Since it was the last day of the wake, Milan allowed the old-timers to stay in the house until midnight. He just waited for the time to run out while watching them talk and chatter. The more he watched them, the bitterer the truth felt to his mouth.
Roma Sheppard was an angel growing up, but she had become the devil after she gave birth to him. Anthony, their father, was just as good.
Thirty years ago, the village darling started showing signs of what Milan thought was postpartum depression. However, it got worse when he was born. Roma completely grew lethargic and would starve herself for days before Anthony would shove food down her throat. Anthony also started drinking by then, growing angrier the more he saw them.
They were the source of their parents’ misery, and no one in the village denied that. The people just wouldn’t tell that to Milan’s face.
“What do you think of being married to Lasair, Milan?” Owen suddenly asked him, but Milan wasn’t fazed by it. The sheriff’s nephew glanced at the other man. “Is it worth it? All the despair?”
“They just don’t want to be the next Aisha Lindsey.” Milan looked down at his crossed arms on his chest, gazing at the wristwatch. “Moreover, I don’t think Lasair has a good reputation with his people. Probably because he was not taking too much of a stand. He’s not protecting the serenity of the island.”
“Protecting the serenity of the island?” Owen lifted a brow. “But Lasair protects the people. Perhaps, when there was a chance, he let them progress as a village.”
Milan snorted and glanced at Owen as if the nephew said something so ridiculous. He then moved to lean his side against the wall to face Owen. “Right. Let’s say… he does allow people to survive longer by improving as a civilization. But… he forgot to cross-check the people bringing the so-called progress. You do realize the Clifford family is not how they seem, right?”
At this, Owen smiled. “Milan, why do you hate them so much? It’s not about Esperanza Clifford. You loathed a man you never met more than twice.”
The young man sighed and turned to the casket. “I was taught to read people, Owen. I can weed out garbage just from one look. That Martin Clifford is nothing better. I’ve met a man like him before… so many times I’ve gotten sick.”
With a hum, Owen eyed the direction of the casket. “If you get rid of him, the village will lose its source of progress. Are you willing to trade your convenience with everyone else’s dreams?”
“…not when I can do something about it. Discussions made me hungry. I’m grabbing a snack upstairs.” Milan got off the wall and walked out of the family room.
“What are you willing to do for a home that never welcomed you, Milan?”
Milan heard Owen’s question, but having no answer at the moment didn’t mean he was not going to have one soon enough. For now, he wanted to make sure the wedding would go the way he wanted.
On his way up the staircase, he saw Corbin standing around. He was by the second-floor window, the glass pushed open to let out the smoke from his cigarette. When Corbin saw him, the officer took out the cancer stick from his mouth.
“I overreacted earlier. Sorry for aiming my gun at your face, man,” Corbin murmured. “It’s just as you heard. If I can’t convince Florence, Corey will surely jump it. If I don’t convince Florence, they will drag Corey just the same. I have no power over the council. We’re just small people in this village.”
“I know. I’m not upset because of that.” Milan moved to the window and pushed it open wider. He wanted to feel the faint night breeze on his face. “Corbin, how much do you love the village? If I asked you to come with me, along with Corey and Florence; will you leave?”
Corbin placed the cigarette on his lips again. “And then what? A life in the streets? You know I can’t impose on you and your Mama. Moreover, people from the mainland… they would think Corey is already too old to continue depending on me. They will make her feel useless for not having her own family or still living with a bachelor older brother.”
Milan glanced at the brother before he leaned on the window sill. “Mama is a powerful person, just as you see the council compared to you. She can get you a job if you impress her, even just a bit. Full disclosure… With looks like that, she might not even let you go.”
“What does that mean?”
“She likes handsome men. She owns a lot of companies in the entertainment industry.” Milan chuckled. “She will either make you a star everyone will adore or a trophy everyone will die to get their hands on. It depends on what makes you feel comfortable.”
“Which one are you, Milan?” Corbin frowned. “Are you a star or a trophy?”
At that question, Milan only sighed. He didn’t want to answer as his answer was none of the choices. Those two labels were only for strangers. As for him, the child of Mauve Beaufort… He was something more despicable.
…
The morning was spent with Milan arranging for the burial. Everyone who stayed with him until midnight returned to help in the egress and the procession. Roma Sheppard was laid to rest next to her mother, Aisha Lindsey, in the village cemetery. Most threw flowers into the grave as a last goodbye, and Milan only did the same.
However, his flower had a little wish in it. He wanted Roma to stay dead everywhere he went. He didn’t want her to become a permanent memory like Anthony.
After the procession, Milan went home to the Sheppard Residence on his own. He saw Andrew sitting by the porch as if guarding the house. The young man stared at the police officer for a few seconds before approaching him with a smile.
“Hey, Andrew.” Milan chuckled as Andrew greeted him. “I guess my days here are almost over. I might have to go home soon.”
“I… I see. I thought you’d be staying here for a week at least.” Andrew rubbed his nape. “Uh, I’m watching the house while you’re gone. I figured you and your sister will never return here.”
Milan sat next to Andrew, not even leaving enough space for comfort. This made Andrew scoot a bit to face him. However, before he could say anything, Milan leaned closer to his face.
He then said, “Yeah, I wish I can stay longer. I would have gotten to know you.”
Without a warning, he placed a kiss on Andrew’s lips. The other person was momentarily stunned, but he fell deeply into it in the next second.
After a few breaths, Milan pulled away and smiled seductively as he got off the seat. “I’ll just look for you when I visit the village next time. See you around, Andrew.”
“See you…” Andrew only watched the male vixen walk away, eyes still dazed by the heat and shock from the encounter. He didn’t even realize how Milan kept on hiding his other hand from the officer.