"Mum...?" Alexa sits down, depressed on the chair."Yes?" Sharon shouts from the kitchen. "I'm hungry. What are we having for lunch?""Why don't you come cook some noodles for yourself.?" Sharon asks, exiting the kitchen while untying an apron from her body.Alexa watches her, wondering why she had an apron on. "What were you doing with an apron mum? And why would I cook noodles for myself?"Sharon looks at Alexa and then sighs. "I laid off all the staff. We need money and can't afford to pay their salaries anymore.""What?""You heard me correctly. So from now on, you do everything yourself. You wanna eat? Cook. You wanna wash? Do it yourself, including cleaning after yourself... We're alone in this house now." Sharon sits down opposite her daughter, who's staring at her with an unbelievable expression."Why?""Do you think we'll be able to last on anything in this house if they are also here for the next month? Simply paying their salaries is going to eat all our money.""Don't you
Sharon springs up from the chair she's sitting atop and stands behind it. "Cocaine? You can't possibly be asking us to sell cocaine? No matter how poor we might be, we've stolen already. That's an all time low. Now you want to add trading in cocaine?""Just this two small bags of it can earn a lot. A real lot. I know some people who might be interested in buying.""How do you know these kinds of people?""Forget it Mum. I have to survive. I'll chat up all my people and ask if they can link me to anybody who's willing to buy so much of it."Sharon takes her seat, once again, regretting her life's decisions.Alexa happily rifles through her phone, humming merrily while her mother just watches her, unable to fathom why she's so happy to be selling something as disgusting as that.*For a few days, things are quite with Sue shuffling between the hospital where Ford is making rapid recovery. Very rapid infact, and the mall and venue for the show to oversee things.Wendy has arrived in Atla
"I found someone Mum!" Alexa yells excitedly the next morning after their excapade the night before.Sharon walks into the living room where Alexa stayed all night. "I'm starting to have a rethink about this...""Don't be such a sob mum. This means we'll get whatever we want from now on ourselves without having to ask James." Alexa rolls her eyes"James? Who's James?""Dad. We won't have to ask that man for any money or beg and we can get all our staff back and even add to what we pay them originally.""Fine. Who's the buyer and how much is he buying?""He wants to buy everything at once. For a big amount. You have no idea how much he just proposed to me that he wants to buy it all.""Isn't that like a really big quantity? Anytime someone wants to buy this much in a book or a movie, they always end up killed."Alexa laughs. "This is reality mum. Reality. He wants to meet today.""Today is too hasty. Tell him you're busy with sales today and you'll meet tomorrow. Don't seem to cheap."
As early as six am the next morning, Alexa and Sharon are whisked away from their holding cells into the interrogation rooms where they are being torturously interviewed.Alexa goes in first...It's a female agent who's in charge of their interrogation, apparently one of the worse ones the department had to offer."So you're Alexa Greene or Alexa Mason?" She starts, watching her for reactions."..."The woman waits for her response for ten seconds. "CaN't YoU HEAR ME?"Alexa flinches and sits straight. "I'm Alexa Greene..." Giving it another thought, "And Alexa Mason as well. I'm married to a Mason you see." She smiles slyly, hoping that rendering their family name will somehow get them out of this mess they are in.In this case, it's not just the police that has laid their hands on them, it's the FBI.The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States.They are in deep shit."Ah, I see. The Mason's? That rich family?""Yes you're right. It's them."The agent goes from an unders
"CHEERS!" Everyone clinks their glasses of wine, champagne, whiskey and beer together and drinks."Yesterday is what I would call an immense success." Tara smiles, finishing her drink in the glass.Raya nods. "Even though a particular sob which we all know tried to disrupt it but it didn't work."What do you mean by sob?" A naive staff asks, looking at Raya like she's from another continent."Sons of bitches." She winks at her and some people laugh.Tara looks at Ella and Raya and the three of them nods. "Boss, we want a speech from you or a toast? Something... Anything." Ella asksSue shakes her head subtly and shies away.Not relenting, the three ladies start chanting. "GIVE A SPEECH. GIVE A SPEECH. GIVE A SPEECH..." Until the others at the table, including Ford joins them in the chant.Giving in, Sue motions them an ok and stands up with her glass of champagne in hand. Everyone goes silent, watching and listening with rapt attention."Okay, uhm... First of all, I'd love to say you
"She was definitely prepared to beat the living daylights out of you but I guess something changed when she saw you. The innocent doctor kept rubbing his legs till he left. I saw it all, just had to restrain myself from laughing too loudly."Sue smiles. Wade turns to her. "What about that adorable girl? Ashley?""She's with Tanya. She's been refusing to let her out of her sight lately."Wade laughs. "Tanya loves having company, even if it's a child she'll be able to laugh with."Ford watches as his Dad and Sue easily chats.After about ten minutes of laughing and gossiping and exchanging information and news, Wade rises to his feet. "I've stayed long enough. I should let you both rest. You both look like your eyes are about to pop out of their sockets." He teases as he heads for the door. "Goodnight you two."And he closes the door behind him.Soon after, the doorbell rings again. "Expecting someone else?" Ford asks Sue who shrugs like before.He opens the door, slightly expecting to
"This is my judgement..." The Judge announces and everyone in the court stands to an attention.It's not rare to have drug cases in Atlanta but it's not everyday that both criminals are women, and even worse, are family.From the news headlines and newspapers, James finds out about the case and is also in court to hear the final ruling.He shakes his head in utmost disappointment. He slightly blames himself for being so harsh on them but he's angry at the same time. Not even up to a month since he divorced Sharon and they are already on trial for drug peddling.He shakes his head once again as the judge starts."Due to gravity of their crime, I'll start with Sharon Greene, the mother. On behalf of the court and everyone who's watching this trial, I can comfortably say that you deserve an award for the worst mother that has stepped into this court. But sadly, you were simply an accomplice before, during and after the crime so you get fifteen years in prison..."Everyone nods in approva
Earl looks at the newcomer with a slight frown but he doesn't say anything."Please get me the first aid box.""Oh. Give me a second."He returns with a fully equipped box and Sue checks out the would but it happens to be a graze. The bullet could have really hit Earl but her elbow got right in the way so the bullet scratched her badly but it didn't stay in her skin, it hit the wall a few meteres behind them and stayed stuck there.Sue wipes the wound carefully with some iodine to stop the bleeding and covers it up with a bandage. Thankfully, it is not very serious enough to need a hospital.Sue pats her. "You have no idea how much of a good deed you did unconsciously. If your hand had not caught that bullet, he, your boss will be dead now with a gunshot to the head.""I saw that car when it got here but didn't pay any mind to it." Marshall reveals, facepalming, "I should have at least noted the number plate.""Don't worry, I didn't get it all but I got the first three letters. The ca
* 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