Cynthia and I spent all afternoon making sure his party would be great. Cynthia invited all of her and John's closest friends with children and we ordered a cake and decorations to be delivered.
We had also managed to get the swelling of my eye down to a minimum. Cynthia gave me some makeup to cover the discolouration in my eye and gave me a old pair of John's sunglasses to use to hide my eye from my uncle.
I had gotten back to the flat later on in the day with the glasses on and thankfully Brian wasn't home just yet so I decided to do some cleaning up around the flat to soften the blow if he were to find out about the massive bruise I had gotten from Pattie.
As I was emptying out the pockets of one of my sweaters, I pulled out Frank's crumpled business card I had shoved in the bottom after learning I had a half sister. I pursed my lips as I ran my fingers across the name, deep in thought.
I took about an hour contemplating before finally deciding to call him again. I needed some closure and I knew it was gnawing at my conscious each second I didn't speak to him, knowing he wanted to talk to me and finally give me answers.
I dialed the number and waited anxiously for someone to pick up.
"Hello, Green Law Firm, how may I help you?" The same receptionist asked sombrely making me hold my breath.
"Hello, can I talk to Mr. Green?" I asked the same way I had last time, realizing I should've disguised my voice in some way.
"Is this, Poppy? Mr. Green's daughter?" Her voice suddenly became elated, sounding excited to hear my voice.
"Erm, yes?" I spoke apprehensively, in puzzlement.
"Oh, brilliant! Mr. Green told me about you after you had called the other day, I'm so, so sorry miss." She sounded desperate for reassurance.
"It's alright," I spoke slowly feeling a little uneasy.
"-may I speak to him?" I continued hearing nothing from her end of the line.
"Yes, Of course, one moment." She exclaimed before transferring me over.
I waited a few moments before he picked up.
"Penelope?" He sounded nervous as he picked up.
"Yes?" I replied shortly, unsure of how to handle speaking to him. I didn't mean to sound so cold as I just had, but it was like instincts.
"Oh, I'm so glad you called again! I wanted to ask you if you would want to go for lunch, but I-I can do dinner tonight, if you're available-" He spoke with urgency as if I were about to hang up.
"Sure." I replied quietly.
I heard a sigh of relief from the other end of the line.
"I'll have my driver pick you up at around six?" He asked.
"Alright." I replied hearing the door open to the apartment, turning around and seeing Brian.
My heart stopped but I soon remembered my black eye was barely noticeable with the amount of cover up I had put on and the swelling had gone down drastically since this morning.
"Who's that?" My uncle mouthed to me, pointing at the phone.
"My Father." I mouthed back.
"What's the address I tell him to pick you up at?" Frank asked joyfully.
I gave him the address as my uncle motioned to give over the phone to him.
I shook my head wide eyed in fear.
