Holly sighs. "Edward, your father was... is a mad man." She starts, adjusting her leg on the stool and then leaning in comfortably into the couch. "We got married not long after I left college."Jean nods."I remember it all like it was just yesterday. We met on my way to one hard course I was taking at the time. He was taking the same course. We ended up sitting beside one another and then, we exchanged contacts for 'information' about the course. Then we met outside over coffee, went on dates, became his girlfriend at the end of it, till the end of college. I already introduced him to mum by then. And she didn't seem to see any problem with it as well. Like a fairy tale, he proposed on the day of our graduation and I happily accepted." She smiles at the memory while Sue adjusts where she sits, turning to face her better."We planned our wedding closely knit with him and my family, well, just Mum. He told me he didn't have a family. I'm not sure I should believe that even now. Anyway
Sue drops Ashley off at her school the next morning while Ford goes to visit his brother and Mum who are still in the hospital.Harry had started to go through physiotherapy to get the feeling in his legs back fully and be able to walk fully well on his own two feet.Sue also goes to work to see how everyone is, including the former three who has resumed back at work with a worthy experience to tell for them.As soon as she arrives, she goes into her office where Tara comes in not long after."Good morning boss. How're you doing?"Sue smiles at her, motioning her to sit down. "I should be asking you. How are you doing? Hope nothing hurts anymore?""Not at all. It's all just numb now. It's starting to feel like a dream except the look of awe I get from the remaining staff, I'd have forgotten it.""When it's not a medal." Sue laughs. "How's moving in to the new apartment as well?""About that, the new landlord is fine as he... very fine. He came to greet me himself yesterday evening afte
The next few days are filled with hell and dread for the McCartneys and Ford.Marshall is still missing.All the news and media channels are interested in the case and they give the development on the news everyday. Police stations have given out APBs to other stations around the country trying to find Marshall.Through the daily and sometimes, even hourly updates on the news, Ford and his family are able to keep track of what's happening to them.In a few days, Holly's funeral is going to be held.Jean had sent them an invitation, letting him know that she didn't take Sue's permission before sending it but that he should not mind her, everything she has said, she didn't mean a word of them and they should please come for the funeral.Ford sent back a reply saying he'll be there no matter what. And that he knew that grief lets people do or say things they don't mean.He said he'll be there to stand by her that day.*Edward chuckles.Smoking a stick of marijuana, Angie cuddled between
All preparations in place, all things set up, media laptops clacking with words, TV stations cars outside, news reporters reporting loudly on the cameras turning to face them and take record of every word they say..."Here we are at the funeral service for the Chairwoman of EMC Corporation, Holly McCartney, daughter of Jean McCartney who died a few days ago but the family is keeping a close mouth on the cause of death but our sources have told us it's a murder and the murderer is still at large..."The venue for Holly's funeral is quite loud.They are also handling Alfred's funeral as nobody came to claim his body. He was a lonely man.Sue is dressed in a black long gown while Jean is dressed in a much shorter one although the same make with Sue's. Ashley is also dressed the same, black gown and a black flower in her hair.Tara and Raya still made sure they all looked fine even on the day of the burial. Herself not grasping the situation immediately but she came to accept that Holly i
"Mum." Sue says and hugs her. "Hope it wasn't too cramped in there?""It's not something I'd love to do again I tell you." Holly laughs and pats her shoulder.Then, she turns to Jean and gives her a big hug. "I'm not leaving you behind ever anymore. I love you too much to do so." She smiles at her warmly.The reporters are not sure how to take the situation but it's their jobs to report what's going on so in different ways, they report the development to the viewers of their TV channels.One of them reports, "It's a massive turn of events here at the burial site of Holly McCartney as it turns out, she's alive and well..." The camera pans on them as she greets Sue and Jean with smiles "And what's more? They all knew about it except is reporters. They are having a field day deceiving us..." The cameraman glances at the reporter who's reddening in the face with confusion and then tells her to stop talking. The reporter looks away and continues speaking... "We should complain about this.
