November 12, 2067 (Elliot)
Elliot Cracker worked hard to become successful, where he and his family lived was a good indicator of how well off they were. They live in a decent-sized luxury apartment that overlooked one of the jewels of New York City, Times Square. He never thought he would ever regret choosing such a place to start a family with Sarah… until now.
*Honk *Honk *Honk
*beeeep *beeeep
Elliot sighed in exasperation, for the past half an hour he's been stuck in traffic. If there was one thing he hated about where he lived it was the traffic, apparently, the heavy population of the city didn't go though his mind when choosing a place to live.
Elliot reached out and turned the rearview mirror towards the back seat hoping for a conversation to distract him from his troubles. Sadly, both Kiara and Layla were too busy using Sarah's phone. He then looked at Sarah, noticing that she was taking a nap, even with all the honking in the background she still slept peacefully. Crestfallen he continued looking ahead with his thoughts, his only company.
Every day was stressful for him, many eyes were on him and one step out of line would draw in mad hounds that would eat up everything he had achieved so far. The conversation he had near the end of the last family reunion was a perfect example of the expectations set upon him.
.
—(Flash back-2 years ago)---
.
Elliot checked the time on his watch. Noticing that it was almost time to leave, he began to nudge Sarah who was currently having a conversation. Sarah was talking to Pamela, her sister-in-law, about what middle school they were planning on enrolling their kids in. Apparently, they were too into their conversation because Elliot had to resort to poking her, which finally caught Sarah's attention.
She finally turned his way and gave him a peculiar look. Elliot tapped his wrist and tilted his head towards the door, she nodded in understanding before leaning towards his ear. "Go get the girls while I finish this". Elliot smiled in relief, he disliked having to socialize, more so if it was his wife's family. Sarah knew that he was uncomfortable when it comes to her family, so she tries to ease his uneasiness by leaving a bit earlier than what was normal.
Elliot stood up with a screech from his chair, causing all the conversations around the table to cease. With all eyes on him, he did a slight bow from his waist and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have some business early in the morning, so If you can please excuse me as I take my leave".
Satisfied, he started to walk towards the doors leading to the lobby beyond. Just as he was about to open the doors to leave he heard another seat screech back, followed by a pair of footsteps. "Now hold on a minute Elliot, allow me to join you," someone said.
Elliot halted, he did not dare disobey, the voice came from the one person he was trying to avoid the entire afternoon. Elliot collected himself while putting on a charming smile, he turned around with a cheerful expression "why of course Albert, I would gladly have your company". If there was one reason why Elliot didn't like going to these family reunions it would be him, Albert Arthur, Head of the Arthur family.
Elliot viewed him as a despicable man. Albert was a thorn in his side. He controlled many organizations within the state and outside of it, you can say that he's one of the most powerful men in the country. Elliot doesn't know why Albert continues to bring trouble, his best guess was that he didn't approve his marriage to his daughter, a man with no accomplishments and no background befitting for his daughter. Thankfully his wife, Lizabeth, was the one pulling them together and was able to make it happen, convincing Albert that he would make a name for himself in the future. And that he did, but it seems it was all futile, Albert wasn't convinced.
Albert noticed his reluctance to have him accompany him outside, so with a glare daring him to say otherwise they left the dining hall to the lobby. Elliot understood what the glare meant, Albert wanted to talk with him…Privately.
They stood in the hallway behind the doors to the dining hall with Albert sneering at Elliot who was glaring back at him. Albert's sneer soon turned into a threatening grin, "I'm glad your marriage with my daughter was fruitful, I guess thanks are in order, you did give me two granddaughters after all" he said.
Elliot frowned, it was odd that Albert would say anything positive at all. He knew Albert, and as far as he knew something was up. "I don't think you followed me out here to tell me that," Elliot said, "get to the point, what do you want".
With a smile still plastered on Albert's face as he said, "My wife and I had been talking and we settled on a little agreement of ours that evolves you and my daughter" he began, his smile slowly getting larger by the second, "We noticed that you've been getting a little sidetracked with your school escapades, the ones involving you creating your own school's and school system".
"And what is it to you" Elliot snapped back, "last time I checked it has nothing to do with you on what I can do or not".
"That's where you are wrong" Albert laughed "it has everything to do with me, us, if you will". Albert reached into his coat and took out a folded envelope, he then opened it and started to unfold a printed-out news article. Albert looked up at Elliot, this time his grin was replaced with anger as he passed the article to Elliot. "This article is among hundreds mocking you, mocking us! Do you even know what I had to deal with for the past couple of years" he whispered in anger, "We! The Arthur family, are known for our real estate companies and law firms, not public education!" He started to point at the article as Elliot read, "Do you understand what I'm trying to say? It's as if Cheetos started to create their own lipgloss, you are making us step out of line, our expertise does not include schools" he hissed.
