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“Please Sandra, I beg of you.”
Philip fell to his knees, pleading his sister-in-law for mercy, his voice trembling with desperation. “Get your filthy hands off me! Have you no shame? She exclaimed as she walked away. Philip grasped the edge of her garment, lowering his head as he remained on his knees. He pleaded with Sandra to return the money she took from him, but she remained adamant. Moreover, he had been depending on her family financially. Sandra did not feel like she was indebted to him in any way. She was disgusted by his presence and was even more annoyed that he chose this moment to confront her. Today was her grandfather's funeral and her aunt Martha was currently giving a memorial speech. Martha stood on the stage with a microphone held close to her mouth as she said with all her might, “My father was vile and evil, he was an inconsiderate man! May his unwary soul remain troubled; he shall never find peace, and I hope you perish in hell, Micheal Peterson …” Her bitter voice daggered through a room full of mourning and sorrowful folks. Martha was about to round up her speech when Philip arrived. The guests exchanged shocked glances, gasping at Martha's words. Martha's harsh criticism of her father had already ruined the funeral. Journalists and reporters gathered as Michael was a man of influence. People began pulling out their phones to capture the unfolding drama, turning it into a spectacle. Philip's arrival made things worse. Everyone in the audience tilted their heads back to see who was causing the commotion behind them. They remained silent as they glared intently as if watching a theater play. Sandra angrily grabbed Philip's necktie fiercely, tightening it until he nearly choked and began to gasp for breath. She leaned in as she whispered into his ears, “ Get up and disappear while I'm still being nice; you are embarrassing me!” Philips's intention was not to stir chaos at the funeral, but his best friend fell into a coma after being involved in a tragic accident. The doctor informed him that they could no longer further his treatment. He knew what to expect from Sandra; he was familiar with her tactics, but he was determined to help his best friend, Alfred, who had been with him through thick and thin. “My best friend's life is at stake. Please have mercy, I beg of you. If I don't act quickly he will die.” Philip begged, bowing his head as embarrassment washed over him. Elena, Philip's wife, was present when all of this was happening, but she remained silent and held back sitting on a chair, sensing Sandra's temper. Sandra spat on his face and said “You ungrateful bastard, after all our family has done for you, yet this is how you treat us. Is this how you repay our kindness? “ Philip's arms were shaken as he laid his hands on his face, he was extremely embarrassed. He felt warm saliva melt down his cheeks. He was disgusted! Everyone stared at him as he stiffened himself to the ground like a sculptural piece. At that very moment, he wished for the ground to open and swallow him up. He began to regret coming to the funeral. Elena couldn't stand her husband being ridiculed by Sandra anymore, she got up from her chair and said, “Why are you being so difficult, Sandra? Please return the money; it doesn't belong to you; it's his friend's insurance claim; we should not be arguing on a day like this; at least, let's respect Papa.” Sandra gazed at Philip. She didn't move an inch to look back at her sister and said, “Why waste money on a pending Ghost?” she raised a brow. ‘Ghost? Did she just call my best friend a ghost ?’ Philip muttered to himself. A voice from the stage said in disgust, “What is this outcast doing in our midst? Coming in the middle of a funeral to cause a nuisance, and who on earth wears white to a funeral?” she yelled angrily. “Elena, your husband is such a disgrace to our family!” Philip stared up at the person who had just spoken. It was Martha, Elena's aunt. He had left his house in such a hurry after receiving a call from Alfred's doctor. He didn't even notice that he wasn't wearing the appropriate outfit for the occasion. Martha despised her late brother's children and everyone associated with them. She hated them from every fiber of her being. Sandra and Elena became Martha's biggest rivals a week before her father died after he declared in his will that Sandra was to take over his company, Carlson's architectural firm. She desired for her daughter to become CEO of Carlson. Moreover, she was the first child, and Sandra's father was the second. But despite everything Eugene did to please her grandfather all her life, he still didn't