The Monster & The Conspiracy (BWWM)

27. The Phiri Wedding

This is a long Chapter so brace yourselves.

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C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y  -  S E V E N    

"How did Charles fair in England?" Julian inquired once his mother had taken a seat. Julian was toying with a glass of whiskey in his hand, his eyes focused on his mother. Sarah and Charles had landed in Bulawayo about two hours ago. They had returned two weeks after Julian had cut ties with Lin. Charles had missed two weeks of the 2nd school term. Principal Harding had phoned the Manor to find out the reasons for Charles' absence at school.

"He was...better for a lack of a better word." Sarah mumbled.

"Glad to hear that." Julian replied stiffly. "He has to go to school tomorrow...I'm afraid he might run into...that  woman." Julian sighed.

"Her name is Lindiwe, Julian." Sarah corrected him sharply.

"Whatever." He grunted. "Why did you go and talk to her anyway Mother? I don't like it when you meddle in my affairs."

"I wanted to meet the woman who was raising my grandson half the time." Sarah answered curtly.

"But you didn't have to tell her about Rosa, Mother." Julian suddenly snapped. "You had no right."

Sarah raised her chin defiantly. "I had every righ to! I had to make her come back Julian. You and Charlie both need her!"

"It is not your place to decide that." Julian sneered. "But then again, I'm not surprised because I am talking to the woman who watched her husband ruin her son's life."

"Julian, you can't possibly still be mad about what happened 7 years ago! How many times do you want me to apologise?" Sarah defended herself.

"I am Mother. Trust me, I still am. It's not just about father forcing me to marry Rosa, it's also about the times before that!" Julian bellowed, his grasp tightening around his glass. "You let him call me a mistake, a disappointment, you watched him as he told me that I wasn't worthy of the Greyson name when I was only 6 years old!"

"I can't change the past, Julian." Sarah stated, as drops of tears fell to her neatly pressed plum skirt. "I know you---"

"I hate you." Julian stated coldly.

Sarah sucked in a breath. "I-I understand. I'll be off to England then...I love you Julian, please be a good father to Charles. Consider the ultimatum nullified, I can't have you hating me more than you already do." She smiled sadly before leaving.

°°••♤••°°

"Good morning Charles!" Julian enthused as he flipped a pancake in the pan.

Charlie, smartly dressed in pair of charcoal grey slacks, a white long sleeved shirt, a red jersey and a red anorak was ready for the school winter term. "Father...are you...cooking ?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes I am! I was told that you adore pancakes so I decided to make some for breakfast." Julian explained before turning back to the pan.

Charlie looked at Victor for an answer. Victor shrugged his shoulders. He was just as shocked as Charlie was.

"I thought you said cooking was for peasants." Charlie muttered as he scratched the side of his head in confusion. "Are you a peasant, Father?"