41. SECRET ENVELOPE

The clutter of cutlery on plates was all that echoed. Tension suffocated me to the neck. I sat next to Bueala, my father sitting at the head. To say the past twenty-four hours had been awful was an understatement.

The only relief was Damon being nowhere to be seen. Storm called three more times during the day and I ignored all of them.

No one talked. Emily sat to dad’s right, eating away.

The food turned bland in my mouth. I was far from hungry and I wanted to get back to my home where I could curl myself in my bed and wallow away.

After long minutes of excruciating silence, everyone was done eating.

Were their dinners that painful to bear through or was it because of my presence?

“Brandy. Join me in my office.” My father finally spoke since he arrived, acknowledging me. I had begun thinking he was pretending I wasn't there.

“Yes sir.” I replied, taking a sip of water and pushing off my seat.

None said anything else.

I followed after my father.

During our lunch Anna had conti