31. FAMILY 1.0

Reminiscent

"State your name to the courtroom and your purpose, please", the lawyer instructed.

In cold emotionless demeanor, he did as told. His eyes locked with Madison as he spoke. His words laced with a coldness that surprised even his lawyer and family.

"My name is Nathaniel Vitro, and I am here to reunite my family and bring our children home where they belong, with us. Even if that means annihilating all threats to my family", he stated.

The courtroom had fallen dead silent. The plaintiff was shaken to her core. Her lawyer was appalled at the young man's audacity to utter such words on the stand.

"Di-Did you just threaten the li-"

"I answered your question. I threatened no-one. Ask what you want, Mrs. Grier", Nathaniel retorted bluntly.

Yes, Mrs. Grier. What a coincidence? Madison's mother was her lawyer. Funnily enough, Nathaniel had believed the woman to be dead. Yet, here she stood before him questioning him on a stand before a court and jury. He wondered what else Madison had lied to him about besides the obvious.

The woman cleared her throat. She was slightly disturbed by his demeanor, but she had a court case to handle. Sterling herself, she continued.

"Mr. Vitro, what is your relationship with my client?", Mrs. Grier asked.

He remained silent. Staring straight ahead towards the entrance to the courtroom.

"Mr. Vitro?", called the judge.

"I have none. She is nothing to me", Nathaniel  retorted.

The way that Madison tensed at his admission had not gone unnoticed by Nathaniel. The girl became easily attached. She was spoiled and got what she wanted always. However, this time was different. The object of her desires did not even bat a lash her way. No, his eyes were focused on someone else. That someone else being someone she deemed beneath him, beneath her. Yet, he still chose her instead.

"Are you sure about that, Mr. Vitro?", Mrs. Grier asked, hinting otherwise.

"As sure as an ultrasound", Nathaniel retorted snidely.

Mrs. Grier frowned.

"You are lying, Mr. Vitro", she stated matter-of-factly.

"How so, miss? Did your daughter tell you something different? I can assure you that it is false", Nathaniel chided.

"Were you and my client together on the night of April twelfth?", Mrs. Grier coyly inquired.

Nathaniel smiled softly.

"We were and she even spent the night over at my place. However, she slept on the couch despite her pitiful, desperate attempts to sleep in my bed with me. Your daughter, client is truly something, Mrs. Grier", he said.

A tic formed in Mrs. Grier's jaw. Although she had banked on Nathaniel admitting the truth, she had not been prepared for what followed his admittance. She mentally noted that Nathaniel's testimony would not be so easily manipulated.

"Why was my client at your home, Mr. Vitro, and how did you two come into contact with one another?", Mrs. Grier questioned.

Unconsciously Nathaniel's head tilted slightly to the side as he eyed the woman standing before him.

"Push her, idiots!"

The group of four men were arguing. Not because they were mad at one another, but because neither one of them wanted to be the scapegoat that touched Madison. They had all done their research and had discovered that the girl could not swim. This would be the perfect setup to gain her trust, but none of them wanted to push her into the pool.

"Antonio, you do it!", Lucky whisper-yelled.

"No-fucking-way! I will not put my hands on a woman that is not of relations to me. You do it, demon!", Antonio whisper-yelled back.

"Eeeeeew! No! Never! I wouldn't touch that with someone else's arm! Besides, that bitch isn't a woman! She's an it! Christian,-"

"For fuck sakes, we've been huddled up for over five minutes over this shit. I'll push the bitch!", Tristian exasperated before breaking away from the group before Antonio was able to grab him to stop him.

Tristian, true to his word, pushed her into the pool. He hovered about until Madison was in striking distance of the pool's deep end before shoving her into the pool with a muttered 'bitch'. He watched briefly as she splashed about flailing her arms as she fought to keep herself afloat.

'I guess my dad was right when he said that I could be a psychopath if I wanted to. Well, shit', Tristian thought before rejoining his group of friends.

