Runaway with Love

Chapter V

"Your knight in shining armor

Has one more battle to fight

And off he goes again"

Brian Whitmore paced the luxurious office that was occupied by his father until his untimely demise. He savored the feeling of running a company so big and earning himself a lot more money – maybe even topping in the next year's Forbes magazine as the world's richest man. He smirked at the thought.

After the funeral, he immediately went to office and announced that it was his duty to bring a future into their company: today! Many bewildered faces looked up at him, Vance Evans' included. He explained that in order to keep up with the ever-changing miracles of technology, they must be able to become flexible and accept what was to come. The result was more bewildered faces and Vance Evans taking him aside to ask him what he was talking about.

"That's just an intro! It means that from now on, we'll be relying on new technology – so it means less manual labor, we cut costs of paying salaries. More for us, aren't you glad?" Brian beamed proudly at his father-in-law.

"That may not be such a good idea, son. First of all, we can't keep changing technology after short periods of years – like new machinery every five years. That may cut salary costs but it's gonna double our capital and that's worse. Second, I let you marry my daughter so that half the people out there, who are my employees, wouldn't get sacked!" Vance reprimanded. He was outraged at the turnaround of events after sacrificing his daughter's heart on a silver platter to his nemesis in the business world.

"Vance." Brian puffed his chest, "You work for a new boss now. So even if you're my father-in-law and I have much respect for you, lay off my game. You handed over total control to both of us and now, you stand your place. I don't care if you bawl over your salvaged employees, I'm gonna give them a check and let them go." With that, he turned around and went back to the awaiting podium to deliver the news.

Vance Evans' world was spinning. In a moment of weakness, he had shattered his world and now, he has to pay the price. He scowled; this wasn't what he signed up for. Glaring at his son-in-law, he immediately turned his heel and walked out of the conference room that held huge meetings like the one happening now. The office was quite deserted except for secretaries doing last minute errands. He casually walked towards the bank of elevators gleaming in the distance. Whatever he was going to do, he had to do it fast. It was now or never and, he prayed, that it will also clear his conscience.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

Sharpay was distraught. She heard the news that Troy was sentenced to lethal injection and her husband was gloating about it. This made him rougher and she started contemplating suicide when Troy was gone. On the up side, however, Brian was spending less and less time in the mansion. She figured that he found other ladies with his new position and that she was just there as a rebound when he picks up a smart girl who dumps him.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

Charlotte told her driver to park in front of the apartment and then have lunch. It was going to be a long day. She put on her Chanel sunglasses, hardened her face and stepped out of the gleaming Mercedes.

Diana was talking to Maggie when the doorbell rang. She immediately knew who it was and told her housekeeper not to interrupt them. Maggie nodded and Diana stood up to open the door. A blonde stood in the doorway.

"Charlotte, I would've said that this was a lovely surprise had it been a decade ago, I hope you don't mind." Diana said coldly as she crossed her arms in front of her and barricaded her sister's entrance to her apartment.

"Let's just talk Diana, I don't want to start fighting and leave with wrinkles on my face." Charlotte snapped and pushed her way into the threshold. She took in her surroundings, as if seeing it for the first time, before sitting on one of the sofas. Her sister sat directly across from her.

"First of all, I want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for pushing you away and blaming you for something that's not your fault. I understand why you had to get away from me, I was overbearing and it was stupid." Charlotte started dabbing her eyes with a silk handkerchief, "It's so hard to lose your twin, you know, but I think you understand. We both loved Eugene with all our hearts and it was painful when he died. But, with the recent events, I realized that I was so disillusioned with the happiness Vance was able to provide and I, I lost myself…" she sniffled and started expectantly at her sister. Diana didn't even stir at the end of the story nor did she show any signs that it affected her. She just sat across her sister and watch her breakdown.

"Please talk to me…" Charlotte pleaded after a while.

"Why did you come here?" Diana retorted coldly.

"I wanted to apologize, just that. It took me ten years to realize my mistake with my little sister and now that my life has gone to the dogs…" she trailed off.

