Chapter 18. BREAKING NEWS

Chase's pov

We walked inside my parents' house at around 7 pm. I was still with Yusuf. Now that he had helped me find justice, I had no option but to continue hosting him in my room. We spent the rest of the day strolling around town and hanging around famous places we could not have afforded when we were alive.

My parents and Mitch sat in our living room watching TV, reporting the daily news.

"Let's go upstairs," I said.

"Don't you want to hang around your family and watch the news together?" Yusuf asked.

"No. I don't want to." I said and started walking upstairs, then suddenly held my steps. I turned to Yusuf, who was still standing.

"You ain't coming? You are not in a position to hang around my family, remember?" I asked.

"Look over the screen. There's breaking news." Yusuf spoke, and I focused my attention on the screen hanging on the wall. Below the words, breaking news was written, " Dave Matthews is dead."

"A famous business mogul, Dave Matthews, was found dead at his home this afternoon. The autopsy report from the forensic scientists has proved the cause of death to be choking. The police have also placed Harriet Wagner at the crime scene and they are now looking for her. She is believed to be on the run." The lady journalist spoke on the TV.

"There you go. The whole country now is aware that the bastard is dead." Yusuf said happily, tapping on my shoulder.

"Come on! You wanted this, and you should be happy." He added. I was supposed to be happy, but I wasn't. Seeing the death of Dave Matthews on TV didn't make me feel a thing.

"They still don't know if he's the bastard who smashed on my car," I said, looking at my parents. My mom was talking about how sorry she was that such a popular business mogul lost his life to choking.

On the other hand, Mitch blamed it on Harriet, saying that some girls are so ungrateful. " How can you have the richest guy as your boyfriend and chock him to death? She's so stupid." She said. My dad was nagging about how many young people would lose their jobs now that Dave was dead.

That was not what I wanted them to say. I wanted them to be dancing to the fact that their son had finally been granted some justice.

"It's like the police never told them about Dave Matthews being a possible suspect in your case," Yusuf spoke.

"I'll be upstairs," I said and walked away. Yusuf followed me. Once in my room, I removed a cigarette from my pocket, lit it up, and continued to smoke by the window glaring at our backyard.

Yusuf hopped on the bed.

"Good night." He said and buried his head under the duvet. That was another bad night, so I didn't respond to Yusuf's wishes.

After I was done smoking, I sat on the bed next to snoring Yusuf. He was such a sleepy head.

****

The next morning I opened my eyes to light filling my room. I glanced at my watch, and it was already 8 am. Yusuf was still sleeping and still snoring out so loud. He was the reason I had woken up that early. Loud snoring always made me uncomfortable.

I stepped off my bed, walked out of my room, and headed downstairs. I wasn't exactly sure what I would do there, but it would probably be nice than sitting down and listening to Yusuf's snores.

I walked to our living room, where I found my dad sitting comfortably, sitting down and reading a newspaper. I could hear my mom banging things in the kitchen. "She must be making breakfast," I said to myself. I took my seat and stared at the TV that was still playing.

"Good morning, dad." That was Mitch saying as she walked in. She pecked dad's cheek.

"Good morning, sweetheart." My dad said, and Mitch sat next to him. I could not help but feel lonely. There was a wave of anger generated from inside me. At that moment, I regretted being dead. It was so unfair that I could not talk to my family. I missed being hugged by my dad and being called sweet names.

After a few minutes, my mom walked in carrying a kettle of coffee and a tray of fried eggs, sausages, and doughnuts. She placed them on the dining table in our living room.

"Come on, guys. Breakfast is ready." My mom said, and Dad and Mitch walked to where she was and took their seats. My mom sat down too.

I glared at my family eating together as they chatted happily. I walked over and took a seat. "I know you can't see me, but I'm here with you guys. A family breakfast as it used to be." I said.

"Mitch, I wanted to ask you something." My mom spoke, and Mitch raised her brows and then nodded, indicating that my mom could shoot her inquiry.

"Have you been sleeping in Chase's room?" My mom asked, startling Mitch that she got choked on her coffee. Dad mumbled a sorry to her. I was also startled by my mom's question. Why was she asking that?

"What? Why would you ask me that?" Mitch asked

"Have you? " my mom asked again firmly.

