There sat Penrose Walters, watching both of her bosses getting married secretly in Sulani. So secret that the only people who were invited aside from herself was the Duchess Dowager’s long time friend, Judith Ward, Judith’s personal assistant, and their butler. Perlas, who was the Vanderburgs’ previous tour guide, was invited to officiate the wedding. That’s four more people. Oh, and there’s the wedding photographer Judith had recommended. So that’s five more people.
It’s risky, inviting five people in this Watcher-forsaken cursed wedding — not that she’s suspicious of Perlas, she knows her lover would never tell a thing, and that she’s not interested in celebrity gossip — but this is a PR disaster in the making. She had to trust Judith and her little team, just like what the Duchess had asked her to, but she couldn’t help it. She had ambushed the photographer yesterday evening, and made her sign an NDA.
If this gets out, it’s over for her boss, for the Duchess, and for the twins. All she will think of is to run the hell out of Del Sol Valley, and live in Sulani with her lover permanently. Her thoughts were broken when she heard Bernie’s vows.
“Now that we are about to be wedded to each other, my Duchess Margaret, you no longer need to be alone, for I am here, not only as your husband, but as your personal private secretary, which has always been. I will not let other people hurt you anymore, not even the royal family.”
And Penny started to look away, trying not to scoff. She looked up at the sky. Earlier it was clear, but now…even the sky disagrees with the wedding.
She doesn’t know how the time passed, but she heard Perlas say, “Mr. Braxton, you may now kiss your bride.”
Everyone cheered, Penny herself tried her best not to make her clapping sound sarcastic, as Bernie swooped Margaux off her feet. She saw how Judith and her personal assistant shared a look, and it made her feel uneasy.
Judith caught her stare, and the actress smiled at her. Penny smiled back politely, and she returned her attention to the newlywed couple. Maybe it’s nothing.
The couple walked down the aisle, with everyone following suit. The photographer also followed, camera in hand. What was left in the little pier was herself, and Perlas.
“It must be hard, my Rose,” Perlas said, standing beside her.
“It is, honey,” Penny sighed. “Here I am, trying to pick up their mess, and here they are, making another one.”
“You can only do so much, my love,” Perlas gently guided her to walk. “You have done your best to protect their reputation and the twins.”
Penny agreed, her spirits lifting up. “I just know something bad will happen soon. No matter how hard they try to cover up everything, the truth will always come out.”
“Yes,” Perlas nodded, “and you must prepare yourself when the time comes. You must save yourself, as you can no longer save them.”
Penny stopped and sighed. Perlas approached and embraced her with a kiss. “Come now, my love. At least there is cake.”
Penny laughed.
“Well?”
“It took a lot of reassurance but I convinced the Duchess and Mr. Braxton that the only copies of their photos existing are the physical photographs…that they have now,” Kristine said. Grinning, she added, “I have the soft copies.”
“Excellent, darling,” Judith smiled, letting out a laugh, “And the photographer?”
“Paid handsomely to keep his mouth shut. Though, apparently, he was made to sign an NDA by the other secretary,” Kristine said.
Judith frowned, “The blonde girl?”
Her personal assistant nodded and smiled, “Don’t worry. I got the copy of the NDA, but I will still need the secretary’s copy…”
“Matteo can take care of that,” Judith smirked. “I’ll let him know. They wouldn’t suspect a butler did it. What would they know? He only does cleaning.”
Kristine giggled. “Good thinking, Judith! Now, just say the word, and I’ll have it sent to…”
“Now, now, sweetie,” Judith shook her head. “Let’s not get hasty. When the time is right, I will let you know. Let’s just hold on to it for the meantime. If we release it now, they’ll know who did it. Let the days pass by. Wait until winter. When college is over for her children.”
Kristine watched the look towards the dark horizon. Judith continued, “By then, Margaux will have no family left by her side anymore.”
She smiled to herself. “By then, her name will fade amongst the stars. Judith Ward will continue to shine.”
Makeovers of Maxis gallery sims from the 'Come To Windenburg' trailer, plus a new addition for Edith & Giovanni.
Makeover of the Get Together townies from Maxis' gallery. Includes hand-picked preferences, skills, careers, etc. On the gallery at m0ckest or tray files below.
Mr. Hamilton is a very good teacher. I try my hardest to pay attention in classes. But when we’re dismissed for the day, me and the other boys go out to play in the snow. There’s so much snow in Britechester! I love to join in the snowball fights, even though I get knocked down more often than the others.
Matteo: “That is absolutely ridiculous Jacques! Have you forgotten who you’re dealing with!? I will not stand for such blatant price gouging!”
Jacques: “No I have not forgotten. Believe me. I offer you a fair, nay, an incredibly reasonable price for such services. One I would only offer to family Matteo. Which reminds me: Giovanni how’s my lovely niece these days? You treating her well over in Old Town?”
Giovanni: “Eh.. She’s fine sir... I mean, we’re fine... happy.” *looks around*
Jacques: “Good to hear. Now Matteo, what do you think?”
Matteo: “ §150 is still absurd. I could ask any simple two bit crook to do this for me. Hell, I bet could even do it myself!”
Jacques: “You could, but then again you’re be paying me for confidentiality... and to ensure that none of this leads back to you. Who else could make you that guarantee?”
Matteo: *grumbles* “Fine. But I’m not paying you a cent more than §110.”
Jacques: “§140 and you have a deal.”
Matteo: “§125. FInal offer.”
Jacques: “132k. You’ve got to be willing to bend my friend.”
Matteo: “Fine. Deal.”
Jacqeus: “Ah. Good. It’s been agreed upon. We’ll set to it immediately.”
Matteo: “As you should. I’m paying you an arm and a leg for this. I expect results.”
Jacques: “And you’ll get nothing less. Now, we’ll see you and the boys ‘round for dinner next week, won’t we?”
Matteo: “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
It’s time to leave Britechester behind and go home to my family. I said goodbye to all the boys, to Mr. Hamilton, and to Kat...I’m going to miss them all a lot. I wonder if I’ll ever come back to see them...
Mother got all weepy when I got out of the car. She said I’d grown so much since she last saw me - I guess I must have, or she got shorter. It didn’t hit me until she hugged me, just how much I missed my parents while I was gone.
