THE HOUSE OF EVERMORE

IF I COULD CHANGE THE PAST

CHAPTER THREE

IF I COULD CHANGE THE PAST.

Stuart pushed his wheelchair from behind without saying anything, and they both maintained silence till they got to the center of the garden. It was a big beautiful, vast garden where the flowers grew in accordance. The Yates manor garden unfolds like a living inheritance, grand, deliberate, and impossibly serene.

At the heart of the garden, lies a circular fountain carved from pale marble. It's water whispering constantly, a soft counterpoint to the manor's authority. The sun above made everything more lively and natural, it is indeed where beauty lies.

Stuart, Hale finally broke the silence, words can not describe how apologetic I am, I failed you as a father and I am not proud of it, I am not asking you to forgive me, he paused, sighed out and continued

I know you feel you do not need me, which is understandable. I am only asking you to give me the chance to be the father I couldn't be over the years. I know it won't change anything; if I could change the past, I would. Son, you might not know, but the decision I made was for your own good. I may never have shown it to you, but I love you deeply. Hale's eyes were filled with emotion. Was it regret? Was it pain? Was it guilt ?.

Stuart's eyes flickered not with forgiveness, but with memories. You never visited, you never sent any direct message, growing up as a kid I barely received any gift from you, I never got to play soccer with you, I never went to the gym or game house with you, I drove my first car all by myself, when other kids bragged about their fathers back then, I always made sure not say anything, not because I didn't want to say something but because I had nothing to say. I could never rebel as a kid because I knew mum was the only one I had…... Before he could finish Hale interrupted him.

I messed up, he said with so much regret. Stuart lowered his head towards him and studied him long and carefully. You are my father, but I have no memory of you. I'm sorry, I don't know you.

With that, he turned and walked away, not looking back once. Hale watched as his shadow disappeared till there was nothing left. He brought out his phone and dialed a number. “Hello,” (from the other end), start making arrangements, he said, and ended the call.

I believe you owe me a coffee date, huh ?. Elmore was already seated at the passenger seat of the limited edition Maybach as Stuart adjusted himself from behind. He looked at her through the rear-view mirror. Elmore sat at the passenger’s seat, posture composed but eye curious.

“So,” Stuart said, glancing at her, his eyes flaring with flattery, the corner of his lips lifted with a weird smile. She glanced at him with a small smile tugging at her lips. She opened her mouth to speak, but Stuart was faster. “Relax, you look like you are about to negotiate a case fire”.

They drove quietly till they got to the private garage of the Yates holdings. As they walked into the elevator silently, the door slams shut behind them, sealing Stuart and Elmore inside a quiet, mirrored space just the two of them, Stuart shadowing over her. He studied her up close; he was impressed. She is beautiful, smart, and sophisticated, just the way Grandma Lily defined her. “Ivy”, Stuart called, his voice very warm and less authoritative, she looks at him with raised eyebrows, mmmmm she answered

I didn't go out of my way, it was on my route, he said, and besides, you didn't seem like you wanted to grab the coffee back there. He paused, thought to himself, " Seriously, am I trying to explain myself right now? He scoffed, adjusted his tie, and looked away. Elmore could see his reaction but chose not to say anything. She looked at him and said, I know but that doesn't imply the fact that you still owe me a coffee date, huh? Stuart looked at her, she doesn't give up easily I guess, the persistent type. No, I am a gentleman and I keep to my words. Chime the elevator door opens.

I bet you are, with that she walks away.

Stuart steps out of the elevator, still amazed by her response, and he murmurs her name, Elmore Ivy Williams. We shall see about that.

*******************************************

A knock was heard on the door, come in, she said.

“Lyla,” this is Tom, he is the one who has been keeping trail Carol Yates all these years, I believe with the amount of information and evidence we have against her, one wrong move and she will be either beneath the ground or behind bars, Willow Parker said, I’ve already sent everything to your email so enjoy. Tom you may go now. Willow Parker has been Lyla’s best friend since their college days. All the years Lyla has been away, she has been her eyes and ears. She's also the face of the “Elite Women Community & Business”.

Lyla sat quietly, her face held no countenance, and she was sipping her wine while going through the hardcopy file in her hand. She dropped the file and rested her back on the cushion. This was her favorite meeting, no boardroom, no men posturing, just two mature-minded women discussing strategies and logic. She cleared her throat, I don't plan on making the first move, I will sit back and allow everything unfold in due time, then I will strike back.

Willow we will bring the storm to our doorstep, that way we will be able to capture the lightning before it's thunderstorm. Lyla said.

“Carol Yates,” you mean?

Yes Carol Yates, send her an invite, add her name to the list of the VIPs, make her an exclusive member of the “ Elite Women Community & Business,” this time we go all in, leave no trace, I will be joining as one of the regular women, make her engage in every project, discuss business with her and see what she has to offer. Lyla had a wicked grin on her face. Willow skimmed the figures, brows lifting.

This is a check game now, I love the idea of it. Lyla didn't answer immediately. She lifted a bottle of champagne to the table, poured herself a drink, composed as ever, took a sip, and rested on the couch. Let's just say when empires start fighting internally, outsiders get invited…. Whether they like it or not.

Willow leaned back, studying her friend, you have already positioned yourself, haven't you?

“ Years ago,” Lyla said calmly, quiet investment, strategic alliance, no noise. It felt like she had been waiting for this day all her life. 27 years ago I was just Lyla Ambers a timid, young orphan who was pregnant for her billionaire boss, no home, no connection, no family, it was just the fetus that was growing inside of me, I was shoved to the other side of the world after so much torture and suffering, how can I forget? Her face was calm, but her eyes were deep and full of rage. She turned to Willow, I didn't build everything I have by waiting for permission. This move secures our future, my future, your future, and that of Stuart and Lewis.

A slow smile spread across Willow’s face, damnnnn girl, I love it when you sound this way, it reminds me how we started this journey. God I love it when you are ten times ahead.

Lyla raised her glass, “to the women who don't ask”

Willow clinked her glass against hers, “ to the women who own the ball.”