Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or any of the characters. Danny Phantom is the sole property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Paramount global.
Blackmailed
Chapter 5: Schemers Will Scheme II
Star and Danny soon arrived to her house, all the while, still talking about their upcoming plans.
"So...what now?..."Danny asked.
"Now we plan for what we'll do..."Star said, as they walked the steps to her house.
"Nice, just us planning how to celebrate your birthday..."Danny said, smiling at her.
"And other things we can do while we're here..."Star said, smiling as she opened the door and lead Danny inside.
Once there, they went to the living room, only to see someone there.
Star's hope that she and Danny could be alone was squashed as she wondered why her mother is here. Still, she didn't think it was for a bad reason. Or at least, she hoped that was the case.
"Mom?..."Star asked, surprised to see her here.
Stella smiled at her.
"Hello, Darling. How's my beautiful daughter?..."Her mother asked in an extravagant voice.
"Fine. Surprised to see you here today..."Star said.
"Hi, Danny. Good to see you..."Stella said, smiling at him.
"Hi, Stella. Likewise..."Danny said politely.
"So, what brings you here?..."Star asked.
"What else? So that your father and I can plan out your wonderful sixteenth birthday party!..."Stella said, smiling widely.
"Oh, I see..."Star said, trying to hide her fears of how this will go.
"Please don't go overboard... please don't go overboard..." She thought, not wanting repeats of the past.
However, Star couldn't help but notice something about her mother, namely her appearance.
"Mom...did you get a hair cut? And are you wearing more makeup than usual?..."Star asked, since she couldn't help but point out that her mother seemed more dolled up than usual.
Stella flinched and shook her head.
"Oh, no. I just did my usual weekly hair appointment. I guess it might've been a bit more youthful looking than usual..."Stella said, downplaying it.
Star sent her a mother a strange look, but decided to pay it no further mind.
"Where's Dad?..."Star asked out loud.
Johnathan soon arrived and held some papers in his hand.
"Right here..."He said.
"Hey Dad..."Star said.
"Hello, Johnathan..."Stella said in a strangely upbeat tone, smiling for some reason.
"Hey..."Johnathan said as Georgia arrived, holding out a tray with a teapot and cups on it.
"Tea, anyone?..."Georgia offered.
"Yes. Thank you, Georgia..."Stella said as she took a seat.
Soon, they were all seated and began to discuss why they're all here.
It was something Star was dreading slightly as her parents began to make plans for her birthday party.
"Anyway, Star. We are all ready to plan your sweet sixteen birthday party..."Johnathan said.
"Yes, a very SPECIAL birthday that needs to be given the BEST of everything!..."Stella said, grinning in an almost forceful manner.
"Yes. We both agreed it's special, but we want to make sure it's everything you want it to be, Princess..."Johnathan said, knowing that his daughter might want something a little more modest.
"Sure..."Star said, hiding her concerns with a smile.
"And we agree that we should both have a say in how it'll happen..."Johnathan said.
He glanced at Stella, who avoided eye contact.
She remembered very well how her "sweet" 16 was. And how it was everything that she never wanted, which she had little to no choice or say on the matter back then.
All thanks to her on mother.
"Mom?..." Star called out to her mother, wondering why she wasn't making eye contact with Johnathan.
Danny even wonder if Stella was feeling alright, since she had yet to respond back to Star and Johnathan. That is, until she took a deep breath and spoke up.
"My mother took complete control of my sixteenth birthday. I had no say in...pretty much anything..."Stella said, sounding depressed.
Johnathan sighed in displeasure, remembering the times she vented it to him as well as other parties that he needed to prove that he was invited too back then.
"I know..."He said, having heard this story so far.
"I just wanted it to be with a few of my friends...listening to my favorite music, wear stylish clothes that were cool at the time and dancing the night away..."Stella said, looking down.
"I know...I know...you wanted to throw a big 80's bash, but that old bat made it a stuffy upper crush ball that was ever bit as pretentious as it sounds..."Johnathan said, having heard this repeatedly.
"I got to at least pick out my dress...color...and the flavor of my cake...even though my mother tossed it out before it was finished in favor of some fancy cake that I didn't even like, caviar, fancy cheeses and crepes..."Stella said, her tone making it clear she wasn't satisfied with that.
Danny blinked as Star groaned upon hearing this again.
"Uh..."Danny went, not sure how to respond to any of that.
"Um...Mom...do you need a minute?..."Star asked, snapping her mother out of her depressed state.
"Oh...um...I'm fine...A-Anyway..."Stella said, embarrassed by her recent outburst.
"Anyway, what is it that you want, Sweetie? Ask and it will be yours...and just to let you know...I already have a place booked at the country club to make your party absolutely fabulous!..."Stella said with a smile, feeling excited for her daughter's sweet sixteenth birthday and hoping she'd want something big and flashy.
