The Ming Vases in Episode 8

Episode 8 features a piece of custom content in the shape of some beautiful Ming Vases and porcelain . You will spot these primarily in the scene with Texas & Brystle in the drawing room of Siloli mansion and also throughout the house.04-18-19_5-58-02 PM04-18-19_5-59-46 PM04-18-19_6-03-34 PM05-05-19_5-28-42 PM05-10-19_4-01-24 PM

These were courtesy of fellow Simmer  TonyWGus  and you can download these directly from his page here

The game does not always provide  the content and objects I require and I’m turning more and more to CC and it’s thanks to users like Tony that I am able to add these touches to my game.


 

Episode 8: The Dinner Party

 

 

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It had been over a week since Texas had shocked the Simmington household with her announcement that she still owned the title deed to a cottage within the grounds of the mansion and that she would be moving in. True to her word Texas moved in that very day. It had not been the best of starts to Brystle and Burke’s marriage having an ex-wife camped outside their home and Brystle was deeply troubled by it. So far they had not seen much of Texas since but just because she was out of sight did not mean she was out of mind, at least not for Brystle.

On this morning she found herself unable to sleep, troubled by the presence of Texas. What was she planning on doing? Brystle did not know but inwardly she was frightened of what Texas would do. Feeling restless, Brystle got out of bed. Burke was still sleeping soundly and she tried not to wake him. She walked quietly over to a bedroom window and gazed out across the grounds towards the cottage where Texas was now living.

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Brystle remained there for sometime as she contemplated the meaning of Texas being here. All she could think was that Texas meant trouble and she could not shake the feeling. 

Not long later Burke awoke from his slumber. He walked over to the window and hugged his wife. 04-14-19_5-16-48 PM04-14-19_5-17-53 PM04-14-19_5-17-04 PM04-14-19_5-17-36 PM

It pained Burke to see his wife so upset. He never wanted Brystle to be worried by anything and so he answered her in the only way he could.04-14-19_5-22-20 PM

Burke reached out and gently caressed his wife’s soft cheek. 04-14-19_5-20-50 PM

Burke kissed his wife on the forehead and then went off to shower. Once alone in their bedroom Brystle turned and looked out of the window. 04-14-19_5-23-53 PM

Brystle felt that Burke was being over simplistic about the whole thing. Removing Texas was going to be harder than he implied. The thoughts of a mega shopping spree was not enough to convince Brystle of the trouble yet to come. 04-14-19_5-15-44 PM


04-11-19_7-53-30 PM

Texas had been settled in the cottage for the past week. Quite quickly she had turned the disused building around giving it a lick of paint and dusting down the furnishings that had been left in the building. She had also spoken with some of the house and grounds keeping staff of Siloli mansion to help her maintain the property but not to inform Burke of this. The staff,, fearing to be caught in the crossfire, had unwillingly obliged.

On this beautiful morning Texas had risen early, as she tended to do most mornings. She felt decidedly creative and commenced painting at her easel. Painting was always a favourite pastime of hers and she had a level 10 painting skill. This cottage, her studio as she called it, was the place where she had been at her most happiest during the lonely days of her marriage to Burke. 04-14-19_5-37-25 PM04-14-19_5-37-45 PM

Whilst she was busy inside creating her latest masterpiece, outside she had a visitor arrive. It was her son Heathen. 04-14-19_5-34-47 PM

Heathen had not spoken with his mother since she had gate-crashed the wedding over 4 weeks ago. She had disappeared again for 3 of those weeks but when she had shown back up at the mansion last week and moved into the cottage he hadn’t visited her as he still needed sometime to think. However he was now at a place where he felt he needed to speak with his mother again. And so he made his way to the front door. 04-14-19_5-35-14 PM

Texas was thrilled to see her son when she opened the door. She immediately flung her arms around him and held him close. 04-14-19_5-40-07 PM

Texas understood. It had been a shock for her children to see their mother again after so many years. She nodded to say that is was o.k. and the 2 of them sat together on the sofa. 04-14-19_5-40-49 PM04-14-19_5-41-14 PM04-14-19_5-41-29 PM04-14-19_5-41-41 PM

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Heathen was touched by how sincere his mother was being but yet there was something he wanted to get off his chest. 