favor her, and Martha was annoyed; she felt stabbed in the heart by her father's actions. Philip was not in control of his temper anymore. He wished he could give Sandra a taste of her own medicine but he endured and stayed humble, ignoring Martha's words as he continued to beg Sandra. Elena pitied him and said, “Help him save his friend, please.” she pleaded. “No! I will not allow him to ruin your life. Elena, this man is hypnotizing you, you deserve someone better.” Elena was angered, irritated. Sandra was embarrassing her in public, and it sickened her. “I appreciate your concern, but I'm a grown woman. I am capable of making decisions,” She said, with her shoulders held high. Martha got down from the stage and strode to her seat as if she owned the place. She sat and crossed her legs on the chair with her chest held high as she proudly adjusted her sunglasses and vintage scarf which was tied across her face, “Your grandfather said you were the best for this position, yet you couldn't even manage a funeral successfully, you and your sister are failures. It's a shame Father couldn't notice that!” she chuckled. “Why blame us for your child's incompetence?” Sandra roared at the elderly woman. “ Papa said Eugene doesn't have what it takes to become a leader. Those were his words, not mine.” Wiring her a dangerously intense stare, she said, “If you're so bothered about that, you might as well go ahead and join him in his grave. You'll have all the time in the world to question him! ”0002“How dare you speak to me in that manner?” She yelled, “ You seem to have forgotten who I am!” Her words felt like sharp thorns piercing through Martha's skin, veins began to swell on her forehead and neck. Sandra laughed out loudly, “And who exactly are you? The mother of a failed project ?” She tilted her head away from Martha and turned to the audience; everyone was filming them. She became bothered because she knew this could ruin her reputation. Facing Philip, the sight of him stirred up an insatiable anger inside her guts. Philip rose to his feet as he squinted his eyes at her grandfather's casket and tightened his fist. He knew he was running out of time. He gritted his teeth, noticing that Sandra was mimicking him. Philip lost it, he tightened his fist and stared into her soul as he said, “ if Alfred dies, his blood is on your hands! Mark my words Sandra, I will avenge him!” His voice echoed in anger. The atmosphere became gloomy as her eyes widened, her
0003There was tension in the air; the guests gasped in amazement as they gossiped and murmured. Sandra planned to introduce Elena to Mr. Richard at the upcoming Oscar business awards so she could partner with Yellow Sky and Carlton Architecture could finally sign a contract with the firm. MR. Richard Austin was the CEO of Yellow Sky the biggest real estate firm in the city of Eldrador. It would be a piece of cake for Elena to win Mr Richard's heart. Her breathtaking beauty drew the attention of countless men, all she had to do was show up. Suddenly, a tall figure in an expensive-looking black suit appeared and walked amid the hassle. He had a puzzled look planted on his face as he entered the building with classy flowers in his hand. “Babe? What's going on?” He asked, raising a brow as he removed his sunglasses. The Petersons were arguing so loudly that they couldn't hear his voice. Even the guests focused on them. The handsome man walked to the front and asked again “ Babe, is
0004 Philip refused to look back, he walked out with so much grace. He shut his eyes, feeling rage burning on the inside. The woman he had devoted five years of his life to, was cheating on him, leaving him feeling betrayed. As he exited the building, an elderly lady approached him and asked, “Excuse me, please; where is Michael Peterson's funeral taking place?” She stepped out of the latest Bugatti La Voiture Noire and Philip couldn't help but marvel in awe at such elegance. It was Lady Margaret, Micheal Peterson's late wife's best friend in college. She came to pay her condolences to the bereaved. “The next hall to your left” he replied with respect. “Thank you.” She paused for a moment and then asked, “What's your name child?” The old lady inquired as a tall, muscular bodyguard, fully black-suited with dark shades, stepped out of the car to accompany her. Philip became curious at her sudden display of interest. Why did the old lady want to know his name? “Philip, ma'am, my n
