Gradence | White Lilies

"An Offer" | Chapter 13

Lately the weather has been getting colder and the rainy days just a bit longer. The nature seemed as if it has stopped, taking a break from the warmth and light it has bathed in the last few months. Percival and Alexander made their way through countless of ripe apple trees, picking a few of it's fruits along the way.

"Art exhibition you say?", Alexander picked an apple, putting it in a already half-full basket he was carrying in his arms.

"Yes", Percival took one himself, "America's finest painters, collectors and art traders will be attending it and I think it's a wonderful chance for Credence to break through with his art. A friend of mine will be working there, I'm sure I can make the trip happen."

"That sounds amazing, Credence will be so happy when he hears that!" Alexander gave his friend a delighted smile.

"Does that mean you say yes to the offer?" Percival asked, wanting confirmation, and bit into his apple.

"Of course!" Alexander patted his friend's shoulder as they continued their little walk, now heading towards the mansion.

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"Credence!" . . . "Credeence?"

"I'm comiing!" Credence hummed, coming down the stairs as fast as he could without falling, not wanting his father to wait for too long.

"Yes father?" he smiled when he saw Percival was there too, "Hello Mr. Percival."

"Hey kid." Percival let a little smirk escape his lips.

"I have wonderful news for you Credence! Mr. Percival offered to take you on an art exhibition and you could get a chance to sell your art and break through too! Doesn't that sound wonderful?" Alexander seemed really happy about the possibility of his son's dreams coming true.

"W-What?? Really??" Credence's eyes widened at his father's words, being in a rather positive shock.

"Yes", Percival smiled, "How does that sound to you?"

"That sounds great! Oh my.. I don't know what to say-", Credence was surely getting excited, "Thank you sir!!"

Credence couldn't help it and gave Percival the biggest of hugs, right in front of his father.

"No problem Credence." Percival chuckled and hugged back, not minding the surprise the hug brought along.

Alexander couldn't help but smile seeing his son this happy, happiest than he's seen him in a long time.

But somebody's eyes and ears were following and listening to this whole conversation too, and they did not like what they heard.

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After a cheerful and excitement-filled talk with his father and Percival, Credence made his way back up the stairs and towards his room.

Getting inside he flopped onto his bed, laying on his back and looking up at the ceiling with his eyes filled with hope, he brethed in deeply with a smile on his face.

His moment of bliss was broken off by Mary Lou clearing her throat. She looked at him sharply, more like glaring at him.

He sat up quickly from his bed, his hopeful eyes now filled with fear.

"What was that little charade all about?" she closed his bedroom's door.

Credence looked down, his hopes of going there now felt like shattered into million pieces.

"I asked you a question!" she suddenly rose her voice.

"N-Nothing.." Credence spoke quietly.

"I don't know, it didn't seem like nothing to me", she didn't move her hateful eyes off him, "I really hope you're not thinking that you're actually going to go."

Credence's eyes started filling with tears, his dream seeming so distant at that moment.

She smirked and with a mocking tone in her voice she spoke, "Oh little baby, you actually thought I'd let you go somewhere with him?" She laughed self-righteously, "So sweet!~ But you thought wrong."

She smirked, "You are not going anywhere, remember that."

She started making her way out of his room and then stopped right in front of the door, turning to look at Credence's teary face "And also, Credence sweetie, I don't want to see you anywhere near that man ever again! Understood?"

She gave him a stern look and then proceeded to leave the room, slamming the door shut after herself, leaving Credence with cheeks soaked in hot bitter tears.