"It's done. Tonic, let's go dance, papi", Tris' said linking arms with his gapping boyfriend then pulling him off inside of the house to the dance floor, leaving behind his friend and younger brother who were staring after them wide-eyed.

"We met at her party after I saved her life. She had fallen into the pool and was drowning when I helped her. Apparently, your client needs new friends because no-one gave a damn about her life to save it. Fortunately, I do have a conscience and my family raised me right. So I did. You're welcome, Mrs. Grier. Also, she pestered me into letting her drive me to my place as repayment. It was either that or waste nearly thirty bucks on a ride. I was tired and wanted to go home immediately so I took the ride. I had no idea that your daughter was as desperate as she was though", he stated.

"You did not have to walk with me, you know? I can handle myself", Nathaniel said unlocking the condo door.

Madison shrugged her shoulders. She was where she wanted to be and that much closer to accomplishing her goal.

"I just wanted to make sure that you got here safely. Besides, it's pretty late and this is over an hour away from the party. You are drunk and tired. You even fell asleep in the car while I was trying to talk to you. That doesn't mix well together. So I had to make sure that you got here safely", she explained with innocent eyes.

Nathaniel paused, his hand turned slightly as he was unlocking the door.

"How noble", he murmured sarcastically.

"It's nothing. Let me help you inside", she said completely missing the sarcasm in his voice.

"You should head home. It's late", Nathaniel Nathaniel told her, not being able to stand her presence any longer.

"It's no problem. Just, please, let me help you, Nathan?", she responded.

He let out a sigh in annoyance. The girl was like a gnat. No matter how much he tried to seat her away, she just kept coming back. The only way to truly be rid of her was to kill her. Don't worry, he planned to.

"Fine", he grumbled before opening the door and walking inside with her hot on his heels.

"Do you mind? I don't need you to follow me to my room. Wait here", Nathaniel bit out whirling around to level her with a steady gaze.

She had been too hot on his heels. So hot that she nearly followed him into his bedroom. Unfortunately for her, Nathaniel was having none of it.

"I can help you to the bed, Nathan. It's fine, really", she cooed trying to enter the bedroom.

"No", he quipped.

She pouted, a pout that made many melt into putty for her. Many did not include Nathaniel Vitro.

"But-", she began to whine but Nathaniel's next words shut her up.

"Whining is so fucking unattractive. Who lied and told you that it was cute?", he snidely said.

She fell silent. A frown marred her face as his words sunk in. They stung and it visibly showed upon her face. However, Nathaniel felt no sympathy for her. She ripped his family apart. Haven't you ever heard of the saying, 'Never have sympathy for the devil'? In his eyes, that is all she is and shall ever be.

"I'm going to bed. Leave or stay, I don't give a shit. Just don't bother me", he sneered before turning facing forward.

He managed to take two steps inside of the bedroom before his forearm was firmly grasped. He turned his head ready to tell her to 'Fuck off', but she spoke before he ever could utter those very words to her.

"May I borrow a shirt to sleep in? It's really late so I will be staying, and sleeping in this outfit will make it even more uncomfortable sleeping on the couch. So please lend me a shirt? I promise to give it back later, you have my word", she said quickly, her eyes widened innocently.

With a huff, he shook her hand from his arm before continuing inside of his room. He left the door open going over to the dresser taking out a big t-shirt from their college. Satisfied, he walked back to the door where she stood peering inside of the room glancing around at the nice decor. Without a word or care, he tossed the shirt in her face causing her to stagger a step backward before slamming the door in her face and locking it.

For nearly three hours Nathaniel sat in the locked room watching Madison attempt to enter the bedroom. He heard her knocks. He heard her pathetic pleas to sleep in the bedroom with him. He even heard the knob rattling as she tried to literally break the knob to get in the bedroom. She was persistent, he gave her as much. However, of the two, no-one was more persistent than he.

He waited, biding his time by texting their group chat. The usual tomfoolery was happening as the family exchanged messages with one another.

Trash Bin 🚯

...

