Farrington-Gores: Lament

*knock knock*

'...Come in.'

'Hey, honey. How are you holding up?'

'Not very well...'

'Of course, I understand. Oh, baby, come here.'

'Why's he doing this? Does he really hate me that much?'

'Oh God, Carmella... I don't know. He's just thinking of the money, as usual.'

'But why is that more important to him? Why don't I matter?'

'Nobody matters to him. With your father it's always him who comes first.'

'I feel sick... I can't do it, Mum.'

'And you won't. Hey, listen. He said it's supposed to go ahead when you're eighteen. We'll be long gone by then. I'm going to speed things up now. Sorry about this, but I'm going to have to go to Isla Paradiso for one night to find us a house.'

'Don't leave us with him!'

'I wouldn't, but I can't take you too. It'd be too suspicious. If you want to sleep over at a friend's place, then we'll try to arrange that. Maybe at Edward's house.'

'But Dad would never allow that.'

'And he'll never find out that's where you're going. I'll ask Edward. I'm sure he'll say yes. They've got an extra room, haven't they?'

'True...What about Julius? It'd be too crowded if he went to Edward's too. Where can he sleep over?'

'Hmm. I think I might ask Nyla about that one.'

'Right.'

'He'll kick up less of a fuss about me going away if he doesn't have to watch you lot. That, and I don't think any of you really want his charming company any more.'

'No.'

'Of course, I need to book a flight first. It might not happen just yet. But hopefully we won't have to stay in Sunset Valley for any longer than a couple more months.'

'Good. Because I hate him, Mum.'

'Everyone who knows him hates him, darling. I'm sure if the voters were able to see what goes on behind closed doors they'd hate him too.'

'So those rare times he is nice... is he pretending?'

'Probably. Honestly, Carmella, I think he's pretty dead inside. See, you're a kind, sensitive girl. Hurting people wouldn't occur to you because you have a conscience. But he... well, he just doesn't. Sometimes I don't even think he's a person at all. He's wired completely differently to everyone else.'

'There's no hope for him, in other words.'

'None at all.'

'I don't think I could forgive him anyway, even if he magically was sorry. Nobody else has.'

'Nobody else will, either. Look at Edward... I'm pretty sure he'll hate him until he dies, and that's a long, long time away. Anyway, you just try to forget it for now. You won't marry this man. That's a damn promise.'

'Oh, hey Zeus! Come in.'

'Hi Raya. Sorry to drop in unannounced. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.'

'No, I've just got Ari over. You can see her too while you're here.'

'Aw, nice.'

'Zeus? Nice to see you.'

'You too.'

'Go on, sit down. I won't offer you a beer though.'

'Heh, that's okay. What were you doing?'

'Just gossiping.'

'Pretty much. Everyone else was being boring and unavailable tonight. I usually go to the pub with Stan, but tonight he's more bothered about getting laid. Fair enough, but it's not something I understand.'

'Getting laid?'

'Yeah, he and Nyla got together.'

'...Oh. That's nice.'

'You sound disappointed.'

'Oh, n-no I'm not! Good for him, I say.'

'...Hmm, you sure?'

'Aww Zeus, you can tell us.'

'Do you fancy Nyla, is that it?'

'Haha, yeah, that's it. She's pretty. P-pretty hot, that is.'

'...What? Why are you looking like that?'

'Hehe, it's nothing. That was just a bit unconvincing, that's all.'

'...So do you actually fancy Stanley instead?'

'...Shh. Don't tell him!'

'Oh believe me, I won't. He doesn't need his ego inflating any further.'

'I don't think he's bad either, Ari.'

'...Yeah, I'm definitely not saying anything.'

'Guys, I'm serious.'

'Hey, your secret's safe with us.'

'Don't worry! Aww, we all get crushes. Nothing to be ashamed of.'

'Even if it's a man?'

'Nah, you should be more worried about the fact that it's a poser.'

'Haha, well. I do like girls too, you know! Honestly. I'm bi, like Heath.'

'Boys, girls, what does it matter? We're not bothered. We believe you, though.'

'Thanks.'

'So did you come over for any reason in particular?'

'Uh, I'm afraid I'm not here for a good reason... I-it's Dad. He's done something horrible...'

'How horrible are we talking?'

'Is it an emergency?'

'Um... he's arranged a marriage for Carmella.'