"Let me get this straight – you're scared shitless. Apparently, you feel something big that's going down and you're trying to assess whether or not it will affect you in some way. That being said, you want to fix your unfinished businesses." Diana interpreted the scenario as she saw it and her sister just slumped in her seat, knowing that it was partly true.

"Yes, that's half-correct. The other half is truly sincere." Charlotte mumbled and stood up, "I think its time for me to leave." Diana watched her retreating back getting closer to the door.

"Hey Charlotte, I've forgiven you for being a bitch a long time ago. What I haven't forgiven you for is letting my niece be treated by crap at the hands of some sick psycho whose company's going down the drain anyway!" she called out. Charlotte stopped in her tracks and went back in front of her sister.

"Vance runs them too…" she hissed weakly.

"Stop sticking up for your own husband, he doesn't need it." Diana snapped and glared at her sister.

"Diana what is wrong with you!? I come here with a good and sincere intention and you go ahead and screw it up!" Charlotte cried hysterically and started sobbing.

"If you wanted to make things better you should've focused on what's happening now! Like the love of Sharpay's life going to be executed in a few days because you're asshole of a son-in-law twisted a few arms in the government!" her sister spat bitterly.

"What do you want me to do?!" bawled Charlotte.

"Be ready to take me home in your Mercedes after the execution." Diana simply said and walked away.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

"I thought you said…that…"

"I know what I said kid, and I'm sticking to it. I'm taking care of ya!"

"Telling me that in a day or so I will be executed by lethal injection is your way of saying that you'll take care of me!?"

"Just go with the flow kid, no harm, no foul."

"'With the flow' – are you insane?!"

"Just shut it Troy! I know how to handle this, okay? Just a few more petitions…"

"The guards said there was no where else to run to."

"You idiot, you listen to them? They're just riling you up."

"I think they're telling the truth."

"And gee, I believe that love makes the world go round."

"It does…"

"Yeah, around you're head! Listen, you'll be fine. Stop whining…"

"Oh I am perfectly fine. I had a good run in my nineteen years of living, you know?"

"Sure you did…"

"Oh yeah, I met the love of my life, got to visit NY out of the charity of the people who love me, a charmed life, yeah? And now I'm stuck in the slammer with the knowledge that this is the last place on earth I'll be able to step on."

"Just shut up and listen to Arnie okay? You'll be fine – maybe you'll love it on the other side."

"How come you're so optimistic about this?"

"Ain't no use bitching about it."

"You've got a point."

"Way to go, kid."

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

Vance was finished with his job and he came home earlier than he was supposed to. He found his wife in front of the television watching some lifestyle channel. He decided to join her and she looked happy about him being there.

"Wow, I can't believe that it's been so long since we were able to do this kind of thing." Vance whispered in his wife's ear. Charlotte smiled and patted his chest.

"Ditto Carmichael," she whispered and her husband frowned at her.

"Please don't call me that," he whined and she laughed, a real laugh, something she hadn't done in a while.

"You know, I have a feeling that things are gonna look brighter tomorrow," she smiled.

"You think so?" her husband asked, confused. How can his daughter's boyfriend's execution make tomorrow any good?

"I know so." Charlotte nodded. Just then, a grandfather clock chimed announcing that it was time for the six o' clock news. Vance got the remote and changed the channel.

"Good evening New York, I'm Allan Chernoff for Headline News. Just this afternoon, a manhunt has begun for the son of recently deceased Simon Whitmore. Brian Whitmore was last seen in his late father's office delivering an announcement to all employees. Shortly after, black market deals and contracts made its way to the director of the FBI's office. We are now imploring anyone who has seen Mr. Whitmore to please report to this hotline immediately…"

"Wow, how did that happen?" Charlotte asked her husband, bemused.

"Retribution happened." Vance answered her.

