What would Daddy say? If he found out I was leaving his legacy to die? That’s a question I could only ask him. After I left Andrin's house with my heart in my throat. I took a detour to the community cemetery.

He wouldn’t speak back, but it had been a long time since I visited him. I stopped at the gate before going in to make a call. Didn’t want to disturb the dead.

‘Hey sweetie. How’s Comrade?’ Mom answered.

‘Good, I left him at home then went to see Andrin.’

‘How are they?’ She asked.

I didn’t want to go into details about Lexa wanting to leave her marriage. Things got complicated with Maybelle. They had to make a plan Lexa couldn’t disappear out of that child’s life. I had something more riveting to talk about with Mama.

‘They’re okay for now… I have something to tell you something Comrade told me.’

‘What did Comrade tell you?’

I bit my lip and hoped I didn’t sound crazy.

‘He told me about our family being heirloom keepers and protecting ancient and priceless artifacts.’ I held the phone closely against my ear as I waited for Mama to respond.

She sighed. ‘Oh… who else have you told?’

‘I—I haven’t told anyone, but you. It sounds crazy I know, but Comrade's convinced.’

‘It’s true. Everything he told you is true and you have to be careful my love. Don’t tell anyone you’re an heirloom keeper. Never! Not even Andrin!’

I placed my hand on my chest and squeezed the little pendant. ‘Mama, you believe this… You knew?!’

‘Only when your Father and I were married and after he truly knew my heart did he tell me his family legacy. We decided to wait until we knew our children’s hearts would we tell you.’

I ran a hand through my hair. ‘Mah—’

‘I’m being serious Adele. You can’t tell anyone. It isn’t safe for heirloom keepers. You’re dealing with incredibly powerful objects that anyone would kill for.’

I swallowed the lump in my throat and promised my mother to keep my mouth shut. We said our goodbyes, put my phone on silent and trembled into the cemetery. I scurried to my Father’s grave. I slapped my forehead for forgetting to bring flowers. His grave was cold, dusty and bear.

‘Hey Daddy. It’s me, Addie.’ I swept the leaves on the grave aside and sat on the grass.

‘I’m sorry it’s been a while. I needed to be here. I wish I could actually talk to you.’

I slapped my head again for forgetting tissues. The edge of my dress would have to do. I relayed how working with Andrin had been like over the past couple of days and how guilty I felt for wanting to leave and do what I wanted to do. By the time I was finished I had braided my hair into one long braid that caressed my thighs.

‘If you were here you’d tell me what to do. You always gave great advice. I wish you would give me a sign to show me what I was doing was right.’

A breeze touched my cheek, almost shoving me to look the other way. My eyes landed in the next grave. Mr. Stanley Right. I chuckled.

‘Doesn’t get any clearer than that, huh Daddy? Thank you. I still can’t help feel I failed you.’ I dried my tears with the edge of my dress.
‘Very graceful, Adele.’ A deep voice jolted my body.

I turned and scrambled to my feet. ‘What are you doing here Matthias? Are you following me?’

Matthias shoved his hands into his pockets and laughed. Oh… it made my knees weak.

‘My Father’s buried here too.’

I bit my lip… right. Matthias’ Father passed away when he was in senior year of high school.

‘Right, I’m sorry.’
He took a step forward and cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing my soft skin. The action paralyzed me. His eyes bore into mine.

‘Are you okay?’

I sighed then shrugged out of his hold. ‘Andrin didn’t hit me, he would have, but didn’t. I’m fine.’

He shoved his hand back into his pants pockets.

‘If that’s all you wanted then you should probably leave.’

Matthias chuckled. ‘You can’t kick me out of the cemetery, Addie.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘What do you want?’

‘I told you, we have to talk.’

I couldn’t do this! We had nothing to talk about. He thought I was a lying gold digger. If he wanted to talk why didn’t he call me three years ago? Even two years ago. Was he playing me? Was that what he was into now?

‘No, Matthias I have nothing to say to you and I doubt you have anything to say to me. Please, I need to move on!’

‘I do. I’m… sorry for what happened three years ago?’

‘You’re sorry—’ I stepped back and looked anywhere, but at him. ‘Do you know Amber asked me to be her maid of honor at your wedding? How’d you feel about that? Damn it, Matthias how could you marry my so called best friend?!’

Matthias narrowed his eyes at me then brought out in a fit of laughter. ‘Amber and I… are not getting married.’

I froze. I was pretty sure Amber told me that. ‘What?’

‘I’m not marrying anyone. Did you see a ring on her finger?’

My memory was a little blurry I felt I had seen a few fingers on her hand. ‘You are in a relationship though right?’

Matthias smirked. Someone has to hide the rocks because I was going to permanently remove the smile from his face.

‘Yes, we are.’

I carried my strap bag. Well my visit was over. Matthias grabbed my arm. My body screamed at me to walk away, to forget him. I let him bring me back.

‘What?’ I whispered.

‘Let me take you home. Please.’