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Heathen’s words stung like a bee. Mainly because what Burke had told the children and also due to the fact it was the truth. Texas remained honest and confessed all. 04-14-19_5-45-35 PM (1)

Heathen didn’t judge his mother as he found her story all too relatable. It was similar to his own experiences with Burke. 04-14-19_5-43-07 PM04-14-19_5-42-31 PM04-14-19_5-43-17 PM04-14-19_5-43-40 PM

Mother and son were at last reconciled. 04-14-19_5-48-42 PM04-14-19_5-49-02 PM

With Heathen having forgiven her Texas felt that her return had been justified. Burke had taken everything away from her before but now she felt that piece by piece she was getting everything back. Reconciling with her daughter Fathom was going to be somewhat more difficult…


01-08-19_10-08-38 PM (1)

Later that day Burke was in his office having a meeting with his attorney Andre Wayward. There was several issues on the agenda that Burke wanted addressing. 04-18-19_4-02-38 PM04-18-19_4-03-06 PM

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Burke was unsettled by the news that Fred Rimmard appeared to be nothing but a fraudster. However the thought of revealing this to Heathen without definitive proof meant the risk of alienating his son once again. Burke thought better of it. 04-18-19_4-07-29 PM

Andre was glad to hear this. Burke had a tempestuous streak and was known to make rash decisions based on his emotions. 04-18-19_4-03-12 PM

Burke nodded for he knew that if there was one sim who could find out information on anyone else it was Andre Wayward. Which now brought Burke to the final point on his agenda…04-18-19_4-04-56 PM

Andre had been expecting this and he knew it was a thorny issue for Burke. The fact was there was very little Andre could do about it. Convincing his boss was another thing. 04-18-19_4-09-50 PM04-18-19_4-07-02 PM

This didn’t sound good. Andre had been in these dangerous waters with Burke before. If he didn’t get what he wanted, Burke was known to take any action he had to and Andre hated being part of it. 04-18-19_4-09-24 PM

Burke thumped his fist against his desk in anger. He was not prepared to accept this at all.04-18-19_4-09-31 PM

Andre sighed. What could he do but carry out Burke’s instructions. He slowly nodded accepting his fate. 04-18-19_4-07-07 PM

Andre’s acceptance of this seemed to placate and he settled back in his executive chair. Just then his intercom buzzed and it  was Marsha his secretary advising him his next appointment of the day was here. Burke instructed her to send him in. 04-18-19_4-11-35 PM

Mayhew Drysdale took a seat in front of Burke. He hadn’t been expecting a meeting with the boss today and was surprised when he got the memo to come straight up. He had no idea what Burke wanted to see him for or why he had been summoned to come straight up to the boss’s office. 

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The mood in the office was very jovial. So why did Mayhew get the feeling there was something else going on behind Burke’s smile?04-18-19_4-12-26 PM04-18-19_4-12-17 PM04-18-19_4-13-12 PM04-18-19_4-13-46 PM

Mayhew shifted slightly in his seat. There was something in the way Burke looked at him when he mentioned Brystle’s name. Surely he couldn’t know of the affair he and Brystle had once had…? Mayhew gave a terse response. 04-18-19_4-14-47 PM

Burke and Mayhew stared at one another and it was a fraction too long for Mayhew’s liking. Eventually Burke responded. 04-18-19_4-13-50 PM

Mayhew, like Andre, felt he had no option but to go along with Burke’s proposal. 04-18-19_4-12-43 PM

Burke thanked for Mayhew for coming and the 2 men shook hands before Mayhew left the office. Once outside Mayhew took a moment to think in the reception area.04-18-19_4-16-08 PM

In the office Andre was wrapping up the meeting with Burke too. There was however one thing on his mind, something he had yet to approach Burke about. And seeing what had just occurred in the office between Mayhew and Burke, Andre felt the need to raise the issue. 04-18-19_4-14-51 PM

Burke slowly turned his gaze from where Mayhew had been sitting a moment ago to Andre. His dead eye response told Andre he had just crossed a line. 04-18-19_4-14-41 PM

Andre nodded to say he understood before picking up his briefcase and leaving the office. 

Burke slowly swivelled in his chair, his gaze turning back to where Mayhew had been sitting. He sat in that position for quite a few minutes in quiet contemplation. 04-18-19_4-19-03 PM


11-18-16_12-49-39 PM (1)

A busy morning in the kitchen of Siloli mansion saw head cook Mrs Bummerson preparing afternoon tea for a gathering of members from Brystle’s chosen charity – The Foundation for Underachieving Children, Kids Or Famished Families. As usual for Mrs Bummerson, everything was too much trouble and she was reminding maid Nannette Bobbins of this much to the chagrin of Nannette. 04-18-19_4-29-34 PM04-18-19_4-32-54 PM

Nannette had learned to turn a deaf ear to Mrs Bummerson’s whinging and just let the woman carry on. And she did unaware that a certain person had stepped into the kitchen from the servant’s entrance. 04-18-19_4-30-21 PM04-18-19_4-30-37 PM

Mrs Bummerson dropped her wooden spoon upon hearing Texas’s voice. After backstabbing the woman she then fell over herself to appear nice to her former employer. 04-18-19_4-35-02 PM

Texas smiled for she knew how two faced the head cook could be. However she knew how to play her to get what she wanted.04-18-19_4-38-16 PM04-18-19_4-35-58 PM04-18-19_4-37-36 PM04-18-19_4-40-31 PM

Texas eyed the maid in front of her. She was not someone she recognised from her time in the mansion and her sources told her she was a recent addition to the staff hired by, and very loyal to, Brystle. Texas realised this woman wasn’t as gullible as Mrs Bummerson and would be harder to break so there was only way to crack her and that was by fear. 04-18-19_4-39-56 PM04-18-19_4-39-27 PM04-18-19_4-37-10 PM

The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Joseph Flanders, the major-domo of Siloli mansion. He had been in the adjoining butler’s pantry and had overheard the whole conversation including Texas’s demands. He decided enough was enough and was not afraid of standing up to the woman. Much to the relief of Nannette. 

