Chapter 16: Shoot (Part 2)

-Dunphy's House. 3rd person POV-

The phone rang, but most of the people in the house were busy so Alex ran to pick it up. "I'll get it." Alex said as she ran to the living room near the front door.

"Luke. Manny is calling you!" Alex shouted after picking up the call. Luke ran to the phone while holding a BB gun he had taken out to play with and said, "Hello?"

"Hello. Luke. This is Manny here. Do you have Edwards' phone number?" Manny asked from the other line.

"Why? Do you need it?" Luke asked as he peeked where Edward was sitting through the hallways. Edward was sitting with his parents inside the living room and was showing Claire and Phil his new website.

"I do. I want to thank him personally. Do you have his number?"

"I don't. But Alex has been texting him." Luke replied as he didn't realise he could just call Edward to the phone.

"Can you call her?" Manny asked. Luke called for Alex and she approached him while being confused. Suddenly, Luke's BB gun fired off and hit Alex on her wrist.

"OUCH!" Alex shouted. "MOOM!" She quickly goes to report to her mother.

Luke was flabbergasted and quickly said to Manny, "I will call you back!" He hung up the call quickly and ran behind Alex.

"Mom! Luke shot me!" Alex complained as she showed the red spot on her arm to her mother.

"I didn't mean to. It was an accident!" Luke said, following Alex closely from behind.

"Are you okay?" Claire turned from reading at the sofa, stood up and walked closer toward Alex. She grabbed her arm to take a look at the bruise.

" No! The little bitch shot me!" Alex said in frustration. Phil laughed beside Claire after hearing the curse word. Edward also laughed at Alex's cursing as it was the first time she expressed her feelings clearly in front of him.

-Edward POV-

" Language!" Claire admonished Alex. "Sorry about that Edward." Claire turned to me and apologised. I just covered my laughter and gestured that it's okay with my hand.

"They're only plastic BBs. It was an accident." Luke explained.

"What did I tell you would happen if you got him a gun? Deal with this." Claire turned to Phil who's standing beside her.

"Buddy, uncool." Phil pointed his finger at Luke, and that's it.

"No, no, no, no." Claire stopped Phil from letting Luke get away with it and reminded him.

"The agreement was that if he shoots someone,you shoot him."

"We were serious about that?" Phil said.

"Yes, we were." Claire nodded. "And now you have to follow through."

Luke quickly started crying.

"I'm so sorry." He apologised.

"Liar." Claire saw through Luke immediately. He stopped crying as he knew there wasn't a way out.

"Go." Claire urged Phil.

" He's got a birthday party." Phil tried to cover for Luke.

"What's more important here, Dad?" Alex said.

"Yeah Vitamin P. Without following what you have said, the world will just be anarchy." I added.

"You can shoot him afterwards." Claire said after nodding at my words. "He'll be home at 2:00."

"I can't shoot him at 2:00. I'm showing a house at 2:00." Phil said.

"What about 3:00?" Alex said.

"No, he's got a soccer game at 3:00." Claire said and walked to the calendar near the kitchen cabinet.

"And then- Oh, we gotta leave for that dinner thing at 5:00." Claire checked the details on the calendar as she calculated her free time.

" 4:15. You could shoot him at 4:15." I added. Claire agreed with me and said, "4.15 works."

"Yeah, I guess that works for me. Thanks Ed." Phil said.

Claire grabbed a marker and wrote 'Shoot Luke.' on the calendar.

"Sorry, dude. It's on the calendar." Phil apologies.

"Oh, come on!" Luke yelled in frustration. "I thought you're my friend." He turned and said to me in dissatisfaction.

"I am. But I also want to see you get shot after you steal my cake." I said. Luke stampeded off, leaving me standing with Alex.

"Too bad I can't see it." I said whisperingly to Alex.

"Just come and watch. I'll text you when my dad is going to shoot him." Alex said.

"What are you guys talking about?" Claire interjected.

"Nothing." Alex replied. "Have you guys seen his website?" Alex asked as she couldn't see it yet.

"Ah. He was just opening them." Claire said and returned to the sofa together with Phil.

Claire checked the website while I was talking with Alex. She saw the business name,'Whitebeard Yacht Service and Rentals' on the main screen.

My dad's 50 metre long yacht picture on the open seas was displayed on the main screen. The silvery-white yacht's might was captured by an intern photographer from a community college nearby, which my dad then hired as an official photographer for the ship.

