Chapitre 7: 7. The last Goodbye.
"Mr. Bernard." Ida called making him turn around.
"Ida, dear." The man in question said warmly as he walked towards her.
"How are you, sweetie?" Mr. Bernard asked, patting the side of her cheek affectionately, like a grandfather teasing his grandchild.
"I'm doing good." If she said it enough times perhaps she would one day believe it.
"Thank you for coming to see me. How are you doing?" Ida asked.
"I am doing good as well. And, I'm sorry that I couldn't come to see you in the last 2 weeks." He said.
"It's okay." Ida replied.
"I have bought you these chocolates and fruits." Mr. Bernard said, handing them to her.
"Thank you so much. But, can we talk for a few minutes about something important?" Ida asked, making him frown.
"Is this... about your parents?" Mr. Bernard asked and Ida nodded.
"I don't think, there is anything to talk about them, Dear. It's better if you move on from all these." Mr. Bernard said making her take a deep breath.
"I might if you tell me what I want to hear." Ida replied making him take a deep breath and he nodded his head in yes.
"Sure. Let's go talk in the garden?" Mr. Bernard asked and she stepped back to let him lead.
They both walked towards the garden. Ida looked around and saw that there was none around. She relaxed a little, it would be easier for her to discuss this with Mr. Bernard.
"Yes, Dear. What do you want to talk about?" Mr. Bernard asked.
"Umm... About my parents. Who are they really?" Ida asked and he looked away from her.
"Ida... I don't think, You should know about this more. You know that your parents have a leather company..." Mr. Bernard said.
"No. You agreed to yourself about them. Please, don't try to talk about anything else. There is something more... isn't it? You didn't tell me anything more... Because, I was devasted." Ida said as she took a deep breath.
"Please, Don't lie to me anymore. I know that, You agreed that parents are related to some Mafia? I have heard my Dad talking to some man called...Mr. Bellamy too as well few day back before he passed away." Ida said and Mr. Barnard's eyes widened more in shock.
"And as much as I found out that Mr. Bellamy, who is a famous shoe designer, is connected with the Mafia too." Ida said and Mr. Bernard sighed.
"There are also so many articles about him which says that, He is allegedly associated in illegal business and organised crime. I'm sure that I heard him talking with my father about guns 2 days before my parents passed away. But when I tried to ask him, he said I might have misheard because they were simply discussing a mere proposal." Ida said and Mr. Bernard nervously gulped saliva down his throat.
"Tell me. Please. I need answers to find my parents' killers." Ida said with tears.
"It's no use trying for that, Ida. They are gone. I can't risk your life as well. Heck, I don't know how you can able to find out about your parents in the first place." Mr. Bernard replied as he sighed.
"I don't care. Who is this Mr. Bellamy and what relationship does my father have with him?" Ida deadpanned, her tone authoritative. Just like her father.
"Fine. Alright. Your father works for a Mafia Family. I am the one who finds information for him about who he wants! I am just nothing but an investigator for your father. I don't know much about whom your father works for!!!" Mr. Bernard said, rushed and feverish and he scanned the trees for eavesdroppers.
"But as far as I know, Your father has many enemies. He is a man of words and he proves them with his actions. He lived for his gang all these years. Your mother is one of the greatest fighters I've ever known." Mr. Bernard said.
"Mr. Bellamy is one of the rivals to your father. They do not have a good relationship. They both are enemies. I think, the last day, Mr. Bellamy wanted to talk to your father to make peace between each other gang but your father would not hear him. He just wants to keep their war going on. Your father is never the one who backs off easily. He is proud of his pride and now it has costed him his life." Mr. Bernard said as Ida heard everything carefully.
"That's it. I know nothing much about them or your father! I just want you to help you have a better future." Mr. Bernard said and tears rolled down from her eyes as she shook her head.
"No. I want to avenge my parents. They are innocent. The one who killed my parents is none other than Alden." Ida replied and Mr. Bernard's eyes grew wide.
"You mean your…boyfriend? My apologies if I term your relationship wrongly." Ida waved him off.
"Yes." Ida answered and there was a moment of silence between them.
"Am I be able to meet Mr. Bellamy?" Ida asked.
"What? Why?" Mr. Bernard asked.
"To ask him for help. So that I can take revenge on the one who killed my parents. I want to know why Alden kill them!" Ida answered with a stern face.
"Are you serious, Ida? What do you mean by revenge? Killing them?" Mr. Bernard asked with his shocked face and Ida nodded her head with confidence. Seeing the steeled look on her her, Mr. Bernard was suddenly fearful. The way she was ready to take revenge on someone for her parents without even knowing them was never something he would have expected from her.
He was surprised to see the impossible confidence in her. He thought of how her father had spoken of his daughter, the way he wanted nothing to touch her ever, the way he made sure she was never involved in any of his business.
"You are not going to do that! No way I am letting you meet Mr. Bellamy. He is a dangerous man. He will kill you the second he knows who you are!"
"You are going to University and study. That's it. End of the discussion. Make a better life for yourself. Don't get into this shit. It will only ruin you and will get you nowhere!" Mr. Bernard warned.
"You are not going to let me meet Mr. Bellamy?" Ida asked as she raised her eyebrows.
"No." Mr. Bernard answered sternly and Ida nodded her head slowly.
"Fine." Ida said as she got up.
"Ida, please...try to understand me." Mr. Bernard said. "The mafia is not a joke. I am risking my life even by mentioning my association. It would be best you stay out of their business."
"Alright. I will not get into this and go to university." Ida replied after a long pause.
"Really?" Mr. Bernard asked and Ida nodded.
"That's great! Please, forget about everything I said." Mr. Bernard said and Ida nodded.
"I will leave now then. See you soon." Mr. Bernard said.
"See you." Ida replied and they both hugged each other.
Ida waited until Mr. Bernard disappeared from her sight when she smirked.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Bernard. I don't think we will ever meet again. Thank you for everything. This is my last Goodbye with you. I will meet with Mr. Bellamy no matter what. Only then, can I ensure my parents rest in peace." Ida said with confidence in her.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone