Hidden Heart

by Camelia Miron Skiba

  “I leave town tomorrow, but will be back in a week. Let me call you then and make arrangements. Good luck with your father.”

  “Thank you, talk to you soon.”

  When she hung up, Tessa’s hands shook so badly she dropped the phone. Her biological father wanted to see her. What was she going to tell him? What was he going to tell her that she didn’t already know? Was he going to like her? Were they going to connect? How would he look?

  Tessa felt nervous and distracted. She turned on the TV and flipped through the channels; maybe a good movie would help her relax. Nothing really caught her attention. She picked up the newspaper and sat on the sofa, the TV still on.

  “Police had to intervene in an incident caused by a dozen farmers down in Otopeni City. The city’s mayor, Mr. Neculai requested the help of bodyguards and police officers to escape the fury of the farmers who claimed the mayor’s daughter had stolen money from them during a land transaction. The mayor’s daughter was the former notary in Otopeni and our channel reported her missing last year. Her body was discovered by children playing near a…”

  Tessa recognized several of the farmers shown on TV, handcuffed and shoved in police cars. Then she recognized the notary’s photo and Daniel’s words exploded into her head like grenades, “I made her pay. Like I’ll make you pay…I gave her a lesson, like I’ll give you.”

  She grabbed the phone and called Victor’s direct line. “Victor, did the farmers ever get back what the notary stole from them?”

  “No, not a cent. Why?”

  “I just watched the news on TV and it said that the mayor had been attacked by several farmers angry with him because of what his daughter had done.”

  Victor sighed. “We’re stuck. Unfortunately the mayor had blackmailed everyone in the court and the accounts are still blocked.”

  “Why didn’t you say something? I’ve been back for so many months, but you haven’t said anything, and I thought everything was cleared by now.”

  “Yeah, right. Like you don’t know where we live; when have you seen our judicial system doing what’s right? And besides, I didn’t want to burden you…”

  “Victor!” Tessa almost yelled at him, but she realized in an instant that Victor had tried to protect her. She closed her eyes, breathed deeply several times, then said, “You’re right… thanks for watching out for me. But we can’t let this go unresolved. We…I have an obligation towards the farmers. I have to convince the notary’s father somehow to give back what his daughter stole.”

  “And how are you planning to do this? Are you going to knock on his door and show your cute face and say, your daughter was a thief, give back the money? I bet he’ll feel remorseful and take you straight to the bank, open the accounts and pour the money in to your lap.”

  “Victor, seriously. I might have an idea. I have to go.”

  “Wait, what idea? Don’t I get to hear your plan?”

  “Nope. And you’re wasting my time, I have to go now.” Tessa hung up, then dialed another number.

  “Mr. Popescu, hi, this is Tessa Cosma, remember me?”

  “What you want?”

  “Mr. Popescu, I’ve seen on the news what happened with the mayor. I need your help,” Tessa said and crossed her fingers, hoping he’d agree.

  “Too bad. We needed your help, too, and you didn’t do anything for us. Why would I want to help you?”

  “Because I might be able to help you after all… I need to find where the mayor lives. Since Otopeni is such a small community and you know everyone, I thought you might direct me to his residence.”

  “Of course I know where he lives; everyone knows. But it’ll be impossible for you to get close to him. He has an army of bodyguards around and his office swarms with police and dogs. No one gets close.”

  “Mr. Popescu, I need to try. All I need is for you to direct me to his house. Please?”

  A long pause and silence followed while Tessa gathered her stuff and was ready to be out the door within minutes.

  “Fine, then. When do you want to go?”

  “How about in thirty minutes? I’ll meet you where the notary’s office used to be.”

  “I’m here to see mayor Neculai, please,” Tessa said, speaking loudly in to the intercom. Mr. Popescu sat quietly next to her.

  She kept the car idling in front of the double wooden gates dividing the mayor’s residence from the rest of the neighborhood. Ten minutes later, she watched the security guard coming through the side door, approaching the car, two Rottweilers yanking at their collars in front of him. She opened her window when the guard knocked.

