THE WRATH OF THE SEVEN SEAS

C14 THE MARK

Anthony knew he hadn't been there for his girls and he knew putting Jocelyn in such an awkward position could one day caused more than going to the sea. He knew he had to do something. So, earlier this morning, he had called them when Layla had declared her visitation to her father at the prison. First, Jocelyn had hesitated. But after she came down to join them.

"I'm sorry if I'm lacking anything recently as a father. But you two haven't been helping the matter of lately."

"Really? If you know you're going to put the blame on me again Leo, then forget about it. You and your favourite....."

"Will you stop that Jocelyn? You're both my children I dont have a favourite. You should mind your words. So once when have you been planning a slander on your family?"

"You should tell me who is slandering Leo. Me? That should be pathetic. You keep things not me." Jocelyn fired.

"And why do you think I called you here? Now, will you just let me talk here please?" He snapped as he faced Gwendolyn who had been keeping silence all through the heated argument without adding or subtracting.

"So, what's your plan with Mrs Marcellus?" He asked.

"I'm doing the surgery." She blurted out.

"You can't do the surgery Gwendolyn. I will not allow that."

"And what did you know Prince of Persia? We're totally not financially stable. This is just like an opportunity for us." Jocelyn referred.

"And do you know the consequences? She had to quit been Gwendolyn but another girl. She wouldn't have this face you're looking at right now anymore. And you will definitely quit school too."

"So? What's the use of schooling anyways? Those little two horns will soon be out and I will be out of the page. And when that is going on, I wouldn't want to stay starving at home."

"And plus we will have to leave this vicinity."

"What for?" Jocelyn demanded.

"What do you want me to tell your friends when they came looking for her?"

"Enough Dad. I am doing the surgery. Please, let me do it. I beg of you." Gwen pleaded.

"I can't just let you do surgery just like that. It's too risky."

"Yeah. Every successful thing in this world passed through that risky stage. And I am well aware that the Marcellus are not the type of family to play or joke with. They have people on line ready to die for their mistakes. Just pray I never fall victim." Gwendolyn admonished. She changed her sitting position as her father watched in dismay.

"Hey Jocelyn. I know I've been too secretive these days. You should understand by now that every steps require some tough actions. I'm sorry if either I or father had been making things difficult for you." Gwendolyn pleaded.

"I always thought families are meant to stick together and not break apart. I must say it's a little bit disappointment." Jocelyn retorted.

"I know. Just don't try the sea anymore whenever anything happened." Gwendolyn warned.

"I will try not to. So,any plan for the surgery?"

"I don't know but I think you have to leave here with father. As soon as I finished the surgery,Gwendolyn no longer existed. You have to forget about me. Totally."

"That doesn't mean I should come and visit you once in a while. And besides, you will still be coming to SAMS. Right?"

"I don't know Jocelyn. It's not something I can predict. And besides, Marcellus mustn't know. It's supposed to be a top secret between us. And it should be between us here too."

"Are you suggesting I quit SAMS because of this?"

"I don't know. Maybe you should."

"It wouldn't be a good idea."

"Did you girls ever think of Layla?" Anthony intervened.

"You brought her in here and you should sort that Leo. At least, you only knew the reason why she is here. Unless Gwen knew too." Jocelyn bawled.

"I knew Noah William her father. And he had helped me once. I and your mother. This is just to return his favour."

"You've never talked about anything like this before Leo."

"I never. You're not supposed to know some stuff. Better stay off that way." Anthony blurted out.

"What should we do to Layla?" Gwen asked.

"We can fake your death Gwen. We can tell the world you're dead. We can frame it somehow." Anthony puts out.

"Don't you think that's too demanding?" Gwendolyn questioned.

"No, I don't think so. I am sure Madam M will love something like that too. By that, nobody will ever think it's you. Nobody will ever suspect you." He highlighted.

Jocelyn and Gwen exchanged glances. From what their father just said, Gwen knew that's the only way to make them believe and to make Layla of particular, believe.

"It's a good idea." Gwen blurted.

"Well, it's good. At least, I wouldn't have to leave SAMS and I will be able to be seeing Gwen every day."

"You shouldn't see me as your sister."

"The money worth enough to forget about you dear sister." Jocelyn said chuckling mischievously.

Gwendolyn wanted to tell her father about Charleigh. But she knew once he found out, the deal will never take place and he might want to rescue their mother at his own will which may bring downfall upon all of them. She resolved that the best thing to do is to keep mute on it and learn how to fight it when the situation turn another dimension.

"Are you coming Gwen? It's Olivia's cousin's birthday." Jocelyn asked.

"She shouldn't be seen moving around Jocelyn." Their father warned.

"I should be able to spend the last few days with her. You really don't know how it feels like to lose a sister. Do you Prince?" Jocelyn asked mockingly.

