Devil’s Dinner

Thunderstorm striking across the dark clouds as the atmosphere went cold, emergency sirens could be heard as police officers filled everywhere in the Grimes mansion. A murder or a suicide, nobody knows and a female body could be seen being carried away on a stretcher but red markings on the ground where the dead lady fell on, seems she fell really bad from the high building. A man in his young dashing youthfulness arrived at the scene holding a briefcase and he is talking with the police but after few minutes, the police left without much troubles and as usual, the case is going to close up without further investigation. “All done Mrs.Grimes” the man said as he bowed and removed his gloves. ᴍɪᴄʜᴀᴇʟ Yeah as usual, I have successfully cover up another murder for the Grimes family. My name is Michael, just Michael because I have no parents, the Grimes sponsored my education and made me into whatever I have become today and in return I promise to serve them all my life to pledge my loyalty. I’m a very good and active lawyer for the royal family but for the Grimes in particular, the only male successor is my best friend, we’ve been friends since childhood and I am ready to do anything for him. I received a call two hours back about the death of the 3rd bride, I said third bride because she is not the first new bride to die in this family. The strongest bride lasted for a month probably and that was Dara our childhood friend as well, I don’t wanna think about her for now anyway I came here two hours back only to see the poor girl lying in a pool of blood and so I fabricated some evidence against her then threw her down from the high building making it look like suicide. The police searched everywhere and saw the knife on the scene where they believed she stabbed herself then fell off the high building and with her fingerprints on it the weapon. “Well done Michael, you may leave now “ I heard the old lady talking to me. Her voice smacked me back to reality as I turned around to leave, I should go look for Xander he’s probably not in a good mood right now. A fully grown up man could be seen walking through the corridors, he doesn’t look too old unlike his age due to how much he cares about his look, his hair is kohl black considering how much he dyes it anytime there is spot of grey hair and he is no one other than Mr.Grime. He halted at some point and pushed open a certain door which led to a big bedroom and unlike any other rooms in the big mansion it was dimmed and not bright enough to compliment a man in his prime time. A very handsome young man could be seen glancing down from the window, with cup of whiskey in his hand and a gun on the other. He raised the gun up to his dark shining hair and ruffles it to the back, he’s got short eyelashes batting seductively under his thick eyebrows.His delicate ear framed a button nose and dressed in a vibrant classy outfit. “It is going to pour heavily tonight I guess” he said as he paused sipping from his cup. хᴀɴᴅᴇʀ My name is Xander Grimes the only male successor in the royal family,indeed my father is not the king but his younger brother who was reported dead since few months now after been diagnosed with a deadly illness so my family is in charge of royal affairs and supporting Princess Vivian, the king’s daughter. We call ourself family but the real definition of family is not for us. All looking for power and authority even going to the length of killing innocent people if needed just to cover up their crimes. Should I say I am my father’s ace card, the winning card to more fame and absolute power because I’m his only child, he desires the throne so much but unfortunately he couldn’t put himself as the king to avoid rumors that might cause his downfall so he is using me instead. I’ve been married thrice in just a year when all these started going south, the brides won’t just stay where you put them you know! Simple instructions “ do not go to the room upstairs “ but no! They must satisfy their curiosity. I don’t understand why mother pass out this warning on the wedding nights and the brides always disobey her a week after. “Do not blame yourself” my father said to me and I smirked at his calm words as if he ever cared or meant his words. “I’ll like to be alone Mr.Grimes” I said to him and I enjoy the reaction on his face considering I’ve stopped calling him Father or dad and that applies to that greedy woman who gave birth to me. I watch him groaned in disbelief and walked out of my room angrily. Then I saw Michael made his entry now my anger is subsidizing, he is a very good friend of mine and he’s the type to do anything for friendship. I really like him but could not show it to him cause I feel bad having him to clean up our family mess all the time, I don’t want him to think I’m being nice to him cause of his contribution to the family but I really hope he understands my unsaid emotions. I saw him grin from ear to ear and I couldn’t help but smile in return cause I don’t understand why he is looking so happy in this situation. “Stop sulking dude, let’s paint the city red tonight” he said to me and I punched him playfully, he is the only one that can lighten up my bad mood. I went through my closet and got dressed in the