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Texas rolled her eyes and slowly turned to look at Joseph. 04-18-19_4-42-24 PM04-18-19_4-42-39 PM

Texas smiled. Whilst she could not stand insubordination from the help she enjoyed the verbal swordplay with the waspish major-domo. 04-18-19_4-53-13 PM04-18-19_4-51-35 PM04-18-19_4-52-16 PM

Everyone turned to look as Brystle now stood in the doorway. Both Mrs Bummerson and Nannette quickly went about their duties keeping their head’s down and themselves out of the way. Joseph smirked and took a step back as Brystle approached Texas in the kitchen. 04-18-19_4-55-26 PM04-18-19_4-55-33 PM

Brystle led Texas out of the kitchen , through the dining room and into the drawing room. Not a word was spoken until they arrived in the room. 04-18-19_5-32-27 PM04-18-19_5-34-51 PM

Once in the room Texas tried to take control of the conversation. 04-18-19_5-55-40 PM04-18-19_5-59-08 PM (1)

Texas looked around the room and smiled as she recalled many happy memories she once had of living in the house. 04-18-19_5-58-02 PM04-18-19_5-55-48 PM

There was a building tension in the air and Texas felt uncomfortable. She didn’t know enough about Brystle yet to determine what was going to come next. Brystle remained very calm as she surveyed the first Mrs Simmington. Like Texas she did not know enough about who she was dealing but all she knew was how she felt and those feelings about Texas were not good. 

Texas reluctantly took a seat but Brystle remained standing.04-18-19_5-36-57 PM04-18-19_5-39-33 PM04-18-19_5-37-17 PM

At the mention of invaded Texas feigned shock.

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Brystle carried on regardless.

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The two women continued to watch one another both awaiting the other to make the next move. It was Texas who spoke next. 04-18-19_5-39-10 PM04-18-19_5-37-17 PM (1)

Texas leapt out of her seat and marched across the room. Her anger was beginning to rise but Brystle still remained calm and collected. This irked Texas all the more. 04-18-19_5-59-46 PM

Brystle moved closer to Texas. She would defend her husband to the end.04-18-19_6-02-57 PM

That was the final straw for Texas. She had just about all she could stomach of the sickly sweet Brystle. 04-18-19_6-05-33 PM

But still Brystle did not rise to meet Texas on her anger. Inwardly she was shaking but she would not let Texas see that. Instead she quite forcefully ordered her out. 04-18-19_6-03-34 PM04-18-19_6-04-00 PM

Brystle walked calmly out of the drawing room leaving a seething Texas behind. 04-18-19_6-04-52 PM

Battle lines had been drawn between the two women. The question was who would make the next move?


12-10-18_5-06-51 PM

Early that evening Mayhew was at home and having a talk with his mother at the dining table. His wife Malaudia was putting their daughter Mimsy to bed and Mayhew was glad to see that his wife was bonding with her daughter at last. Ever since Malaudia had been released from the simitarium she had been on constant edge believing she no longer fitted in the Drysdale family. Some of this was down to living in unfamiliar surroundings as the house had been bought in her absence and the decorating had all been done by his mother. To help Malaudia settle back in Mayhew had agreed for the house to be redecorated once again only this time it was to be Malaudia’s choice of décor and furnishings. So in the past week she had transformed the home and ditched all of Mother Drysdale’s furnishings. 

Also she had began working part time at a book store in town and this was building Malaudia’s confidence. Mayhew was relieved to see his wife regain stability with her mental state. However there had been one other request from her that he had been putting off until now. And that was to ask his mother to move out…04-15-19_9-25-23 PM04-15-19_9-24-02 PM04-15-19_9-25-29 PM04-15-19_9-25-44 PM

Mayhew could see that his mother was not going to take this well. He tried to soften the blow. 04-15-19_9-26-16 PM04-15-19_9-26-55 PM_jpg_klv2h1n_partial04-15-19_9-26-30 PM

Mother Drysdale was a conniving old woman. She was wily as a fox and she spotted that Mayhew was trying reverse simchology on her trying to make her feel guilty by staying. She knew then to change tact and rather than anger she turned on the waterworks. 04-15-19_9-28-59 PM

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Mayhew got the distinct impression his mother was laying it on too thick. He knew his mother to be as tough as old boots. She was faking it. 04-15-19_9-30-18 PM04-15-19_9-28-38 PM

