THE FRIENDS

"Let us see how far you two will go. And I want those pests out of this castle ASAP!"


'You can't…"

Damian was really losing his cool, but the door swings open yet again, and we all had to summon our eyes to the door.

Unbelievably, Sherry, Rose, and Grace walk in, being led by nanny Aisha. Wow! How did Damian contact all three of them, huh? How did he even know Sherry and Rose? The last time I checked, they had never met. I mean, it is so impossible to have known them. How did this happen?


"Bestie!" Rose calls, and I saunter to them for a quick hug. I thank God for this man, despite everything. I really needed some company. He will be my hero! My black messiah, but he doesn't have to know that for now.

'I said I want..."


"Gracia," I screech at this witch as I turn to her. 'This is my house. I decide who comes, who stays, and who goes. I hope you respect that and be careful, for I can show you to the door any minute! Be careful, Gracia."

She chuckles for a moment, acting all high and mighty. "That is where you are wrong, Ellie! Because of the alterations brought about by your father's death, I call the shots here. I am the queen of this castle!"

Ooh, really? Is this what she has been waiting for? To take over this house?

"It seems like the demise of my father is so favorable to you, Gracia! I mean, even the urgency with which you planned for his body to be picked speaks volumes on its own. By the way, how did you even know that he had passed away? You weren't present when the news was brought to us," I confront her because that is one thing I still can't get out of my mind.

She arcs an eyebrow, wiggling her head just once. "I have connections, in case you are that dumb. I needed not to be at the hospital to know what was happening to my husband. I hope that erases your unfounded doubts."

I see! Connections, huh?

"Not really. Because, as a loving wife, planning his funeral wouldn't have come first before visiting the hospital to confirm the news and convey your grief for the loss. Am I right? But what did you do? Was organizing his cremation in such haste in any way any form of grieve?" I fume.

"A lot of things have been at a standstill since your father fell sick, which needs immediate attention. The sooner we are done with this, the better," she defends.

Excuses! Mere excuses, because she can't convince me of this. Who does what she just did? And who told her that I wanted my father cremated?

"Wow! You have a strange way of mourning a loved one, Gracia. You are more concerned about everything else than your husband. You don't even look like someone who just lost someone dear. In fact, it is like you are celebrating! What is the occasion? Care to share?" I challenge.

Her actions are all dubious. So dubious for even an idiot to miss.

"Why? Because I am not crying like you? I am not as weak as you are, Ellie! Whining won't bring your father back, but alright. I will give you all the time in the world to grieve. Don't you worry; I will make preparations for the funeral since you declined my easy way."

How dare she? An easy way? Was my father that easily disposable? A burden that we have to get rid of, like trash, in the quickest time possible? What's all this hurry for?

"Don't you dare, Gracia!" I warn, anger boiling in me. 'Don't you go an inch close to my father! Your help isn't needed. The people who know the worth of my father will take care of it and clearly, you are not one of them. You and that whore you call your daughter better stay away. And don't provoke me, Gracia!"

"Suit yourself. Just don't drown yourself in misery. It will be such a shame. I mean, your mother is long gone and your loving father just died."

"And you and your slut are pesky witches that don't deserve to be here. Don't you worry, Gracia, that is never going to happen because now more than ever, I have more desire and determination to unveil you for who you truly are. Get ready!"

She rolls her eyes. Isn't she too old for such acts? All the same, she walks out but turns at the door. "Your desire to get me and my daughter out of this house will never work because we belong here, and your obsession to ruin us will get you in a deep shithole that you will not be able to get out of. Be warned!" She walks out, leaving everyone dazed.

"That woman is trouble. She is a devil in disguise. Are you even safe here, Ellie?" Sherry asks.

"I don't think so. That witch spells nothing but danger. A witch that is ready to strike any minute," Rose adds.

"I agree, Ellie. She sounds like a dangerous threat to your entire existence. You ain't safe here," Grace adds.

"I can get you a place to stay while we figure all this out," Damian chips in.

A place to stay? In one word, hiding? Running away from danger? Life has acquainted me a lot with this issue. Circumventing situations doesn't, and won't, solve a thing. Running away from your enemies only proves how weak, scared, and defenseless you are. This way, you empower them to want to crush you into ashes even more. I am a Riccaford! I ain't scared nor am I a wimp. It is them who should be scared of what I can do to them!

"Thank you, but no," I say, shocking the three souls before me, 'This is my home, and I ain't leaving for any fucking reason. I cannot give these fools what they want!"