Bella's Choice (41 page)

Classes resumed and they were back in a routine. Both were extremely busy but were adamant in finding time for one another; their honeymoon far from over.

Aldrich still tried to catch up on his work load when Thomas came to see him at his office the day after he resumed work. This was very odd, since Thomas never believed in bothering his children at their respective workplaces, but this was important and he couldn’t put it off another day. His father had been very persuasive and insistent. This had made him nervous as he wasn’t sure what to expect from him.

The whole thing with Chaney had already cost him time. The previous day his colleagues had confronted Aldrich about her. By now, they knew about her arrest, and that she had been evaluated by a psychologist who found she was unfit to stand trial. She was placed in a psychiatric ward at Groote Schuur Hospital for further observation.

Aldrich and Mr. Dorflinger had an extensive discussion about her, and they appointed a lawyer to her case, one from a well trusted firm in the city. It was imperative to keep this under wraps for as long as possible. The firm didn’t want―or need―the unsavory publicity, but they also needed to protect Anabella’s reputation. Both were determined that this wouldn’t affect her public profile.

When his father finally arrived at eleven for his appointment, they went to a nearby pub to talk. The wind had picked up considerably since Thomas’ arrival, which made it difficult to walk as they clutched their jackets tightly to their bodies. The pub was quiet and they found a table in a private spot where they could talk unhindered.

As Aldrich was on a tight schedule, Thomas got right to the point once their drinks had been placed in front them. Although Thomas struggled with what he was about to share, he knew it was timely and very important, and couldn’t delay it anymore than was needed. “Aldrich, I have to share something with you; news you won’t like hearing but as Anabella’s husband, you need to know.”

With this, Aldrich’s face cloaked over in a frown.

When Thomas saw the expression, he quickly explained. “I had a long talk with someone over a serious issue. Thereafter, I told him that I had no choice but to tell you and he agreed. I’m convinced that he’s genuinely remorseful and wants to do the right thing. He would like to see Anabella as soon as she can fit it in, and the sooner the better,” Thomas concluded, all the while watchful of his son’s reaction.

“What is it, Dad? You have me worried.”

“It is about the attack at her parents’ house.”

Aldrich shifted in his seat, leaned forward, and gave his father a sharp look. He still had nightmares about that ordeal; finding her in the state she’d been in as Mr. Richter held her in his arms. The words still replayed in his mind when Mr. Richter had stopped him, and when the doctor had wanted to examine her. The fear and the anger all played havoc with him; her broken image still burned into his mind. She hadn’t wanted to press charges against the people who’d done that to her, and he had a hard time accepting that fact.

“What about it, Dad?” he asked in a low tone, his voice trembling. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear this and took slow, deep breaths in order to calm himself for what his father was about to say.

“I know this is difficult, Son, but you have to find it in your heart to forgive him.”

“Forgive him, Dad? He violently attacked her to satisfy his own beastly lust. There is
no
forgiveness for that.” He swallowed at the bile in his mouth. “Who is he?” he seethed.

“Aldrich, this isn’t the way. If you don’t calm down I’ll not tell you. It’s hard to face, I know, I had a hard time myself, but we need to get this behind us.”

“Never, Dad. Who is he?” he demanded, rising from the chair swiftly as he clenched his hands into fists. The few customers that were inside the pub looked at him wearily, wondering if a bar fight was about to take place.

Thomas followed suit and reached for him as he softly said, “No, Son.” He deadpanned him with one inert look. “There will be none of this. Come and sit down.” He nodded in the direction of the manager to show him all was well, then silently prayed for patience, and for Aldrich’s change of heart.

“Dad, you cannot expect me to forgive him. You were there. You saw the state she was in. They deliberately set her up to be raped, and you want me to forgive this, this…” His hands flailed in the air, and then he stopped. They trembled as he reached for his glass and with one swallow downed its brown, foaming contents.

Thomas looked at his son who was clearly struggling to get his emotions under control. He could see the raw display of pain and anger on his face. He, too, couldn’t forget the look on his son’s face that fateful night. It looked as if he’d lost something precious. The devastation moved through him and he shook. When he’d arrived, he had had to hold him for a while. Aldrich had suffered greatly when he lost his first wife.

“Dad…” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“Yes, Son, I know. It’s difficult.”

“Who is he?” This time his voice was strained, soft, and Thomas admired his son’s courage.

“Relax, Son, we really need to talk. Can I order you something else?”

He shook his head and straightened himself once again. “Yes, Dad,” he said and sat down, his fingers trembling as he laced them together.

“You remember the man we met at the restaurant just before the attack?”

“I do. André Herbst. He insisted on seeing you the following Monday.” His eyes grew wide when he saw the expression on his father’s face.

“Was it him?” he gasped in horror.

“Yes.” He held on to his son’s hand while he spoke.

Fire spat from him, but Thomas held him down with a light touch on the arm.

