After they have eaten, everyone reclines on the lounge outside the house, getting some air or something really close to that. They all have cute plates of fruits, mixed fruits in front of them all.They eat in silence and quiet which is almost kind of weird. And in this sort of silence, It is silence gotten watching something.Ford is being a little playful. He keeps trying to feed Sue who keeps on rejecting and then going red and then the cycle all over again. Tanya is sniggering where she's sitting, watching it happen. Darlene just shakes her head.Finally, Sue takes the fruit from him just to let him leave her alone. She turns red when she meets Darlene's eyes and hurriedly looks away."Don't feel embarrassed darling. You're among family although my son can be a little overbearing. You'll get used to it."Sue smiles. "Tomorrow is Saturday. Why don't you stay till Sunday? I like having you around and maybe you can tell me a few things about yourself."Sue understands what she mean
"Goodnight Mum." Tanya yawns and exits the room, leaving behind Darlene, Sue and Ford on the lounge. It's already late in the night. Harry has gone to bed and Tanya too has left them behind.Darlene drowns the remaining wine in her glass and sets it down. "I should go to bed too. I'll see you both tomorrow though I can go without seeing Ford for a change." She teases.Sue laughs. "Goodnight Auntie.""You know you can call me Darlene?" She smiles and leaves without waiting for a response."How's your mum so cool?"Ford laughs. "You find her cool? I find yours cool too.""I guess it's a reverse is the case thing."They laugh and sit silently. Their hands find one another's and fold into each other with a nice and subtle warmth against the slight cold that's starting to come down on the city."It'll soon be winter.""I can feel it too."Unconsciously, their hands only clasp harder. "How about we go to bed too?" Ford says and rises up from the chair. He takes the plate they both used to
For both Sue and Ford, it was a night to remember. A very hot and steamy one they will never forget so soon.The next morning, both of them are naked in bed. Ford wakes and turns around to see Sue asleep soundly beside him. He adjusts and watches her for a long time, he brushes her messy hair from her face and she smiles in her sleep.Tanya knocks lightly on the door. "Mum says you two should come down for breakfast."Ford hms in the room, trying not to wake Sue up just yet. She will wake up in her own time. He stands up from the bed and hits the shower. In a few minutes, he steps out, his waist wrapped in a white towel and his upper body bare. He checks Sue in bed but she's already awake and smiling brightly at him."Good morning beautiful." He whispers and gives her a peck on the lips. She only smiles wider. "Why are you smiling so much?" He laughs, curious about what's making her smile so much."I could watch this everyday for the rest of my life without missing a single day." She
Ford pecks Sue on the cheek and waves her bye. He drives out of the compound and leaves for his office where he will meet Marshall. Unlike the nanny, they won't let her know they are on to her.They will try to make it as unsuspecting as possible and get her into Ford's office first with her own two feet. Saturday is not a work day but the front desks are always occupied by two attendants, they use the shift method.And to make it easier for Ford and Marshall to being the culprit into the building without been seen, they need Elise's help. And luckily, it's Elise's turn to man the desk until around two pm. It's just eleven am so she will still be around with the other attendant.Ford arrives and enters. He sees her chatting and laughing freely, nods slightly at her and enters the elevator. They will let her know soon that they need her help with something and he leaves for his office.He meets Marshall inside already, sitting stiffly on the chair."I'm here. So how do we do it?" ...
Darlene stands beside Sue as she waves Ford off to work. "It's too early to start to miss him you know? He basically just went outside the gate." She teasesSue laughs. "He promised to be back soon and I trust that. Let's just go inside."They both turn around and go back inside the house. Tanya and Ashley are playing together in the living room and laughing quite loudly as Tanya keeps on tickling Ashley's feet. Harry is probably upstairs in his room.The previous day, he had been discharged. Although he could have been discharged much earlier, he chose to stay there but finally, his mum convinced him to come home and that he'll get the treatment he needs from home. They certainly can afford it and even more than that.They walk by and go to the dining room. They tables have been cleared and all that remains on the table is a vase of flowers. Darlene motions Sue to a seat."I love to drink some wine whenever... So I'm going to get a bottle. Would you like some too? It's been a long t
It was all fun and interesting for Ashley throughout the weekend spent at her grandmother's place.Darlene's house.On Monday morning, the same routine. Ford dresses for Ashley while Sue prepares their food for the day. Sue will be going to Mason's today because Ford keeps telling her to come with him together. Sue has asked a thousand times about why but Ford is a pretty secretive man and doesn't say anything except telling her that she should come with him that morning.She has accepted but they will drop off Ashley first and then leave for the office together.Also, that day, Sue has planned to go home shopping with Tara. They have compiled so many pictures and addresses of places they want to go visit and check out. This is unexpected but curiosity is what is making her go.What could it be on a Monday morning?Soon enough, they set out of the house to go about their daily activities.*Elise eyes her desk, her eyes heavy with tears that stay at the back of her eyelids. Her fellow
With everything back in order, or seeming like it's in order in Tara's hands, she manages to make her way through the elevator without spilling anything, and then the doors open for her to meet Ford's secretary.She comes to give her a hand with everything she's carrying. "Thank you very much. It's some office wears for your boss. If you could send the package to his house, I will greatly appreciate it." Tara instructs her so nicely."Sure. Let me help you with those. Drop those ones on the waiting chair there. I'll get the delivery man."After everything in her hands have finally been laid down, Tara stretches her back and groans."Can I go in?"Tara frowns slightly. "What else do you have to do? I thought you just needed to deliver the clothes?""I'm not a delivery person." She replies brightly. "I'm also a guest of Miss Sue's.""Oh, I see." She replies drily. "What's your name so I can let them know you're here?""It's Tara. Tell her Tara is here."For a moment, no one speaks and T
"Come on, don't dwell on that past. You gave him the finger, fine. People who work often do that to their bosses" Evans states and pours his sister another shot of vodka. She drinks it in one gulp and sets it down.She glances around, taking in the loud noise in the bar and the amount of men around her. There are only three women in the bar, with her being one.She turns back to her brother and sighs. "You speak quite well for someone who doesn't have a boss. This anger of mine will get me in trouble someday. Come to think of it, I'm now jobless..." Her eyes widen dramatically.Evans laughs. "Isn't that everyday of my own life?""Come on, you have a job. You play basketball and get paid for it. I don't do anything now. I knew one day, Gail will cost me my job." She sighs again"Seriously? Now you blame Gail for your situation now?""Whose side are you on?" She asks him, slightly frowning."I'm on your side okay? Just don't blame Gail. You gave your boss the finger and she wasn't even
* 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