The Hardy Family Chronicles III

A Tale of Several Sims Trials and Tribulations

– Part 3

Bjorn Hardy really appreciates the prosperity of his new home. Where he was bought up, individual houses may have been rich, but not the public outdoor areas as well.

He could often be found doing his homework in the park, enjoying the sunshine and watching the people go by.

It was always a niggling point for him that his wealthy astronaut father had such a small, plain home. When he was older, he would enjoy every well-earned extravagance that came his way.

One evening, whilst playing chess at his aunt Hannah’s house his cousin Richard let slip that his new girlfriend Sadie was such a breath of fresh air after his ex. Kirsten Goth had been such a snob at times, always going on about her families considerable fortune.

Bjorn immediately invited the rich young sim woman over, to gaze upon someone who was everything he aspired to be one day. Rich and properly appreciating it.

As he spent more time with Kirsten, Bjorn recognized an opportunity in the making. If he could make Kirsten fall in love with him, he’d be set up for life. His ambition with her old family name... What a combo!

Kirsten was the daughter of Mortimer Goth, the sole manager of the extensive and ancient Goth estate. This was old money. She was the eldest heir, her little brother Aren little more than a toddler.

It was indicative of their wealth that Aren’s first words included precious gems. He liked to play with them because they sparkled.

And Kirsten, still smarting from her involvement with Laura and Andrew’s plot against Richard was susceptible to what she thought was the innocent foreigners charms. Never mistake a quaint accent for sincerity...

Could true love come from two sims having such different motivations as they did for forming a relationship? Kirsten wanted love and nothing less, Bjorn thought love would be an added bonus to a good financial match.

Tony and Clarissa Manzano have decided it’s about time Leo took more of an active part in the household and family ‘business’.

Armundo and Lola, Leo’s grandparents agree. He’s not, as Tony aptly put it, a child anymore.

Tony allows Leo to sit with him in his study, talking him through everything he does, showing him the ropes.

He sets him assignments to complete on top of his school homework. His son will be in charge one day, in such a situation there’s no such thing as starting too early.

Clarissa is busy having ideas for the other side of Leo’s future – a wife worthy of him. RememberingJ esse’s daughter Rachael, she begins to get ideas.

She’s a good prospect after all. The daughter of the famous Blue Diamond and star chef Jesse Oseguera, she’s rich, well connected and beautiful. Tony agrees to start the ball rolling, despite her being so young.

Tony meets with Jesse and puts the idea to him. Jesse asks for some time to think it all over, Rachael is only a child. Tony agrees, there’s time.

Jesse is uncomfortable with the idea; Rachael is so young. But there is a part of him that thinks it’s a good idea. Rachael would be set up for life, safe, comfortable and powerful.

He makes an extra effort to connect with Rachael, to try and gauge what her reaction might be. He’s open and honest with her, sensing that his previous lying had damaged their relationship.

Rachael reacts maturely. She points out it’s years away whatever happens, plenty of time to sort everything out.

Meanwhile Clarissa is talking to Leo. She asks him what he thinks of Rachael.

He agrees that she might be suitable one day. For Clarissa, that's as good as a ‘yes’.

That night, the two imagine their futures. Leo is concerned about dating someone younger than him, although she would soon be a teenager.

Rachael goes from day to day thinking about little other than Leo. But Laura has found out about the possible match, and has an idea...

It’s the triplets birthday! Laura, as the eldest, gets to blow out the candles and make a wish... Wonder what she asked for.

Laura Oseguera is now a teenager, and increasingly unstable. She’s evil, manipulative and downright mean. Her new look in life has her mother concerned and her father uncomfortable. She has no scruples, and is bent on making an impact. Whatever the future holds for her, she will be in total control.

Rachael Oseguera. Now she’s a teenager the possible betrothal to Leo Manzano doesn’t seem so outlandish; or far away. Rachael is open, honest, friendly and good. Is she really a suitable wife for the future boss of an extensive Mafia family – with all that implies? In her own mind, her future is still a fairytale.

Joanne Oseguera. She spends more and more time at the computer table, engrossed in the novel she’s writing. At this point in her life she’s starting to dislike the outside, and darkness. She’s on top of it though, it’s not like she’s scared of going outside or anything...

Now that they were both Teenagers, Rachael and Leo meet for the first time.

She’s been invited over for breakfast along with her mum and dad. Everything calculated to impress, Leo eats in the kitchen to give them some privacy to discuss him.

Leo asks her how she feels about the whole engagement situation. She replies that she isn’t sure yet, but she wouldn’t rule it out.

Leo isn’t sure, but he thinks that he and Rachael might have what it takes. That one day, they might be in love. His fathers marriage had been arranged in a similar way and had worked out after all.