"And your grandmother already has an idea to NOT show up and spoil everything..."Johnathan said, reminding them of her being out of country.
"Thankfully..."Star said.
Danny nodded upon hearing this. The ghost boy was very thankful that he didn't to need to "Go Ghost" and scare that old bat away again.
She was one uninvited individual that no one wanted around, not even her own daughter and granddaughter. The only thing better than Beatrice not being around would be if Jean-Puke and Colette being away as well.
"Speaking of old people...albeit nicer ones...Your Nana and Pop-Pop also have some nice surprises planned for you, princess. But I won't spoil it for you..."Johnathan added.
"Cool. Nana and Pop-Pop always have the best surprises..."Star said, liking the sound of that.
"Only for people they like..."Stella thought, recalling their difficult relationship before they continued.
They began to make the plans for the party and make sure that it wasn't too over the top or too modest either. Everyone in the room continued listing off party preparations and tasks that need to be done.
Thankfully everyone in the room were able to convince Stella to not decorate the whole party with gold or any other overly expensive decorations from other countries either.
"Now, for your birthday cake..."Stella began.
"Chocolate!..."Star said immediately.
"White chocolate truffle cake, drizzled with caramel and with strawberries. And it has to be no less than 3 tiers big...and maybe with those yummy chocolate frosting flowers like the ones we had at aunt Jocelyn's second wedding..."Star said in a matter of factly.
Everyone blinked at that.
"Well, you certainly gave it some thought..."Johnathan said with a chuckle as he wrote it down on his clipboard.
"I sure did..."Star said, grinning like she was a kid again as she thought about the cake.
"I also wouldn't mind some of those yummy strawberry and mint-chocolate chip cupcakes...as well as Nana's delicious caramel coated apples and pear pie with ice cream on top..."She added, practically drooling now as she thought about those sweets.
"Alright, Princess. It is your birthday..."Johnathan said, chuckling a bit.
He wasn't the only one doing that either.
"You always have one big sweet tooth..."Danny said in a slight teasing way, thinking about her love of sweets.
"Kinda reminds me of your tenth birthday and you asked for that large chocolate bunny for your party and those jumbo sized gummy bears to decorate for your birthday cake..."Stella said, giggling a bit.
"I remember that, I had to go to three different stores to find them in stock..."Georgia said, recalling that.
"Sounds like Star would have insisted..."Danny said, already imagining what Star might have been like back in those younger days of hers.
"Oh, shut up..."Star said with a chuckle, blushing a bit in embarrassment.
Then this happened.
"I'll be sure to make/order the cake right away!..."Both Stella and Georgia said at once.
Both stopped.
"Uh..."They both said, and Star decided to be the tie breaker.
"Actually mom...I'd prefer Georgia to make it. You know as well as I do that when it comes to baking, no one can top her..."Star said, making her choice clear.
"Thank you, Star..."Georgia said, flattered and wanting to do this.
Stella had wanted to place the order herself. However, she also recalled how good of a chef Georgia was and she did most of the cooking when she was still living here.
"Well, I guess that is true. She always were the best in the kitchen..."Stella said, accepting this.
"So, I guess it's settled. Georgia will bake the cake..."Johnathan said, writing it down on the clipboard.
"Oh, goody. I always loved making birthday cakes and other treats..."Georgia said happily. "I'll get started on the cake right away, and don't worry, Star...it will have everything, including those yummy frosting flowers..."Georgia quickly added.
"Awesome!..."Star said, thrilled.
Stella hid her minor disappointment in not being involved with a smile, remembering it was Star.
"Next is music..."Johnathan said, as he held his clipboard.
"If I recall, there is this one singer...Ember McLain that I recall you told me you liked one time..."Stella said, not knowing that she's a villain with a soft spot for Danny.
"No thanks!..."Star said, trying to control her anger.
"Uh, what's wrong?..."Stella asked, while Danny sent a concerned look to his girlfriend who was huffing right now.
"Let's just say...I've OUTGROWN that talentless has-been!..."Star said, making it clear she didn't want her music at her party.
"Not to mention, me and everyone else only listened to her music because we were BRAINWASHED to!..."She thought bitterly.
"I see..."Stella said, not sure what else to say.
"So, what music would you like, Dearie?..."Georgia asked.
"Dumpty Humpty, obviously..."Star answered.
"Got it..."Her father said as he wrote it down.
"Now for a theme. There is nothing better for a party than a nice theme..."Stella went as she pulled something out from her purse.
"What's that?..."Johnathan asked, as she presented a thick looking binder.
"Oh, just a little something I whipped up. I did a little research, including Affluent Magazine's best birthday bashes last year..."Stella said as she presented the inside to everyone.
"It's a list of the hottest birthday theme lists of the year, along with ideas to decorate and food..."The blonde mother said, as she pointed to the VERY thick binder.
