It had been thirty days. It was Christmas day now. It was back to the day Andrew had made the bet with the old grey woman in white. The bet of him buying a family. The bet he had no idea of the consequences but they had looked dangerous to him when he had made that bet without any care in the world because back then he still had no one. His friend Clive wasn't there. His girlfriend May June wasn't there. The children he now took as his own were not there. Mason and Lady. Then when he still had misunderstandings with his parents. When he didn't understand them nor did they understand him. He also had no relationship with his twin brother back then. He had just had no time to spare from his business to his always on the road brother. Back when he would have done everything and anything for a family for Christmas. Now he had everything. He had everyone. His family was complete. And he hadn't even bought it. They all came to him because of love. The love they had for h
Andrew remembered that. He remembered that he was in this very mansion outside when he had made that wish. When he had seen this woman. And she had shown what he could have. And she had told him to go build the family himself. But he got corky and told her he would buy a family for Christmas instead. And that's when the bet started. "Okay." Andrew faked a cheerful smile at the old woman. " You were right! I was wrong. Everything in life is not gotten by someone buying something with money. Especially not family! It's gotten love, patience and time. So what now huh? You were right I was wrong! Let me go now. To the family I have. " The old woman tsked. " No-no dear boy that's not how it works. You made a bet with me. And I must see it through. I can't just let you go like that. The other spirits will laugh at me of course. " Andrew gulped down. " What will happen now? " Andrew was afraid of this woman. If she could turn back time. What else could she do? What else would she do
"What are you talking about Andrew? Just a minute ago you were happy with my family now you're suddenly not? Why?! " "I know this is difficult, May June. And I'm so sorry for putting you through this. But I just realized that I've been going along with this because I was afraid of what would happen if I said no. I didn't want to hurt you. But I can't keep up this lie anymore. It's not fair to you, or to your family. Or to me." Andrew's voice was shaking, but he forced himself to continue. "I'm so sorry." May June got up from the bed. Her night gown flowing with her as she balanced herself on the cold floor with her bare feet. " Please tell me you're joking! That you didn't just string me along all this while! Please tell me that you're actually joking with me right now!" "I'm not joking." Andrew said, his voice steady now. "I've been lying to myself, and to you. I don't want to be in a relationship right now. I'm not ready for that. And I'm not ready to be a part of a fami
Clive looked down where he saw David Storm kneeling on his knees for him. Clive had the urge to kick him from holding his leg but his boss was there. His boss and his boss' girlfriend. He couldn't make himself seem like an uncultured person like the one that was kneeling down for him now. "Get up". Clive spoke in a whisper. "Get up. " He repeated when David refused to listen to him. David shook his head. Tears running out of his eyes as he apologized numerously. "Please forgive me. Forgive me first and I promise you that I'll make sure that I never try what I did again. I won't! " Clive had no mood to do this. He had just learned how to get back to his normal ways of life now this man was here to ruin everything for him. "Clive?" Andrew had a question mark on his face. "Who's this?" Clive shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know." He wasn't lying. He didn't really know who this man was. And he never wanted to know. "Clive I promise you I'll give you anything
David faced May. "I'm not here for you... anymore okay? Just go away. Please." " What the hell are you on about?" May armed back. Andrew started to speak too. " We're not getting anywhere right now. What's happening? Tell us. " He pointed at David. David looked at him. " What's happening is none of your business. Just mine and Clive's. Now if you and your girlfriend here could leave us that would be appreciated. " " I'm not leaving my driver here with someone that has proved himself a criminal." " Oh God!" David screamed. " Just leave! It's simple leave!" " I'm not going to be here with you." Clive shot at David. He was already heading for the car now. "I'll hurt myself!" David yelled before he could go further. " If you don't hear me out I swear I'll do something terrible." Clive looked back at him. Not believing that he could stoop that low. With gritted teeth Clive walked back to David. And he looked at Andrew and May. "I'll handle this
Clive turned to look at David. " What the hell do you want?" "Right now I want us to try to do something. I don't know what but at least try." Clive took a deep breath. " I'm gonna regret this but I'm so tired of standing here and having an endless conversation with you. So okay, fine... Whatever." He turned to leave again but the same thing happened David stopped him this time with his hand intertwining itself with his. Clive glanced at their hands. "And what's this?" "What do you mean?" "David... Oh gosh! You know what I don't care! Do whatever you want." They both walked back to the car where June and Andrew were waiting for them. They both were staring at them. At their hands too. Question marks written on their faces. But no answers were given by neither Clive or David. They just both got into the car. Silence was in the air as the car drove off to the mansion. Before they could get to their destination though June decided to break the silence.
And just like that memories of a past Clive would rather do without came into his mind. "Clive!" Sarah Jay yelled at him. " You're not being fast enough". She screamed her lungs out she didn't want to give birth to their baby in the middle of the street. Clive was too busy loading their luggage inside the car and Sarah was already thinking that their baby wouldn't even allow them to get to the hospital before he was delivered. "Okay sweetheart". Clive cooed at his wife he went to kiss her gently on the cheek. Walking her to the passenger side of the car. He made sure to adjust her seatbelt to accommodate her pregnant belly. He made sure that she was comfortable before closing the door. He went to the driver's side and hopped in. "Are you okay?" He asked as he turned on the engine. He didn't want to look at her for fear that she might be having contractions already. He focused on driving instead. But his mind was elsewhere. He knew they had to be quick. Their baby was co
"Sorry sir". The nurse said apologetically. " You didn't get hers with anything but your wife. I'm sure maybe the phone got lost in the crash. I'm sorry. " Clive sighed. He knew that the nurse was right. He hadn't had his phone with him when the car had crashed. He had been so focused on getting Sarah to the hospital that he hadn't thought about his own things. "How's the baby?" He asked. "Is it okay?" He felt scared. "What if something's wrong?"The nurse smiled at him. "The doctors are taking good care of your wife and the baby." She reassured him. "I don't have any more information for you right now. But I'll make sure to keep you updated as soon as I know anything." Clive nodded. He breathed deeply trying to get himself stable. He didn't want to be an unruly patient. The nurse noticed that he was trying to calm himself down. "That's good." She said. "Just try to breathe and focus on your breathing." She watched him for a moment to make sure he was okay. "If you need a