Chapter One

I opened my eyes in the dark and yawned.

While stretching I watched my clock with a bit sleepy eyes. Exactly half past seven.

I frowned and damned my inner alarm clock to the darkest pits of hell.

I sat up too fast so the walls around me seemed to turn like a carousel.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself I noticed Chuck was sleeping on his special pillow next to me. His reddish fur was standing out in every possible direction. I caressed his soft back. He purred and stretched.

-Wake up, sleepyhead.-I murmured and smiled as he opened his green eyes sleepily. He stretched and yawned hugely. His movements reminded me so much of myself that I had to chuckle.

He licked my fingers and jumped from the bed. His tail was moving gracefully as he entered the kitchen with me. Chuck pressed himself against my naked legs and purred.

-Hungry, huh? Me, too. But we both have to wait, Chuck.-I said as I poured water into the boiler and went to the bathroom. As if to disagree with my intention he meowed and sat on the red bathroom carpet, watching me with his bright green eyes.

I brushed my teeth and looked then finally in the mirror.

-Oops.- I laughed quietly. A sleepy monster gazed back.

I forgot to take off the mascara last night so I looked like a panda bear who had smoked weed.

-A shower won't harm.-I muttered and stepped into the shower tub.

For unfathomable reasons, Chuck loved the moist vapour, so he meowed displeased as I nudged him gently to the side.

-Hey, none of the grouchy in the morning.-I warned him as I went back to the kitchen, drying my damp hair with the towel.

After our breakfast which consisted of cereal for me and herring for Chuck, I went back to the bathroom to apply some make up.

I was never good at it so I simply brushed some of mascara on my eyelashes and dabbed the powder on my nose and cheeks. My dark blue eyes sparkled with energy as I watched myself making some of the extremely awful grimaces while trying not to sneeze. With a huge effort, I managed to suppress it.

I combed my waist-long hair until it fell in soft waves and threw it back.

-Now there's a human being.-I smiled to myself as I finally approved of my appearance.

Then I made the mistake of checking the time and almost ran into my wardrobe.

I didn't quite look what I put on. Just that the colours would match. Indigo, camel brown and cream.

Then I tossed all the important things into my bag and hurried into the foyer. After flinging on my beige coat and dark brown high-heeled boots I caressed Chuck and left, putting in my earrings and throwing a scarf around my neck. My still-damp mahogany hair was stuck twice in the zipper.

-I have to do something about it.-I grumbled as I finally zipped the warm coat, without necessarily making myself bald.

Then I jumped outside.

And was completely mesmerized.

It was absolutely beautiful.

The snow was covering every inch of the ground, including the trees and cars.

The February cold made my nose go red almost immediately and my hair cover with tiny ice crystals.

I took a deep breath as I watched the sun rise. Pale orange and lavender beams fought through the clouds and made the world around me look magical. The snow sparkled and a weak snow tornado whirred up the tiny ice and snow crystals.

The muse in form of the cold wind kissed me and I decided immediately I would paint a picture.

Then I felt the cold and shuddered.

The car roared to life, scaring me awake. I turned up the heat and put on my gloves.

As I pulled off, I turned on the radio.

...Ain't no sunshine when she's gone...It's not warm when she's away...Ain't no sunshine when she's gone...and she's always gone too long...

-..Any time she goes away.-I sang along.

Half an hour later, after struggling through the morning traffic and crawling behind the very frequent police cruisers, I arrived at my office.

Stumbling out of my car I noticed Jenny's tiny electro car and suppressed a chuckle. Well, I liked big cars. This kind of...babies...were nothing for me.

I walked into the very warm office. It's walls made mostly of glass so you could see the snowy outdoors.

-Good morning Ms Olivers. How are you today?- Jenny asked, sitting already behind the desk, digging in some papers.

-Hi, Jen. I'm fine, thank you. Any news?-I asked as I walked into my office. It had dark blue furniture and sandy yellow walls and a yellow carpet. I loved this combination, though I knew many disliked this kind of style. I hung up my coat and sat into my dark blue leather chair, waiting Jen to share the information she had for me today.

-Yes, a lot of. Mr Fanderheldt called. He wants to buy the “Landelia” and he's offering quite a sum.-

-The guy from Netherlands?-I asked, watching the picture I had painted three months ago. Landelia was one of my personal favourites.

-Err...how much is he offering?-I asked dubiously.

She showed me the price on the paper.

-That little? I want twice or even thrice. Take it or leave it.-I said, satisfied with my decision. Of course Fanderheldt would buy it anyway. But this way it would take him longer and “Landelia” wouldn't leave me any sooner than in three weeks.

Jen scribbled in her notebook.