"There's...quite a lot..."Danny said, not sure what else to say.
"Of course, I wanted to give Star as much options as possible. She'll only turn 16 once and we gotta do it right..."Stella said, smiling with hope.
Johnathan rolled his eyes, not surprised by this to be honest.
"She always did like going big or going home..."He thought, as his ex-wife read what was in there.
"There are a lot of popular choices..."Stella went, as she opened the binder.
"A Hawaii luau party is quite nice, especially on the beach...a circus style bash...there is also the option of an under the sea party...or a winter wonderland ball that involves such elegant dresses..."She began as she fantasize it before continuing.
"I've also heard that nice floral parties are quite popular and they are just lovely with lots of nice, imported flowers to really bring out the best colors...or maybe you'd wanna do something classic like a masquerade ball or maybe a nice seventies or eighties party...or a tribute to the roaring twenties..."Stella said, as she showed examples of each and every party.
"Wow...Mom really put more effort into finding ideas than I thought..."Star thought, as she watched her mother present more ideas.
"Or would you rather have a fairy tale party and be treated like a princess? Or go old school Hollywood and be dressed like a movie star on red carpet?..."Stella asked as she showed the options.
Before Stella could mention another dozen or so birthday themes, Star immediately spoke up.
"Wow...Mom...you...really thought it over and found a lot of surprising options..."Star said gently.
"You should have seen how she planned for our wedding. One extravagance after another. She even wanted us to fly to England of all places to have our wedding and get married at the same church that nobles get married in. I'm just lucky I was able to pay it off with my credit cards..."Johnathan muttered, shaking his head.
Stella sent him an annoyed look before she turned to her daughter.
"In addition, I also have several options for dress designs based on each party. Look! From medieval princess towards space warrior princess. Even I'm amazed that the last one was actually an option..."Stella said, as she presented multiple options of dresses.
Star looked them over and sweat dropped a bit.
"I haven't seen this many dress options since the beauty pageant..."She thought, as her mother continued to talk and flip through the many pages of different birthday dresses.
Danny took a good look at the medieval and space warrior princess outfits and admitted to himself that Star would look really great in both of those outfits. However, there were a lot of party options and themes to choose from.
Danny wondered if all girls go through this kind of pressure during their sixteenth birthday. But then noticed something about those two specific dresses that caught his immediate attention, and not just for the usual reasons for a teenage guy.
"Why does the medieval princess and space warrior dresses look so oddly familiar? I don't remember seeing either of them before..."He thought, as Star's mother turned to him.
"I also even had some options of outfits for Danny planned too..."Stella added.
"Me?!..."Danny asked, surprised to hear that.
"Of course. Since you are Star's boyfriend and will be escorting her into her party, it only makes sense that you'd match her in whatever theme she ends up choosing..."Stella said as if it's obvious.
She then pointed to some pictures in her binder.
"Like for example...if Star decides to go for the princess theme, obviously you'd need to dress up as her prince...or if you decide to go with the roaring twenties theme, you'd have to dress up like this...matching Star as the Clyde to her Bonnie..."Stella said as she presented pictures of the male counterpart to whatever Star would end up wearing.
Stella even showed Danny the other matching outfits like a fancy tux that could also match with Star's movie star option, not to mention the space warrior prince to match Star's space warrior princess outfit. He also noticed that some of these themes would require him to wear a costume or tights at some point.
The ghost boy then just had some uncomfortable flashbacks from having to fit himself into the tights for that school play he did not too long ago.
"The last time I wore tights was in the school play...and I'm in no hurry to try them again..."Danny thought, recalling how he tried to stretch them out, only to end up giving himself a wedgie.
Not something he wants to go through again.
Johnathan sighed.
"Yeah, she always did this with parties back when we were married. She also chose all my outfits too and not all of them were as comfortable as they looked. I don't miss it..."Johnathan said, as he shook his head.
"You didn't complain back then..."Stella pointed out.
"We were married back then, I had to put up with your whims and not complain...as much as I wanted to..."Johnathan snarked.
His ex pouted upon hearing that, but quickly calmed herself down. Since she didn't want to start a small fight with him in front of their daughter and Star's boyfriend.
She then turned to Star with a indescribable, almost pleading kind of look on her face.
"So, what do you think, Dear?..."Stella asked, as she handed her the binder filled with birthday options.
"There is a lot to choose from..."Star said, as she looked at the options.
"There must be something you'd like, Dear. I know it. Try to filter out some of the ones that might be too time consuming or over the top..."Georgia said, as she looked at the list.
"No pressure, Sweetie. This is your party and all that matters is what you want..."Johnathan said as he stayed encouraging for his daughter's sake.
As well as hoping Stella would read the room.
"Exactly, only the best for you. It's all that matters. Just say which one you want and we'll make it happen..."Stella said, wanting to make it special.
