Secrets of the Cactus Men
3| Dishes Plate
The Harlow family dinner.
Camdens Luxury Hotels, Los Angeles, United States.
Flores is just not sure if her confidence and Philip will save them tonight. It's not the first time Philip Sherburne has attended a Harlow family dinner. However, the feeling is not okay and used to it. Like a cycle that will keep repeating, this is how it feels.
“Flores coming.” Jake Horison is Flores Lottie's second brother. The only man who never tired of attacking Philip and humiliating him, he was also reluctant to give support to Flores' husband.
Flores greeted with a makeshift smile. His eyes swept over every corner of the table. The dishes were much more luxurious than usual, as would welcoming someone to come.
“Sit, Flo, Philip,” says Maya, wife of Jake. He invited Flores to sit on an empty bench, right in front of him. Philip sat next to Jake.
“How are you doing okay?” Philip tried to get familiar with the old man sitting in the lead at the end of the table. “I'm happy to see dad tonight.”
The man did not answer. Indeed, Mr. Shem Harlow never showed any hatred towards Philip in words. Ever since Flores insisted on marrying Philip, she had never spoken to her son-in-law at all.
“Shouldn't we ask you?” Myah who represents speaking. His smile invited unease on Flores' face.
Is this fast going to kill Philip mentally?
Philip smiled lightly. “I'm fine, Mom.”
“Something good enough to divorce Flores, ‘kan?” Myah. His sentence almost got an answer from Flores, but Philip held him back.
Philip shook his head. “There is no such day, Mom.” He glanced at Flores. His love for Flores is too great. “I won't leave Flores. She was my first and last love.”
Touch enough. If this were an opera stage, Philip would have a standing ovation.
Myah turned her face. Not fun if it continues. Philip always managed to control the situation.
Everyone started eating the dishes. A pile of quality expensive meat became the main dish at the meeting tonight.
Flores took a serving of grilled steak for Philip. “Let me carry Elisa, Honey.”
Philip's looking. “Eat only. Don't think of me,” Philip replied in a whisper while pinching his daughter's cheek. “I'll feed Elisa.”
“Jake, how is your business?” The voice of Rares, Flores' eldest brother, came from across the table. “I heard you're going to build up the northern area of Wellym Point City. Is it smooth?”
Jake nodded as he put the meat in his mouth.
“Jake lost 100,000 dollars this week, Rares!” Maya laughs at her husband. “Have I told you to stop investing in that place, he remains stubborn.”
Rares laughed. “Is my sister really that stupid?”
Jake looks. He then looked at Rares. “Errors are the best teachers, right?”
“That's just dust for Jake!” Jennifer chimed. He is a twin of Flores. Their faces are not identical. “He can make more money than that in just the blink of an eye!”
“You're right!” Rares pointed at Jennifer. “She gave me a gift bag made in Italy for my daughter's birthday yesterday,”. “You are indeed a good uncle, Jake!”
“You guys are amazing!” Myah. Her eyes were proud of her son and daughter tonight.
“I also want to hear about Lottie Harlow, your jewelry company, Flores.” Myah looked at Flores who was about to eat her dinner.
Flores looked at his brothers. He was the youngest child, but he could not make the opportunity a blessing in his life.
Flores is stuck with Philip in this circle. However, because of his great love, Flores will never move from his position.
“You're broke, Sister?” Rares chimed in when Flores was just silent. He was the big mouth that never understood the feelings of others.
Flores put down his fork and his dinner knife. “Everything is fine.” Flores answered with confidence.
With Philip in hand, Flores looked at her husband and smiled. “Philip helped me a lot.”
“What can he do?” Rares said again. “He's just a repairman.”
Philip was about to open his mouth, at least he had to help his wife. But Flores is outperforming now.
“Help for you is only about money, Rares?” Flores grinned sharply. “Is that all your wife can do?” Flores looked at the short-haired lady beside Rares. “Mrs Parlmer can only support with money from her family?”
“Flores!” Myah wants to mediate.
“Let me talk, Mom!” Flores looked at Myah with jelly. “Tonight alone,” murmured.
Philip's trying to resuscitate Flores. Looks like Flores is about to bluff right now. All this time he had only been silent, allowing Philip's pride to be trampled.
