Games Of Fire

"Oh my god, I.. I really have surpassed all the limits. I just thought it would be fine to act on my own in this matter... Just like you did before me. Please excuse my careless behavior everybody! My dear uncle and my lovely aunty, I deeply apologize for all the pain I caused you. I know you regard me as your daughter and I'm so grateful for that. Well... I know I can't be as good as Laura but thank you for being so kind to your orphan niece that has long forgotten what parents' love feels like."

Her words were spoken in a soft manner that reflected her 'sincerity'. These were the kind of phrases that could melt any heart but here in this family they were meant to be the calm before the storm and so no one sitting at that table felt at ease.. except for the naive grand-uncle.

"Actually, I think it'd better if I invited my soon to be husband here to meet all of my family!"

*Coughing* *Coughing*

Upon hearing that, Christopher couldn't help but swallow his food in the wrong trachea. Was he just asked to welcome his enemy inside his house? As if he would accept that. He's doing his best to avoid meeting that man, how could he sit down on the same table as him without breaking into a sweat. To begin with he was super furious when he heard about this f*cking engagement. The two people he despise the most are getting married to each other! The devil must be playing a prank on him. How come they even knew each other?

"I think that's a great idea my dear.. unfortunately I'll be leaving for the countryside in a few days as per the doctor's instructions so I won't be able to meet him but your uncle will take my place, right Christopher?"

"Uh? Mm.. Yes, yes. Of course! Don't worry! It's just that.. Mr. King is a very busy man so I doubt that he'd be able to attend."

"Uncle please, you're making it sound as If I'm not that important to Elijah. You might not know it yet but, he's the kind of man that would never refuse a request from his fiancée."

Christopher's mind was circling around one single word 'Elijah', he was yet again reminded that this brat is going to be Mrs. King. That thought alone made him think of many possible outcomes. He knew he had to hurry and finish what he has started. His thoughts were soon interrupted by an her amused voice.

"More importantly, I was wondering when we could set another date for a meet-up but then I suddenly remembered; it'll be grandpa's death anniversary next week. We should go to visit his grave together, that would bd a first for us. Actually, I think I've never gotten to see anyone of you there last year? Oh, yeah you said you were too busy. I hope that you managed to go some other day at least! It wouldn't really compensate for your sudden disappearance during his last days but I believe it will put him at ease knowing his eldest son still cares about him."

A strong fist landed on the dining table making the plates tremble along with their owners. It wasn't like they were afraid of the old man himself but they were rather terrified of the decision that he might take.. a decision concerning the inheritance.

"This is becoming too much! You are blaming your niece for her actions when you are yourself are throwing your morals behind your back! How dare you? Christopher, not only you didn't show up when your father was having his last breath on earth but you also chose to not take your family to visit his grave? You'll simply start forgetting about him now that he's gone from this mortal world? The effort he put into raising you both will no longer be rewarded after his death?"

The tensed man started sweating. He was not prepared for such an outcome. He knew that the more he lied the more he'd give his nasty niece a chance to drown them all. His mind couldn't act on its own and so his lips remained sealed. His gaze traveled along the table in hope of finding a single person who'd be able to get him out of this situation yet all eyes were cast aside leaving him to face the angry man alone.

Fortunately and before any other matter could arrise, Laura intervened in the dispute:

"Grand-uncle please.. When will you stop reminding dad of that mournful day? He couldn't be more regretful! But.. what could've he done? He was protecting what grandfather left in his custody! If it wasn't for him, all of our family's legacy would've been gone and grandad's hard work would've been worthless! Don't you think he's the most agonized person among us?"

The naïve man seemed to fall for their trick as his eyes seemed to give off a feeling of sympathy mixed with sadness as for Christopher, well... at first, he appeared to be overthrown by his daughter but as soon as he remembered the argument they had prepared years ago for this matter, he became indulged in the act.

"F*cking stupid!" Her lips played a soft whisper that was only heard by the wind which decided to keep it for itself. Her eyes scanned the people in front of her and her mood became even more sour. Blair felt like bringing out the documents she had and throwing them on the table; documents showing the true colors of these people, their lies, their facade and their everything. But what will she gain? Absolutely nothing! The only outcome that would lead to is his death; the death of that old man from a heart attack and that would definitely be her biggest disadvantage for as she hasn't taken her full rights from yet. A big sum of inheritance is waiting for her and for that she would have to wait. Wait for someone else to make a decision concerning her? Like hell that would happen! She has never been a patient person and she'll definitely never be. That's why she has decided to take matters in her hand by signing that marriage contract!

Just like Blair, another person was sitting quietly observing the show take place in front of her. But this has started getting boring for her liking and so she turned around and whispered to her mother with a snicker:

"Hey mum! Take a look at Blair! This is the only benefit I get from attending these family reunions; seeing my enemy uncomfortable! Laura sure mastered her role" With eyes cast down and a head held low, Angela appeared to be a timid rabbit trying to get away from all this chaos. But in reality, she was a hawk studying her surroundings eagerly. "But.. Uh! Isn't he exaggerating? In which century is he still living? I barely saw my grandfather when he was alive and now he's expecting me to visit him when he has become a skeleton.. Ouch! Mother?"

