THE WRATH OF THE SEVEN SEAS

C13 WE'RE NOT GETTING ALONG

Anthony was at the cow pen checking Bouler when Gwendolyn came up to him. She bent down to retrieve Bouler's shackles.

"Why do you have to bring Layla into the house?" She demanded.

"It's not something you can know Gwendolyn."

"Ok. No problem. I just hope you're not planning on telling Jocelyn anything about this father?"

"I wasn't planning on telling you either. Neither of you can be trusted. I don't understand your feelings anymore. And your emotion is quite out of what I can control."

"I'm signing the contract with Madam M. I just want you to know." She said not looking up from the chains.

"You can't try that Gwen. Not you."

"I don't think you are getting it father."

"You're the one that seems to be astrayed."

"I am not astray. I'm just trying to protect us. We can....."

"Who told you I need their money? Am I not trying enough for you and your sister? What I need from them is more precious to me than that money." He said angrily.

"I am not talking about any money father. I'm talking about bringing Mother back." She spouted standing up from the loose chains from Bouler.

"What are you trying to do Gwendolyn?" He asked standing up abruptly.

"What we should have done a long time ago."

"And when did you start the habit of talking like that to me Gwen?"

"This involved Mother, father."

"She is my wife before she becomes your mother. She is everything to me as she is to you. If anybody is to rescue her at all, it should be me." Anthony bawled.

"I understand father. But, it was a decision I had made. No going back."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Let's use their weapon against them. If I become what she wants, I will have access to almost everything in the house. I will be able to bring Mother back."

"That is not a plan Gwen, it's........"

"Shuhhhh...." Gwendolyn called for silence as they listen quietly and the footsteps approached.

"Behind the sack." Anthony called out to her.

Gwendolyn gently and quietly went to stay at the back of Bouler's sack of food.

Just then, John Wilde walk into the pen.

"Mr Anthony!" He called offering his hand for shaking.

"Morning Mr Wilde." He answered taking the hand.

"I thought you'll probably show up at the site some day. You seems to be a very busy man. Aren't you?"

"Man must eat." Anthony answered.

"Of course. But I think you should be coming down the site once in a while. This place is a little too quiet. You can loud it out there. Or what do you think?"

"Yeah. It's a good idea."

"You owns the cow?" He asked walking inside the cow pen.

"No, my late wife."

"Late? Oh! Sorry! Accept my condolences."

"Of course Mr Wilde."

Wilde stopped exactly beside the sack where Gwendolyn was hiding.

"We've been seeing some movement form the sea since two to three hours ago. I came to tell you not to go to the sea for now."

"That's very kind of you Mr Wilde."

"Don't mention. I will be looking forward to seeing you come down there." Wilde poured out as he rubbed his hand over Bouler's shaped back before walking out.

Anthony, after making sure that Wilde had gone, he quickly made for the house while Gwendolyn run after him.

"Father?!" She called as he started for his room. Jocelyn as usual, had gone to Olivia's.

"Logan is around. I must go to see him. He might have some pieces of information."

"You know it could be so dangerous."

"I have no choice Gwen. We need to know what is going down there and Logan is a childhood friend of mine. He will never betray me for anything."

"Can I come?"

"No. Not yet."

Anthony quickly took a bowl and went to the cow pen again where he extracted Bouler's milk and rush back in.

"He will soon be here. I can feel it. I can smell his tail."

"And what is Bouler's milk for?"

"You watch Gwen."

Not more than five minutes later Logan crawl in with his whole body stained with the sea sand. He couldn't breath very well. Immediately, Anthony opened his mouth and pour the milk inside. Gwen watched. Logan swerve for some minutes in pain.

Gwendolyn couldn't watch. She had her hand to her face and by the time she opened them,Logam was sitting in the chair beside Anthony admiring his newly created legs. Gwendolyn marveled. She didn't know what Bouler's milk meant until now. The milk had kept their legs intact. But how? She couldn't explain.

"Tell me Logan." Anthony said cutting into his fantasy.

"Ezra. He wants the Memeorial seal of the first seven kings. He had made me look for it everywhere. I couldn't find it anywhere."

"What did he want it for?"

"I have the feeling that he wanted to fortify my child for no one knows reasons. I can't help it."

"What do you want me to do now?"

"I just came to ask if you had keep the seal at a safer place where he will never be able to reach. Ever."

"Trust me Logan. Ezra might spend the rest of his days looking for the seal. He will never find it."

"Just be careful. I don't trust anybody down there anymore except my loyal servant Maka. Ezra had got big ears everywhere."

