Best Defense

The Extra Chapter

I added extra parts when the children of Franda, Mia, and Edward had grown up. Just a little to fill the time. Love you guys!😘

...Liliana Warner POV's....

"Scarlett's? What are you doing here? Where's Ben and the others?" I asked my cousin's sister who suddenly appeared in front of the house.

Her eyes were red and puffy, indicating she had just cried. No. It looks like she's been crying all night because her eyes are swollen, almost looking like boils.

Scarlett did not answer my question, instead she asked back. "Where's mom? I want to talk to him" he said, looking inside the house.

I furrowed my brows, but still shifted my body and opened the door wider so that he could enter. "Let me see in his study."

I stepped into mom's study at home and found her busy drawing something on her ipad. She always looked beautiful, even though her face had started to wrinkle. Just as Dad always said, mom's beauty will never disappear even though her skin is loosened until her face resembles a pug dog. Mom will be beautiful.

"Mom, Scarlett's coming and looking for you."

Mom turned her head, put down her ipad and took off her glasses. "Isn't he at the lake house with Ben?" tanyanya.

Yes, I was surprised too. Yesterday Scarlett, Ben, Theo, and Karen went to the lake house and were going to stay there for a week. They invited me, but I refused because there was still a lot I needed to do to prepare myself for the college entrance exam next week.

"I don't know. He looks like he's crying." I said.

His brows furrowed, then he stood up and walked up to me, then we stepped together towards the living room. There Scarlett was already sitting lowered her head and covered her face with both hands.

"Scarlett's? What happen?" ask mom as soon as she sits next to Scarlett.

"Mom," Scarlett hugged mom, sobs began to sound from her mouth. "I'm. I didn't do it on purpose." Mom and I throw confused looks at each other. Not yet knowing what he meant.

"Daddy's car..."

"Oh, God!" I muttered involuntarily, and my body suddenly went limp.

Big problem. No, it's a disaster! Dad's going berserk and it's not a good thing. I started to get anxious while Scarlett explained intermittently. "I accidentally hit a tree next to the garage. The front of the car broke down. I'm scared, mom..."

Mom took a heavy breath. I know he's holding back anger. Today, it is certain that my dad will finish us all and mom has to work hard to save us by making it calm. It's not an easy job, considering that the older dad's behavior is getting sensitive. What else is this about his favorite car.

Ford Consul Capri, a classic car from 1961. Dad was half-dead guarding the item, even he deliberately kept it in the garage of the lake house to keep it safe. But Scarlett, who inexplicably lost her sane mind and dared to use the car. Believe me, touching that car alone is a big sin that no one would do if they still want to watch the sunrise tomorrow morning.

"Where's Ben?" ask mom.

"In the workshop, trying to..."

"You die." cut mom, limp in a very dramatic way. "Sorry, I don't know what to do to help you this time. Scarlett, your mistake was already fatal just by touching that cursed item, then you broke it and now Ben is taking it to the workshop? Perfect, sweetheart!"

"Mom, please..."

"Mom, Scarlett smashed your car!" the three of us turned to the door.

Karen, my twelve-year-old cousin's sister started babbling with a proud look as if she was bringing you some big news. Well, yeah, that's great news. Thank you to Aunt Mia for giving birth to a child exactly like her.

Behind Karen, Theo seemed to be casually walking, as if nothing had happened in this house. Then my brother, Ben, looks just as relaxed. Have they not heard the alarm in their heads?

Mom stands. "Ben, where's the car?"

Ben smiled cheerfully. "It's done, mom. Take it easy, dad won't realize anything." He turned to look at the confused Scarlett. "Lettie, calm down. I just saved your life and you have to pay for it."

"What do you mean?" said Scarlett.

"The car's fine,"

"Whose car is okay?" Oh, perfect!

Oh God, curse you Karen!

Dad's face instantly blushed red, already ready to spout out a series of merciless curses. Dad looked at Scarlett with a sharp look. "Scarlett?"

