Chapter 7: Illegal Affairs

"If you do big things they print your face, and if you do little things they print only your thumbs."


The Hidden Mansion, the night after Elyon's engagement

"Scream as much as you want. There is no one here to hear your pitiful cries, you treasonous animal. No one to be moved by your pain."- Phobos ordained, swinging the heavy whip he held. "I promised you that you'd pay dearly for betraying my trust! Look, Cedric, I learned to keep my vows after all!"

Cedric rose weakly from the floor but maintained his dignity. His naked torso, all covered in red-sore wounds and bruises caused by Phobos's whiplashes, turned to the cruel prince.

"Be as it may, my liege. I regret nothing, most certainly not turning against you when I had the chance."- he hissed, enraging the other man even more. "After years of imprisonment and after losing everything, nothing can affect me anymore."

Then he screamed again, as Phobos kept scourging him. It had been a good couple hours of that, but the lord would not relent, much to the former ruler's anger and outrage. Phobos had expected painful apologies, despair, and reconciliation. He had expected his right-hand man to be dying to get his weal again, but nothing. No such luck. No such words or actions had taken place so far, and that was annoying the prince greatly.

"Is that so? Think again, Cedric."- he yelled. "Look around yourself and think again! A new time has come, my time, don't you see? Can you actually afford to be my enemy during this new era?!"

This time the whip whacked the prisoner's face. Cedric roared yet again, then turned his bleeding face to Phobos. For a moment, there was a brief silence in the bronze underground, lit by hundreds of burning torches.

"A new era? It's rather amusing, Prince Phobos, that was exactly the name you gave your grandiose failure ten years ago upon taking Nerissa's seal."

"It was the best I could do with an improvised plan which I was forced to compile on the go after my empire of 13 years crumbled into pieces due to your incompetence!"- the prince gritted his teeth as he got dangerously close to the fallen man. "In point of fact, it was well worth it to kill you long ago, after all your transgressions, betrayals, and low actions against me, poor orphan. But you have a special place in my heart, what to do. I gave you hope and a chance to develop when there was no one there for you, and I have known you for so long that I am inclined to give you one last chance. But you don't seem to want it, Cedric."- Phobos said with disappointment inspecting the other man closely. The chained ex-Lord was forced to stand up and lean against the cold wall as the cold green pupils slid all over his tormented self.

"Why?"- Phobos added in the end. The annoyance caused by Cedric's silence was evident in his voice. "What gives you the incomprehensibly weak-minded notion that you can refuse me?"

"She fails to give you ultimate satisfaction, doesn't she?"- the shapeshifter spoke with an odd spark in his eye. "The blonde bimbo. That's why you wanted me here. Who is she, anyway?"

"Be silent, you insolent dolt!"- Phobos raged and scourged him yet again. "Don't you dare trample on my chances for success again!"

Phobos looked around himself as Cedric fell down to pule from the pain of his freshest wound. Then he totally abandoned the whip and used his bare hands to grab ahold of the shapeshifter.

"You ought to decide, Cedric."- he whispered seriously. 'Whether you'll stand by my side or not. Decide wisely, because this time I will not tolerate betrayal or failure. This is your last chance to show me your value and dedication. Don't disappoint your only true intimate in life, little orphan."

These words seemed to have pulled something. A string, hidden deep inside the former Lord's heart. So many things and memories connected him to the diabolical man standing in front of him. He could beat him with his scourge, but Cedric knew, he was also the one who could caress and reward him best. He had made him a noble figure, once, something which, while being an ordinary orphan, the shapeshifter had never even dreamed of. No, Cedric would never forget the prince's virtue to him. Nor would Phobos, as it seemed.

"I humbly ask your forgiveness and kneel before you, sire."- Cedric did as he said. "I appreciate your warmth and solicitude even after so many years."

"Don't spoil yourself, we've warmed each other more than once."- Phobos grinned, pleased with what he was observing. "But that is better. I'm glad you take your chance at heart, Cedric. But this time, I'm sure you'll understand, I'll need a little more than your word to keep me calm. The stakes are too big, my dear Lord."

Cedric almost choked. His crazy youth had already punished him once. He would not suffer all his life because of that one mistake.

"Of course."- he nodded, lifting his head to look at his master. "What do you want me to swear on, my prince?"

Phobos's grin gradually quenched as he looked at the shapeshifter with his cold probing eyes:

"On your mother's memory."- he then said calmly. "Break this vow and watch the consequences for her soul. It would be an ugly sight, Cedric, trust me. You wouldn't want to ever overstep your word if you knew. It's a fair deal that will ensure your eternal loyalty to me."

Cedric was frozen in his place. Even though he had been orphaned as a young child, he had always had warm feelings and fond memories of his mother. She had given her life to save him. One of the few people who had loved him throughout his entire life... Phobos knew all this and hence used it so skillfully against him. Well, Cedric thought, may it be as he pleases. All is better than dying lonesome in the retarded queen's dungeons.

"I swear, my liege. I swear in loyalty to you, in the name of my mother. May I be devoted to you as long as you please."