Both Johnathan and Georgia mentally face-palm themselves as Stella still hadn't noticed what they were hinting at.
"Hopefully, she doesn't try anything..." Johnathan thought, rolling his eyes.
Star looked over the options, thought it over and made up her mind.
"Honestly, I always thought I'd be more excited to plan for my sixteenth birthday, but I honestly am okay with anything..."Star said, more excited for the day after her birthday.
"Now, now Star. It's your Sweet 16! Surely you have some interest in how your birthday will be presented..."Stella urged.
"I know. Half a year ago, I might have agreed with you on that. But things have changed since. I guess some of my priorities have changed too..."Star said, as she sent a glance to her boyfriend.
"Please. Are you absolutely sure about this, sweetheart? You only turn 16 once in your whole life, after all..."Stella insisted, as Johnathan sighed in irritation.
"Stella, enough. Star made her choice..."He said.
His ex-wife was a little baffled by her daughter's decision and pouted a bit before giving in.
"The theme for the party doesn't really matter to me all that much. So long as everyone that I love and greatly care about are there, than I'll be happy with just that..."Star said, turning to Danny and sending him a smile.
"Besides, my half-anniversary is still a bigger deal to me anyway..."She said, being sincere.
"That's my Starlight..." Danny thought to himself, while sending his girlfriend a matching loving smile.
It took a moment for the two of them to remember that they were not alone. Both teens blushed a deep red and tried to get everyone's attention back to planning on Star's birthday party
Star's parents and maid heard this and smiled.
"How cute. I bet it won't be too long until we all start planning for a wedding in the future..."Georgia thought, as she quietly giggle in her hand.
"Has it really been six months since you both started dating?..."Stella asked, sending a gushing look to them.
"Sure has..."Danny said, looking proud of the fact.
"And we already have lots of awesome stuff planned for this Saturday..."Star said happily.
"Saturday...right...it's on...the same day as Colette's party..."Stella said, sounding down now.
Star frowned, feeling that she needs to remind her something.
"I repeat...don't expect me or Danny at her party. We won't be there!..."Star said, her tone making it clear she won't change her mind.
"You can count on that..."Danny said, not budging either.
"We understand..."Johnathan said, not blaming either of them.
Stella groaned.
"What I'd give for you two to finally get along..."She said, rubbing her temples in distress.
"Like that will ever happen. There's a better chance of my ex-grandmother giving up materialism to live a more humble life than us getting along..."Star said, making it clear that she won't budge on the matter.
"I was afraid you'd say that..."Stella said, feeling down.
"Anyway...back to the party planning..."Johnathan said, wanting to get back on track.
"Right, well...I'm okay with it being either here or at the club and I am okay with any theme. All I care about is that my boo and my friends are all there...and Colette the witch and Jean Puke are NOT!..."Star said, making her mother cringed.
"Star..."Stella said, hoping she'd reconsider.
"You are free to bring Pierre and heck, even Fifi if you want. But not them, no way! Those two aren't allowed anywhere near my birthday party EVER!..."Star said insistingly making sure that her mother understood her.
Stella heard Star's conditions crystal clear and simply agreed with these demands, Since the older blonde woman knew better than trying to get Star to reconsider anything whenever she already made up her mind.
Especially when it came to her step-family.
"I just don't know why these girls always insist on squabbling and fighting. If only Colette would behave and Star would forgive her..."Stella thought, but knew that the chances of that happening was rather low.
So, Stella just refocused her efforts on helping to make her daughter's sweet sixteen party the best that Star's wants and asked for.
Anyway, after discussing more details for the party, they had all figured out more than half the stuff need for the party.
"Alright, that should do it for now. We'll talk about more details over the phone later..."Johnathan said.
"Works for me..."Star said.
"Me too..."Georgia said.
"Me three..."Stella said, accepting this for now.
Stella was very happy that she got involved in the planning and scheduling phase of birthday party, but now had to make some embarrassing phone calls and cancel some appointments she made before coming here.
"There's no way I'm getting my deposit back for those fire dancers..."She thought before shaking her head. "Maybe I can use them for Colette's party instead..."She considered, figuring that she could still use them.
A little later
Danny and Star soon left to go on their date, their attention more on their anniversary than the party.
"They better come back home before curfew. She's not 16 yet..."Johnathan said.
"Oh, let them be. Star is a responsible girl and she's just excited by her plans with Danny..."Georgia pointed out.
"I suppose so..."Johnathan admitted.
"Funny, when I turned sixteen, all I could think about was my party and what car I'd wanna drive as soon as I got my license and drive far, far away..."Stella said.
"With a mother like Beatrice, it doesn't surprise me she'd wanna any excuse to drive away from that estate..."Johnathan thought.
"Not to mention an excuse to go to Vegas on my own as soon as I could..."She added sheepishly.
