Sharon trembles slightly while Alexa obviously doesn't feel remorseful. "We were just trying to have some fun." She gives a lame excuse for doing what they were caught doing."So that was your idea of playing?" Ford takes an intimidating step towards them where they stood."She's just asleep. You don't need to do anything."Ford laughs in a way that foreshadows something not good. "I can see she's just asleep though we both know she isn't. You were trying to get her in a scandal with my brother no? Your plans are so painfully obviously. Even if she's asleep as you put it, my brother is not. He saw the whole thing the entire time. You were invading his personal space. You have a lot to answer for in court." He walks past them, leaving them to swallow the meaning behind his words. He pats his brother slightly on the arm."I'm sorry you had to go through that." He apologizes sincerely for something that's totally not his fault. He turns around and sees the women still there. "You want m
Ford understands and pats her on the back slowly and comfortingly. She sobs into his arms and then pulls away, sniffling. "Thank you." She says simply and doesn't elaborate why. He nods and sits down. Looking for a way to make the minutes pass by a little faster so they can leave together."What about Ashley?" "She's down at the children centre on the last floor. Apparently, children are easily susceptible to diseases flying around the hospital." She elaborates. Ford nods once again."Can I ask for a favor?" "Sure.""I know I cut all ties with the Greenes long ago but this is about James. When I saw him earlier, he looked terribly thin and neither of those two told me what was really wrong with him..." Sue starts with a catch in her voice"Okay... So what's the favor?""I want your help with getting him treated. I don't know what's wrong with him like I said but I'm sure he could look better than that...""You don't need to explain further. I already understand."Sue tuts and sits
Rather than do what her head says she should do, to push him away from her and slap him for locking her up and taking advantage of her naivety and state, she rather leans in to the kiss and moans against his lips.Breathing ragged, lips red and swollen and ears red, they pull away from one another after a few minutes, movie forgotten."Uhm... I should get to bed. I don't want to be kissing.. ah. missing when and if Ash wakes up in the middle of the night."Ford grunts. "Sure. Goodnight.""One more thing, could you possibly not do anything to those two on my behalf? I would like to handle them by myself as soon as I get my standing back in this society. Until I find my base."Ford looks at her, expressionless. "And when will that be?""I don't know when but I hope it's soon. I can't wait to punish them for what they've done.""Do you want me to help?"Sue was thrown off her balance by the question. She had expected everything except that question. She smiled in appreciation. "I'd appre
Its a pretty long drive from the villa but soon enough, they arrive at the company building.Sue gets down and holds Ashley. She gaped up at the building made through and through with glass. She looked up but the early afternoon sun shine directly into her eyes and didn't ler her see the top of the building. It must have been about fifty floors if not more, Sue mused and felt the slight tug from Ashley."Carry." She raised her two small arms towards the sky, waiting for her mum to pick her up. Sue laughs and picks her up, wondering when Ashley learnt to speak words that are not just Mama and Yes and No.Children grow fast, she thought as she made for the entrance. As she was about to enter through the swiveling doors, she catches sight of a woman, a pretty old woman who's shuffling slowly on her feet.She seems to want to cross the road but the green light is already blinking, about to go back to red.Sue hands Ashley to the driver and tells him to wait for her that she'll be back. As
At the lobby of the building, a lady smiles at Sue. "Welcome to Mason ma'am. How can I help you?"Sue smiles back easily. "I'm here to meet Ford Mason."The lady looks taken aback. "Who again?""Mr Mason.""Please excuse me..." She steps away for a moment and taps a woman in suit sitting not far away. Sue knows they are talking about her so she smiles their way.The woman in suit gets up hurriedly. "Are you Miss Sue?""Yes... Yes I am." She's apparently relieved that she's recognized by someone at least. "I'm sorry. She just arrived so she didn't hear the news. This way please."The lady leads her to an elevator different from the regular elevators on the side. She presses her key card to a scanner and the elevator opens. They both get inside."If you don't mind, we'll stop on the fifty first floor first so you can leave the pretty girl with a nurse. She was specifically prepared for your coming."Sue smiled in embarrassment.On the fifty first floor, Sue steps out with the suit woma
Red and embarrassed, she pours herself a glass of orange juice, hoping it wipes her mind clean of unclean thoughts that seem to encompass her mind everytime she spends with Ford.Stuttering, "Uhm... Uhm... You got Ash a nice playground." She desperately fought to change the topic. Ford understood but didn't want to pursue it when she's so flustered so he plays along."I got the best the company had to offer. I flew her in from Manchester." He bragged and took his seat. Just for her to know how much everything that concerns her make first priority.She smiles, getting the drift. Drinking another glass of orange juice, she leans down and gets comfortable in the soft large chair."Don't you think you're drinking too much of that juice?""Orange juice is never too much to drink from..."Ford's telephone rings on the table. He grunts and walks over to pick it up. "Yes? I told you I didn't want any disturbances?""It's urgent? What is it?"Sue just closes her eyes, though not asleep."EMC r
Back at the company, things were a bit awkward as Sue kept looking outside, unable to meet Ford's eyes through the ride back to Mason.Sue goes to get Ashley but met her fast asleep with a large teddy bear held tightly to her small body. Not wanting to wake her up, she stays there with her, waiting for her to wake up or something but then Sue sleeps off beside her.Suddenly, Sue wakes up with a start. She wiped her eyes thinking simply that she must have dozed off. But then her eyes adjusted to her surroundings and she sees or rather, she does not see what she expected to see.She woke up at night, she'd been asleep for hours.Ashley was already awake and was bounding with so much energy and rattling toys all around. Sue stood up and went to the door. She tried to open it but found it locked. She gripped it harder and pulled with all her might but the door did not budge nor make any sign of moving or opening for her.Glancing at Ashley who seemed curious as to what her mother was doi
Ford stands up, embarrassed but hiding it well.He picks up Ashley with one pull of his left hand and holds out his right hand to Sue again who raises on eyebrow."You want to fall again? You haven't learnt your lesson." She teases and takes his hand. "Ah you should be ashamed of yourself. Using this much strength for a woman when all you want to do is to pull her up. Disappointing."Ford laughs and is quite relieved that both of them are okay although he still plans to figure out how and why they were locked in.And how the latch that opens from the inside was locked although that was supposed to always be open.Apparently, Sue didn't see or know about it so there's no way she could have locked herself and her daughter inside the room and stayed there till late at night.They hadn't even eaten lunch or dinner."Penny for your thoughts." "Do people still say that?" Ford genuinely wonders. "Well, I still say it. What were you thinking?""There was latch you could have opened above the
* 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