Phobos's smile returned, wider than before, as he heard that and the other man kissed his hand. A whole new force had returned under his wing, and it was a cause and reason of pride and happiness. Soon Elyon, Meridian, and the whole universe would understand why. Very soon, everything would be as he commanded.

"Do tell me though, my prince. Which is this realm? Where are we? And who is that girl..."- there was still a hint of jealousy in his voice as he spoke, but Cedric softened it as the other man helped him to his feet. "Her powers are remarkable, I must say."

"Oh, she? She's my squeeze."- Phobos explained with a mysterious smug smile. "She's my little golden goose, and she doesn't even know it yet."


A few days later, Heatherfield, Cook house, 8:35 PM

Theresa Cook sighed tiredly and tried to massage the tiredness away. It was pointless, this last month had been especially difficult for her, both in personal and work terms, and she was a person who always put work on a pedestal, even though she tried her best not to let that affect her family life. One of these days she was going to take some time off, that was what she used to promise herself and everyone around her. It was just that she had been postponing it for years now. Theresa couldn't even remember the last time she had went on a proper vacation, perhaps it was a hiking trip with her husband a few years back in time? The judge didn't remember, and she didn't even need to remember. She had embraced her workaholic trait long ago, and it was a part of her routine, but even that was inferior to the instances in which she felt motherly concern.

At the times when she was worried about her children, Theresa could forget everything and everyone; she was ready to cross any boundaries in the name of their well-being, and that was exactly what the current case was calling for. Taranee had returned to their family home, looking unhappy and tired the night before, even though she had moved away very soon. Something was wrong and that didn't give her mother peace of mind:

"She has locked her door, I think she's sleeping."- Lionel informed as he came into the study- a spacious, stylish workspace which he and his wife shared in the house. "She'll be fine, Terry. Don't worry about her, as you've said yourself, Tara's a mature woman now. Give yourself some rest."

Theresa didn't move from her position, facing the wall with the many family photos, certificates, and acknowledgments. The wall of success, as she called it. Because for her, family and career had always been the biggest success. She always stood before the wall when she was restless and in need of reassurance, but this evening, even that wasn't enough.

"Terry."- Lionel placed his hand on her tense shoulder. "Listen to me, let all the stress glide aside, and come downstairs with me. Let me fix a glass of wine for you."

"You know that I can't relax, Lionel. Not after what that woman told me, anyway."- she pulled away nervously. "Can you imagine that our son hid such an important thing from us?!"

Her husband fought the urge to sigh. Here they were, about to start with the discussion topic on duty once again.

"Theresa...hadn't we already decided that what is best is to look forward to the future of having a grandson, rather than banging our heads on this."- he reasoned with her. "Whatever happened, happened. Why must we know? Taranee had her reasons not to like this girl Cassidy, but now they're all good. Where's the problem?"

"Exactly!"- Theresa exclaimed dramatically.

Lionel followed her pacing through the room with his eyes until his head started spinning:

"I tried to uncover the reason for Taranee's dislike for Cassidy."- the judge spoke. "I spent days with her and her grandmother, I got to know them and I made sure that Peter has feelings for her! Apart from living in that old neighborhood, there's nothing wrong with the Chacons, Liol, I've ascertained that! That's exactly what makes me even more worried about our daughter."

Lionel didn't say anything. There was no way he'd ever tell her that the new situation actually satisfied him. He hadn't wanted for Taranee to move out anyway...In fact, it was going to be best if she came to live back with them again... At least for a few more years.

"I dreaded that something bad has happened between her and Nigel, but I checked with the Ashcrofts and the dean of his faculty. He really is out of town for the week and it is related to his studies."- Theresa went on and looked down.

"Terry..."- her husband shook his head. The extremes she could sometimes reach were just ridiculous. "I know you are doing everything with the best of intentions, but I am afraid you will have the opposite effect. You need your rest. Come with me."

This time, Theresa didn't pull away and allowed her husband to slowly, but caringly lead her. She eyed Taranee's room door in the bottom of the corridor one last time before taking the stairs down. No, Theresa Cook was thoroughgoing, always supporting the truth and fighting for it. She had always been following her instincts, they had hardly ever let her down. She wasn't going to start thinking differently just now.


"Garden Plaza", the following day

"Come in, Theresa. It's a pleasure to catch up with you, I was very happy when you called and suggested to drop by today."- Elizabeth Hale opened the door of her luxurious penthouse with her usual restrained smile.

She wasn't surprised when she saw the other woman entering, dressed in a set of a strict, but elegant jacket and skirt in graphite black. Her personal style seemed to be another embodiment of her work. And, although Elizabeth wasn't fond of black in general, she was not a big fan of bright colors either, ergo, she was dressed in a pale blue cashmere sweater and a pair of simple, but expensive jeans.

She and Theresa were quite alike, both reserved, moderate, and considerate. Preferring to keep their own issues within the narrowest circle. They had known each other since their college days, for almost 30 years now, and then had gradually become friends around their daughters.

