Chapter 48 - Forty-eight

"Wow, that does look expensive," Alexis commented at the cutlery her mother had especially taken out for her. Vanessa loved holding parties whenever she could. The line of a word often kept her busy so whenever she threw a party it was the best and that included the best cutlery sets.

"Yes it is, come on have a seat." She pulled out a chair for her and sat in the seat in front of her. Liam came and took the seat next to her and Agatha went out, not wanting them to feel bad for the lack of seating arrangement as only five seats were available. Plus, Liam would provide her with more protection.

"So," Vanessa sighed. "How's Mr Walker?"

It hit Alexis that she had not told her mother about quitting her job or unable to go there since she had been kidnapped. But that was not an option given Liam was sitting next to her and she was very sure that he was acting as a spy.

"He's alright." She answered. "He sold the company and since I was his staff I was asked to resign which was better than being fired."

"But that's not fair!"

"Him not being blessed with a child is unfair too, mum," Alexis commented. "He had to sell it eventually and he did it while he was healthy." She then remembered and added. "He wanted to take Mrs Walker on a world tour." She gushed.

"Ah, that lucky woman." Vanessa truly envied that woman. She was not blessed enough to have a child to make it into her, her husband had spared no expense.

"Your friend.." Vanessa stated, wearily looking at him. "He.. does not talk much, does he?"

Alexis hesitated a bit. What was she supposed to say here? She looked towards Liam who was already helping her out. He pointed to his lips and then shook his hand, indicating that he was mute.

"Oh, shit I'm so sorry." Vanessa apologized while Liam simply shook it off with a smile.

"Food's here." Thomas placed the food on the table. Vanessa took the containers out.

"Here, your Indian Currys and naan." She served her daughter and then herself, with lemonade and iced tea as beverages they started eating.

"Started without us?" Ashton said standing next to Thomas.

"Oh!" Vanessa looked up, "go on and wash your hands and then help yourself." She said gesturing to the food. Ashton went ahead and washed his hands while his father sat in the head chair, Ashton sat adjacent to Vanessa, the only available seat otherwise he would have taken the one next to his beloved step sister.

Vanessa peeked at everyone busy eating. The whole family was here and maybe it was the best time to carry out the decision that she had planned.

"So," Vanessa called for attention after some time. Everyone had been eating quietly till then. "I have an announcement to make." She wiped her hands clean and placed them on her lap.

"What is it?" Ashton said, sipping the curry after asking the question.

"I have decided to," she breathed a bit for some courage, "divorce your father."

"What!?" A collective chorus ran through the walls. This was the most unexpected news ever.

'Did she see us?' Alexis wondered. 'But if she did, she would've asked me about it or intervened.'

"Yes, you heard it right. We have been going through some couple counselling but now I want to be on my own. I have saved up a lot of money, I want to enjoy the world or go cruising or tan myself in Hawaii. I don't know, I just want to be free on this now." Vanessa tried to explain what she felt. But she knew they won't understand her reasons to do so. She felt like it and she had the balls to do so and what she saw today made her decision more firm. He was mentally bullying her daughter, in her own house.

"But why? Dad can go with you for... sightseeing and stuff." Ashton was disturbed by the news, his father, however, had not yet reacted which Alexis found quite odd.

"Ashton, there's a difference between just 'sightseeing and stuff' from really diving into the country and understanding its foundation and culture. Your father can't stay anywhere for more than a week whereas I want to stay at a place for months and I might decide to live there if I want!" She raised her voice a bit. Maybe slapping their faces with the papers would've been a good idea.

Thomas slowly raised his head and talked, "Baby, I can compromise there-"

"That's all we have been doing!" Vanessa immediately cut him off, "This baby, sweetheart and honey endearments are just- I don't know, I don't want them! I am not having sex with you and instead of compromising with that you found a deal with Ashton's girlfriend!"

"What the hell?!" Ashton immediately got up. Azcona Nd his girlfriend were going strong for five years and he had even thought of proposing. Hell, now he was happy he didn't buy the ring.

"Yes and I'll send you the pictures I took for proof. I have decided this and I don't want anything from you, neither am I giving you anything. This is the last you will be hearing from me. Next will be from my lawyer." She got up and went to her room.

'There's only some food on my plate,' Alexis thought. 'I'll finish it first and then follow her, she'll probably cool off by then.'

She quickly ate, Liam followed her. Both the Johnsons were quiet and in shock. They felt everything falling from their grasps.

"Did you do this?" Ashton whispered looking at Alexis, who by now had finished her food and so had Liam, before her of course.

"No honey, karma did." She smiled and finished her iced tea. She had enjoyed the spill today.

Thumping noise came from the stairs and they looked there. What Alexis saw, she was proud of it. Her mother was coming down with five suitcases, managing them well without the help of any man.

"You're leaving?" Thomas whispered looking at her coming down from the stares. 

"Yes! You idiot. What part of it didn't you get?" She yelled. Vanessa felt frustration for both of them. "And for god's sake break up with that girl Ashton, will you? She fucked both of you whenever she was over!" She turned around, god knew how with those suitcases and walked to the door. "and do not touch my stuff, the movers will take them!" She yelled and banged the door shut after exiting.

Alexis laughed a bit happier and then got up to follow her mum. She walked to the living room and snatched her wedding invitation from the table and walked back to face them.

"And You guys are not invited!" She yelled at their faces, showing the wedding invitation. Laughing, she ran to the front door.

Closing the door, she looked for her mother. The old bone won't have made it too far or perhaps in this case, she was sitting on the curb.

"Hey!" She very cheerfully greeted her mum.

"Do you think he'll take me back?" She whispered to her daughter. Shame washed over her for doing this as the realisation and gravity for the situation hit.

"What?" What is she thinking about? "Why would you say that mum?"

"I have nowhere to go! You came in today and then I thought that let's go through this with everyone present but I didn't think it through!" She sobbed in her hands. God, she messed up her life.

"No you didn't," the guards were standing in a circle facing outside, giving them privacy. She pulled her mum into her arms, "Mumma, that's it? That's what you're worried about? I have moved in with Angelo," not voluntarily, "you can move into my apartment!" She happily informed her.

"Really?" Vanessa's voice held the uncertainty that she felt.

"Yes mum, there's a big closet that's been cleared out," she was later informed. "It's a two-bedroom apartment with a good bathtub, fully furnished kitchen, double door fridge and good neighbours too!"

"Oh dear God, child take me away." She dramatically sighed making Alexis laugh. Liam came in, asking for her permission to take her suitcases for her with two more men, settling them in the trunks of the cars and the women sat in the first one. 

"I'm really happy that you took that decision mum." She smiled, holding her mother's hand tightly. "You are gonna be okay. After my wedding we will plan a proper and long vacation for you, okay?"

Her mother smiled through the tears, remembering what Alexis's father said to her and how true his words were, "we made a good kid, indeed." She thought.

Vanessa kissed her forehead and looked up into the sky from the window, 'thank you, god. Make all her wishes come true.'

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