Charlotte McCartney Everyone seemed to pause as Josh wheeled into the room, as though they were all expecting what he had to say, everyone including me.He seemed to be looking around until he caught sight of me and paused. He looked flustered and confused as though the person who stood in front of him was someone he could not exactly recognize.“Josh it's mommy”, Kelcie called out from where she was as though she noticed his confusion. “She looks so beautiful doesn't she?”Kelcie sai“It's me”, I said, feeling somehow elated by his obvious surprise.“Yes I see”, he said regaining his composure “You look… well absolutely amazing, I literally almost thought it was someone else”, Josh said smiling broadly.“I must say Maria really did a good Job”, Lydia added clapping.“Oh I did nothing, trust me, my usual clients take three hours or more to style but she, right here, did not even take that much time. That's because she's a beauty. In this field we create beauty but we also need beauty
Charlotte McCartney The ride to the place was a very quiet one. Just the sound of the revving engine and our soft breaths. After a couple minutes, the chauffeur proceeded to play some soft classical tunes to fill up the empty atmosphere. “Grandfather was an avid fan of classical music, Beethoven was his favorite. He would get the records of his performance and play them in his old gramophone”, I said, and smiled as I recalled humming to one of his favorite songs. “He always said that music was a gateway to the mind,the soul as well as to new discoveries”, I went on.“Yes he did. A really big fan of classicals if you ask me”, Josh replied with a broad smile.“You know, sitting here, I have realized how right he had always been. These sounds are so peaceful, it transports one to a whole new realm”, I said as I closed my eyes to float within the beautiful sound, I was transported to a not so distant past but a past all the same. It was my sixteenth birthday and for some unfortunate re
Charlotte McCartney “So how is it all going to go down?” I asked as we started to get out of the car.The driver came out to bring out Josh's wheel chair from the boot.“It's not going to be so complicated I promise”, he said, refusing the chauffeur's assistance as he attempted to help him get off the car.“I'll just need you to stay by my side and be my wife that's all”, he continued as he struggled to get himself out of the car, a sore sight to the eyes but still much better than before. Thankfully the sessions were paying off even though it was a slow process altogether.“I believe that will not be too difficult. Will it?” he asked, as he settled on his chair. The effort had taken an obvious amount of energy causing him to breathe a little raspily.“It won't be”, I responded.“Just try to be by my side all through it. It will be done before you know”, he said as though he could read the doubts and nervousness I was feeling at that time.“Alright I'll try not to run off”, I joked,
Charlotte McCartney I Stood there as all their attention turned toward me. “You know when we heard you had married a McCartney we were quite happy for you. But this McCartney, I don't think she's the one…”, one of the men said as looked at me from head to toe.“She's my wife”, Josh cut him before he could finish his sentence. “That's why she's here. I won't expect anything from you but you'd be wise to respect me enough to keep her out of your mouth”, Josh added with a serious face.“Come on Josh”, Carlton said. “I'm just trying to look out for you. Why are you such a mean old man? Is it the whole thing that's making you talk this way? I understand if that's the case but you're going to have to calm it. I'm sure my friends don't like your tone”, he gestured to the other men around them, the ones Josh had said earlier that he didn't know. It turned out these men were security officials. In regular events, securities were confined to the door post but In gatherings such as this, the m
Charlotte McCartney “It is saddening that prestigious men such as yourselves choose to disrespect and reduce a man, whom you know has once served as your leader and director”, I began. “A man whose father, as well as the one before him who have held the most daring and fearful position within that prestigious establishment of yours. A man whom you all know that if not for where he sits now, you all may have lost your jobs for daring to even look at him”, I went on, and as I did I vibrated with anger.“And who is he who lent you the voice you use to speak to us?” Carlton started, but Maxwell held him.“Tell me”, I started again. “How do you judge a man who simply lost his ability to walk? Temporarily for that matter? I have seen him before and can testify that he's recovering quite fast and well. Also, what is the value of physical abilities in comparison to mental abilities? Was Josh Xavier just a man who could walk to you all? I'm sure he was a lot more than that. I say a big no to
Charlotte McCartney From where I stood, I could see Josh and Beatrice having their conversation. It was as though she dominated the whole conversation and he just sat still and motionless, raising his head to say something every now and then but regularly. The whole day had turned from a dream to a nightmare in a swish. I had worn a pretty expensive dress today but who knew that I would get embarrassed as well. What felt even worse of an embarrassment to me, was how every single thing these men said to him, he would not even try to defend himself. “It's shocking how one will believe people way more than he believes himself. And to believe the wrong people for that matter”, I said to myself as I thought about what had just transpired. Josh just sat there like a little boy and the other men became more like bullies. It was extremely disgusting to watch. Situations like this are very core in our lives. They define everything from where we are to whatever we may have. We don't exactly
