Chapter 20
1350words
Philip approaches Michael, but little Michael tries to run away. He holds him steady. "No need to run Michael, it's just me",
Michael then releases a sigh of relief, "Hi Mr. Philip" the boy said with a smile,
"You really wanted to attend the Ball didn't you?" Philip asked patting the boys head,
Michael puts his face down and swings his leg back and forth. "I will tell you what, I would take you to a corner where you can see everything and even have some snack, how about that?"
Michael's face lit with joy, "Really Mr. Philip?" Philip smiled at the boy,
"Why not Michael". He ruffles his hair and takes him through a lobby and took him to the secret house where the ball took place. Because everyone was so busy it was easy to sneak him in, then he took him through the back door that people hardly open which leads to the garden, from the garden you can easily see what is happening inside the Ball. There were two chairs and a small table stationed there with lots of treats and food such as Cullen skink, Scottish porridge, Scottish pie, deep-fried Mars Bars, Haggis, nappies and Tatties. The table looked so colorful. The little boy ate with joy enjoy every meal on the table not one was left untouched. Michael gulps down a bite from his Scottish pie and says
"Mr. Philip when I grow up I would like to be like you." Philip laughed, "really!? are you sure?" Michael nodded with gusto"Yes Mr. Philip, I want to be rich handsome and strong like you".
Philip smiled at the boy "Well I know you will be more than that Michael". Philip smiled. He had never thought of himself as rich until he went out on his own to make his on wealth, which was the only time he felt like he had charge of his life to make something out of it. He never felt like his own man since he always had his father's name attached to whatever he does, he always felt like he was privileged but who was he to complain people had it worse.
He looks at the child. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted with Mary then he says out loud "I wish Mary was here to enjoy this Ball", Michael asked "why does Mary always suffer? Is Mary not your sister? Why isn't she in the party as well?"
" Little one, it's complicated"
"It's always been complicated, especially when Mary almost died" Micheal muttered innocently
"Tell me what happened Michael" Philp asked, his fffull attention on the young lad
"I saw Mary in the forest she had blood all over her and her clothes were torn, she almost died"… Michael quickly covers his mouth with his hands. He was not supposed to make mention of it. Philip opens his eye in shock, it looks like it was more serious than it is.
"Don't worry buddy no one would ever know, it's our little secret".
The little boy looked at him with wide unsure eyes "Sure Mr. Philip?" Philips ruffled he boys hair
"Of course buddy have I ever failed you?" Michael shakes his head,
"Exactly, so why would I start now?".
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The night slowly and finally comes to an end as Philip has to say a goodnight to his guests, the party was a success with the most expensive cuisines and decorations, he was sure that is mother and sister would be happy because they would be the talk of the town. They would give him a break for finally giving them the party they wanted.
Just as all the guest left Philip refreshed himself and finally went to bed, he just couldn't sleep yet as he laid on his back looking up towards the ceiling. His thought was filled with no one else but Mary. What exactly happened to her, there was something about her that drew him in, I guess it was because of the bond if being siblings. After all she was his step-sister, he must do something to help her, and he owed her that.
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Martha smiled as she looked at the aftermath of the party not even complaining as the maid asked her to clean up in the middle of the night. Tomorrow they would have the surprise of their life…
The next day…
"Ahhhhhhhhh" they heard the voice of lady Winston as there was a lookof panic on Amelia's face as news reached them that all the guest that attended their party last night has been diagnosed with cases of Diarrhea and suspected poisoning of one of the meals. Not just their guests but Lady Winston, and the rest had been using the restroom since last night. Lady Winston shouted "how did this happen?"
Hearing the screams and panic Martha woke up with a smile on her face, she did not go when summoned because she knew how the problem came about. She knew poisoning the drinks was one of the most petty thing to do but it was sure fun. She did not poison the food on purpose because she never wanted to implicate the head cook. She knew they would try to implicate the cook at first but with further investigations, they would see she had no hands in it. She really just wanted the Winston's to suffer no matter how little it is. This would make her sleep well at night.
As Martha was in her thoughts she turned her back to see Philip walking out with his hands running through hid face with a frustrated sigh. A ting of pity passed through her heart for Philip. But she finally cleared her thought of the feeling; she would never have pity for people who made her life miserable. She returns back to her work with a smirk which Philip was fast enough to catch, it was amazing how he was able to see every change in her face and mood he thought.
She was a welcome distraction as he stood in front of the house gazing down at Mary as she walked on with a basket filled with dry clothes into the house. Her clothes were so old and withered but there was just something about her that looked so classy, it was in the way she walked like she was meant came from wealth itself, there was a certain poise he could not explain. He wondered who Mary really is, from her look and the way she held her shoulder high you could see that she had every ounce of pride; he could not but admire her. Looking at her in admiration, he felt a sudden nudge at his side, he turns to see his swollen sisters face, she had been crying all morning, their reputation was tarnished.
"Philip what do we do now" she says with tears in her eye "from what you have seen there was not wrong with the food so do not harass the cook, it must have been from the wine, we would get to the bottom of this. But you and mum should calm down its just a party for Christ's sake and its good thing to let this die so people in town can finally leave us!" The look on his sister's face was one of pure horror, "You don't understand Philip! You know what, forget about this I would get to the bottom of this I could even host another party. But who would come to our party now!!"
Philip sighed. His nightmare has just begun
