Carlson's Bride 1"Where were you?" Mila asked as soon as Carl walked through the door."Oh hey, how was your day?" Carl asked back as he took off his coat and tie, clearly ignoring her question.Mila was sitting on the sofa in his condo, with a tray filled with toast on her lap, wearing his t-shirt. She'd been putting on his clothes all this while because she had not stepped foot neither in the Vert's Mansion or her bungalow, talk less of her apartment."My day was boring, but the evening was very adventurous and funky." Mila replied, filling her mouth with toast."Your turn." She looked up at Carl.He walked over to her and leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead.He took a seat beside her with a loud breath as though he were an old man."Don't touch what is not yours!" Mila slapped his hand when he stretched it towards her tray. "I'm hungry, for Christ sake!""Oh yeah, get married and let your wife cook for you, not me! By the way, you have some explanation to make." "So do
Carlson's Bride 2"You again, hiding things from me, did you think that I'll never know?" Mila stood up."Oh, you want us to talk about secrets, how about you tell me how you came to own a mansion at the age of twenty and I had no fuckin idea!" Carl pocketed his hands."Oh oh, busted!" She whispered to herself."What mansion are you talking about?" She stupidly feigned ignorance.Carl narrowed his eyes at her, "Don't take me for a fool, Mila! You better start talking…." Carl pointed a finger at her."Or what….? She challenged, raising her chest at him. She knew that he could never punish her.Carl Chuckled, "I love the confidence," the smile on his face faded. "I'll kick you out!" She scuffed at waved her hands at him, "oh silly you, you don't have the balls to do that, and by the way, I'm not homeless you know. I even have a more spacious house than this your…." She paused, scanning the condo while searching for the best word to attribute it to. "....box!" "Ok, that's enough!" Carl
CARLSON'S BRIDE 3"Are you really his sister?" Charlotte had calmed down, part of her was scared that she just blundered big time by leaving the wrong first impression."Sit down!" Mila ignored her question and ordered her to sit.There was a little twist on Mila's temple.Charlotte obeyed Mila's order like a puppy."How did you two meet?" Mila started the interview. "I just want to know more about you." Mila added when she saw the look on Charlotte's face, "And don't feel bad that for all this while Carl has not brought you up, a lot has been going on in our family lately, trust me, there never has been a good time to talk about something like this."Mila thought it polite to explain."I understand." Charlotte nodded.Mila knew exactly why Carl never mentioned having a girlfriend___because of Pop's. He must surely love Charlotte deeply not to hide their relationship for all these months.Mila made Charlotte tell her all about herself."We met at a friend's wedding." Charlotte said.B
MRS WHITE ON THE TRUTHMrs White looked at her son."What did you just say?" She could not help but whisper."Mom, Dad…are you two fighting?" Brenda called from the stairs.At the sound of Brenda's voice, Mrs White peeled her eyes away from her boys and looked up at her daughter who was on the wheel chair above the stairs."No honey, we are not fighting. How did you climb in your chair by yourself?" Mrs White asked. "I never got off from it in the first place." Brenda's soft voice said."What do you mean by you never got off from it?" Mrs White forgot about Brantley and her husband and began making way towards the stairs."Did your sisters not put you to bed?" Mrs White asked as she ascended the stairs."Nope, I haven't seen them since twilight." Brend replied.Mrs White was stunned. She halted and took a few seconds to breath and calm her self down."What's going on with you and dad?" Brenda asked when her Mother got closer."Nothing you worry about."Mrs White traced her fingers on
I'LL BE BACKThe next morning, reality sunk in. Mrs White insisted on meeting Mila…Fabiola.Brantley, who had decided to spend the night with his parents, had to convince his mother that Mila was not ready for that. "She still needs time to get ready to face everyone. She's been living in the shadows for years, it'll be tough just coming out to the light abruptly. Please, just continue treating her as Fabiola until she is ready to tell everyone who she really is." Brantley had explained.After some moments of deep contemplation, his mother had finally agreed to lay low and suppress her anxiety.Meanwhile, the revelation last night saved the twins' asses from being ejected and pulled back home because they failed to tug their sister in bed last night.Speaking of the twins…they were grounded when they returned._______At Carl's condoMila was an early riser. She woke up pretty early and left the condo for the couple. Charlotte spent the night with Carl. It was only fair to give them t
CASE AGAINST GRANDMASTERJust as she stepped foot in her bungalow, her phone rang. It was Emille."Hey." She answered shallowly. It was still surreal having a grown ass brother. She still had no idea on how to behave around him, given the fact that she beat his face. It took more than a couple of days for most of the swellings to subside."How was your night?" He asked in a deep masculine voice. Somehow, she could hear her father's voice in the way Emille spoke…or maybe it was just her psychology messing with her."It was great, it was great." She went ahead to draw the curtains and let in some fresh air. It's been weeks since she stepped foot here."Did I wake you up?" Emille asked. It was clear that he too did not know how to act or talk to her. He was always careful with his words…only to her though."Come Emille, it is 11 am, I have been up since 4 am. Who sleeps at this time?" She went to her bedroom."Well, I know a lot of people. I just wanted to make sure that you are not o
