Chapter 4: Hickory Dickory Dock
Cherry Cuts was something of an enigma.
After attending a benefactor meeting with her and dealing with issues that were raised with the surplus disappearances, we came to the conclusion that we would hold off any more batches for the next couple of months. Cherry knew about the family business long before I did, she managed the inside whilst I did the out.
"Your father won't be happy," she murmured getting into the carriage that awaited us after our meeting in the town house. "He'll think you're doing this out of spite"
I shook my head and told the carriage rider to head for the Main Square. "He'll understand after I explain that the company was in jeopardy."
"Waity, you and I both know that the company was under no stress or turmoil," Cherry sighed after reaching into her purse and brought out cherry lip stain to dab on her plush lips. "The only time your fathers company would ever be in a state of peril is if all the cunts and cunny in the world disappeared overnight."
I grinned and looked out at the main street. "If I left it to my father, they would."
Silence blanketed us all the way to the town square. That was one thing I'd always appreciate from Cherry. She'd never make an effort at conversation if it wasn't mutual. There was a time when our fathers spoke of wedding us together. Dorian Cuts and Nicholas Waitstill held power in the cusp of the palm and joining forces would mean total dominion. I wouldn't have minded, the marriage wouldn't have been out of love rather, convenience. However, love was never something I held strong belief in.
When we reached the Main Square, I got out and put my hand out for Cherry to climb out the carriage. As she straightened her skirts, I walked forward to the driver. I reached into my longcoat pocket and paid him for our travels.
"Well if it isn't my favourite slice of arse," a voice came from behind me and I smiled knowing who it belonged to immediately. "Oh and you, Cherry dear. It's good to see you as well"
I turned and saw Cherry roll her eyes as her brother stepped down from the ledge he sat on. Birch Cuts didn't walk, he traipsed wherever he went. His well tailored suit and his position sitting on the ground made him stick out like a sore thumb but he paid no attention and gave no shits to those around him unless it profited him somehow.
I walked toward him and brought him into me for a brotherly hug. He was the closest thing I had to a right hand and confidant. Having known him for longer than I can remember, his freckled face and perpetual smirk came to become a place of comfort to me.
"If you two mothers have finished your meeting, we have lunch reservations at the Shell" Cherry picked non existent fluff from her neck scarf. I pushed Birch in a friendly gesture and the three of us headed into the crowded streets. This part of town was filled with aristocrats and blue blood but all three of us were faces that was not easily forgettable. Birch being the lesser known of us, was still approached by many before we reached the Shell.
When we sat at our table and gave our orders, I pulled out the days telegraph from the paper slot near the table. I read and surveyed for any skeptical headlines or missing persons report. After clearing that days report, I folded the paper in relief.
Sods law behind my quick thoughts. Just as I looked to Cherry and Birch to confirm my statement, a ruckus sounded from the doorway. A young girl filled with a handful of papers in her hand tripped on her entrance to the dining restaurant. People stopped playing their cards and eating their meals to look at her. She had fallen and hit her elbow against the metal ledge. The papers flew from her hand and dispersed around her. A couple people tutted and tsked in disgust as if she planned on falling on herself.
I looked at the main counter and having seen no waitress or waiter attending to her, I looked at Birch and nodded my head toward the door. His face was stoic and deadpan as he grunted. He already knew what I meant but he kicked a fuss anyway, knowing this would do nothing for him.
Both of us walked to the young girl with Cherry trailing behind us. I went and picked up the girl from the floor, while Birch went to call for help from one of the workers and Cherry gathered the scattered sheets of paper.
"You alright there?" I grunted as the teenage girl gathered her pants that looked to be two sizes to big on her. She nodded rapidly and looked up at me in hesitation.
"Here you go, Petal" Cherry said as she handed the girl her papers. I looked down and quickly saw a Missing Persons sign before the girl clutched the papers to her chest, hiding both the photograph and the name.
"T-th- thank you, sir," She said to the ground. She walked forward and as she passed Cherry, she did what looked to be a slight bend of her body in thanks "Miss"
She walked up to the main table where Birch was talking to a waitress, smirking at her. I shook my head in disbelief, give the man a couple seconds and he'd have every female in the vicinity on their knees begging to be filled. When the girl excused herself and Birch took his gaze off the waitress and looked at her, his face shifted in a double take.