most expensive clothes ever, I took my car keys and winked at Michael. He seemed to get my message as he left the room closing my door gently, I heard him said to the maid passing by “He is sleeping early today so no one should disturb the young master okay?” I chuckled and passed my secret exit that leads to the garage, all I need is to get to my car unnoticed then no one can stop me but if I had taken the corridors, Mrs.Grimes personal maid would have reported me already. .......................... Michael joined Xander at the garage and they both swerved out of the big mansion to a clubhouse. ɴᴇᴡ ʏᴏʀᴋ It’s a sunny morning here in New York as a young lady climbs up the complicated stairs of a building tiredly. Her hair was sunrise-gold and it tumbled down her shoulder, a pair of arched eyebrows looking down on sweeping eyelashes, ocean eyes and pairs of sea-nymph ear framing her dainty nose. Sculpted figure with a tiny waist revealing how well shaped she is, with glossy skin and rosy soft lips. Trying to dust off the dirt on her clothes and wiping the sweats formed on her face, she sighed gently and finally reached her floor. ᴀsʜʟᴇʏ Name is Ashley white,an orphan apparently but the title came upon me when I lost my father two years ago. I lost my mother six years back before my father brought me and my younger sister here to settle down and have a new life but it all got ruined when he got into a ghastly accident two years back now I’m all alone to survive and take care of my little sister. With no family to turn to and no money to return back home, we are stuck here hoping for a miracle. I engage in all sort of jobs to feed myself and my little sister, also to sponsor her schooling but it has not been easy at all. I wiped off my sweats and dust my clothes off so my sassy sister won’t have to worry. Kayla is a young fashionista, she cares so much about her look and wanted to be a model, although I don’t have much but I’m trying my best just to help her with her dream. I knocked just once and she has opened the door already, she looks so happy to see me and I played with her hair before shutting the door. Sweet smell of fresh soup danced through the air and I was happy she cooked something considering how hungry I am and for the fact that I didn’t eat anything before leaving the house so early this morning. “Thanks for the meal Kayla”I said to her and she smiled at me. I can lay down my life just to see my little sister smile, that’s how much I cherish her. ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀɪᴍᴇs ᴍᴀɴsɪᴏɴ Mr. Grimes could be seen reading a newspaper and with Mrs.Grimes sitting inches away from him with a maid cutting her nails for her. “Princess Vivian came over” Mr.Grimes said simply as he flicked through the pages. “Really? What else is she up to this time around?” Mrs.Grimes replied almost raising her voice then she ushered the maids to step out for a while. “Her words sounds threatening so I think we should get a new bride for Xander as soon as possible” he said. “What? I bet he would never agree to a new bride so soon, he lost one just a week ago” she said in a soothing voice. “And that is not my fault is it? You are always the one choosing disobedient brides for him and we can’t possibly let them be when they found out the family secret” he replied yelling at Mrs.Grimes. “Heart attack is active at this point of old age dear husband” she raised her brows “do not raise your voice at me” she said cutting her nails herself. “Well I picked the first and third brides for him but he picked the second one by himself because they were childhood lovers, is there anything wrong in letting him have his ways for once?” She added. Mr.Grimes groaned as he stared at the woman angrily then return his eyes back to the newspaper. “ I found out something interesting though” he said. “ And what is that?” “The poor king actually made a promise to his long time friend, a wedding promise actually. He promised to get his son married to Felix daughter when they grow up but unfortunately he couldn’t give birth to a prince but a princess instead” he said and it cracked into a short laugh. “Felix whites? That stubborn headed man?” She said. “Yes, his stubbornness got his wife killed and he ended up dying too, tch how sad” he said making a sad face. “So how is the marriage promise related to us?” “We can get the girl married to Xander instead, that will increase his chances of ascending the throne with no problem from the ministers or what do you think?” He said. “Wow I never really thought of that before, that is a very good idea “ she said. “I will have people search for her in the whole of New York and bring her back home” he said and they both smiled at their new discovery. Xander is suited up in his sport outfit already, he enjoys riding and was heading to the stable when he came across his mother. He said his greetings and continued his steps but she stopped him instead. “We have found a new bride for you dear royal son” she said. The statement struck him and he was forced to halt his steps. “You must enjoy killing innocent girls don’t you?” He said sternly. “You don’t wanna put it that way dear son” she replied shooting him an angry look. “Have you not hurt me enough?” He said coldly.