“I dare to bet, if you go broke then Caroline will immediately leave you.” Flores insulted with his smile. “Your wedding is only for company building, right?”
“Flores!” Mr. Shem spoke up this time.
“What if Philip is a repairman?” Flores looked at his family one by one. “He never begged you guys. She's independent!”
“He's just a guy not clear his origin, Flo!” Jake. “He has no future.”
Flores chuckles. “Choose your own words, Jake! You always copy mommy's words!”
Flores kicked the table in front of him. “We're done with dinner. You guys please continue with that disgusting shit!”
“Your husband is mute?” Myah won't just let go of Flores.
Philip turned his head along with Flores beside him. He saw a satisfied smile painted on Myah's face.
“Tell him to speak for himself, Flo.”
“He will not ...”
“Inspuse us, Mom.” Philip finally opened his voice. He's bowing his body. “Flores is no longer polite to you.”
Flores looked at her husband with her eyes closed a few times. She was crying, her heart was hurting.
“Then sit down. Finish that meat.” Myah pointed at Flores' empty seat. “I'm sure you can't afford to eat well at home because your salary isn't enough to buy all this.”
Philip nodded. He was about to come, but Flores prevented him. “We'll go, Mom.”
“Let him, Flo!” Mr. Shem calling. “Your husband wants to be here.”
“Daddy also tag along?” Flores looked at his father. He rubbed his face in frustration. “You are absolutely ...”
Philip rubbed Flores' back. His head nodded, signalling that he was fine, even though his pride was heavily injured.
Philip was approaching. Just wanting to pull the chair in front of her, Maya's voice silenced Philip. “That hand clock ...”
Philip looked at his watch. “Ah! It belongs to Jayde.”
“Like VVIP customer watches in this hotel,” Maya added.
Philip tried to hide his wrist. However, Jake pulls her violently, forcing her to remove Philip's watch.
Flores, knowing that, is about to reciprocate Jake's treatment, but he is too late. The watch slipped from Philip's wrist. Jake and Maya meticulously look for marks there.
“Really! Mr. Jayden!” Maya smiles at Jake. “Owner Jay’s Brother, Love.”
Jake smiled wickedly. His eyes returned to Philip after finding Jayden Halmuth's name on the back of the watch. Jake walked up to Philip, standing in front of him. The man looked at Philip from top to bottom.
“Think of it, your suit is so expensive, Philip.” Jake pulled Philip's shoulder, sniffed it. “However, your body scent is cheap.”
Philip doesn't wear any brandy. He hated to waste money on a bottle of fragrant liquid that would disappear if he took a shower.
Jake lowered. “Your shoes are also made by famous brands ...” He looked at Flores. “Flores bought it?”
Flores wants to answer.
“You're asking my daughter for money again?” Myah chimed in. His sight was full of fire. “Until when will you blackmail my daughter, Philip?”
Flores let out a long sigh. “Mom ...”
“He must have borrowed from Jayden.” Rares followed the conversation while showing his phone. “I just got this from my friend.”
All eyes were on Rares' phone.
“He caught CCTV camera coming to Jay’s Brother yesterday,” Rares added smiling satisfied.
Philip nodded. “I borrowed it. I didn't ask Flores.” for money
Jake laughed out loud. “Basic trash!”
“Only for a suit only do you borrow?” kekeh Rares laughed. “Philip ... Philip!”
Honestly, Flores was surprised. She did not know her husband's actions.
Rares approached Philip. He took a bowl of soup beside him and splashed it on Philip's wide shoulders, making his expensive coat dirty and smelly.
“Rares!” Flores yells.
“How is this?” Rares. “The shirt and suit must have been damaged if washed carelessly.”
Flores grunting. He was about to approach his brother, but Philip prevented.
“You can buy a new one, Philip?” tanya Rares intimidates. “Your salary as a repair shopper can buy it?”
Philip was silent. There's nothing he can do.
“Go find your parents. Ask them for help, whine,” kekeh Rares again.
Flores thrashed around, she was about to slap her brother just once.
Rares whispered in Philip's ear. “Or sell your pride to me, Philip.”
“Clean my shoes with your tongue. I'll buy ten suits of the same brand,” his chuckle while whispering.
It wasn't Flores who punched him, it was Philip. The man released his anger as well. “Backed!”
Next.