Chapter Six: Bismarcks
Jean was confused about Max's sudden interest in Erin's welfare that she protested about it. Maximillian insisted that Erin will be under his wing to repay Ms. Sinclair's bravery last week. Jean made no further protests about the matter. His secretary called her husband to send for Erin's things but Max offered that he will buy things for Erin himself.
Maximillian can't seem to comprehend why he can't leave Erin and proceed with his life. Just the thought of Erin fending for herself is unbearable. If Erin turned out to be lying, then, he needed to make sure she was taken care of until the day comes that the girl confesses the truth about her silly stories regarding her time-traveling shit.
He sighed. Maximillian couldn't bring himself to believe Erin's stories no matter how much evidence are presented before him. He can't help it. He's only human. He never believed in fairytales, tooth fairies, or Santa Claus and his accomplice Rudolph-whatever that is!
He sighed.
Erin went inside his house on Mondville Street. The little devil knew the name of his maid and where the vacant room is. Erin also squealed and embraced Maine as if Maine is her old friend.
"Get away from me!"
"Aunt Maine! Oh, Auntie, I've missed you!"
"Who are you?!"
"Erin has schizophrenia, Maine. Let her."
Maine's face shifted from being grumpy to being soft and understanding. "Oh, nice to meet you, Erin. I'm Maine, yes, but I'm not your Aunt."
Erin nodded and sobbed on Maine's shoulders. "Oh, Aunt Maine. My week has been terrible. I don't have money or clothes. Aunt Jean had to give me her old clothes so that I can take a bath."
Maine threw a confused look at Max. Her older brother shrugged as if saying, Let her cry for a while.
"Don't worry, darling. We will go shopping. A-Aunt Maine will be here for you."
"I knew you will not push me away, Auntie. You love me so much."
Maximillian left the two teenagers to their own devices and headed to the billiards room where he always found a well-deserved solace. The maid, as usual, prepared his cup of coffee on the table there and he drank it with renewed vigor. Bringing Erin home has brought him peace. He sighed.
Maximillian swore to find out everything regarding Erin's abilities if it was really true. He will accept her into his home with open arms if ever he's convinced of Erin being his daughter. For now, he needed to rest.
"IS THIS UNIT good enough, Haya?" Her friend asked as she surveyed her new apartment far away from Sutton City. Her friend, Philip Mayers, gave her another address to start a new life. Her father will have a hard time finding her here now. In Greene County, she is safe. Her life will start anew.
Greene County is her last chance of having a normal life. Greene County is a small city with only a few workers. Hyacinth will find peace there, she is sure of it. Well, she could only hope for the best.
Hyacinth inhaled the fresh air that roamed around the two-bedroom unit. This is more than enough for her.
She handed a paper to Philip. "This is where the criminal planted the evidence as well as the murder weapon he used. The criminal also kept a trophy from his victims by removing all their fingernails. He has a detailed diary hidden in the location written inside the envelope." Hyacinth looked into Philip's eyes. "As always, the reward money is all yours."
"Oh, yes, Haya. You're the best." Philip kissed her cheek and she avoided it by stepping back.
Philip's green eyes danced. "Too bad you're not into greedy men, or I would've married you."
Hyacinth lifted a brow. "You know that I am considering your proposal, Philip, but I wanted to live my life on my own. Just let me enjoy my life without the chains from my father and I will give you an answer."
Philip is a good man, with a stable job as a detective in Sutton City. With Hyacinth by his side, they can capture wanted criminals. He was also able to earn private commissions. An honest job for her and her abilities.
Hyacinth tried to repay Philip in any way she can. The man took care of her ever since she ran away from her family and provided her with a side hustle that allowed her to be free from her father's abuse. In exchange for his generosity, Philip brings her to meet countless criminals and finds out critical information from the criminals to gather priceless pieces of evidence for an immediate verdict from the court. Philip was promoted and outranked his batchmates and he has been a greedy man ever since.
It doesn't make sense to her, though, since Philip is a nobleman in the Country of Western Isles: one of the few countries in the world that still allows noblemen to pass down their titles to their respective heirs in order to preserve their cultures and tradition.
That's right. Back in the Country of Western Isles, Philip Mayers is known as Viscount Lurthon—a courtesy title given to the heir apparent of the Earl of Warren. Even his close relatives call him Lord Lurthon to simply boast about their association with a nobleman.
She had read his thread. She knew firsthand why Philip is driven to prove his worth to his parents, especially his father. He wanted to achieve something without his birthright. To be known for something other than a pampered aristocrat.