I sighed then an idea popped into my head. I could use the time to set things straight. Not about the theft it was over with, but about us. He needed to leave me alone. I let him lead us to a shinny black vehicle.

It smelt like designer men’s perfume. Comfy leather seats, sparkling dash board, state of the art music system and a seductive engine roar. Everything a German car had to offer.

‘You’re right Matthias we do need to talk.’ I said when we were a couple minutes before town.

He glanced at me from the side of his eye and gripped the wheel tighter.

‘Why do I have the feeling this isn’t what I wanted to talk about?’ He muttered.

‘Maybe because it isn’t.’

‘Um then it can wait until dinner at Uncle Jay’s.’

‘What?! What will people think when they see us together? What will Amber think?’
He rolled his eyes at me. ‘I don’t care. I’m hungry, aren’t you?’

The sun slowly said goodbye, painting the sky gold. My stomach was empty, the last thing I ate was the breakfast Rebel brought me. I was glad my stomach decided not to embarrass me by growling.

‘Fine I guess so. But not Uncle Jay’s… let’s go to Uncle Stu's instead. Last I checked not many people went there. I hope it’s still running.’

‘Ugh, it is.’

Uncle Stu's wasn’t that bad, it just had a bad location. It was located on the abandonment side of town. Where the old graveyard was, the decaying antebellum houses and the barren old mine. I assume he thought building a nice restaurant in the area would spark a rebuild of the place. Sadly not many people thought the same.

The good thing is Stuart still got business, people came here if they wanted to hide from society eyes, have a secret rendezvous. Looked like someone else shared Stuart’s idea, a bowling alley had been built not far from the restaurant.

‘Hasn’t changed a bit.’ I said.

Matthias grunted. ‘Unfortunately, I remember bringing you here after your Father said I couldn’t date you.’
I nodded and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. Gosh, I forgot about that. Daddy didn’t like Matthias!

A waitress pranced to our table in her petite pink uniform. She grinned at Matthias and I. There gonna be rumors by Monday.

‘What can I get y’all?’ She darted her eyes between us. She eyed me up and down before fixing her gaze on Matthias.

Go ahead sweetie, he isn’t mine anymore.

‘Nachos and a plate of fries.’ Matthias looked at me.

I shook my head. ‘You don’t change, do you?’

‘I prefer to keep things classic.’

I nodded. ‘Classic, huh? I’ll have the same thing as him with an ice tea.’

The girl smiled at Matthias and walked behind the counter. I looked around there was only one other person in the restaurant. He looked like Kevin Hampton or Kenny, had to be Kevin though, considering the deep menacing frown he cast outside the window. My attention went back to Matthias, what was I doing with this man? This man who was involved with someone else.

‘Remember the plans we made?’ The words came out of my mouth before I could approve their release.

‘Adele—’ He started, but my mouth wouldn’t shut it.

‘No, do you remember when Daddy died and you were there? Remember where you said our honeymoon was going to be? The Middle East. I remember when your Mother said I couldn’t cook as well as she could so I made a promise to take up cooking classes so you wouldn’t starve.’

‘Adele please—’

‘I shouldn’t be talking about this… what’s done is done… I want to move on Matthias! You need to stop coming around.’

I pleaded with my mouth to shut up, I needed super glue to shut my lips together. Matthias didn’t need to see me down. I didn’t want to be down anymore I’d been there too long.

‘Adele! I tried! There are certain things you don’t understand right now—’

‘Oh don’t give me that.’ I waved him away. ‘I’m tired Matthias and I just want to put us to bed. I mean we’re cool now, but there’s no reason for us to be friends. If you do marry Amber make sure she doesn’t ask me to be her maid of honor.’

Matthias rubbed his face, he wanted to say something but the waitress returned with two trays of food. She then walked over to Kevin’s table. I pulled out my phone just to keep from talking to Matthias. I found seven missed calls and twelve texts.

‘Oh my gosh…’

Half of the calls and text were from Andrin. I left my phone on silent when I was at the cemetery.

I’m gonna kill you Adele!!

Pick up the damn phone Adele!

You better come to the house this instant you stupid b*tch!

Adele, where are you? The police are looking for you. — Rebel.

My hand went to my throat. The other calls were from Axel. What’d I do this time? My heart slammed against my ribcage.

‘I have to go now Matthias. Something’s happened I don’t know what.’ I wrapped my bag strap around my shoulder and stood.

The phone shook in my hand. Andrin's texts sent bolts of fear through me.

Matthias stood too. ‘It’s alright, come on let’s go.’

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me out of the restaurant. With trembling fingers I attempted to dial Rebel's number. I held the phone to my ear as it dialed.

‘Addie! Thank Heavens. We’ve been looking everywhere for you.’ Rebel said.

The sun had gone, Matthias zipped into town. Please let Comrade be okay.

‘What’s going on Rebel? Andrin’s pissed! It isn’t my Grandpa, is it?’

There was a short silence on the other end. ‘No Addie, it’s Lexa. She’s dead.’