Chapter 3: Finale 3
"Will she accept it?" Letizia asks, crossing her arms on her chest.
"Let's see." Camille replies.
They exchange teasing look as they watch them.
"Don't do it! Give us a change for him!" a woman screams that make everyone laugh, except for Stephanie, who glares at her.
"Yeah! He is my dream man. If you take him, I will die!" another woman shouts. More laughter.
"Me, too. Stephanie...please don't!"
"Well...?" Mon asks anxiously.
"Please, prepare for their funeral!" she answers.
"Mon smiles widely and says, "Does that mean---?
Stephanie nods. Mon jumps and punches the air. We burst in laughter, watching my son jumps in happiness. The lords and the prince cheer the loudest as they seal their love with another kiss.
"Well... there goes one lord!" one lady shouts in sadness.
"Don't worry~ there are still four of them plus the prince!" another exclaims.
Camille impulsively stands in front of Ron and spreads her arms to guard him from other women and shouts, "Don't you dare! He's mine!"
There's a loud 'oooooooooooh!'. Ron wraps his arms around her waist and rests his head on her shoulder.
"Sorry. Already taken. And she's feisty!" he says. Women groan, utterly disappointed by the sight.
A thunderous laughter filled the room when professor Montege pulls Jason harshly that he nearly trips and lands on her chest. He's undeniably horrified and disgusted upon opening his eyes and finds where his head lies.
"Oh~ do make yourself comfortable!" she says, pulling him closer and burying him in her flat chest.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeelp!" he screams. "Merideeeeeeeeeth! Help me!"
I crunch and hold my stomach as I laugh out loud. The lords even encourage her to hug him more while others cheer for her.
"Thank you all so much for coming and for giving heartfelt donations to our beneficiary for this year, 'The Child Canopy', a foundation providing refuge for abused and abandoned children. Once again, thank you very much and may you all be blessed a thousandfold! Goodnight!"
A rupturing clap and cheer fill the room.
"Aunty... can we invite the ladies to the mansion?" Ron asks as we all head to the parking lot.
"Sure. Been a long time... I have an announcement to make anyway," I reply.
"Mon~ call your girlfriend. She the beast said okay!" Ron shouts. As usual, my brother and I are in the same car while the lords use the other one.
"What are you planning this time?" he asks as we drive to the serpentine road.
"What are you asking exactly?"
"You know. You invited them again. Don't you think... it would bring back those memories?"
"I would... of course... it would! But, that's exactly what I want to happen."
"Why? Our lives are happier now... why do you still want to touch those scars?"
"Are you really happy?"
He's quiet for a long time. So, I ask him again, "Tell me, brother. Are you really happy? Haven't it gotten to your mind what really happened? How did it happen?"
He lets a harsh exhale. But... he never speaks until we reach the mansion. Then, we go straight to our rooms to freshen up while waiting for the boys.
As soon as I finish taking a shower, my phone rings.
"Hey, is there something wrong?"
She chuckles as she says, "Nothing. I just wanna say thank you for choosing our foundation. It means a lot to me."
"I know how you're doing a great job. Your passion and dedication must be rewarded."
"How can I ever repay you?"
"You already did."
She sighs. We chat a bit more before I end the call. Meanwhile, the lords and ladies gather at the veranda as soon as they arrive.
"Feels like the old days!" Leo exclaims that everyone agreed as they open their can of beer.
"So... are you really a real deal now?" Chealsy asks Mon and Stephanie, who are inseparable since the party.
"We are actually just waiting for you two to become official," Jay comments.
"Really?" Stephanie asks.
"Hah! Even a blind man can see your attraction!" Ben exclaims.
"Ei? Really?" Mon blurts out.
"Moron! I'm not really sure whether you're a moron or insensitive, brother!" Leo yells.
"For five years... I've been loving you. I didn't know when it started or how. But, one thing that I'm sure of is my feeling that never changed," Mon professes. Teasing follows.
"At least... it never changed!" Letizia says aloud--- with bitterness in her voice. She meets Ben's blazing eyes.
"How many times do I have to tell you that it's just a misunderstanding?" Ben exclaims in irritation.
"Many times..." she says, daring him.
"What happened to you?"
"Yeah. We are really curious about it!"
"Your break- up? We didn't see it coming," Jay says.
"None of your damn business!" Ben yells.
"You don't have to yell!" Letizia yells back at him.
"Get the fuck out of here and solve whatever your past issues are." Leo shouts. Ben and Letizia shut up.
"What's going on here?!" I yell. No one dares to speak.
"I have an important announcement to make!"
"Are you getting married?" Ron asks.
"Are you nuts?! She nearly killed her ex- husband," Jay replies.
Mon shakes his head and says, "When I went to the prison where he is, he's barely recognizable becoz of his scars. Even the handsome face that he once boasted is gone!"
"Enough! That's not what I came for!" I exclaim.
"It makes me feel happy to see you all here. However... it feels... incomplete!" I state as their eyes widen.
"Are you saying?"
"Don't tell me~"
"Mom... please, don't joke!"
They simultaneously blurt out as soon as I finish my sentence.
"Do you think I am joking?"
"I thought she ---" Stephanie asks.
"Ended her life?" Jason asks, filling in their question. They all say, "Yes!"
"Carmen tried to poison her as she did to me. Luckily, Rob was there in time," I explain.
"Wait! What?!" Leo exclaims while looking at me, furrowing his forehead in confusion.
Jason taps my shoulder and gives me a tacit signal that he will be the one to explain the details. I nod. He tells, "The night you mom was kidnapped and nearly killed, Carmen insisted that I bring the glass of poisoned juice to Merideth!"
No one moves as they listen attentively.
"We never suspected her. Only when one night, I accidentally saw and heard her talking to someone at the rose garden. I froze when I realized who the person was--- Anthony!"
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