Mayhew didn’t like to hear his mother using Mimsy as a blackmail tool. He took a sip of coffee as he replied quite firmly to his mother.04-15-19_9-27-19 PM04-15-19_9-27-08 PMMother Drysdale pushed the chair back and got up from the table and made her way to her room. But not without having a wicked thought along the way..04-15-19_9-35-58 PM


03-24-19_5-41-13 PM

After a long day at the office Burke had arrived home from work. He passed his briefcase and coat over to a butler who opened the door of the mansion upon his arrival and made his way inside where he met a beaming Brystle. 05-05-19_5-14-21 PM05-05-19_5-14-43 PM05-05-19_5-15-05 PM05-05-19_5-17-26 PM05-05-19_5-18-52 PM

Brystle froze at the mention of Mayhew’s name. 05-05-19_5-16-10 PM05-05-19_5-20-10 PM05-05-19_5-19-05 PM

Burke gave his wife a peck on the cheek and made his way to the study. Brystle stood still as she contemplated what was about to happen.05-05-19_5-21-58 PM

In his study Burke sat at his desk and made the phonecall he’d told Brystle about. It was to Seth Dolby who was at his apartment working out. 05-05-19_5-23-55 PM05-05-19_6-24-28 PM05-05-19_5-24-01 PM05-05-19_6-25-38 PM05-05-19_5-23-28 PM05-05-19_6-23-41 PM05-05-19_5-24-23 PM

Seth was silent as he thought on what Burke had just said to him. After a moment he responded.05-05-19_6-25-14 PM05-05-19_5-23-04 PM05-05-19_6-24-59 PM05-05-19_5-23-48 PM

Seth slipped his boxing gloves back on after the phonecall ended and continued with his workout on the punchbag.05-05-19_6-22-28 PM05-05-19_6-26-54 PM

Burke was just hanging up when Fathom walked into the study. He suspected she had been listening in on his conversation as she was prone to doing. He didn’t mind this time for he already had something on his mind that he needed to bring to her attention. 05-05-19_5-28-42 PM05-05-19_5-29-21 PM05-05-19_5-29-47 PM

Burke decided to let his daughter know that he was well aware of what she had been getting up to recently. 05-05-19_5-30-48 PM05-05-19_5-32-55 PM05-05-19_5-31-25 PM05-05-19_5-32-14 PM05-05-19_5-31-49 PM05-05-19_5-31-19 PM05-05-19_5-32-22 PM

Fathom marched out of her father’s study in a furious rage. How dare he speak to her like this!05-05-19_5-34-09 PM


05-05-19_11-13-44 PM

Malaudia was tucking in her daughter Mimsy for the third time that evening. It was something that was becoming a habit for her. Mimsy still hadn’t entirely warmed to her mother being back at home but Malaudia understood it would take time. It was when her daughter was fast asleep, and not giving her a load of back chat and sass, that Malaudia felt she could really connect with her child. 04-15-19_9-38-51 PM04-15-19_9-39-30 PM

Malaudia gently closed the bedroom door on her way out and went back to her bedroom. Not before glancing down the hallway at Mother Drysdale’s room. The light was showing under the crack and for a second Malaudia felt she should knock on her mother-in-law’s door. Mayhew had told her that he’d asked his mother to move out and she hadn’t taken it well. This was understandable Malaudia reasoned but it was for the best for she had always felt that Mayhew’s mother had never liked her….

Malaudia decided against calling and went back into her room where Mayhew was fast asleep in bed. She smiled as she looked at her slumbering husband for she loved him dearly and she felt that he still loved her even if the woohoo between them was non existent.04-15-19_9-40-36 PM

Malaudia sat on the edge of the bed and listened as her husband rambled in his sleep as he was prone to do.04-15-19_9-42-20 PM

She listened intently as Mayhew muttered on. A lot of what he was saying was indecipherable but there were sporadic words and phrases she could make out. It was the mention of someone’s name that made Malaudia sharply turn around.04-15-19_9-43-06 PM

This couldn’t be! Why was Mayhew having a romantic dream about Brystle Simmington, wife of his boss Burke Simmington? Was it just a dream or was it something else? Malaudia was unnerved for she believed that dreamers never lied….04-15-19_9-43-48 PM

Mayhew’s somnambular witterings continued on for  a moment longer until he loudly snorted and turned over. Malaudia sat beside him in bed her mind racing in overdrive. Would this explain why he had stopped making woohoo with her? Did he love another woman? The same woman they were having dinner with tomorrow night???