  “The mayor doesn’t permit strangers on his property. You’ll have to make an appointment with his secretary. He’ll see you in his office.”

  The guard turned to leave.

  “Sir, wait. I need to see him privately.”

  The guard returned to Tessa’s car, his jaw clenched, and a look of steel on his face.

  “Miss, you have to understand. He is not going to see you here. You have to leave, or one of the officers will escort you. You might get fined for trespassing,” the guard said, his voice sounding annoyed.

  Tessa got out of the car. She didn’t even flinch when the dogs barked and beat the air with their front paws, threatening to rip her to shreds. She stood her ground, looking the guard straight in the eyes, until he averted his gaze. He commanded the dogs to sit, in a voice that made Tessa feel a chill down her spine. They obeyed instantly.

  “Sir, I have information about his daughter. Please give him my message. If he sends you back, I promise I’ll leave. But, please give him my message.”

  The guard looked her over, from head to toe, then turned around and disappeared through the same side door he came.

  “Those dogs could’ve killed you, Ms. Cosma; I can’t believe you’re so courageous,” Mr. Popescu said when Tessa got back inside the car. “Are you sure you want to enter his property?”

  “Yes, I do,” Tessa responded, gripping the steering wheel and holding on tight. She felt sick rather than courageous. She couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened to her if the Rottweilers escaped the guard’s hold—she’d probably suffer irreversible wounds. She shrugged and pushed the thought to the back of her mind—no need to wonder what if right now. More important matters needed her full attention.

  The gates opened and the same guard that came out earlier walked in front of her car, directing her up the alley to the massive entrance.

  “The mayor is waiting for you,” he said when Tessa stopped the car and walked up to him, Mr. Popescu right behind her.

  Tessa went up the stone stairs and entered into what looked, to her, like a palace. Tall crystal chandeliers spread a bright light, making the hallway look even larger. A huge, ornate flower arrangement sat in the middle of a round table, a spiral wooden staircase was to the right of the hall and a room that appeared to be a living room was on the opposite side.

  A woman completely dressed in black hurried down the stairs, franticly wringing her hands. “I knew there was someone who knows something about my girl, I knew it!” she said. When she reached the floor she took a big step towards Tessa, almost knocking her off her feet. Her eyes looked feverish, making her chalk-white face that much more ghostly looking. “What do you know, tell me what you know?” she said grabbing Tessa’s arms and shaking them.

  A man Tessa recognized from the TV report as the mayor approached them, peeled the woman’s palms off Tessa and said calmly, “Dear, be patient; she’ll tell if you let her.”

  The mayor put his arm around the woman’s shoulders and motioned towards Tessa and Mr. Popescu to follow them. Once in the living room, he helped his wife sit on the couch, then faced Tessa and said, “My wife has been different since our daughter passed away, I hope she didn’t scare you. The medication wears off for a while; then she becomes irrational. Please sit.” He too sat, then said, “I was told you have information about our daughter.”

  Tessa looked at bo
th of them; two lonely old parents, two people whose life had been forever destroyed by greed and violence. Nothing and no one would ever eliminate their grief. The woman held her palms in prayer, rocking in place, her eyes darting between Tessa and the farmer. The mayor kept a rigid posture, gaze impenetrable.

  “Sir, I believe I know who killed your daughter,” Tessa said, emotions shaking her voice. Her words raked the back of her throat. “But before I can tell you who did it, I need you to promise me, you’ll allow the bank to return the money back to the farmers.”

  The mayor shot to his feet, fists clenched to his side. “How dare you come into my house, dangling a carrot in front of me and ask such nonsense! My daughter didn’t steal anything from anyone! Prove it, if you can.” He pointed a finger at Mr. Popescu and said, “You, and the rest of you farmers, make my life miserable with this accusation; I’m sick of all of you!”

  Tessa reached into her purse and pulled out two pieces of paper and handed them to the mayor. He hesitated to take them.

