CHAPTER 33

2.9K 116 9
                                    

FLASHBACK

Meghan was plucking a few lilies' from their garden. Mother would love a vase of fresh flowers when they would come back home. Oh the scent, she always loved lilies' more than roses. Roses were overrated, she thought, lilies' were subtle yet enchanting. She chirped her way into the kitchen, filling a crystal vase with tap water when there was a ring on their landline.

''Hello, am I speaking to Ms. Bates'', a thick, raspy male voice inquired from the other end of the call.

''Yes, may I know who is calling'', Meghan carefully listened to the caller.

''I'm speaking from Seattle's police department, we are sorry to inform you, we've found a car by the Fremont bridge, and we've recognized it as being registered to your parent's, Mr and Mrs Bates. Two bodies were identified, but since they were not in good shape, we would like you to please visit the station for a DNA match'', the officer informed.

For a moment Meghan did not realize what she just heard, her silence was broken by the officer on call.

''Ms. Bates are you still there'', the officer prompted.

''Yes, yes, I'm sorry I'll be there'', was all she could manage to blurt out.

''We would prefer you accompanied by a close someone'' and with that the officer hung up.

Meghan was shattered, she was too young to lose her parent's, what would she do, where would she go.

''Aunt Clara'', she sobbed softly on the phone.

''Tell me'', Clara was the only family she had other than her parent's and though she did not quite like her, she was the only one in reach for help as of now.

Meghan talked her aunt through everything she had been informed by the police official and she waited for her aunt to reply.

''Alright, I'll pick you up in 10 and we can go take a look at what the police has to say, there's not much we can do about it anyways'', her aunt was immune to the news, as she expected. Clara was always slightly jealous of what her step sister Fiona had achieved in life. A good job, a good husband and a beautiful daughter. She was a single women in her mid-forties now with a small clothes shop by the shady area of town.

As promised, Clara was waiting by the door, to pick Meghan up.

The ride to the station was uncomfortably quiet.

''Ms. Meghan Bates, and you should be'', the officer looked up at Clara.

''I'm her aunt, Clara Fernandez'', she informed lazily.

''Right, this way please'', the officer directed them to a small room, which looked like a lab, but with fewer equipment's at hand. The officer directed the nurse in charge to collect a blood sample from Meghan and stood stiff in his place.

''We also have a few items retrieved from the car, if you could identify those for quicker investigation'', the officer placed a clear bag tagged evidence on the table and emptied the contents.

''That's my mom's chain with the locket'', Meghan could not contain her tears, it was true, it was all true and it was over. Reality hit her like waves crashing on the shore.

''And this cell phone'', the officer placed a cell phone in her hands to study.

''My dad's''

''How did this happen'', Clara inquired ignoring Meghan's reaction.

''It was an accident, that's all we can say as of now'', the officer put everything back in the clear bag.

''We will get the reports by tomorrow, a confirmation, and autopsy and you can take the bodies home'', the officer informed.

''We also suggest you to stay with her as a guardian'', the officer looked at Clara.

''Alright''.

The next few days were blurred, so many things happening in so little time.

The DNA confirmed that Meghan's parents were no more, the lawyer of her parents informed her about the assets they had left behind for her through their will which would be sanctioned by Clara only when Meghan took up a job post education and settled down.

Clara was not very happy with the unannounced responsibility she now had though there wasn't much of an option.

The first few days were fine, Meghan was trying to cope with her loss but Clara was not much of help.

The only interaction they ever had was during breakfast after which Meghan would go to her college, she was doing fashion studies and Clara to her shop. Meghan was fine with it, though she wondered if things could ever be different for her.

For her internship, upon a lot of pestering, Meghan convinced Clara to let her work at the shop.

Clara willingly agreed, where would she get professional hands to work for her for free anyways.

Meghan would cook breakfast for the two of them and then run the shop. As soon as the word spread out, of a graduating fashion designer joining Clara there was a steady flow of customers.

Meghan loved working and designing clothes even though their clients couldn't afford much, she would make the best of her time at the shop.

She started noticing Clara bringing in a man to the shop very regularly, he was in his late twenties, definitely a little too old for her 22 self. He wasn't that great looking but had a charming personality or so Clara would say.

For the first few months he would just visit the shop, for a casual coffee and sometimes take out all at his expense.

But soon his presence was all over the place, he would regularly visit their house, some days with dinner and some days in the pretense of helping Clara with taxes. He was in some banking business Clara would say.

''Matthew is a money man'', she would beam proudly as if advertising him to Meghan.

Meghan hardly paid attention, she definitely wanted to get married but not with a man of his age, she always dreamed of a fairy tale wedding just like her parents.

Meghan hardly paid attention, she definitely wanted to get married but not with a man of his age, she always dreamed of a fairy tale wedding just like her parents

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.


Chapter 33 is up! How do you like the concept of a flash back? Also don't forget to vote, comment and share💜

OWNEDWhere stories live. Discover now