“That Monday, he came to me all right, but he was disorientated and didn’t stay long. The next time I saw him, he told me his life story and what a foolish thing he had done to a young girl over the weekend. The way he described it, I knew it was Anabella. He said he was obsessed with her and that all he could think about was that he had to make her his own. He told me how he slept in her room while she was in the States. When I told him I knew the young woman and how she was connected to me, he was shocked, both at the revelation and because I didn’t attack him. He loathed himself.”

Aldrich grunted but remained quiet. His eyes were settled and unwavering on his father’s as he listened carefully to every word uttered, trying to process them as well as he could, his thoughts in disarray. He wanted to shake his father in rebellious agony. He wanted to harm that man who had dared to touch his love. He simmered in anger at the audacity of the man. But instead, he listened, asking for peace and forgiveness within his own heart.

“André is repentant and wants to meet you both. He wants to apologize for his actions that night. He knows no words can ever be enough, but still he wants to see you.” Thomas fell silent and watched his son. Again the pain and anger washed over him in succession. This was the most challenging time any child of God faced. Especially when this kind of pain was caused by someone close, but he had to trust that the living word within his son’s heart would bear fruit, and that he would accept and grant forgiveness.

Aldrich stared out the window, deep in thought, the restless southern wind was blowing fiercely outside. People were hunched forward as they tried to walk briskly to their destination.
One woman clutched a lamp pole with all her might as her sweater blew over her head. Papers were blown all over the street, leaving the place in a mess.
It is so ironic,
Thomas thought,
forgiveness is like this wind―strong, fierce, and at this moment, disastrous. Yet, when it stops and the aftermath is cleared, the promise of a new day will always be there, wrapped in peace.
He prayed for a heart of flesh, not stone, and that the winds of adversity wouldn’t destroy what was started in faith. Thomas waited and took the last sip of his coffee. More people entered the establishment in a rush and sat noisily at open chairs, ordering their drinks with shouts above the wind from the bartender but yet, in their little corner, it remained quiet as if they knew that this was a pivotal moment in his son’s life.

Aldrich’s spine was tense and straight as he leaned against the backrest, the muscle in his jaw working overtime, his mind sifting through his emotions and heart for the peace he so desperately wanted. He understood that forgiveness was a pinnacle stone in his Christian faith. He tried to rationalize his own thoughts with what the scriptures said, but scripture upon scripture reminded him of the love of Christ and the message that went along with it. He tried to reason with God about this, but all that remained like a mantra was “My grace is sufficient for thee.” He couldn’t ignore the promptings knowing the healing that those words brought. He felt the icicles around his heart break as his faith overturned his emotions and he relaxed. He turned and gazed at his father with surrender. “I will speak to Bella and hear what she says.”

“Fair enough, Son, but this has to be done soon for all parties to continue with their lives.”

“Understood.”

“I will wait for your call.”

They decided it was time to leave since Aldrich had so much work to do. He hurriedly said goodbye to Thomas at his truck, which was parked directly in front of the offices.

For a long time, Aldrich stood at his office window and looked at the storm outside. He knew what had to be done, but Anabella would have a hard time with this; her faith was still new and fragile. The Word not matured enough for her to grasp the full meaning of forgiveness. What would she say?

She was still experiencing nightmares about that night, not as frequent as before, but it was still there. He knew how she felt about her parents and until now, hadn’t spoken to either of them, nor about them. He never pushed her, but that didn’t mean she didn’t suffer or didn’t remember. How could he blame her?

At the end of May she would leave for Germany, a whole month during which she’d participate in more competitions. However, she was focused and more determined on her sport and studies. To bring this under the spotlight could unnerve her and open the wounds she so desperately tried to forget. But he knew this was necessary.

“What did they say?” André asked exasperated. He wasn’t a nervous person, had never had to wait on anyone, but these things had been making him jumpy for some time now, and he wanted it behind him―sooner rather than later.

“Aldrich will talk to her and let us know. This was not easy for him.”

“Yes, yes. I understand,” he reasoned, sighing into the phone. “You will let me know?”

“Yes, the moment they contact me, but b
e patient, André. This was not easy for both of them.”

“Yes, of course. I just feel jumpy that’s all.” He sighed again and taking a deep breath, proceeded. “I really am sorry for all the hurt.”

“I know, André, but you need to understand she is battling with this equally. What you all wanted to do to her, first with her parents’ deceit, her father not protecting her, and then of course, you. She still battles with nightmares about that and the after-effects of the lifestyle she grew up in, so it’s a lot of stuff to work through.”

“Yes.” He grew silent as flashbacks of that night tortured him once again. The things they’d done in that house, knowing that the children were there. He was part of all that and couldn’t blame her. He’d dished out his fair share, both to her and her brothers. Now to play all innocent was too much to take in, even for him. “Okay, please let me know,” he agreed, running his hand through his hair.