Grandma Ada Lu Merlin, woke up screaming, she had a very horrible nightmare. Tomas was in Australia so why did she have such a dream? In fact, she had spoken to Tomas some few days ago, so he was fine, she would call him tomorrow just to check up on him. Feasibly, old age was catching up to her, or her mistakes were coming back to haunt her. Old age was finally getting to her, no, this was not old age, this was divine punishment. She recalls that seven years ago, Rafael Noles Miguel had given her such a detailed information on what Ethan was doing with Samantha. At that time, she thought that Samantha needed a simple life with a simple man. She learned the hard way that no one can arrange fate. During Rafael's confession was the same time Andrei Hawkins Masters and Amanda Courtney Masters had called, informing her of their arrival. The two didn't need to give any explanation, Ada was well aware they came back for their son. The son that was abandoned for four years; if Ada could remember correctly, Andrei and Amanda were only present in the life of their son from time to time; only when they needed their son for a favor. For the rest of Ethan's life up to fifteen years of age, different servants took care of him. She also chipped in to raise him but somehow, she always felt Ethan was missing something. Not to forget, she knew she was taking Ethan to hell but what could she do, the Masters had more power than anyone. Moreover, if they decided, they would have shut down all their businesses, if need be, for her to convince Ethan to leave with them. She had resorted to using the information she had heard from Rafael to bait Ethan into leaving with his conniving parents. What kind of parents were those two people? Who uses their son for their own experiments and personal gains? Just how richer did they want to be, trying to create a monster out of their own son! They had power, money, influence, politics; how greedy can someone be?! Did they want to own the world? Ada touched her old aging heart, she knew she didn't have much time left, yet she felt a sense of doom approaching. She had heard from Mark that Ethan had decided to accept their proposal. However, why did she fear something horrible was about to descend? She knew that Grace and Miranda were okay, they had visited home more than usual yet why was there this sudden doom she couldn't shake off? Nate Regan Pescoli was here some few days ago, questioning if she knew anything about a woman by the name Alayne Jalicia Ramsby or a man by the name Jeremy Maclom De' veer. She had never heard of such names, yet Nate said that this Alayne had worked for the late Tabitha. Ada knew Nate let on less information. He questioned if Natalie had had any relations with the MASTERS, MILES or MIGUELS. Ada wondered as to why he would ask such an absurd question. Then he dropped the news, a news that was hidden from her by her late son Richard and both of her daughters-in-law. It shocked her but she still wondered why such information had been hidden from her. Grace was not her granddaughter; they weren't even related. So why can't she bring herself to tell her the truth? She had raised her just like her own, so why did Natalie not inform her. Just what had she gotten herself into? How was she involved with this man by the name Jeremy Malcom De'veer? Why was she murdered? Why did she hide Grace from her biological father. Ada told Nate that this information was between them, Grace and no one else should have knowledge of this. Just who can she trust, she cannot trust Elizabeth, she wished she could trust her son Tomas; however, Elizabeth had a leash on Tomas. She couldn't tell Miranda for Grace would know, she couldn't tell Mark nor Samantha for it would bring conflict. Who was there for her to ask for help? First, she needed to know who this Jeremy man was, second, she needed to find out who was the real father of Grace, third she needed to know who murdered Natalie, Richard, Tabitha and Dorian. Was the murderer in this house? Was it someone she knew? Did Elizabeth also know something that they didn't? Ada got a headache just from thinking about all of this. As long as she could keep her family safe and strong, there was nothing to worry about! Ada thought.
*. *. *. *.
Samantha stared intently at the stars, today they shone brighter than usual. The moon too was also at its peak, brighter, illuminating the darkness. She inhaled the air and it was fresh and clean. Life was like a fairytale, she thought magically. The only difference was that you don't get the wishes that come true. She shivered and she felt a warm coat wrap around her, she knew that smell, a smell of caramel and vanilla. Samantha knew who it was even before she turned her head. Ethan stood next to her, gazing down at her. They stood there in silence, longing for too much yet wanting to say more. It was calm, quiet and peaceful, on this rooftop where they stood, it was as though they stood above the world, looking down on it.
"Ethan," She began slowly.
"Yeah." He responded.
"I'm sorry, for seven years ago, I was childish and dramatic, I didn't really know till Mark ended up explaining. I'm sorry for giving you a hard time with your parents." Samantha says apologetically. Ethan exhales and stares straight ahead.
"There is no need for you to apologize for what happened seven years ago, in fact, my parents should be the ones apologizing; I should be the one apologizing, for what I said seven years ago, I didn't mean it honestly." He said sincerely. Samantha stares at him, there is something different about him and she giggles.
"Why are you giggling?" He asks curiously.
"Nothing, it's just funny to see you apologizing, the famous Ethan Duke Masters apologizing to a woman on a rooftop." She says jokingly.