-Okay. Then we have the Georgiana McHalley who simply won't leave me alone..-

-...That awful person? Oh, she won't get my precious “Johnny” so easily. Make her offer the highest price and the tell her the twice big sum. She's greedy as hell, but she loves this picture and she'll buy it.-I said, remembering the awful woman with the high-pitched voice and a tiny chihuahua in her arms.

-Alright. Mr Jeavons called to affirm that “The Spring” is hanging in the New York Art Gallery of Montrery. The offers are very nice, but he knows his job and will tell us as soon as a high price enough is going to come up. Then there is Mr Cell who wants to buy the “Rose Rose”. I could push the maximum out of him..-

-..No, give him the standard price. He is a new client and he should remember us by the significance of the painting and not because of the enorm price.-I said, remembering the tiny man with bright grey eyes and a high voice. I liked him and thought he should get the picture cheap.

-And the last thing is that your father called fifteen minutes ago, just before you came in and asked you to call him back as soon as you can.- Jen said, her voice muffled by the pile of papers she was holding.

-Really? In such a hurry?-I wondered. Dad was a hippie. Take it cool, calm down, don't give yourself a headache.

-Yes and he sounded kind of...anxious.-Jen said, looking at me with her greyish eyes.

-Okay, I'll call him.-I said. She understood and left.

I dialled his phone number and wondered what was happening.

-Olivers?-a low bass voice asked.

-Hi, Dad, it's me. Jen said you'd called me.-I said.

-Oh, Cassy, it's you! I would really like you to come over here as soon as you can. I have something important to tell you, love.-he said, his voice hoarse.

-Dad, are you okay?-I asked, already standing up and taking my coat. His voice sounded unusually weak.

-I'm good. When are you coming?-he asked, changing the topic flawlessly.

-Err...I'll be there in twenty minutes or so.-I said and listened to him hanging up the phone.

-Leaving, Ms Olivers?-Jen asked as I hurried to the exit.

-Yeah, something weird is gong on at his place.-I said and ran to my car.

I drove as fast as I could with the slick ice on the road.

I was really anxious to get to him. What was going on?

As I stopped in front of the small house, nothing unusual seemed to happen.

I hurried on the porch and opened the door with my key.

-Dad?-I asked anxiously as I entered the kitchen.

-Cassy? Over here!- he called from the living room.

I walked there and saw him sitting peacefully in his armchair, smiling at me with his usual kind smile and holding an old book.

-Are you okay?-I asked, surprised by his healthy appearance. I was expecting something far more...dramatical.

-Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to talk to you. Really important. Sit down, love.-he said and his blue eyes, which I had obviously inherited from him, sparkled at me.

I took off my coat and sat down next to him.

-What's up?-I asked, searching his face for some sign of danger or fear.

-Don't look at me like I'm going to fall dead over.-he smiled and caressed my cheek.

I closed my eyes and sighed, relieved – Dad was okay, at least at that moment.

-You scared me.-I said as I hugged him tightly.

He sighed with a strange edge to this sound.

-I have bad news for you.-he warned.

I froze and searched his face with my eyes, then I nodded, encouraging him to talk.

His eyes searched my face with an expression I guessed I'd had a moment ago myself.

-I've got cancer. Fourth stadium.-he said and held his breath.

It slowly sunk in.

-Oh no.-I mouthed as I took his hand.

He watched me warily.

-No, don't worry, I'm not going to freak out. So there is no cure, is there?-I asked after a short pause.

-No. But there are some good news, too.-he said and smiled widely.

I smiled back weakly. I was going to lose him too soon.

-You inherit from me three million dollars, baby, and this house and the house in south of France. Altogether it should be about ten million dollars or so.-he said, grinning.

-Aww, dad. How can you talk about money?-I asked, tears spilling over.

He kissed my temple and held me tight, not answering.

-Cassy, there is more.-he whispered.

By his grave tone I understood that something really bad was coming up now.

He sighed and closed his eyes, as if the memory was painful.

-Your mother is not dead. She abandoned us when you were only four days old. She...she didn't want to have a child. From me at least.-he said and swallowed.

I watched him, my body completely numb. My head felt like it had been disconnected from my body. Thousands of thoughts were rushing through my mind. I wished I'd feel like it is shown in the movies: no thoughts, no feelings, only numbness.

But this was reality and nothing like that happened. The thoughts that came up into my mind were disturbing and made me furious. Memories: my dad trying hard to bring up his daughter. All the parties he went to with me, all the things he had learned to make it easier for me.

Slowly, some kind of an unfamiliar feeling spread through my whole body. First, I didn't recognize it.

And then it hit me.

It was an immense feeling of need for revenge. It was so strong my hands trembled.

-Cassy?- a voice asked warily.

This brought me back into reality. I opened my eyes, surprised I had closed them.

-Yes?-I asked, fury making my voice sound hoarse.

-Are you alright?-he asked and watched my hands. I also looked at them and unclenched them with effort.

