The Afters – Beautiful Love

What a beautiful smile

Can I stay for a while

On this beautiful night

We'll make everything right

For the next two weeks Jennifer , Mom and I spent the whole time buying furniture , and dishes for the soon to be my restaurant . Daphne often came along , Her advice always turned out to be a great addition .

" You know my first husband was a property dealer . I often helped him decorate the houses . He was really good at his job . The homes he sold were exactly like him , Polished on the outside and rotten on inside ." Daphne said. Jennifer looked a bit lost at her that. She doesn't know her too well . Daphne has the habit to connect things to her ex husbands .

" I'm sorry to hear that ." Jennifer said .

" Well I'm not . Not even when I had tipped the tenants .That there was a bear sized mold in the basement . My husband spent so much energy to hide it . He could have gotten rid of the problem using half that energy ." She said .

" You did a noble thing . That is a health hazard . " Jennifer said.

" I know, right . That's what I said in my divorce hearing . My husband could have tried to kill me by planting one in our house too . No wonder that bastard rarely came home ." Daphne huffed in annoyance . Her two ex husbands were surely bad people . But none of them wanted to kill her , Mom assured me of that . But Daphne is still convinced otherwise .

" So where is he now. I hope he was in for good. " Jennifer said. Holding a cream colored fabric .

We are in a clothing mill. A good friend of the Ahujas owns the place . Mom told me It will be good for our business if more people knew about opening of the new Restaurant .

" Did you notice that vile man on the billboard , When we were crossing central avenue ....??? that was him ." Daphne said , Looking at fabric display for curtains .

" So he did not get any jail time . " Jennifer asked dropping the fabric she was holding .

" No he pinned it on his associates . Did some charity work and voila ...!!! Fredrick Nash became a saint ." Daphne said ,crushing the fabric in her hand . Mom gently tugged it out of her hold.

" Come on , Daphne . I told you about the lawsuits . The moment Matthew got a whiff of the news , he asked me to tell you . Those billboards are another scam to fool people that he is not neck deep in debt . " Mom said.

" Sorry , Beth . I know you told me . Karma got to him , But I still can't handle seeing his face . " She said pouting .

" Don't fret , Daph . That would go down too." Mom answered .

An hour later , Our shopping was completed . Dad hired the best construction workers. So I can open my Restaurant in a month . Everything else is almost complete.

☆★☆★☆

" We still have an hour , Jennifer.We can do this ." I tell her .We have opted for Indian cuisine for the house warming party . Mom, Dad, the Schneiders and Ranveer's parents are coming in . Finleys can not come . But they have given me their blessings , they loved the picture I have sent them of our house .

" I never should have opened my mouth ." Says Jennifer for the 50th time today . When she called the Ahujas ,she blurted to Melissa that she will be trying Indian cuisine .

" It's not that bad .Look , It doesn't look remotely like a d*ck . You have come too far ,my baby ." I tease . She can't talk back that I don't know what It looks like . Jennifer knew the moment she saw that crazy grin on my face .Axel and I are together completely now .

" Let's just improvise . We can use them as a filling for pastries." Her shoulders sagged in defeat.

" I want to impress Ranveer's family . These coconut laddus are necessary , I promised a full course meal." She whined in irritation.

"Promised whom.? Yourself.? When you were awake overthinking in the middle of the night. You didn't promise anybody . You just said that you're cooking Indian . And they answered they were looking forward to it . The samosas are ready , There is butter chicken , cucumber raita , Pulav and these roomali roti . Damn, they're just like handkerchief . What else do you want ,woman ." I yell at her .

" Urrghghh. " She knows I'm right .

The bell rang .I washed my hand and wiped it on her apron ,poor thing didn't even react on it .

"She's in the kitchen , Melissa . Go put her out of her misery ." Melissa ,Ranveer's mother smiled.

" Hey , Jennifer ." She said cheerfully.

"Huhhh..." She said totally puzzled. Poor girl.

" Arianna texted me to come early . Axel , Ranveer and Kabir have gone to overlook the restaurant's progress . And Arianna dear, these men are gonna manipulate you ,but don't let them get to you.Just stick to the initial plan ."

" Okay, Melissa." I smile. Axel does get on the workers nerves ,they groan in unison everytime Axel goes there .

" Now , tell me what are you hiding over there , Jennifer ."

" I can't bind these laddus ." She said looking at the ground .

"Here splash some clarified butter in your palm, then try ." We both tried and It worked .

"You know when I first cooked for in my laws, I was so scared .I added the salt twice . But you know what my mother-in-law said .'It's the effort that counts' ." Melissa said, kissing Jenny's temple and she beamed up in joy.

☆★☆★☆

Everyone loved the food and Jennifer was happy ,smiling ear to ear . We were having drinks and sharing stories . When dad's phone rang , followed by everyone else, within a few minutes the atmosphere changed .

" Switch on the TV . Channel 16." Dad said .

'The city is facing another scam . Our sources have confirmed that Liam Knight son of Matthew Knight,has been charged for fraud . Marion Bell, who was previously in news for suing her husband and filing for divorce has been the one behind . The real reason has not come out , Yet . Liam Knight has refused to answer the media . His lawyers are looking into the case . Last month, his step brother Axel Knight was also arrested , all charges were dropped later . Knight corp. suffered a huge loss....' The reporter continued talking. When dad muted the TV.

