Marshall stops the car in front of Mason Hotel."Go in first. I'll join you in a bit like another customer."Ford nods. "I'll be fine, don't worry about me. That man won't do anything, at least, from the get go. See ya." Ford slaps his shoulder and gets off the car. Taking a deep breath, he saunters into the reputable hotel and just as expected for the owner to know the floor plan of the whole place, He doesn't go straight to the breakfast bar and takes the elevator upstairs to the Manager's office.As soon as she sees him, she stands up from behind her executive table and shakes hands with him in a fierce grip. "Mr Mason? To what do I owe this visit?"Ford checks his watch and sees that he still has twelve minutes before the thirty minutes is up. "I'm meeting someone at the breakfast bar in twelve munutes from now. I want to see the CCTV."Why does he want to see the CCTV? She wonders but she does not dare ask. Ford is the current CEO of the Mason Group, pretty much has access to eve
The other two ladies are carried outside by the emergency response team while Tara is already getting attended to in one of the the ambulances.The other two ladies are taken to the other ambulance waiting standby and every passerby and lodgers in the hotel watches as the man is led out, allowed to wear a shirt over the towel he has covering his lower body.He's already shouting at the officers from the moment they exit the elevators. And as soon as he sets his eyes on Marshall, he goes into a rampage."It's that bastard right there. He's the one that should be in handcuffs not me. He assaulted me in my own room. It's that bastard there." He manages to release himself from the policemen's grip and ran towards Marshall who does not hesitate to knock him down as soon as he came near him.The policemen come for him again and force his head into the police car. The man is still screaming threats and profanities as the police car drives off. The ambulances also follow but take a different t
As soon as they get to the hospital, Tara isn't in her room, neither is Marshall. They ask a nurse on duty."They are all converged in the girl who got the stitch's room."Sue sighs. Kicking him in the nuts doesn't heal these girls and what they have just home through. Absolutely no lady should go through that nor anything that feels or even resembles it. It's a curse. Sue has more than enough experience with those kind of men.Welsh just had to show up again. It had been Welsh and Brian who had been the bane of her existence when she was still learning her own fashion design. The two men had been friends. Not very close on normal terms but when it came to girls, they were best friends in that category."One of them got stitches?" Ford asks, looking alarmed."Yes. I heard while trying to escape from that despicable man, she had hit her elbow on a door frame. A sharp one and had cut her elbow on it. It was a pretty deep gash though not big. She got six stitches right there. She was sti
In the McCartney villa, after dinner, they all settle down around the makeshift fireplace to get warmer. Its really starting to feel really cold outside so whatever warmth they get will be deeply appreciated.Around the fire, Ford clears his throat, grabbing everyone's attention. "So I have two news. The thing is both news are neutral. They are neither good nor bad. One of it leans more to bad than good and then the other one leans towards good but might have some bad...""Just spit it out boy." Jean says, trying to hold in her chuckle. Holly nods as well."Okay then. The first news is that we have figured out the address of the person who sent the class reunion to you." His eyes on Holly as he delivers the news. She's smiling widely."Why did you say it will be bad?""I don't know actually. It just might have some bad thoughts down the road." He spreads his palms confusedly."Where is the address now?""Actually, we discovered that it was an old place and now Marshall is checking it
Ford's hand slowly slides off her shoulders. He might not make it? The back of his eyes start to sting. He has not cried for a very long time now and he hopes it can continue like that but nobody is bound to be fine when they find out that their younger brother has a death hanging like a cloud over his head.Darlene's body only racks further with sobs.Needing comfort himself, he is in no place to comfort anyone.He and Harry had been very close from a really young age. Although some consider it normal given that they were brothers, only boys too, it was simply more than being brought together by blood.They were each other's confidantes, friends, bully's, supporters, ally, opposer, enemies and to cover everything, brothers.Lost in his thoughts, he thinks back to when they were in high school. Ford, older, was in the twelfth grade and Harry in the tenth, one of Harry's classmates at the time had done something that made Harry very angry and he got suspended from school at the time f
These past seven months have been filled with pain, love, tears and happiness.As she holds Ford in her hands, she thinks back to every significant thing that has happened compared to the insignificant ones. The good ones compared to the bad ones.There has always been someone after them or not. It was always either good or bad.Closing her eyes earnestly, for a long time, Sue has not prayed, like really really prayed. She was not specifically brought up in religious households and didn't hold much forte to it but this time, she just wants to pray to a deity that can hear her.Muttering to herself, "If you can hear me anybody above, please don't let Harry die. Let this be his own personal miracle so he can recover all his lost years. All the time he has spent in the hospital, let him regain it in the best way possible."Listening to her praying, Ford mutters an Amen. He sits up straight on the chair and glances at Sue who's looking back at him, not knowing what to actually say."You'r
It was a long night and very eventful.While Ford attends to Darlene, Sue remembers some thing that they had forgotten while rushing to the hospital. She helps him out until Darlene regains her consciousness and is taken to Harry's room and another bed is set up for her.The doctor gives her orders to not get up from the bed until morning and Tanya chooses to stay with her in the room. Stepping out of Harry's room while he's been brought back inside, Sue takes Ford's hands and closes the door behind them."You said something about that shooter giving you twenty four hours didn't you? Isn't it the time to let him know of our decision?"Ford nods vigorously, apparently, he had forgotten. "Whoa. Thanks for reminding me. I'll send him a text message now so he'll know. We'll meet later today."It's already past midnight so it's already a new day.Sue smiles warmly. "Congratulations again and again. I can now go on walks with your brother." She jokes"Totally. We all can now. For a week, I'
Marshall drives, lost in thoughts as he just drives aimlessly around town, trying to clear his head from the call he just received.His phone rings again and he picks it up, although a bit hesitantly. "Hello boss?""Marshall, where are you right now?""Just driving around. Something important for me?""Kind of. I would have said we should go check out that address right now but something more important has cropped up. Can we meet at my brother's room in the hospital before I leave for the hotel?""Sure." He hangs up and dangerously swerves the car around in one fluid wheel turn and starts for the hospital. In a while, he parks his car in front of the building and goes inside.Quite familiar with the family, naturally, he knows Harry's room. He reaches there and stands outside, not wanting to go inside.Ford sees him through the door and meets him outside. "Don't you want to come in? I'm sure Harry and Sue will be happy to see you."Happy to see you.They probably won't be in a short w
* 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