William nodded, "The last time when we were coming back, I accompanied Max and Crystal, all the way to Cave Palace. Trust me Normy, he was a disaster. He has her wrapped up around his finger."
Norman looked intrigued. "Now that you mention it, Did you guys actually go to meet Edward in Room no 707?"
William felt tense. "Oh, Norman what do I tell you, I was as shocked myself when the receptionist mentioned it. I was so confused. I don't know what Crystal holds within her, but it is definitely something with which Edward only trusted her"
"What happened when you went upstairs?" Norman asked.
"We went upstairs, there was an unusual vibe to that place. I can't pinpoint it but I felt being watched, heard, and followed. It was definitely some assassin better than me.'
"You understand all of this can be so useful for the investigation, right?" Norman asked, "Why do you choose to be here rather than work outside with the team?"
"I'd rather live, Normy. You know about Ayesha and currently, this is the best for me and Crystal."'
"Why would you say that? We have resources to protect you." Norman replied.
"Yes, and Caleb is using them here, for instance - " Before William could complete the head guard banged on the room.
"It's about time pals, wrap up." a middle-aged man told William and Norman. He had a soft look on his face and was otherwise well-behaved,
"Huh, okay William we will help out Ayesha while you are away and get you out sooner," Norman replied with a sad face.
"Oh, about that, she is also expecting." William grinned and rushed out.
#
Crystal had spent the night whining like a little baby. She felt bad having such a low temper over things she couldn't control. She washed up and got ready for the day like usual. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, she still had puffy eyes when she heard a huge commotion downstairs.
She walked in the direction of the voice.
Something in her guts said that she shouldn't go and as she reached the staircase, just in time, Cassandra, Caleb's mother held her hands and dragged her to the dining hall. She can still hear a woman shout, clear and loud.
"Mrs. Fitzgerald. Good Morning" Crystal straightened her back. She had talked to her before but mostly just dinner table conversation and had never seen her this close. She was in her late forties but her poise and confidence spoke otherwise. Crystal was still scanning her face while she was looking outside the window, still holding Crystal's elbow.
She looked down and realized she might be too hard on her, her face immediately softened into a smile. "Oh, sorry about that.'
"No problem at all," Crystal replied.
"Actually the woman outside happens to be the daughter of my friend who has pestered Caleb beyond limits. I hope you understand, seeing you here might make her want to break a bone or two" Cassandra explained, guilty of her alliance with Vivian.
"But how do I play a role in her baby tantrums? Does she like Caleb or what? And even if she does, we have nothing on us." Crystal said observing the woman screaming in the drawing hall.
"To answer that question, here," Cassandra handed the newspaper to Crystal, "Read this and have a good day Alwack."
Cassandra smirked looking at the flabbergasted expression of Crystal.
"Mind if I exploit you a little." Cassandra asked quickly.
"No, but -" Crystal asked, puzzled, and walked out of the dining hall doors.
The headlines read, Fitzgerald's happy family of three. Are some wedding bells ringing around the corner?
#
"Care to explain, anyone?" Vivian shouted.
"Good Morning Vivian," Cassandra said as she walked, looking at the fuming woman before her.
"Good Morning Mrs. Fitzgerald. I am so happy to see you." Vivian snorted shortly.
"Aunty, please look at this, Who is she? Caleb isn't answering my phone, replying to my texts, and now this." Vivian talked, angry air blowing out of her ears and nose.
"He is always full of tricks up his sleeves," Vivian screamed.
"How about you sit down and relax for a bit?"'
"I will Aunty, please call Caleb, he is clearly not understanding what I have been telling him for years. I want answers now, Who is she?" Vivian asked.
"Ohh she, she is Elmore's best friend," Cassandra replied.
"What kind of friend is a young blooming woman? Why is she so clingy to Caleb?" Vivian accused.
"Excuse me?" Caleb, who just entered the room, with his strong aura walked in.
"Excused. What is this behaviour babe?" Vivian asked sweetly.
"I am no woman's babe now shut up and leave," Caleb said with a blank face.
Cold water washed down Vivian. Cassandra smirked softly. "Aunty you see that? Your son is under bad influence, it's definitely that wretch talking." Vivian scowled, stomping her feet all the way through through the hall.
"Who do you think you are calling wretch?" Caleb asked, gritting his teeth, "Careful, she is future Mrs. Fitzgerald for you, so tone down and you don't want to upset her already, I heard them say she is fiesty."
Every head turned Caleb's way, eyes widened in shock, and whispers encircling the room.
#
"What? What are you talking about?" Vivian said, as his words seeped through her.
"Are you kidding me?" Caleb looked at her sternly. "Mom, please tell Aunt Lily to get her tested."
"The nerve of you, Caleb. If there is any woman, capable enough to work with the wide spectrum of your endless business, healthy enough to carry out further generations of your family line, and loves you so much to never hurt you, it's me." Vivian said, teary-eyed.
"For you, I have gone to lengths and added everything to my lifestyle needed to be the perfect woman for you. ALL. MY. LIFE, Caleb all my life, How can you do that to me?"
"For starters, I have skilled managers, so Fitzgerald empire is safe. About the rest two, It's for me to worry about. Nobody asked you, Vivian, to read, learn, or advance in things you don't like. Now please leave we have a long day ahead of us." Caleb replied as walked in the dining hall and closed the door behind him.
Vivian followed, "Uh-uh, Rules are rules, Vivian, only family is allowed in the dining halls, and you know that." Cassandra replied.
"Aunty? You too?" Vivian was shocked.
"What me Vivian? We both know Caleb has never liked you, it was actually quite the opposite, he looked after you like a baby sister. I am worried I have to ask you, Why would you put her in a spot Vivian, why?" Cassandra replied and walked into the dining hall.
Before the door was closed, Vivian peaked inside to see a young woman with curly hair, thicker than her, talking to Caleb.
Just you wait, Crystal. Vivian mumbled and clenched the newspaper in her hands.
#
"Well that was horrible," Crystal said, standing at the edge of the room.
"Hey come sit, let's have breakfast together," Cassandra asked Crystal.
"Oh it's fine Mrs. Fitzgerald," Crystal replied.
"Come on, Crystal" Cassandra said, as she held her hands and walked her to the table.
They sat down alongside Caleb. He smiled at them. "Honestly, what if she has actual feelings for you?" Crystal asked.
"No she doesn't," Cassandra said from the other end."I have known Lily long enough to understand every nerve of her. She has a keen eye for money. Vivian takes after her and that scares me for that poor child."
"That's strange," Crystal replied, eyeing her food, reflecting on the conversation regarding inheritance.
"By the way what you said," Cassandra asked Caleb, "Did you mean that?"
Almost instantly Crystal was snapped out of her reveries and replied, "Oh. no Mrs. Fitzgerald, there is nothing as such." Crystal told Cassandra, and then eyed Caleb, "It is funny though that you threw me under the bus."
"Oh it was totally worth it. The next time she sees you, she will poison your wine, throw you down the stairs, pull the every strands of your hair." Caleb laughjed heartily.
Crystal punched him in the shoulder.
"What did you just say?" an angry voice echoed through the room from the other corner.