Chapter 10: The Court’s Order

Chapter 10: Chapter 10: The Court’s Order

The night air outside the gallery was cold.

They walked out together, but nobody was really together. Flora held Maya’s hand tightly, her small fingers were shaking. She was tired. Her eyes were red from crying on the rooftop.

Amelia waited by the road. She looked at Flora, then at Maya.

She came closer and patted Maya gently on the back like a baby .

"Good night, my love," Amelia whispered to Maya. "Sleep well."

Then she looked at Flora and Simon.

"Flora... Simon... good night."

Her voice was low. She didn’t smile.

Just then, a black car rolled in quietly. The latest Maybach. It shone under the street light like black glass. Her driver stepped out, opened the door for her like she was a queen.

Amelia entered without looking back. The door closed with a soft sound. _Thud._

The Maybach drove off. Silent. Gone.

Flora stood there, holding Maya, watching the car disappear. She assured herslf to be strong.

Maya was already falling asleep on her shoulder. Her little head resting on Flora’s chest. Flora held her tighter. Tighter than ever. As if someone would take her away if she let go.

The security guards looked at them and sighed. They were dark in complexion, obviously from Africa.

One of them said, "Look at the way her mother is pampering her. If she were my sister in Africa, I would have given her ten strokes of the cane on her back."

The other one replied, "No wonder you ran away and came abroad. You are poor, so allow the rich to breathe."

They both laughed.

Simon overheard them and said nothing. He opened the back door of the car.

Flora entered with Maya in her arms. Maya was so tired she didn’t even open her eyes. She curled up on Flora’s lap like a baby cat.

Simon closed the door gently and went to the driver’s seat. He started the car and drove.

The road was quiet. The city lights passed over their faces — yellow, white, and yellow again.

Flora stared out of the window. But she saw nothing. Her mind was full. The slap. The shouting. The rooftop. Maya’s cold hands.

What kind of mother am I? she thought. My daughter went to the rooftop alone . I didn’t even know._

She looked down at Maya. Her face turned pale.

Simon looked at them from the mirror. He wanted to say something. It’s okay.

.But his throat was tight. So he just drove. Slowly. Carefully. Like he was carrying something very fragile.

Then, Flora’s phone rang.

_RING RING._

The sound broke the silence. Loud. Sharp.

She pulled the phone from her bag with gently.

She looked on the screen, it was Barrister Martins.

Their family lawyer.

She wondered why Barrister Martins would call so late.

Flora picked up.

"Hello?" Greetings "Her voice was shaking.

"Greetings,Flora," He said ..

"You need to come to my office tomorrow"

His voice was serious. Too serious

"There is an emergency"

Flora’s heart stopped.

"Emergency?" she whispered. "What emergency?"

"You will understand better when you get to the office tomorrow," Barrister Martins said. His voice was calm but heavy.

"Come with all the papers, Flora.

" All the estate documents."

Flora’s mouth opened. Her heart dropped.

"All the papers? Why? What happened?" She wanted to shout, to ask him right there, right now.

But she swallowed her anger. She calmed herself down.

In the front mirror, Simon was watching her. His eyes were worried.

Flora held the phone tighter.

"It’s an order, Flora," the lawyer added. "Directly from the Supreme Court. Not from me. I have no power here."

Then he said, "Good night," and ended the call.

After the call ended, Flora didn’t speak. Her hand holding the phone started shaking slightly.

"Madam? Hope you are okay?"

Flora didn’t answer. She just stared at Maya sleeping on her lap. Then she whispered:

"What are they really planning this time?."

Her voice broke.

"Why does the Supreme Court want my papers? Could there be a problem with the properties? Why would they ask for all the paper?"

Simon gripped the steering wheel tighter. His knuckles turned white. He didn’t have an answer.

Maya stirred in her sleep and murmured, "Mummy..."

Flora quickly patted her hair and kissed her forehead.

"I’m here, baby. I’m here," she whispered, but her own hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

The car drove on silently into the dark night.

Flora held Maya tighter.

Her mind travelled, she thought of home.

Her family. Her safest place. Her reality.

Only few people knew that Flora was from a powerful family — the Williams. Her family didn’t even stay in London. They stayed in Manchester, far from her troubles.

For years she never wanted to involve them in her family matters .She wanted to prove she could survive without her family’s name and money.

Her mother ,Margie Williams gave birth at a young age.She lost her father at the age of twenty so her mother has been like a sister to her than a mother. Her source of strength.

But tonight was different. Tonight, she was scared.

Her hands were shaking, she scrolled through her phone and pressed "Mum."

Her mother picked on the third ring.

"Flora Williams?" Is this You?

"My God! My daughter! We thought, You have forgotten us,it’s been months now. Hope you are okay? How is Maya doing?

"She is fine, mum! We missed you so much!"

"And business? How is your business? "

"Business is fine, Flora."

Flora cut in quickly, trying to sound casual:

"Mum, did you see the money I sent to you last week? For the charity? Did you get it?"

Her mother paused. She knew her daughter. Flora only talked about money when she was hiding pain.

"Flora..." her mother’s voice became strong and sharp, "What happened? Don’t lie to me. You haven’t called in months and now you are asking me about money at night?" Hope everything is ok

Flora’s strong mask almost broke.

But she maintained strong composure.

.

"No ,mum... Everything is not okay.

"The court wants all the estate documents ".

"Am scared, I don’t know what is ahead of me.

Her mother gasped,then her voice turned cold.

It was no longer soft. It became powerful. Dangerous. The voice of a woman who had survived everything.

"Flora, listen to me and listen well. Get hold of yourself right now. Stop crying."

Flora sniffed, trying to breathe.

"You are a daughter to a warrior, A warrior cannot birth a coward. Do not be afraid

" When challenges arise.You conform. You are not a weak woman. You are a Williams. You always stand out,Flora."

Can you hear me?

"Mum—" Am all ears... she said

"Listen now. Whatever is the outcome. I am solidly behind you,no one will oppress you and Maya.Not the Supreme Court. Not anyone in this London."

Flora’s became wet now.

"Remember,I was nineteen when I gave birth to you out of wedlock. Before I met your father,I was young and alone.

"You told me,Mum

"Good! The world said I would fail. But I fought and I won.Now,you have to be strong, do not allow fear to be a force in your life ."

"You are the best mum"

"You too my love,this is not a death order. In every case, there is a win, you must open your eyes "

"Mum, I’m scared." This days ,I am really scared.

"Don’t be scared.Dry your eyes. Do not put all your hopes in Darwin’s assets..

"Mum,of course I don’t ,I owned businesses before I met my husband "

"That’s my point, If you do,losing it becomes a problem,the Williams family did not raise a liability." You are an asset. You are in charge.

Flora nodded even though her mother could not see her.

"Now,go home and relax your mind. I will call our lawyers tomorrow , don’t fail to keep me updated.". Okay?

"Okay,mum

The call ended.

Flora held the phone to her chest, breathing hard. She felt strong again.

"My mother is my greatest blessings"

She smiled....

Simon’s voice broke the silence: "Madam, we are almost at the gate."

. "Okay, call the gate.

Maya was still sleeping on her laps, peaceful and innocent.Flora had no idea that Maya’s strong feelings for Simon was also a war she was about to face.