I sat in my room, my headphones hanging around my neck like a necklace. In front of me was the huge piano by my bed, and I was tapping at the keys, trying to copy the song in my ears. Every time I hit the wrong note, my face scrunched up like I'd just eaten something sour. But when I got it right, I beamed like I'd won a gold medal!
But... I just couldn't focus. I was so mad. Not that it really mattered. My bad mood just slipped into the music, turning it into a loud mess of clashing sounds.
It wouldn't have been so bad if I wasn't juggling a million things in my head. For starters, school was a total disaster. Waking up way too early just to wrangle a bunch of confused newbies was, like, so not fun.
And then, there's the school head. Ugh. She was like a ghost in my mind, her creepy voice whispering in my nightmares. She wasn't the kind of headmistress who asked you to do stuff politely. Nope. She liked to blackmail us. It was like a game to her, seeing how much she could make us squirm. It was soooo annoying!
A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I stopped playing, grumbled, "Activate door open," and heard it click open. There stood Officer Bernice, her face all serious but her eyes twitching because she clearly wasn't a fan of my musical "talents."
"Your dad said you need to visit your grandma soon," she said, all business-like. "He's waiting downstairs."
I nodded and quietly closed the door. Oh no, I totally forgot about that! Not that I was really at fault; my brain was a mess. I sighed and got ready for the visit-quick shower, favorite velvet top and designer pants with black leather boots.
Carefully, I slid a brush through my long jet-black hair, forcing it to obey me-as it should. In the mirror, my reflection looked flawless, obviously, but my thoughts drifted to my cousins. Especially the annoying ones. I still had beef with Maxwell, the little gremlin who scammed me out of a thousand bucks. A whole thousand. He was eight. I was sixteen.
If anyone found out, my social life would combust into flames and vanish in the wind. No one could know. Ever.
Another knock came. I rolled my eyes and stomped to the door, swinging it open like I owned the world-which I basically did. Dad was standing there grinning like an idiot.
"What's so funny?" I snapped, already frowning.
"You look cute with that look on your face," he said, laughing.
Ugh. I clenched my fists. Why does everyone think calling me "cute" when I'm mad is a compliment? Can't a girl rage in peace?
He slung an arm around my neck like we were besties and started walking me toward the stairs.
"If you're angry, I can fix up a punching bag in the games room," he offered, all cheerful like that was supposed to help.
"I have a better idea," I said sweetly. "I need one of those huge dolls that screams when you punch it. Like, an actual scream. With fake blood squirting out of its mouth for dramatic effect. Maybe some smoke too. That'd be therapeutic."
Dad went pale. I could see it on his face. "We can always just go see the doctor," he said, voice too calm to be comforting.
"You think I'm crazy?" I stopped, glaring. "Explain yourself. Now."
"Ada, it's no big deal. I go to the doctor all the time," he said, like he was trying to soothe a ticking bomb.
"You mean a shrink," I snapped.
"A doctor," he corrected, rubbing his head like I was giving him a migraine.
"Don't play me, Dad. A doctor could be a dermatologist. You know I mean a psychologist."
"Of course, Ada, I know what you mean. That's why I'm telling you-I go to the doctor all the time."
"Say it," I growled. "Say psychologist. Say you go to a psychologist."
"A psychologist is a doctor, Ada," he said, laughing like this was some comedy special.
"You're mocking me."
"Of course not."
I huffed and gave up, stomping ahead toward the driveway with him giggling behind me. Was the universe trying to test my patience today?
An officer opened the car door and Dad nudged me inside. I sat in the back seat of the armored jeep, arms crossed. Five more jeeps pulled ahead and the driver, already seated, started the engine. I could hear more cars revving up behind us, because apparently, my mere existence required a convoy.
I shut my eyes. I knew the drill-three military gates, all automatic, soldiers saluting us like we were royalty. Normally, I'd wave at them like a queen, but today? Today, I might just scream.
"Adanna," Dad's voice came beside me. "Why are your eyes closed? You're not feeling sleepy, are you?"
This man.
"I can't close my eyes without getting interrogated?" I muttered, cracking one eye open. The convoy had hit the main road. I turned to Dad with a faux-sweet smile. "Has anyone ever told you you're getting fat?"
He blinked. "That's good news. It means I'm enjoying my money."
I scoffed and turned to the window. "It wasn't a compliment."
"I'm not the one with issues," Dad said. "Your cousin wouldn't even see me the last time I visited. Apparently, you ditched her birthday to watch a stranger play golf?"
"It wasn't a stranger," I snapped. "She was a sweet little girl. She cried every time I tried to leave. What was I supposed to do? Abandon her and her adorable tear-filled eyes?"
