Revenge Never Knocks

Chapter 6: The Invitation

At the Marshall residence, Jackson wakes up and heads downstairs to have breakfast. He observes everyone devouring pancakes, scrambled eggs, and a lot of other delicious items. The cooks are gifted, every meal is finger-licking good. He is immediately greeted by his family. He gives Isabella a suspicious look as he knows Sebastian was with her last night. He likes Sebastian, but he isn't too keen with a boy in his sister's bedroom, 'Is he still here?'

Isabella shakes her head, 'No, he left some time ago, Vivian called for him.'

'Who is Vivian, that name sounds so nice and familiar?' Jackson's father, Raymond Marshall disrupts the conversation.

Jackson's mother, Julia Marshall playfully smacks her husband's arm, 'Don't listen to their conversation, honey.'

Raymond takes a bite of his food, 'Jules, it is important to know what our kids are up to. We cannot be like other ignorant parents,' he defends himself. He then looks at Isabella, 'So, who is she?'

Isabella chuckles, 'She is Sebastian's best friend, and Jackson's-' Jackson yells out, 'Friend,' before Isabella says anything that will be problematic.

Julia and Raymond start giggling, 'Friend?' they raise their eyebrows towards Jackson who replies, 'Yes, friend, now do not get any weird ideas.'

'Well, when are you introducing us to this 'friend'?' Julia curiously asks using quotes.

Jackson's eyes widen, 'I do not really think that's going to happen any time soon. Let's drop the topic.'

Isabella chirps in, 'I can ask her to come to dinner or something, mum.'

Jackson jokingly kicks Isabella from beneath the table. She screams out and complains to her parents who scold Jackson. She loves to overreact and get her brother into trouble.

Julia and Raymond glance at each other and smile wildly, 'I think that would be amazing. Bella, go and invite the fine young lady and Sebastian to dinner.'

Isabella grins evilly, 'Of course, your order is my command.'

Jackson sighs at the childlike acts of his family, 'You guys are not nice at all,' he takes a bite of his food.

The rest start chuckling causing his face to heat up. Once breakfast is done, everyone resumes back to their lives. Jackson resumes work with his father. Isabella and Julia plan a day out.

Back at Vivian's house, the doorbell rings. Vivian opens the door and Nicole Mercer enters. She is another player in the game.

She looked after Vivian when her parents died. She was a lifesaver. Vivian was pushed from foster to foster until Nicole- being a widow, took pity on her. She transformed Vivian's life from distressing to delighting instantly. She cared and loved Vivian, brought and gave her everything. That was until Vivian turned 18 years old and then moved out with Sebastian.

'Hey, baby girl, how are you?' Nicole greets Vivian and hugs her.

Vivian embraces her back, 'Surviving, Nicole, how are you?'

'I feel better, now that I see you,' she admires Vivian.

'You look absolutely gorgeous,' she exclaims and takes a seat, 'Where is your partner-in-crime?'

Sebastian walks down the stairs, 'Here I am,' he proudly claims.

He walks down and greets Nicole, 'Hope the journey was peaceful.'

'I cannot complain. I saw a handsome flight attendant, so I was happy,' she winks and laughs.

Vivian rolls her eyes, 'You do not learn, do you?'

Nicole ridicules, 'I always hated learning, baby girl.' Sebastian laughs, and fist bumps her.

'Jokes are over guys,' Vivian's serious tone echoes through the house.

Nicole groans, 'Viv, hold up, not right now. I just got here; can we at least have a peaceful day. We can resume everything tomorrow.'

Vivian sighs, 'Fine, just today. Tomorrow, you need to begin your work. You know why I called you here.'

Nicole stands up and salutes Vivian, 'Yes sir,' causing Sebastian to snigger.

Nicole is a bubbly and chirpy character; she refuses to be serious about anything. She believes that life is too short, thus, you should be elated and jolly. She intentionally tries to be particularly joyous around Vivian to lighten her mood and possibly influence her into laughing more often.

Before Vivian can speak more, her phone rings, 'Isabella is calling.'

Sebastian looks concerned.

Vivian answers, 'Isabella, hey, what's up?'

'Hey, Vee, not much. Hope you're well?' Vivian replies, 'Yes, thanks.'

'I was calling to invite you to dinner. Well, my parents want you to come to dinner tonight, with Sebastian,' she timidly speaks.

Vivian is caught by surprise, 'Oh,' she fumbles, 'Of course, Sebastian and I would love to come to dinner.'

'What, really? That is amazing. Jackson will be excited when I tell him you are coming.'

'Wait, today will not be possible Isabella, we are loaded with work. How about tomorrow?' Vivian offers.

Isabella pauses for a second, probably asking her parents, 'That is perfectly fine, tomorrow it is then, see you,' with that she hangs up.

Vivian laughs slowly, 'The Marshalls are digging their own graves and they don't even realise it,' she whispers and sits down next to Nicole on the sofa.

'Dinner?' Nicole questions. Vivian nods, 'They invited Sebastian and me.'

Sebastian then finishes off, 'Tomorrow?' Vivian nods.

Everyone stays silent for a few minutes before Sebastian breaks the silence, 'You are going to see him?'

Vivian knows who 'him' is. Sebastian is referring to Raymond Marshall. She is going to see her parents' killer after so many years. She is going to be in his house, around him, and his wife. She could feel her blood boiling, but she has to resist the urge to kill him then and there.

He has a lot of agony and suffering to experience, he has to beg for death before she will grant it to him. She wants him to experience pain and betrayal because that's what he made her family feel, that's what he made them go through. Despite being their friend, his greed got the best of him and he destroyed a lifetime friendship.

He seized away a child's hope and happiness, without a second thought, her joy and peace were eradicated. She had to become an adult from a young age, she learned to hate instead of love.

He was responsible for making her a killer. Vivian nods slowly, 'I am and all I can think about is his betrayal,' she mutters menacingly.

Nicole speaks to ease the tension, 'Okay, so dinner is tomorrow. So, this is tomorrow's problem. Let's go out right now, do some shopping, eat or do something fun. Let's just enjoy today, the three of us.'

Sebastian claps, 'Yes that sounds amazing, I am in.' They manage to convince Vivian for a day out. They all head out to have a pleasant and entertaining day.