"Come, I've set tea for us on the terrace. We might as well enjoy one of the last sunny days."- Theresa smiled in response.
Each time she visited the penthouse, she couldn't help being impressed. Not only was "Garden Plaza" one of the finest and fanciest neighborhoods in the city, the Hales' penthouse, in particular, was most probably the most exquisite of them all. A true architectural masterpiece, and so stylishly furnished- each time the judge visited, there was always a new masterpiece of decoration added to adorn the rich home.

Theresa followed the hostess to the huge terrace, one of three which she owned, the size of the playground in Heatherfield's "Hannah Baker "park. It was always uplifting and even a little surreal for Theresa to think that Elizabeth, who she had briefly been acquainted with, knowing her as a studious girl coming from a middle-class family, had achieved all this glitz and glamour.

Of course, there was no room for envy or regret on Theresa's part, such emotions and thoughts were beneath her dignity. Although she and her husband earned well enough for themselves and stood well above the middle-class bar, they were far beneath the capabilities of the Hale family and she knew it.

And what if, in their first year at Midgale's *renowned University, Harold Hale had asked her out? Elizabeth had probably still been in high school at the time, but Theresa had had no interest whatsoever in the handsome, but arrogant man, who happened to be the blonde's husband today. Arrogant according to her, at least. Nowadays, the wealthy bank director hardly even remembered that he was ever interested in her back at the time, and she had no intention of returning to it either. Nor was she to share it with his wife.

Theresa rolled her eyes and got angry with herself for she remembered such things at all. That had been so many years ago, and it had hardly meant anything. She and Harold had never even gone to that date... Why had she thought of it at all? Whatever! That was not why she came to their chic home today.

"Theresa, would you like some caviar with your bruschettas? Its taste compliments them quite nicely. I could even bring you some champagne if you'd like."

The judge felt herself staring blankly and hurried to shake her head with a smile. It was only 10:30 AM. If someone didn't know Elizabeth, they'd think she was just showing off, but Theresa knew her well enough. The blonde mother of two was just so well accustomed to this lifestyle, she was constantly offering its etiquette to others as means of politeness.

"Thanks, Liz, but I'll just have the tea. Unfortunately, I don't have much time as it is, and I hasten to talk to you before my next trial."

"Oh, that's just fine, I understand."- Elizabeth crossed her legs as she sat on the tall white garden chair. "Even though I can't imagine how your nerves endure all the stress."

"They don't."- Theresa laughed almost soundlessly. Self-irony was not her forte, nor something she often resorted to, it was odd how Elizabeth was somehow able to provoke it in her. "Which is exactly why I can't take any problems that my kids may have."

"Oh, dear. Everything's alright, is it not?"- and Elizabeth measured the other woman with concern.

Theresa shook her head. She was diving straight into it. Maybe it was for the best. Otherwise, she'd get lost in the blonde's small talk and miss sentencing a particularly disgusting felon on whose case she had been for weeks.

"Elizabeth, it is alien for me to do something like this, especially now that our daughters are young women. It is unthinkable to interfere with their problems, but the circumstances are pressing me to do so because I worry about Taranee."

"Problems? Taranee and Cornelia?"- Theresa looked at the other mother. She hadn't expected her to know. She, herself, wasn't supposed to know the details, and she was sure that she still didn't exactly know all of them. But after overhearing Taranee talking on the phone, about 'trying to make it up to Cornelia in vain', the judge had taken measures.

Earlier that same morning, before she even called Elizabeth, Theresa had gone to her daughter's house with the intention to talk to Cornelia then and there. Theresa knew that when her Taranee was feeling helpless, matters had to be serious. Whatever she had wronged Cornelia with was making her miserable, hindering her from her normal self and life, and her mother couldn't watch her like that anymore. Instead of her daughter's blonde friend, however, Theresa had come face to face with Nerissa, the only one present in the big family house. That same woman who had visited her some time ago to inform her about Peter impregnating her friend Cassidy. Cornelia's oddly youthful mother-in-law... Theresa knew that cosmetic surgery these days was very advanced, she, herself, was thinking of getting her under-eye bags removed in the near future, but damn, Nerissa looked more than incredible. She had noticed it back at Cornelia's baby shower too, back in the summer, but coming close to the woman today, the judge couldn't help being astonished another time.

In an obvious hurry, the tall brunette had sharply sent Theresa away, confiding to her, that if she actually wanted to remedy the situation between her daughter and her friend, she'd need a 'miracle'.

"I don't know what to tell you other than that, Mrs. Cook. After Taranee accused Cornelia of such a terrible thing, her resentment has reflected on all of us."- Nerissa had said with her hands crossed on her chest.

"But what has Taranee accused her of doing?"- Theresa had asked helplessly.

"Cheating. With your son, that is. Is it not inconceivable? They're supposed to be best friends, yet Taranee still made all these wrong conclusions and said such a harsh thing. Well, I take it that she has simply needed another argument to justify her reluctance for Cassidy to become the mother of her niece or nephew. "

"What?! But why? I don't unders..."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Cook, I'd love to be able to talk to you about it, but I really must go. Why not discuss this with Cornelia's mother?"- Nerissa had suggested coldly. "If I know one thing for sure, it is that her daughter would surely never play my son for a sucker, yet again, it is quite humiliating to even discuss such a possibility, don't you think? Go to her if you may, Mrs. Cook. And may your daughter learn to be less quick to judge people. It would surely benefit her much more than this negative outlook to the world, wouldn't you agree?"

