Addicted To Greed

by Catherine Putsche

  “My how things are changing it doesn’t feel like five minutes ago you were all so small, now you’re all busy venturing into new paths, I know I don’t often say it but I am proud of you all, I know I haven’t had a great deal of time for you all when you were younger, as my work took me away from home more so than it should of done and I can only apologise for that, if it’s any consolation son I am here for you now. My only hope is that you can forgive me and maybe find it in your heart to give me a second chance if it’s not too late?”

  Chase struggled to find the correct words; he had never heard his father talk like this before. “It’s never too late; I am here now aren’t I? But you’re right about your work, I missed not having you around, we all did, especially mum!”

  “I should’ve never put my work first, you and your sisters are far more important and I’m so sorry I didn’t realise it at the time. I was a dam fool son to sacrifice you all and really wish I hadn’t. I am so sorry.”

  Chase accepted his father’s apology but it would take time to repair their father/son relationship. “It’s ok, I guess I could have turned out to be a major disappointment to both you and mum if I hadn’t turned myself around and got the support from mum and Charles. I know this is difficult for you to accept but without Charles’s input in my life I don’t know what would have happened to me. To be brutally honest Charles was there when you couldn’t be and God knows I needed a father, it’s ok now I am a grown man and I have a big heart and yes I can forgive you to a certain extent!” “Chase, it’s ok I understand it will take time. Just let me try and make some of it up to you now.”

  “Mum told me about Chad the other night, do you remember him?” Wilhelm felt cold shivers running through his body at the mention of Chad’s name. He had to take a few deep breaths to try and calm his nerves.

  “There’s not a passing day I don’t think about him, Jesus how could I forget him? Your identical twin, my brave little man who was so full of life, his smile alone could reduce me to tears of joy and happiness all in one go. Chad was a little fighter you know, despite what the doctors were telling your mother and me that he wouldn’t reach six months old and to prepare ourselves for our final goodbyes. Chad somehow managed to battle on with his heart condition even after two operations were unsuccessful and despite the doctor’s initial diagnosis Chad proved them all wrong. I remember at nine months he learnt to crawl and at ten and a half months he began to walk, something you went on to copy to perfection. You were inseparable you know, little angels, mine and your mothers pride and joy!”

  Chase noticed his father rub one or two tears that were rolling freely down his checks in order to focus on the long winding road ahead. He also felt choked with emotion and asked in a broken voice gently, “Can you tell me more about my brother?” Wilhelm broke eye contact from the road to meet his son’s teary eyes and asked gently, “Are you sure Son?”

  Chase nodded; he couldn’t summon any more words in fear of weeping. He began to let his father talk and this time he didn’t let it go over his head, he wanted to know everything about his brother and he didn’t care if it took all day, all week he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Wilhelm talked for a little over two hours about his wonderful memories of Chad, opening up to Chase in a way he hadn’t even thought possible, he also kept a photo of Chad and Chase in his wallet among other pictures of Ella and Destiny.

  Chase began to believe his father wasn’t all that bad at all and began to bond with him in a way he hadn’t before, still having his barriers, but allowing for his guard to come down a little, maybe this trip wasn’t going to be as boring as he thought.

  They arrived at the Ritz a little after two o clock; a tall bell boy approached them to carry their luggage.

  Wilhelm stood for a few moments admiring the neoclassical building. A handsomely tall suited man approached them, Wilhelm gave him the key to his car and handed him two neatly pressed fifty pound notes.

  “ Make sure you take good care of her young man!”

  Wilhelm and Chase entered the giant lobby.

  “Some things never change son, for example if you look at the high gold leaf ceilings above, the stunning period architecture and antique furnishings, it always reminds me of stepping into another era, one of which I was too young to have ventured.”

  “I know what you mean, it’s beautiful, like time is frozen here, what I love the most is the mixture of old and new.”

  They made their way to the reception area “Senior Pearson, how delightful to have you staying with us here sir, may I wish you a pleasant at the Ritz. If you’d so kindly follow me, I will lead you to your two superior king quarters.”

  Wilhelm winked at Chase and whispered, “Only the best for you my son!” After a delightful five course dinner Chase began to loosen up and enjoy his father’s company, never once did his father mention Felicity, it was just men talk with the occasional reference to his sisters.

  Wilhelm handed Chase a set of car keys.

  “These are yours, hang on to them, and follow me.”

  Chase followed his father outside to where his father presented him with a brand new Black Audi A3.

  “I wouldn’t want you without decent transport with your lengthy duration at Oxford son!”

  Chase had to bite back the onset of tears he could feel coming; he hugged his father tightly and whispered a sincere thank you. “Now go on take it for a test drive and be careful it’s a very powerful engine!”

  “I will but only if you’ll accompany me dad?”

  Wilhelm could almost feel the sting of tears in his eyes and tried to blink them back.

  “I’d love to; it would be a great honour son.” After several days in his father’s company, Chase fe lt that they had bonded in a way they never had before and he’d be sorry for his father to leave, he promised his father he would visit him over in the states at Christmas time this year, knowing it was only a few months away.

