Chapter 9. Putting the plan into action

With his new look, Peter strode down the staircase. The confidence that he felt was exhilarating. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, he almost felt like leaping down the stairs. He sat at the dining table and read the morning paper. Mrs Pots served him his morning coffee with a large slice of apple pie and a side of crisp bacon. Mrs Pots watched him intently. She knew this transformation was from the meeting last night. She felt it in her gut that something was not quite right but couldn't put her finger on it.

Peter finished his breakfast, put on his hat and grabbed his keys for his lincoln, whistling his way out the foor He took the scenic route, stopping along the way to buy three bunches of bright yellow daisy's. Today he would have to win the hearts of his mother, his daughter and Martha. He needed this. He needed to win favour. He needed to gain his status at any cost.

Peter parked at the entrance of the Walters mansion. He entered the large wooden sculptured doors. They were unique, hand crafted from the finest wood in Africa and imported. This was a gift from Andrews wife. It won her great favour in Old Mr walters eyes as he loved art. Annie's simple paintings she gifted him could never compare to this door. Her paintings were left in the old shed to collect dust. The thought of this pained Peters heart, but he knew he had to let go of those feelings and move forward. He could not let his emotions get in the way of his dreams. He could not lose his focus. Annie is never coming back.

The servants greeted him as he strolled in. He hadn't visited in years but the mansion was still the same. It was still a white and gold interior with sculptures and paintings. The huge crystal chandelier hung from the centre of the hall, giving the mansion class and elegance. Nothing had changed in all these years. He followed the servant to the garden were his family was enjoying the hot summers day picnicking.

At the far end he saw Martha, she was tall and slender. She looked beautiful in the sunlight,almost like his Annie. In her arms were a little girl, a toddler. They were plucking dandelions and twirling them in the wind. His two nephews were playing sword fight a few metres away. 

He approached his parents, siblings and their respective partners. Leaning forward he extended his arm with the daisys to his mother, " to you, my most loving, elegant mother".Felicia smiled and took the daisy's, leaning in to give her son a heart warming hug. She was happy seeing her son get back up from his depression and find a new lease on life. He kissed her forehead. His siblings looked at each other, knowing that their plan is now in action. They smiled at him, big toothy grins. He was falling into their trap without even knowing it.  

Peter greeted his father and sat down at the table. He sipped a lemonade and  joined in the small talk.  He hadn't felt so happy for so long, his family was together. Like the old days before he had gotten married. Before he the challenges of power, wealth, control and status. They were just a family enjoying each others company. He still had two bunches of daisy's in his hand and Sierra, the most devious of them all, questioned him about it, raising curiosity from his parents. 

" These are for my daughter and Martha" he replied cooly" Martha has watched over Adrianna as if she was her own child, I want to show her my appreciation and gratitude ".