"Cheating?! Why would Taranee accuse Cornelia of cheating on her fiancé with Peter?!"- Elizabeth stood up in shock upon hearing everything.

"It has definitely been immature and stupid of her, I agree, but..."

"Leave that, Theresa, I want to know why? Why would your daughter say such a thing without a reason?"- Theresa looked over at the blonde incredulously. "I mean, Taranee has always been reasonable, so this makes me wonder, why Peter of all people? She must have seen something to say that!"

"Well, Peter and Cornelia did stay friends even after their relationship ended, so it is possible, but that doesn't automatically-"

"Relationship?!"- Elizabeth repeated shook. "What relationship?! My Cornelia and Peter... When the heck has that even happened?"

"Years ago, Elizabeth calm down...What's so strange about it, anyway? They were teenagers."- the judge spoke. "Maybe she has never told you because it has never been too serious, but it's the only thing which I can think of as a justification of Taranee's awful accusation, which I'm ashamed of-"

"Theresa, that's the thing, what if she was right?!" -the blonde started panicking. "What if Cornelia and Peter..."

"I know my son, Elizabeth, I'm sure that he'd never do that, especially since he's expecting a child."- Theresa was starting to get frustrated. Did Elizabeth really know nothing about her daughter? This conversation really spoke much of their relationship and it was saddening. It gave the judge a sour feeling. A little devil in her head woke up upon witnessing this and viciously began to whisper to her: You're not very close with your daughter either. Even she has secrets from you, and you know it. Ever since you mistreated Nigel! Your relationship has changed for more than ten years, you're not much better than Elizabeth!

No, Theresa shook her head, Cornelia and her mother were on another level.

"Child."- Elizabeth had totally lost the string by now. "Peter is expecting whose child?"

"This girl from the suburbs, Cassidy, she is a young doctor. They have been together for two years."- and I knew nothing of it, she finished in her head and gloomed. Who am I to criticize Elizabeth, really. We're just as bad as each other. "But that is not the matter of this talk."- Theresa coughed. "I wanted to ask you for help, Liz. Again, I realize that it sounds ridiculous, but my daughter can't live with what she's done. We have to get them to properly talk and forgive each other. Especially Cornelia, if you can make her give Taranee a chance to speak and express how sorry she actually is, their bond will recover effortlessly."

But in the strange expression of the other woman, as she listened to her, the judge immediately understood the answer. She just couldn't do it. And how could she, when she wasn't at all as close with her daughter as she surely wished to be. Just like her...

"That's the thing, Terry."- and even though Elizabeth smiled at her, the treacherous tear rolled down her cheek. "Тhat's why I totally fail to understand Nerissa's suggestion. By now she surely has discovered that me and Cornelia have grown so much apart, that I'm ashamed of myself. How did I let this happen, when did this all happen and why, I can't tell you. But it did, my daughter has been isolating me from her life for years."- she whispered sadly. "If there's anyone who can convince her to swallow her pride and give Tara a chance, that's Caleb and his family. My daughter treats her in-laws warmer than she treats us."

"Believe it or not, Elizabeth, to a certain extent, I know just what you mean."- Theresa admitted and took the other woman's hand in hers.

"You and your kids? You feel them isolating you?"- Elizabeth was almost surprised when the brunette nodded with tightly shut eyes. She was fighting to cease the tears.

"It has been worse than it is now, but I can't tell you how much it has been hurting me over the years. Watching them grow and losing my connection to them, slowly, but painfully. With Taranee it has been most hear-breaking for sure. I don't know what we've done wrong, Liz. Or actually, for some parts, I do. And that is the worst thing."

"Oh, same story."- Elizabeth sobbed in response. "We're seemingly on good terms now, but there have been times when I have felt like Cornelia hates me. And our bond has never been fully cured ever since. One just feels it. A mother can feel it with her heart."

xxxxx

Half an hour later, Theresa bid her goodbyes and left the penthouse. She was feeling better. She and Elizabeth had helped each other after all, soothing each other and that inner turmoil which they felt. Now she had a new mindset and idea of how to get the relentless blonde to forgive Taranee. Her mother may have not been able to solve the problem at once, but at least she had given her an idea, and that was what mattered to Theresa. Elizabeth was a good friend, and even though they were quite distant for most of the time, getting with her even for a chat, could be therapeutic.

Those were the moods the judge was leaving with as she walked into the big elevator. An older lady decked in jewelry had been the only other person in it, but she had walked out on the Hale's floor. But even though they wouldn't be taking the elevator together, Theresa couldn't help notice the woman estimating her over her shoulder up until the doors closed. And then she recognized her. Vera Hale. Harold's mother. But why was she looking at her like that?