"Just be careful out there Logan. Don't get yourself killed."

"I can't help it. But please, the only priority to me if you ever return to the sea, is to save my child form Ezra. She is too innocent."

"I promise Logan."

"I need to get going." He said looking at the legs as if to tell them to disappear.

"Don't worry, as soon as you step into the water, it will be gone." Anthony said assuringly.

" My regards to your sister." Logan said directing the question at Gwendolyn. She only nodded.

*********

The next day at school during lunch. Olivia couldn't take in the distance between Jocelyn and her sister. She resolved that she had to talk to Gwendolyn no matter what. Quietly,Olivia headed to Gwendolyn's seat.

"Hi Gwen." She greeted.

"Morning Olivia." She answered coldly.

"We need to talk Gwendolyn." Olivia said stealing a glance at Layla with the back of her eyes,"alone." She added.

"Why do you need to talk to me?" Gwendolyn rather asked and Olivia seems surprised.

"I beg of you." She pleaded.

"Your competition is tomorrow Olive. I think you should get a head start." Gwen reminded.

"Of course. Sure." Olivia said disappointedly moving away from her.

To Gwen, she doesn't want to stir anything up with her sister anymore. Any conversation with Olivia might ended on another dimension which she wouldn't want to participate in. Besides, she has some other things to worry herself about.

Madam M had disagreed at first at her proposal. She wanted to know why she had wanted a mere mermaid in lieu of such huge amount of money. She had told her that she heard about the mermaid for quite some times. And she has been willing to possess one and this happened to be her greatest opportunity. Though, Madam M doesn't feel concerned and she didn't plan on releasing the mermaid to her until she consult her husband. Gwen had accepted. They had agreed that after the deal is sealed, the approach will be made.

"You've been avoiding your own sister Gwendolyn. At least by now, you should have known the kind of human she is. Do you think all these are necessary?" Layla assessed.

"And since when have you grown interest in the affairs running in my family? I still don't know why Dad had to bring you to the house."

"Probably because your Dad needs me."

"You're a murderer Layla. You murdered Mrs Grey and those police. I was there. Now, if you can keep your mouth where it belong, then we might as well get along well. But if you insist on poking, and you're so sure of the power you have, why don't you just go out there reveal your true identity and let the crusade begin?"Gwendolyn fired.

"You sounds funny Gwendolyn Grayson. I wish you had had this courage back there at the start instead of those pitiful purple iris, I might have accepted your offer of helping me with the case. But you looked so fragile like a day old chick. I can't help myself than to look down on you. And I guessed that helped alot. Or what do you think?" Layla retorted.

"You might as well say that." Gwen growled walking out of the class angrily.

"You can't continue like this Jocelyn. She is your sister after all."Olivia highlighted.

"Neither of us realised that anymore. I knew how much you value Reese. I can't take it when my own family are keeping things away from me. Do you know what that means?"

"I do Joce. Believe me that I do. But, these things are not meant to stay forever. No matter what, you will still continue to be a family. Family are always at the fore front Joce, no matter what regard you hold for one another. Try to sort things out with her."

"If you can't talk some senses into her, don't come and spoon feed me here." Joce bawled.

"Spoon feed? You call this spoon feed? You're my best friend Joce. My best friend. You should try to understand anything that comes from me. I know quite well you're hot temper but that will not solve the problem at hand. I've never seen Gwendolyn so angry like that. Ever. She might probably not be after you. Maybe something else is making her as angry as this and you're just taking everything for granted." Olivia bellowed.

"Cool. Now, you're absolutely my friend." Jocelyn spits and made for the entrance angrily only to collide with Zoe and Lucas by the corridor. In a rather romantic form.

Lucas was the first to notice her presence as she stood rigid as if she didn't know where to go. She fritzed.

"Hi.....Joce." Lucas greeted.

"Hi!" Jocelyn answered trying to summon the courage and hide behind it.

Zoe moved forward abruptly to face Jocelyn squarely.

"Hey, Queen of the pool I heard. Isn't it?"

"Quite a title. Got it from my friend." Jocelyn answered praying she didn't noticed the cracked voice. But it's too late.

"What?! You sound as if you see a s**t. Are you in with Lucas? He is my guy. I can leave the pool for you little b***h but not my man." Zoe said menacingly. Lucas rolled his eyes in an uncomfortable manner.

"Good for you Zoe. You've really got an handsome dude there. But you know what, your man isn't in the top five man of my taste. You can as well f**k off. And besides, you still owe me, motherfucker! " She muffled angrily trying to avoid Lucas contact.

"Joce..... I....." He stammered.