MONTY MEETS EMILLEThe door bell rang.Emille answered the door in his bathrobe. He was fumbling, trying to tie the robe's ribbon rope around his waist."Jeez, you called barely fifteen minutes ago." He had to rush out of the shower. His hair was still dripping, leaving a trial of droplets of water behind him."Yep, we were around the corner." Mila replied, she was sucking a red lollipop."We?" Emille looked behind her searching for the other person, but there was no one."Yes we, nevermind, won't you let me in? First time coming to my brother's house and I get blocked at the door!" Mila squinted her eyes at him. Her words were taunting, aiming to guilt trip him….it worked.Emille quickly stepped away from the door to let her in.He was still trying to find the person that ought to represent 'we'."I can not believe that with all the money and power that you will, you would decide to settle here…here of all places." Mila scanned the house. It was a small two bedroom house in a nei
HE KILLED HER!It was over five weeks since the Grandmaster's trial was set, hence the hearing had been going on for three weeks now.It was the case of the century. Every News outlet wanted to cover it. From the first day of the hearing, it was quite a hurdle for the Court's security to keep the multitude away. A lot of people opted to testify against him. Emille did not bother about searching for witnesses, or convincing people to tell their story. They willingly presented themselves to the police and pledged to testify.None of the Rivers had testified as of yet, nor had Mr Walborn.Today, Carl was to take the stand. But as agreed, only the jury were to be present in the courtroom.Emille, Mila, and Brantley were present at today's hearing. Linda came to support her friends, Brantley and Mila.Mila was not yet aware that Mrs White knew that she was Mila. As per Brantley's request, she still addressed Mila as Fabiola.Everyone was seated in the courtroom. There was a swan of reporte
THE END."What order, Mr Walborn?" The attorney went ahead to ask Mr Walborn."That Mr Rivers should be eliminated." Silence.Emille clenched his fist beside him.Even though Mr White only walked in, he was sitting on needles. He had his secrets, he knew what was going on. "We have the videos." One of the Court's IT workers announced.It was there, everything….from the squabble in the office to the phone call in the garage.Everyone gasped and turned to look at Mr White.Mrs White passed out.Brantley rushed to his mother.The twins held each other's hand tightly.Brenda leaned back in her chair.Mila's mind was teleported Somewhere else. Carl was bamboozled, he stayed motionless in his chair.Mama Rivers and Papa Rivers….well, there were no words to describe everything.……..All along, Mr White had been pulling the shots. He'd hired Mason based on Mason's greed.Mason had been working for him the entire time….he was the real Grandmaster.He found out about Mr Walborn being alive o
COURT TALES OF TRUTHFourteen minutes.It was almost time……"It is already time, your Honour, we should proceed." Grandmaster stood up and said.That was the advantage of representing yourself."We still have some more seconds, your Honour." The prosecution quickly added.The judge nodded. Grandmaster stood up to say something again, but his words were interrupted by the loud opening of the door.Everyone's attention was directed towards the door.One after another, all those who were against Grandmaster released breaths they never knew they were holding…surprisingly, even the judge.Disappointment was evident on Grandmaster's face.Dr Edgar accompanied Mr Walborn in the courtroom. Mila and Freya waited outside.When Brantley did not see Mila in the two-man procession, he immediately stood up on his feet and went outside."Which of these men is the supposed witness?" The judge asked even before Dr Edgar and Mr Walborn could reach the front of the courtroom.Dr Edgar indicated that i
THE CLOCK IS TICKING"Can the prosecution explain to the court why your said witness is not yet available?" The judge asked. She was getting impatient, it was evident."Technical transportation issues." The state lawyer responded.He leaned towards Emille and asked, "what is keeping your witness?" He asked in a whisper."What is holding him back is the only reason why they would not want him to testify, but don't bother, he's being escorted by one of the best bodyguards." Emille replied."Excuse me." Emille stepped out of the court to call for Mila.Brantley had arrived in the court too. He was worried, not that Mila could not take care of herself, but because he loved her, so it was natural for him to worry."What the hell is going on?" Emille asked in a concerned tone as soon as Mila answered."We got company." Mila replied."Do you need more refreshments?" Emille asked."I got it, I guess water would be enough to entertain them." Mila said over the phone."Good then, tell me where
THE AMBUSH.Randy rode in another car, tailing closely behind Mila.When she got to her condominium, she did not step out, rather she called Dr Edgar to bring Mr Walborn outside.Dr Edgar had personally selected a suit for Mr Walborn. The different clothes made him look 10 years younger."You look handsome, Mr Walborn." Mila smiled as she held the door open for him."Thank you, child. At least this doctor here has fine taste in quality clothes, only if he could put those skills to what I put in my stomach." Mr Walborn glared at Dr Edgar. Mila could not help but laugh."You look handsome too." She mouthed to Dr Edgar when Mr Walborn got into the car. Dr Edgar was dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, he had a clean shave. That alone made him look really different."Thank you. You look stunning yourself." Dr Edgar complimented back. Compliments were being poured at randa."Thank you for coming with us." Mila smiled at Dr Edgar."I have to do my job as a babysitter." Dr Edgar gave a sh
NAKED SLEEPOVERThe newly bonded family decided to spend the night together.Carl and Phelix were pals, they warmed everyone's heart, especially Mila because she never known that he was good with kids. She had no idea whether or not he loved kids, she did not even know what he loved.Pops had ruled their lives in such a way that all their likes were buried within them and only what he approved, that was what they did…to his face though.She allowed the cold water to run down her body. Everyone together, the smiles, the crying, the hugs, the laughter…this is what she'd ever wanted, not tension, the type of atmosphere she grew up being used to under Pop's roof.It was less than twenty four hours, and everything changed. For once in her life, she did not have to worry about tomorrow. Only if everyone she loved could be here…Only if Dom had lived to experience this different breeze…even just for a day."Fuck this life!" She cursed, turned off the shower, threw a bathrobe on her wet body.
