Guilty

"Alice, how was the board meeting?" my mom voiced out taking me from my lost thoughts.

"It went....okay" an unsure reply came out . Her eyes read out worries ,she greased her hands on her lap as she stared at me. "The meeting went great " the comforting words came with assurance oh her cheeks. "You have nothing to worry about " I couldn't pull myself to tell her the truth she was already burden by dad's sudden attack. Even if I could ,where was I to begin?. Was I to tell her that her husband found guilty of embezzlement of five hundred million?.

Those paused faces and gossips eyes of each member when the results were submitted still stock in my head. Thomas George ,he speared no second to rub the dirt on my face and that of my family. All the transactions papers had his signatures, accounts held by others were found to be under his control, private investments and assets were traced in his name. With all those evidences presented i found it hard to accept.

I grew up watching the man they were pointing fingers at, it was against his principles ,it nit his traits to cheat. I still hold his teachings and values.

"Lice are you certain?, you ain't hiding anything from me, are you?" her hands caressed my face, detecting the lies from the true. "Honey, what happened?" the warm of her hands on my skin rendered my heart helpless, the cold heart felt warmth from the seconds cuddle. No doubt a mother's touch heals all pain and broken hearts, you feel home and love only in the arms of a mother. Mothers are like mirrors that reflects the troubles of their children, they see through the heart and acknowledge what's unknown to their child.

"I know my child and I know when she's troubled or keeping a secret. Tell me lice what's bothering you?, what're you hiding?. If you can't solve it alone then it always best to share" the restless heart felt the need to rely in her, the comfort of her touch bridged the steady heart. Breaking the silence my lips moved in accord to the heart, grabbing the moment of weakness "da.." My arms broke out releasing the heart from it overbearing guilts ,I set the mind in charge. With her gaze on me I strolled up the long curvy stairs, through the wall of paintings. Mom was a fan of classic paintings so dad got her many during the years and she framed them on the hallway walls.

I entered the king sized bed room, an extravagant sitting room with hand made couches in red designs as it was my favorite color, dolls of various collections were set on each side of the couches. The soft texture of the cotton came in contact with my fingers, gently spreads them through the bead pearls on the cushions ,a ray of light flashed on my eyes, my fingers hastily blocked it off. Taking a second look at the gold curtains that had shift from its positions, I spread it clean grazing my fingers on the fine embroidered silk.

In snail steps, the sound of my body hitting the two size kings bed slammed the Grey walls. I ruffled my back on the disney sheet "arrrr" a sour groaned let out as I gazed at the candle chandelier handing on the ceiling with scrubs of beautiful paintings of my family.

Clocking back in time, me trailing my first steps with the aids of the walls and the stairs, the chase from mom to eat my food or dress early fo school ,the evening rides on dad's back in my room and the living room. It scared me, the fact of knowing that we would have to loose our home if dad's case is lost in court, everything about the black family was built in the black mansion. It wasn't about it immense structures or highly cost assets, what matters were the memories and attachments to those memories. Every child in the Black family was born and raised in the mansion, there was so much at-risk.

"Once again, your emotions drain you of your senses" the savage body slanted it weight on the door, throwing the dark eyes at me as she guided her desiring figure. "You didn't tell her about her husband's deeds, did you?" With few steps those long legs reached the red couch placing her body in comfort of it.

Violet my sister, unlike me she had both the giant height and complementary curves. I had little of what she possessed, much of a giraffe and an elephant, could say it best reason herls were my buddies. She possessed authority and dominance, many described her as a cruel personality but I knew she was more than that, she was frank ,open and bold.

Nothing get in her way.

We shared the same age and birth month with days between, in earlier we had the believe of being twins.

"Author called, Mr. Black is bring served a letter. He stands trial tomorrow to husband's accused, looking at situation he won't make it. So as his daughter you have to be present " her tone went cold. As far as I could recalled she have been addressing our father by his name.

Who would blame her, her early fell apart six years ago in discovering of her being adopted and not being a true Black blood. Sad as it was, the truth came on her special day, clear as day we were celebrating her birthday on the summer park one of her favorite, she had requested clowns and swords fight with pirates shows as she was fan of rough activities. Gracely as it we were journeying through the day, George made an appearance and let his wild mouth run, after a hited argument with dad he blab out that Violet was adopted and a pick up side.