Elizabeth was quick to silence her daughter by pinching her arm.

" Stay quiet you stupid girl and learn to keep your thoughts to yourself! What if he heard you? Don't you know that your grand-uncle is very old fashioned? He cares about these little things more than anything."

"And why should we follow his silly way of thinking? I have a bright future ahead of me. I won't spend it going to cemeteries, let his fantoms accompany him! Ah! My back is aching, I have been sitting for a long time. I'm going to take a walk in the garden."

Elizabeth was controlling herself to not smack Angela's proud face. As much as she wished for it, her daughter could hardly follow her lead. It's as if the girl was determined to ruin them by her careless behaviour. As she was getting up, she held her hand and said:

" Try leaving that chair and I'll surely break your back!" she yelled-whispered "Are you planning on killing me in my early years?"

"Mom.. It wouldn't be polite to remind you of your age but let me tell you: You aren't considered young anymore."

"My hand is aching to leave a beautiful mark on your face! Angela learn to understand your surroundings! Do you think anyone of us is eager to be here? If it wasn't for that grandfather of yours, we would've been freed from this torment long ago!"

Luckily for them, they were sitting at the far end of the long table so no one would be able to hear them. And so Elizabeth continued talking:

"If he hadn't put that stupid condition in his will, the inheritance would've been fairly devided long ago and everyone would've gone back happy."

'Everyone' that single word stuck in Angela's head as if it had a bigger meaning. She didn't want to include a certain person in it and so she opted to say:

"No mom... Things wouldn't have gone this easy! Do you really think she would be satisfied with that. Blair wouldn't stop at any limit until she get her hands on everything we have. We should've never allowed her to step inside this house. It would've been better if we sent her back to where she came from!"

Her mother didn't have anymore words to say... She had the same ideas as her. Actually everyone thought the same way. They wanted to kick out this unwelcomed guest who is starting to think of herself as a master.

The dining hall was bathed in silence.. Only a few polite exchanged words could be heard. At this rate Blair knew that she would soon fall asleep. She didn't like how things were going and so she decided to play a little bit.

"So.. How is he?" No one understood her question nor knew who it was directed to.

"Mm.. Who are you talking about? Gabriel?" Said Laura as a mocking smile appeared on her face.

Blair chuckled a bit as she replied her: "No darling. Forget your fiance for a while and try remembering your brother; Arthur! It's been a while since the last time I saw him. Was it one year? I bet grand-uncle almost forgot his face, the guy never comes to visit us! ... Hey, we are cousins! I won't go around revealing his secrets so tell me the truth; does he have a hidden family there? A wife and maybe a child? HaHaHa"

She was intentionally trying to hit a nerve and looks like she successfully did. Looking at the young brunette sitting opposite her, she noticed her face going sour indicating her bad mood.

"Don't worry sweetheart! If something like this ever happen, you'll be the first person to know but right now I'd have to unfortunately disappoint you. My brother is currently busy with his new founded company. If you paid attention to your family's news a little bit you'd have figured it out but.. you have more important things to do, right?"

Instead of getting bothere with her response, she felt even more amused.

"Oh Laura! Why are you getting all serious? Don't tell me you can no longer tell jokes from serious matters!"

"Of course not honey! I was just reminding you in case you forgot."

Blair never liked Arthur... actually she didn't like anyone in this family but.. That guy brought her lots of trouble when she first came here. And so it has always been her pleasure to put him in difficult situations.

"Actually I was wondering why would he leave his country to start a new business when he could have a firm position in the family's company. I'm just worried about him! Furthermore I don't trust his partner, he's quite suspicious."

Margaret didn't like where this was heading for, she quickly came to the rescue of her son's reputation.

"Dear Blair, any person needs to start on his own and believe in his abilities or else his future will be doomed. Your cousin didn't want to rely on his family's power to prove himself. Maybe you should try and learn from him."

"An interesting suggestion, but I'm quite glad with my way of working. I have achieved what I want and soon I'll be settled down. Come to think of it; all three of us are in a serious relationship while Arthur still only has work on his mind. Poor man! At this rate, us girls are going to beat him to marriage. Seriously, wouldn't that be awkward? He needs to at least find a girlfriend." The old man's interest was sparked, he raised his head and said:

"That's right! How come I forgot about such an important thing."

'Don't worry I'm always here to remind you' thought Blair

"During our old days, a man could only be considered as an adult when he gets married. Listen Margaret, Arthur.. Aah..Aah" as he was talking, he felt a sudden pain in his chest. Everybody turned their heads in his direction and soon they were all beside him.

In a matter of seconds the maid brought his medicines and they urged him to drink it. He started feeling better a while later, nonetheless they still called the doctor. The poor sick elderly was glad seeing everyone caring for him, but.. Only if he knew the truth. In another situation, these people won't be giving a damn about him but if something happens to him now, all their inheritance would be going to the orphanages. Their hearts have completely turned into cold black stones which only serve as blood pump, yet... Between them there was one cold stone that has been slightly scratched showing a bit of its true color. That one belonged to a certain blond girl.