Page 5 of The First Seal

“Yes Mr. Ewing, that's okay and thank you.” I breathe out, keeping my voice steady. Giving me a curt nod he heads to the front entrance to let the guests in.

My palms sweat as more people arrive. I hastily wiped them down the front of my dress.

Keeping my composed mask in place was starting to wear on my nerves. I always hated being the center of attention. With each person coming up to me saying “so sorry for your loss”, “they were such amazing people,” and “you poor thing, if you need anything let me know.” I just want to stab them. I never really saw them that much throughout my life or even met them until today.

“Vee, I need to step outside for a bit. I'll be back in a few.” I tell Vee as she is talking with her mom.

I was going to walk out the front entrance, but there were so many people coming in and towards the tree line I noticed that the parking lot was full and people had started parking on the sides of the street. I knew there would be alot of people from family, to friends, to coworkers of my dad, and his employees. Seeing the extent of people paying their respects put into perspective my fathers reach.

I sit on the driest spot I can find, under the large oak tree at the back of the parking lot. Sitting here watching everyone as they head into the funeral I hold back the tears threatening to escape. But, it’s so hard, my thoughts keep circling back to my birthday dinner with my parents.

I didn’t want a huge party, I just wanted to spend time with my parents. I was surprised that they were just taking me out to dinner. Papa had reserved the entire place at my favorite restaurant for just us three. It was this little family owned Italian restaurant my Papa has known the owner since they were kids. They make their pasta from scratch and its so fucking good. I would always get their Carbonara, a pasta dish made with eggs, pecorino romano cheese, parmesan cheese, grana padano cheese, black pepper, and fatty cured pork. And for dessert I would get their house made tiramisu which is to die for. They would always bring out the tiramisu with a single green candle in the middle for my birthday.

That day was weird though because my parents kept smiling like they were up to no good. When we arrived there was only one table by the front windows and all the other tables were missing. We sat down and ordered our food. Mama and Papa still had those cheeky smiles on their faces. So, after we all ate our main courses, my favorite song Alkaline by Sleep Token started playing really loud, as if there was a DJ in the restaurant. The next thing I know my parents stand up and all my friends, family, some of my mom and dads friends come out of the back and yell “Surprise”. My jaw hits the floors as my best friend comes over to me and says “Happy Birthday Girl. Did you really think we weren’t going to celebrate tonight together?” I just smiled at her and walked over to my parents and said “Thank you so much and I knew you two were up to something.”

Mama and Papa just start laughing. Mama says to me, “ You know your Papa has a bad poker face.” I just nod and giggle.

Papa replies to my mama with a laugh and a smile, “So do you my dear.” Looking at me he says “A teper', moya dorogaya, milaya malen'kaya zhemchuzhina, idi i naslazhdaysya svoim Dnem Rozhdeniya.” (Now, my dear, sweet little gem, go and enjoy your birthday.)

“Spasibo bol'shoye, Papa. YA lyublyu tebya.” (Thank you so much, Papa. I love you.) I replied to Papa with a kiss on the cheek. Then I grab Vee and head to the dance floor to dance with my best friend.

I got up off the curb and decided it was time to go back inside. Hopefully, Iris has finally shown up. Once back inside, I go to stand with Vee and I look around the room at everyone there.

I noticed that the more people that are showing up are people I don’t even know. As I’m looking for my sister in the crowd of people, I notice that there are four extremely hot, strange men talking amongst themselves, and they keep looking over at me. I look away and continue looking for Iris, who I still do not see. I know that she had a flight booked and it was supposed to have landed six days ago. I pull out my phone and start text her again.

Iris people have started to show up. Where are you???

Hello??? Where are you????

“Vee, Iris isn’t responding. She keeps leaving me on read. Where the hell is she?” I grumble to my best friend.

“Em, breathe. She will be here.” Vee states.

“Okay, I am done trying to find out where she is. Our parents' funeral must not be important to her.” I say, fuming from anger.

It's now 2:40pm and Mr. Ewing is about to start the service for my parents and still no Iris. Vee and I sit in the front row, and Vee asks, “Em, when do you meet with the lawyer about the will? Do you want me to come with you?”

I look at her. “I will meet with him next week on Monday about the will, and yes, Vee please come with me. I don’t want to be there by myself with Iris.” rolling my eyes at my own sister's name. Such an annoying, entitled brat.

“Who are the four hot men in the back?” Vee asks me.

“Um, I’m not really sure who they are.” I whisper as Vee and I watch all four men walk out the front door and leave. Wow that was odd, they didn’t even stay for the service.

“Hello, everyone and thank you for joining us on such a sad day.” Mr. Ewing says as he begins the funeral service and there is still no sign of Iris. The service took about one hour and I completely zoned out the entire time. I just couldn’t keep my focus on Mr. Ewing during the service. My mind kept going back to where the fuck was Iris?

After Mr. Ewing concludes the funeral services, we all head out to go to the cemetery.

Walking towards my car, I noticed something under my windshield wipers. Reaching the car, I take a better look and there, under the wipers, are two roses; a single black rose and a single dark green rose and then wrapped around the stems is a malachite bracelet. Grabbing them and getting into the passenger seat of my car. I put the bracelet on my left wrist.

“Who is that from?” Vee asks

“A secret admirer.” I say, smiling as Vee drives away.

On our way to the cemetery to lay my parents to rest, my mind keeps replaying who the four strange men were and where I might know them from. I know I have seen them before. But I can’t seem to place when I have.

My mind then wonders about the new malachite bracelet I just acquired. I still haven’t been able to figure out who has been leaving me the two roses and some kind of malachite. It could be jewelry or even just the stone itself, since those types of stone can be in different shapes.

Arriving at the cemetery, which is about thirty minutes from the funeral home. I contemplate getting out of the car or just staying in here until everyone else leaves. But, I mindlessly move through the motions, my body on autopilot as I exit the car. The next thing I know, I am standing before the side-by-side dark oak coffins.

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