Both Johnathan and Georgia rolled their eyes at that bit as their attention went right towards the teenage lovebirds that are heading off on another date.
"Well...thankfully Star grew out of that phase...coincidentally around the same time she and Danny started dating each other..." Johnathan said with a knowing smile.
"Might be thanks to her she grew out of that..."Stella said, knowing how in love her child is with her boyfriend.
While Star's parents were briefly busy being distracted by their own thoughts, until they were both brought back to realize from hear Georgia sigh with admiration for the young lovebirds.
"Aw, to be young and in love..."Georgia said, giggling. "Maybe we should have both Star and Danny cut the first slice of the birthday cake, as a practice run for their eventually wedding cake..."She joked.
"I'd rather not..."Johnathan said. "Still, she's growing up in a blink of an eye..."He added.
"He's so protective. He really is a good father..." Stella thought in fondness as she found herself staring at him.
Johnathan noticed the look on Stella's face.
"Something wrong?..."He asked, wondering why she was looking at him like that.
Realizing she was staring, she laughed nervously before checking the time.
"Oh...um...I should go now. I left Pierre with Alyssa and promised to be home soon. Bye!..."Stella said, as she rushed out of the house with her stuff.
Almost like she was running away from something.
Johnathan and Georgia both saw this and blinked at her hasty exit.
"What's with her? She was all gun-ho about planning the party, now she's hightailed it out of here..."Johnathan said, not getting it.
Georgia had somewhat of an idea and frowned.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think that Stella might finally be regretting leaving Mr. Strong..."She thought, sighing quietly to avoid alerting her boss.
"I don't know..."She said, deciding not to get into it.
She wasn't sure and didn't have any proof...and she didn't have the time to find out if her hunch was right. She also had more important matters to do right now.
"I'd better go make a shopping list and get the ingredients for Star's cake..."Georgia said.
"Good call, Georgia. I'm gonna see if I can call my parents and see how we can coordinate some things..."Johnathan said, as he went to do just that.
All the while, unaware of what his ex-wife had been thinking...and feeling when she looked at him.
Meanwhile
Colette was in a good mood for a change.
The reason why is simple.
Her latest accomplice had given her not only the fund she needed, but also a bigger help.
"I am glad that Mama is much more...cooperative than Papa and his stupid wife are..."She thought, recalling how she managed to trick her.
It was about an hour ago, when she made a very important phone call and got in contact with someone whom she had a very complicated relationship and whom she had been away from for a very long time.
FLASHBACK
Earlier
"Bonjour...Mama..."Colette said, smirking.
"Ah, Colette. Mon Petite Ange..."Her mother said in a delighted tone. "I have missed you so much, my darling..."She said, sounding happy.
"I have missed you too, Mama..."Colette said, faking her feelings.
"Put yourself on video call, I want to see your beautiful face again..."Her mother said.
"Very well..."Colette said as she did so.
Soon, she was in a video call with her mother.
That wasn't too surprising to Colette her mother almost always answered like this unless she was in the middle of working with one of her gutter rat peasants whom she babied for her job. How she and Jean-Luc married, much less have a child, was absurd to think about, as they were two different people who were too different in personality.
Her mother, Suzette Dumont...once Suzette Bevier, looks essentially like an older, taller version of her.
The only difference is that she has aged, and her hair is light reddish-brown that reached her waist, and dressed in a more conservative manner. She wore a long, purple dress with white long sleeve, with a pink collar clasped together with a blue pendent, and matching high heels. She also wore pearl jewelry and had a certain aristocratic beauty to her.
However, unlike Colette, she had a genuine caring expression on her face as she spoke.
Like her father, her mother Suzette came from a very good, aristocratic French family that was very wealthy and elite.
However, unlike her father, her mother had a "strange" interest in charities and helping others. She even runs her own charity organization and travels all over the world to "help" poor, third world countries and others of the lower class.
Why? Colette didn't understand but her mother was very focused on that.
Anyway, right now, her mother saw her on the screen and smiled.
"Aw, Darling. You're a redhead now, you dyed your hair again..."Suzette said in a joyous way.
"I have for over six months! Not that's you'd know!..."Colette thought in annoyance but kept smiling.
"Oui. I hope you like it..."Colette said, as she fluffed it.
"Well, you look positively darling..."Suzette said in an adoring tone.
"Merci, Mama..."Colette said as Suzette kept chatting with her.
"How long has it been since our last Mommy-Daughter talk that wasn't a text? A few weeks?..."Her mother asked, not recalling when it was.
"6 months...since I told you Papa and his wife relocated us to America against my will..."Colette said, trying hard not to roll her eyes.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry that I haven't been in touch, my darling. Work has been very taxing..."Her mother said apologetically, massaging her shoulder as if to prove her point.
"I see..."Her daughter said, not really caring about her mother's work.
"So, how goes the charity?..."Colette asked, feigning interest.
