Chapter 31: Chapter 31
I stared at the file with a million emotions raging inside me. Will I find answers to all my questions there? At least to a small one? A small but most important one.
Is Raphael involved?
I had a difficult time finding my voice or thinking coherently. Should I feel ashamed that my avenge took a back seat to this glaring uncertainty? My stomach churned, making me want to almost throw up my breakfast. Am I being selfish here? Thinking to guard my heart rather than seeking the culprit? Guilt is also playing a major role here. GUILT. Am I betraying Raphael by reading his family secrets? Is this considered as breaking trust? Could I meet his eye after reading this? Knowing I went behind his back, willingly digging skeletons from his family's closet? What will this do to our relationship? Will he ever forgive me, if he comes to know?
It's not like you are selling this information. It's like Google search. Nothing no one doesn't know. I give myself a prep talk burying my guilt. God! I would give anything to stop feeling this emotion. First Sophie, now Raphael. As if I'm letting him down.
All these questions make my headache. Add it to the remaining body aches and my body is having its very own orchestra. I need a painkiller to deal with this.
I quickly popped two of them into my mouth. Kade being Kade sensed my agitation. He took back the file from me.
'Hey! I was reading it', I complained.
'Better word is trying to avoid reading it', he explained patiently.
'It's not easy, ok?'
He ignored my whining and opened the file.
'Whatever' is the best I could reply to.
Taking the photo from the file he put on the dining table, facing me. It's a photo of Henry. It’s been so long; it took me a moment to recognize him. He looks a decade younger in this. Healthy. Not the withered version I met 3 years back.
'This is Henry William Sinclair, the determination behind Sinclair Enterprises. Before him, it was just a small company with hardly 30 employees under it. He took it in his hand and made it to a nation-wide enterprise. Currently, holds 20 percent of shares in it. Which is a major power to a guy, who didn't step foot in it for 20 years? Very strict. Follows tradition with reverence. Made some harsh decisions regarding company welfare. Nothing discreditable. As straight-laced as they come. Lives outside of the city with his wife, who is a viral company's daughter at that time. To my knowledge, still holds some sway in the company', he briefed me.
'I remember him. He is the reason I could afford anything today. He has thrown me a rope when I was hanging on with the tip of my fingers. I don't think he is involved. I agree he needs to mellow out a little. But he must be tough to be where he is today. So, not him', I still gave my opinion in my thoughts.
He was strict even when I saved his life. It's like a regular thing he does in a day. Strict...strict...STRICT. Oh god! I totally forgot about today. Today is Monday. A working day. Where I'm not doing any work in my office. Oh my god! Oh my god! Breathe. Erica breathes. It's pathetic to see you fear the guy you love, said my inner diva filing her imaginary nails.
Oh, shut up! I don't know which Raphael I'm going to face. The guy who roars at everything that comes from my mouth or the one who kisses it. Though it's been 5 weeks since he was Hyde. Better be safe than face more wrath.
'I forgot something to do. Give me a minute', I told Kade as I took his laptop. I don't know why I didn't say I was mailing Raphael. Probably I don't want him to have any negative impressions. That ship sailed a Long time ago.
Uhh. Could I murder my inner B without killing myself? Try it. U can't touch me, baby.
Forget it. I quickly typed an email to Raphael, saying I'm using my sick leave for today.
That completed I focused on Kade, who is being smart for once and not asking any questions.
'So... who is next in our genealogy lesson?'
He placed another photo from the file on the table. 'This is Edward William Sinclair and his wife Diana Sinclair', he stated.
Before he could continue further a laugh burst from me. 'Seriously? Henry...Edward... Diana? Someone had a thing for British royalty', I told him mirth dancing in my eyes.
'Shall we?', this terrific reply is what I got in answer. Why waste time fighting, he could kill his opponent with his humor. Jeez... sometimes I pity those poor souls who work under his employment.
'By all means'
'Edward was a wild child in his youth. Henry's strict upbringing didn't help.'
'Ooh a rebel', I grinned imagining a guy with Raphael's features having the time of his life. I couldn't fathom it. Alas, even in my imagination Raphael is wearing a suit and ready for dictation.
He gave me a look. And I zip-locked my mouth with an imaginary key.
'Matters didn't help when he became the head of the company. As a result, it faced many losses. It took him 18 years to get it back to its previous glory.'
'Why didn't Henry help? He was known to have a business mind, right?'
'Obviously, there was a scandal during Edward's rebel days. No one knows exact specifics. Money can silence all types of noises. But it upset Henry so much that he broke communication with Edward. Father and son didn't talk for 2 years. Which is when Edward took disaster decisions involving company'
'What scandal? What was so humongous that made a guy like Henry leave his company's welfare in the hands of his incompetent son?'
'We can't find it from these clippings'
'You know, I don't call this digging. It's called a collection of newspaper articles', I politely pointed out.