  Wilhelm couldn’t be more pleased.

  ♣ Chase was soon accepted in to Oxford University passing all their requirements with glowing colours; he flew through his first two years over exceeding in all his subjects. His tutors were delighted with his progress and encouraged and supported him through his last year, he then went on for a further year graduating with a Masters degree in computing. He was sad to leave Oxford it had become his home in the four years he was there.

  His mother and father had paid for his exclusive off campus accommodation, now he wanted his own independence, pay his own way, stand on his own two feet, he began by applying for several jobs overseas and was accepted in Hong Kong for a multinational computing giant company, the Lenvovo Group Limited, as a senior systems administrator with a salary of seventy five thousand pounds annually. Alongside his degree and masters he had studied various languages and was proficient in German, Chinese, and French, now all he had to do was arrange accommodation and inform his sisters, mother, Charles and his father that he wouldn’t be around for a while as it was an amazing opportunity he just couldn’t refuse.

  The night before he left to his new life in Hong Kong, several friends arranged a get together, a small leaving party in his honour. Gerard his closest friend had secretly arranged his favourite live band, The Neon Brothers, on campus much to Chases surprise and delight to play live for several hours. Beer tents had been set up and a few snack bars offering anything from burgers to pizzas, people he didn’t even know were coming up to him congratulating him on his new career move. His tutors all turned out much to his surprise and his father arrived in the middle of the large crowds. When Chase laid his eyes upon his father, he could hardly contain his excitement, he hadn’t expected all this and for his father to come all the way from the states to share in his celebration, he couldn’t ask for anything more in life. What he wasn’t aware of was that this would be the last time he would see his father alive.

  Ella

  Chapter 13

  Harwood House was everything El
la imagined it to be and more, with great views overlooking the lakes, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, and acres of land.

  Wallace and Frank managed to negotiate with Lord Rickety on the asking price getting him to finally accept 3.1 million. Wallace managed all the legal documentation on Ella’s behalf that was required to purchase the deeds of the house.

  Seven weeks passed in a whirl Ella’s long awaited day came when she held the deeds of Harwood house in her own hands. She hired decorators, to completely whitewash the whole of the house, this was her starting point, when completed she would try to envisage how she was going to turn this blank canvass into the house of her dreams. She then went on to hire a young trendy interior designer who drew up plans with her on how to furnish it. Ella opted for the minimalistic look; she hated clutter and mentioned she would need tons of inbuilt storage cabinets.

  Destiny came over to stay and help with the children as Mr and Mrs Walsh had gone off on their cruise. “Wow , this house is absolutely fabulous, I never imagined it to be this large, I could get lost in it for days. How about after I pick the boys up from school, I grab us a few bottles of vino to celebrate?”

  “Sounds great, you always manage to read my mind, if you don’t mind can you grab us a few bottles of champagne, I have a little surprise for you later!”

  “A surprise , c’mon spill the beans, what kind of surprise?” “If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise would it now?” “Oh come on at least a hint, please!”

  “No, there is plenty of time later, but now you must hurry, I don’t want the boys thinking I have abandoned them, and try not to forget the champagne.”

  Ella had so much to do her head was in a whirl, next on her agenda was to call Mrs Myers, James mum, she was worried that she hadn’t heard anything from her in a while, not even on the anniversary of James death. She had tried calling several times but Mrs Myers never appeared to be at home and Mrs Myers hadn’t returned any of her answering messages. Ella began to wonder if something horrible had happened to her.

  Pacing up and down the living room, she dialed her number and on three rings Mrs Myers picked up, much to her relief. “Hello Mrs Myers, its Ella Pearson, how are you?” “Oh Ella chuck , I meant to get back to you sooner, I just been so busy between Dylan and my husband, I haven’t had a moment to myself, I am so sorry, it completely slipped my mind.”

  “That’s ok, no worries, how’s your husband and Dylan?” “I am afraid Mr Myers has deteriorated rapidly since the last time we spoke, his Alzheimer’s has advanced and the doctors are recommending putting him in a care home, I just can’t bring myself to do it. Dylan is living here with me permanently now, his mother once again abandoned him, it’s such a long story my dear I don’t know where to start.”

  “I am so sorry to hear you’re husbands deteriorated, I can’t imagine what you are both going through, is there is anything I can do?”

  Ella could hear her faint sobs in the background and proceeded with caution.

  “I had no idea Dylan was living with you, how is the little man? How’s he bearing up?” “He’s not as talkative as he used to be, which is to be expected really, the poor little might has been through enough, without his mother adding further to this. Debbie turned up here last week, on the anniversary of James death would you believe with a single suitcase begging me to take Dylan, apparently Mr Gym, gave her an ultimatum, he said if the boy doesn’t leave, then he would, so she turned up here with Dylan her choice already made!”

  “Oh my god, that’s horrible, what type mother would do that to her child? Especially with all he’s been through, leaving him once was inexcusable but this time completely unforgivable, I am so sorry, how are you all managing?”

  “Not so well, I think I am still in shock and trying to take it all in, it’s been very difficult, I’d never turn my grandson away, he’s my only grandchild but it’s taken its toll on me with Mr Myers been so sick.”