"There is this song that I like very much." Ethan says absentmindedly
Samantha is taken aback by the turn of events, right now she is standing with a billionaire and they are talking about songs, "what song do you like," she asks curiously, seeing Ethan singing is a first.
'London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
London bridge is falling down, my fair lady,
'London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
'London bridge is falling down, falling down,
My fair lady, build it up with;
[wood & clay, wood & clay, wood & clay] build it up with [wood & clay] my fair lady,
[wood & clay] will [crumble and fall; crumble and fall, crumble & fall] my fair lady…
'London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
London bridge is falling down, my fair lady,
'London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
'London bridge is falling down, falling down,
My fair lady, build it up with;
[stone & bricks, stone & bricks, stone & bricks] build it up with [stone & bricks] my fair lady,
[stone & bricks] will [crack and break; crack and brake, crack and break] my fair lady…
'London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
London bridge is falling down, my fair lady,
'London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
'London bridge is falling down, falling down,
My fair lady, build it up with;
[silver & gold, silver & gold, silver & gold] build it up with [silver & gold] my fair lady,
[silver & gold] will [hold & stand; hold & stand, hold & stand] my fair lady….
Ethan concludes the song and Samantha claps jubilantly, excitedly, his voice was deep, warm like the sun, sweet, syrupy, silky just like honey. It was a wonderful combination of bass and alto; creating a very comfortable atmosphere. If she thinks back, she did miss his voice but he could sing.
"I never knew you were so good at singing." She says happily.
"There are a lot of things that you do not know about me Mrs. Merlin, perhaps I should enlighten you." Ethan responds cheekily twitching his eyebrows.
"Mmh, what other hidden secrets and talents does the magnate Mr. Duke have?" Samantha says comically.
"I can draw, I can cook and I can write. Those Mrs. Merlin are things that I can do, better than anyone." He responds pridefully.
"Ooh, I am thoroughly impressed, you are fit to be a wife more than a husband Mr. Masters." Samantha says in between laughter and she starts running around while Ethan chases her. He finally catches her and twirls her around in the air and she giggles. On this rooftop, it was it was only the two of them. In a bubble where the day met the night; and the moon met the sun. Ethan was well aware that he should address the issue of seven years ago, however, he let the past be the past; the present be the present. What matters was now, tomorrow and the future he was planning for them. He considered various plans and various ways to keep her with him, they will be getting married, he would be her wife or vice versa. Samantha, I apologize for seven years ago, I apologize if I hurt you, I apologize for abandoning you, however, I do not apologize for wanting to lock you up, hide you, protect you, possess you and love you! Ethan thought, his eyes growing darker as he locked her in an embrace.
*. *. *. *.
The evening sun was setting and Mark was sitting shirtless by the window smoking; a waft of white smoke fills the air forming a cloud. He stared and the sun as it was going down beyond the horizon. Rafael dressed in Mark shirt comes and sits in between his legs and pours himself a glass of beer and Mark embraces him, wrapping his hands around him. Mark exhales and sniffs Rafael before he turns and looks into his eyes.
"Mark, you look exhausted." Rafael says cutely.
"Work issues nothing much." He smiles sweetly. Rafael nods and embraces him, how he got to this point wasn't at all planned. This all happened a few days at the club where he was dead drunk and he just happened to bump into him. They slept together and 'Bam'; it's like it became a regular routine. He didn't know what Mark always thought, it was difficult to tell what he was thinking.
"Why do you always do everything that Ethan asks of you?" Rafa asks curiously.
"Mmh, no one really gets him, Ethan isn't as complex and as simple as you all think. He's just a boy who wants to be loved and wants to love. His methods are complex and sometimes weird but if you see him at a different perspective, he's lonely, sad and perhaps he feels overwhelmed. Rafael, don't judge him because of his characteristics and behaviors." Mark says solemnly as he stares at the rising darkness.
"He has money, power, influence, appearance and most of all he is very good looking, everyone loves him." Rafael says annoyed not understanding Mark's explanation.
Mark exhales and throws his cigarette on the ash tray, "Rafael, in this world, money can buy you happiness; only if your poor, power can bring you loneliness, influence can bring you enemies, appearance can only bring you gossip and haters. Love can bring you to insanity. Very few people will love you if you don't have money, genuine people are around 1% covering the population, don't mistake ravenousness and lust for love, they don't come in handy."
Rafael nods, slightly understanding Mark's perspective of thinking but still, "His parents love him, you love him, Grace loves him, Miranda loves him, Samantha loves him, isn't that enough." He retorts dryly.
Mark was silent in chagrin before gazing deep into Rafael's blue irises, "Sometimes, we only need that one special person to love us. That one person that can give up the world for us. That one person who treasures your achievements and flaws, for Ethan, that one person is Samantha." Rafael finally understands Ethan a little bit, perhaps all he wanted was to be loved by everyone, just as who he is. Moreover, Mark saw him as a person but Samantha saw him as a whole person. He smiles and hugs Mark tightly, he could be perhaps Mark special person.