Objects of Virtue

Chapter 03

28th of May, 2021 – Hertfordshire, England.

At night as he lay in bed, the darkness enveloping him, he could hear that little voice emerging once again. He tried to push it way, but it found away to make an appearance from the dregs of his consciousness. It sounded relieved? But was that appropriate? For years Louis had struggled under the domineering shadow of his father, always leading him around on a leash like a prized Poodle. Now he was free. There was no leash held onto tightly, jerking him around every time he found something interesting. It was just him now. Free. But what did he do with this freedom? Where did he even start to look for answers? He knew he needed to find out the reason for his father's untimely death – and fast! He couldn't risk people finding out his family's closely guarded secrets – even though he himself barely knew the half of it. Thank god for Liam. Liam always knew what to do. Liam would help him through this mess. He always did. Thank the good Lord above for Liam.

As the minutes ticked on the clock, slowly turning into hours, sleep evaded him. He didn't know how to deal with the weight that lay upon his chest. It was as though the wind in his lungs couldn't quite make its way out and was fighting a war against his chest, trying to push through his chest bone and out of his body. He turned restlessly in bed. It was too warm. The covers were too constricting. They were too heavy around his body and he needed to get out. Flinging his coverlet off his body, Louis sat up in his bed and reached for his phone. A multitude of messages lit up his screen as he scrolled through his phone. Condolences from people he knew, some he didn't know – but all the same. How sorry everyone was for his loss. The thing that really weighed on his mind was if he was truly sorry. Was he sorry that the man who provided everything that he ever needed, the man who's shadow he was destined to live in forever, was he sorry that his own father was dead? A single message caught his attention as he was scrolling through – Dt. Styles. Louis clicked on it, curious. Maybe they found out something about his father? That was fast? A little too fast, Louis thought. At this rate Styles might expose his entire family by morning!

The simple message read "It gets better with time. It will never be easy. But it will be easier. My thoughts and condolences. H.S."

29th of May, 2021 – Hertfordshire, England.

Louis woke up to sunlight streaming through his windows, a throbbing head and teary eyes. Not the perfect combination, but he had to make it work if he was to get through the day in some sort of semblance of normalcy. There were things that needed to be done, matters that needed sorting, a business that need to be run and a family that relied on him for comfort. His sisters were the light of his life, each of them precious stars that brightened his sky. He was the only family they had left, and they – his. Mum had passed away two years ago and he felt a piece of his heart fall away and turn to dust as the dirt hit her coffin on the cold, wet Thursday afternoon that they lay her soul to rest. It was as though God himself cried that afternoon, raining showering down in sheets, lightning tearing apart the dark grey sky.

He had a meeting today with Simon, his father's business partner and life long friend. He couldn't recall a time that Simon wasn't beside his father. Something about Simon always creeped Louis though he refused to acknowledge it. He always had a way of getting his father to agree with him and that annoyed Louis to no end. He was shrewd and knew his business like the back of his hand. Thirty years, they built their empire together. Best friends in deed. Who could fault thirty years of a good thing? Yet, to Louis something didn't quite add up. Nonetheless, Louis had to put his proverbial tail in between his legs and learn his trade if he was to keep up the family name.

As Louis showered, he couldn't help but hazard a guess at the reason for his father's untimely passing. No doubt it was aided along by someone, but who? The why – could be numerous reasons. His father was ruthless and rigid in his ways. His word was final – and no one could dispute it. Safe to say that he made many enemies in his wake as he barreled through on his way to the top. Many people envied his connections. Many people envied his suppliers, his methods and his money. But why now? Why had someone finally chosen to fight back now? It puzzled Louis and he could feel a strong migraine coming on. The warm water felt comforting and the heat soaked into his skin and eased his muscles. He closed his eyes and listened to the water pelleting at the marble tiles on the floor. It was soothing.