Hello everyone yes I am still alive XD I'm so sorry for the really long wait! I am a very busy person and I can't make any promises unfortunately that it won't be like this all the time :/ I promise I will do my best to update as soon as possible in the future. It also can take a while to figure out what's going to happen next so you're all welcome to give me ideas or things you would like to see happen.
Thanks and enjoy the chapter :)
Chapter Five
"Oh no" Phillip said in fear as his mother and Vianca were rapidly approaching from down the street. His worst nightmare had stepped its way into reality. Phillip stood up and collected himself as he turned to Anne.
"How about I meet you back at the house?" Phillip asked in a rushed and desperate sort of way. Anne grabbed his hand with her right and stroked his cheek with her left.
"No, rewrite the stars remember? That includes your parents. I'm not gonna run this time, I'll stand by your side always." Anne said to him grasping his hand. Phillip struggled to hold back tears. He had never felt so proud of Anne, he would've kissed her had he not barfed just moments ago. As his mother and his biggest fear came closer Phillip began to panic as he began to feel sick again. 'No. Not this way.' he thought to himself. He didn't want Anne finding out he was "apparently engaged" this way, especially from his ruthless and brutal mother. It could ruin everything...
"Anne, you know I love you, but please can you please just go back to the house." Phillip said pleadingly to her. Phillip could tell that she felt slightly hurt.
"But, I thought that-" Phillip could now hear the sound of his mother's heels coming closer and his heart was racing.
"Just go now please!" Phillip said which accidentally came out harsher then he intended with an unintentional light shove. Anne was bewildered and Phillip was shattered by the hurt look on her face.
"Ok..." said the faintest whisper from Anne through a pout. It broke his heart to see she was at the verge of tears when she turned and prodded away. Instantly Phillip made to run after her just as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Darling." his mother said greeting him and pulling him into her arms.
"Mother..." Phillip said hugging her back puzzled at what he had just done. He peeked over his mother's shoulders and saw that Vianca was staring at them almost as if she were observing which Phillip found slightly creepy.
"Oh you poor thing, are you ill?" his mother asked gesturing to his accident.
"No mother I'm fine... just a bad salad, uh, what...what are you doing here?" Phillip asked skimming from her to Vianca.
"You remember Vianca yes, my love? I've been showing her around town and introducing her to our friends as she is yet to be the newest addition to the Carlyle family." his mother said cheerfully bringing Vianca forward as if their entire conversation that day at the bank had never happened. Phillip's eyes narrowed as he grumpily sighed.
"Mother how many times do I have to tell you, it's never going to happen!" Phillip was close to yelling in her face. His mother looked around the streets at people who's heads had shot up at the rise of Phillip's voice and Phillip could tell she was mad.
"Now you don't want to cause a scene in the middle of town Phillip, I've had it up to here with you and believe me when I say... you don't want me to lose my temper." his mother said sternly to him. For a short moment Phillip and his mother had an angry stare off which quickly ended with his mother's victory. He did his best to calm himself down. His mother had always had a controlling and strict authority over him ever since he was small, and it seemed she still had it.
"I'm sorry..." Phillip said looking towards the ground. His mother smiled.
"That's better, now that wasn't too hard was it?" His mother asked him. The truth was Phillip didn't know who that apology was for, the words were at the tip of his tongue and he just had to say them.
"Right, now, will you be joining us for the rest of the day?"
Phillip looked from his mother to Vianca then turned his head to see that Anne had disappeared somewhere. He desperately wanted to say no and run to find her but his mother gave him a look that gave him no choice. He slowly nodded and joined the two women on the perfect afternoon that he had meant to spend with Anne.
The sun was getting very low now and the outline of the moon was just visible to the eye. It was now shop number 23 and outfit number 54. Phillip had been dragged all around town by his mother who took Vianca into every clothing store to shop for new fancy gowns, headwear, jewellery, footwear and for some perfect pampering. Phillip was not enjoying this trip at all. He sat in the waiting area with his chin in his palm next to his mother as they waited for Vianca to come out of the dressing room. She was accompanied by a woman who worked at the store who practically begged to help Vianca change into a beautiful and rather expensive gown that the sales attendant just knew she would dazzle in. Phillip looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was heading on to 6.00pm.
"How much longer is this whole shopping thing going to take?" he asked his mother.
