New Beginning

CHAPTER TWO

Adelaide’s P.O.V

We are still all patiently waiting to hear something from Benji. It feels like hours but I'm sure it's only been minutes since we started hearing the gunshots. I look around me and see that everyone looks just as terrified as I am, but I’m trying to stay calm and pray to God that everyone is all right. 

This is the first time we are using the bunker. My dad had it built a few years back. Goodness knows why. It’s actually a really nice place. It’s like a house built underground. From the door we came in, we walked in to a huge living room. I would guess the room is about 8.0 m x 10 m. It’s gigantic. There is black leather sofas spread right around the room with a huge flat screen TV mounted to the wall on the left side from the door where we came in. The floor is completely tiled white. In the middle of the room is a huge black carpet that covers about a third of the floor. On the carpet is a rectangular white coffee table. 

Damn! What’s up with all the black and white, even the walls are painted white? At least the red scatter cushions on the sofas break the color a little. A few of the staff are chatting with one another. Lina in still sitting next to me on one of the two-seater sofas, deep in thought. I wonder what she is thinking about? 

We are eleven people here. It's me, Lina, the butler, four housekeepers, the two chefs, and lastly the two gardeners. Lina is the head housekeeper, more like a supervisor. She and the butler, Thomas, make sure that the household runs smoothly.

I decide to lighten the mood. "So who wants to watch some TV?" Lina looks at me at gives me a small smile. She knows what my true intention is. To lighten the mood.

"That sounds like an excellent idea sweety. And how about Thomas and I go and make us all some tea or coffee and get a few snacks?" She looks around at everyone and they seem to agree by nodding their heads. I know we are all a little depressed at the moment but the least we can do is to make the best of the situation. While Lina asks everyone what they would like to drink, I stand up and switch on the TV.

"Thank goodness!" I say this a little too loud and every one looks at me. I start laughing. "Sorry guys, I'm just glad my dad thought it good to install the DSTV in here as well. Otherwise we would not have had anything decent to watch." They all start laughing as well. I'm glad I could lift the stiff atmosphere a little. 

I scroll through the channels looking for something to watch. I decide to start watching 'The big bang theory' on Showmax. It has enough comedy to help us relax a little. While I'm still facing the TV, I startle when Lina put her hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry my dear, I did not mean to startle you. I just wanted to ask you what you would like to drink?" I can see the concern in her eyes. I know she can see right through me. That I'm actually more concerned by this situation than what I'm letting on.

"It's fine Lina. I guess it's just this situation that is making me jittery. I would like a cup of very sweet tea please." I give her a sincere smile, letting her know that I'm fine. "Sure sweety, remember you can talk to me anytime." I give her a tight hug, surprising her. "Thank you Lina. I appreciate you so much." I take a step back from her, giving her a smile and walking to one of the sofas to get comfortable. I see her and Thomas walking to the left side of the room where the entrance to the kitchen is.

One of the younger housekeepers come and sits next to me. She looks about twenty years old. She has beautiful ginger red hair, complimenting her light green eyes and has light freckles on her cheeks and button nose. She is a bit taller than me and has a petite figure like me. She is rubbing her hands together. I can see she wants to talk to me but looks reluctant to start a conversation. I take the initiative to start a conversation. 

"What's wrong Susan? It seems like you have something on your heart." I give her a warm smile, trying to show her that she does not have to be scared. "It's just that Miss…" I stop her right there holding my pointed finger up and pouting. She looks a bit startled and her eyes go big. I start to chuckle. Her expression changes to confusion. 

"I'm sorry for interrupting you so rudely Susan, but please call me Adelaide. There is no need for formalities." I smile and she smiles back. "Okay Adelaide. The housekeepers were wondering if you know what is going on? I mean nothing like this has ever happened before, well not since I started working here two years ago." I stare at her for a while. Then I press the ‘pause’ button on the remote,  so we can continue watching after I've talked to everyone. I look at Susan. 

"Susan I think it's better if I explain my theory, of what's going on, to everyone." She just nods her head. I walk to the middle of the room and face everyone. Just then, Lina and Thomas come in with trays that have snacks and the coffee – and teacups on. They put it on the coffee table. Lina gives me a questioning look. I just give her a small smile.

