Chapter 5 - Family ties

Sydney

After a week, Mark moved to a different floor in the same apartment building, and I was given her own room. Mike and Leah had become close friends. The three of us would occasionally go shopping at the local market. Meet up for late-night supper at Mike's steakhouse, where we received a 50% discount since the eatery used to clear out its old stock. My art school was doing well, and I hoped to find work as a designer after my studies were through. My favourite pleasures were walking around art galleries, theatres, and museums, which never failed to fascinate me.

I got a call from Leah on a Thursday afternoon.

"Hey! Do you want to go dancing tonight?" She made a chirping sound.

"That sounds fantastic," I remarked as I shut my laptop.

"Wow, where are you now?" She inquired.

"I was about to leave school."

"Come over to Montague Theatre; I'll be here for the next few hours, and then we'll be able to go together."

"All right, I'll be there in a flash," I said.

The set of an opulent living room was bathed in dazzling lighting. On one of the antique sofas, an attractive lady sat daintily. "You'll be up next, Leah. Prepare yourself! "

The director yelled !

I waited anxiously as Leah, clad in a pinafore and a white apron and holding a tray, went onto the stage. "Your coffee madam," she murmured gently as she placed the tray on a table. Marilyn, the nicely dressed lady, gave a curt nod and took up the cup of phoney coffee. Marilyn placed the empty cup to her lips delicately. She yelled and threw the cup down, her face scrunched in rage.

"What exactly is this? Is this something you call coffee? It's chilly and muddy. You can never get anything right."

Marilyn flung her palm towards Leah's cheek with these venomous comments. Leah squirmed and made the appropriate facial expression. Marilyn's palm made contact with her cheeks on the left side.

SMACK!

The sound echoed across the empty auditorium. I noticed a smear of blood on the corner of Leah's lips. Was it just me, or did that phoney slap feel extremely real?

A crimson ugly handprint disfigured Leah's delicate skin as she held her cheek. My blood began to boil as I realised that the mark on her would remain for two days.

"CUT!" The director screamed. "Marilyn, you did a fantastic job. Take a five, everyone!"

"Are you okay, Leah? Let me have a look at this." I said as I approached Leah.

"I'm fine. It's nothing." She swallowed a sob.

"Please accept my apologies. I hope I didn't ruin that lovely face."

Marilyn said, her syrupy voice grating on my ears.

"I was so immersed in the character that I didn't realise how hard I had struck; after all, I wanted to appear genuine. What if we don't rehearse it properly and end up messing things up when we go live?" Marylin said.

"True, but did you have to strike that hard? Her cheek has been marked by your hand." I expressed my disapproval with a sneer.

"If she can't handle a little discomfort, I suppose we can always ask someone else to fill in for her. It's not like portraying the suffering maid is tough." Marilyn seemed unconcerned about what she was saying.

"Sydney, it's not so horrible. Everything is well with me. Please don't tell the director about it, Miss Marilyn. I am fine." Leah attempted to defuse the situation.

"I'm overreacting..." I started to say.

Leah gave me a harsh gaze before I could finish my remark, signalling that the talk was over.

"So she's a buddy of yours?" Marilyn gave me a chilly stare.

While I was fuming, Leah clarified, "Yes, I invited her to see the rehearsal."

Stage acting was not something I was unfamiliar with. Marilyn acted in an extremely unprofessional manner. Marilyn huffed and walked away from the stage, her hair thrown back.

 "Why did you stop me Leah ?” I asked.

"I know you meant well, but I really need this role. I require the money to pay my rent. This is a job I can't afford to lose." Leah remarked.

"Marilyn has gone to great lengths to make my life as miserable as possible since I joined the cast of Wedding Blues. I get nasty and harsh words from her no matter how much I try to be kind. I know she's annoying, but there's nothing I can do about it. This job is extremely important to me."

"That bitch is only cruel to you because she is envious of your natural beauty. Don't be fooled by her nonsense "I stated.

Leah grinned.

"You're far too generous, Sydney." She said.