"Babette, it's me!"- Elizabeth left the watering can on the terrace. As she heard that voice from inside her home, she instantly felt the good feeling of being understood, leave her. Vera was just the opposite of that. She never got her or liked her, to begin with.

"Good day, Vera. You didn't mention you were coming?"- the blonde muttered a reluctant greet as she walked into the big living room. "Any special occasion?"- she added after her mother-in-law didn't even look at her.

Vera was lost in her thoughts. Eventually, she stopped her tentative gaze right on the blonde.

"This woman. This woman that I just saw outside the apartment. Who was she?"

"Who, you mean Theresa?"- Elizabeth fought the desire to snort. The old redhead was maddening. "She's a friend of mine. Surely, you've seen her before, at least at Cornelia's baby shower."

"The baby shower, yes... I thought that woman was familiar back then, yet I was too busy thinking about my granddaughter. And her hair, her hair was shorter then. That's why I didn't- I didn't consider, even... Theresa..."- Vera stoically raised her hand and began repeating the same gesture, as if she had blocked while trying to remember something. "Theresa Morgan? Theresa Morgan from the University of Midgale? That Theresa?"

"Theresa Cook."- her daughter-in-law corrected her slightly annoyed. "But yes, I think Morgan used to be her maiden name. And she did graduate in Midgale, we were colleagues for a few years. Why-"

"Yes, I know you went to Midgale, don't worry!"- Vera snapped, suddenly looking at her with endless vexation. "After all, that was just where my son met you and eventually chose you over her! Even though that girl was just right for him, but no, you had to come along with your shameless outfits and blonde hair... So lightly, as if you were actually that sensational, huh, please! I know that no man reaches for under a woman's skirt to look for a library card, yet-"

"Oh, God, I can't believe this!" -Elizabeth glared at the old woman. "How many times must I tell you that I don't want to hear about this girl I supposedly bested, Vera? You're just looking for an excuse to start insulting me, I know it! What does Theresa have to do with all this? You're despicable! You just need to hear the keyword 'Midgale' to start bombarding me with bitter words and relish in it! Why are you doing this? You're so..."

"Because, you improvident blonde -"- Vera interrupted her furiously. "- Theresa Morgan is that girl! Don't you understand? Harold chose you over her!"

xxxxxx

That same night when the bank director returned home, he found it dark and empty. Of course, Lillian was, as per usual, off to some place with her boyfriend. It had been hard enough to control her before, but ever since she was an adult, it was even harder to hold sway over her decisions. Harold smiled and left his coat on the hook. This wasn't what he wanted, anyway. He and his wife weren't one of these obsessive parents who didn't know when it was time to let their children take on their own way. All they wanted, was to make sure that they can take care of themselves, both emotionally and financially, and when that condition was met, they were willing to let them fly away from the family nest.
They had done just that with Cornelia. Naturally, now was Lillian's turn. This way, they were ensuring that their kids are to become mature and capable members of the community because in the end, was that not one of the most important things in a time of social disorder, lability, and people without goals, that were increasingly common?

At least in that respect, the father could be proud. He and Elizabeth might've not done just every right thing that they should've, according to his wife, at least, but they had turned their daughters into independent, capable young ladies, who knew how to pursue what they wanted and how to handle it. So that, from now on, every decision they'd make would be their own.

Speaking of his wife, where was she? Had she fallen asleep already due to her migraine? Harold smirked and threw his suitcase on the couch before taking the stairs to the upper floor. He had an idea of when her headaches occurred- when she wasn't in the mood to deal with him or when she was angry with him. He made a face. But what had he done to provoke Elizabeth's irritation? In the morning, when he had been leaving for work, everything had been good. They had even...no, no. Harold pulled the white shirt out of his pants. He would try his best to get on her good side, after all, why waste a golden opportunity which a night alone with his wife was.

"Sweetheart, you sleeping?"- he showed his head in the master bedroom and smiled. Elizabeth wasn't asleep, she was reading a book which she barely looked away from, just to acknowledge his arrival.

"So glad to see you awake."- Harold grinned and proceeded to strip into his underwear. "Where's the daughter? She called, right?"

"Yes."-Elizabeth retorted and went to the next page of her book. "Some party she went to. I told her she can't go on a school night, but you know her."

"Ah, you know seniors nowadays. They rarely ever go to school."- her husband waved his hand. "What matters is that she has good grades. She'll graduate with a good diploma."

"I guess that's true."- Elizabeth nodded sourly, avoiding his gaze.

Oh, she was pissed alright. Harold just had to choose a fitting way to find out the exact reason why.

"So, how was your day, sweetheart. What did you do? Is there anything on your mind that you'd like to share?"

Elizabeth finally took a minute to stare right at him. He sure was especially bright and well-meaning tonight. Even happy and responsive, something which his work fatigue often prevented him from being. From all the nights when he'd just come home lay down next to her like a corpse...It wasn't like they were actually such a frequent occurrence; Harold was an active partner in general, but Elizabeth was annoyed that he had chosen to be especially willing to prove that tonight. Just when she was trying to be angry with him.