"Please take a seat Lina and Thomas." They nod their heads and walk to one of the sofas to take a seat. I wait for them to sit before I start talking again. "All right everyone. I know we are all in a panicked state right now and wondering what is going on. I don't know if you guys have noticed, but my dad increased the security in the last week. I even have more bodyguards following me around, but that's not the point. I think my dad increased the security because they are busy with a very important case at the firm. Therefore, my theory is that there are people out there trying to eliminate the problem, which are my parents of course. I really don't know if this is the case, but it's my best guess as to what is going on. Please everyone, don't speculate, or talk to anyone about this. I'm sure my dad will give a proper explanation about what is really going on. I’m sure no one needs to be scared once we leave the bunker because I can guarantee you Benji already arranged more security. So let us all just relax for now, we have the best security team after all. I’m sure it will not be long now before Benji come and gets us all. Let us enjoy the snacks and drinks that Lina and Thomas made us and continue watching ‘The big bang theory.’ Thank you Lina and Thomas for the effort.” I look at both of them and give them a broad smile. Some of the staff thanks me for making them feel better. I sure hope everyone feels more at ease now. I walk back to the sofa and press the ‘play’ button on the remote. 

As we are busy enjoying the snacks that Lina and Thomas made, we hear a noise that has us all on the edge of our seats and alert. Someone is attempting to open the metal security door from the outside, with the code… We wait… nothing happens… again you can hear the metal door trying to open…

“Oh my goodness! What if it’s the intruders?” Everyone starts panicking… Sh!t did I just say that out loud. Dammit! Now everyone is stressing because of my stupidity! I feel so bad now, but on the other hand, I’m just as stressed. 

Lina comes over to me and puts her right arm around my shoulder, trying to comfort me. The tears are already running down my cheeks. Still I hear the metal door in the background. Lina attempts to dry my tears of with her left hand. “Calm down my dear, everything will be all right.” I look at her through my tear-filled eyes. She embraces me and gives me a tight hug. I start to sob and my tears soak her shirt, but it does not look like it’s bothering her. She just hugs me tighter. 

Suddenly the metal doors starts opening and we all stare at the door, expecting the worst. Once the door is open two armed guys walk in. Some of the staff starts screaming at the fright they got. I feel the blood drain from my face and it feels like I’m about to pass out. Just then, Benji also walks in, gun in hand…

“Please relax everyone; this is two of the new guys in the security team.” Everyone is relieved because you can hear their sighs and the people who seemed to stop breathing are breathing normal again. I’m so enraged right know! Why did Benji struggle with the code so much? He is the head of security and is supposed to know the code. That’s why the door struggled to open because the incorrect code was entered.

“What the hell Benji!?” I shout at him. The staff are clearly very surprised by the way I spoke with him, because they stand there wide-eyed some of them even gasped and has a hand in front of their mouths. Even Benji can’t believe the seriousness of my tone. 

“Do you have any idea how terrified we all were, because you could not enter the correct code, for the door, the first time? My goodness I even started crying because I was scared about what would happen to all of us. You are the head of the security for goodness sake! You should know the code by heart!” I feel a bit bad for shouting at him like that, but I don’t like showing emotions and I started crying in front of all the staff. I really do hope Benji has a good explanation for his mistake.

“Miss Saunders. I am really sorry. Moreover, yes it is totally my fault. Is it possible that we can discuss this matter in private, for safety reasons please?” He looks down the entire time he is talking to me. I can clearly see the regret on his face and he looks ashamed of himself.

“For the last damn time! Call me Adelaide! And please look me in the eyes while speaking to me. By the way, don’t you think everyone deserves to know why it’s your fault why they were panicking for nothing?” Sh!t maybe I’m taking this too far… Now I feel bad…

He takes a long sigh, now I feel even worse for hurting his feelings. He looks me straight in the eyes “I apologize Adelaide, but it’s a sensitive matter that I would prefer to discuss in private. Everyone I am truly sorry for frightening you all." He looks around at everyone. Once it seemed like everyone accepted his apology Benji addresses them again. "You may all go back in the house now. It’s safe and the police took care of everything.” Once everyone is out of the room, he looks at me again. I noticed the other two guards also left.

“Alright Adelaide, here’s the thing…” he pauses and I nod for him to continue. He starts speaking again. “The codes were changed last night, and I completely forgot about it. We change the codes, for the main gates, house and bunker every two weeks or so. To make it safer.” 

I raise my eyebrows at him and just as I was about to say something, he interrupts me. “That’s not all Adelaide. I think we have a mole. Someone is feeding the enemy information from the inside, because these people knew exactly when the new shift would take over and where all the guards patrol on the estate.” He looks at me with concern in his eyes. 

“Damn Benji, that’s bad. I feel like sh!t now. I’m so sorry I shouted at you like that. Please forgive me?” I show him my best puppy dog eyes and smile at him. He starts chuckling. “No need to apologize Adelaide. I made a rookie mistake and will probably get fired for this.” He looks down again. I give him a shove on his shoulder in a playful manner. “Benji, there is no way you will get fired, not when I have a say in it and remember, I’m my daddy’s little princess. He will listen to me. I will threaten to stop eating for a month if he fires you.” We both start laughing. “Come on Adelaide, let’s get back up to the house.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to the elevator.

