"She didn't take anything, we gave it to her...", those were the words that kept playing in John's head on his ride home. It's not like it was something he didn't know, but how could he face a reality where his own parents chose his niece over him, his pride couldn't take it because if he did, that would mean everything they said about him was true - he's got no knack for the business and he's responsible for his sister's tragedy. If only Linda hadn't been born, he wouldn't be in this predicament, that's right, all of this was because of her. She poisoned his parents against him, and now his only mother harbors nothing but hate for him, she can't even offer him a simple cup of tea. The very home that he grew up in feels strange now, his once-loving and protective parents have abandoned him, all because of her, he hated her, no, he despised her, he loathed her.
"Take me to Breakfast at 5th Avenue ...", he told his driver and according to his instructions, he made a U-turn to Jeremy's eatery, which was only 8 minutes away from their location.
Jeremy and Linda were jolly with Sharon and Sello exchanging fun stories about Linda as a child unaware of the bad weather that was headed their way.
"Aunt, please stop, I was 4 for God's sake, I didn't know better", Linda said with an embarrassed tone, "Anyone at that age believed that babies came from Storks, plus I really needed siblings, so I believed raising a Stork as a pet would make that wish come true...endless supply of siblings.". They all burst out laughing,
Sello was close to shedding a tear from laughing, "I don't get it Jeremy, my niece is technically a genius, but sometimes she is- I don't know how to say this- SLOW".
"That I can agree with-", Jeremy chuckled thinking about the pancake incident earlier but his face instantly turned soft as he reached for her hand, and with a gentleness in his tone, he said, "But her intentions are always pure-". He was looking at her so affectionately that the whole table gushed, including the man who just walked through the door, "Aw, isn't this lovely?".
They all turned to find John standing at the door with a menacing grin, "Looks like I came at the right time....brunch with the family". It was like all the life and brightness at the table got sucked out the moment he opened his mouth. Everyone instantly tensed up, and Jeremy was slightly trembling and for a second, he forgot his hand was on Linda's. She felt very well his fear, but what she didn't know was that the fear was not for John, but for his uncle Tony. If Tony finds out that he was having lunch with the Kings without informing him, he would take it as a sign of betrayal, and his plans to save Linda and regain his freedom would be ruined. But it would be even worse if he found out that he had fallen in love with her or managed to make her fall in love with him, it was too soon for both scenarios, he hadn't prepared to save both of them, and he was too reckless. He was so overwhelmed with happiness that he dropped the ball. What was he going to do now?
He tried to shake off his thoughts of doom and stood up to welcome him, "Oh, Uncle John, this is a surprise..."
"A surprise indeed...", said Sello, "John...been a long time.", she said nonchalantly,
John turned his attention to her, "I heard you were in town...pity we meet in suc-"
"Uncle, how is it a pity? We are simply having breakfast with Linda's fiancé?", Sharon spoke reminding everyone that John's scheme is supposed to be a secret, and he has no leg to stand on because it could expose him.
Seeing that Jeremy still looked shaken, Linda grabbed her aunt's car keys and stood up to hold his hand, and politely said, "And we were actually wrapping up because Jeremy and myself have to go shopping for the gala, hope you understand uncle.". Upon saying that she led him outside and put Jeremy's manager in charge of the eatery while leaving both Sello and Sharon behind to fend for themselves. She knew they could handle him but Linda wasn't aware of the grin on John's face, 'Looks like we can begin with preparation. Jeremy has done it. Tony will be pleased...'.
On the other hand, Joseph heard the conversation between John and Lilly, and he did not approve of it, as much as John has wronged the family, he still loved him deeply, after all, he was his only son.
"Did you have to say those things to him?", he said drawing closer to where Lilly was now seated with a distraught look. She couldn't help herself, when he's away, she worries about him, but whenever he's around, she can't help but be overwhelmed with guilt and end up saying all the wrong things. When she sees him, she is reminded of Rose, and whenever she thinks of being nice to him, she feels like she's betraying her.
She sighed, "I know that was uncalled for....",
Joseph drew closer to hug her, "I know it's hard honey." What scared her the most was the feeling that she would do the very same thing over and over again, cover for him, she can't lose two children at the same time.
"He looked thin, do you think he's not eating well?", Lilly asked in worry,
"I will talk to him later...", Joseph assured her, unlike her, Joseph was rather handling the whole thing too well. Although their relationship is not the best, they can still hold a civilized conversation. But he lately noticed that John doesn't care much about his opinion of him, but rather of his mother's, so he can't really do anything to help him when all he wants it's his mother.
He also sighed restlessly, "Still honey, you should take it easy on him...he's been through a lot, he-"
"Yeah I know - it's our fault he turned out that way. We created that monster; a self-entitled, vindictive, and bitter monster, so we really have no one to blame for this. In the end, we even chose to cover up his most sinister deeds, how are we different from him..."
Joseph hugged her even tighter, "I know honey, I know...."
"He didn't say anything when I asked if he cared about Linda, I have a bad feeling Joseph. I think we should tell her, she needs to know who she's going up against...."
"No Lilly, not this again! This will create even more problems, not just for us, think about the family, the company...even Linda herself. How do you think she would feel finding out that her own grandparents covered up her parent's death to save the very person who despise her, the same person who despised her own father..."
"You guys did what??!", Freddy appeared behind them...