MINNESOTA
LUTHEL INC
Silence filled the car on their way home from the airport as the scenery of the city they call home welcomed Livy with both excitement and emptiness.
Markian is typing away on his laptop, totally and completely giving whatever it is that he’s doing his undivided attention.
None of them wanted to break the silence that was slowly deafening them but, it’s better no one says anything than to say something wrong.
The past 2days have been like that. No one wanted to initiate a conversation and no one wanted to intrude in the other’s business.
News had come to Markian that Daniel was already back in Minnesota, so that was one burden half lifted from his chest as he does not have to be so conscious of whether his wife would meet up with Daniel or not.
He tried to occupy his mind this entire journey back how with the Hong Kong contract which he was going to receive from Judy the moment they arrive at Luthel Inc. He has been so busy working on new ideas for it and all.
Livy on the other hand couldn’t wait to unburden herself and take a nice long bath. So, it was much of a surprise to her that they arrived at Luthel Inc instead of the Winfrey Mansion.
Also, Judy didn’t seem so surprised to see them at all, making Livy wonder why her mother had summoned them so urgently without letting them rest from their trip first.
The seriousness on Markian’s face also confirmed the fact that they have been summoned by Judy, and that this wasn’t just a courtesy visit to announce their return.
Judy welcomes them both and offered them seats on the couch, and they obliged. She seemed a bit nervous but also excited to hear about the details of how their honeymoon went, as though she was that close to either her daughter or her son-in-law.
“So, how was the Caribbean? Hope you both had plenty of fun?” Judy asked with a smile, making Livy a bit uneasy.
When Markian and Livy both hesitated in answering, she grabbed the telephone on the glass stand beside her and called her Secretary to come to serve them some wine from the fridge, but Markian interrupted.
“There’ll be no need for that Mrs. Luthel. I only came here to let you know that I kept my own part of our deal, and I hope you’ll keep to your word.” Markian blurted out, causing a confused raised brow on Livy’s forehead.
“Deal? What deal? And why was it so important that we had to come straight here from the airport, Mom? Couldn’t you both discuss business later, after we are settled perhaps?” Livy questioned.
She was wondering what the deal they made was about, and why it was so important to Markian that he just had to come straight from the airport to Luthel Inc on their arrival.
She truly was exhausted and just wanted to take a warm bath and have at least 4hrs of rest from everything.
If only her eager mother knew what ordeals she had to go through on her honeymoon, this little forced-reunion would end faster than anyone can say ‘tell me all about it’.
“Nothing you need to worry yourself about darling. It’s just a little business I have with your husband, that’s all” Judy defended rather anxiously.
“Little business, you say? May I remind you that the Hong Kong contract isn’t a small matter, and I certainly hope you haven’t forgotten your promise to give it to me if I successfully…” Markian commented but was interrupted rudely.
“I know what I promised! No need for you to state the obvious.” Judy stated nervously but still tried to be graceful about it.
Markian was trying to understand why Judy wasn’t being upfront with him. He is beginning to feel like she was about to go back on her word, and that- he wouldn’t stand for.
Judy knows how much it would
upset Livy if she finds out that it was her idea to go on a honeymoon vacation, and that she had to make a deal with Markian so he would agree to go with.
So for Markian to babble about this matter in Livy’s presence would be causing more harm than good for both of them.
“Obvious for you both maybe, but Markian brought us straight here from the airport, which means it must have been very important to him. So, why don’t you both get on with it already.” Livy ordered exhaustedly.
For her, the quicker they get on with their matter, the faster she gets to rest on her bed.
But she couldn’t help but notice that her mother was starting to feel uneasy about their discussion. And if she didn’t know better, she would think Judy was trying to hide something from her.
“Great! Since it’s pretty obvious to the 3 of us that I’m here to collect what I was promised if I went on this vacation with you, can you please tell your mother to hand over the contract to me already?” Markian requested of Livy.
Well, there was no reason for there to be any secrets between them especially since Livy and her mother had planned the honeymoon together, he was pretty sure the Hong Kong contract was no secret to her either.
“Mother, what is he talking about? What promise did you make about the honeymoon?” Livy asked, now curious to know what the hell Markian was talking about.
“Livy, darling? Could you go wait outside for a bit so I can talk about private matters with your husband?” Judy requested politely, but Livy wouldn’t have more secrets kept from her.
“No mother! I’ll stay right here and hear what you both have to say” Livy insisted boldly, more agitated and frustrated now than before.
“Of course you will. You know everything already, so I wonder why your mother is starting to play a fool all of a sudden.” Markian insinuates, referring to Livy.
“And can you elaborate on what you think that I know? What connection does this… Hong Kong contract have to do with our honeymoon, Markian?” Livy asked, more sternly this time requesting clarity.
“Well, your mother promised me that….” Markian started but was aggressively interrupted by Judy again.
“Will you just shut up Markian? please!… Honey, I’m asking- no, pleading with you to go wait outside.” Judy requested more anxiously and nervously than she was a few minutes ago.
She thanked the heavens that Livy didn’t argue any further, but angrily stood up and left the room.
Markian on the other hand was more confused and surprised by Judy’s outburst than at Livy’s anger.
What exactly is going on here? He wondered.
“What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you trying to ruin everything that I’ve worked so hard to build all these years?!… You could have just dropped her off at your new home first before coming here, would that have been too much for you to do?” Judy questioned angrily.
“What difference would it make? It’s not like she isn’t aware of any of this. After all, wasn’t the honeymoon both your idea?” Markian accused.
Judy could only rub her palm on her forehead frustratedly and baffled by how oblivious he was to matters that concern Olivia.
“Of course she doesn’t know about anything! She would have been excited to go anywhere with you even if it was to the end of the world. But if she had known that I had made a deal with you to take her on a honeymoon vacation, she would have rejected the offer in a heartbeat!” Judy stated between gritted teeth, clearly upset.
“Wait, What?” Markian asked, receiving this revelation like a bomb without warning, not quite sure he understands what Judy is trying to say.
“That child who does everything I ask her to do without questioning my decisions, stood in front of me the other day to tell me that she wasn’t going to marry you. Why?… Because she knew your intention wasn’t to get remarry and she didn’t want to do anything that would upset you, do you understand?! She, stood up against me for the very first time all for you , even though she was scared. She wouldn’t have gotten married to you if I hadn’t threatened her with ruining you.” Judy blurted out in a fit of rage.
“Livy didn’t want to marry me? I don’t understand. Are you trying to tell me that all your plans to make me the King of the International market and handing over Luthel Inc someday to me with your daughter by my side was just your plan alone and not Livy’s as well?” Markian question in utter surprise and confusion.