His hands shook as he held the phone receiver, breathed heavily, and attempted to hold back his emotions. He was in the middle of an important conference. Everyone at the meeting table turned to look at him; they had never seen him in such anguish before; he was known to be a fierce and bold businessman who had managed the most stressful business downfalls with a smile and ease. He rushed out of the meeting room, nervously loosening his tie. He went to the restroom, splashed cold water on his face, and wiped it with a handkerchief. He had to be brave and confront his deepest anxieties. He was always warm and modest towards people but never at ease, showing his profound emotional side.
The news of Irina Folc's death rapidly spread throughout the workplace, and they were discussing it quietly. Everyone in the meeting room had already heard the terrible news when Darius Folc returned. Darius boldly resumed the meeting, directing the finance team to proceed with the new investments and other vital talks. No one said anything but looked at their adored boss in amazement and sympathy. Soon after the conference ended, everyone expressed their condolences, and he shook hands with everyone with a mournful smile refraining from showing emotions.
Deep down, he was shattered and wanted to weep and sob his heart out but could not; his mother, Irina, had been his rock throughout his life. For months, she was attended by renowned doctors worldwide, and different treatments were attempted to better her deteriorating health. But neither what doctors knew nor what medicines they gave her helped her mysterious illness. His only regret was not being there for her in her final minutes.
When he arrived at Moon Villa, servants were already weeping beside his mother's bed. Everyone left the room as soon as he walked in. He sobbed as he perched on the bed, holding his mother's hand. He adored her, but he felt powerless and almost resentful of himself for not being able to prevent her from leaving. But he also settled himself, thinking it was best for her because she had been through a lot and was now in a better place.
Darciana, his younger sister, was on the other side of the world and returned home as soon as she was informed about their mother's passing. The siblings haven't spoken in three years due to misunderstandings and influential personalities that neither can bear. They have, however, discreetly maintained taps on each other through their mother. The reason that had held them close to each other but not together.
Darius Folc, a young and energetic business magnate, was well known for his work ethic, intelligence, and contagious charisma. He was considered the most attractive bachelor among the wealthy. Men thought him the perfect son-in-law, and beautiful women would go to great lengths to be near him. Despite his riches and success, he was humble and polite. On the other hand, his younger sister was known for her eccentric social life and willingness to spend money on trivial things. Siblings were immediately noted wherever they went, but for very distinct reasons.
Siblings met at the cemetery; neither spoke much but felt the same pain in their souls. All the other participants departed after Irina Folc was put to rest. Darius sobbed as he embraced Darciana. They sat in the graveyard, recalling their childhood and their mother's indulgence towards both. Siblings mourned her but knew how difficult it was for her to raise and safeguard them in continuous dread, especially after her vengeful brother killed their father, Marc Folc. Siblings were aware of their gloomy past but never discussed it because their mother desired that they erase it and move on with life.
When the siblings returned to Moon Villa, Mina, Irina's trusted confidante, and an old friend, gave them a key to Irina's chest and was told by Irina that the key should be given after her final rites. Darciana grabbed the key and dashed to her mother's library. She looked in every cabinet to match the key. She recalled the hidden drawer behind the books on the lowest rack. She moved the books, and there was this compartment; she slipped the key in, and it opened. Irina Folc had written a letter to her children. Her mother's handwriting made her weep. She returned with it in her grasp.
She set it on the table in front of Darius. Mina left, giving them privacy. He opened the letter and read it. He opened the envelope and read it. The letter's substance astounded them, and they stared at each other in disbelief.
'This can't be real.' Daciana expressed her shock.
'Even if it's not real and figments of her imagination, she wants us to go back to Willowdale and locate Nafre Delvaux,' Darius said slowly, staring at the letter.
'All our childhood, she never let us speak of that place to the point where we pushed it back in our recollections, and now she wants us to go back there of all the places and locate this woman?' She strolled, thumping her feet, attempting to understand it all.
'She hasn't let us attend Dad's cemetery in Willowdale in 19 years because she said it was unsafe, so why now?' Darciana expressed her displeasure.
'There must be a reason. She loved us and would never want us to be in danger,' Darius said calmly.
Darciana appeared even more upset and uneasy about it. She had a secret she didn't want to share with her brother. She became stiffer and angrier. Darius observed her altered demeanor and inquired, 'Is it related to what occurred three years ago at our vacation house when you and mom were together?'
'Nothing happened; it was just an unfortunate accident,' she tried to dodge the question.
'Mom's health has deteriorated since then, and you've stayed away from home,' he said as she anxiously shook her thighs.
'So now everything is because of me?' she asked, pausing.
'I just asked. You're behaving a bit strange.'
They had several such confrontations in the past, which had never ended well, but this time was different because they had just returned from burying their mother. To prevent a clash, both withdrew and remained silent.
They returned to their rooms. Darius remained up all night reading the letter; nothing made sense to him, but as stated in the letter, 'Darciana changed, and I watched her change, my worst fears returned,' he pondered what his mother wanted to say and what his sister was concealing, and why the letter made her so uneasy.
The only way for him to find out was to go to Willowdale; if it brought his mother's spirit peace and she wanted it as her final dying request, he would do it.
He brought coffee to Darciana and woke her up the following day. She was taken aback because he had never done anything like that before. She knew the reason before he could say anything. She took the cup, said, 'I'm not going to Willowdale,' and took a sip. He gave her a teasing grin and said, 'Okay, let's have breakfast; come downstairs; I'll be waiting for you.'
It confused darciana. It was not what she anticipated. Darius was different from the type of guy who would give in so quickly, especially after only one refusal. He was tenacious. She was curious as to what her brother was thinking.
When she came downstairs, Darius was smiling and slicing pears for her. Everything seemed out of character for him. She raised her sharp eyebrows at the housekeeper across the room, asking about his behavior. The housekeeper was also puzzled by his actions; she lifted her shoulders and returned to the kitchen. She pulled her chair back and looked at him with suspicion.
'Hey, Good Morning, Darciana. How did you sleep?' Darius inquired as he sliced pears.
'What's going on?' Darciana inquired, her forehead furrowed in suspicion.
'Nothing, getting ready to start the day,' He grinned.
'And Willowdale?' she asked slowly, trying to interpret his expressions.
'Glad you inquired; I'll be leaving for Willowdale this afternoon after I finish a few things at the office,' he said casually.
Darciana was enraged and struck the hardwood table with her fork while glaring at him. Darius raised his eyes to her, grinned, and continued slicing the fruit. He expected her to act this way because he knew her temper.
'You didn't want to go, but I do, so I'm going. Is there an issue?' He laughed, stood up from the table, turned around, and put on his jacket.
In frustration, she almost pulled her disheveled hair.
'I can't let you go alone,' she shouted, gnashing her teeth. He took a breather and grinned before turning around to face her.
'Great, it will be a fun trip for us to bond. We're departing right now,' he remarked, trying to conceal his cheeky smile.
'Right now?' 'You said later in the afternoon,' Darciana shouted.
'Yes, but it's a long journey, so we should leave now if we want to arrive by night,' he said, reflecting on how well his trick worked on his sister.
'You devious scoundrel, I despise you.' Darciana rose and strode to her room to pack her clothes for the trip.
Both had no idea that the trip they were about to start would change their lives forever. Their mother protected them from the dark past most of their lives, but what was her purpose for sending her children back to Willowdale that had taken so much from her? Was it going to endanger Folc, or would it save them?