12-16-18_2-29-56 PM

It was past midnight and all was quiet at the Simmington household. Everyone was asleep and most of the staff had gone home for the day with the exception of the security guards who patrolled the grounds and the butler and maid on night duty. Even live in major-domo Joseph Flanders had retired for the night but he was far from asleep. He was in his quarters of the mansion and was excitedly opening a package that had arrived for him earlier in the day. It was from SimsBay the online marketplace. Joseph frequently made purchases from this site, mainly collectible movies and merchandise. Particularly those of arthouse movies or bad movies with cult followings. It was his secret passion and one that he kept to himself for some of the movies he purchased were of a…..steamy nature. Like the 2 video cassettes he had just purchased and was salivating over as he opened the package. 05-06-19_3-21-37 PM05-06-19_3-15-38 PM05-06-19_3-51-27 PM05-06-19_3-34-20 PM

With trembling hands Joseph inserted the first video cassette. After a few moments of grainy footage the “movie” started and Joseph couldn’t believe what he was watching. It was Texas Simmington in a woohoo movie!!!05-06-19_3-25-54 PM05-06-19_3-24-41 PM

And it dawned on Joseph  – Texas had made these movies during her exile from the mansion. No doubt she would do anything to keep this a secret and Joseph felt triumphant. 05-06-19_3-29-34 PM

Joseph switched the movie off, and sat back in his chair. With this knowledge he was one step ahead of Texas and it may be enough to force her to leave. This would please Mr Simmington very much thought Joseph. But his motives weren’t altogether altruistic for he knew that Texas had information on him that she could use to her advantage…


The following evening…..05-06-19_5-58-45 PM

It was the evening of the dinner party at Siloli mansion and Brystle was on tenterhooks. All day long she had been dreading this evening and Mayhew’s arrival and now he was here! It was the first time since before her wedding that she had seen her former secret lover. The night before she married Burke she had had a telephone conversation with Mayhew which was a bittersweet goodbye to the man she was once in love with and would continue to feel dearly for. But here he now stood in the foyer of her home with his wife and Burke. Brystle had never met Malaudia before but she was well aware of her troubles with erratic behaviour and her prolonged stays in a simitarium. Brystle felt a great sense of guilt and shame for the affair with Mayhew and this evening would be very difficult for her to look Malaudia in the eye. Nevertheless she took a deep breath and walked down the stairway to join her husband in greeting their dinner guests. 05-10-19_3-11-15 PM05-10-19_3-12-46 PM05-10-19_3-09-16 PM05-10-19_3-09-26 PM

The two former lovers looked at one another for a fraction of a second too long before Burke spoke next. The slightly lingering look did not go unmissed by Malaudia. 05-10-19_3-10-25 PM05-10-19_3-10-48 PM05-10-19_3-12-12 PM05-10-19_3-15-16 PM

Brystle was smiling but inside she was squirming, this was all too uncomfortable. Again Burke spoke next.05-10-19_3-12-58 PM

As they moved forward to the drawing room for pre dinner drinks Brystle tried to make conversation with Malaudia. 05-10-19_3-11-06 PM

Malaudia’s terse reply didn’t give Brystle the impression she was keen to engage into any conversation with her. Did Malaudia know something? Did she have her suspicions? Brystle didn’t know for sure. What she did know was that this evening was going to be very trying for her..

………………….

Seth Dolby was the next guest to arrive and with Heathen, Fred and Fathom present the dinner party commenced. Conversation around the dining table was flowing amongst everyone. Mrs Bummerson had prepared an exquisite banquet and Joseph, in his role as major-domo oversaw, his fleet of butlers serve this meal to the guests. As the meal finished conversations amongst everyone continued. 05-06-19_6-22-43 PM

Fathom didn’t appreciate being seated opposite Seth as this implied she was part of a couple with him and this was something she would fight hard against ever happening despite what her father wanted. Seth however gazed doe-eyed across the table at his former flame and the woman he still loved and adored.05-06-19_6-35-58 PM05-06-19_6-36-14 PMSeth chuckled at Fathom’s sarcasm. He knew there was no real malice behind her words but he could see that she was clearly bored of him. Still he was confident that he would one day soon win her round.

Burke sat at the  head of the table as usual. He had seated Mayhew and Malaudia next to Brystle at the opposite end to him. He sipped his glass of after dinner nectar as he watched his wife engage in conversation with Mayhew. He observed how his wife smiled as Mayhew spoke with her and how her blue eyes sparkled. Meanwhile poor Malaudia looked uncomfortable and neglected. Burke considered everything he was witnessing and his thoughts were cemented on what he would proceed with next. Having decided this he turned his attentions to Heathen and Fred who were seated next to him. 05-06-19_6-34-43 PM05-06-19_6-33-10 PM05-06-19_6-36-22 PM05-06-19_6-32-12 PM05-06-19_6-23-43 PM05-06-19_6-25-25 PM

Burke gave a half hearted smile in response. Where was Andre with the information he wanted on Fred’s background when he needed him? He made his excuses and got up from the table and went over to his cocktail cabinet and poured himself a drink.