With a sense of fulfilment and utmost accomplishment, James Greene emerges from the court house holding a brown envelope and Sharon trudging behind him, holding the same envelope.Their divorce proceedings just ended and according to the law, they are no more husband and wife.Before descending on the staircase, he turns around to face Sharon. "Well, it has all come to an end hasn't it? We're no more related in any way. You get the house anyway, I'm not that petty even though you know quite well I have a right to. You can have some alone time with your daughter now. No one to impede your shopping sprees. And yeah, Alexa is welcome to come say hi whenever she wants to." He smiles wryly and turns to walk down the staircase."But..." She starts, stepping forward."But what?" He turns around and asks her.She looks down and mutters in a small voice. "If you go now, you'll send some stipend right? I still have to eat and do some other things."James looks at her for a moment, wondering if
The sun still high up in the sky in the mid afternoon, everyone who went together to check out the houses and tracked locations, heads back home."My house is much closer to here than starting a drive to your place that's an hour from here." Darlene offersEveryone looks at Holly, waiting for her to make the call.She shrugs her head. "Personally, I don't mind. I don't look forward to driving for an hour. Let's go. I'll get to see your place too."Ford winks at Sue who goes pink slightly. She remembers the last time she went there and happenings.Very intimate happenings.Darlene hooks her hand in Holly's. "Come on then. We have a lot to catch up on."As they went forward to the car they both came in, everyone overhears Darlene say "You know you never told me the thing you found out when you were hooking up with Freddie from school."They all turn to look at them, including a Jean who shakes her head in disbelief.Holly laughs pretty loudly. "I can't believe you never forgot about tha
Outside town, at a penitentiary, the same one that Sue and Ella had paid a visit to a few weeks ago, Brian Grewde is seen outside in his parked car, waiting for something...Or someone.Gail exits the jail with a police officer beside her who helps her walk to the car and then opens the door for her to climb inside on her injured leg.The officer crosses over to Brian's side of the car."I kept my part of the bargain. Here she is..."Brian nods and reaches for a thick white envelope beside him. He raises it up to the officer and gives it to him."Don't forget, it should remain on the hush hush if you don't want trouble from the Masons. And I assure you, you have a lot to lose from me as well if they find out she's out of here."Gail does not say anything and just keeps shifting left and right on the chair as she's completely uncomfortable on the chair she's sitting in.Brian pays her no heed as they drive out. "I told you then, you are going to get into trouble that might cost you mor
* Years later*Sue opens the door, laughing widely and happily."Welcome home guys. I'm happy to be hosting the Christmas Dinner this year. You guys should come on in."Darlene comes in first, Harry behind heTwor and then Tanya, all of whom give her hugs as they enter, all of them beaming."It's been quite a while Mum." Sue remarks as she hugs Darlene.Darlene tips her hat, "what can I say? I've been out traveling the world with my husband. All my children are old enough to take care of themselves so I deserve some respite.""Speaking about that, where's Wade?""I'm guessing he's fighting with the baskets we came with. They are yours by the way and my babies. Where are they?""Inside, with their Dad. He seems to be the only one they take clothes from these days, just like Ashley when she was little. I learnt to adapt." She smiles, her beauty showing no sign of fatigue or fading.Tanya walks around, smiling at the beautiful frames on the wall, saying nothing.Harry is on a call on the c
At the party after the wedding ceremony, everyone puts on their dresses according to the theme as decided by Holly and Darlene.And Egyptian times were known mostly for the gold in their clothes and fine linens so there was a flash of gold coming from everywhere.But when Sue came in, there was no gold that matched hers, none was as luxurious and elegant as her own, along with the modest yet exquisite accessories laid in her hair.And none shone the brightest.It was really giving the Cleopatran vibe as everyone expected.As they will say, Sue ate and left no crumbs.When it comes to the time to throw flowers, every single person was arranged behind Sue, all, or most, eager to catch the flower and decide their future for themselves in marriage.At the back, it included Tara, Raya, Marshall was forced there by Ford against all his own wishes, Tanya and Harry, forced in there by their mum, Darlene and Holly too, giggling like children how they would not mind a man at their age, Ella, Ear
Dignitaries from fear and near, important people from inside and outside the country all attended the wedding.It was tagged that one wedding that will be me remembered for years to come.Holly and Darlene really outdo themselves, making sure that everything is in place and then leaving Sue and Ford to just simply enjoy their day.Very early in the morning, people have started to arrive and upon closer look, they are no ordinary set of people.There was a special guest that threw everyone off the bat.Very early that day, a long black limousine shows up, bearing a ton of gifts and simply a letter with it.At the time, only the residents and family members are around, also the working staff, doing last minute touches to the outdoor wedding venue.Sue receives the flowers and the other gifts and then the letter. She thanks the deliverers and tears open the letter, she reads the letter to the slow widening of her family's eyes and surprise.Even she herself had to gasp."This is signed Sa
