Dinner ends

The dinner comes to an end. You rarely felt so full before. Only on your or your mom’s birthday you had such feasts. You wonder if this was a normal dinner or your father wanted to celebrate your return to the family. Servants come and bring the still half full plates and bowls away. To your surprise one of the servants comes back with a plate full of strawberry desserts. Everybody gets one and a spoon.

“You don’t need to eat it, when you are already full,” your father tells you gently smiling, “you are not used to this amount of food, are you.”

“I’m fine, thanks,” you answer gratefully, “mom and I had such a lot to eat only on birthdays or Christmas. And there was so much left. Is this for the servants? I noticed they still stay there like statues. I assume they eat later?”

“They do,” you father whispers in your ear, “they have a small break and the cook is supposed to make something simple for them after he threw out our leftovers. But don’t tell this Veronica. She has a problem with the servants taking breaks.”

You are not sure what’s worse. That all the left food will be thrown away or that Veronica expects the stuff to starve. How could they live in such decadence? You know people who work and still have problems getting enough to eat.

“She has a problem with everything,” you mumble, “it’s like talking to someone from a different culture.”

“Well, if it helps you, she is just a temporary guest,” your father answers, “and she was a terrible mistake. No woman could ever mean the same to me than your mom. She was such a good soul.”

“Can I ask you a question?” you ask carefully and continue when your father nods, “you said you have nothing to do with her ****. Who do you think is her murderer?”

“I don’t know, and I can only assume,” your father mumbles, “I don’t think it was one of my business partners or rivals. This would make no sense. Not after almost two decades of silence. But … it’s just a guess, Ashley, but I think it could have been Agent Wellington.”

“The aggressive FBI woman?” you ask surprised, “why?”

“She hates me,” your father answers, “in the past we met and things got nasty. She was some kind of idealist and never understood, that organized crime can’t be defeated. Only controlled. But she was unreasonable and wanted war. And in war there are casualties. The point is, for the last five years she tried a lot of dirty tricks to put me behind bars. Faking evidence, manipulating witnesses, shady deals and of course trying to get your mothers help. Even by ****. It is possible that some days ago she tried it again and was refused again. An argument emerged and things got bloody. An eye for an eye.”

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” you mumble (Quote from Mahatma Gandhi).

“I know,” your father mumbles.

Quite you finish your dessert. Only Miguel and Veronica talk about something. Or rather Veronica talks and Miguel tires to ignore her. Finally, everybody is done.

“Family, friends,” your father says pleased and stands up, “thank you all for your time. In the following days I will integrate my daughter deeper into family’s business. And I’m sure you all will get perfectly along with her. Even if some will need some more time than others. Veronica, uncle, I want to invite you to stay the night in the mansion, if you want. Is it still early but both of you drunk a little too much wine to still drive.”

“Thanks for the offer, Warren,” your granduncle says gratefully, “but I have a driver and need to attend a meeting tomorrow morning. Maybe next time. But it was really nice to meet my grandniece. I hope we will spend some time again soon.”

“I think I take the offer, honey,” Veronica says, “it would be great to spend some time with you and my son again.”

“Ashley, feel free to look around the house,” your father invites you, “tomorrow we talk about your academic future and furniture in your room. Your bodyguard Eric should be back with most of your personal belongings from your old home.”

You nod gratefully and get up. This dinner went better then feared, but still not perfect. There are still lot’s of open questions. You should use some of your spare time to get some information. Despite this, you don’t like the way Veronica circles around your father. She may seem dumb, but you recognize a backstabbing bitch when you a one. She plans something. On the other hand, Miguel seems to be an interesting guy too. Getting him on your side will clearly help you to get information for the FBI or yourself.