  “I can’t imagine how you’ve managed to keep it all together, it must be very difficult. Since I last spoke with you my father suddenly died, which came as a huge shock, nobody knew he was ill, he had a brain tumor, he kept it to himself and what came as an even bigger shock was that I was to inherit millions of pounds, I just couldn’t believe it!”

  “I am so sorry to hear about your father, from what James told me you were quite close, it must have been a horrible ordeal for you chuck, no money in the world can make up for the loss of a loved one, not even millions, you’ve my deepest sympathy Ella, I am sorry chuck.”

  “Thank s, we were quite close, but now I’m beginning to question how much I really knew him at all, the money is a Godsend in some ways, but it doesn’t compensate for the loss, it just makes thing a lot easier, for me and the boys, and little Anna”

  “I can imagine it does, little Anna, who’s she if you don’t mind me asking chuck?” Ella silently cursed herself for mentioning Anna. She had never once told Mrs Myers of her pregnancy, and who the father was in fear it would send her over the edge. Ella had managed to keep Anna a well guarded secret until now, how would she explain her way out of this one? Think, think, think Ella, what you gonna say.

  Mrs Myers stayed silent in the event Ella would explain. Ella wondered if Mrs Myers had sensed her reluctance to tell her, in this awkward silence. “It’s a long story Mrs Myers, one in which I’d love to share with you one day when the times right, but not at the moment if you don’t mind, I don’t wish to be rude, I hope you understand.”

  “It’s ok Ella , I understand, I don’t wish to pry as it is none of my business really chuck. So tell me how’s the boys? Dylan asked about them the other day, you know I think he misses them a lot, they used to be so close, it would be great if they could all get together sometime soon.”

  “That’s one of my reasons for phoning, the boys and I have just moved to a new house in Buckinghamshire, about an hour’s drive from Pensborough, we were wondering if Dylan could come over for a weekend, spend some time with the boys, they ask after Dylan constantly, they miss him so much.”

  “I think that would be marvelous, just what Dylan needs, I know it’s not so much fun for him around here with just Mr Myers and me, he’s due back from school anytime, and it will make his day when I tell him.”

  “Could we make it this weekend? I could come over and pick him up say Friday between four and five?”

  “ That would be great, just remember to tread carefully chuck, he’s a little fragile, with all that’s happened, but I have no doubts he will be really excited to see the boys and you.”

  “No problem, I fully understand, I can’t begin to imagine what he’s going through, he must miss James so much it breaks my heart. I put some fresh flowers on his grave last week and lit a candle, I’d do anything in the world to have him back here, I lost the best friend imaginable Mr Myers, I can’t imagine how you and Dylan must be feeling.”

  “It’s tough Ella chuck without my boy, I don’t think I’ll ever get over losing him, you never expect to outlive your child. Mr Myers and Dylan are all that keeps me ticking dear, without them I´d cease to exist. I know you guys were so close, soul mates always there for each other, James left a huge gap in all our life’s!”

  Ella sensed that it was better to end this conversation on a lighter note god only knows what this brave lady was going through. “I have sent you a littl e surprise, you should receive it before the weekend, it just something from me and the boys, I hope you enjoy it!”

  “Oh Ella , you shouldn’t have, you don’t need to bother about an old fart like me chuck.”

  “It’s just something James once mentioned you like and I really hope you enjoy it.”

  “Oh Ella you’re so thoughtful thank you, I hope you can make time for a cupper on Friday, I am looking forward to seeing you.”

  “I always have time for one of your cuppers, there the best. Please forward my best wishes onto Mr Myers.” After they said their goodbyes, Ella couldn’t help but bre
ak down into tears, she felt James suicide was in vain now as his ex-wife Debbie had abandoned Dylan again. Debbie had simply handed her son back like a unwanted gift in the end! Ella couldn’t imagine, who in the right mind would do all Debbie had done? She really wished this bitch the worst of the worst karma imaginable. It was always really emotional speaking with Mrs Myers, Ella thought her to be one of the survivors in life, life itself had dealt her some tremendous blows and she was still here battling them, she daresay her whole life had been a continuous battle, she knew there wasn’t enough money around, but she was always too proud to admit it. James had told Ella how his mother had worked three jobs when he was younger, his father didn’t earn a lot as a scaffolder as there wasn’t always work and it was weather permitting most days.

  Ella’s wish would be to give Mrs Myers more than enough money so she could have some quality time away with Mr Myers, maybe treat themselves to some new furniture, or whatever the hell they liked, just to ease the burden a little and to employ a full time nurse to live in with Mr and Mrs Myers.

  Since the money came she never dreamed that she would be in a position to help those less fortunate than herself, however she didn’t want to appear smug about it and needed time to think how she could get Mrs Myers to accept, without causing a fuss, this is something she would give careful consideration to.

  Before she knew it Destiny had returned with the boys, they were full of energy and boisterous as always. “Mum, there’s this boy at school who got the latest iPod, all the way from America, it’s not even available to buy over here yet, it’s the coolest thing I have ever seen. Can we get one please?”