EPISODE FIFTY SIX
THEME: His entitlement
MOON STONE FORTRESS
AT THE PACK HOUSE: ALPHA CARL CHAMBERS
“Hey mom!” Jaylen practically yelled from the door way, trying to make a silent emphasis for Gabriella and Claire to let him be.
Meagan looked up from the bed where she had been caressing Carl’s hair and a big smile spread on her face as their eyes locked. Before she could attempt to get up, Jaylen already took long strides and was hugging his parents.
“Baby! I thought you were not going to come back.” Meagan sniffed.
“You almost sent me packing.” Carl joked, relaxing into Jaylen’s embrace.
Jaylen chuckled. “I wouldn’t do such. I had to stay for a while to ensure Rosalyn was fit to begin work again.”
“Glad you returned champ.” His father smiled at him.
“I guess you all can stop being so mushy already.” Gabriella said with a scoff.
Jaylen chortled as he lifted himself off the bed. “Someone sounds jealous.”
Picking up a throw pillow from behind her, Gabriella tossed it at Jaylen but he was quick to get a hold of it. Everyone of them burst out laughing.
Taking a seat on the couch next to Claire, Jaylen leaned into it. “How are you feeling dad?”
Carl smiled lightly. “Well let me say I am better now that you are here.”
“I can’t believe you all missed me that much.” Jaylen teased. “Now, which one of you would like to confess to calling Rosalyn to affirm my return.” He said with a raised brow.
Meagan coughed lightly as she scratched her neck. “I did ask Gabriella to do so on my behalf. I didn’t think I had the right to ask such thing.”
“Mom!” Jaylen felt guilty by her words and he leaned forward. “You could have called me instead. I understand that we are still walking on eggshells around each other but I am really not holding any grudge. We are fine now.” He assured them.
Walking up to him, Meagan held out her hands to hug her son tightly. “Thanks so much baby. Thanks for being so considerate.”
Carl let out a low cough. “He has most of my trait in him.”
Gabriella scoffed. “I doubt. It sounds more like a wish.” She said.
“Mom!” Carl whined.
“Just saying baby, he takes after his mother more. You and Jayden seem more acquainted.” Gabriella replied with no remorse as she raised her hands in the air. “I said what I said, you all can’t sue me.” She uttered in defense.
“Nothing really gets past you Granny. Sometimes, I wish I could blurt out how I feel exactly just like you do.” Claire chipped in.
“You can as well wait till you grow as old and as nosy as Grandma is.” Jaylen snickered.
Staring wide-eyed, Gabriella said. “You had better not be referring to me young man.”
Jaylen spread his lips wide in a cute smile. “Why would I refer to you Granny? I was just saying.” He stood up, clearing his throat and tucked his hands into his pocket.
The thought of Lorelei discussing with him struck his mind. He had been so engrossed with Claire and Gabriella that it had almost skipped his mind.
“What’s wrong baby?” Meagan questioned.
“I would like to return to my room now mom. I need to freshen up to get somewhere quickly. I will check on you guys tomorrow.” Jaylen responded. He has plans to visit Lorelei at her home.
Gabriella and Claire snickered at the same time causing Jaylen to glare at them. Carl looked between the three of them and his mind became curious as to what they reacted for.
“Is there something you guys aren’t sharing with me yet?”
“Well Jaylen-”
Claire was about to spill everything when she got a cautioning glare from her mother and grandmother.
“He would let his father know when he is ready.” Gabriella stated after rolling her eyes then she looked towards Jaylen. “Isn’t that right baby?”
Jaylen couldn’t be more grateful for being protected from the embarrassment Claire was about to wrap him around. He wasn’t ready to tell his father yet, even though he hoped fervently that it wouldn’t be too late.
“Yes Grandma.” Jaylen walked to her and pecked her forehead. He did the same to his parents and sister before stepping out of the room.
Pouting and throwing out her feet, Claire fake cried. “How could you both gang up against me at the same time? I was only trying to keep dad in the know.”
Meagan sighed, looking tired. “Sometimes I wish you don’t act so bratty and nonchalant Claire.”
“But-” She tried to argue.
Gabriella cut in. “No buts young lady, now if you would please excuse us. We have some important things to talk about.”
Claire felt betrayed as she looked towards her father to come to her rescue but Carl only stared at her with a pitiful look on his face. Annoyed at how the table turned towards her, Claire stomped out of the room.
Coughing lightly, Carl changed his sitting position. “Don’t you think you both were too harsh on her?”
Meagan thinned her lips. “Claire needs to be told the truth sometimes, you pamper her way too much.”
Gabriella nodded in agreement. “I feel like the leverage you give to this kids, especially Jayden and Claire is why they don’t have much empathy in them.”
Carl winced in pain, he felt hurt by his mother’s truth. “I was only doing all I can as a father.”
“Maybe you did a little bit too much.” His mother insisted.
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Meagan cleared her throat as she felt the tension that was about to surround the room.
“Let’s forget about that please. There are more important issues to discuss.” She informed them.
Cutting his weak eyes from his mother, Carl tried to remember what Meagan was talking about. He was beginning to lose his concentration as the day passes and it made it hard to remember some discussions.
“What discussion is that?” He asked with a frown on his face.
Meagan replied in a faded tone. “About Jaylen visiting the company and getting a heads up on what it’s all about.”
“You sure you both want to pull this off? Knowing how thick the air already is.” Gabriella reasoned.
Carl snapped his weak fingers as he remembered what he had discussed the night before with Meagan. Looking towards his mom, he said. “I just felt it was necessary to let him know the ropes of his inheritance-”
“I love Jaylen very much and I love Jayden equally too. As the Moon Goddess Choice, you have to forgo the alpha post of the latter to the former. But I hope you don’t intend to do the same with the family business?” Gabriella insisted.
“Jaylen is just as entitled to the company as Jayden.” Meagan pointed out.
Gabriella shook her head in disagreement. “And Jaylen practically runs a multimillion dollar company in Chicago which he was able to achieve thanks to his inheritance that he got ten years ago. You can only give him a share but please don’t make him foresee the business with Jayden being the sole caretaker. Don’t let us bite more than we can chew. To many unsolved situations is still laying around.”
Carl and Meagan shared a look as they nodded at each other. Gabriella noticed their countenance as she stood up. “I do hope for posterity sake, you both would be cautious.” After saying that she left the room as their eyes bored holes into her receding back.