I narrowed my eyes and looked in astonishment. Cherry mouthed in question and I tilted my head to the scene in front of me.
The young girl was tall enough to reach Birch's shoulders but I could tell that there was an immense age gap. Yet, never in my devil-ridden life had I seen Birch Cuts without his words.
Cherry seemed to be thinking the exact same predicament because both of us backed our bodies and sat on the bench nearest to us to watch the wonder play out in front of us. I crossed my legs and leaned forward to gain a bit of insight on the seemingly fascinating conversation that a smitten Birch Cuts would present.
"Excuse me, Miss," the girl put her papers down on the table and gave no sign of interest towards our little Birch. He stepped back to allow her to lean forward and ask something of the waitress. The waitress smiled pityingly at the girl and looked at what she was wearing before she motioned that she would be back in a minute.
The girl looked to be dressed in a burlap sack. With brown loose pants that were tied to her high waist and a white button up shirt that was tucked in. She looked nothing but plain to the eyes, something that would camouflage into the wall. All except her pale blonde hair, almost grey to the eyes. She shuffled uncomfortably, finally noticing the struttingly strong gaze of Birch. She looked up at him and a smile touched the corner of his mouth. He turned his body toward her and took a step closer to her, introducing himself.
The girl stepped back and looked toward the kitchen door in desperation. Birch frowned and looked back at where Cherry and I were sitting. I shrugged in amusement and he shook his head and looked back at the girl not knowing what the hell he should do.
A pause in my stature came when the cook came out and looked around until his eyes found the young girls. She moved around Birch and leaned across the table top and handed the documents to the chef.
"It's my sister," the girl breathed out in a rush. "She's missing, mister."
The cook looked across her facial expressions and nodded once before taking the papers from her grasp. My gaze moved swiftly over as Birch hid them from view making his way to Cherry and me.
He handed money to the doorkeeper to pay for our meals even though they never did arrive to us and he exited the Shell. I got out with a grin on my face, regardless of the slow creep that dug through my back from the girl and her missing sister. Maybe it was a good idea that we slowed down business for the next couple of months. Questions were something the company never needed.
I looked forward at Birch and couldn't help but laugh lightly at the unforgiving expression on his face. "If I do see it, Cherry," I spoke loud enough for him to hear "I think Birchy just got his first taste of rejection"
"Shut up, Waitstill. You fat cocked bastard" Birch replied before putting a mint leaf in his mouth. Birch always carried a handful of mint leaves in his waist pocket. The love of plants came from his mother, she named him after a tree for Christ's sake. He once told me that it gave him a sense of control and peace. We had a bet running that whenever he found a woman that went crazy for leaves as much as he did, was the day I'd sit and count every single freckle on his body and for every fifteen - we'd both take a shot and cheers to true love.
Cherry and I laughed before all three of us headed back home.
When we entered the gates to my fathers house, Cherry told us that she would catch up with us in a while. Whenever she came to our house, she'd always pay her respects to my mother's grave in the corner of the courtyard. Theo and I told Father that it was a bit morbid, burying her in a house she so dreadfully wanted away from. But my father heard nothing of it and continued down his headstrong route of mourning.
I walked up the steps that led to the main door and saw Birch follow behind. Before my foot touched the last step, the large ceiling high doors opened and two man servants greeted my arrival with plastered smiles.
"I give him all of two minutes" Birch observed from behind me as we entered the main living room. As if on cue, Lincoln waddled up to me in a gruff. "I lied, I meant two seconds" Birch added and soon after, Lincoln was asking about my outing and queried if I needed anything.
"Your uncle gives his regards, Master Micah. He came earlier this afternoon whilst you were out. He left a note and.... others but did mention to let no one but you open this." Link said passing me a two folded sheet of rice paper with ink script within it.
Opening it to see what it held, I opened my mouth to remind Lincoln not to address me by anything by my name once again. Thinking of another harmless threat to tease his mind with. But the scripture in the note stopped me short. A key fell from the paper and clinked as it dropped to the floor, filling the room with a blanket of silence. I blinked and read it twice over before making sense of what it meant.
Waity, Take her as a present from your dear Uncle for your upcoming succession into the company. I picked the little mouse fresh out the crop for you and she stays caged in your room, waiting for your discipline.
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