"You're cool Mr Lucas. Very cool." Jocelyn managed to say as she made for the lounge and Lucas stared behind her. She was fighting the pain inwardly. She didn't know why she had to feel that way towards him. She hasn't felt so bad because of anybody in her life. And her encounter with Lucas is gradually changing who she is. She couldn't bear the thought that he is already hooked.

Gwendolyn had sacrificed a week training with Eleanor and Chloe and she is ever ready to prove her worth to Oscar. At least, before she turned someone else overnight. She stood at the entrance trying to calculate her breathing speed before walking in. Just as she made to knock, she heard steady approaching footsteps that made her stopped. It's Wesley, the boy who doesn't talk much.

"Hi. You must be Gwen?" He asked stretching his hand forward for shaking.

If not for the fact that he didn't have the face, Gwen would have said that he is more handsome than Marcellus. But no one is.

"That stupid son of a b***h is the most handsome guy in the campus." She muttered.

"What?" Wesley asked.

"Never mind. I'm Gwendolyn and you are?"

"Wesley. Nice to meet you."

"I've seen you once."Gwendolyn pointed out avoiding to shake his hand which he later withdrew out of disappointment.

"Now I think that's true."

"What can I do for you Wesley?"

"Can we find somewhere to sit if you don't mind?"

"I'm sorry. Today is my appointment with Oscar. I really need to join the band."

"What band? Don't worry about that. I've arranged a place for you at our place."

"I'm sorry Wesley. I've made up my mind. I'm not joining your band. I don't belong there."

"Who told you you don't belong there? Forget about it all. I am capable of making my own decisions Gwen. Come with me."

"I'm sorry." Gwendolyn said knocking the door at once standing with her back to him. The boy again came to open the door,he wink at her and she smiled. She walked in. Trying to shut the door, she stared at Wesley who was still standing by the entrance. Then, she shut the door.

Oscar was standing nimbly by the drum set when she came in and Eleanor was holding onto her violin and others idling around.

"Hi, Oscar." She greeted and smile to others while Eleanor only wink at her.

"Well, you've got some nerves too. Anyways, Eleanor told me you will be putting out your best before us today. Is that?" Oscar demanded rather harsh.

"Yeah...at least I would love to. I've rehearsed so much for it."

"You better be at it. The school is done mourning Mrs Gray. This week is all we've got. Next week is the on stage. I think you know what I mean?"

"Of course. I promise not to suck."

"Bobby, give her a head start." He called to the boy by the drum set.

Gwendolyn nervously moved to the front of them collecting the microphone from the other girl present. She cleared her throat and started the song.

"~For I have travelled long~

~And though when my heart flinched.~

~And no I might have caught long~

~And so will my emotions be~

~Take me in your arm~

~Help me clean the tears~

~Let me feel wanted like I just found a prince~

~You're all that matters to me~

~Believe me there is nothing else~

~There is only one you right now in my life~

~Right now I just want to grow ~

~Just be in your heart ~

~Oh that is what I want~

~Now you see that is what it is~"

And when she finished, even Oscar was speechless. He had love not only the music but her melodious voice that seems to rang out through the walls and Gwendolyn definitely thought she had the worse voice.

"I actually composed the song myself. It's just so creepy and I know."

"No, just so perfect." Bobby almost screamed.

Gwendolyn blushed and Eleanor left her mouth agape. That wasn't what Chloe had thought her to sing. But she conclude she did well on her own as well.

"Well.....thank God you didn't suck." Oscar commented not a little bit moved. Hiding beneath his good intentions.

"Yeah. I'm glad I didn't. Does that mean I'm in?"

"For the mean time."

"Jerk!" Gwen whispered under her breath.

"Let's get down to practise please. And Eleanor, I bet you could show your friend the key note of the music to be performed and let's see if she can meet up with the time to memorize all those?"

Eleanor only heaved. She knew very well that Oscar is never satisfied. Not even once. And apparently, it seems she is starting to hate him.

It took her into a whole hour rehearsing inside until she bid them goodbye and headed for the door. She flung it opened and walk out closing it back only for her to realised Wesley was still waiting by the entrance, she almost fainted.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Waiting for you."

"Are you kidding? For the past an hour?"

"Time is my precious asset. I spend it on only what I think it's quite profitable for me."

"And what is quite profitable about it all that made you stay for over an hour at the entrance of a room?"

"Your voice was good back in there. Look, I don't know whatever you're thinking right now,but if it's all about money, I can pay you to play for the band."

"Thanks Mr.......Wesley. I'm definitely not interested."Gwendolyn said rather too harsh as she walled away.