It's Ford's turn to facepalm, although there's a hint of hidden laughter on his face. "We'll deal with you two later. Let's attend to the reporters so we can get some rest, what do you think?"Sue nods, agreeing. "Please.""Attention please. Come this way if you have questions. We'll answer them to the best of our abilities."This grabbed all attention towards the couple who stand side by side, Ford's large hands enclosing Sue's in his. "So we heard you have questions for us?""Is a wedding really happening? I mean you're two influential families. Don't you want to give a chance to others?"They all laugh."Well, what can we say when fate drew us to one another? I can't swap her for the world and I'm sure it's a mutual feeling." Ford responds, gently squeezing Sue's hand.Sue nods slowly by his side, her smile infectious."Another question. What will happen to your businesses when you marry? Ms Sue has her own company and you do yours and Ms Sue's family has hers too. It's a lot. Woul
For the next few weeks, all Holly and Darlene saw of their children and grandchild was video calls and posts on their social media accounts.They had tons of fun, not wanting it to end.They visited many states, including Dallas where everyone got to go to a Cowboy festival where they had rodeo drives and roasted pigs and kicked up as many dusts they could on themselves and others while riding horses and when simply running around, having fun.For the first few days after the incident that shook the whole family so much, Ashley was a little sad and scared. Every minute, she would shake without reason, like a sudden gust of wind was blown on her and it worried everyone so much until they went on their vacation where Ashley was always within eyeshot. Everyone had eyes on her and others, ready to make another lesson of anybody who tries to try shit with them as an individual and as a family as a whole.For a whole month, they visited every amusement park, every theme park, every Five Mi
Ford stands with the Chief of the Police Force as they both watch the body get covered and the ambulance leaves with the other.The chief barks out orders to his men and they respond with gusto and then he faces Ford and smiles warily. "What really happened here?""They both had kidnapped my daughter and sister. I wanted to teach them a lesson but I didn't even get to. Brian got his hand shot off by Angela while she fell through that window all on her own. I guess the guilt from shooting her partner was too much but I don't think she'd want to die so the falling must have been an accident." He explains, meeting the Chief's eyes very bravely and squarely."Hm, I see. So that's what happened. We'll get the body to the morgue while the man will be taken to the hospital. I never thought I'd see a severed hand like that, it looked so roughly pulled or torn apart. Do you know about that?"Ford shakes his head. "As soon as Angela fell, I and my assistant both left the room, hoping we could s
Angela backs towards the window while Sue walks forward as well, scalpel in hand.*Hours later, Ashley is asleep with Sue holding her close to her chest, rocking her as she sleeps.She doesn't even notice when Tanya comes into the room, her face wet with tears, tears of mixed feelings.Sadness and Happiness at the same time.Tanya sits beside her and touches Sue's shoulder ever so slightly. "You know it is not your fault right? Those bastards must have known one way or the other that whatever happened was a result of their own choices."Sue tries to smile. "It's not that actually but thanks for being here with me..." Sue glances at Ashley as the girl snuggles closer to her, putting her head on her inner arms. Sue turns to Tanya and smiles appreciatively. "You know, I never had the opportunity to adequately thank you for what you did even after you got beaten while doing it. I really owe you a lot."Tanya smiles widely. "You don't need to thank me. It's what any human would have done,
James picks up Ashley from the ground, trying to calm and stop her from crying and at the same time, noticing the soft bump on the door.The door opens and out comes Marshall, who barks at one of the two men who came up with him. "Call the authorities! Immediately." He goes back in and closes the door behind him again.James tried to peep in through the open crack but he didn't see anything other than Marshall's body blocking the door and the light in the room.Who had been shot?No one knows, all except those inside.*Holly laughs excitedly as she licks off the upper part of the ice cream she's holding, and Darlene cracking jokes jokes beside her."And then I go, oh my goodness, I didn't switch on the electric cooker after putting the water on for over two hours..."Holly only laughs the more. "How did you not know?""Seriously. I felt like an idiot. All after bragging that I can make a world known chef. A world known chef who forgets to switch on the cooker.""Yeah, you're well on
Terribly shaking and nervous as she stares at the dark muzzle of the gun pointing at her head, Angela walks straight for the door after pulling the key out of her chest.Shakingly, she puts the key in the lock and turns it open."Open the door."Angela pulls down the knob and opens the door just as Marshall and two men enter the boutique.All the noise and ruckus has attracted people who weren't there just minutes before and now there were people peeping in through the boutique's glass windows.Angela steps out first, Sue follows behind her and then James.When the crowd sees the gun, there's a collective gasp.Marshall walks to meet her. "Would you like me to handle that?"Sue smiles at him, "Don't worry, I've got this. I'm sure if I don't kill her, I can at least ruin her pretty face." Sue says quite loudly and just as much as she knows people's weak points, she'll bet everything that Angie's weak points is her looks.Her hands still up, Sue nudges her into the other room, she enters