Bankrupt and Broken
Andre went with Lorrich to pick up Archer and Kaylah from the airport and take them to Loraine's house. Loraine now has her own house built on the island, with an ocean view and walking distance beach access. Archer sold the previous house she rented from him and with that money he bought shares in Windrug&So.
When Loraine hears the car arrive and the doors slam shut, she rushes to the garage to greet her friends. They’ll stay with her because her house has enough space to host at least ten people. “Kaylah, Archer”, she exclaims happily and gives each of them a hug. After the lavish greeting, they all walk into the house to the sitting room. All that time, Lorrich circles Kaylah urgently asking her to hold Kasher. But Kaylah doubts he can support the baby's weight as Kasher is fat and heavy. When they finally arrive in the sitting room, she puts the baby on a mat so that Lorrich can now take care of his little brother, as he calls Kasher.
The adults inspect the decorations applied by a specialized company. Everything is professionally installed. “Wow. My godson really intends to invite the whole island. Be careful when he turns five, then the children from the surrounding islands will also attend his birthday party and your house may be too small to have them all,” Kaylah laughs when she sees all this. There is also a creative installed children's bar with healthy smoothies and fruit drinks in a corner.
“That's the happiness of being an only child. Then you don't have to share anything and there is always enough for you alone," Archer jokes. He looks happy at his wife. The two exchange a knowing look and follow Loraine to the bedroom she finished today. That, too, elicits cries of admiration.
“Hey, we knew from the sounds erupting from this house that you two have arrived," sounds suddenly behind them. When they turn around, Michelle and Rick are standing at the door of the bedroom. Kaylah flies around Michelle's neck, the two have become close friends in the meantime. After Rick and Archer exchange a bro-hug, they all move back into the sitting room. Once there, they notice that both Lorrich and Kasher have fallen asleep.
When everyone sits comfortable, Kaylah clears her throat. “We have to announce something,” she begins slowly. All eyes are now fixed on her. She looks back at her husband and a happy smile comes across the faces of both of them. “We're pregnant again”, they shout with a laugh. Everyone looks at them in amazement at first. “Hey, Kasher is only fourteen months old now. And you are at it again?” Michelle asks. “Is it safe so soon after the last delivery? You know how difficult that was," she sounds concerned. The other friends are now also watching the couple anxiously.
Everyone knows how difficult Kaylah’s pregnancy was. The delivery was quite strenuous as the baby was unable to come into the world even though her amniotic fluid had already been discharged. Fortunately, there was a traditional midwife at the hospital who heard about Kaylah's case and came to the rescue. Deftly she massaged the belly until the baby finally made its way into the big world without any problems, much to the relief of Kaylah and Rick’s family and friends.
So, everyone is now very worried, they had thought that the couple would wait several years to expand their family. Especially now that Kaylah is very busy with the mall and Kasher is cared for almost all day by a live-in nanny. “We want our kids to be close in age so they can be best friends and not go through different age stages and not understand each other. We are so looking forward to this baby, we hope to have a girl this time," Archer declares, trying to curb his joy in vain.
Everyone stands up to hug and congratulate the couple again. Michelle offers to come to New York during the final stages of Kaylah’s pregnancy to help her with the household and make sure she eats a healthy diet. Everyone knows that she wants to support her friend in case the pregnancy and delivery becomes hard work again. Kaylah looks at her gratefully and readily accepts the offered help.
And then there is an awkward silence. The faces of Rick and Kaylah become dead serious, there is also some reluctance.
“Ahem, Michelle, Rick, Andre and Loraine. I know we've agreed not to use two names until Lorrich is old enough. But we really have to share this news with you, we feel it is important for both Loraine and Lorrich,” Archer explains carefully. Hearing this lead, tension arises in the sitting room, everyone is on high alert. They know this must be about Dordrich Fellogan, Lorrich's father.
“If it's as important as you sound, we'll give you all a dispensation to break the law,” Loraine tries to joke to ease the tension around. But her concern is still clearly audible in her voice and noticeable on her face.
“Dordrich Fellogan has filed for bankruptcy. The media group is struggling with huge debts and can’t compete with the new technology. In the last six months there have been mass layoffs at almost all subsidiaries, bankruptcy was expected," Archer says softly. "Fellogan is now heavily drinking, his wife Elena also filed for divorce after their son died six months ago in an accident in the garage of their home."
Loraine now widens her eyes.
“Dordrich is drinking and his son is dead?”. Kaylah nods in agreement. “You don't know because you don't read the news. Your social media accounts have been shut down for years. Your name was even mentioned briefly in connection with current Dordrich's state of mind. There was a journalist who claimed he was devastated at the break with you and his wife was unable to bring him back to his senses.”
Loraine stares ahead. She knows what to do.
The time has come for a grand reenter in New York.
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