BRENDA IS SCARYBrantley laid down on his bed, staring at the ceiling while he pondered about what Brenda told him earlier.Brenda was nosy, everyone knew that, but she wasn't a liar. She could be blunt sometimes, but the kid sure knew when to keep her mouth shut.She was smart too, probably more than all of them…well, except him, he had a photographic memory after all.He knew that she would not tell him all those things except something more was going on in that house. He had plans on saying hi to his mom before leaving, but he left without saying a word. He felt guilty, but he could not do otherwise.With the revelation, he wasn't sure to face anyone, especially his father.He needed time to think. He could not just jump into conclusions, he had to get more details about everything before concluding."She said that she was pushed, by who? Who would want to hurt you?" He pondered out loud.'Then why did she keep quiet only to say it now?' He thought."Who are you going to see in th
WHAT BRENDA KNOWS'Why do good men die and the selfish monsters live?' Brantley pondered as he walked down the corridors of his father's house empty mindedly."Do you want to bulldoze me before you notice that something is in front of you?" Brenda was starting in front of him, with her short self and crutches.He halted abruptly, for real, he had not taken note of the girl."Oh, I see you've upgraded to crutches. They're cute." Brantley rubbed her head like a kitten.She supported her weight on one crutch, freed her other hand and used it to slap his hand off."Why are you always fighting with father?" The youngest White asked.Bran was stunned, he did not expect that question from here. He was speechless for a few seconds, trying to think of an appropriate response to that."We were talking, maybe a little of a disagreement, but we were not fighting." Brantley looked down and said."You were loud!" She raised one side of her lip, confident about her statement and presumption."Wha
SWEET REUNION"Nice meeting you." Carl forced a smile.The expression on his grandparents' faces changed immediately.He sunkened his shoulders, 'Just as I had expected, outcast!' The words reverberated in his mind.He wished he could turn back the hand of time to just a 5 minutes ago, he'd make sure to get away from here and prevent none of this from happening."Mason had a son?" Papa Rivers looked at his wife. "Isn't he handsome? He looks like an angel." Mama Rivers praised.Carl raised his brows. 'Did they mean the opposite of what they said, or…he had judged the situation wrongly.He looked at Mila, she smiled at him."How old are you, boy?" Mama Rivers asked."I'm 28 years old, ma'am." Carl held his hands together in front of him as though he was for a religious procession.Mila raised her brows and hung her mouth open at his lie."Nonsense, don't call me ma'am. I am your grandmother. Come here!" Mama Rivers rebuked him and hugged him."Just for the record, he is still 27 years o
OUTCAST"Why do you want to see Fabiola?" Brantley decided to ask at one point. He just refilled their tea cups.Mama Rivers who was about raising her cup to take a sip, paused mid way. She stared at her husband who also had the same look on his face."Oh, we knew her when she was a kid. Since we were in town, we decided to drop by." Papa Rivers replied."Oh, ok. I see." Brantley nodded. There was an awkward silence among them."We'll see your father and enjoy the view a little before going back." Papa Rivers added."I will be glad to show you around town. I bet they'll be so much to entertain both of you." Brantley smiled."Yeah." And there goes the silence again. ________"I got a text from Brant, he said that the package was at my doorstep." Mila looked at her brothers. They were just touching down back in Limesville."Just as we thought." The ever nonchalantly Emille said.Carl was silent."I bet they got my address because of the media." Obviously."So…we are going to your hou