"Patience Phillip. Shopping is a women's pleasure. We can never leave a store without finding the perfect dress." his mother replied. Phillip subtly rolled his eyes and got on his feet.
"Where are you going?" his mother asked grabbing his wrist and demanding an answer.
"Relax, I'm just going to look around." Phillip said to her. She nodded and released his arm. Phillip sighed and walked off. Philip couldn't sit in that chair any longer and just had to get away. The store had a lot of variety for men and women. He ran his hand across the line of tuxedos hanging on the racks and stopped to pull out a fancy black one, similar to the one he wore when he first met Anne. He smiled at it thinking back on the memory of when he first laid eyes on an angel then saddened picturing the look on her face when he had practically told her to go away.
"Looking for anything in particular sir?" a young woman asked him causing him to jump back into the present.
"Uh no... I was just... I'm fine thank you." he said putting the tux back.
"Black is traditional but we have many other colours if you would prefer another, we have white, blue, grey and even green if you're looking for something different." the woman said gesturing to all the different tuxedo's.
"Oh, uh, no... I already have too many, I could have one for every different occasion" Phillip said chuckling. The woman smiled and laughed with him.
"But judging how special this particular occasion is wouldn't you want a brand new one?" she asked him.
"Sorry?" Phillip asked her, his smile fading a bit.
"Well I mean, most wealthy men usually tend to purchase a new and fresh tuxedo for their wedding." she said to him. Phillip's smile faded all together as the woman took notice of this.
"Well... I mean, I'm sure you could show up in a second hand tuxedo and still look as fabulous as ever but... I'm sorry, I just assumed since your fiancé is getting a new wedding dress... then I just thought that you would..."
"I'm not getting married..." Phillip said softly interrupting her. The woman gave him a very confused look.
"Oh, but... well this is awkward." the woman said to Phillip finding it a bit funny. "I'm sorry, that woman over there told me that you were engaged to the beautiful French lady in the dressing room," she said pointing over to his mother.
"Is that so?" Phillip asked her angrily looking at his mother.
"Yes she must have her facts wrong, well I'll leave you to it then have a good day sir." the woman said walking away from him. Phillip watched Vianca exit the dressing room in a beautiful cream-white gown that made her skin glow. He watched his mother react in awe as everyone around her admired the perfect fitting dress. She looked over to him and waved for him to come over. Phillip absently walked over empty headed.
"Doesn't she look beautiful dear," his mother said holding his shoulder admiring Vianca. Vianca looked at him cautiously as if she could understand his mother's words. Phillip didn't have a thought on how she looked as he ran his eyes over her not gaining any opinion until... their eyes met for the first time and Phillip felt a feeling inside of him grow. He could see through her eyes and right into her soul. He could sense there was sadness and a lot of pain. He was surprised and grew sympathetic for her not having a clue why. He didn't even know anything about her, besides her name and that she was from France.
"Well, I think that answers it." Phillip's mother said rather satisfied and Phillip realised he was staring for much longer then he should have. Both Phillip and Vianca averted eye contact insecurely and looked away from each other.
"I have to go." Phillip said to his mother. He picked up his coat from the seat and set to walk out of the store.
"No no no, wait. I have booked a reservation for us at the pi'er restaurant. Please Phillip, I would love, we would love it if you would join us for dinner." his mother told him. Phillip looked to her then to Vianca who walked back into the dressing room to change.
"If I come, will you allow me to say what I need to say and respect my wishes?" he asked her. Phillip's mother cupped his cheeks.
"Of course I will." she said to him. Phillip didn't believe her for one second.
"Alright then." he said to her.
The restaurant was exquisite with nice cuisine, chandeliers and a menu that served the most expensive varieties of food. Phillip sat across from his mother and Vianca feeling a bit anxious.
"So, how are things?" his mother asked.
"Fine..." was all Phillip could think of saying. He noticed Vianca was looking at him and he picked up a menu and looked over the many different dishes to distract himself from looking back at her while his mother began to rummage through her handbag.
"This is for you." his mother said pulling out a thick book. "It will help you to learn to speak French." she added. Phillip looked it over and set it aside without a thank you.
"May I take your order?" A waiter asked approaching their table with a pad and a pen.
"Oh yes I will please have the pasta salad, and what did you went dear?" his mother asked Vianca in French.
"J'aurai le meme." Vianca sweetly replied. Phillip realised this was the first time he had actually heard her speak and it came a bit of a shock to him.
"She will have the same please," his mother kindly said to the waiter.
