SIMONA
Don't worry miss. You will learn the entire building in no time." The driver says with a light chuckle. Shit. I didn't know I had said that out loud.
The driver pulls over in front of a fountain. It is sculpted in the form of a peacock spreading out it's wings. I gasp silently, awestruck on admiring it's magnificence as soon as I came down. The sculpting looks almost alive and realistic.
There isn't just one fountain. From where I am standing—the overly wide patio, I can see three. One of a woman partially nude—might be a Greek goddess or something. The other is of a mountain lion. Being in this sheer luxury momentarily made me forget my reluctance to come here. This man must be really really rich. Richer than my mom explained. Richard. The name suits him so well. Just look at the compound. From the lush trimmed grass. To the rose flower bed that stretches on to several meters. And there is also a large swimming pool. If I didn't know better, I would thought that this is a palace or a museum because it sure looks like it. I heard a thud, I looked to see the driver bringing my luggages out from the truck. I quickly went to assist him. Thanks to mom, I have way too many big luggages filled with clothes and accessories that I might never need to spend money on clothes for the rest of my life. "Stop miss. You don't have to give a hand. It's my job." He refuses.
"Even if your whole body was made of hands, you still won't be able to carry these alone." I disagreed.
"But-"
"Leave it alone Simona. It is part of his job. Let him do it."
Descending down the patio stairs with hands in his pants pocket, surrounded by a rich aura that I can feel from where I am standing is a man. Presumably the Richard. I see my mom coming from behind him. "You are finally here!" Mom squeals like some teenage girl who is seeing her crush and excitedly pulls me into her embrace. I stayed frozen and did not hug her back as I was mad about her collecting my rent deposit, having someone else shotgun rent the house, and leaving me homeless. I had no idea she would go to such lenghts to force me over here. Barbara Summers has become dirty and sneaky. I spent two nights at Dylan's before deciding to come here. I came on the condition that I will leave when the damn election period is over. I look over her shoulder at the man. Richard. He is standing leisurely with a soft fatherly-like gaze plastered on. Judging by his appearance and little streaks of grey hairs, he seems to be in his mid or late fifties. Dark hair and dark calculative eyes. Not so tall. Not so handsome. A Christian cross tattoo on his arm. This is the first time I am seeing physically in person the man who transformed my mom into a modern day Cinderella. I didn't attend their wedding because I did not feel like going. I had only seen him before in pictures that mom sent me from their honeymoon. I barely glanced at the photos on my phone for two seconds before deleting them. They have been married for how long again? Six years...or seven?
Mom steps away and he comes to hug me next. Man, I became like a statue. "You are here at last Simona." He saids joyfully, patting my back. My mom wore a fulfilled smile as she watched with the expression of happy family. I roll my eyes at her. Happy family? Maybe them. But not me—she is looking gorgeous and glowing by the way.
I got whiffs of Richard's cologne. The expensive musky fragrance is one of citrus. Citrus is supposed to be a light fragrance. But I guess he applied on way too much. My nose is uncomfortable. He is still hugging me. If I wasn't a good smeller I would have pushed him away and sneeze snots all over his face.
"I hope the ride over was not so tiring Simona?" Geez. I hate him calling my name. Somebody please tell him that.
I simply and politely reply No.
Three women dressed in black skirts and white blouse came out and began taking in my baggages. And before I knew it there was nothing left for me to carry. I stopped the last woman who was struggling to carry two luggages and one big bag. I made to assist her with the luggage. But she had grasped the handle firmly. "It's okay miss. You don't have to." She sternly and firmly refuses.
"Simona, you don't have t-" My mom started and I cut her off.
"I am not used to all of this. I believe I have the right to carrying my own luggage, thank you." I said stubbornly, prying the lady's hands off and carried my luggage up the stairs. Oh gosh. Why are they so many? I went into the large double doors, officially stepping into the sitting room. An even more bigger wow is my first reaction. The next is goosebumps and my bodily hair standing because of how cold it is inside. What temperature is the AC set on? -1°c?
My eyes dart all over the hall like sitting room taking in the details of sheer wealth. I am reminded of those historical ball halls that I had seen in English movies. What kind of business does this man do again?
"This is where you will be living now honey." Mom's voice declared from behind me.
"For a while, yes." Beautifu luxury or not I am getting the fuck out when Richard wins or loses the election. I belong better alone in a small house.
"For a while? This is your home now. Your are family as much as the rest of us. All these years you were away left me wondering what kind of father I am. So I need you to feel completely at home."
I smile. He is a smooth talker.
"You can even invite Freddy for dinner tonight." Mom chirps in. "Your brother would be present as well. Hmm?"
"There isn't any need to invite Freddy over."
"That was just FYI superficial telling honey. I already invited him."
"You did what mom?" I half-yell anxiously.