  “You ask for proof of her illegal activity; these are copies of contracts for the same person, only different amounts. Mr. Popescu here can confirm for you receiving a certain amount from me and handing part of it to your daughter while she notarized the contract.”

  The farmer nodded.

  The mayor took the documents, looked them over then said, “How do I know this is not fabricated by you, a defamation conspiracy against my daughter?”

  Tessa sat composed, her shoulders straight, her hands steady. A peaceful feeling came over her when she spoke with a candid voice, “What would I gain lying to you, sir? You have here two people telling you the truth. If you’ll listen to the other farmers you’ll hear the same story. There is a lot of money in your daughter’s account that belongs to others and not to her.”

  The mayor seemed to ponder her words, then slumped on the sofa, next to his wife. He rested his elbows on his knees and looked sideways at his wife, then back at Tessa. He pushed a hand through his completely white hair, a pained look on his face.

  “Suppose I agree to this. How do I know how much money goes to whom?”

  “We’ll work together, calling in each farmer and ask how much money they gave away. You’ll have to trust them,” Tessa said.

  “And how do I know you’re telling me the truth about my daughter’s killer?”

  Tessa pulled out of her purse a brown envelope and placed its content on the coffee table in front of the mayor.

  “Because the same person who did this to me told me he gave your daughter the same lesson. Only I was lucky and survived. This is me in the intensive care unit hours after the attack. He raped me and left me to die. A friend found me, otherwise I would probably not be here.”

  The mayor’s mouth fell agape; he lifted each photo with shaky hands, then placed them back down. He looked at Tessa, then back at the photos. His wife stopped rocking and covered her mouth with both hands; a soft cry shook her shoulders, her head shaking in denial.

  “My baby, my poor baby, what she had to go through,” she said against her palms. Her husband embraced her, caressing her wrinkled cheek.

  “Did he get caught?” the mayor asked, his face flushed with fury.

  “He had an accident. Unfortunately he didn’t survive to face his trial.”

  Tessa gathered the photos, then stood. Mr. Popescu followed suit. He stared at her with wide eyes, unable to say a word.

  “I’m sorry I put you through this, sir,” Tessa said, addressing the mayor. “I wish I didn’t have to show you the photos. Nor did I intend to add more suffering to your family. But I owed this to myself and to your daughter, who became the victim of the same person. It’s time to do the right thing.”

  The mayor stood in slow motion, looking a hundred years older. He took Tessa’s extended hand, then pulled her into a hug and whispered into her ear, “I wish my daughter had a friend like yours, maybe she would’ve survived.”

  Tessa smiled, then walked out of the house. She stopped outside the door, a light breeze ruffling her hair. She looked at the dark sky with its glittering stars, then heard barks close by. The guard approached, keeping the dogs on a short leash.

  When she entered the mayor’s house, Tessa hoped her heartbreaking story would somehow convince the mayor to do what was right. When she left his house, Tessa felt enlightened, a sense of total control over her life and closure—all she’d wanted since her life had been shattered months ago.

  “Let me take you home, Mr. Popescu,” she said once in the car.

  They drove in silence the short distance to the farmer’s house. When she stopped the car, she looked sideways at him and said, “I’m sorry it took so long. I hope he’ll return the money.”

  The farmer looked down at his calloused hands and said,” I’m sorry I thought and spoke ill of you. I thought you were like everyone else out there, lying to us and shallow… That man…the one that did those things to you...I never wished anyone harm, but I hope he rots in hell.” He got out of the car and walked to his gate, never once looking back.

  Tessa drove back home. She felt sorrow and guilt for surviving when her baby and the notary didn’t—both killed at the hands of the same man. But she also felt a sense of accomplishment, joy washing over her. Her life would never be the same, but at least she was back on track.

  She looked at her watch; seven-thirty. When she stopped at the next light, she rummaged in her purse and pulled out the piece of paper she wrote her father’s number on.

  She dialed the number. As if someone were standing right by the phone waiting for it to ring, she heard after one ring a strong, deep voice, “Hello?”