Heathen leaned across the table and smile at Fred for he was so proud of his lover standing up to his father. 05-06-19_6-28-25 PM

Heathen smiled again as he dreamily looked into Fred’s eyes and thought to himself how happy he was having him in his life. 05-06-19_6-28-14 PM

Involved with their own conversation at the other end of the table was Brystle and Mayhew. 05-06-19_6-30-45 PM05-06-19_6-41-39 PM05-06-19_6-41-51 PM05-06-19_6-37-46 PM

Whilst on the surface it appeared both women were comfortable with this inwardly both were very uncomfortable with the whole idea…05-06-19_6-37-02 PM05-06-19_6-29-15 PM

Mayhew was oblivious to any of this for he only had longing eyes for Brystle. And his gaze did not go unnoticed by Fathom who was sat across the table secretly watching what was going on whilst Seth chatted to her. Fathom had of course listened in on a private conversation between Brystle and Mayhew the night before the wedding but had kept this knowledge to herself…for now…05-06-19_6-23-59 PM

As the conversations continued Burke asked Mayhew to join him at the drinks cabinet. Mayhew joined him. He had somehow been expecting a conversation like this with Burke but he had no idea what it was about to entail.05-06-19_6-48-47 PM05-06-19_6-47-56 PM05-06-19_6-48-06 PM05-06-19_6-50-13 PM05-06-19_6-46-24 PM05-06-19_6-46-44 PM05-06-19_6-48-18 PM05-06-19_6-49-54 PM05-06-19_6-49-19 PM

Burke smirked and walked away with his drink in his hand. Mayhew had no choice really, he would have to go. For Burke had his reasons for sending the handsome young man half way around the world for an extended period. But he was keeping that to himself. 


04-11-19_6-53-43 PM

Texas was alone in her cottage. She was aware of the dinner party Burke was throwing and if truth be told she wanted to gatecrash it but how many spectacular entrances could one woman make? So instead she stayed home, slipped into her silk robe and poured herself a drink. Many thoughts were running through her mind and she needed time alone to think.

As she contemplated on what her next moves would be she heard her door open and gently close. Before she could turn around to see who had entered her domain she caught a whiff of a familiar cologne. 04-16-19_9-05-35 PM04-16-19_9-07-55 PM04-16-19_9-08-46 PM04-16-19_9-09-34 PM04-16-19_9-11-27 PM04-16-19_9-12-36 PM

Texas sashayed over to the couch and sat down. Cyril caught a glimpse of her silky smooth leg through her robe and his pulse raced. He quickly moved to sit beside his former lover.04-16-19_9-15-02 PM04-16-19_9-15-33 PM04-16-19_9-17-12 PM (1)04-16-19_9-17-21 PM04-16-19_9-17-02 PM04-16-19_9-26-58 PM04-16-19_9-20-15 PM04-16-19_9-16-26 PM04-16-19_9-30-02 PM04-16-19_9-29-47 PM

Cyril could see that he had given Texas food for thought. He also knew she was a woman who was very strong willed and would not be pushed around. She would need time to consider the options and give her answer in her own time. He stood as he made preparations to leave.04-16-19_9-31-18 PM04-16-19_9-30-47 PM

Texas saw her former lover out. On the doorstep they faced one another. Thoughts of revenge were momentarily put aside for now they were caught up in nostalgia. Texas spoke first.04-16-19_9-46-02 PM04-16-19_9-46-12 PM04-16-19_9-48-11 PM04-16-19_9-49-49 PM


12-16-18_2-29-56 PM

Malaudia was wandering around the corridors of the mansion. She’d gone to the powder room by the entrance but had gotten lost in trying to find her way back to the dining room. There were so many doors! She opened the first set of double doors she came across and walked into Burke’s study. She realised her mistake right away and to make matter’s worse Heathen was sat in the study. He smiled as she stood in the doorway unsure what to do. He beckoned for her to join him. 05-10-19_3-20-09 PM05-10-19_3-21-10 PM05-10-19_3-22-49 PM05-10-19_3-21-19 PM05-10-19_3-23-16 PM05-10-19_3-22-58 PM05-10-19_3-23-57 PM05-10-19_3-24-07 PM

Heathen stood now full of confidence. He’d only just met Malaudia for the first time this evening but he was already feeling a strong connection to her. 05-10-19_3-28-07 PM05-10-19_3-29-21 PM

As he strutted out of the room ready to ask the most important question of his life Malaudia smiled at the thought she had helped someone make such an important decision. If only she could sort her own life so simply. Once alone in the study she reflected on what had just happened. 05-10-19_3-25-01 PM

………

Later out on the veranda Brystle had stepped out for some fresh air. The dinner party was half way through but it felt like it had gone on far too long. Or maybe it was just being in the same room as Mayhew and Burke which was making her feel so uneasy. And as she pondered on this as she gazed up into the night sky Mayhew quietly stepped out of the French doors. and joined her. 05-10-19_3-32-10 PM

Brystle quickly hurried back inside but Mayhew followed her. 05-10-19_3-36-07 PM05-10-19_3-36-40 PM05-10-19_3-37-01 PM05-10-19_3-36-55 PM05-10-19_3-38-03 PM05-10-19_3-38-12 PM05-10-19_3-37-19 PM05-10-19_3-38-18 PM

Brystle rushed out of the room. She didn’t want to hear any of this. How could Mayhew come into her home and say these things? And was it true, did Burke know the truth?

