The Thornes

Chapter 1

Josephina relaxed in the late hours of the evening gazing into the sky. That was her favorite part of the day. The stars were shinning beautifully and she laid on the lawn reminiscing over the amazing memories she had spent at the early stages of her life. Her father adored her and her mum was her best friend. At home, she had everything she wanted although her parents were not wealthy. She certainly knew that her parents loved her and were willing to do anything for her. She remembered her birthday celebrations and evening ice cream dates she mostly had with her Dad who had recently passed away due to stomach cancer. Tears streamed down her eyes although she was happy that her Dad was in a better place. She certainly wished to go back and spend time with her family but unfortunately, she finds herself entangled in unending episodes of her husband's family drama. On her very first night of being introduced to the family formally, she remembered how excited but nervous she was. Her soon-to-be husband, Anthony had explained on several occasions how strange, old-fashioned, and self-centered his family was but Josephina thought it was some mere exaggeration. The Thorne family owned numerous businesses in Brooksville and were considered one of the wealthiest families in the city. The family is purposely known for not making public appearances and shunning public events. However, Anthony Thorne was just a simple man with a great sense of humor and that was what Josephina fell in love with. Anthony treated her with kindness and respected her decisions and opinions. She knew the names of Anthony's family members off head as he constantly kept telling her. She always made fun of him telling him to loosen up a bit when it comes to his family. On that faithful evening, Josephina wore a classy white dinner dress which complimented her beautiful dark skin but when Anthony came, he insisted that she wore a red dinner dress which according to him signified his family's color and symbol of honor. Having no choice but to agree, she changed into a red silky dinner dress which showed her beautiful neckline. She put on the jade necklace he had given her, with a touch of brownish nude lipstick completing her look. She stuck with her black heels and stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom with mixed emotions thinking whether or not she was going to be accepted into the Thorne family. Anthony came in and complimented her on how ravishing she looked. He kissed her gently on the lips and whispered into her ear how he cannot wait to marry her. Josephina smiled, leaned forward and passionately kissed his lips. She told him how amazing it will be, being his wife and being away from the family he is always talking about. Just after the comment came in, Anthony's mood changed and sternly asked that they be on their way.
The drive to the Thorne family mansion was a long one because the family lived in the outskirt of the city which Josephina thought was a bit odd. The family had bought a vast land and built on it a mansion. Upon arrival, while the gates of the mansion opened, Josephina's jaw dropped as she was amazed at what her eyes were witnessing. The mansion was indeed very beautiful and breathtaking. The lawns were neatly mowed, the gigantic water fountain had bright and colorful lights and she also couldn't help but admire the fleet of cars. She noticed the change in Anthony's expression as he pulled over at the main entrance of the house. Turning towards her, Anthony asked her to promise him to be patient and endure all the experiences the night would bring. If she had known what it meant, she wouldn't have, but out of love for her man, decided to make that promise. Stepping out of the car, Josephina noticed an awful silence surrounding the house but brushed it off immediately since the family clearly had no neighbors. Taking two steps up the stairs, they came face-to-face with a tall bearded man who introduced himself as Maxith Jefferson, the butler of the Thorne household who gave them a warm welcome as they headed inside. Haven entered, Josephina realized that everyone was in red or had a touch of red in their garments. She leaned towards Anthony and told him to have put on white and a pair of red shoes but he frowned at her and said not a chance would he allow that. The dinner hall was elegant as it had been decorated with lots of rose petals, gigantic chandeliers and at the round dinner table, gold plated cutlery. She was really impressed but however, thought to herself how unnecessary it was to go this far just for a formal introduction. Anthony directed her to a small table at the corner. He stood with her without saying a word and realizing how tensed she was, grabbed her by the waist and gave her a hug. Before Anthony could say anything, her elder sister Elora came up and pulled him away without a simple 'hello'. The rest of the family saw Josephina but paid no attention to her. Present were Elora, her husband - Nathan, and children - Chris and Christine, Mathéo, his wife - Rakia and child - Ellan, Anthony and the youngest, Dofia. Rakia and Nathan were preoccupied with their children while the other siblings gathered discussing who knows what. Josephina felt extremely lonely and