I'm just saying that the bitch should have drowned to save us all of this fucking trouble.

3:03 AM Elven Prince (Tristian)

Babe-I

3:03 AM Ant (Antonio)

No, I agree with twinkle toes. Die, witch! Burn her at the stake!

3:04 AM Demon (Lucky)

Harsh much?

3:04 AM Omi (🤩🌟❤️My Omi 1😘😍🤤🙏🏻👅💏💍👑)

But same.

3:04 AM Omi

Samesi, fuck!

3:04 AM Crvzy (Amanda)

Babe!?

3:05 AM Kel (Markel)

Why can't we cut the bitch at least?

3:05 AM LaLa (Lelita)

I'm saying! Damn! Snip, snip, ho! ✂️

3:06 AM Crvzy

All of you are fucking psychopaths. I never knew I attracted nutcases.

3:07 AM

Pause! Hol' up!

3:08 AM Crvzy

Dis' bitch is goin' up! Ay!

3:08 AM Demon Queen (LaLa)

Don't act tough! Twitter fingers sucks! Catch ya in these streets, ho, i'm wildin' like what's up! Ay!

3:09 AM Elven Prince

Huh!? Hmm!? Were you talkin'!? Ay, what's up?!

3:10 AM Omi

Cross that line?

3:10 AM Crvzy

Ay!

3:10 AM Idiot

I'm boppin' shit!

3:11 AM Demon Queen

Ay!

3:11 AM Idiot

Come thru in that whip?

3:11 AM Crvzy

AY! AY!

3:11 AM Idiot

Pew! Pew!

3:11 AM Omi

I'm poppin', sis!

3:12 AM Elven Prince

Tell'em hoes what?

3:12 AM Demon Queen

AY! AY!

3:13 AM Idiot

What's up, bitch?!

3:13 AM Demon Queen, Omi, Elven Prince, Crvzy

Is this what y'all talk about in y'all group chat? Y'all just randomly fucking spit bars? And who the fuck are you supposed to be Chris'?

3:14 AM

Hype man, duh 🙄

3:14 AM Idiot

I just nutted!

3:14 AM Demon

EEEEEW!

3:14 AM Idiot

That's fucking disgusting, even for you!

3:14 AM Elven Prince

That's crazy you said that when you were trying to swallow my nut seems like just yesterday. Damn.

3:15 AM Demon

Time the fuck out!

3:15 AM

Technically, Personal motherfucking foul on the court!

3:15 AM

3:15 AM

3:16 AM Omi

Well shit... continue!

3:16 AM Crvzy

3:17 AM Idiot

WHAT THE FUCK!?

3:17 Ant

SHUT THE FUCK UP, LUCKY!

3:18 AM Elven Prince

Make me, sugar.

3:18 AM Demon

3:19 AM Elven Prince

No, you better fucking talk to me, Tristian

3:19 AM Ant

Oop!

3:19 AM Crvzy

Get him, boy! Choke his ass with that leash!

3:20 AM Demon

Shut the hell up, Lucky!

3:20 AM Elven Prince

Shut the hell up, Lucky!

3:20 AM Demon Queen

Better yet, bedroom now! We gotta talk, boi!

3:21 AM Demon Queen

Crack his whipped ass with that whip, LaLa! Keep him in line and on time! Wha-pewsh!

3:22 AM Idiot

Shut the fuck up, Christian!

3:22 AM Demon

Is you mad or Nah, Lucky Charms?

3:23 AM Idiot

LOL

3:23 AM Crvzy

Mad

3:23 AM

Definitely

3:24 AM Omi

In a basket head ass

3:25 AM Kel

LMAO

3:25 AM Demon Queen

Who's fucking side are you even on? Don't get put off the boat, Lelita.

3:26 AM Demon

BIG mad

3:26 AM

He done used a bitch government. Bless him.

3:27 AM Crvzy

SMH

3:27 AM Idiot

Bruh

3:27 AM Kel

Does everyone usually get this sidetracked?