"Wonderful, we managed to get enough food for the town in Africa and enough medicine as well..."Suzette said, looking proud.
"If those fools weren't so lazy, they wouldn't need charity... "Colette thought hatefully but pretended to agree.
"How wonderful, Mama. You always are so generous and caring about others..."Colette said with a false smile that she perfected.
"More than you care about me and papa..."She thought somewhat bitterly as she kept smiling on the outside.
"Thank you, Darling. I do my best..."Her mother said, oblivious to her daughter's true colors.
"So, how are you, Mon petit ange? And how is that nice boyfriend of yours? What was his name? Darius?..."Suzzete asked.
"His name is Danny, Mama. Darius was the Greek hotel heir that I broke up with a year ago..."Colette corrected and explained.
"Oh, right. I apologize. Danny. From what you told me in your texts, he sounds wonderful..."Suzette said.
"He is! Papa cannot see it, but he and I are meant to be! He's the most handsome and elegant boy I've ever known..." Colette said, leaving out that Danny isn't her boyfriend, much less interested in her.
"I can't wait to meet him when I come to your birthday party..."Suzette said, not knowing how that affected her daughter.
"So...you really do plan to come to my party?..."Colette asked, sounding a bit unsure.
"Of course. I've set my schedule months in advance. I wouldn't miss this for the world..."Suzette said.
"That's what you said before you missed my last birthday...and the last 3 before that..."Colette thought bitterly, recalling past events that her mother promised to attend but ended up missing due to sudden weather or work commitments.
"My dear... you cannot blame mother nature for getting in the way..."Was what she said the last time she had to cancel her visit.
"Even though the storm wasn't anywhere near the airport... but in that disgusting town you wanted to help..." Colette thought, her fist clenching a bit but she tried to repress her negative feelings right now.
Since her mother left, and due to the commitments of her work, Colette seldom ever saw her. She only had the chance to even have a phone call with her once every few months if she's lucky.
To see her in person was even less likely.
However, Colette knew that it wasn't wise to complain about that and settle for trying to get her assistance on her mission.
"At least you're trying..." Colette muttered.
"Plus, I'd love the chance to meet my possible future son-in-law..."Suzette said, smiling in an oblivious way.
"There is no just possible, Mama. Danny is zee one..."Colette said, determined to have him by the time of her party.
"Of course..." Suzette said, unaware of her daughter's true intentions.
"However..."Colette paused, wanting to pick the right words.
"What's wrong, Mon petit bébé?..."Suzette asked.
"Well, you know how Papa doesn't approve of him..."Colette said, trying to gain sympathy.
The mention of her ex made Suzette somewhat upset.
"Darling...I love you...but you know not to mention that man around me...unless you absolutely have to..."She said, looking like she was scolding her.
"I know, Mama...but he did win that custody battle..."Colette said, striking a nerve in her mother.
"Of course..."Suzette muttered.
"I still say that he probably bribed the judge...just because I have no proof doesn't mean it's not true..."She muttered in Swahili, a language Colette had no interest in learning.
"Anyway, as long as your little boyfriend is nothing like your father, we'll be fine..."Suzette said.
"Are you worried about his lineage?..."Colette asked, wanting to be sure about her loyalty and cooperation for her mission.
"Darling, I used to think that lineage was important too, but I made that mistake and would up with your father. As long as this Danny boy loves you and treats you like the princess you are, then I see no reason not to like him..."Suzette said in an encouraging manner.
"Thank you, Mama. You've always been much more understanding than Papa..."Colette said, meaning it.
"Of course, as long as you love him and he makes you happy, then he and I will get along..."Suzette said with a smile, believing Danny loved Colette.
"Wonderful..."Colette said, deciding to put her plan in motion.
"Now to the real meat of my plan..." She thought while adopting a fake heartbroken look.
"However, Papa isn't as understanding as you...and his stupid gold digger wife mistreats me and her bratty daughter Estelle is always hitting on Danny and trying to steal him away from me..."Colette said, putting her acting skills to the test.
"I've tried to complain to that woman about her, but she always makes excuses for her and Papa doesn't care. I have tried to get them to see reason but no one is on my side. It's so tragic and heartbreaking to see her not accept me as family..."She said, playing the victim.
"Oh, my poor baby. I'm so sorry to hear that. I wish that I had known sooner. I'd have flown in and gave them a piece of my mind..."Suzette said, wishing she could just step into her room right now to console her.
"I knew she'd fall for that. I don't even have to bring up the ghosts or that peasant witch from zee gutters named Misty what's her face..."Colette thought as she continued to act like a victim and fool her mother.
"I really wish that I could have been the one to get custody over you, but you are the heir to your father's estate. However, your father can't decide who you fall in love with. He has no excuse to step in, given who he's ended up with..."Suzette said, sounding disdainful.