0005: Philip marveled at the words the doctor uttered, his jaw hanging open as the doctor explained to him that Alfred's savior was Lady Margaret, and he was shocked. He wished he could thank her in person but she was no longer there. “But who is she?” He inquired. Philip didn't know her name, but after the doctor reminded him of the woman who came to his office earlier, he could immediately recall. He thanked the doctor happily and left the hospital, feeling better than before. “She's a God-sent,” Philip said excitedly, grinning widely as he walked to the parking lot. The fact that he had to return to that house, the house Elenas’ grandfather gifted them as a wedding gift, sickened him. He had no other option but to return there. Where else could he go? He climbed his scooter and took off. In a matter of minutes and a few seconds, Philip was standing in front of his matrimonial home. All the memories of his home suddenly flooded his mind as they turned void and sour, walking
0006: “Hello.. hello? He-” Right there, Philip gave up as he felt rejected. He tried her number several times but she didn't respond. From the look of things, he was going to have to beg Richard for the money he turned down earlier. It was already getting dark. Where would he go? He rested on a wall and bent down tiredly. He heard the sound of a car approaching the gate and he suspected the owner. If it was possible to dig a pit and bury himself inside right now, he would have done it. The security guard opened the gate and Elena drove out. Upon sighting him she raised a brow and said, “Philip, what are you still doing here?” She mumbled, frowning. “Woah, you are one of a kind though. You have nowhere to go, yet you rejected my man's money?” His expression was cold as he snarled. “I don't need your money!” Philip uttered and Elena snorted a laugh of mockery. Philip was baffled by how his wife's attitude towards him changed so quickly. Did he mean so little to her? “You a
0007: Philip asked, with confusion boldly embedded on his face.”My parents ?”He wondered how the divorce issue he had just shared with her was related to his parents. He started to feel like he was giving too much information to a stranger. The question is was she a stranger? Clarissa remained quiet, making herself invisible because she felt they were having a serious conversation. But Lady Margaret didn't mind; she was like family after all. Clarissa's mother used to be Lady Margaret's caretaker for years, but now that her mother has passed, she decided to stick around and help out despite the number of maids in the huge mansion. She was fond of her, and Lady Margaret adored her. She watched Clarissa grow into the woman she has become today and supported her and her mother endlessly. Lady Margaret asked, “Are they alive?” “No, madam. I'm an orphan” Philip answered her. “Oh, I see.” She became quiet, letting out a faint smile, “But you should have known them ?” Philip expla
0008: Lady Margaret moved around the house nervously as a heavy realm of silence enveloped the William's villa. Clarissa's eyes sprouted, shooting a troubled look. "Grandma please drink your green tea. You need to calm down" Everyone was eagerly awaiting the doctor's arrival. Lady Margaret could not take her gaze off the foyer, staring at the doorway as if her life depended on it. Philips was glued to the couch, his eyes fixed on Lady Margaret, his palms damp with sweat, and his heart beating out of his chest nonstop. He felt a glimmer of hope while he waited patiently for the doctor, glancing at the wall clock from time to time. If he were truly Lady Margaret's grandson, he was going to make Elena pay for her actions! “I'll make sure they all regret what they have done, they shall cower at my feet!” He muttered quietly to himself. Doctor Gray, Lady Margaret's family physician, arrived promptly. Without delay, a DNA test was carried out right away and sent to the lab for resul
0009: After Philips' cold request, he lowered his head respectfully and waited for her response. A bodyguard in a dark suit approached her, lowered himself, and guarded his words as he whispered into their ear. Suddenly, she stood up and picked up her handbag swiftly. She had to leave quickly for an important meeting. Though She was old, she remained very active and agile. Lady Margaret uttered with urgency evident in her voice, “Let's do this when I get back. We will talk about this when I am back.” He nodded and smiled faintly in agreement. Then he and Clarissa watched her walk to the doorway, leaving them both alone. The air grew awkwardly silently as they stared into each other's eyes like strangers. Clarissa wished he was able to remember her but he couldn't. She observed he wasn't much of a talker, but she stayed quiet and waited for him to say something, anything! She was doing all the talking earlier and it made her feel like she was doing too much. Philip just stoo