locked my door

How much could the debt be?, or is my dad testing our loyalty for him

I said as I walked to my bed to sit

“Knock knock

Come in

My dear we can't let them know

My dad said as he quickly came in like he was being monitored

Them? You mean my mother who's your wife and my sister who happens to be your daughter?

I said with disbelief and irritation in my face

Listen, they can't take it, they're too fragile we need to keep it from them at least for now

My father said trying to console me

I honestly understand my dad, my mum might go into coma after hearing this and my sister, she will just commit suicide

Ok daddy, we will keep it from them for the main time till we have solution to all of this

Thank you my mummy

My dad said as he drew me closer to him and pat my back, and for the first time in two days my father called me his favorite names to call me

I and my dad went outside back and I went straight to the dinning to finish my food, even though the way my mum and sister was staring at me almost made me fall, I pretend to put a smile on my face like all was good

I was up throughout the night trying to find a solution but there seems to be no way out,

Knock knock

Come in

Mirabelle what is happening, your dad couldn't sleep all through the night please don't keep me in the dark, what is wrong, I thought we are family

Mummy good morning

I greeted her as I stood up gently to sit on the couch in my room

Mummy, nothing is wrong everything will be settled soon it's just a matter of time, daddy is just a little bit worried but I will talk to him

Are you sure, because the way he was acting last night it's really suspicious, it shows that something is wrong with him

My mum explained as she was about to cry

Mummy stop, calm down it's nothing daddy is just a bit worried and I will talk to him

I said as I walked towards her and pulled her to myself to console her

Something has to be done, we can't just keep it to ourselves, mummy is worried paa

I told my dad without even realizing I didn't greet him

Alright no problem let's go tell them

My dad replied with a cold voice

My eyes widen like I wasn't the one who brought out the suggestion

Mummy, Jessica, please we have a meeting

I called them like there was no problem

They both came and sat expecting one of us to talk while I look at my dad in the eyes expecting him to say something