Introduction
This is the second story in a series of stories that will use the same characters. I plan to change some of the characters and where they live. However, the core of the characters will stay the same.
Christien (Chris) Smith – 60 year old, movie producer/writer, husband of Bella, father of Zak, Birthplace: Sydney Australia, Home: Geneva, Switzerland
Isabella (Bella, Izzy) Smith – 40 year old, actress/writer, wife of Chris, mother of Zak, Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, Home: Geneva, Switzerland
Zakery (Zak) Smith – their 10 year old son
Jean – Isabella's sister
Bill – Christien's younger brother
Suzy – Johnny's wife, former friend Bella's, friend of Chris
Johnny – Suzy's husband, former friend of Chris, friend of Bella
Annie – Suzy and Johnny's daughter
Background Information
Chris is a hugely successful movie producer. Neither he nor Isabella has ever been to college. They both came from poor backgrounds. Both sets of parents are dead. They live in Paris, France to escape the media attention of the US. Chris tries to avoid the spotlight. They're not a typical Hollywood couple – both are well-grounded, avoid alcohol and drugs, and are very down-to-earth. Isabella's career took off after she and Chris worked on their first movie together. Since then, they have been inseparable.
Disclaimer - Any relationship to actual people and events is purely coincidental.
Chapter 1 - Prologue
October 2008, Chris's House
Chris's brother, Bill, had just flow in from Australia. Zak was staying with his dad and his mom was due to pick him up that day. Suzy and Annie have been living with Chris and Zak.
"Bro, there's something I need to tell you."
"It must be really bad, since you don't look so good", Chris says.
"Well, I may as well go ahead and tell you. Suzy and I have been having an affair."
"Bill, Suzy is going through a rough divorce. But more importantly than that, what about your wife and kids?" Chris says disgustedly.
"You don't understand. Suzy and I have been having an affair for a couple of years. When Irene told Isabella that she saw you slipping out of Suzy's window that night, it was me. I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt your marriage", Bill says.
"You've totally destroyed my marriage because you couldn't keep your rod in your pants! I can't believe it! How could you do that to your wife?" Chris yells at him.
"For the first time in my life, I'm contemplating murder or I guess it would be fratricide, wouldn't it?" Chris says as he decks Bill.
"I'm so sorry, we never meant to hurt you!"
"You should have thought about that before you began your dirty little affair!"
"I'll tell Isabella the truth"
"Don't even bother. She believes that I cheated on her. She doesn't trust me anymore. She would think that you're covering for me. Get your stuff and get out of here now before I kill you!" Chris yells at him.
In the meantime, Isabella calls Zak and tells him to get ready so she can pick him up.
"Mom, what does fratricide mean?" Zak asks her on the phone.
"It means to kill one's sibling. Why do you ask?"
"Uncle Bill is here. Dad threatened to do that. Then, I heard some loud noises"
"That's weird. Your dad usually doesn't yell. When I get there, I'll ask him what's going on". Isabella is stunned - she's never seen Chris resort to physical violence before. In a few minutes, Isabella arrives at Chris's house. She meets Bill in the doorway. She notices that he has what appears to be a broken nose.
"I'm so sorry I ruined your marriage! I'm so sorry about everything", he says as he walks by her.
Isabella sees Chris in the entrance to the house.
"What happened to Bill? He has a bloody nose. He apologized to me for ruining our marriage. What's up with that?"
Chris's pride wouldn't let him tell her the truth, so instead he says, "Since you think I'm a lying b*****d, would you believe me if I told you?" Isabella looks away.
"I thought not", Chris says.