"It's interesting that you ask, Harold. Did you speak to your mother or something?"- Elizabeth asked sharply as she set her book aside and took her glasses off.

Her husband seemed to be thinking about his answer.

"Yes...we did see each other for a few minutes, sweetheart, but you know that I like to take no part in your arguments. Whatever you fought for this time; I'd prefer to remain neutral as usual. This is what I told her, it's what I'm telling you too-"

"I see."- Elizabeth frowned. "She called you to complain about me, even though it was her who ruined my entire day, as always!"

"No, no."- the man put his hands up in a calming manner. "It's nothing like that, Beth. I had to pop along her place to leave her the money which she wanted from one of her accounts. I took a few minutes to drink a cup of coffee with her and this came into question. The fact that you two had a fight again."

"I understand."- his wife nodded grimly, but by the look on her face, he could tell that she wasn't at all understanding.

"What is going on, Beth? I thought you two were long past these ridiculous quarrels. At this age..."

"Well, as hard as I'm trying not to quarrel with her or fall for her provocations."- Elizabeth interrupted him angrily. "It's quite impossible when she constantly brings up that girl whose place I supposedly took in your life!"

"What girl?!"- Harold was sincerely bewildered at that point, but Elizabeth was just beginning. She shot a glare at him and placed her hands on her hips.

"Oh, please Harold! It all makes sense now! Why you'd never talk about it when it came about! That girl who you dated before me was Theresa all along. Well, that's just funny now. I realize that at our age and stage in life, it's silly to be mad at you for something like that, but I just wish that you were honest about it, when I asked you about her on a few occasions in the past."

"Sweetheart, sweetheart!"- and Harold carefully took her hands to place them around his shoulders. "What are you even talking about, my dear? What girl, what Theresa? I don't get it, I've had quite a few girlfriends before you, I don't..."

"Our Theresa."- Elizabeth interrupted him through clenched teeth. His last sentence had seriously annoyed her. "I wouldn't be asking about your love life before the beginning of our relationship if it wasn't for your mother, constantly bringing it up to insult me with it, to be able to prove her words that I'm of lower class and quality!"

"You know what my mother's like, why care about what she has to say-"

"Because it is impossible not to care when that kind of abuse has been going on for over 20 years!"

Harold just blinked at her for a few seconds and exhaled deeply, looking around their well-arranged bedroom. Having such a pointless discussion was not what he had planned for tonight.

He had purposely allowed Lillian to go to that party behind his wife's back, just to ensure the continuation of the wonderful time they had spent together in the morning. But by the looks of it, it was unlikely to happen. Elizabeth was obviously not in the mood.

"But, Beth, God damn it, who is this Theresa you speak of even? 'Our Theresa' means nothing for me- "

"Our friend Theresa, how many Theresas do you know! Theresa Cook."- Elizabeth barked. "Or should I say, Theresa Morgan! She was here today, your mother saw her and then told me that she was actually the infamous girl. The one which she has been poisoning me with stories of, over the last decades!"

Elizabeth finished and glared expectantly at her husband who remained silent for one long minute. And then, he burst out laughing. Elizabeth blinked in shock for a couple of seconds, but his laugh didn't die down. Her bewilderment was quick to turn into irritation:

"And what is so funny, if I dare ask?!"

"Pardon me, Beth, really."- Harold managed to say between the laughs. "But you really crack me up."

"Really."- she sulked. "I guess that I'm not only your tramp, I'm a clown too!"

"You're my beautiful wife and the mother of my two gorgeous daughters."- the bank director raked over the coals with a sportive, yet sincere smile. "And you know that full well. What actually amused me, was the fact that my mother decided to bring this up just now. I guess she really has been bored today."

"Huh?"- the blonde let her husband embrace her. The man rested his back against the frame of their big bed and pulled his wife closer in the embrace.

"Well, do you think that today was the first time my mother came to realize who Theresa Cook was? She has known that our daughter and her daughter are friends, for years. She considers the Cooks a part of the elite strata of society. She hasn't actually brought it up in the last decades, because she has had fun tormenting you with stories of the infamous girl, who I've never even been on an actual date with. You see, there has never been a reason for her to reveal that Theresa is the said girl, because there has never been anything significant between me and her. But today, after she has seen her here, ol' Vera has decided to taunt you some more. Don't you get it, my silly baby?"

Elizabeth blinked feeling quite stupid, now that it all made sense. For a moment, she had considered that her husband had never revealed the truth to her because his feelings for Theresa hadn't died down... Ridiculous! What had she even thought? If that had been true, Vera would have broken their marriage years ago. In fact, the old snob had taken Cornelia and the girls to a few places in the past, of course, she had long known who Taranee's mother is.

"Harold, when will your mother finally change?"- the blonde asked, as she rested her hand on her husband's chest.

The fair man laughed boomingly:

"Never, sweetheart. And we're both wont to live with that fact. Say, what did Theresa do here today, anyway? Did you call her up to show her your new gardening set? I know you two are friends up to a point?"

