Who Dares, Wins

"Truth" the word came out bickering from his mouth.

"Did you ever have any feelings for my mum? Tell me the truth" Christine asked impatiently before Emerald could decide as to which of them would ask the question. It seems Christine desperately wanted to know the truth.

"You really want to hear the truth?" he asked.

With his cold gaze, one could tell that he was about to give her a brutal response and not caring if he hampers her feelings.

"Yes" Christine nodded, notwithstanding.

"Christy" tried to call Christine out of her illusion but Christine was optimistic and anxious to know the truth.

"The relationship between your mother and I was a mistake, unfortunately you came into our life and became our deepest regret" he said sternly - looking straight into Christine's little eyes without blinking, she closed her eyes for a bit.

"You are kidding right?" Christine smiled saying in a hyperactive tone but he crumbled her confidence.

"No" he woke her up from her trance welcoming her to the reality that no one loves her, not even her parents.

"Daddy" tears began to gather around her light yellow little weak eyes as she called out to her father dolefully, he turned to her - shunning her from proceeding with her crocodile tears. He doesn't care if it is real or not.

"I don't love your mother and your mother doesn't love me and we both hate you!" he tapped and stood from the blanket, storming down to the park. She sighed.

"I'm sorry about that, Christy" she said softly in a sad tone and Christine fell into her curl embrace made by the way she sat on the blanket, sobbing sadly.

"The truth hurts and I know it. I only wanted to hear it from him. My parents hate my guts, I'm their biggest regret" Christine said through her sniffle.

"That is not true, Christy. Every family wishes to have such a loving daughter like you. You are nothing but a fortune to your parents, don't take their harsh words to heart" as she encouraged Christine lovingly, she tenderly stroked her back.

Christine continued hiccuping and sniffling.

"Take it easy, sweetheart," she said.

"Will my father ever come to love me? Will my parents come back together?" Christine asked desperately with her face buried on her chest, she gently pulled Christine to sit upright.

"Everything and every living being on earth takes time to heal. Your family will be happier and full of light soon" she gave her a reassuring smile and she nodded firmly.

Christine's lost confidence and peace came back but inside of Emerald, she was having a confused feeling and wishes that Shirley doesn't come back. An atom of jealousy slowly builds inside of her. It seems the sadness in the mansion is her happiness in some ways.

"I love you so much, aunt Em," Christine said happily.

"You are the best," she smiled.

"It's time to pack up, your father is waiting for us in the park" she informed politely and Christine nodded while standing from the squeezed blanket.

The game ended faster than expected and as she packed the materials into the basket, she wore a sad facial expression. She wished the game continued and she was asked questions and also allowed to ask him the question that is burning in her chest even if it will sound insane in their ears. It was unfortunate and she has no one to put the blame on, not even little Christine.

Surprisingly, Blake insisted on driving them back home. And due to his professional skill that he rarely emits, they got to the mansion faster than usual but Christine threw up immediately she alighted from the car.

Everyone of them went about doing their activities, like freshen up, drinking water, resting for a while and as for her, she made sure the maids that were on duty finished their chores before leaving - also taking record of the equipments and furnitures in the mansion to make sure everything is intact so as to avoid what happened in the past.

Just as she was about heading to her room and also Blake entering the living room with Christine, the doorbell rings.

"Who is it?" they questioned themselves in unison as none of them were expecting any visitors.

"I... I will check the door" she stuttered nervously when she realized she is the maid present and it's her conjugal duty to notify if there were guests.

She went to the door and they left, taking their seats on the long soggy armchair. 

She gazed at the visitor in front of her, astonished as they pushed her aside and entered the room. She was in a daze for a while and didn't try to stop them. When she realizes, they were already in the living room.

"Why am I not happy to see her here again?" she muttered cryptically to herself as she walked to the room.

The visitor was Miss. Shirley and a middle aged stranger who's wearing an old broken medicated glass.

"Why are you here?" asked Blake as soon as he saw her.

He doesn't welcome her presence in his mansion and neither is he willing to take her back. She made it too cool for him which means, she will forever be his Ex - wife.

"I'm here to see you, Blake," Shirley said confidently as she crossed her arms.

He didn't bother to care about their comfortability. He shot a look at her and she rushed toward them.

"I will take Christy to her room now" she said politely.

"No. The child needs to stay to hear about her father's real estate" the stranger's vivid voice resonated in the room and she stopped.

"Real estate?" These words escaped from her, Blake and Christine's mouth, absentmindedly.

"After you hear this, darling. I need you to change your perspective about your father and decision in court" Shirley said sweetly as she stroked Christine's curly hair, gently.

"Is something wrong with my father?" Christine asked in a frantic tone with anxiety written all over her face, she looked at her mother, the man and back to her father.

And at that moment, Shirley exchanged knowing stares with the stranger.