Charlotte McCartney “It’s Charlotte, mother. Bitter as ever. I came over with my friends to say hi to her. We saw her standing here all alone so I decided to come over to see how she was doing and the next thing she started going all out on me, threatening to attack me”, Whitney said, replying before I could even recover from the shock of hearing mother's voice.Mother turned to me. It had been surprising to have found her here even though I had already seen Whitney and should have guessed that she came with mom. But Whitney was always in the hunt for rich young men so I was not surprised seeing her here. Also it has somehow proved that she wasn't even devoted to the Ron as anyone would expect after learning that she stole from me which wouldn't have surprised me at all. But finding mother here made it a whole lot more confusing as to why she was here.“You consider this a perfect place to embarrass yourself and your sister is that so”, mom said with an angry face.“She's the one who
Charlotte McCartney I woke really late today. By the time I was waking up, Kelcie was no longer in the room. “She's probably out entertaining herself somewhere in the mansion. That girl has grown quite used to this mansion. If you did not know her or if you were visiting the Xavier mansion for the first time, you'd think she was born here”, I said to myself as I sat up in bed.“Luckily, there is no longer any use worrying over her the second I don't find her around me”, I thought and I laid back in bed. “Lydia is there. She will look after Kelcie I'm sure”, I added, relaxing even more comfortably. Months ago, when Kelcie and I moved here, if this ever happened, I would have panicked and hurried out to find her. You can't blame me for feeling that way. We were in a new environment, one that seemed more unfriendly and hostile. Especially with Josh being grumpy and angry literally every hour of the day.But lately it's been quite easy. The environment was no longer as hostile as it use
Whitney McCartney “Hi mother”, I said, as I approached her. “Whitney”, Mother replied simply, without taking her eyes off the magazine she seemed to be engrossed in. For some reason though, I did not think she was really interested in the magazine. It felt like she was only acting to be interested in it just so she would avoid talking to me. I know this because I know Mother. If there was anything really intriguing about that magazine she would have been happy to talk about it.“Or maybe there is something intriguing in it and she is just too angry at me to want to tell me about it”, I thought. The thought of this cut me deeply. “This is all because of that stupid Charlotte that just refused to stay where she was supposed to be. I still don't know what was the need to do a wedding to solidify their stupid marriage in the first place. Talk more of making a big deal out of it so much as to come all the way here, to this mansion to inform Mother and try to rub his love for her in eve
Charlotte McCartneyMr Peter Masketov himself along with a chain of assistants were outside waiting by the time we got there. “Mommy is that for us?” Kelcie inquired as soon as we got to where the small crowd of people converged.“I don't know Kelcie, let's see”, I replied, “let's see”, I repeated in my heart. “Alright, let's do this”, I said out loud, as the car revved to a halt, talking to myself much more than I was even telling her. We got out of the car. And set to head on to meet with the small crowd that was already smiling at us, a gesture of goodwill and show of an anticipated presence.“Ma'am”, the driver called back as we were about to join the convergence. “What time will be convenient for me to come back? I already have a time set to return but the boss signified that I inquire if you may want to take out some more time to do some other things before I return to take you to your destination” he said, speaking politely.“The boss, Josh” I thought. Up till now, I had not s
Whitney McCartney For the first time in my life I feel so insignificant. This house, this mansion where I was born, where I have always called home feels like a strange land to me. “What is this?” I asked rhetorically, noticing a fading drawing on a small part of the mansion’s entrance. I walked closer to see what it was. “What is this? Why am I just seeing this?” I asked myself as I stared at the fading image of a lion. “Oh it's probably Grandfather's lion painting, the one mother was planning to have redrawn. So this is where it was?” I thought. I had not noticed it in all the years I had walked past that entrance.“Everything feels so unfamiliar. This unusual silence that is screaming so loudly only began after Charlotte’s uninvited and unwelcome visitation. Why did she have to come here anyway? Why could she not stay where she was? Why did she come here? She should have stayed there, where she belongs, with that broken piece of shit that calls himself Josh”, I thought, angrily.