"No. Why would I even want to sleep on my dead brother's bed?" Mitch asked.

"Where is that coming from, honey?" Dad asked

"For the last three days, I have been going to Chase's room, and the bed Is always unmade. I made it myself last night, and this morning it was unmade." My mom responded. She was right. Yusuf and I had not been tidying up the bed after we woke up.

"That doesn't make sense," Mitch said.

" That's why I asked if you been sleeping there. But if not, then who has been sleeping there?"

"Maybe you did not make it. You could have forgotten to." Dad said.

"No. What about this?" My mom said and chimed in her dress pockets.

"I found these up there this morning. " She said and placed two pieces of used cigarettes on the table. She must have been in my room while we were still sleeping and collected them at the window where I disposed of them.

"Chase never smoked," Mitch said.

"Yeah, and that means someone has been there. They have been sleeping there and even smoking there." My mom spoke.

"But that is not possible. We have been here all week and have not seen anyone walk in. There is also no breaking-in observed. " Mitch said.

"Sweetheart, are you telling us the truth?" Dad asked, looking straight at Mitch.

"What, Dad? Do you think I have been hanging at Chase's and smoking there?" Mitch asked.

"Mmmh!" My dad said, nodding his head.

"Mitch, have you been smoking? When did you start smoking?" My mom asked.

"Mom! I am not smoking. I don't smoke and have not been in Chase's room since he died. I can't bring myself to go up there. There's a lot about him there." Mitch said softly, wearing a sad face.

"You guys don't believe me. Do you?" Mitch asked, looking at my parents, who were looking at her with questioning eyes. It was pure evidence they did not believe what she said.

"So unbelievable," Mitch said and knocked on the table, then stood up and left for upstairs furiously.

"Mitch, come on!" My mom shouted, but Mitch ignored her and disappeared upstairs.

"Shit!" I exclaimed. That was another mess caused by me. I felt sorry for Mitch; she was the one to carry my blame.

"She will come around." My dad said, caressing my mom's hand. My mom nodded her head and both continued eating their breakfast as I watched them.

"Another breaking news?" Dad exclaimed, looking at the TV that was still playing. I turned and focused on the screen.

"Police have arrested Harriet Wagner at the airport." The news anchor said and showed photos of Harriet handcuffed and two cops leading her to the cops' car. She looked very scared and I could not help but feel sorry for her. It was my fault.

"It seems Harriet Wagner was trying to flee the country after learning she was placed at the crime scene of Dave Matthews." The journalist added.

"Shit! " I exclaimed. That was yet another mess still caused by me. I stood up and walked hurriedly upstairs and to my room, where Yusuf's snores welcomed me.

"Come on, you sleepy head," I said, lifting the duvet.

"Hey, open your eyes, Yusuf," I said, and he opened his eyes.

"Good morning." He spoke.

"It's not a good morning." I protested.

"Why so, nephew?"

"Don't nephew me. I told you not to. You know my name. " I said angrily. I never wanted him calling me nephew as it always reminded me that he played me, and that made me think that I was stupid.

"Okay, sorry. What do you want? Why did you wake me up?" He asked

"They arrested Harriet Wagner," I said

"And so?" Yusuf asked

"Come on, Yusuf! An innocent girl was arrested because of what I did. That does not bother you? That you were there, and you know what happened?" I asked.

"Come on, Chase! I told you ghosts don't have souls. No heart! No mercy. So stop acting up like you have one." He responded.

"But I know the truth, and I feel guilty for making an innocent girl get arrested."

"It's not on you. You asked her to leave the country immediately. Why the hell did she delay?" Yusuf asked.

"She's the one who blew it on herself." He added.

"Running makes her look quilt. I wish I didn't make her run."

"It's not your problem. You tried saving her, but she was stupid to delay."

"There's nothing you can do to help her. Let it go." He added.

"Another thing. My mom thinks my sister has been coming here to smoke. She found my cigarettes." I said.

"And?"

"You will make the bed after waking up and collecting all cigarettes I dispose of."

"What? Why would I do that?" Yusuf asked

"Because you are in my room, or do you want me to kick you out?" I asked and chuckled slightly.

"Okay. Whatever you say."

****