Scarlett lowered her head. Both hands were trembling in his lap. "I'm sorry..."

As if aware of the danger that threatened the safety of her children as her jaw hardened, Mom immediately approached the old man while we all fell silent waiting for mom to act. "Honey, don't." he muttered softly. "They're just kids. Anyway, Ben fixed your car."

"Franda, you know how I look after that car,"

"Yes, I know," cut mom. "But it's nothing compared to your son. You couldn't have loved the car more than your son, could you?"

"You're wrong, mom. Dad loved his car more. I know that."

Oh my goodness, Karen! Please, anyone please remove the child from our presence. His presence is not very unfavorable now.

"Karen," mom, shake your head. "Go to your room, kids. Let me talk to daddy." mom told us all.

"No, stay where you are."

"Sean?"

"Not this time, Franda. They've gone too far. This isn't the first time they've destroyed my stuff. How long are you gonna act like this?"

Alright. It seems mom really can't help us. When mom finally breathed a sigh of resignation, I looked one by one at my brother who began to tremble. Including my brother, Ben. She's the oldest, so dad will demand more responsibility from her.

"Bennet, can you explain what happened to my car? Why would Scarlett destroy it?" ask dad in an ice-cold tone.

Ben was silent for a few seconds before finally answering. "I'm sorry. It's my fault, dad. I'm not watching him." he replied nervously.

Dad started to give his deathly look. "It's good that you know your mistake. Now, you're in charge" Dad walked around the couch and sat there. "How should I punish you, Ben?"

"It's easy, dad...".

"Karen, please. hold your mouth, baby. You won't survive after this either." said mom, nodding in disbelief.

"I'm just trying to speed this up, mom." she said. "Dad always punished Ben the same way. It's boring."

Dad laughed softly. "Mia really managed to educate him." he muttered and reached out. "Come, Karen..." Karen complied, and sat on the lap of dad. "You know, I love you so much, Karen. But that doesn't mean I won't punish you if you keep acting like this. Didn't you promise to be a sweet kid while you were here? Or are you bored and want to go back to Jakarta? I'm sure your mommy and daddy would love to hear that."

Karen shrieked, putting on the face of her flagship puppy. Trying to persuade dad with a pretended sweet style. "Dad, I'm sorry," he said spoiledly as he kissed the cheek several times, making us all laugh amusedly at his one hundred and eighty-degree-changing manner.

I can't imagine what if Aunt Mia was here right now. He and Karen are going to be a great team when it comes to getting other people upset with their mouths. I'm tired of hearing Mia's rant every time she visits us or when we go to Jakarta. The only person who can survive the sharpness of Mia's aunty mouth is her husband, Uncle Jason, who always obeys whatever Mia aunty says.

"Ben and Scarlett, you can't leave the house for a week" Ben rounded his eyes to protest, but he shook his head firmly. While Scarlett resigned because she realized her mistake. "That's a punishment for you. During the holidays you guys stay indoors and help me fix the backyard fence."

"Honey," mom tried to defend her children, but again dad shook his head. Don't want to be denied one bit.

"M-m, I've been good enough not to block their cards. So, don't bid anymore" he said firmly.

Theo, Ed's quiet uncle's son suddenly speaks out in defense of my brother, Ben, instead of saving Scarlett, his older brother. "That's too cruel, dad. You can't lock up a man for a week."

Oops, wrong move! Theo Poor...

"Theo!" exclaim dad, "I almost forgot about you, son. Well, since you seem to love your brother so much, how about you join us, huh? Your strength will be very useful."

Theo shrugged his shoulders. "No problem."

And that was the punishment they got in the end for already daring to play around with dad. Lucky I wasn't there, so I survived the grueling activity. I'm sure repairing the 'ala dad' fence will not be as simple as lifting the wood, there will be a drama of hidden tricks inserted in every opportunity. And believe me, that trick can't make you happy.