……….

Later  in the dining room only Fathom and Fred remained, the rest of the dinner party indulging in post dinner drinks.

Fathom was protective of her younger brother and whilst not hostile towards Fred she did want to check that he was the right man for Heathen.05-10-19_3-41-38 PM (1)05-10-19_3-42-04 PM05-10-19_3-42-29 PM05-10-19_3-42-09 PM05-10-19_3-41-56 PM

Fathom considered this as she sipped her drink. She liked Fred and she wanted her brother to be happy, perhaps Fred was the man for him. 05-10-19_3-43-49 PM05-10-19_3-45-30 PM05-10-19_3-45-55 PM

This news confirmed Fred’s fear that Andre was onto him. Surely it would only be a matter of time before he discovered that Fred was not who he said he was and that the whole foundation of Heathen’s and his relationship was built on a lie. Perhaps it was time to leave before he was found out but then he ran the risk of facing the wrath of Cyril Dolby and he didn’t know what would be worse. As he started to feel jittery the door opened and Seth Dolby walked in. Fathom rolled her eyes. 05-10-19_3-47-27 PM05-10-19_3-49-48 PM

Fred hurriedly made his way out of the dining room. He had to speak with Heathen urgently.05-10-19_3-51-30 PM05-10-19_3-51-40 PM05-10-19_3-53-39 PM05-10-19_3-55-49 PM

Seth felt hurt by Fathom’s rejection. How could she do this to him?05-10-19_3-54-20 PM05-10-19_3-51-51 PM

Fathom left the room too. Seth was left alone with a hard choice to make. 05-10-19_3-56-26 PM

………

While Seth was pondering on what to do Fred had gone upstairs to look for Heathen. What Fathom had told him about Andre compiling a dossier on Fred had completely unnerved him. Fred had thought this would happen and had told Cyril so but his boss had left him no choice but to continue with his affair with Heathen. Panic was taking hold of Fred and he needed to tell Heathen the truth but could he bring himself to do it? To look him in the eye and tell him that their relationship had been built on deception? It would completely destroy Heathen and Fred wasn’t sure he could go through with it. But as he entered their bedroom and found Heathen pacing the room it looked as if he was already too late. Perhaps Heathen had found out. 05-05-19_6-06-23 PM (1)05-05-19_6-07-05 PM05-05-19_6-07-41 PM05-05-19_6-09-34 PM05-05-19_6-09-50 PM05-05-19_6-10-18 PM05-05-19_6-13-10 PM

Fred was completely taken aback by Heathen’s proposal. He hadn’t expected this at all and he was now totally conflicted. On the one hand he had been hired by the Simmington family’s arch enemy to infiltrate their inner circle and find out a much as he could. On the other hand he had totally fallen in love with Heathen along the way and he didn’t realise the extent of how he felt just until this moment. 05-05-19_6-10-46 PM05-05-19_6-11-49 PM

Fred looked down at his lover and in an instant he made his decision. 05-05-19_6-10-38 PM05-05-19_6-18-02 PM05-05-19_6-17-21 PM05-05-19_6-17-13 PM

With that the two lovers began to pack a few things and get changed as they planned to run off into the night and get married. While Heathen was excited Fred had other things on his mind. He was following his heart and ignoring what Cyril had hired him to do. Yes Cyril had ordered Fred to marry Heathen but he was now doing this out of love and not because he was a hustler for hire. The only question was what to do with Cyril….?

………………

Downstairs Burke was in mid conversation with Seth. 05-10-19_4-09-00 PM05-10-19_4-09-17 PM05-10-19_4-09-22 PM05-10-19_4-13-03 PM05-10-19_4-13-47 PM

Before Seth could answer Fathom walked up the corridor behind them as she made her way upstairs. Seth looked at her and smiled before turning back to Burke. 05-10-19_4-14-36 PM05-10-19_4-15-19 PM

Fathom ignored what she had just heard. At the top of the stairs she looked down as Burke congratulated Seth, his latest protégé. Inwardly she groaned as she couldn’t believe her father had done this. 05-10-19_4-17-30 PM

Fathom made her way to her room and texted Michael on her way….

…….