Once inside the elevator I ask him: “Benji, what’s the time now?” I ask this with a smirk on my face. “What is up with that mischievous smirk on your face? It’s 08:20 pm now, why do you want to know?” I start speaking slowly, not sure how to approach the subject. “Well… I was thinking… just maybe, you know… since I’m still dressed in my outfit for the Talent show, and there is still enough time left, I can go to the show and perform.” 

He looks shocked with his mouth open. “Are you for real Adelaide? Your parents should be back within the next hour or so. I don’t think they would appreciate the fact that you still went to the show, after this incident.” 

We get out at the elevator near the front door and walk into the huge foyer. I scoff at him. “It’s not like they care about me anyway, besides you can come with me and bring a few guards if you must. Please I’ve never missed any of the shows. You now I love performing so this would make me feel better after the incident that happened. Please, please, please Benji?” I get on my knees, with my hands in front of me, begging. His eyes go wide.

“Adelaide please get up. Fine we can go, but I’m taking two guards with and I will leave Henry, my second in command, in charge until we get back. And just so you know... We are going into the Auditorium with you. Just to make sure you stay safe.” After I get up, I just roll my eyes at him. “Sure Benji, just give me a minute to make myself look decent again.” 

With that said I quickly get into the elevator. Once out I run straight to my room to my dressing table. I do a quick touch up on my make-up and comb my hair before putting the tiara back on. I check myself in the mirror and once satisfied I run to the elevator again and before I know it, we are in the car and on our way to school. Benji and I sit in front of the bulletproof SUV and the other guys are sitting at the back. I learned that their names are James and Carl.

After a few minutes we stopped at school. I walked with Benji and the guards to the entrance of the Auditorium to explain to the teacher that they are my bodyguards. He let them go in, without having to buy tickets, because the show is almost over anyway. 

I run to the back entrance and enter the stage door at the back of the Auditorium. Just five more minutes before my performance. I’m so excited for my performance. I have been working very hard on my choreography and singing. 

I take a peek through the back stage’s curtain, I spot Lydia, my best friend, sitting in the middle of the front row, with her parents. She’s not participating this year, but she told me that she and her parents would still come to support me. Her parents are so sweet, they are almost the opposite of my parents, and also they love me like a daughter, since Lydia and I grew up together. 

We became friends in Kindergarten. I don’t spot Daemon anywhere, I guess he didn’t come. I take a seat on one of the benches, where the performers normally wait for their turn to perform. I’m sitting alone since all the other pupils performed already, and I’m last on the program. I start to think back about my fight with Daemon two days ago… Just as I was about to get lost in my thoughts I hear the crowd applause. 

I can hear Principal Evans speaking. “Thank you Betty Wilson that was a great performance.” I hear the crowd applauding again and the Principal talking about random things and cracking a joke or two. Betty comes of stage and I spot her coming back stage through the curtain. 

Betty is one of my classmates. “Hi Betty, how did it go?” She spots me and turns around to look at me. “Oh hi Adelaide, you gave me a fright there.” We both chuckle. “Sorry I did not mean to." I say with a sincere smile. She just smiles back. “I was so nervous in the beginning, but then I relaxed and just went with the flow. So I think it went well. Good luck with your performance Adelaide." I give her a smile. “Thanks Betty, but I am also rather nervous.” Just as she was about to say something I hear Principal Evans again.

“All right Ladies and Gentlemen. Please welcome our next performer on stage. This schools’ very talented performer, Adelaide Saunders!” Damn, now the nerves really start kicking in and I don’t know why. I’m never this jittery before a performance. I’m normally calm and confident. I step out on stage and walk to the middle of the Auditorium. 

“Thank you Principal Evans.” I give him a wide smile and he returns it. He turns around and walk of stage. WOW! They did a great job with the stages’ decorations. It looks so realistic. The theme for the talent show is Fairy tales. They decorated the stage so that it looks like an enchanted forest. It looks absolutely exquisite! We had to choose songs that played in any of the Disney movies. The song I chose is ‘Who I am’ by Natasha Bedingfield. This song played on the Tinkerbell movie ‘The pirate fairy.’

“Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I am Adelaide Saunders. The song I will be performing tonight is: ‘Who I am’ by Natasha Bedingfield. The song is from the Tinkerbell movie ‘The pirate fairy.’ I hope everyone enjoys the show.” I smile with the microphone in my hand, which one of the sound men handed me when I walked on the stage. The band starts playing the music.