On the menu, I listed several categories such as; the ship's history, the captain's biography which included two pictures of my dad– one behind the wheel, and a formal picture of him in his captain's uniform. I even included his picture from the navy so people's confidence in him would increase.

"Hmm? This is your father's business name?" Claire asked in confusion. "I thought his business name was Singing Ship?"

"I am still brainstorming the name for the rebranding. Dad loved the Whitebeard name, so I put that in. I will change it once the name change is finalised. "

"I see." Claire said, honestly impressed by the website smoothness and organisation.

"Wait, three nights for the price of two? Plus a fully stocked bar? We need to buy this now!" Phil said and tried to click the deal hurriedly as he saw the party boat option.

"Phil! The website isn't official yet!" Claire said admonishingly. "Why are you renting a boat for 3 days anyway? What are you going to do with it? Think Phil!"

"But…It's a great deal…" Phil said in a dejected tone.

I inwardly checked the requirement for susceptible customers on my mental list after studying Phil's reaction. Claire's reaction was much harder to acquire as she would read all the terms and conditions first before deciding something.

"I think you could improve the deals here and should focus on a one night trip instead of 3 nights in a row. Or, customers could decide themselves about the days they will take the trip." Claire commented.

"That makes sense." I replied. The price was already increased and it would still profit my dad even with the deal. I already had his permission to include the deal inside the website before I put it in.

She continued, "But it still needs some limitations. The customers can take the trips within a month. If they didn't take the trip, then their deal would be invalid."

Claire gave some ideas on how to make the deals better. I took note of the ideas with my laptop and would discuss it with my dad later.

"Not only a website, but people still check fliers and banners for good deals. Your dad should increase his range and advertise in the neighbouring towns and the city." Phil added. "I know a guy who is awesome at designing fliers and all kinds of advertising products. I will bring your dad to meet him later."

"Thanks Phil. Also Mrs Dunphy, my dad is looking for a part-timer to handle the advertisement and schedule for his business. Are you interested?" I asked.

"My mom working for your dad?" Alex interjected. "Wouldn't that be weird?"

Before Claire could defend herself, I replied.

"Why would it be weird? You can see how she has brilliant ideas like we just saw. I think she is very capable of handling an easy job like this."

Claire was touched by my words and she said, "Thank you Edward. But, I have too much on my plate right now."

"You'll only work 4 hours a day, 3 times a week." I said, not giving her time to make an excuse at all.

Phil widened his eyes at the flexible working hour and asked, "What's the salary?"

"It's only a part time job, but 10% of the profit from the trips and bookings." I negotiated.

"Wait. How much is it then?" Claire and Phil were confused, and they turned to Alex.

Alex replied, "If his dad has a full schedule for an entire month, you're looking at 2 to 3 grand at the end of the month."

"Claire! That's a great offer!" Phil widened his eyes as he heard it. "She'll do it!" He replied.

"What- No. PHIL!" Claire admonished Phil who had decided for her.

"Okay I'll text my dad." I said as I sent the text. "No! EDWARD!" Claire yelled, but it was too late. My dad already texted back. "He said 'Nice working with you.'

Claire was flabbergasted, stunned, and confused all at the same time.

[Claire and Phil's commentary]

"I can't believe it. That is his scheme all along." Claire said in realisation. "To get me outside the house so that he can swoop in and date my daughters-"

"Claire. You can work from home." Phil cuts in. "12 hours of working a week. You can schedule your own task. No one to answer to, except one estranged boss. Claire will live the dream."

Claire stared directly at the screen and said, "Not only that, he has everyone else on his side on this."

[Commentary ends]

"What happened?" Haley came out of her room and finally joined her family after talking to her friend in her room.

"Mom just got a job." Alex said.

"Seriously? Go mom!" Haley said in excitement. Claire turned to Haley all confused, "What did you say?"

"I said… 'Go mom!'?" Haley tilted her head in confusion after repeating what she just said.

[Haley's commentary]

"The more time mom spends on her work, the less time she can boss everyone else. So yeah, I'm all for supporting my mom."

[Commentary ends]

"It's Haley's turn to take a look." Alex said after she scoured the website to find a flaw, but she couldn't. Claire and Phil had excused themselves, and were now in heated discussion in the kitchen.