A short while later Brystle walked into the drawing room to find Malaudia drinking alone. All evening long there hadn’t been much conversation between the two of them and Brystle wanted to make the effort now while Burke was drinking with Mayhew and Seth in the study.05-10-19_4-01-24 PM 05-10-19_4-02-09 PM05-10-19_4-03-14 PM05-10-19_4-06-11 PM05-10-19_4-03-35 PM

Brystle froze as she didn’t know what to say. She’d had a feeling that Malaudia suspected the affair and now she had the confirmation. But having the GOOD trait meant it was impossible for Brystle to lie. 05-10-19_4-05-49 PM

Malaudia remained poker faced, it was hard for Brystle to read her right now. 05-10-19_4-04-25 PM05-10-19_4-06-21 PM05-10-19_4-07-13 PM05-10-19_4-07-19 PM05-10-19_4-07-26 PM

Malaudia made for the door but gave a biting remark as she left the room. 05-10-19_4-07-04 PM

Brystle was at a loss as what to do. Would Malaudia tell Burke or should she come clean herself and risk her marriage…..?

………..

In the solarium Fathom was passing the time by lighting up her bong and blowing some bubbles. The bubble blowing machine was not illegal in Windenburg but it was frowned upon for its mind altering effects it had on Sims. Nevertheless it remained popular with students and young adults, as well as those with ongoing debilitating medical conditions, as the sense of euphoria it induced left Sims on a high for hours at a time. And as this night was getting increasingly irksome for Fathom she needed to lighten the mood a little. That was why she’d texted her woohoo buddy and Simmington chauffeur Michael Constrain to join her. He’d been all too willing to leave his room in the servants quarters and sneak his way in. 05-10-19_5-03-34 PM05-10-19_5-04-02 PM

Michael pulled up a chair alongside the bubble machine and grabbed a nozzle. 05-10-19_5-04-50 PM05-10-19_5-05-30 PM (1)05-10-19_5-06-14 PM05-10-19_5-06-20 PM05-10-19_5-06-37 PM

Fathom inhaled deeply and felt a rush like never before as she exhaled the bubbles. 05-10-19_5-06-52 PM05-10-19_5-08-40 PM05-10-19_5-11-27 PM05-10-19_5-11-10 PM05-10-19_5-12-02 PM05-10-19_5-10-10 PM

A naughty smile came over Fathom’s face as they both stood up. Her father’s dinner party was happening just down the corridor but she didn’t care. 05-10-19_5-15-18 PM05-10-19_5-08-17 PM

Michael followed Fathom out to the pool and they both stripped naked before cannonballing into the water. 05-10-19_4-35-10 PM05-10-19_4-36-44 PM05-10-19_4-39-26 PM

They both splashed around before smooching deeply underwater. When they emerged Michael made a declaration. 05-10-19_4-42-02 PM05-10-19_4-42-37 PM

Michael agreed. He was cool with that too. And if it guaranteed more regular woohoo with Fathom then he wasn’t for complaining. 

………..

While Fathom and Michael were nosily splashing around and laughing in the pool Heathen and Fred were outside the front of the house packing an overnight case into Heathen’s car as they prepared to elope. Suddenly Heathen developed a last minute case of jitters. 05-10-19_4-32-02 PM05-10-19_4-32-12 PM05-10-19_4-32-31 PM05-10-19_4-33-13 PM05-10-19_4-33-22 PM

And with that they both got into Heathen’s sportscar and sped off into the night…

………

Inside Brystle was still in the drawing room since Malaudia had left her almost half an hour ago. She’d been afraid of what might have come next if Malaudia had gone straight to the study and revealed all to Burke but that hadn’t happened. In fact she could hear Burke laughing and joking with their guests so it was obvious nothing had been said….for now. Perhaps it would be best if she went straight to bed as her presence might aggravate Malaudia all the more. Anyway she did feel a headache coming on, probably due to all the stress she was feeling. But before she could go to bed , the door opened and Joseph hurried in.  It looked like he had something urgent to reveal.

05-10-19_5-00-55 PM05-10-19_5-01-02 PM05-10-19_5-01-09 PM

Brystle followed the major-domo out onto the lanai and sure enough there was a very naked Fathom cavorting in the pool with Michael. Brystle was not impressed. 

05-10-19_4-40-51 PM05-10-19_4-45-57 PM05-10-19_4-47-33 PM

A naked Fathom brazenly walked over to a lounger in front of Brystle and casually wrapped herself in a towel.05-10-19_4-48-56 PM05-10-19_4-51-13 PM05-10-19_4-52-17 PM05-10-19_4-51-31 PM

Fathom could see she had inflicted the damage she intended. Brystle didn’t know what to say. Fathom picked up her dress off the floor and walked into the house leaving her step mother alone by the pool. 05-10-19_4-53-34 PM

This evening had gone from bad to worse for Brystle and she could not see it getting any better. Burke was going to find out one way or another about her affair with Mayhew if not from Fathom then from Malaudia. And what of Mayhew’s warnings about the kind of man Burke really was. If he thought that Brystle had been keeping secrets from him then who knows what he would do. And when Fathom had repeated back the very words Brystle had said to Mayhew over the phone the night before the wedding it made her think….did she really still have feelings for Mayhew after all?

Alone and confused, Brystle stood by the swimming pool under the night sky and silently wept…..05-10-19_4-54-24 PM