"But...what of Estelle?..."Colette asked, feigning innocence and weakness right now.
"If Danny is really meant for you, you don't have to worry about Estelle. I just hope that the boy isn't a philander like your father and falls for any pretty face he sees..."Suzette said, throwing shade at her ex at the same time.
"Honestly, I woulnd't mind that as long as it's only MY face..." Colette thought, but didn't say out loud.
"Anyway, Mama...our six month anniversary is coming soon..."Colette lied.
"It is, how lovely. Six months, oh...joyous..."Suzette said happily.
"Yes...well...I want to plan something special for him but Papa won't give me the money and his stupid wife only spends on herself and that child they had together, when she's not bending over backwards to get Estelle to like her. So horrible..."Colette said, trying to look helpless as she said it.
It seemed to work as her mother seemed to have taken the bait.
"You need money? Well, alright. I know what it's like to be young and in love. How much do you need, Darling? How can I help you with my future son in law?..."Suzette asked, wanting to be of aid.
"Perfect. It's like this..."Colette said as she named the price and when to send it.
"Is that all?..."Suzette asked, after hearing the sum of money that her daughter requested.
"Uh...yes?..."Colette asked, hoping that she wasn't getting wise to her.
She needs the money and she can't risk using that much from her account without Papa and Stella finding out and getting suspicious.
Thankfully, her biological mother fell for it.
"Darling, it's a special day for you. You should splurge more. Tell you what, why don't I add an extra zero and let you both have the night of your lives..."Suzette said.
Colette grinned.
"Wonderful! Thank you, Mama!..."She said, happy that this is going well for her.
"I didn't even need to pull out fake tears. Not only do I have way more than I need, but I may be able to save for when we elope..."Colette thought, as her mother then did something.
After a few moments, her mother responded to her with a smile.
"Good news, I have just sent the money to your account. You should receive it by the end of the day at the latest..."Suzette said with a gracious smile.
"Merci, Mama. You do not know how much you have helped me make things perfect for Danny and I..."Colette said in a vague manner.
"Any time, Darling. As long as you're happy..."Suzette said in a doting manner.
However, she then noticed the time.
"Oh, gotta go. My volunteers are getting into an argument with the village's leader over who gets clothes first. See you at your party, Darling. Take care..."Suzette said, waving to her before hanging up.
It took seconds before the end of the call with her mother finally sunk in. Once she hung up, Colette held her phone in her hand.
She felt a strange sense of emptiness and a small sliver of joy after speaking to her mother after months of zero contact. However, she also felt bitter and resentment as well.
Their phone call lasted less than 20 minutes and she doubted the next one would be any longer or happen any time soon.
For a brief moment, she started to smile felt somewhat happy, but she also wouldn't keep her hopes high of actually seeing that woman in person.
She always put her "charity work" first and her daughter second.
All she ever sent her was money, money she could also gain from her father. She didn't have faith she'd be at her party. She learned long ago not to get her hopes up and expect anything when it came to her mother. She shook her head and dropped the smile, dismissing what she felt.
"Why am I like this? This is how things have been since I was 5. I should be used to this by now..."She thought, trying to control herself and get on with things.
She knew her mother well enough to know she would only provide what she wanted most... money.
"Vhatever...as long as she gives me what I want...she can feed and clothes those meaningless poor people all she wants..."Colette thought, trying to act like she didn't care.
She spent years not seeing her mother in person due to a variety of reasons when it came to her work. She wasn't expecting anything else besides money and privileges from her mother...just as always. Clearly, all that mattered to her mother was doing something her father raised her to being against... helping people.
She was used to that and dismissed her work. It was the thing that made her question why did her parents get together in the first place, aside from shallow attraction and being from elite families.
Still, she couldn't fathom why anyone would gather money to help others, seeing it only as a means for one to help themselves.
"Why someone of the elite would bother to help those beneath them since birth is beyond me. Waste of time. Those peasants should just get jobs..."Colette thought, sounding like Beatrice.
"Besides, it's not like they'll do anything for you, so why do it for them..."She thought, not wanting to dwell on this any longer.
She had a plan to get back to finding Danny, rescue him from her horrid stepsister and trap with her love.
Once she gets him away from those awful influences, he'll see the light and be her future groom.
Her Danny Bevier
The thought made her grin in a deranged manner, as she imagined the future once her plans succeeds.
"Danny will be mine, all ready for the party. And Mama's money will make sure of that..."She thought in a sinister way, happy that step 1 was completed.
The fake red head soon left to continue her plan, confident that it will all work and she'd finally win.
End Of Flashback
Present Time
That's how it happened and the spoiled brat continued to plot and scheme.
"Glad to see that she's as easy to fool as ever..."Colette thought, pleased as she checked her bank account.
"I suppose those bankers in Africa aren't completely lazy..."Colette thought once she saw that the money was already transferred there.