(Adelaide singing) “If I could reach the top of the world, be all that I am, it would be so beautiful… If only… I could be brave and I could be as strong, I would know where I belong… If only… I want to feel free to be who I am, what I’m about is more than I’ve been… Ready to show the world who I am…” I continue my singing and dancing. I can’t help but think this song is so fitting to my life. I want to become a dance performer or actress. I can’t be who I want to be, because my parents expects me to study Law and take over the firm one day. If only they could come and watch my performance and see that I’m good at it… Then my mind wanders off to Daemon and the fight we had two days back…

(Flashback to two days ago)

We just came from school and walk into Daemons room and put our bags down. We are planning to do our homework together. Suddenly his hand go around my waist and he turns me around. He looks deep into my eyes with lust. I can’t help but get lost in those beautiful grey eyes of his. He pulls me closer to him and starts kissing me passionately… Okay, I did not expect this, he knows how I feel about having s*x now, but clearly he has other intentions. I still have to tell him something so I push him away with both my hands. He gives me a puzzled look. 

“Oh, come on Babe, don’t you think we have waited long enough?” I just stare at him blankly, he knows how I feel. I told him that I would let him know when I was ready. I’m not ready. I’m scared I will never be ready not after what happened in the past… No I don’t even want to think about it. 

“Dae Baby, I told you I’ll let you know when I’m ready. Besides there’s something I need to discuss with you.” He gives me a disappointed, disgusted look. Sh!t I did not expect this from him. 

“What do you want to discuss?” he asks me with a very annoyed tone. WTF is his problem? “I won’t be able to come to your final Cricket game tonight, because…” Before I can continue to explain why, he rudely interrupts me. “WTF Adelaide you know this is a very important game and I need your support. How will it look if the Captain of the team’s girlfriend is not even there to support him?!” He starts shouting at me. Who the hell does he think he is? He’s never spoken to me in this manner. 

“Daemon please calm down, what has gotten into you? If you just waited a moment before interrupting me I would have had the chance to explain why I can’t make it to your game tonight. Miss Spencer wants us to have a dress rehearsal tonight, since she is giving us all a day off tomorrow to rest before Friday’s show. It’s compulsory, we all have to be there. I’m really sorry Baby, you know I never miss any of your games, but this time I don’t have a choice.” I look at him with my puppy dog eyes and a cute pout, hoping it would soften him up a bit, but clearly it did not work. He still looks annoyed. 

“Don’t look at me like that. It won’t work this time. Are you really telling me you are missing my most important game of the season for some stupid Talent show rehearsal?” He looks at me with a stern look on his face. And I’m just shocked that he actually said those words. My mouth hangs open in shock. I hope he can see how pissed of I am right now. 

“Really Daemon! So what ever is going on in your life is more important than what’s going on in my life. We always try to support each other and be there for each other’s games. This is out of my control. I can’t help it! Good luck with your game. I’m leaving!” Just there I turned around, picked up my bag, trying to blink away the tears, and stormed out of his house. He did not even try to stop me. That was the last time I spoke with my boyfriend.

(Back to the present, where Adelaide is performing)

I keep on singing my heart out and perform the dance routines I choreographed for this song. I’m so deep in thought and I don’t know what happened. Suddenly I stumble and trip over my own feet falling to the ground. I hear gasps from the crowd and I could hear Lydia shouting my name. I sit on the right side of my bum with my right elbow supporting my weight, I’m trying to sit up straight and at least manage to get it right, but I feel a pain shoot through my left ankle. Before I know it I’m surrounded by people.

Miss Spencer is the first to speak. “Adelaide are you all right my dear?” She asks this with concern on her face. “I think I’m all right Miss Spencer, it’s just my left ankle that hurts. I think I sprained it.” The pain is actually quite bad, but I try not to show it. Lydia is kneeling next to me, her hand on my back rubbing soothingly up and down, letting me know she is here for me. 

Principal Evans is the next to speak. "Don’t worry Miss Saunders, I will call the ambulance immediately." Then he turns to the crowd. "I’m sorry ladies and gentlemen, we will have to cut the show short. Please enjoy your Summer vacation and stay safe. And thank you all for attending the Talent show." 

With that said the crowd starts to get up and move out of the Auditorium. Principal Evans is already on his cell phone calling the ambulance. 

“Adelaide dear, I’m going to phone your parents and let them know what is going on.” Miss Spencer looks at me with sympathy in her eyes, because she knows that once again my parents are not here to support me. Well, I do hope they answer her call. Miss Spencer turns around and walks to another side of the Auditorium, leaving Lydia and me alone.