It was just as Thomas predicted. He had just set the second plate on the dining table when the doorbell rang and he went ahead to open it.
Annabelle stood before him, her eyes glinting for the first time, she didn't say a word as she walked past him and went up to her room to wash her face before coming back and settling on the dining chair. Thomas didn't bother to ask any questions, he just served dinner and they ate quietly.
It was strange how Annabelle suddenly offered to do the dishes, it was usually just Thomas except he told her to do the dishes. But today was different.
Annabelle didn't need to be told before she went ahead and did the dishes. Having nothing to say though he was equally confused, Thomas headed for his room quietly.
~~11:55pm ~~
Annabelle was watching an action movie when she felt a presence behind, she looked back and saw Thomas who gave her a slight smile as he settled beside her.
Silence.
Only the sound from the TV could be heard.
Annabelle moved closer to Thomas and placed her head on his shoulder, she inhaled deeply and sighed softly.
"Do you think I deserve happiness?" Annabelle asked, completely taking Thomas unaware.
He remained silent for a while before he replied, his voice gruff and heavy with hidden grief.
"I think it's up to you to decide what you want for yourself, how you want to live this life that you have now. It's all up to you. You..... Can't let your past decide this present." He said
Annabelle chuckled dryly, "I wasn't expecting a grand speech from you too."
Thomas smirked proudly, "I have my moments." He said
Annabelle held his arm, scooting closer to him as she closed her eyes.
"I'm glad you're here with me Uncle, I'm grateful to live this life with you." She mumbled softly as sleep took over her
Thomas listened as she breathed slowly, her face peaceful as she slept off with her head still on his shoulder. He reached out hesitantly to pat her hair but withdrew his head and simply returned his gaze back to the movie playing on the TV, and so the both of them remained like that, finding comfort.
•• UNDERGROUND ORGANIZATION ••
The whole environment stank of sin, death, blood and anything dark you could think of. It was as though the place was built for all the bad bloods to associate, for evil doers and darkness dwellers to thrive.
This place was run by none other the famous and wanted criminal Senorê Murtel.
Senorê Murtel wasn't just an ordinary Underground Empire Lord, his Empire was the biggest and notorious in the whole of New York and they were currently the top problems every Police, detective or Agent force were facing.
Their clan were marked for several crimes; fraud, drug dealers, weaponry, murder, assassination and lots more. You wanted your nemesis dead or brought down to lick the mud and suffer greatly, then, Senorê Murtel's Empire was your call.
But there was one problem, the major reason why this dark Empire hasn't been brought down yet, and that is the fact that no one knows the identity of Senorê Murtel or any of it's executives at all, it was as though they were shadows -- shadows without identity, just standing there facelessly doing evil.
It was an important day today for the executives. Once in every year, all executives would come together, each submitting reports of their deeds, how far they've developed their business, how many companies they brought down to nothing, how many assassination took place in their countries, how big they've grown their vaults and lots more evil that were to be discussed.
The hall was filled with twelve executives, each exhibiting a cold aura around them. They sat around the richly made mahogany table, though only one sat on a high laid chair. They all wore a customized mask with the letters 'SM' imprinted at the top. The mask revealed only their eyes and lips, therefore concealing their identities.
The room turned silent when the one who seemed to be the leader, Senorê Murtel himself, stood up, he's customized black mask glittering eerily.
He spread his arms as if inviting them for a hug, then his voice rang out; deep cold voice that demanded nothing but absolute attention and respect from it's audience.
"Welcome, my executives. It is such a lovely day today I'd say." He said and smiled slyly
One of them turned to address him, her tone sarcastic.
"I had to cross three towns under a pouring rain." She muttered irritatedly
"Like you don't have a Limo, I'm sure you had all the comfort you need..... Even a male to warm your legs for you." Another woman spat venomously, her tone filled with jealousy.
The first lady examined her perfectly manicured nails as though they conveyed a message only she could hear, she looked straight at the second lady and said with no shame at all.
"I learned from the best Benita, who do you think taught me how to fûck?" She questioned coldly
The second lady, Benita, pulled out a gun from her bag and aimed it at the first woman who just sat, fearlessly staring.
"How dare you?! You fûcking c0ck sucking bitch!!" She growled
Senorê Murtel palmed his face tiredly as he watched the drama. Women, he thought.
"I think you should calm down Benita, remember the rules doesn't allow you to kill another executive." A man spoke
"Go ahead Benita, shoot. That's if you got the guts to do it..... Oh wait, that's right.... You don't." The second lady taunted and Benita's grip tightened on the gun she was holding, her body frame shook violently in anger.
"That's enough Nuella, you're making the situation complicated! I mean, what is it with you women?" Another man chipped in with clear irritation.
"This must be about the Fashion Meet." Another woman chipped in
Nuella smirked as she stood up, her black gown hugging her well shaped figure like a second skin.
Senorê Murtel whistled.
"Is that what this is about Benita, the Fashion Meet?" She asked as she walked up to Benita slowly.
Benita shook, her eyes red and almost brimming with tears.
"You stole what was mine!!" She hissed and Nuella threw her head back, laughing hardly as though she had just heard the most funniest thing.
The whole hall fell silent as they all just watched. Nuella stopped laughing and she stood in front of Benita, the cold metal gun pressed against her forehead.
"Let's make one thing clear you old hag...." Her voice took on a dangerous tone.
"... I didn't take anything, the public and all of society brought it right into my palm. Don't you see, they love me more than they do to you, and why...why, you may ask."
Nuella inched closer so only Benita could hear what she would say.
"Because you're old.... You're beginning to wither out like a flower that hasn't been watered for weeks. Time can be a bitch you know." She whispered with a smirk as she stepped back, leaving Benita completely shaken to the core.
"When you're ready to give up, you know where to find me." Nuella said loudly and threw a wink at Murtel before walking out, leaving everyone speechless.
Benita sank to her chair, her hand which held the gun shook violently in both anger and self depreciation. Without looking at anyone, she picked her bag and stormed out, leaving just ten of them.
Senorê Murtel sighed in mock exasperation. "Soooo..... Any idea on what to do with the ladies?" He asked, even though he expected no real answer, after all, Benita and Nuella were the only ladies among the twelve so they always got issues especially since they were in the same line of business. Fashion and modelling.
Senorê Murtel sighed again and rested back on his chair.
"I think they need caution, women are thoughtless." One man spoke
"And how exactly do you caution your woman? By beating her to a pulp or fûcking her even right in front of your ki....." Before that man could finish, a punch landed on his jaw, almost splitting it.
A fight broke out and the two men were already punching themselves to death when the others held them back as an argument broke out amongst all of them.
Murtel watched with a tired look as he rubbed his temples as though he was watching his kids argue about who should have the biggest share of the bread.
He did nothing, just sat on his throne and watched, besides, the weather was already a sign to show that this wasn't the best day to hold a meeting. It was..... Way too bright and sunny for his liking.
~~ THOMAS'S HOME ~~
Annabelle rolled on her bed as the words of little Andrew and that of her Uncle replayed in her head.
"One year, and I guarantee you full happiness and pleasure."
"You're the only one who can decide for yourself."
"I plan on breaking that icy look on your pretty face."
"The past shouldn't affect your present."
Her phone chimmed and she picked it up lazily, she swiped open the message and sat up abruptly at what she saw.
💌: "Classes start by Ten today, be early so we can have breakfast." The message read.
Annabelle scoffed in disbelief as she swept her hair back. She stared at the message for a while and a small smile spread on her lips.
"That cheeky kid."