ESSENCE

Chapter 14

Sources state that the Cunning family is no longer in business. When asked about their demise, the family threw a fit on live TV. Unfortunately, we're instructed not to post the clips as a majority of the words are offensive and filled with racial slurs.

I know it comes as a shock to everyone, I included, because this family was making history with their successes over the years. How did they manage to lose it all? That's truly a question for the books.

With that being said there's a rumor going around, that the companies were sold to their long-time business partners to avoid bankruptcy, however, the DeVincis have decided to bless their recently graduated son, Alessio DeVinci with the companies as they are retiring as of this coming month.

How would the young graduate manage all these companies we asked the happy couple. "Our son may have recently graduated, but he has been helping us make major decisions from the time he could spell. Alessio is an amazing young man, and we'd trust him with our lives, much less our companies." The couple responded.

I know what you're thinking 'Would the companies be entirely remodeled, or would they remain the same?' Well according the Mr. and Mrs. DeVinci, their son, is free to do as he pleases. We were also told the young man would be far more successful than them.

This a shocking statement as the DeVinci's is the second richest family in the states following after the owner of Nevernight, who we are still in the works of unveiling.

My name is Dimitria Campbell, and this is The Nation's News.

***

Cutting off the television, Giano looked at his best friend, who'd been stuck behind the sofa since the news came on.

How was the boy feeling? He had no idea.

"Hey, at least it's not bad news. You just found out your parents gifted you billions of dollars. That's practically the best birthday gift you could ever get, right?

Come on, man, snap out of it, I know it's a lot to take in, but this is good news. You've always wanted to take over the businesses once your father retired. Now's your chance. It's your time to be happy. You won't have to worry about starting from scratch.

I get that things are tough with your folks right now, but I guess you can take this as a sign of them trying to make amends, and let's be real here, you miss them." Giano finished, looking at his friend in concern.

Staring at the screen, Alessio couldn't help but wonder if this was one of his parents' traps in getting him to feel sorry for Jessica as she would now have nowhere to go.

He may not be with Essence right now, but he knew for sure he wouldn't help the Cunning family, for they were exactly as their name, cunning.

On the other hand, a part of him wished what Giano said was true. If this was his parents' way of apologizing and making amends, he would give it a try.

They may have had their differences, but he loved them no less. He missed his father's advice and his mother's comfort. However, he wouldn't forgive them easily.

Though he would forgive them, he couldn't simply forget the pain they caused him.

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he turned back to the television with no interest whatsoever.

All he could say he wanted right now was to be wrapped up in Essence's arms as she played in his hair and lulled him to sleep.

It was a feeling he had deeply missed for the past few nights.

Picking the phone back up, he read her message a thousand times over, wishing for the courage to call and hear her voice.

Only, when he did find the courage, it was now late at night, after ten to be exact, and the outside world was bustling with late night activities and party hoppers.