3:28 AM Ant

Pretty much. They're all idiots so...

3:29 AM

Unfortunately

3:29 AM Omi

Fuck the both of you

3:30 AM Elven Prince

What he said!

3:30 AM Crvzy

^!

3:30 AM Kel

^^!!

3:31 AM Demon

Fucking same, bitches! ^!

3:31 AM Demon Queen

I mean, y'all do so...

3:32 AM Idiot

SHUT THE FUCK UP, CHRISTIAN!!!

Read 3:33 AM Demon, Elven Prince, Kel, Crvzy, Demon Queen

Checking the cameras on the TV once more he found Madison asleep on the couch. He was not sure when exactly she had given up on her tactics, but he found himself letting out a sigh in relief. He found her voice to be very annoying, especially when she whined. Deciding to wait for another half hour, he took a quick shower to wash the grime of the night from his body.

Checking the camera again, he found her sound asleep still. Slipping on a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, he silently padded over to the door unlocking it before quietly exiting the bedroom. He quickly spotted her clutch on the coffee table. Not wanting to chance waking her up, he grabbed the clutch from the table before padding back inside of the bedroom locking the door behind himself. Flopping backwards onto the bed, he sifted through the clutch retrieving her cellphone.

A smirk appeared upon his face at the discovery of her phone being unlocked. She was making this too easy for them. He spent a short while searching the phone finding more than enough evidence to secure the case in their favor. He airdropped every bit of evidence he found to himself before sending it to their group chat to make sure that there were multiple copies available. Then deleted his phone from her list and replacing her phone and clutch back to their rightful places.

He smiled genuinely as he sent a goodnight text to his wife who still laid awake feeding their fussy baby girl.

🌟❤️My Omi 1😘😍🤤🙏🏻👅💏💍👑

...

I love you, Omi. I miss you and Anya. I hate it here!😩 She tried to take my goodies, baby! I want this shit to be over already! I fucking miss you!😭😭😭

4:54 AM

I love you too, babe. Now get some rest. You worked hard and I am so proud of you, Neil. I miss you a lot. It's lonely being in this big house by myself. It's so quiet. I miss all of you so much, but I know that we all be reunited soon. 😩 I love you, my husband. I will see you later. Remember the plan. I love you! Goodnight my love. ♥️🤗

4:56 AM

Kiss our baby girl for me. Goodnight, baby. 😘

4:57 AM

I didn't forget. I love you, Omi. Never forget that my heart beats for the four you. ♥️

Read 4:58 AM

"What are you implying, Mr. Vitro?", Mrs. Grier asked.

Nathaniel tsked staring the woman in the eyes. His eyes bore into her soul as he spoke his next words of testimony.

"I am not implying anything. I am merely stating facts. Your daughter is a spoiled whore that refuses to take no for answer. She nearly broke the doorknob off the bedroom door with her pathetic attempts to enter the bedroom to be with me in my assumed incapacitated state. You are focusing way too much on the character, or the lack of, your client possesses. It is obvious that your client is not who you tried to sway the court to believe she is. You can take my word for it or don't. It is not my place to make anyone believe the words I say. My place is raising my children and being the head of my family. I want my children back, Mrs. Grier. They were unlawfully taken from my wife's and I care. Nothing will ever make the precious moment we all shared as precious as it was just before it was ruined by your client and the social worker that took them from us. Aiden and Aryan belong to my wife and I. With us is where they belong. We may not of have been their biological parents, but blood does not make a family nor does it make you a parent. It is the time, effort, love, and care put into the relationship that defines us. We were there. Where was your client? We chose to stay. She left. She doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as those precious children, our precious children. Your honor, I need a break. This is all becoming too much for me to keep my composure at the moment", Nathaniel testified.

"Your request is granted. We will take a twenty minute recess. This will allow for the both of you to get your cases together. Councilman, I suggest you get your witness here as soon as possible. If they are not here after the recess has passed then I will omit them from testifying. It is so ordered", the judge announced before bringing down the gabble.