Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, West Hollywood neighborhood ~

4:19 PM

In a Spanish-colonial mansion…

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are silently sitting in a luxurious living room. They are sipping tea and snacking on pastries in slow and fluid motions, but the gleam in their eyes is betraying how excited they are despite their calm demeanor.

What are they doing here? We need to look back at the previous day…

Yesterday, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan received a call from their daughter, Harriet (aka Penny), who told them that she realized her mistake. She apologized and promised that going forward she will take good care of her parents. After all, they gave her life and they raised her, she owes them everything and it's the right thing to do.

Mrs. Morgan scolded her daughter for letting them live in misery for several months, but in the end she magnanimously forgave her daughter.

"Thank you, mother.", Penny responded. "I would like to start my amends by moving you to a place which more fits your status. Do you mind if you relocate to the Los Angeles area? It will be easier for us to see each other because this is where Ben and I live. His work is here, and we already picked a wonderful mansion…"

Mrs. Morgan exchanged glances with her husband before responding: "We are not tied to a place, and we are willing to consider relocation. However, how are we going to reach there?"

"Don't worry about small details, mother. Allow me to take care of everything. Please, tell your friends and neighbors that you are moving out and pack your belongings. I can send people to pick you up as early as tomorrow morning..."

The next morning (that is earlier today), Mrs. Morgan almost passed out from happiness when she saw a luxurious limousine picking them up. They left the neighborhood with two suitcases and big smiles on their faces.

Their glee reached the next level when they reached the airport. The VIP treatment, the private jet with a magnificent service… This is the lifestyle they deserve!

"I knew that Harriet would come around.", Mrs. Morgan told her husband as she sipped champagne during their flight to Los Angeles.

Mr. Morgan nodded in agreement. "Of course. She has a powerful husband. Let's do our best to stay on their good side…"

"Good side?", Mrs. Morgan sneered. "Do you think that Harriet would do this if we didn't cause trouble at the hotels? Let me tell you… Going forward when we want something, we need to make noise. Only by kicking up a fuss, we will get her to listen…"

Another luxurious limousine drove them from the airport through Los Angeles toward their destination. Just by looking at the neighborhood, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan could see that this is a high-end area. Making all that ruckus in the hotels, day after day, paid off. Big time!

It was close to noon when the limousine took a turn, passed through iron gates, and slowly glided through the long driveway, allowing its two passengers from the back seat to take in the sight of expertly-manicured gardens, lush hedges, colorful flower beds, and ornate water features.

The vehicle stopped on a large circular driveway in front of the elegant Spanish-colonial mansion.

Mrs. Morgan stepped out of the car and admired orange trees while inhaling the sweet fragrance of the nearby flower beds. She turned to her husband and beamed: "I like this!"

Four marble steps took them toward the massive double-doors.

"Mr. Morgan, Mrs. Morgan…", a gentleman in his mid-forties greeted them at the door. "I am the butler at the Spanish Circle villa, and I hope that you will find my services to your liking. You can call me Jason. Please allow me to introduce you to the rest of the staff…"

Jason gestured toward the lineup of about a dozen uniformed men and women standing in attention and introduced them as the staff who is working at this villa.

"Madam is not able to join at this time, but she instructed me to help you settle in. She will stop by later in the afternoon. Do you want something to eat, rest or would you like a tour of your villa first?", Jason asked Mr. and Mrs. Morgan who both grinned to the point of their cheeks hurting while their eyes roamed over the exquisite interior of the mansion.

They didn't ask who Madam is, assuming that is Harriet. Since she married a gold mine (aka Ben), she is the Madam, right?

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan wanted a tour of the villa first because they ate during their flight. Their minds were spinning at the sight of eight bedrooms, study and media room, a library, a sunroom, a swimming pool, majestic garden in the back… the property is fully walled-in and surrounded by mature trees while the lot is so large that they could not see any neighbors. Everything is amazing!

This villa is more luxurious than the one they lived in before they fell from grace!

After the tour, they ate and freshened up, and now they are waiting for their daughter to arrive.

Penny entered the room while holding Ben under his arm.

Mrs. Morgan's eyes widened at the sight of Penny's belly. She remembered that Penny told them how they will be grandparents, but Penny was skinny and flat, and she didn't believe it.

Ben helped Penny sit on the sofa before taking his place next to her.

Four bodyguards assumed their positions, two behind Penny and Ben and two behind Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.

Mrs. Morgan observed her daughter and her eyes lit up at the sight of Penny's styled hair, expensive dress, and accessories. And Ben is also wearing a fancy suit. Just one look at them and she can see that they are loaded.

"Mother, father…", Penny called with a small smile on her face. "Did you travel well?"

"Yes, yes.", Mrs. Morgan responded while her eyes didn't leave Ben. "Will you introduce us to your husband?"

"Of course, this is Benjamin Casano. My husband, and the father of my child. Your son-in-law.", Penny responded.

Ben did his best to ignore a pair of greedy people sitting in the room opposite from him. He is surprised how come Penny turned out to be an OK person, considering how her parents are despicable.

Ben chanted silently that he needs to stay calm. They have a plan, and if he blows up, everything Penny wanted to do will be spoiled. OK, not everything, but her satisfaction in giving her parents what they deserve will be diminished. Penny is pregnant, and he wants her to enjoy this. It will be good for Penny and for their son.

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan expected more respect from Ben. They were put off by his cold, almost hostile attitude. Shouldn't he be at least polite toward his in-laws? On the other side, his haughtiness only proved that he is someone with backing and status who will not bow to anyone.

"Nice to meet you.", Mr. Morgan responded. "Due to our unfortunate circumstances we were unable to get to know each other. I hope we can correct that going forward."

"Absolutely.", Penny responded while eyeing her parents. "That is why we got you this villa to live in. The villa is fully paid so you don't need to worry about relocating ever again, and the staff is at your disposal. Of course, Ben and I will take care of all expenses…"

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