Trial 7: What I was missing in the Past version 2.0

We're all here at the dining table, sharing supper. Mama prepared my favorite dishes. I'm so happy. Never had I thought that a day like this would come; I'm with mama again after like 18 years of her disappearance. The atmosphere remained silent until Dr. Harlow breaks it.

"So, Dashiell how did you actually sneaked into the party?"

Dashiell replies in between his chews, "Oh, that; it was a piece of cake. You know, hacking into their system, registering myself as their employee, then the fake ID of course."

Mr. Thomas butts in to compliment Dashiell, "Isn't my son a genius?"

Dr. Harlow nods in agreement but throws another question, "What about the way you whisked Alaine away from the party? I mean, Alaine seems furious about it that she refused to believe in any of us here, so details please?"

With that question, I thought it was my time to talk, "Um, about that Dr. Al, I don't think it is genius to make someone ingest and inhale some type of drug and then…"

I couldn't finish my talking because Dashiell speaks in defense, "Geez, you're still going on about that? I've said it earlier; I never would have done those if there was a better option. Whatever, I'm…"

"Whoa! I was just asking for some details, not for another argument to ensue," says Dr. Harlow.

"Son, calm down," soothes Mr. Thomas.

"I'm all calm here dad but she just couldn't get over things that it's annoying," says Dashiell.

Feeling guilty over it, I speak, "Look, what I said didn't mean the way you thought it would. I was just trying to…"

Again, I didn't finish what I was saying as Dashiell interrupts, "I get it, you're guilt-tripping."

I shook my head repeatedly while mouthing a 'NO.'

Mr. Thomas shushes Dashiell and said, "Son, calm down. And, don't casually try to leave the dining place. Mariangelise, don't you think it's time for you to do the talking."

Mama agrees with a nod, "I thought so too, Thomas. Let me first apologize to you, Dashiell, for what Alaine said. As for you Alaine, you shouldn't be blaming it all on Dashiell. Dashiell may have been the one who committed such acts but the one who was behind those acts was yours truly."

I was shocked by what mama said so I ask, "Mama, do you mean? You…"

Before I could finish, mama shushes me and requests, "Alaine, please let me finish everything first before you start asking questions."

Mama continues, "As I said, it was I who instructed Dashiell on what to do. The situation is just really beyond our control; hence, I ordered Dashiell such. Originally, the plan was to have Dashiell, Dr. Al, and Thomas take you with us when our house was burning but back there, you were with someone. We don't want your companion to get caught up in this mess. More importantly, the authorities were present. Dr. Al and Thomas can't risk being seen by any public official as they were declared as wanted criminals to the public."

I gasped with the last statement.

Meanwhile, mama nods her head in confirmation and resumes, "They were declared as criminals for crimes they never committed. About the whole story behind, they'll tell you later. Going back, the plan was unsuccessful during the arson incident but at least Dashiell was able to recover your pocket watch. With the ruined plan, I decided to have Dashiell continue tailing behind you in stealth to check for an opportunity to take you with us. He told me about your job interview and suggested that he'll play as a suitor and make you come with him on a date…"

I couldn't help but interpose, "Well mama, after dining at the park, he proposed to me instead..."

Similar to mama, I didn't finish what I'm saying as Dashiell, interjects, "You really don't listen, do you? Auntie already told you to let her finish the whole thing before you open your mouth again. What are you, an aphasiac?"

Dashiell's comment made me mad so I threw back, "Oh! Someone's heart got stab because of the truth's revelation."

Dashiell retorts, "In my defense, I wasn't trained to handle a PRINCESS."

I didn't have the chance to get back at Dashiell as Mr. Thomas cuts in, "Dashiell, son, stop it."

Dashiell clicked his tongue but stopped talking.

Then, in a split second, mama chimes in, "Alaine, you stop too. Like what Dashiell said you let me finish everything first."

I just reluctantly said, "Okay, sorry."

Mama breathes a sigh of relief and carries on, "The plan also failed so Dashiell continued monitoring you. He heard about your anniversary party and suggested that he'll infiltrate the hotel and take you here peacefully by asking you for a dance and then he will lead you out of the party while explaining things to you. But sensing the high risk in it, I turned down his suggestion much to his dismay. In effect, I came up with a plan. I know you'll be surprised because that plan involved putting you to sleep with a sleeping pill and then having you inhale a handkerchief with chloroform which I will formulate but Dashiell rebuked the plan and insisted on doing his suggested plan. Albeit scared of the risks, I approved of his decision; however, since I'm aware that things can't always go as planned, I instructed Dashiell to switch with my plan if his plan seems unsuitable. Dashiell unwillingly agreed but on the conditions that he'll use antihistamines in place of the sleeping pills and a milder chloroform solution. With that being said, I hope you can get along well with Dashiell… and Dr. Al and Thomas."

Dashiell nods his head and remarks, "Heh, you heard auntie."

I nodded my head in understanding. I thought mama's story ends there and that I can start asking questions when…

"Alaine, that's just the start of what I… I mean, we have to tell you. I started by telling you how we got you here to make you comfortable with speaking to any of us. Now, it will take really long to settle this conversation so I want to know if you're ready for it, if not, we can just continue tom---."

Out of my eagerness to dig into the details, I declared, "No mama; I'm all ears. I want to know more about this so please let's continue."

Dashiell smirks and taunts, "Heh, you seem more adult-like now than earlier. I didn't expect that food can…"

Getting irritated with his constant taunts, I interrupted him and said, "What? Don't you ever run out of ways to vex people? You know, whatever I did to make you dislike me this much, I'm truly sorry. I want to know what's really going on so please assist me in learning the truth. Besides, you all owe me some explanations."

Dashiell waves his hand, "Yeah okay, I'll tell you what I know."

Mr. Thomas and Dr. Harlow said in unison, "We'll do our best to enlighten you, Alaine."

Mr. Thomas adds, "Son, don't you think Alaine deserves to hear your apologies too?"

Dashiell puffs his cheeks and apologizes, "I'm sorry."

"Hmm, I don't think that's a proper apology," comments Dr. Harlow.

"Fine, I'm sorry too… if I got you irritated and all," apologizes Dashiell as he looks away.

"Apology accepted," I said.

"I guess we're all set now," remarked Dr. Harlow.

"This conversation will be long so how about some hot beverages?" recommends Mama.

"I'll have espresso coffee," states Dr. Harlow.

"Make that 2," says Mr. Thomas.

"I don't want to cause some extra work for auntie so I'll have espresso too," chooses Dashiell.

Feeling shy all of a sudden, I opted to not ask for anything and told mama that I'll be fine with warm water.

"It's espresso coffee then. Alaine, are you sure you don't want anything else?"

I assured mama that I don't need anything else by nodding repeatedly and smiling at the same time.

"Okay, our drinks will be available shortly, please excuse me," said mama.