uncomfortable because she thought she was the reason for the gathering. She walked up to where her soon-to-be husband had gathered with his siblings to say hello but to her utmost surprise, Elora plainly told her to hold the pleasantries for later and excuse them. That came as a shock, but what hurt her the most was the fact that Anthony could say nothing to defend her. He silently watched her slowly walk back to the corner of the hall totally embarrassed. Approximately ten minutes after, the hall became silent and Josephina thinking why, turned and saw Wyll Thorne and his wife Harletta Thorne. He looked exactly like Anthony had described; tall, handsome, and charismatic. If power was a person, that would have been him. Wyll was Anthony's father and Harletta, the step-mother. When Anthony was lecturing her on the family's color which supposedly portrays the family's wealth and power, Josephina took it lightly but really, the family took the whole red thing to another level. Wyll wore a red suite and his wife a very sexy red dress looking very elegant and classy. Her fair complexion perfectly suited her outfit. He stood there for some time observing everyone and with a deep voice asked that Josephina step forward. "You must be the second reason for the gathering, you therefore need to introduce yourself"- Wyll said. She thought to herself as to how she was the one doing the introduction and not Anthony. She smiled brightly and as she was about to speak, Elora shouted; "don't you dare speak when father has not taken his seat". Josephina kept quiet and watched Wyll and the rest of the family take their seat. He told his daughter not to be hard on her as she was their guest. Standing there motionless, she thought to herself how unfortunate Elora was as she was already in her bad books. After everyone had taken their seat, she introduced herself as Josephina Pauletta Bruce, a legal practitioner precisely a prosecutor and the CEO of JP Legal firm. Immediately she mentioned "JP legal firm", she saw the surprise on their faces which somewhat confirmed that they knew about the firm. Expressing her gratitude and how she was looking forward to becoming a part of the family, she flashed a huge smile but what they didn't know was behind that smile was a hidden card and a mission to accomplish. After that brief introduction, the room became dead silent as she took to her seat. "Anthony a word", Wyll instructed, as they both left into a room. Everyone at the table looked at Josephina with strange expressions as if she had said something wrong. After a short while, the two gentlemen came back and this time round Wyll came up and welcomed her to the family telling everyone to consider her a member of the family. The next statement that followed wasnt as expected. Apparently, Elora was going to plan the entire wedding so that it could make a statement in the society. If frowning could kill, Josephina murdered Anthony that night. She inquired about whether she could get a chance to choosing her wedding dress and Wyll stared back telling her that planning the entire wedding meant as well the inclusion of the dress. In short, she had had it with this family. For goodness sake, Elora planning her wedding was just unacceptable. Immediately she sat down, she picked up her phone and texted Anthony; "Hell no, your sister is not planning my wedding". Anthony staring at her, replied telling her to calm down and talk about it back home. Just then, they heard the screeching of tires outside. Wyll looked happy and told the family that their next guest had arrived. A tall dark-skinned young man entered in a white suit. He smiled as he entered and took a seat. Wyll introduced him as his son and that was when Josephina took a deep breath. She could finally see where this goes. Elora burst into an uncontrollable laughter and asked if he was adopted or "something"; But the answer to her curiosity became the best moment of the night. He was the eldest son and member of the Thorne family, Eliazer Thorne – a rich merchant who owned the leading car dealership in the city of Brooksville. Elora calmly sat down from shock. I bet she was thinking about her inheritance. Wyll had brought him there that evening because he was going to stay with them and therefore needed them to treat him like their elder brother. Anthony got up and asked for permission to leave for he had promised his fiancées parents to bring her home early. Well, he lied. They got up leaving, and the rest of the siblings followed but went to their respective rooms. Wyll also left with Eliazer to his new chamber and did not seem bothered about his children's behavior. On their way home, Josephina saw a side of Anthony she had never seen before. Her sweet loving fiancé had suddenly become interested in his family's inheritance. She tried to explain how harmless having an elder brother was but Anthony plainly told her that a war was coming which they must make it out alive. She thought to herself what war could possibly make her husband like this. If she had known how things were going to be, she wouldn't have become a Thorne. A war was indeed looming and only the strongest and smartest were making it out alive. One thing was certain; No one was going to fight fair, not even Josephina.