-No. How could she?!?!-I yelled suddenly, jumping up and pacing back and forth.

-All these years, she didn't give a damn about me! I....how is this even possible?! She is a mother, for God's sake!! Ans why did you even take me and became a lonely dad?!-I asked him, not quite able to hide my earnest surprise. All that I had seen and learned about men shifted. There were actually some loving men in this world, who would sacrifice their lives and open doors, to take care of their child.

He looked at me with huge eyes.

-What?-I asked, understanding that my fury was not the cause of his shock.

-Why aren't you angry at me?-he asked quietly, sitting up straight.

I ogled at him. It was my turn to be surprised now.

-Err...should I?-I whispered, unable to find my voice.

-Well, usually kids freak out because of this kind of news. And attack the nearest one. But you reacted...differently..-he murmured.

I sat down beside him and smiled a tiny smile.

-Do you want me to freak out on you?-I asked, taking his hand.

He chuckled and the tension eased.

-No, of course not, love.-he smiled and kissed my cheek.

-Tell me more, please. But first, whose grave did we visit, then? Who was Rosalie?-I asked, searching his eyes.

-Rosalie Elliot was my first wife. She was my first love and we had married young, both eighteen, and she had just gotten pregnant. Then she was run over by a truck. They both died. Two years later I met your mother, still mourning. Her name is Diana. She seemed to bring some new life into me. I could finally see the world around me without relating everything to Rosalie. A year later she got pregnant as well. She wanted to make an abortion. But I stopped her. She was only a year younger than me and I told her to leave the child. I was ready to take the responsibility. After long discussions, she agreed to do it. But as we came back from hospital, she said she hated us both and advised me to put you into a orphan house and go on with my life as nothing had happened. But I...I couldn't do it. I was bewitched from the very first moment I'd seen you. Your blue eyes and the tiny, dimpled hands made me keep and take care of you. It was very difficult at the beginning. But your aunt Susan helped a lot and I am very grateful of my sister's help. I was so afraid to hurt you that I didn't tell you the truth. So instead I lied and said Rosalie was your mother. That is why we brought her only huge flowers and covered the grave almost to the top with them, so that you wouldn't notice that your birth date and her death date weren't matching.-he said and sighed.

I listened to his breathing, trying to calm down at least a little.

I finally opened my eyes and smiled at him.

-It's okay, I'll be fine with it.-I assured him.

Suddenly his face crumpled and he frowned, gasping.

-Dad?!-I panicked.

He took a deep breath and froze in a few seconds he breathed out and smiled weakly

-It's just the pain. The bones are being eaten by the cancer.-he whispered as the convulsion ebbed.

-How much longer?-I asked as I came back with a glass of water.

-The doctor said approximately two weeks.-he said quietly, watching me.

I nodded very calmly.

-Cassy, please.-he said a bit louder as I began to cry.

I put my head into his lap and cried, as I had done many times before after falling down, being dumped by a boy or having trouble with maths.

He caressed my cheek and sighed now and then.

-Baby?-he whispered as I stopped sobbing.

-Yeah?-I croaked, my voice thick with tears.

-Let's make it the last time you cry because of me, okay? At my funeral, no one is aloud to wear black clothes and cry their eyes out. Smile and laugh, because I will go to Heaven.-he smiled.

I nodded, because I knew him and wasn't surprised. He loved colours and parties and believed honestly in God.

We sat and enjoyed the silence. My head was resting on his shoulder and he was holding my waist. His long black glossy hair with grey stripes in it was pulled into a ponytail.

I looked now and then at his face.

He was still so young!

How was it possible for him to die? He was only 46 years old...

-Cassy? What are you going to do with the money you inherit?-he asked finally, a smile in his voice.

I thought about it for a moment.

-I think I'd travel a lot and gather inspiration for my paintings. I'm not sure, actually. Why?-I shrugged.

-Just making sure you are going to enjoy your life. I don't have anything against charities, but sometimes I think it is better to be rich than good.-he chuckled.

-Dad!-

-Okay, okay. Just saying.-he laughed.

-How did you earn that much money anyway?-I asked, honestly astonished.

-As you know, I work as a chief cook.-he said.

-Yeah, but ten million dollars...?-I pronounced the words in shock.

-Well, a bit of luck in lotteries and clever investments...- he shrugged.

-A lottery? Hey I remember that one! All the kids in my school said a James Olivers had won five millions but he had been from Texas. So I didn't think much of it. No picture of you was shown so..- I looked at him, slightly accusing.

-Yeah, I forgot to tell you that my parents were from Texas.-he said with a strong Texas' accent.

I gazed at him, surprised once again. I didn't know so many things about him and had so little time to find out.

A tear rolled down my cheek again. I sniffed.

-Remember, none of these on my funeral! I will die with a smile on lips, so don't be a buzzkiller.-he chuckled and wiped the tear away.