I sympathised with her.

"Come on, let's have some food. It will be my treat." I said.

Mike appeared out of nowhere, and I had completely forgotten that he was also a part of the same production. I'd been wondering where he'd been all this time.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Nothing," Leah said, "Marilyn was being a bitch as usual."

He hugged her and tenderly whispered, "I'm sorry you had to go through this."

"My sensitive brother, don't worry, I'm OK. Come on, let's get out of here and help Sydney spend her money." Leah smiled.

********************

Aiden

I was quick to get to the hospital as soon as I got the call. Dr. Matt Morrow, a long-time friend of mine, was the in-house cardiac specialist. "How's he doing, Matt?"

"He is going to make it. But I have to warn you, he won't be around for long, maybe a year or two. Simply keep him comfortable and amused." Matt warned.

"How about the surgery?" I inquired.

"Aiden, he's ninety years old. Surgery is not an option for him because he is too fragile. “He gave me a sympathetic look.

"Can I have a look at him?" The terror of the unknown was pounding in my chest.

"Sure, come along with me. When he initially awoke, the first thing he did was ask for you."

Matt whisked me away from the prying eyes of the media and photographers to the hospital's privileged private section. I was hailed by two big bodyguards stationed near the door. "Mr Reiner, good evening."

"Thank you for your assistance," I said to the security. Grandfather was out on a morning walk with his bodyguards when he suffered a stroke. My granddad was still breathing because of their prompt response. I shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if he'd been alone.

"No issue, sir," one of the bodyguards answered, "it is our duty."

The aroma of Amorem Rose assailed my senses as soon as I walked into the room. She'd already arrived. Fiona, my stepmother, and William, whom she affectionately referred to as Will, were already in the private room's velvet sofa. I ignored them, like I normally did, and walked over to the bed. With many tubes poking in and out of his nostrils and arms, Grandpa appeared feeble. I took his hand in mine and carefully squeezed it. Grandpa's bright blue eyes sprung awake.

"That's my boy. You've arrived.” He croaked.

"Don't talk, you should rest. I'm here, close your eyes and go back to sleep.” I said.

He closed his eyes and offered me a shaky smile. I could soon feel his chest rise and fall as he slept peacefully. I shifted my weight away from his grasp and turned to face my stepmother and Will. I motioned for them to exit the building.

"What are you doing here, you two?" As soon as we went outside, that was my first query.

"Where else should we be ? Will is his legitimate grandson as well. In case you forgot, I'm still his daughter-in-law, which means you're my legal stepson, whether you like it or not!" Fiona replied arrogantly.

Her pricey designer outfit and artistically applied cosmetics didn't disguise the reality that she was still a selfish evil witch! My father thought she was gorgeous back in the day when he fell for her charms. I turned around when I heard a snap and saw Will trying to light a cigarette. The security quickly approached him and removed the cigarette from his mouth.

“Mr William, I'm afraid you cant smoke here."

My grandpa's bodyguards were hired particularly for this purpose, to protect him from them. Will raised his eyes to the towering bodyguard, murmured 'fuck,' and collapsed down on the sofa. I shifted my focus back to Fiona.

"Let me make an educated estimate. You came here sniffing about for the old man's will, assuming he would pass away for good this time?" It wasn't so much a question as it was a statement.

"Oh, my goodness, you're so conceited! Who looked after him all those years while you were frolicking throughout Europe? Me!" She let out a snort.

"This is what I get for sacrificing my youth on this ungrateful family; no one appreciates me," she said, her dainty handkerchief dabbing the corner of her eyes.

I turned away from her, disgusted.

"If you try not to screw the gardener, chauffeur, or chef right under my grandpa's nose, you'll receive that respect." I said wryly.

I gave Will a quick glance, who appeared to be stoned as usual.

"That includes managing that scumbag of a son of yours."

"Aiden......" She began to speak.

"Get out ! I don't want you to come close to Grandpa." I stated unequivocally.

Fiona answered stiffly, "Very well."