"You were supposed to show up," Dad said, grinning. "But hey, I'm just here for the family drama this visit will unleash."
I clenched my fists again. I swear, if one more thing tried my patience today, I'd start a riot.
"What about Uncle Mike?" I threw back. "You two haven't spoken properly in weeks. What's your excuse? Brotherly beef?"
"Nothing on your level," he said, smug.
I zipped my mouth. One more word and I might actually combust. Between school, Dad, and this cursed day, it felt like the whole universe was conspiring against my mental peace.
Eventually, we pulled into Phoenix mansion. The gates opened like they always did-dramatic and automatic. Three guards flanked the entrance, rifles at the ready, waving like we were royalty.
The mansion sparkled in orange-gold, like it was dipped in fire. Our family crest glinted in the sun, and the land stretched out in hedged gardens and floral mazes that screamed money.
The second the jeep stopped, I bolted out to inhale fresh air-finally. That car was suffocating. The moment my feet hit the ground, a swarm of officers moved toward me like I was Beyoncé.
"Standby," Dad barked, and they froze in place. Thank heavens. I marched toward the front door, not caring if he was behind me.
I just wanted to get this visit over with. Fast. So I could go home, crash, and not feel like a zombie tomorrow.
The door opened before I could touch it. Uncle Mike and his wife stood there, beaming like I was their favorite person.
"You've grown so much!" Uncle exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "You've added so many inches. What is happening?"
"But you're still taller," I said flatly. "So it doesn't count."
"Well, thank God. It'd be embarrassing if you towered over me. I'd have to crane my neck every time I looked at you."
"Don't mind him, honey," Aunty said, slipping an arm around mine and dragging me inside. "Give it time. You'll outgrow him. I stopped growing at sixteen."
Was she trying to make me feel worse?
"But I am sixteen," I said, deadpan.
"Well..." she trailed off, nervously adjusting her hair. "Miracles happen."
We were in the sitting room now, the place practically dripping with memories-mostly of me being a little menace. I remembered how I used to dash around the white-tiled floor like a sugar-high hamster, hosting grand imaginary parties for my plush toys on the massive, multi-sized dining table like some spoiled heiress. The flame-colored, glittery walls made everything feel like a party, and when I was bored, I'd dive dramatically onto the long blue cushions like I was auditioning for a soap opera. But my crown jewel? The wine cabinet. That was my personal playground. I used to shake up the bottles just enough and wait for some poor visitor to get splashed like they walked into a trap. Then I'd bolt upstairs, laughing like the evil little gremlin I proudly was.
Dad made his way to one of the cushions and sat with his legs crossed like a king. I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but he and Uncle hadn't exchanged even a syllable since we got here. That silence? Delicious. I could practically smell the drama and I was ready to stir it.
"Aggy," Dad said, eyes on Aunty. "Is mother at home?"
"No, Dennis," Aunty replied as she sank into a cushion. I flopped beside her like the dramatic lead I was. "She flew to Canada this morning to check out the Ekati mine. She should be back any moment."
"Go call my children," Uncle ordered one of the officers with a casual wave. "Tell them to come welcome their cousin."
"Finally, some rest," I yawned, stretching like I'd just returned from war. "Today has been so exhausting."
"What makes you so tired, honey?" Aunty asked, brushing my forehead like I was fragile glass.
I groaned theatrically. "School, practice, and then-Dad." His eyebrow twitched the second I mentioned him. Good. "He keeps going on and on about how he misses everyone, especially Uncle. Like, okay, we get it. Once is enough, but no. He keeps repeating it like a broken record even after I told him to zip it. I swear my brain almost popped like a champagne cork."
For the first time since our arrival, Uncle turned to Dad with a face that said, seriously? And Dad? Oh, he was going pink-classic.
But before I could fully enjoy my sabotage, I heard footsteps.
Enter Maxwell and Ikenna, my twin cousins. Both eight, both little weirdos. Ikenna looked like he was raised on hugs and sunshine. Maxy, though? That kid had demon energy. Cute? Sure. But to me? He was basically a tiny scammer in training. One accidental blink and he'd rob you blind.
"Good day, Uncle," they greeted Dad, who lit up instantly. Lucky for him-distraction had arrived.
"What have you boys been up to?"
"Hey!" I shouted, scandalized. "How come no one's greeting me?"
"So desperate for attention," Maxy muttered, rolling his eyes with all the attitude of a washed-up reality star. "Not surprised."
I inhaled. Deeply. Counted to ten. Because if I spoke, I was going to commit a felony.
"Good evening, big sister," Ikenna said with his innocent little grin.
"Sweetheart," I replied with a smile, glaring over his head at Maxy.
