SEVEN (An Original Series) #1 - LUXURIA
SEVEN (An Original Series) #2 - GULA
SEVEN (An Original Series) #4 - ACEDIA
He didn't need to know.
After her daughter was peacefully cremated, Claire took care of her husband's funeral. Everything went on as planned. She staged his death as an accidental food poisoning -- stating it clear that her husband may have eaten some rotten food or that he may have had an alcohol intoxication. Everyone believed her.
No one else needs to know.
Anthony stepped out of his car and sighed heavily as he walked towards his father's wake. He hadn't seen the man in ten years. As much as he hated him, he never thought that his dad would end up this way. He would have preferred to kill the man himself if he had the chance. He felt a gentle touch on his arm, reminding him that he's not alone. His wife, Sarah, gave him a reassuring smile as she ushered him to the chapel.
Claire saw the couple and approached them immediately like she was supposed to, consoling herself with the thought that this will soon be over. After all, she knew for a fact that Anthony's presence in this occasion was not driven by grief or even a sense of loss, but only for the final distribution of his father's properties.
She stood with him until after the burial, in spite of the tension in between them. Anthony saw her as a rival, that she knows for sure. He might even be rejoicing about Jenny's death, as it leaves Claire as his only competition. She mourned quietly as she remembered her daughter.
The meeting with the executor was held at her house with only Claire, Anthony and his wife Sarah as the expected participants. The executor was a middle-aged man who had been a good friend of Carlos and a reliable lawyer of the family for many years. He started to read the document solemnly.
The document stated that forty percent of all his monetary assets must be transferred to his wife's account after his death, including his all his shares and profitable investments. Anthony and Jenny each receives half of the remaining amount, but because the latter predeceased the testator, her share shall be divided equally between the living beneficiaries.
Anthony was outraged. He strode out of the house without a word, dragging his wife along with him. Claire and the executor exchanged glances, both disappointed with his dismal behavior.
Unfair, he thought.
He stepped into his car, his wife tagging along, knowing better than to argue. As he was about to start the engine, his eyes caught sight of the glove compartment, reminding him of the pistol he kept underneath. "Stay here" he sternly instructed his wife as he grabbed the weapon, shut the door and headed back to the house in fury.
Sarah nodded shakily, praying in silence as she braced herself for the worst.
Bang! Bang!
Carlos froze upon hearing the gunfire and dropped the pistol on the floor. Claire and the executor took the opportunity and ran outside, leaving Anthony and his frustrations. He stood still in the middle of the room, hating himself for not being able to pull the trigger, feeling ashamed to have even thought about it.
A roaring scream brought him back to reality. He rushed outside to where the commotion is and felt all his strength drained out him when he saw what it was.
Blood. Shards of glasses. A crowd of strangers.
Sirens blared around him, a paramedic covered the victim's body, police lines surrounded the area.
Claire came up to him and embraced him tightly, a welcome comfort in his catatonic state.
He starts to sob, Claire's arms his strong fortress, as he stared at his melancholic, empty car.
Sarah is dead.
SEVEN (An Original Series) #1 - LUXURIA
SEVEN (An Original Series) #2 - GULA
SEVEN (An Original Series) #4 - ACEDIA
