After several minutes which seemed unending, the drive finally appeared on the laptop. Lucas hastily hunched forward with a satisfactory smile dancing merrily on his lips.
“Let’s see..” He muffled, clicking on the icon but was a bit surprised to see only one file from the drive. “What’s so special about this?” He commented, clicking on the file while he waited for it to load.
After a few seconds, the video started playing. At first, Lucas thought he was watching some sort of horror movie– not until he saw his sister.
He instinctively gasped, covering his mouth with his hand like a flush of shock swept across his face.
At that moment, their mother walked in– making the slightest sound. She was instantly swept up by the same shock when her eyes involuntarily rested on the screen of the laptop upon stepping into Lucas' room; following his gaze.
“Wh–what's going on?” She stuttered, making known of her presence as she deftly hunched for the laptop.
“Mum,” Lucas mumbled in awe as he wasn't expecting her around but Mrs. Blankson paid him no attention– taken the fact that she was more invested in what was happening in the video.
“Where did you get this video?” She asked but as if on an impulse, she paused, involuntarily closing her eyes. “No, no, where is Tina?” She quickly added– trying her best to stay calm.
Lucas on the other hand, watched his mother as she struggled with her emotions but there was nothing he could do. He was by himself stunned to see his sister in such an act.
“She went to meet Bella and Roxy.” He replied on finding his voice.
Mrs. Blankson instinctively clicked her tongue; raking a hand through her hair in the process out of exhaustion. “I can't believe this.” She spat out the words– shoving her hair back away from her face with her hand. “What was she even thinking? I thought we spoke about this.” She grumbled to no one in particular.
Cizer knew without being told what great damage this could cause their family if their competitors find out or get hold of the footage. “Austin needs to see this.” She concluded, grabbing the laptop from the table.
Lucas at the mention of their father's name knew without reasonable doubt what his sister was in for.
“Mum wai..t” He muttered but swallowed his words on seeing his mother already out of the door. He was aware of Tina’s rude and clinical character but never excepted something like this from her. He knew there was a soft and fragile person behind those thick skin but then, what happened?
He shuddered to think of the worse about his sister. Her smugish personality had taken the best part of her and Lucas couldn't place a hand on why.
Mr. Blankson was with himself in the hall –enjoying the serenity of the environment while working on the documents when the irritating steps of Cizer descending heavily on the stairs interrupted.
He knew from how swift Cizer's movements were that something was up but stayed calm with ears edged; ready for her outburst.
“You should see this Austin.” She said as she neared him, placing the laptop beside the documents.
Austin deftly raised a quizzical brow at her then back to the laptop seated in front of him with the scene of a washroom door frozen at the screen – not sure of want Sizer wants to put across.
“What's this about?” The question with his gaze fixed on the screen.
“Just watch.” She hastily snapped in, clicking on the play button.
Austin on the other just stayed putt– staring at the screen. After a few seconds, the video started playing. Austin initially didn't know what was going on until he saw his daughter; followed by their cruel act.
He instinctively jerked his gaze in Cizer’s direction then back to the screen.
“What’s this Cizer?” He queried, pointing at the screen while he allowed his gaze to return to his wife. “ Who gave you this?” He spat out the words.
Lucas was still in his room unable to shake off the sense of foreboding when he heard his father's voice downstairs. The voice which rasped at him was full of frustration, coupled with growing anger.
He spontaneously jerked up and reached for the door– finding his way downstairs.
“Where is Tina?” Lucas heard his father bark as if on an impulse as he got to the middle of the stairway. “Nanny Betty?” He heard his father continue to call out to the older woman who came rushing in. At that moment, Lucas also got to the spot where they stood.
“Where is Tina?” He asked as she got near them.
Just then, the door inched slowly opened – followed by Tina’s triangular-shaped body. She instinctively froze at the door seeing the small crowd in the center of the room.
When her father cast a furtive glance at her, she knew trouble was brewing– a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Her throat muscles instinctively tightened and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.
She felt a dull ache in the pit of her stomach as she inched towards her parents. She constantly swallowed on a loop of saliva; not so sure what to expect. But one thing was certain– she was going to get it hard from her father.
Tina walked on tenterhooks as she edged closer to the small crowd.
“Can you tell me what this is?” Her father immediately latched on her, seeing the unsettlement in her eyes. “What is this Tina?” He shouted, making Tina involuntarily close her eyes as she spat out her words.
“It was an accident.” She barked, opening her eyes in the process as a strand of tear escaped her eyes. “I swear I didn't mean for this to happen, Dad– it was a mere accident.” She blurted out.
At that moment, Nanny Betty excused herself–living the family to themselves.
“I–I wish could turn back the hands of time.” She stuttered, choking on her tears.
“Then why did you do it in the first place?” Austin shouted, palpitating with anger.