-“Marta, do you know why there is animosity between Charles and his stepsister? What’s the deal with them?” Sandra asked Marta while she had breakfast in the kitchen as was customary for her, so that she would spend more time talking with Marta.
-“All I can tell you is that since his stepmother died six months ago, the feud escalated between them for the fortune Mr. Charles feels rightly belongs to him. It seems from I have overheard here, and there that when his father widowed, Mr. Charles was a very young boy. His father remarried his stepmother, and she already had a daughter from a previous marriage.
His father died a few years into his second marriage, and left the bulk of his estate to his son, yet for his wife to manage until he became of legal age. When the old woman died, there was a dispute for the fortune, which in part his stepmother had always had a majority of control.
She lived in this house too until her dying day, and ruled the house and the companies with an iron hand. She was extremely abusive to Mr. Charles all the time. She would severely scold him, as if he were ten years old.
-“I see that pattern with his stepsister too. The verbal abuse, I mean.” Sandra said with a little understanding as to why perhaps Charles relished the physical and verbal abuse inflicted upon him.
-“How is your catalog coming along?” Marta inquired to change the subject.
-“It’s beautiful, and very professional. It should be ready in two weeks. I just need to tie up loose ends, and form the corporation, and a myriad of other things. It’s hard though to do it by myself. I don’t what’s happened to my friend. I am very worried about her. She had not gotten back to me in a week.
-“I’m sure she is fine. You could always call the police and place a missing person’s report.”
-“Yes, but calling the police is the last resort. I will wait a few more days.” Sandra said weighing her options.
-“WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?” You disregarded our appointment for the catalog shoot, and didn’t even bother to call me to cancel, so that I could have found a replacement?” Sandra said into the telephone receiver.
-“Can you just please come over to my apartment Sandra? I could use a good friend.” Cindy said.
-“Where were you all this time?” Sandra inquired.
-“I was in the hospital. Please come see me Sandra.” Cindy begged.
To be continued..
