Chapter four: The funeral.

KEITH

I stood before the mirror, nervously adjusting my black bowtie. I was all dressed in black, ready for the funeral. Not the funeral of my murdered loved ones, but that of Monalisa Haudeclaire whom I killed.

Hahaha. What an irony.

Unlike on other days, Percy wasn't waiting outside my room. I walked alone down the empty corridor, and turned a corner.

There I saw him.

Percy was leaning on the wall, his hands at his back. His eyes were closed, his face tilted towards the white ceiling. He struck the perfect picture of every woman's dream in his black tux and black brogues.

I paused in my tracks and stared at him.

Is he crying?I can't see any tears from here.

I wanted to walk up to him. I could feel the rising urge to comfort him welling up inside me. Then,as though alerted by a sixth sense, he opened his eyes and turned to regard me.

No, he's not crying. His face was calm and serene,as peaceful as a stormless sea under a starry sky.

I had no idea whether to approach him or not, so I stood just where I was. As if he could read my mind, Percy decided to approach me instead. I could feel my heartbeat getting louder with each step he took.

At last, he stood before me. Different emotions whirled inside of me at once: a fierce certainty that my murder of Lisa was justified, guilt at having murdered someone's only family, wretchedness for the pardon I had been showered with.

And his silence was not helping matters at all.

"I'm sorry"I suddenly heard myself blurt out.

He did not reply for a while,then he silently extended a hand. Extremely astonished, I hesitated before taking it.

"Let's go"he said quietly.

*

*

*

Wow. What an impressive turnout.

I couldn't stop staring as car after car drove into the funeral premesies,a vast garden housing flowers of several exotic variety.

Monalisa Haudeclaire's grave stood in the center of the garden, amidst a bower of fragrant pink roses.

The upper echelon of the Underworld were all in attendance- drug Lords, gambling Lords,brothel Madames, wealthy strippers, and so on. Everyone was dressed in deep black, except the seductress from the other day,who chose to make her appearance in a blazing red number that glittered in the sun.

The funeral proceeded uneventfully. There was a Catholic priest to officiate the event, and I could not help but wonder if he did not feel uncomfortable in the company of the sort of guests present.

An hour and thirty minutes into the event, all heads turned towards the rear.

All heads, except Percy's and including mine.

A black private jet descended a little way from the crowd, and the pilot stepped out to usher out his passenger. I watched in fascination as a long, slender pair of gardenia white legs came into view,clad in black six inch pencil heeled shoes studded with what I believe are real jets.

Then the occupant emerged, and my jaw dropped. My eyes were riveted to her slender, voluptuous form, as were everyone else's. She was dressed in a glossy silk black dress that set off the smooth satiny skin of her shoulders. It clung to her body from her bust to her hips where it flaired all the way down, its hem brushing the ground. The skirt broke into a slit from the knees, providing a good view of her lovely legs. A black satin cape trailed on the grass after her, billowing in the gentle breeze.

Her accessories caught every eye- jet hoops I could put my hands through,a black choker,an obsidian ring and a black clutch. She had a gorgeous, unforgettable face, with it's soft rosy cheeks, green heavily-lashed doe eyes, and full rose red lips. Her face was lightly yet beautifully made up,her hair pulled into an intricate chignon with an onyx hairpin amongst the creamy blonde locks.

She took fluid, graceful strides towards the grave, accompanied by a burly black guard.

My gaze followed her as she walked past everyone else, to the very fringe where Percy and I stood. She took her place at Percy's other side, drawing her bouquet of white roses to her ample bosom.

As the funeral drew to a close, she took her time placing the flowers on the sparkling headstone. Percy had chosen the epitaph:

MONALISA ANGEL HAUDECLAIRE

2003-2022

Younger sister to Percy Linton Haudeclaire

A Rose,A Pearl,A Swan,An Angel...

Percy dropped a bouquet too, and stood for a brief moment with a bowed head and closed

eyes. After the event, I stood behind Percy as he shook hands with the guests. At long last, only I, Percy, and the gorgeous young woman remained.

"I'm sorry, Percy"she said solemnly, extending her hand.

Percy nodded slightly, taking her hand.

"Lisa knew this would happen,"she said, casting a longing look at the tombstone"she told me not to cry. So please, don't cry either, Percy".

"I won't"he replied.

She smiled rather sadly,then turned and began to walk away.

No, I thought, don't go.

I wanted to keep listening to her, to keep drinking in the soft golden voice. When she got to her jet, she paused to flash an alluring smile over her shoulder.

I had no reason, but I firmly believed that smile was for me.

*

*

*

"Percy, are you okay?"I asked, already tired of the pensive silence in his car.

"I'm fine"he retorted.

"Oh"was all I could mumble.

Seconds later, I heard his thumbs tapping the steering wheel. This was very unusual, so I looked at him in confusion. The tapping promptly stopped.

"Are you okay, Percy?"I asked again.

"I'm fine"he sighed,"do you mind if I drive around?".

"Not at all"I replied too quickly.

Percy proceeded to drive at a leisurely pace. The wind breathed gently past us as he turned every corner and rounded every bend. An intoxicating aroma assailed my nostrils, and I turned to behold a steak stand by the roadside.

I gawked, salivating. It was already past three in the afternoon, and unlike Percy, breakfast alone was not enough to sustenance for me for a whole day. Suddenly, my stomach rumbled, and I darted a quick glance at Percy to see if he heard.

My face was already hot from embarrassment . To my utmost yet pleasant surprise, Percy stopped by the stand and got me a bag of the delicacy. I stammered my thanks, flushed with happiness.

"Your friend, Sofia"he said as he drove off"you miss her, don't you?".

"I do"I replied, startled.

"You want to see her again, right?".

"Yes!"I replied eagerly"yes, I do".

He fixed his eyes on me for a moment,then turned back to the road.

"What school does she attend?".