"No I don't." Anthony answered rather too harsh facing Gwendolyn melancholy.

"I will go. It will give me the privilege to move with them before my last days." Gwen answered standing up.

"Just be careful out there."

"We will."

**********

Marcellus stood by the terrace resting his hands on the rails. He was looking down at the new siberian husky dog his mother bought for him two days ago. The dog is known for his love of companionship, racing and at times can be use as sled. The dog has a light grey and dark black fur with blue eyes. At first, he had detest the dog despite that siberian husky was his favourite breed of dog. Bud staring at the dog down here, he felt he had been too harsh earlier. His mother had brought the dog hoping that they find Charleigh soon. She had said.

"You've been drifting away of recent Marcellus. "

"You know why I'm drifting away mother. I can't cope anymore. I felt you've been lying to me all these while. Maybe she is not coming back."

"Be positive Marce. I have doubled the search. Sooner, they will find her. This year is so guaranteed." She assured.

Just then, she introduced the dog to him.

Somehow, Marcellus had the feeling that the dog is meant for him to forget about Charleigh and that is what he had been fearing. He never wants to forget. He believes she is still out there probably finding her way home.

"Ethan, bring the dog upstairs." He call down to Ethan who was standing by the dog. He only nodded as he led the dog upstairs.

The scenario keep on popping up in his brain. He really needs to do something. Just some days ago, he had almost lost his senses. He couldn't comprehend why he had to love someone so dearly.

Ethan led the dog in and stood with his face to the floor.

"Did anyone used to come up here when I'm not around?" He asked Ethan.

"No sir. Only Gwendolyn and she is not coming anymore."

"Okay. You may go." He said dismissing Ethan.

Speaking of Gwendolyn, maybe Wesley and others are right. Nobody can measure up to Charleigh. Maybe he needs to embrace somebody else. But who? His arrogance is pointing away from Gwendolyn. He didn't want her. He knew they need a female lead singer so badly. He knew there should be a way out of it. He settles down for his laptop. He can probably buy one.

Gwendolyn was sitting by the neatly decorated flower vase not far from the entrance. She hadn't got the chance to see Reese. Olivia was busy making her friends from SAMS that came comfortable while Jocelyn volunteered for the drinks.

"Will you like cocktail?" Jocelyn demanded.

"I shouldn't be here Joce. I'm having bad feelings about this place." Gwendolyn retorted.

"That is why I suggested we leave our memory con at home. You won't see unnecessary stuff. Just stay calm. Sip over your cocktail, practice some dancing steps, hum to the music, breath out hard and you're fine. It's not hard." Joce lectured.

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"Come on Gwen. I also have my secrets. Look at those horns, they will soon pop up. Vividly. I will not have these options anymore. It's not our fault. We are not wanted here, neither in the sea. We gotta stay somewhere girl. Now, brood not." She said dropping the glass of cocktail on the well decorated table where she was resting her arms. She turned to look at Joce as she joyously headed down to satisfy another visitor only to stare straight into Wesley's eyes.

"Hi. Good evening." He greeted.

"Hi." She sneered.

"Did you mind?" He asked pointing to the vacant chair beside her.

"Sure." She answered taking the cocktail to her mouth at once to hide her restlessness.

"It's cool out here."

"Yeah."

"You like cocktail?"

"No." She snapped.

"Oh!"

"Why are you here?"

"That is not a question. This is a party. But actually I don't attend a filthy party like this. Never for once." He spouted.

Gwendolyn's smirked. She don't know why he had to come anyway. It's just the party of the filthy. She grew angry.

"Really. This party is meant for the filthy." She said sarcastically.

"I came because of you. I want you to accept my offer."

"Offer? What offer? Tell me the reason you're pestering me. At least I'm not the only girl in the school that knows how to sing. I'm even an amateur."

Wesley did not want to tell her that nobody wants Marcellus. Almost everyone in that school detest him. And Gwendolyn is their last chance.

"I will give you anything." He proposed.

"Thirty billion dollars?"

"You're kidding." He smirked.

"No I'm not." She said taking the cocktail ready to journey it down the throat. Wesley hold onto the glass. He clasped his hands on hers as the glass shakes. Gwendolyn looked straight into his face and he smiled mischievously. She grew angry. She hold on tight to the bottle squeezing it hard maintaining a ferocious look with him as the anger grew. Then all of a sudden, she squeezed the glass and it splitted into pieces with her hand bleeding seriously. Wesley was surprised. He had thought she was joking. He couldn't bear the sight of blood. Immediately, Jocelyn and Olivia came with the first aid box as Wesley held onto her hand despite the dripping of the blood. Her right thumb is seriously smeered. It was Olivia that prevented Jocelyn from starting another fight with Wesley.