"Oh my God, did you really?" his wife looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"I allowed myself to become a pawn – not become stupid," he retorted jokingly. Charlotte, overcome with her own happiness, flung herself at his arms and cried happily on his shoulder. Ryan watched everything from the archway and couldn't help but cry himself. It was bittersweet – Troy wasn't off the hook yet.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

Sharpay was dreading the morning and when she woke up, she felt sick but tried to be strong in spite of the feeling that she was crumbling within. Troy was going to be executed today, actually tonight, thanks to her husband who was now MIA. She sat up in bed and tried to soothe her aching head. Just then she heard a knock on her door. Knowing that she had no one to fear anymore, she just told the person to come in.

"How are you feeling?" the familiar sweet voice rang in her ears and she looked up joyfully.

"Like it's the end of the world, but I try not to show it," she said and shakily laughed at her joke.

"I don't see anything funny," her guest said and ambled to her bed.

"Me neither…" Sharpay agreed pulling her legs to her chest and letting tears fall.

"Watching my grandson die is too strange. I always imagined it the other way around…" he said.

"I know…" she whispered.

"You need to eat your breakfast, sweet pea." William Winthrop said and stood up, holding out his hand for her. Sharpay gratefully accepted it and she grabbed her bathrobe before following him downstairs.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

Diana couldn't eat but her lawyer could. Arnold Jonas shoveled food down his mouth as if this was his last day on earth. She looked at him with a mixture of amusement and disbelief written all over her beautiful face. Arnie finally noticed her eyes and he looked up.

"Can I not eat in peace?" he asked quite gruffly, bewildered at her attention towards him.

"How can you be so calm about this?" she asked angrily trying not to cry.

"Because if I go on being sad about it, then it would ruin my day," he answered nonchalantly.

"Your day? He's going to be executed in less than 24 hours and you don't want to ruin your day?" she spat bitterly. Arnold shrugged and continued eating his breakfast.

"Arnie… talk to me…" Diana pleaded shaking his arm.

"Everything's gonna be fine, D. Trust me on this," he held her hand and looked her straight in the eye as he said those words. Diana just pulled her hand away and entered her room.

"I hope it will be," she whispered before sliding to the floor and letting the tears cascade down her cheeks. Arnold felt sorry for her and pulled out his phone.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

No one in the Evans family was eating breakfast. Ryan couldn't stomach his food and his mother was just to upset to eat. Vance was busy comforting his wife as she cried non-stop on his shoulder since she woke up.

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

At exactly eleven in the evening, everyone was gathered in the witness room. In front was a screen that held a bed shaped like a cross. It had straps that were placed where the person's head, arms and legs will be laid.

Vance, Charlotte and Ryan took the seat behind the ones in the first row which were reserved for Brian Whitmore (still missing) and his wife, Sharpay Evans. Diana arrived with Arnold and there was a tearful reunion between aunt and niece. William Winthrop was introduced to the family and then, as a kind of last minute, Troy's parents.

Jack and Lucille were still shocked to know that their son was going to be executed for murder and escaping prison and they didn't talk much. Chad, Taylor, Kelsi, Martha, Jason and Zeke managed to go to New York too. They wanted to pay their last respects to Troy.

Arnold watched everyone with a weary eye and finally, it was time for the execution. The warden read the charges and then the prisoner was brought out. Troy walked into the room wearing an orange jumpsuit and his hands handcuffed in front of him. Lucille and Jack stared at him despairingly and so did his friends. He gave them a sad smile and turned his eyes to Sharpay. She looked at him with puffy eyes and stood up to kiss him one last time. Troy tried not to cry when their lips lost contact and he nodded at everyone else.

"All I want to say, before I… die... is that I love you all. You have made me so happy and it means so much to me, that you're here in my last moments."

The guards took him away and everyone watched as Troy was taken into the room and strapped down. A man with a white jacket entered and everyone watched with bated breath as he looked for a vein and injected the first shot: sodium thiopental. Troy immediately became unconscious but his chest was still rising and falling which meant that he was still alive. Then the man injected the second shot, pancuronium and finally potassium chloride. Finally he checked for a pulse and signaled that Troy Zachary Bolton was officially dead.

Intense much?