"Charlotte what do you think you are doing"? David Flinn who had just walked into the house, saw the commotion and yelled from the entrance of the mansion. Charlotte stopped in her tracks while Selena moved close to her father for protection. She was very relieved that her father had showed up just in time because there was no telling what her alcoholic of a mother could do to her for destroying her bottle of wine.
Mr David Flinn walked further into the building and turned to see one of the housemaids cleaning up the mess they had made.
"You're back to your drinking habits? Again? Just take a look at the mess you created. You assured the doctor and your therapist that you would do better so what suddenly came over you that you had to go back to alcohol?" He asked with worry looking at Charlotte who had now gone to sit on one of the sofas in the living room.
"You should ask your good for nothing son that just showed up out of nowhere, what he's doing here. He got me nervous and so I had to calm myself with a glass of wine. But your silly girl here made a fuss about it and there you are." She retorted.
"You will not ever call my children names again and certainly not my son. If anyone is to call him names, that would be me and me alone. Did you hear me? Do not do it ever again." Charlotte and Selena were surprised to hear him defend Moses.
"And by the way, I invited him over. No matter what, he's still my son and I am still his father. And you will treat him as such." he added. He turned to the maids who were standing by waiting for his orders and asked to inform the chef to get dinner ready for everyone including Moses who came visiting.
By the time he had gone upstairs to his chambers, Charlotte almost had a nervous breakdown.
"Did he just issue a warning to me because of Moses? What has come over him? When did he suddenly become so fond of Moses? Charlotte thought to herself as she paced around the living room. She was suddenly feeling very hot and decided to turn on the Air conditioner. Selena recovered from the surprise drama her father just displayed and took a seat; it was definitely a surprise. She would have loved her brother if he hadn't been a guy and her elder. She used to be happy seeing their father treat him coldly because she got the assurance that she would be the one to take over his seat at "The Table" but today's drama put so much doubt in her. How is it possible that her father just referred to Moses as his son and he, his father?
"And by the way, I invited him over. No matter what, he's still my son and I am still his father. And you will treat him as such." these words kept ringing in her head as she sat pondering on what could possibly be the reason for her father's sudden change of heart towards the same Moses that he was detested.
"You may be a man and even older than me, but I will never let you take my inheritance." She thought to herself
*****************************************
Moses sat on his favorite rocking chair in his chambers. He had overheard everything that transpired between his father and Charlotte his stepmother but he still couldn't believe it himself. From his childhood, the man had never failed to chastise or embarrass him over the slightest mistakes. But this same man had not only invited him over, he had also reprimanded Charlotte for talking ill of him and blatantly told her they are still very much father and son. He felt his stomach tightening "so he does care?" he thought to himself and smiled. All through his life, his father hardly cared about his feelings or about being there for him like other fathers would but each time Moses' late mother complained about this, his father always gave the excuse that he wanted to make him strong as a man ought to be.
"Ding! dong!" The door bell to his chamber rang and he quickly stood up to see who it was. It was Kim the house maid who was the daughter of Miss Rosie the house keeper.
"Hello Kim. How are you? Moses asked cheerfully
"Hello young Master Flinn, I am very well thank you. I have been asked to inform you that dinner will be served in fifteen minutes sir" Kim replied
"Thanks Kim." He nodded in acknowledgement and stood at the door while Kim walked away. He wondered how fast ladies grow; Kim was just a teenager the last time he visited but now she was all grown up. He shook his head as he closed the door so he could quickly shower and join the table.