Charlotte McCartney“Weeeeeeee! That's how the plane goes mommy, weeeee!” Kelcie said completely ecstatic. I wondered how it was possible to not have been infected by this cheerfulness. Evidently Josh had made it happen. Her dream of flying was finally coming through and yet I couldn't find it in me to be happy because I knew what happened and certainly what lay ahead may only have looked good but was not at all. “Before I forget, your friend Maddie will be joining you two at the resort”, Lydia informed me. “She will be coming with a couple visitors”, she added.“Which visitors?” I asked, a little worried. I did not mind Maddie joining us at all. She would even be good companion. “But who else would she bring?” I asked myself, not wanting strangers. “It would be easy to face my embarrassment with Maddie and Kelcie alone. Maddie could even defend me if the need arises” I thought.“Don't worry, it's not too many people. She will be coming along with her sister and her sister's daughter
Charlotte McCartney“Mommy! mommy! Get off the bed, we are already late”, Kelcie said, shaking me from my sleep.“I must have fallen asleep again”, I thought, recalling I wanted to shower earlier.“Late for what?” I asked, still very much asleep. Apparently, her shakes were courtesy of the fact that her baby strength had very little impact in doing what she had intended to do.“Come on now Charlotte, you can't still be this sleepy”, Lydia said. I hadn't even noticed she was also here too.“I'm really having a hard time knowing what I'll be late for”, I answered her.“Oh so you really have forgotten then?” she replied even in my daze I could hear the mild surprise in her voice.“Mommy, we're supposed to go and see the dressers today”, Kelcie replied this time.“Oh yes Charlotte”, Lydia joined in,”Your appointment was set for this date, today”.“Oh that”, I recalled loudly. “Is that even still happening?" I thought to myself. Today I was supposed to go to check out my wedding dress, fin
Charlotte McCartney By the time I came out of the bathroom my baby was no longer sleeping. She had turned on the bedroom light and was already out of the room as she usually did in the mornings. I looked up at the antique wall clock in our bedroom, “7:41am”, I said. “Kelcie must be having her milkshakes by now or just talking to Lydia”, I thought, then it hit me like a blow.“Lydia knows”, I said out loud. “She knows. There is no way she doesn't know. She was the one who called Josh to come and conduct the wine tasting. We were supposed to do it together but she excused herself. I'm sure she would have expected me to do the same as soon as Josh arrived but I stayed, foolishly”, I thought.“That's what mother always talked about. This is the same thing mother always said about me, the same reason she's always complaining. I'm so stupid. I never think before I act. I'm just so stupid. I could have left. There was nothing stopping me from leaving. But I stayed. Why? I could have left it
Charlotte McCartney “Baby”, I said as I stretched my hand to reach my baby. “Oh she's out already”, I concluded to myself as my outstretched hand met an empty bed. “She's probably watching the sunrise now”, I added, as I tried to sit up in bed. “There is something hard about this bed”, I thought, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. “Did someone replace the bed when I was out?” I asked myself.I yawned and laid back down to sleep but my eyes flew open almost immediately and I sat up at about the same instance. “Where am I?” I asked myself, looking round to check my surroundings. “Where am…” I was going to repeat the question again, when realization dawned me. “This is Josh's room. How did I get here?” I questioned, quite confused.“Oh my God! No! No! It did not happen again”, I said, wrapping my hand around my naked body, as I realized I was lying naked under Josh's sheets. My clothes were folded neatly at the foot of the bed.“Oh God please! This did not happen. How could I ha
Charlotte McCartneyThe sound of his name had butterflies swimming around my stomach all of a sudden. I had deliberately avoided talking about him all morning and had tried my best to not spend my whole day thinking as well as talking about him but he was everywhere nonetheless.“What Is that?” Lydia teased. “You think I'm going to be carrying you around afterwards?” She asked, pausing dramatically. “No young lady, not when you have a loving husband”.I bowed my head feeling slightly embarrassed and mildly amused. “Lydia and her mean little humour could somehow take one off guard like that. But it's alright the lady means no harm”, I said to myself.“Don't you worry though? I'll go call him for you. I bet he's still in his room but definitely awake by now. Come on I bet it'll be fun too”, she said assuringly.As she hurried off, thoughts of the last night we were together filled my mind. I yearned so much for his presence but yet was still shy and scared to admit it. It just felt too
Charlotte McCartney “The sugar is literally making me drunk”, Lydia exclaimed “It's too much don't you think?” she asked. “I love it Mommy”, Kelcie said to me. “Ms Lydia, why do you not like it?” Kelcie asked, turning to Lydia. Then, she chattered on and on as though the sugar was really getting her excited as Lydia had complained.“Too much sugar like this baby will have me living in the toilet for a couple days or weeks maybe”, she said, squinting her face. A proper look at the lady and you'd know that she had been a beauty in her youthful days and still, till this day gave off the impression of a beautiful aged lady.Kelcie laughed, “Ms Lydia you're saying the cake is going to make you poo poo?” She asked, amused. “Oh lots of poo poo I'm afraid”, she said, still squinting up her face.“But they do taste creamy as well”, I said. I personally thought it tasted quite good, heavenly to be exact, everything felt heavenly right now.“Yeah there's cream but there's sugar as well but p