"Only old people are meant to be greeted, so I made a mistake," Maxy added, plopping onto the couch. "Good evening, old lady."
I swear, the only thing keeping me from turning him into a flying object was the crowd. My hands were trembling. The audacity.
The twins started chatting about robotics like they were building Iron Man in their basement. Dad and Aunty were arguing football again-typical. I swear, football fans had no chill.
Uncle was glued to his phone, grinning like a teenager texting his crush. I sighed and reached for my own phone-because what else was I supposed to do-when I heard steps again.
Chioma.
The second she hit the last step, we locked eyes. Sparks flew. Then we both dramatically turned away. Then turned back and glared again. The usual.
"What can you say for yourself?" she said, arms crossed, her eyes practically stabbing me.
I exhaled slowly. Apologize? Me? Absolutely not. "That you should suck it up, bitch," I said, deadpan.
She launched off the couch like a missile. "Lie to me! Say you overslept! Say there was an exam! Say anything remotely considerate, you clueless coconut!"
Alright. Gloves off.
I stood up too, squaring my shoulders. "You call that a birthday party? If I didn't know better, I'd have called animal control for that zoo you hang out with. The only thing they've mastered is chewing food like it's a competitive sport."
She was shaking now. "Shut up!"
"In your dreams," I shot back. "Their biggest achievement is flaunting whatever mommy and daddy spoiled them with. What did your daddy get you this year, huh? A Gucci purse?"
"It's a Porsche!" she yelled, practically frothing.
"Oh, wow. Showcasing your only skill: being rich. Bravo. Tomorrow it'll be a private jet, right?"
"I never even liked you!"
"Think I care?" I said with a smirk. "The only people who care about your affection are the ones hoping to be your next sugar baby-and FYI, I'm not gay."
Dad burst into laughter. Phones were up. Everyone was recording us like we were live on some reality show. "Stop that!" Chioma and I barked at the same time.
"What is going on?" came a familiar voice.
Granny.
Instant silence. We both dropped to our seats like naughty schoolgirls. She walked in, regal as ever, and sat right across from me, eyes piercing like she could see my soul.
"Tell me, what did I miss?"
"Nothing important, Granny," I replied sweetly. "Just someone acting like she invented drama."
"Ada, that's enough," Granny muttered, already exasperated. Girl could barely hide how done she was with me.
Then she brightened. "I have a gift for you."
She handed me a white box.
Inside? A glittering green diamond necklace that could pay off someone's student loans three times over.
I walked over and hugged her, making sure the box lightly grazed Chioma's shoulder as I passed. "Thanks, Granny. This is why you're my favorite."
"You'll repay me by contributing solid ideas for the mines. I'm expecting a lot from you in this meeting," she said, all business.
"Of course, Granny," I replied with a fake-it-til-you-make-it smile. "When have I ever failed you?"
Truth? That box was burning in my hands like a cursed artifact.
Granny's monthly "board meetings" were just family gatherings dressed in business suits. She'd talk, we'd nod, and she'd remind us all that she was queen of the diamond empire. With mines in forty-two countries, she was the goddess of the sparkle throne. And someday, apparently, I was supposed to wear her crown.
Yay me.
But deep down, I had this gnawing feeling that the second I took over, we'd be bankrupt before the quarter ended.
Granny cleared her throat, and the whole room went silent. "Adanna," she said, staring at me like I was supposed to do something amazing. "I trust you've been paying attention to the business. Tell me your thoughts."
I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. "Yes, Granny," I said, like I'd practiced. "I've been looking at the expansion plans. I think we could move into tech and energy, especially with everything going green and the market changing."
It was all stuff I read in a journal, but Granny didn't need to know that.
She nodded, but didn't seem impressed. Everyone else stayed quiet, watching me, especially Chioma. She was probably happy I looked dumb.
"Well, Ada," Granny said slowly. "Bold ideas need results. You'll have to prove yourself before I even think about passing the torch."
I nearly rolled my eyes again. Does she have to be so dramatic?
"Now," she continued, "let's talk specifics."
I zoned out during the rest of the meeting. The adults were talking about boring things, and I couldn't help but daydream. I kept thinking about that vampire guy who called me his one and only and how we were probably already married in my daydreams.
When Granny finally finished, I stood up, ready to escape.
"Adanna," she called, stopping me at the door.
I turned, feeling weird. "Yes, Granny?"
She gave me this long, serious look. "Remember, you may be the future of this family business, but you must learn to master your emotions. That will be the key to whether you can lead."
I felt all squirmy inside. Was she like, psychic or something? How did she know about Rowan, my vampire boyfriend? I'd need to keep her away from him.
But whatever. I was done thinking about it. The principal was still on my mind. Tomorrow was going to be so long.