Where Nightmare Rises
Both Alex and Marko prepared themselves for what the Cliftons were preparing for them.
"I just hope that they don't give me squid because I never want to touch a squid again."
Alex was ready and he had to wait for Marko who kept on rambling about his hatred for squid, "Was it because of that documentary you watched because I think I had enough of hearing you talk about squid."
Marko looked at Alex and looked at himself and replied, "Bullshit, I just don't like squid for no apparent reason."
Saying that had given an idea of some sort that could have been connected to his past since both he and Marko never spoke after the tragedy that approached.
"All I'm saying is that we should get to the neighbour's house before they wonder why we are late."
Then an idea came into Markos mind and asked if he could, "Go to the neighbour's house and tell them that I'm arriving shortly and besides you need to apologise to Mr Alexander since you made him look like a bad guy."
Alex questioned about this and Markos reply, " Since he lost you, he called me to apologise for doing a bad job in escorting you home... how did you get back home at this time of night?" Alex hesitated to tell him but he didn't know why to be that hesitant so he had replied, "I kept walking until some guy kept on following me... saying it was about some deal of the lifetime... can you believe that?"
Marko then stopped in his tracks and wanted to know more about this 'guy' but Alex reply was that he just kept ignoring him and this made Marko felt a little relaxed and told Alex to never approach him again.
"What's the problem with this person? Is he a bad guy or something?" Marko replied, "it's worse than that, the people he works with are dangerous and they'll hunt you down until youre under their control so... don't... go... near... him... got that?" Alex understood that and he had left to visit the Clifton and as he knocked on the doorbell, he could hear fighting occurring in the walls of the house and struggles of unlocking the door which left him to look at the windows to see that Elisa and Jamie were fighting about opening the door so Adrian opened the door to find Alex.
"Greetings Mr Clifton, I came early since my brother is still getting prepared and I came here to apologise for my misdeeds of leaving your husband by himself, I was hoping that I could apologise to him face to face."
Adrian smiled and welcomed Alex in where he had found Alexander crying while making muffins.
"Mr Clifton..... I came here to apologise for leaving you, I honestly must have taken it the wrong way but I don't blame you but I blame myself so I was wondering if you don't get upset, I guess I need to learn the area more."
Alexander then glowed and he hugged Alex and saying, "Please don't feel like blaming yourself, I shouldn't have focused on that big sale in the store... but ignoring that, allow me to serve you my famous chicken stew and don't worry I made sure that it's nicely seasoned and is spicy, just how you like it"
"Wait how do you know..." Alexander then replied, "Marko told me as I gave him a call."
It felt odd to Alex but then Marko rushed in and saw that everyone had been seated at the table, "Sorry that I'm late, I had to be sophisticated for tonight's meal so..." The Cliftons then laughed at Markos joke which wasn't even a joke at all but he ignored it and just went to eat.
As they ate their meals, Jamie wanted to know more about Alex but there was a rule about no talking into the table and then a knock came at the door and Adrian went to check on it to find that it was the same person that Alex had encountered before and Marko immediately asked Adrian if they could carry on dinner while he had a chat with the person.
Marko closed the door and the business person said, "Nice to meet you again Marko."
He then offered to shake his hand but Marko declined it and said, "Listen you shitbag, I know what you are and I'm not allowing you to hurt anyone else."
He then chuckled at Marko as if he was telling a joke and replied, "Believe me when I say that you, as well as every prankster in the universe, will suffer by 'DeathJoke' and after your little fiasco that had occurred year's prior, we had to go through some desperate measures to make sure that your brother doesn't survive."
Marko clenched his fists and gave him a warning, "Listen! I know who you are and I know why youre here and that's why I'm not allowing the likes of you to ever hurt anyone that I've loved, you had already taken her away from me and I won't let you take Alex too."
Marko went back inside the Cliftons home leaving the businessman by himself and all he could wonder was what that twisted fool was planning for him but all he knew was that it wasn't going to end nicely for anyone including him.
Adrian: May I ask what was that about?
Marko: My apologies for that Mr Clifton, but that guy was trying to scam you on something and I couldn't allow it.
Alexander: I always hate those types of people but it's strange how there isn't much here since the APF.
Alex: The what Festival? ... oh my bad, I should ask later.
After finishing their meals, it was time for dessert and Alex asked about the AFP Festival and Jamie replied, "The APF stands for April Pranks Festival and it's like the best event Ever! Let me elaborate."