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Chapter 4

Marion (Melanie)

Tommy (James)

Benjamin (Joe)

Logan (Neil)

Raymond (Owen)

Sophie (Clair)

Little Jane (Leah)

Act 1

Marion and her husband Tommy sat at the dining table in the middle of his uncle Raymond's house or better-described palace which was a huge beautifully decorated medieval-styled palace; they sat along with the rest of Tommy's family; his older uncle Benjamin with his wife Sophie and his son from his first wife Logan and of course Tommy's younger sister little Jane or as Marion calls her little devil.

"Where the hell is Raymond? He invited us over for dinner saying that he's got something urgent to say and now he's nowhere to be found" said Jane

"Give him some slack, he just lost his wife and son in that car accident," said Benjamin

"Besides what else have you got to do little Jane, isn't school over?" Marion was supposed to say, but Melanie's mind was somewhere else as the show started, she couldn't stop herself from thinking about Daniel and his death, everything reminded her of him, she was thinking about how her husband helped Leah get her that role through their production company. Leah almost never missed an audition available, trying to find her breakout role; Daniel was kind so he sympathized her, Melanie thought 'just another actress in the making', she remembered his words 'I definitely can relate to her, it's a hard business'. So it wasn't any surprise to Melanie when Thomas needed an actress after the last one for Jane's role resigned and Daniel suggested Leah. Melanie knew it made him happy to actually help someone, so she just agreed to it, but she didn't know that later Leah would fall in love with her husband. 'ugh, it's so obvious' Melanie thought, but her thoughts were disturbed as she heard James say "Jane he said it's urgent, do you even have anything else to do? Isn't school over"

'Oh my God, I missed my line. I've never missed a line.' Melanie thought then she patted James' back to thank him which also appeared to the audience as a friendly gesture from his wife.

"Well, brother, I actually do have a social life unlike than the rest of you obviously."

"Maybe he gathered us again because of some money business like the last time, maybe he got even richer and want us his loving family to share it," Sophia said with a fake smile

"Says the gold digger." Marion laughed "Money, money, money is all you care about."

"Excuse me, we all care about money, at least I'm honest about it."

"As much as I'd like to debate that the only reason you married my father is for money" Logan said and his father, Benjamin, gave him an angry look "I actually am on your side this time, the last time and the only time he gathered all of us together was after he inherited that old woman's money."

Raymond finally appeared on stage, he was coming down the stairs looking miserable and all messy, he hasn't shaved in a long while or even showered, unlike his usual elegant self even in the poor days.

"You don't have to wonder anymore why we're here," Tommy said as he pointed towards Raymond.

"Oh my God is that him? That accident really did affect him, he never looked worse" Jane said

"No comment," said, Benjamin

"That's, in fact, a comment" Jane replied

"Just shut up," Tommy said as Raymond approached; he was limping from the accident with a broken arm and scars all over his face, so Tommy and Logan walked to him to help him out.

"I don't need anyone's help," Raymond shouted and his 2 nephews were shocked, they've never seen him like this before, he was always the cool, calm, young uncle.

He finally reached his way to the table and after a moment of awkward silence and a few exchanged looks, he finally started speaking "One of my struggles now is talking after a rough exercise and, yes Jane, going down the stairs became a rough exercise to me."

"I didn't say anything."

"I know you, I raised you, I know that look in your eyes and I understand it. Let's get back to business." he paused

Sophie gave Marion the I-was-right look.

"I made a horrible mistake 4 years ago and now I'm suffering the consequences. I apologize for lying to you for that long, I shouldn't have lied, I shouldn't have even done it in the first place, but I was really tempted for me and for all of us, but it's never too late to make things right and fix my mistake."

"I'm getting worried, what are you talking about?" Marion asked

"4 years ago, just hours before Mrs. Baker died, she called me for a change in her will; as you all know her original will stated that I take over all of her money, the house, and even the company since I've always been the only there for her, helping her out in her last years as her loyal lawyer, but in her second will, she wanted to give 40% of her assets to each of her estranged daughters, who left her alone and never asked about her, but she wanted them to have a good memory of her after her death since most of their memories of her wasn't that great and she left only 20% for me." He paused in regret and he felt words weren't coming out of his mouth.

"So you scrapped that other will?" Tommy said in shame " I can't believe this, I've always looked to you as an idol, but now how can I look at you the same."

"Tom please don't make it any harder on me, I already feel guilty as hell."

"Don't be too upset, anyone in your place would've been tempted as well to do what you did," Marion said trying to comfort Raymond then she turned to Tommy "even you honey"

"But what do you mean, Ray, by making things right?" Sophie asked in worry

"I think we should do the right thing and give back the money before more disasters start happening to us. My wife and son's death was my punishment and I wish no more."

They all stared at him in shock even if they didn't agree with the method, they sure didn't want to give up the money.

"What happened to them was their fate and even if you didn't take the money back then, it would've happened anyway," Benjamin said

"Exactly, and giving the money now, after all of that time wouldn't bring them back, it would just put you in trouble." his wife backed him up.

"I already am in trouble, we all are. I got the worst punishment ever when I literally drove my family to death and even though I was in the same car, I didn't die; this means something, this means that what I did is unforgivable that money will always be cursed to us."

"And you think going back to being poor will make it all better? You didn't get enough time to heal from the accident, so you're not sure about what you're saying uncle, just give it a little more time." Jane said

"For once I agree with little Jane, what you want us to do won't uncurse the money, the real curse is going be going back to poor, people's whispers from behind our backs and the rumors," Marion said

"You can't just expect us to announce our bankruptcy and continue our lives as nothing happened as if those luxury years have been a dream," Logan added

"So now you all just don't want to give up your money and prestige even though just moments back you all looked at me in disrespect for my actions, don't you have something to say too, Tommy?"