"I will take a look at one condition." Haley said as she looked at me, hand on her waist.

"What is it?" I asked first, not agreeing to anything before I knew the details.

"Tell me, why did you reject Jenna?" Haley asked.

"Cause I don't like her." I replied.

Haley raised her brows and asked, "Why? Because she's popular?"

"No. Because she's an entitled brat." I replied honestly. "I wouldn't check whether the girl is popular or not when I want to date someone."

Haley was confused, so she asked, "Why not?"

I sighed and I explained, "Being popular is by reputation, not by character. No matter how popular someone is, I will look at their character if I want to date them. What use is it to become popular but miserable when I date the wrong person?"

"So. Jenna is the wrong person?" Haley asked.

"Yes." I replied curtly. "If I don't like that person, I wouldn't even talk to them."

"Who is the right person then? Alex?" Haley asked. "Why me?" Alex was stunned by her name being brought into the conversation.

Haley then had a realization about something I said. I told her I wouldn't talk to a person if I didn't like them. 'So why is he talking to me right now?' Haley thought.

"Maybe someone like your mom. I will be sure to date your mom if we're the same age." I replied teasingly, but I didn't know then that Claire was within earshot when I said that.

"See Phil. I know he has an ulterior motive." Claire said with a whisper to Phil.

"I don't blame him. You're really hot…" Phil said, causing Claire to brighten up. "...when you were his age..." Phil continued. Claire hugged her body and tilted her head, trying desperately not to blow up at her husband as I was a guest in her house.

"Urgh!" Haley groaned and wanted to walk away, but I called out, "I have answered your question honestly. Aren't you going to check the website?"

"Oh right. The website." Haley sat down on the sofa and stared at the screen for 1 second. "It's good."

"Maybe actually look at it this time?" I said. She rolled her eyes and finally checked the website honestly.

"Is the booking system real? You can book it online?" Haley asked excitedly after checking the website.

For Gen Z and Millenials, there was nothing scarier than to make a call to book an appointment. The email function to ask for questions was also great for Haley.

"Yeah. But you need to pay a deposit. If you cancel it before two weeks of the set date , the deposit will be refunded. If you did it before a week left you will get a 50% refund and if you did it 3 days before the trip you won't get the refund." I explained.

Alex realised something, "So if I book last minute and cancel, I won't get back my deposits?"

"Yup." I answered.

"Why?" Alex asked.

"Because the ship needs to set a date for your trip. If you suddenly cancel, the ship can't sail and the night will be wasted." I explained. "The booking fee will be compensation for the employee who had gotten the ship ready for your trip."

"I see." Alex finally understood it.

"What is this box?" Haley asked after she saw a nicely wrapped box on the dining table.

"That's for your uncles." I said. Haley wanted to open it, but Claire saw it and stopped it. "Haley don't! There'll be glitter everywhere!"

Haley stopped her action immediately after hearing what her mom said. "Why glitter?" She turned to me who was sitting on the sofa and asked.

"None of your beeswax." I replied. Haley was stunned, and Claire called out to me, "Edward. Tell your dad I'll take some time to think about it first. Also, I'm baking the cake now."

I stood up from the sofa and jogged lightly to the kitchen. "Okay. What can I do to help?"

Alex was left alone with my laptop that I forgot to shut down. Instead of bothering me at the kitchen, she decided to peek at my personal file to find dirt on me.

'I always get even.' Alex thought, still feeling bitter about me getting her in trouble before. Phil then sent Luke to his friend's birthday party as Claire and I started baking.

Haley was texting with her friends while sitting at the dinner table. She peeked at the box once in a while, extremely curious about what's inside.

Alex finally saw a file that I had hidden and she contorted her face into an expression of surprise, disgust, elation, understanding, and even longing when she read my private files.

"I am making a simple yellow cake with vanilla frostings." Claire said. "That's simple enough." I said.

"You know how to make it?" Claire asked. "Didn't you say you want to watch it get made before?"

I turned to Claire, stared at her dead in the eyes, and said, "You know it's a simple cake recipe right? Like the most basic one."

"Oh. Are you still interested in baking it?" Claire asked.

"Yeah. It'll be fun." I said and I cracked the eggs, separating the egg yolk and egg white easily. Phil returned from sending Luke to the birthday party at this time.

"You're good at that." Phil complemented as he saw me separating the yolks skillfully. He wouldn't admit it, but it would be a disaster if he tried to do it himself.