That year was the last I saw tears in her eyes. The truth left her broken and transformed into the lady of steel, with time she built walls in her defense to secure her tender heart.

Our parents took understanding to her change of characters as it was expected.

"He's your father as well" the statement earned me side blinks and stiff expression. "Get this straight, am the adopted daughter of a family driver who was pitted after he lost his life in shield of his master." The cold tone came out broken and hidden pain within. Her biological father whom I came to know went by the name of Brima, was the Black family driver. As told was loyal and nice, to save his master he placed his life at the line. Snatching the bullet in role of dad, at his death bed he requested that his daughter be love and educated. To show gratitude dad adopted Violet into the Black family, frankly they accepted her whole heartedly.

"Take my apology " she said with no eye contact.

"You never gave one " I repeat 8n reminder, it was of no use as she never apologize but claims to. With all our years together I've understood her more, with all the heads and feet we were still close.

"Accept it or leave it" she said turning her feet to the exit direction "where to?" her lips said nothing but her green eyes said it all. "C'mon" I pressed in as she sighed from my constant irritation. "I'm going to meet mom then am off to my own world , I only came to check on mom" right I kept forgetting she moved out after the truth was revealed. She felt she was a burden and found it tough to stay under one roof with the the man her father sacrificed himself for .

The night was merciful enough to gather it fogs in short time, I stretched my arms east and west. My lashes glued to itself as the mind contemplate over issues, the darkness couldn't stop the mind from waking and wondering over the early court session that awaits.

I pinned my elbows on my lap as they guide under my chins, struggled with the thoughts of what the outcome might be. It could be the end of our family or perhaps a miracle might just occur.

Damn you never know the value of miracles till you're in deep shit and I needed one that time.

Three hours sessions of the case came to an end after constant debates between the lawyers, presentations of evidences and witnesses, crossed questions of each witness and evidence rested with the slam of the wooden stick. "With the witnesses and evidences presented, both the court and jury have found Mr. Black guilty of the embezzlement of five hundred millions and is here by demanded to refund the five hundred millions with interests of two hundred million and addition fine of ten thousand million. Due to his medical condition the court takes of his five years imprisonment with the settlement of one million".

"The seat isn't his anymore " that poisonous voice could be recognized anywhere, a glimpse of him was stolen from the corners of my eyes. His apple shaped body hid in the grey turxedo that cried for help.

"What now?, where will you go after the ruin of your family?" His stench breathe of garlic nd kola sting me hard, my hands trembled the urge to slap the smirk off his face. "Go on, do it if you dare" he taunted on notice of my folded fist and clutched fingers in my dress. "1,2,3,4,5" the heart counted to easy itself from doing anything in anger. I smiled at him and took another route.

My feet froze to the air in seconds, flinched my head to his grumpy face in heard of his annoying voice. "You can try all you want girl, you won't be able to save your father or family from this one. I'll be more than willing to watch my brother crumbled to his knees"

The warmth of my skin flagged with in loose shirt I'd worn, my eyes screwed against it will in watch if the bride g before me. My hand raised with reflex turning it position to his chubby jaw, cracking it way with high gravity.

"Alice"

The sudden voice paused my hand from greeting his jaw, I turned to see Author with a gesture of don't please. "Alice" he called in repeat on my revolt to registered him a hard gift which he so damn deserved. Reluctantly I pulled away.

"Let go" he said directing his gaze to the car parked in wait for us, unlike other lawyers. Author gas been the family lawyer since I could recall, by age he was in his thirties but looked no less than a twenties boy. I grew up seeing him as my closest trustee, he was loyal and righteous in accord to his character.

He pulled my Stubborn my hands into the car, evading what he had seen coming.

"Is there anyway to plead to the court to reconsider the verdict or perhaps go low on the fines given?" he shook his head, no words were needed to interpret the dull nod of head.

"It going to tough, a lot is going to change but sure I'll be here for you and the family when ever needed." I did need a friend like Author, no doubt he was gonna be of aid to us ,he had my full trust. Those faint smiles lit a spark in me, a glimpse of hope that someone was there for me.

Well until that little peace was stolen.