"I don't and will never agree with what you did, it was unprofessional and deceitful, but I have to side with them, we can't go back to the old day, Marion and I are trying to start a family and we need the money for that and so does everyone for their own reasons. It's a hard decision on such a short notice."

"Well, you all have until tomorrow to convince yourselves that this is the right decision and now I'm going upstairs to my room," Ray said as he stood up and walked to the stairs then he shouted calling his only remaining maid "Lydia, get me my tea upstairs please, I need to take my medicines."

Everyone on the table started discussing what they thought about Ray's hasty, unplanned decision.

Meanwhile, backstage Thomas and George stood watching "I can't believe things are actually going good, I thought this night was ought to be a disaster." Tom said

"The only disaster is that you actually got drunk on the opening night, but thank God things are going alright, don't be such a pessimist."

"I am not drunk, I just had a few drink there's a difference."

Adam came rushing to George panting as he was running all the way, he looked pale as if he seen a ghost "Sir, there's something you need to know"

"Take a deep breathe son," George told him

"There's something you need to know, but please don't say it's my fault." he was shaking.

"Shhh," George said and pulled Adam away from Thomas to spare him the worry. "What happened?"

Also backstage sat Tiffany and Rachel discussing the murder of Daniel

"Who do you think did it?" Tiffany asked, "my money's on Stephanie, look at her, she's acting all weird and suspicious, don't you think?"

"Tiff, if I tell you something would you promise to keep it a secret?" Rachel seemed terrified

"Sure, what is it? Are you finally going to tell me what happened with Melanie?"

"Sort of, I think I know who did it, but first you have to swear you won't tell anyone."

"I swear, but please tell me"

"I had an affair with Daniel, not an affair, a one-time thing, but you know I'm with Owen."

"Are you?"

"I think? I know he loves me"

"So your fight with Melanie was because you told her right?"

"I'm pregnant"

"What? Whose baby is it?"

"I really wanted it to be Daniel's, I just wanted my baby to have a better life than I did and you know Daniel was filthy rich."

"Did Owen know?"

"That's the problem, I'm afraid he did it for me and for the baby."

"Sorry Rachel, but I have to admit, that's messed up, you wanted your kid to grow up with a father that's not his even though his real father is alive, just for money!"

"Well, it is, when you put it that way. Please don't judge, I was trying to do the best for him or her, whatever."

"And you didn't expect Melanie to fire you after that?"

"I thought she'd at least pay me off to keep my mouth shut, but she knew I was lying"

"How?"

"She said her husband was infertile, he couldn't have impregnated me"

"Oh Lord, Rachel, you've put yourself in so much trouble"

Stephanie was indeed acting weird, she's known to be always nervous, but tonight she was way more than usual 'Should I tell them?' She thought then she felt sick as she remembers the memory of Daniel in his blood, so she decided to go out for some fresh air. She walked to the back door and as she opened it, she found an old woman arguing with the security guard "sorry ma'am I can't let you in" he said

"I'm Daniel"s mother and I need to make sure my son is okay, why is he not on stage?" Portia the old woman asked

'Of course, it's her' Stephanie thought 'sure money changes people'

"Leave her alone" Stephanie interrupted

"I'm sorry miss, do you know her?" The guard replied

"Yes, I do. Portia, do you remember me?"

"Oh, Stephanie of course I do. I'm worried where's my son?"

"Don't worry, he's okay, it's just a little cold, but please let me walk you to the front door to watch the rest of the show" Stephanie said trying to hide her emotions for the play's sake. 'I'm a terrible person, I've never felt so guilty. She's his mother and she deserves to know' she thought

As Portia reached the main gate and got into her seat, the 1st act was about to end. The family members were still in the dining room deciding what to do about Raymond's sudden decision and after long conversations, they finally decided if this is his final decision about the money, then they won't allow it to happen. So they called, Lydia, the maid in.

"We heard, you're about to get Ray his tea, we want to add an extra ingredient," Marion told her

"Excuse me?" Lydia asked in shock

"What Marion means to ask is how much do you want to help us?" Sophia added

"I'm loyal to my master"

"Well, your master is giving up all of his money tomorrow, and guess what? He'll be getting rid of you too." Logan said

"But we can provide you more than what you'd need for a lifetime." Jane interrupted

"Okay, what exactly do you what me to do?"

"I'll go get it from my lab, then you add 3 drops in his tea and he wouldn't wake up with no trace," Benjamin said

"It's amazing how you're using your knowledge doctor to kill your own brother"

"That's none of your business. Sometimes you have to cross the line." He replied angrily.

"Then you'll disappear forever, but after the funeral, so no one would get suspicious of you," Tommy added

"Deal?" Marion asked

"Wait, for how much?"

"3000 dollars" Benjamin added

"No 4000 and nothing less or I tell your bother about your plan"

"Okay 4000," Logan said "Deal?"

"Let me go prepare the tea"

The next scene was in Raymond's room. He sat on his bed holding an old photo of him with his wife and son. "I'm really sorry, I failed you, you used to see the best in me, but I was the reason for your death and I'll always regret this forever even if I'm trying to make things right now." He was interrupted by Lydia "Sorry for being late, here's your tea Sir" she said as she handed it to him then left.

He drank his tea and laid in his bed, never knew forever was that close.

The next scene was the funeral, everyone was in black and tears filled their eyes as they lay Ray's body to the ground.

Jane seemed to take it harder than everyone else, so Marion went to talk to her "Bravo, great performance. The Show Must Go On that way until the day we go to our graves"

"It's not a show," she said as she sobbed.

The curtains went down announcing the end of Act 1.