Emelia's face quickly changed to a calm demeanor. She straightened her apron and faked a smile. She didn't want to betray the tension between her and Elara just then.
"Your father's home," Emelia said with a smile. The muscles on her face left no doubt that it was forced. "Let's put this aside for now."
David Thompson walked into the kitchen, looking tired and worn out from a long day at work. His uniform was a bit rumpled, and he carried the faint smell of the exhaust of his Mercedes Benz.
"Evening everyone," David greeted, he really was tired. "Darling, what's for dinner? I'm starving to death."
Emelia quickly moved to hug him warmly. "We're just finishing up. How was your day, David dear?" She asked David as she kissed his right cheek.
"Long… Tiring… Frustrating," David replied while he removed his tie and dropped his brief case in the sofa. "I'm glad to be home."
He noticed Elara seemed to be unusually quiet. "What's wrong, Elara? You look troubled."
Elara snapped out of her thoughts, she glanced at her mother who subtly shook her head. "Just a long tiring day," Elara said, covering her uneasiness with a fake smile. "Nothing to worry about."
David nodded as though he understood her perfectly. His own burdens didn't allow him to
probe any further. The family gathered around the dark, polished dining table, which glowed softly from the chandelier overhead. The intricate and beautiful rich black patterns of ebony showed through the lacquered finish.
Emelia hid her earlier irritation. Her concern for Elara was now replaced by an attempt to
maintain a sense of normalcy. As they ate their meal, Elara's mind was still on the troubling events of the day, her mind was travelling in a world of wonder. "How can a family suffer so much? The world is really unfair", she thought, while she made strange sounds with her fork. She wasn't eating either. The situation around the dining table was becoming awkward as each one was consumed with something to think about. The noise Elara made with her fork was all that could be heard in the dining room.
"What is that Elara?" Emelia looked at her daughter sternly. She knocked her with her shoulder. Then Emelia stopped the noise.
After a moment of silence, David broke it. "I've been trying to secure the lands behind the village stream," he said. Then his expression turned to a tensed one. "There's been a lot of talk about them lately."
Elara looked at her daddy from her plate, her curiosity piqued, "I heard the farms caught fire today. That is horrible. Rumors are spreading like wildfire that someone intentionally set them ablaze."
David was so surprised. "How did you know so quickly? Bad news spread really fast"
"It seems I'm the only one left in the dark", Emelia said with wonder. "Anyway, I've been home all day."
Elara's replied, "I heard some farmers talking about it on my way home." She left out the
incident with Marko and his father. David was silent for a while.
"Well, I had a disagreement with Derrick today," David continued while he nervously fidgeted with his fork. "He seemed to suspect me."
Emelia was alarmed. "Why will Derrick blame you?"
Emelia shifted on her seat, feeling uncomfortable. "David, why will Derrick blame you? Is there anything you're not telling us?" Emelia narrowed her eyes as if trying to see through her husband.
David gave a heavy sigh then he put down his fork. "There are rumors, yes. People are
desperate and looking for someone to blame. But trust me, Emelia, I had nothing to do with it."
Emelia's eyes were full of worry. "But are you sure? There's been so much damage. People can say all sorts of things and it can become serious matter you know."
David became more tensed, "I had nothing to do with the fire. I've been working hard to acquire the land, not destroy the farms. The rumors are baseless."
Before they could discuss more, loud shouts erupted outside. The noise kept becoming louder and louder while the villagers approached the gate. The noise was mixed with the clatter of dishes. Fear gripped the household.
"What on earth is that?" Emelia's voice trembled as she rushed to the window.
David stood up. His face was full of concern. He moved to the window where Emelia already stood and peered out. The scene was chaotic: a crowd of villagers. They screamed with anger gathering behind the gate.
"It's the villagers," David felt strangled out of fear. "They're furious about the fire. Are they also blaming me?"
Emelia moved close with her hands clasped nervously. "They're demanding answers, aren't they?"
Elara stayed glued to her seat. She was really scared out oof her wits, "What if they entered the
house to do us harm?"
"Elara, no one will hurt you," David assured his daughter. He cherished her with his very life.
With a nod, David turned to the exit door, "It sounds like they're blaming someone for the fire
and it is obvious that I'm the target."
Elara stood up. Genuine concern was evident in her voice. "Daddy be careful, you can't confront
them directly. What if they do something bad to you?"
David took a deep breath, "I'll go outside and talk to them. This is necessary. I need to show
them that we have nothing to hide."
Eelia reached out to stop him. "Be careful. They're very upset."
"No dear, allow me," David replied firmly. "If we don't address it now, it can turn into something
else later on."
David took deep breaths to calm himself. Then he moved toward the gate. As he got close, the
villagers became fierce. It was as if they were trying to destroy the gate.
Emelia and Elara exchanged worried glances at the desperate scene. Their heart sank and Elara
began to sweat, afraid of what might happen to her dad.
David shouted as much as he could amidst the shouts and grunts. "Please, hear me out my
people, I beg of you" David stepped out to face the crowd, when he sensed that the tension had
reduced a little. He hoped he could calm the situation and prove his innocence.
David stepped outside the gate. The breeze of evening was quite soothing. However, David felt
heat all around him because of his predicament. He looked at the angry crowd with a mix of
determination and unease. The villagers' shouts and jeers grew louder as he stepped outside to
meet them.
"Everyone, please, listen!" David called out, raising his hands as gesture to quiet the crowd. His
voice was authoritative but concerned. "As your village chief, I am deeply sorry about the fire
and its impact on all of you."
The crowd murmured and shifted. They were still angry but their attention was fixed on David
trying to listen to the excuse he had to give.
David continued, "I understand your frustration and loss. I want to assure you that I had no part
in this. In fact, I've been working on a plan to help us all. I want to buy…" Then he was cut by an
angry voice.
"And that's why you set the farms on fire, you wicked man!" a voice shouted from the crowd.
"You can't take our farms, loser!" another person sneered. "We regret making you the chief of
this village."
"A chief who bullied his own people, is this a leader? The crowd erupted into uproar. Their
voices rose in disbelief and anger.
"Buy the land? Why should we trust you?" one man shouted.
David Thompson had shown his interest in the lands behind the stream. He had tried to
convince the farmers to sell them to him. The farmers didn't agree. That was their only source
of income. They believed that David had a hidden agenda to take what belonged to them. For
about two years, Mister Thompson had been doing all he possibly can to persuade the people.
It was no wonder that when the farms caught fire, the people quickly suspected him to have
caused it.
"You're the reason we're suffering!" another accused, his fist raised in anger. The villagers
started closing in on David. He felt helpless.
Elara couldn't stand the scene. "A little time, my daddy will be beaten to death." She thought.
"Elara don't go out, it's dangerous," Emelia warned but she was too late. Elara had already
reached the gate. Her heart was agitated out of fear.
"Please stop. My father is innocent. I know those who might have caused the fire."
David, shocked, shifted his gaze to Elara. The shouts and noise ceased at once, all eyes focused
on Elara.