And his efforts reflected in his success now, for Philip Mayers is known as the best detective in the business. He established connections with powerful men through Hyacinth's abilities. He blackmailed politicians and millionaires to gather pieces of information and squeeze out the truth from them. He used that power he obtained to earn exorbitant amounts from private commissions: finding some lost documents, retrieving information from terrorists, and finding missing people with a huge bounty on top of their heads.
But Hyacinth doesn't care about his greed. Philip and she were compatible. Both are driven to achieve their respective goals. If ever she decided to settle down soon, Philip is there at her disposal.
From this point on, Hyacinth swore to never tangle with anyone's threads again. She will live a normal life just like she planned. No more thinking about Jean and Andrei, Erin... and Maximillian.
She closed her eyes firmly. Erin is caused by interfering with threads and entangling her thread and Mr. Bismarck's. Erin is only a product of an accidental future.
"Mom..." She heard Erin's voice in her head.
She shook her head. "Philip? Give me time, okay? I will consider your proposal."
Philip's green eyes twinkled. "Whatever you need."
After all, who doesn't want to be a future Countess?
.
.
MAXIMILLIAN BISMARCK cannot begin to comprehend how his sister, Maine, and Erin became close friends. The two shopped for clothing, designer bags, accessories, and everything that a woman might need.
Maximillian never wanted to spoil Maine by shopping for things she didn't need, but he saw that Maine is genuinely happy by being with Erin. It is as if Maine found a life companion.
In the span of two weeks, Maine removed the ridiculous red highlight on her hair and styled it like how Erin styled her light brown curls. Maine even donated her rebellious outfits to charity and bought a new wardrobe. He shook his head. Erin's good influence on Maine is remarkable that Maximillian thought of making Erin stay even if he found out that the kid is lying regarding her so-called "abilities".
And, to add sugar to the taste, Erin's pancakes are mind-blowing.
The kid is hard-working and passionate about the tasks she sets her mind to. Whoever her parents are, they did a good job raising the kid.
Erin chewed the pancakes inside her mouth with vigor as Maine showed her a shopping app. Maximillian grumbled under his breath. More shopping.
"Wait, today is February 17th?" Erin's eyes squinted at the phone.
Maine nodded at Erin's question. "What about it?"
"Well, after nine months, I will be born. I'm supposed to be born this year, you see. That means that if my mom is not yet copulating with my father, I will not exist. I am not a premature baby, my Dad said."
"Oh, Erin, you are making things up again. Is this another one of your schizophrenic strikes?"
Erin sighed. "Who gave you the idea that I have schizophrenia, Aunt Maine? I'm not crazy."
"Oh, come on. You need to rest. We will go outside and shop later." Maine touched Erin's arms but it went through her.
Maximillian's heart rammed into his chest. His eyes widened as his whole body flexed on what he just saw. "What the fuck?"
Erin panicked. "Oh no, Mr. Bismarck. I am..." Erin stood up and looked at her trembling hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she saw her hand gradually becoming see-through. "Oh, god."
Maine touched Erin's hands to comfort the panicking kid but, just like what happened earlier, it went through Erin as if she was not a solid matter. It is as if Erin became a hologram.
Erin's eyes glistened with tears. "A-Aunt Maine. I am disappearing. It will be as if I didn't exist."
"No!" Maximillian stood from his chair and went to Erin with strides that could shatter the Earth. He touched the kid but, same as Maine, his hand went through her. It is as if he touched a smoke.
He cursed and cursed. "No, sweetie. You will not disappear. I-I will find Hyacinth. I will figure out how to undo this."
Erin shook her head. "No, Dad. Don't worry about it. Mom doesn't want me, anyway."
His heart clenched. He gripped the chair as if he were gripping Erin. "No, Erin. I will make sure of it. She will want you."
Maine's eyes filled with tears. "Oh no. It's all real, Erin? You're my niece?"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you guys!" Erin said with hysteria. The girl sobbed, accepting the grim fate that awaits her.
"No! Erin, please. I-I'm...No. Dad is sorry that I didn't believe you. Please, kiddo. Stay here."
Erin's eyes, blue as the ocean, flashed sadness and Max felt it. It stabbed and wrenched his heart. "No, Dad. I will not exist. You will all forget me. I-I..." Erin sobbed as her hands slowly disappeared into thin air. "You are the best family I've ever known. Thank you...and I'm sorry for not listening to your warnings before."
"Don't say it, Erin, goddamnit!"
Erin's jaw trembled. "Dad, I-I'm scared."
And just like that, the solid body of Erin dissipated into thin air.
If only Maximillian believed Erin and Hyacinth. If only he believed in his mind that Erin is his child in the future, he could've done something to make sure that she will not disappear.
He wanted conclusive proof of Erin's claims and now he has it... and it is the cost of his future daughter's existence vanishing completely right before his eyes.