Step one of her plan was complete.
However, she wasn't done yet.
"Now onto my next accomplice. Let's just hope that she's just as cooperative as Mama is...when she actually has a minute to spare..."Colette thought as she prepared herself and her "angel face" for her next performance.
She was confident that she'd be one step closer to getting what she wants.
Meanwhile
Alicia took a large sip of the tea as she sat in the kitchen, smiling happily.
"Not sure what kind of tea this is... but it's tasty..." She said as she sipped.
She was unaware that her husband had sent another copy of his, it became invisible and added "something" to her tea when she wasn't looking.
She didn't know any of this, as she happily sipped her tea without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, Vlad watched through one of his insect machines, snarling in anger.
"She's drinking it?! HOW?! I put enough snake venom in that pot to at least knock out a bear! She should have dropped dead the moment it touched her lips!..." He shouted, not understanding why it wasn't working.
Alicia, meanwhile, sighed happily.
"This is almost as fun as the time I exposed myself to snake venom each day for a weak to develop an immunity in case I go a-hunting and swallow it. Not sure why I specified that specific point in time but the taste reminded me of it..." She said out loud.
Vlad grumbled as he finally got the explanation as to why his latest plan failed.
"Well... that didn't work... so much for poisoning her. Now for plan B. I can always just scam insurance..."He said, glad that he thought ahead and that his "Plan B" should be arriving soon.
The doorbell rang, getting Alicia's attention.
"Huh... delivery? Out here?..."She asked as she grabbed her shot gun just to be safe.
She opened the door and found no one. She then spotted a box. Lifting it, she shook it slightly to hear what's inside.
"Huh? I didn't order anything...must have been Vladdy..."She said as she looked at it curiously.
"Just open it and bring it in, you idiot!..." Vlad shouted, impatient since time wasn't on his side here.
Alicia shrugged and decided to bring it in.
"Best not see what's inside. I'll just take it to his private study and call him later tonight..." Alicia said.
Vlad's grin dropped.
"Oh no..."He said as his plan went south fast.
Alicia went to Vlad's private study...which had a LOT of expensive things, as well as a portion of Vlad's precious Packers memorabilia.
Once she tossed to his desk, it exploded, setting the room ablaze.
"FIRE!..." Alicia went, running to get the hose.
Within seconds, Vlad's private study was burnt and soaked, many of his valuable stuff and collection was damaged/destroyed.
"MY GRENADE! MY PRECIOUS PACKERS!..." Vlad shouted in absolute fury and dismay while his wife didn't understand what just happened.
"That was a close one..." Alicia said in relief before frowning.
"I don't know where Vladdy ordered whatever junk that was inside...but I think it was defective..."She said as she decided to clean up the place, never once suspecting that this was an attempt on her life.
Vlad snarled at the sight of his latest ploy failing.
"Blast that idiot, Skulker. That grenade of his was no where near strong enough...maybe it shouldn't have been made specifically for ghosts..."He muttered, hating this.
He was losing his patience and mind right now, trying to get rid of his unwanted wife.
"If you want something done right..." He said under his breath as he stroked his chin, feeling something on his finger that alerted him of what he hated most.
"Stupid ring..."He grumbled, hating it more and more.
He tried to pull it off, but nothing happened. He paid no mind to that, figuring he could deal with it later.
"I'll get rid of this stupid ring later...after I get rid of my stupid wife..."He grumbled. "Maybe it's time to get some professional help..."He said, becoming desperate right now.
As he leaves to plan how to be rid of Alicia, a certain fairy appeared in the room that was now vacant.
It was Puck, who had an amused look on his face after watching Vlad's latest failure.
"This little side project's getting more fun with each day..." Puck said before disappearing once more.
-To be continued-
Next time on Blackmailed
Preparations Continue
A/N(1): I dedicate this chapter to my family, my friends and my love for God :)
A/N(2): Special thanks to NeoMark, 61394, Luiz4200 and Jay The Average Fanboy for all their help. You guys rock :)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:
RonaldM40196867:
1) I'll consider it. Thanks for the suggestion.
2) Here's I'll consider it. Thanks for the suggestion.
3) Unfortunately, he can't do it 24/7.
4) I just felt that it was time to finally introduce her in the Stranded series.
CZS4: Nothing good, that's for sure.
Luiz4200: Thank you :)
Invader Johnny: Yeah.
Jebest4781: Thank you :)
61394: Thank you :)
JDF Legacier Morphicon: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) Sorry, no spoilers. We will have to wait and see what happens.
2) Danny told Dani about him, and Dani looked him up.
3) I think she'd try to raise the child herself.
4) She would do ANYTHING to protect her little brother.
5) I'd say the Groovy Gang, since they were kinda funny.
Pokemon fan 1991: Thank you :)
:) I hope you enjoyed this! Remember to read and review :)