Nobody said anything . We were stunned to hear Liam's name connected to Marion. Ranveer dropped Jennifer home , Ahuja and Schneiders left after assuring Mom and dad they would help and support them . But the million dollar question is , What happened.? What kind of a trouble Liam has landed himself to, now . He is good at his game. He must have missed something in his carefully laid plan and that landed him into the grave he dug for someone else .

Axel and I sat together , unable to comprehend what to say . I squeezed Axel's palm to encourage him to say something, "Mom ..." Axel said but mom shook her head.

" No Axel . Leave it . Liam can handle it , Whatever he has done now. His karma got to him . It's time , we had let him go." She said but her eyes were glued to the television ,reading the updates on his case. My heart ached for her . She does not deserve this .

Dad came inside , he looked tense when he was on call. "I had a talk with Marion . She has agreed for a meeting . We should go back to the mansion . Axel , Arianna ,she wants you two to join us." He said. I am puzzled. Does she want audience for her solo show .

"No one is going anywhere Matthew . We are not helping Liam . He left us , he betrayed our trust ." Mom protested .

" Let us hear her out , Elizabeth . We can do that at least . He is our son ." Mom tried to say something but stopped .

I know for a fact that this isn't just a meeting . Marion wants something in advance , And after the reveal she will be asking for more .

☆★☆★☆

We are at the Knight mansion waiting for Marion to arrive . She said 8 PM but it's been 3 hours and she is not here yet . She has even switched off her phone . Marion is doing this on purpose she has a upper hand , And she is making us wait for it .

" This is enough . Go back your room." Elizabeth announced .

" Few more minutes , Eliza.." Dad sighed.

" It's been 3 hours . Arianna , Axel either you go to your room or just go back home . I don't want to hear anything. Liam got a taste of own medicine , End of story ..." She said but stayed with us.

An hour ago , We saw the news . It said that Liam will not be granted bail . The reason behind is still unknown, even the biggest media houses has not figured it out . Dad said that It will be something huge and they might get in trouble for disclosing it . He talked to his team they assured, It won't make it to the front page . As for the Knight corp's name , Liam has announced his split already. So Knight corp. will not witness any loss in the share market either .

Another two hours passed . Mom went to her room and changed into her casual clothes . She didn't talk to us anymore but she kept pacing back and forth . I took a short nap on Axel's lap . I was embarrassed that I got rest in this situation . But My body was exhausted .

Jennifer and Daphne kept asking me for updates on phone. Daphne is concerned for Mom. At last ,we all went to sleep. I placed my head on Axel's chest . He stroked my hair absentmindedly , I peered at him through my lashes, he was looking at the ceiling lost deep in thoughts.

"Wanna talk about it.?" I whisper. He shook his head without looking at me . I placed a kiss to his chest and dozed off .

☆★☆★☆

Early morning, the house staff notified us of Marion's arrival. We walked out groggily to the living room.

" Good morning , Knights ." Marion smirked, holding different newspapers in her hand . The column having Liam's news facing us .A devastated Jessica is standing behind her . Her eyes are bloodshot and puffy. Marion on the other hand looks great, not a single hair out of it's place .

Dad did not answer her. And Axel always lets his elders handle the situation when they are present . One of his many traits that I love . We both are looking at Jessica closely . Axel has told me about Jessica's clingy behavior , She is irritating and bitchy but she is not cruel like her parents .

"Look what your son did to my daughter." Marion said. Pushing Jessica in front of her . Jessica broke into a sob. Her body shook as she bawled in front of us . I have seen cry for real.

"Ohh Jess.."

" Don't ,Arianna . Cut the drama. I won't be fooled with your concerned act . And you, Elizabeth. I kept my promise, I told you take care of your son . You didn't , His fate is sealed now." Marion roared ,pulling Jessica behind her , her body shook violently as she sobbed .

" What did Liam do.? Jessica.?" Axel asked, he was fuming . Different scenarios played in my mind too .

" Your brother promised her of marriage . His second cousin . And he was aware of the relationship . That's what he did ." Marion shouted. She gave a sharp look to Jessica. She covered her mouth with her palm to muffle her cry.

None of us say anything . I saw something move in my peripheral vision. Mom fainted , Dad held her in time before she could hit the ground.

☆★☆★☆

Axel called the doctors .Mom is still asleep now .

" What now , Axel.?" I say holding him.

" Now. We talk to him, directly. No hidden agendas . If he wants out, he has to come honest. And he has to start from the beginning." He said .

" But in the news . they said he won't be granted bail."

" Even the murderers receive bail in this country, Arianna . You just a need a good lawyer and Dad has hired a group of legends .He will be with us by this evening . And his future depends on him . If he still deceives, he is a goner." He said kissing my forehead.

I nod understanding . I haven't and I won't tell anyone about the matter . Now we wait for Liam . God knows what he was thinking ,when he planned this.

🎀🎀🎀

He!!o Guys, Thank you so much for reading. Please don't forget to ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'VOTE' for the chapter, Leave your comments and Share the book ...!!!And I'll be absolutely delighted , If you check out my completed story.

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