"You know there's a trick for this." I said.

Phil was intrigued, so was Haley who's inching closer to the box on the table.

"What trick?" Haley asked.

"Come here." I called her.

"No eww..I don't want to touch the eggs." Haley whined.

"You don't have to touch it." I said, flashing a charming smile like a devil wanting a person to sign their name in his contract.

Reluctantly, Haley walked to the kitchen island where I was doing it. "Do you have an empty plastic bottle?" I asked Phil.

"Yeah. Let me grab it." Phil said before he ran to his bedroom.

"Crack the egg into the plate." I said to Haley.

"Just crack it?" She said, confused. "Yep." I pushed the empty plate in front of her.

"What are you guys doing?" Claire asked after weighing the flour.

"Separating the egg yolk." I replied casually. "Inside a plate?" Claire was confused. Phil returned with the empty bottle and handed it to me. I cleaned it a little and handed it to Haley.

"Squeeze the bottle a little bit, and put the mouth on the egg yolk." I said. She rolled her eyes and said, "What are you making me do you creep?"

"Do it first." I said, pushing her hand down to the plate. Her eyes widened, and she hesitantly followed my order after pausing for a while and placed the bottle mouth on the egg yolk. "Okay, now release the squeeze."

As she did that, the egg yolk was sucked into the bottle, separating it with the rest of the egg white easily.

"Are you a wizard?" Phil asked me with eyes filled with awe. "Want to try it?" I asked him. Phil quickly pushed Haley aside and tried it on his own.

That's how I managed to crack open 6 more eggs without getting my hands dirty. Claire let me handle the frostings, and after baking the cake mixture at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, the cake was finally done.

As I placed the frostings on the cake, Claire tried to interject and took over, but I didn't give her the knife.

"Oh my god. There's two of them." Haley widened her eyes in surprise after seeing me and Claire both being OCD in decorating the cake.

"That's too much, you'll ruin it." Claire said.

"No. Your's are too thin. It'll ruin the taste." I argued and pushed her away. I made some decorations with the cream on the cake, and Claire finally calmed down a bit after seeing the cake looking better and better.

"Why do you keep the top empty?" Claire asked.

"I have plans to put something there." I replied.

I ran to my house and brought back a lotus flower made of buttercream I made the night before. It was already frozen and ready to be placed on top of the cake.

I also brought back a pink coloured buttercream inside an icing pipe and I created a patterned design on the side of the cake. Claire dropped her jaw after she saw the beautiful cake that I'd made. (A/N: In the pilot, her cake is ugly lol)

"Wow Edward. You're really good with your hand. Now I can believe you that you made the oreo cheesecake by yourself. " Claire said in surprise. Phil chimed in, "If you're not a singer, you can do this for a living."

I didn't know about it, but Haley had snapped a picture of me making the cake from a very charming angle. She's now contemplating whether to share the picture on Facebook or not.

After I got Edna's talent, it was easy for me to make things look more 'presentable' for myself. My OCD also played a part in this and I had never half-assed my work in my life.

Until the last cobweb inside the house was cleaned. The nicked photo frame was fixed or thrown away. The paint job in the house was painted over and over until it became perfect.

I smiled wryly at the couple and said, "Now, just make sure no 'Luke' got in this."

Claire hurriedly kept the cake inside the freezer to make sure of it. "Oh wait. What about your cake? We just made one." Claire said in realisation.

"It's okay. You can make one for me later." I said. "I should go now, I have to make some adjustments on the website."

"Wait Edward. I feel bad. You come 'specifically' for this." Claire said, not trusting my intention at all after she was suddenly offered the job. "Why don't you come with us to Mitch and Cams? They already know you, and you're even friends with Manny." Claire offered.

"Yeah. Do you have any plans tonight? You can do your work here. We have wifi. You can even use the ethernet cable if you want." Phil said excitedly.

"Wait. That's a family gathering. It will be awkward for me to be there, whether they know me already or not." I said in a panicked state. Claire grinned widely as it was the first time ever she saw me being anxious at something.

"You're coming." Claire said. "I saw your dad's schedule on the website. He's not coming back until midnight. It's better for you to stay with us rather than spending time alone in your house. Who knows what you'll get into then?"

"..." I opened my mouth a few times, but I couldn't find any words to say to object to the invitation… rationally.