He was already kissing her shoulders, moving his hands all over her body, determined to continue their interrupted morning intimate moment. Impassioned by that herself, Elizabeth didn't quite feel like going over her deep talk with the other woman from earlier:

"No, she...she wanted to talk about the girls."- she managed to moan as she wrapped her arms around her husband's torso. "Screw that and screw me, Harold!"

Her husband just laughed before pulling her nightgown off.

Meanwhile...

"Oh, it's you again."- Nerissa put her hands on her waist. October nights were colder than the days, she could feel it, as the stewed wind glided the coldness all over her exposed skin.

The ex-guardian wrapped herself more tightly in her black satin robe and stared at the woman who had just parked in front of the big yard.

"Good evening, Mrs. Crossnic."- Theresa said flatly as she made her way to the porch. "I take it that Cornelia is still unavailable?"

"Well, given the time, I'd say she's sleeping."- in the dark, her eyes shone like those of a cat. The judge estimated her once again. This woman just looked like a goddess, even when she was about to sleep.

"A tad late for visits, isn't it, Mrs. Cook? What is more, you're a woman. Aren't you scared to be out all by yourself in this hour? Evil, as you know, never sleeps. And crime in our city has never been absent either."

"That's alright because I was hoping to talk to you again."- Theresa retorted. "I'm sorry for coming so late. I followed your advice, and even though it didn't do much, it gave me a new idea."

"Oh, I didn't give you advice."- Nerissa flipped her hair with distinguished amusement. "I was expected elsewhere this morning, hence I couldn't quite listen to you. Nor help your daughter and Cornelia move on, you see. Not after certain things that happened."

"Actually, I think that you might."-Theresa declared, making the ex-keeper raise an eyebrow. "Her mother couldn't, but I believe you will succeed in persuading Cornelia to give Taranee a chance."

"I think you failed to understand me correctly, your Honor."- Nerissa whispered. "I never denied being capable of talking Cornelia into anything. I simply stated that I won't do it, especially when it comes to your daughter. She was against my friend, after all. Your daughter is an insufferable pain in the neck."

There was an awkward silence during which Nerissa just smiled. Her own smile, however, quickly quenched as she saw the other woman smile in response.

"Well, then it's interesting that you brought crime into the picture, Mrs. Crossnic. Everyone makes mistakes. Taranee did one by being quick to judge Cassidy, I can agree about that. But why are we all a part of one society if we can't forgive others, right? What I'm saying, is that everyone has a certain background which they would prefer to keep personal, but being a judge myself, I can afford to tell you this. I can easily take someone at gunpoint when they commit transgression against the law system, you see, Mrs. Crossnic. For that, if I were you, I would be careful what I say about the daughter of the most renowned judge in the entire city. Especially when weird things happen around your property."

Nerissa felt her blood boil and cool for seconds. For the first time tonight, she remained silent and just stared at the woman in front of her. Theresa just smiled dryly:

"Did I pull a nerve there? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you or anything. I'm not your enemy, and I wish you nothing but the best. I just thought that you should know that there are two complaints made against you in the police. Earlier this evening, they reached the prosecution as well. Didn't you know that? Someone must have informed you already, the first complaint is from two months ago. The second one is from the other day."

"I'm aware of all that, thank you."- Nerissa retorted icily. "What of it? These complaints are unfounded and no action can be taken on them. Because they are foolish and false."

"I'm sure they are, Mrs. Crossnic. Property frauds cannot be taken seriously when ghosts are involved."

"You actually read them?"- the ex-keeper exclaimed in outrage. "Abusing our position, aren't we, Theresa?"

Nerissa was shaking with anger. How dare this annoying woman interfere in her affairs. As if it was not enough that they had so many problems on Meridian, now she couldn't have peace even in Heatherfield. Unbelievable...

"Not at all, Nerissa."- Theresa assured her. "I can call you that, after you switched to little names, right? Now see, my husband's a well-known lawyer, as you might know. Your last buyers contacted him because they wanted to sue you. Lionel often consults me as a competent figure. This was exactly what I had to tell him before he turned the case down. No court would consider a case where the plaintiffs complain about a haunted house. Even if the alleged defendant offers contracts that are suspiciously similar to many real estate fraud patterns."

"I can now see-"- Nerissa nodded spitefully. "-who Taranee took the vice of being fast to judge people from."

"I'm not judging you."- Theresa shook her head. "Yet. My intentions are absolutely positive. I'm no investigator to estimate whether you've committed a crime or not-"

"Then get one."- the ex-guardian hissed. "I dare you. Why didn't you get your husband to actually accept those fools, the buyers of my ancestral house? After they bargained with me for a month and I financed the repair, post the tenants who claimed to have almost died in the house, for some unknown reason. I gave a lot of money for that renovating to get the property ready for selling. And they were willing to pay a hefty price, sure, only they were constantly changing the actual amount which they were willing to give. Obviously, they had profits, but not as much as they pretended to, in the first place. Do I look like a fool to you? Because only a fool wouldn't put clauses with which to insure themselves in such a situation. They are the ones who tried to deceive me. The fact that they want to reside in a new place, every other couple of months, for free, is none of my concern, and I owe them nothing back. But anyway, my dear, what I want to say is that regardless of how many complaints they file against me, such wretches, as my last buyers, will always fail, because I am not breaking the law."- she finished with a catty victorious smirk. She was sure she had shut the nosy judge's mouth for good. But Theresa shocked her again:

"Nerissa, why are you wasting your time on explaining yourself to me?"- she asked. " I already told you, I was not judging you. You didn't have to tell me all this. I understand you. If you've managed to thwart the fraud of your buyers - great. If the fraud is directed by you, congratulations, your plan is perfect. Well, almost perfect. See, this is where your lack of in-depth knowledge of the law says its word. There are two complaints against you so far, yes, they are quite a riot. But if that number goes up. If appeals revolve around the same charges, state law mandates a sentence of service. In other words, even if the ghosts that allegedly haunt your property, can't testify to your buyers' advantage, the state will punish you on condition that those complaints continue to increase in number. Regardless if you are actually innocent or not."

Nerissa felt her face drop. She didn't even know why, when she could always flee Heatherfield and Earth, in general, if any of this happened. She wasn't to fear Earth laws, or any laws, after she had managed to fight off even Kandrakar on numerous occasions. Yet, this woman confronting her like that, made her angry and even uncomfortable. Mainly because she had gotten to the bottom of a seemingly perfect plan, and if she was able to do that now, she'd most certainly be able to sentence her in case of aggravation of the situation. Then again, it wouldn't matter, as the ex-guardian would be able to escape at any time, but it would severely clash with her ideas of family life and life in her hometown, in the main.

Eventually, she lifted her eyes to the other woman, gathering all her sangfroid:

"Well then, I guess it is a good thing that I don't intend to put my property on the market again, is it not?"- she even smiled, because her own words were able to bring her comfort. "This way, no new false complaints will ever be filed against me."

Theresa shrugged.

"I guess so. But still, it would be awful if any of that slander reached other people's ears. Not only will your image be tarnished, but perhaps the way your loved ones perceive you."

"You're crossing the line, judge Cook."- Nerissa hissed, but was quick to fall into utter incredulity, when the other woman got offensively near her, placing a hand on her shoulder and whispering right to her ear:

"I came to you as a mother, and I suggest that you take the hint. All I want is my daughter and Cornelia to remedy their friendship and I need your help for that. On the other hand, I have been involved with the law career for over 25 years, and I can recognize a fraud when I see it. While scammers rarely go to a lawyer, they often fall into long self-defense ramblings. I can sentence you, Mrs. Crossnic. If you do big things they print your face, and if you do little things they print only your thumbs. If you require proof, you'll have it. But if you would like for all of this to end, just do me that one favor. Convince Cornelia."

Nerissa pulled away and glared at her. Under the moonlight, and with these last words out of her mouth, Theresa looked vulnerable. Her eyes were wet. Well, she certainly didn't do this every day. But her dedication and love for her children meant something. And while the ex-guardian could bewitch her and do whatever she wanted with her (not really, as that would naturally result in more problems for her) she was for once, ready to declare herself in a stalemate.

Insolent, but impressive, Theresa Cook, I must say. One can't tell who is more obnoxious anymore. The guardians or their mothers...Nerissa tossed her hair back one more time, having made up her mind.

"Very well then, dear. May it be as you wish. I accept to do you this favor. Harmony is of specific importance."- she said a little sourly.

For the guardians to be able to eliminate Phobos, that is.

"I agree. The girls are very close and we as adults should help them stay close. Their friendship is inspiring."- Theresa sighed wistfully. "Do you know how many years have passed already and they're all still so inseparable. That's not something we see every day."

"Yes, I agreed to help fix your daughter's mess, not listen to her life story."- Nerissa snorted.

Besides, I know very well how long these wannabes have been calling themselves guardians. And even if they never best C.H.Y.K.N, they can be acceptable.

"And as an end, your Honor. I'll have you know that it wasn't your blackmailing that got me to take this decision. But your dedication and impetus, that do deserve the salutation. And the fact that my friend Cassidy, also wants to see Cornelia and Taranee on good terms once again."

Before they departed. Theresa took the time to finally smile freely and feel the metaphorical stone be lifted from her back.

"I've got to admit, Mrs. Crossnic. You're quite the mysterious bundle. So charismatic and clever too. I wish you a good night."

"Drive safe, Mrs. Cook. You never know what lurks and creeps in the dark. Trust me, I should know. After all, I did sell two poor scammers a haunted house."

"Seriously, where were you in the 80s? You would've given Elvira* a run for her money."- with that last line, a relieved Theresa walked away, heading for her car.

On Thanos, most probably. Yet when you're there, you kind of stop counting the years, Nerissa thought, absolutely oblivious to what the fire guardian's mother had been talking about, before walking back into the big house, finally ready to get some sleep and forget about her illegal affairs.


Trivia:
Elvira*- popular hostess of the 80s&90s hit TV show & movie "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark"
Midgale*- a big city approximately near to Heahterfield, first featured in W.I.T.C.H issue 35