  Tessa swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. “Hi, I’m sorry to bother you… is this Mr. Mincu?”

  “Tessa, is that you?”

  Chapter 21

  Tessa arrived on time for the French supermarket opening. She parked her car, and remained seated for a few seconds, hoping her heart wouldn’t explode and her hands would stop shaking. Seeing everyone again made her nervous, but that wasn’t the only reason. After the opening she’d meet her biological father for the first time.

  They’d talked several times since she’d made the first call after the visit to the mayor’s house. Both nervous, they barely knew what to say to each other that first time. She gave him her phone number and two days later, he’d called back and this time the conversation lasted a bit longer. It broke the ice, it seemed and since then, they talked on a regular basis. He told her he was anxious to see her, but if she wasn’t ready yet, he’d wait. Last night she called him and said, “I’m ready,” and planned to visit him after the opening ceremony.

  For the special day, she picked a tweed dress with a scoop neck, short sleeves and contoured waist, her mama’s pearl necklace, matching ear studs and bracelet. She put on subtle make-up, twisted her hair in a thick loop at the nape of her neck and felt as ready as she’d ever be.

  Tessa got out of the car, locked it and looked around for familiar faces. She spotted Victor and Dina and walked their way.

  “Kiddo, so good to see you,” Victor said, kissing her cheeks and hugging her tight. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down,” he said, releasing her.

  “Glad to be here,” Tessa said and when Dina hugged her she whispered, “I’m seeing Adrian this afternoon.” By the look on Dina’s face she knew she shocked her. “I’ll tell you more tomorrow,” she said, giving Dina a thumbs up.

  “Tessa, oh my, I haven’t seen you in ages,” Elena, Victor’s daughter, said.

  When Tessa turned around, she saw Elena approaching with her husband Marcel holding the baby. They hugged and Tessa asked to hold the baby.

  “Wow, what a big boy you are,” she said and the baby smiled happily, trying to catch her necklace. Tessa looked at Victor who stood across from her, his chest bulging with pride, then at the baby and said, “I’m glad you don’t look like your grandpa,” then burst into laughter.

  “Oh dear, on
ly you could’ve said something like this and still be alive,” Dina leaned towards her, pretending to look the other way.

  Victor’s face reddened and his pointed finger threatened to poke at her. “You better take those words back; either you’re completely blind or you just want to annoy me, but I’ll—”

  “Good afternoon everyone.”

  Tessa looked over her shoulder and saw Alessandro standing right behind her. She turned to face him and smiled, still holding and rocking the baby. To her relief, he was alone.

  “Hi,” everyone said and Alessandro did the round of hugging and shaking hands, leaving Tessa for last. When her turn came, he just stood in front of her, looking grave and struggling to swallow. His jaw clenched, his eyebrows drawn together. He brushed a hand through his hair, bowed and Tessa thought for a second that he’d kiss her over the baby’s head. She tilted her chin upwards, stopped rocking the baby and waited. But the kiss never came. Alessandro caressed the baby’s head, then took his chubby hand and caressed it. “Hello, little man,” he said, smiled at the baby and walked away.

  Tessa felt her face on fire, her heart melting. Her humiliation was bitter. She was mortified by her expectation—why would he kiss her, when she had sent him away? She looked around their group, but no one seemed to observe what just happened.

  Former colleagues, all asking questions and eager to see her, surrounded them soon. She smiled and replied politely, confirming the story Victor had told everyone about her having been in a car accident and so badly injured, she couldn’t return to work. She decided she wasn’t quite ready to open up to everyone about the truth, especially during the party.

  Monsieur Deuvault seemed really pleased to see her and didn’t leave her side for a while. He asked her to do the honor and help him cut the yellow ribbon along with Victor and the city’s mayor, Mr. Neculai.

  Reporters interviewed and photographed them as a group, everyone speaking loud, everyone sounding excited.

  “Ms. Cosma, I’m glad to see you again,” the mayor said. He handed her a glass of champagne and inclined his head.