"Now let me make something deathly clear," Albert said, elevating his voice, "you can continue your little hobby if you can just stop dragging our name through the mud!" Albert walked closer to Elliot and stood beside him. He then placed his hand on Elliot's shoulder and whispered, "All you have to do is double, no, triple your real estate empire. Because if you don't I can assure you that my daughter's next suitor would". He looked up and down before deciding to deal one last blow, "and maybe I'll find some men for your daughters to cover up for our losses too, maybe this time we can have some acceptable blood in our family registry"
With that said Albert walked off towards the front entrance of the restaurant, leaving Elliot, head down facing the floor, with the article crunched up in a fist shivering in fury.
.
—(End of flashback-present)---
.
Elliots hold on the steering wheel tightened, remembering the shame, anger, and uselessness he felt as Albert laid everything bare. Everything he thought was success became nothing in the eyes of Albert, so from that day forth he worked three times as hard in fear of losing the family he holds dear.
"Elliot, you're making that scary look again"
Elliot glanced at Sarah, who was looking at him with a worried expression. She noticed the slight change in Elliot in the past couple of years, she still hadn't decided if it was a good change or not from the amount of work he had piled on himself within that time.
"It's nothing, we're almost there so get ready to get out of the car since we're a little late," Elliot said, looking at the girls through the mirror again.
"Ok!" they chirped
Elliot parked the car in front of a large building with bright red letters on the side of it reading 'Jaya Club'. As they walked inside a middle-aged man walked towards them with a clipboard.
"Welcome, welcome, I'm glad to see our best ace here to support our team, and our little trusty Layla too," the man said, "our team's locker rooms are this way if you could please follow me". As the man started to walk down one of the hallways, KIara and Layla ran off to follow him while Sarah went to the bleachers to save some seats to watch the game. "Wait, Sarah…" Elliot said.
"Yes, what do you need?"
"I've got some business with your brother, so I'll be a little late accompanying you"
Sarah placed her hands on her hips, "you better be quick then, don't leave me waiting for long". With sarah giving him permission, he walked towards the opposite direction from where Sarah was heading off too. Elliot was looking through the bleachers full of parents and families until he found a black and blonde haired duo.
His brother-in-law and his wife were the next heads of the Arthur family, so he was quite surprised that he was contacted by them. "So Benjamin, what did you want to talk with me about" Elliot said as he sat down beside them. Benjamin stayed silent, only looking at the green field below, "Just call me Ben, Benjamin has to many syllables" Ben frowned, "As for why I called you, it has to do with your little hobby". Elliot looked at him in confusion 'what did he mean by my ''little hobby' he thought.
"Don't be rude Ben" Pamela said, giving a soft slap un to Ben's thigh. She gave Elliot an apologetic gaze,"What Ben was trying to say is that we wanted to enroll Edward and Eve in your school's" Pamela Explained, "we heard that you're school system provides the best education any school could provide, so we wanted to give that opportunity for our children".
Elliot nodded in calm understanding, but underneath his controlled expression was glee. If his schools caught the eye of this couple, then there might be others of the same caste interested in enrollment too. More powerful people meant more opportunities, more money, and connections. This is a small step towards his dream, but getting to his end goal is still a long way off.
But he can't be distracted yet, he still has to resolve one important issue that has been eating at him for the past couple of years. "You see Ben… you aren't the only family that has contacted me about their children" Elliot shrugged, "many want to join my school, causing my limited roster to be full in a matter of days after a final semester and…".
<
Taking note of the announcement, Elliot looked down towards the field watching as two teams came out onto the turf. He caught the sight of Kiara and Layla waving at the crowd, trying to find their parents. He also saw Eve right next to them, apparently she convinced her parents to allow her to play in the same team with them.
Elliot looked back towards Ben and Pamela discussing something, "I hope this can help guarantee their admission in due time" Sam said, Handing Elliot his phone.
The phone showed pictures of five high-end apartments, from pools to golf courses. Elliot looked through every photo, mentally adding up the worth of everything shown. With a straight face he looked back at Ben who was now looking at him to see a reaction, "I can send a Very good word for them during admissions" Elliot said, emphasizing 'very', "but I can't guarantee their acceptance" he finished.
<
"That will be fine, though I must say that I never expected this coming from a man who values Morals and fairness…"
<
Elliot stood up as he passed the phone back to Ben, It was about time he joined Sarah. "Anyone would shed their beliefs and honor if they were at risk of losing everything they love" Elliot said, "If you were in my position you would most likely do the same".
"I probably would too" Ben mumbled.
<
"That's my cue, I'll see you in the next family reunion"
"hmphf " Ben grumbled. Ben watched Elliot walk back through the bleachers. Ben could only feel pity, he wished for his little sister's happiness but at the moment his hands are tied. He could only watch from the sidelines as Elliot rips apart from the seams that hold him to his morals.
----------
Grandpa Al-
Grandma Liz-
Uncle Ben-
Aunt Pam-
----------