CHAPTER 12
1063 Words
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Harrison steps out of his car on arriving the family mansion. His face looks exhausted after a long day at work. He made an attempt of stretching himself a little bit when he notices another vehicle pulling into the driveway.
He smiled, thinking it was his mother returning since the car looks familiar. He quickly walks over to the car, expecting to see his mom's face.
But as the car door opens, he was surprised to see Carmilla stepping out.
“ Hey, where have you been?”, Harrison ask, trying to sound casual despite his surprise.
Carmilla surprise to see him also smiled.
“ I went to see my parents. It's been a while since I last saw them, I'm sorry for not telling you about it”.
He's expression softened
“ No, it okay. That's sweet of you, maybe next time I will go with you to see them”.
Carmilla shrugs
“ It was a last-minute decision, I didn't want to bother you. Besides I needed some time with them alone”.
Harrison nooded understandingly
“ You look exhausted, how was work?”. Carmilla asked a bit of concern on her face.
“ Work has always been work. I do this everyday” he replied, taking her hand and leading her towards the house.
As they walked in, they were greeted by the warm aroma of dinner wrafting from the kitchen.
“ Perfect timing!”, Arthur, Harrison's father exclaims as he emerged from the kitchen with a tray of steaming dishes.
“ Dinner is just being served. Come on in everyone! Oh…Harrison your mom has been holding it since”
The Harrington's gathers in the dining room, Harrison pulling out a seat for carmilla. There was Margaret too already sitted, while crystal switches off her phone the moment she arrived at the dining.
“ You arrived late. You know the time when dinner is being prepared, you're suppose to be around choosing the dishes to be prepared. Instead you left that job for your father-in-law” Margaret argues, facing carmilla.
“ I'm sorry mom, I lost track of time. I promise this won't repeat itself again” Carmilla defense.
Harrison looking how serious his mother attitude towards carmilla was thought of way to wave it.
“ Mom, you shouldn't blame her. Besides it not like dad is complaining. Unlike you, dad looks the kitchen”.
“ I agree with Harry” crystal, his sister concurs.
“ Alright that enough, let dig in. After you honey”, Arthur said passing the dishes around the table.
As everyone begins to eat slowly, Margaret turns to Carmilla and ask
“ So Cam, how are your parents? I'm sure they were thrilled to see you”
“ They are doing well, thanks for asking”, Carmilla responded holding on to the food in her mouth.
The room became silent again as they continued with their dinner.
Busy finishing up with their desert, Crystal looks up to Carmilla.
“ Carmilla? Do you have any plans to go back to LA and continue working?”.
Carmilla hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She has been thinking about this a lot lately but didn't have anyone to share the thought with. Luckily for her, she had the conversation with her parents.
“ I actually discussed this with my parents earlier today. I plan on going back maybe after a week. I mean…it will be bad of me to dump the responsibility on my team especially my personal assistant”.
Everyone except Harrison nodded, a look of understanding on their faces.
“ That's good coming from a CEO who runs her company. If I had a choice, I would want you to stay here. After all you're the daughter-in-law of this family, you're supposed to foresee whatever happens here. But since it looks like you have so much on your plate, I'll save you the trouble”.
“ You and your husband can talk about this. Once a decision has been made, let me know”. Margaret concludes.
Crystal seeing how serious this discussion was about to become decided to excuse herself.
“ I'm full, I might explode at this moment. Mom, Dad, I'll head to my room”.
“ Me too” Arthur pushes his chair back from the table.
“ I'll be at the theatre room Incase anyone needs me”, Arthur said.
“ Sounds like a plan” Harrison responded smiling, helping Carmilla up.
Just as they were dispersing, the doorbell rang causing their movement to pause, as all were eager to see who it might be late in the night.
“ I'll get it”, one of the servant quickly said heading to the door.
Opening the door, it was a delivery guy holding a package.
“ Hi, I have a delivery for Harrison and Carmilla Harrington”
Harrison overhearing his name, headed straight to the door and took the package from the guy signing for it.
He then heads back into the dining room as the servant closes the door.
“ What's that?”, Margaret asks her face looking curious.
“ It was said to be a package for me and Carmilla”, Harrison replied, turning the package around to look for the opening spot.
Carmilla's eyes lit up.
“ Ooh, what's it?”.
Harrison examines the package and notices an envelope was placed on it. He then opens it and read it.
“ It says, ‘ wishing Harrison and Carmilla a happy marriage….’”.
Crystal feeling confused.
“ Seriously, it been a month now. Who's the late comer?”.
Harrison then scans the card, his expression changing from curiosity.
“ What's wrong?” Carmilla ask, concern etched on her face.
Harrison's eyes locks onto his family and he nods slightly. They all nodded back, as if urging him to open the package.
Harrison's hands trembled slightly as he opens the package but suddenly he flips the package away, shouting,
“ Who the hell delivered this?”.
The room erupted into chaos as everyone rushes over to where the package landed. Carmilla's eyes widens in horror as she saw what was inside.
“ Oh my God, mom, dad, it's a human head!”, Crystal exclaims covering her mouth in disgust.
- Writer
