A family of lies

Tory Clinton delicately sipped her red wine, her eyes scanning the crowded room with a mixture of elegance and disdain. "I do hope the caterer remembered to use the fine china", she whispered to her husband Fredrick, in her sweet voice."

***

Fredrick with his charming smile nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. As they chatted, Tory's gaze drifted to their children, Christabel and Chris who were laughing and joking with their friends. Phoebe their youngest was busy constructing a tower with her building blocks, oblivious to the commotion around her. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the caterer was frantically searching for the fine china, muttering under his breath about 'ridiculous requests' and 'pretentious clients'. As the evening wore on, the Clinton's mansion echohed with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, a testament to their impeccable hosting skills. Tory continued to make her way through the crowd, she exchanged air-kisses and polite smiles with the other guests. 'Darling your dress is stunning'. She cooed to her friend Eunice. "Who's the designer?" Eunice beamed with pride. "Thank you, Tory!" It's a one-of-a-kind piece from Paris." Tory's eyes widened in envy. "How fabulous! I must get the name of your designer."

***

Meanwhile, Fredrick was regaling a group of guests with a story about his latest business venture. "And then, I told the investor, we are not just thinking outside box, we are throwing the box away." The group erupted into laughter, and Frederick grinned, pleased with himself. Christabel who was standing nearby rolled her eyes good- naturedly, "Dad's telling the box story again", she whispered to Chris. Chris chuckled and tells her he has heard it a million times. As the evening drew closer on the Clinton's, their family of perfection began to show tiny hairline cracks. Phoebe's tower of blocks came crashing down, and she wailed in dismay. Christabel and Chris exchanged a look, both thinking the same thing. This was going to be a long night. Tory swooped in to comfort Phoebe, scooping her up in a graceful motion. "It's okay, sweetie we'll build an even bigger tower." As she carried Phoebe away, Fredrick caught her eye and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe we should get her a playdate with that new family in town, the Smith's i think?" Tory nodded, her mind already racing with the social implications. "Yes, that's a great idea. I'll schedule something for next week." Christabel and Chris exchanged a skeptical look. They knew their parents motives. The Smith's were new money, and their parents wanted to secure an alliance. As the evening finally came, the guests began to say their goodbyes. Tory and Frederick stood at the door, beaming with pride as they bid farewell to their friends. But as soon as the last guest departed, the Clinton's masks slipped. Tory let out a deep sigh, and Fredrick loosened his tie. "Well that was a long night," he said, heading for the bar. Christabel and Chris exchanged a knowing look again. They knew the real evening was only just beginning.

The Clinton's mansion grew quiet, the only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Tory poured herself a champagne, her eyes looking at the spotless room. She felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing that their facade of perfection was was still intact. As she turned to head back to the living room, Miss Aiesha, the financial secretary to Fredrick walked in as the fragrance of her perfume passed through the air.

****

She caught sight of Tory and goes to meet her. "What's happening?" "Why are you here?" Tory asking with a worried voice beneath her throat. Miss Aiesha goes ahead to hand over a white piece of paper to Tory. They both looked confused and in awe. She signals to Miss Aiesha to go wait for her in the Library as she goes to tend to Phoebe who is busy with her colouring book.

***

Tory rushes back to meet Aiesha as she is filled with so many questions and disbeliefs wondering how could her husband do such a thing and why. As she is about to reach the financial secretary, Christabel and Chris came out of their room. Tory's instincts kicked in and she felt a pang of unease. "What are you two doing?" She asked, trying to sound casual. "Just scrolling through social media mom". The kids were so glued to their phones as they could barely see the lies on their mother's face. "Andare". The kids raised their heads and exchanged a knowing looking as they walked towards the stairs.

***

As Miss Aiesha narrated how she came to find out what happened, Tory began to shiver as she couldn't think of a solution to this problem. She fell on her rough knees thanking Miss Aiesha. "Please you can't tell anyone what you have told me today not even my kids must know what kind of man their father is truly". Aiesha assured her by patting her back as she sympathised with her. Tory walked Miss Aiesha to the door whispering that the paper should be burnt and there should be no copies at all. Miss Aiesha noded in affirmation as she exited the mansion.

***

Hours later, Tory goes to their bar and took some wine. As the kids noticed her strange behaviour. Chris asked if anything was wrong. Tory's mask slipped and for a moment Christabel saw a glimmer of fear but then, her motherly composure returned as she smiled tightly. "Nothing darling, just business stress. Your father's been working hard." "You two need to focus on your studies, not worry about adult thing." As the night wore on,Tory waited for her husband all night with no sign or chance that he was going to make it home that day as she slowly fell asleep with Phoebe in her arms sitted on their spacious black three-seater couch.

***

Christabel and Chris couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something. What could have been the issue for their mother to drink that early in the morning even though it was common amongst rich people to drink anytime they wanted as long as they could afford it. There was more to the story than their mother was letting on.

At 5am in the morning, Fredrick quietly sneaked in with the sound of his boots like that of an heavy metal. Tory noticed his presence in their master bed bedroom. She pretended she was asleep. "I'm sorry I returned home late" as he caressed her by the hands. Tory rose up from bed as tears began to fall out her moist cheeks. Fredrick's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong"? Tory began to narrate how Aiesha had come to the house and told her everything. "Hey! Hey! That doesn't matter okay? Covering his wife's mouth in order for her tears not to be heard.

Tory tried to speak but he pinned her down to the bed with his broad arms while her legs began to shake like someone in need of help.

***

Tory gives him the side eye as he firmly let's her go. "Take me to the scene it all happened". Fredrick gave a big sigh and goes to freshen up. As Tory got ready to take the kids to school, she went to meet her husband who was busy drinking coffee in the kitchen telling him not to leave the house or there would be consequences. Few hours later, she returned home, as she and Fredrick sped off to a secluded area. The atmosphere became more intense. The air began to get cold and the trees loomed overhead, casting long shadows in the fading light. It was as if the world was about to end and they were dying to be swallowed up by a hole. As they got out of the car, it felt as if someone was watching them from behind. Fredrick pointed out a spot filled with sand. It was visible what was in it. Tory began folding her stomach tightly while Fredrick was sobbing behind her. "It's time to go". Tory said wiping the tears of her husband. "I won't let anything happen." They drove swiftly in their black SUV car listening to the sound of the birds flying.

***

As the kids returned home later in the day, their mansion began to loose it's touch. Their world of fame and riches was starting to shake. "Come in Mr Jenkins", as the lawyer of Fredrick entered his library. "Thank you for honouring me and my wife's invitation to come see us here in the house". "We are really sorry for the noise" said Tory. Mr Jenkins an old man in the middle of his 50's and still has the face of a new born baby, smiled brightly bringing out his white teeth. "It's alright"! Fredrick narrated all that had transpired within the past few hell of days. Mr Jenkins couldn't believe his old ears. He had never witnessed such a case with any client before. "For 5 years, I've been helping you with business and all other things, I'll be happy to take this case if anything goes down." As he stretched out his delicate hands to Fredrick, Phoebe's scream pierced the air, as she tumbled down the stairs. They all left the room eager to see what happened. Fredrick rushed to her side, but a flashback seized him. His legs unable to move.