"And for you sir?" the waiter asked.
"Oh I'll just have the same as well." Phillip said with a smile.
"Alright three pasta salads coming up." the waiter said leaving a bottle of champagne and three glasses on the table.
"Phillip if there is anything you would like to ask Vianca I can happily translate for you." she said to her son. "Or if you would like to give the book a go-
"Uh, no thanks." Phillip said awkwardly. His mother was the type to translate "How are you?" into "you're charming." and he certainly didn't want his mother to lead Vianca on. A while of silence passed with no words spoken or even any looks exchanged. All Phillip could think about was Anne. Her face when he had practically told her to go away was one that Phillip hated to see, he hated himself for being the one who caused it. What was he going to say to her when he would see her again? He felt so horrible, he would drop to his knees and beg her for forgiveness if he had to.
"Beth, Phillip." A voice said. Phillip looked up to see a blonde haired chapping young man about Phillip's age headed their way with a glass of champagne in his hand.
"Hello William." his mother said standing up to greet him. Phillip acknowledged him with a nod.
"Phillip you remember William don't you from when you were kids?" his mother asked.
Phillip nodded remembering him some. He recalled how much of a prick he was.
"It's been a while." William said.
"Oh all too long my dear."
"You still look the same, maybe a bit wrinklier but you still have that same grumpy look." William said laughing and sipping at his wine to Phillip. Phillip picked up his own glass snd slurped it down wishing he was anywhere else.
"Who is this lovely lady and where did you find such a beauty?" William asked gesturing to Vianca.
"Oh this is Vianca Phillip's bride to be." Beth said cheerfully. "She came all the way from France to pledge her love to my son."
"Uh, finally put the trash out aye?" William said referring to Anne. Phillip's blood had been boiling all morning and only now did it overflow. He rose from his seat as he raised his fist and struck William across his face drawing him to the ground.
William cursed as he hit the ground clutching his bruised jaw. Gasps withered from every mouth in the room as Philip's mother looked at him jaw dropped, her hand to her mouth.
"Phillip..." she whispered in dismay. Phillip had no time to react as he was suddenly tackled to the ground by William who pummelled at him. Phillip felt the weight of Will on top of him as he endured his hard strikes to his face.
"You wanna sleep around with that spook be my guest! But you never lay your hands on me!" Will yelled pinning Phillip to the ground. Phillip managed to wriggle out of his hold and soon became the dominant one. He punched Will so hard blood began to gush out of his nose, he was sure he had broken it.
"I'll have a go at anyone who calls my girl trash! If I ever hear you say it again I'll kill you!" Phillip warned. He stumbled up on his feet grabbed his coat and walked out of the restaurant bruised and bloodied.
"Anne!?" Phillip called as he rushed up the stairs of the porch of hers and W.D's apartment.
"Anne please open up" Philip said as he banged the door knocker. "Anne!"
The door swung open and W.D stood in the doorway -not friendly.
"Uh... hi W.D... Is... is Anne here?" Phillip asked softly calming down a bit.
"What do you want?" W.D asked sternly. Phillip breathed heavily and sadly.
"I just need to talk to her..." Phillip said stepping forward, W.D was quick to block his way.
"Don't you have a wedding to plan?" W.D asked. Phillip stopped motionless.
"You think we wouldn't find out? We may be black... but news such as that spreads even to the darkest of places." W.D said. "When was you planning on telling us Carlyle?"
Phillip was speechless and crushed. So many thoughts and emotions spun through his mind he was sure he would explode.
"I...I..." Phillip stuttered. "I can explain." he finished desperately.
"I don't think so Carlyle. I thought you were different, I thought you actually cared about my sister... I thought finally you were one of the good ones... you know you actually gave me hope" W.D snorted chuckling at his own words. "But you're just like every other white bastard in this town, now get the hell out of here." W.D ordered.
"Please W.D I'm sorry. I made a mistake, please... please let me see Anne." Phillip pleaded.
"No. You don't deserve my sister." W.D said. Desperate to see Anne Phillip made for the door.
"Please I just have to see her."
Phillip was jerked off his feet as W.D pushed him with much force to the ground not letting him anywhere near his sister.
"You fucked up Phillip, big time." W.D said before he slammed the door in Phillip's face. Phillip leaned up on his elbows motionless on the porch feeling... nothing. Now that he didn't have Anne he had nothing, felt nothing...
