3. COURAGE - Part two
931 Words
One Week Later.
A subtle knock was heard on the door.
“Come in,” Raine said. The door opened as a middle aged woman walked in, she strengthened her apron before she spoke, “Young miss, breakfast is ready.”
“I’m not really hungry.” Raine admitted.
“That’s what you always say, you can’t continue starving yourself.” Nicole – the house manager said.
“I just don’t have the appetite.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Raine said with a smile.
Not willing to persuade her any further, Nicole said, “If you say so.” It was then that her eyes caught what Raine was actually doing. Perplexed she asked, “Why are you packing your clothes?”
Knowing she has some explanation to do, Raine kept her neatly folded cloth and turned to Nicole. “I’m leaving.” She said.
“I can see that.” Nicole gestured towards her luggage.
“Nicole, I can’t stay in this city anymore.”
“Why? Bel-Air has the best to offer.” Nicole asked almost in a whisper.
“All it has offered me is sadness and depression, everywhere is so suffocating and I can’t bear it anymore.”
Nicole covered the distance between them and held her hands, “You don’t have to leave, we can figure something out... we always do.”
“I need a fresh start and this city is not helping me get over my grief. There is nothing here for me. You saw how my uncle and my friends are behaving now that my parents are gone. I was never truly loved.”
Nicole sighed; she knew that Raine was right; Bel-Air had brought her so much pain and heart break, who could blame her if she wants no part of the city anymore. “Where will you go?” Nicole asked.
Raine smiled faintly, “I’ve been receiving calls from Aunty Vivian and the twins.”
“Is it your mother’s sister from Massachusetts?”
“Yes. I told her that I needed a fresh start and she suggested that I should come and stay with them.” Raine informed.
“Where exactly in Massachusetts?”
“Blackstone town.” She answered.
“A town...are you sure? I have heard nasty things about Blackstone.”
“Those are just rumours, Nicole.”
“How long do you plan on staying with them?”
“Indefinitely.”
“What do you mean?”
“I asked her to be my guardian and she agreed.”
“What?”
“I know that you are going to say that I made a hastily decision,”
“You did...”
“But, it’s also the best thing for me. I am so sure; I need you to believe in me.”
Nicole stared at her quietly for some seconds before she said, “Of course I believe you.”
“Thank you.” Raine smiled warmly before they shared a tight embrace.
Later on, she told Nicole that she plans on leaving today, Nicole tried to change her mind but she was adamant and there was nothing the house manager can do about it.
As she bid her goodbyes to the rest of the house workers she gave Nicole a duffel bag filled with some of her cloths. When she was packing, she realized just how many cloths she had; it never really occurred to her that she had so many.
“Those in the orphanage will make better use of these. Donate them for me.”
“Of course I will.” Nicole said with an assuring smile.
The house workers watched as Raine walked out of the door with only one rolling backpack. Where she was going, she didn’t need the whole of her wardrobe.
As she walked towards the massive gate, a certain red Porsche pulled over and Emma Anderson walked out of the car. She removed her sun shade and scanned Raine from the crown of her head to the sole of her feet.
“I’ll be damned, if it isn’t the princess of Bel-Air. How the mighty has fallen.” Emma mocked as she came closer to Raine.
“What are you doing here?” Raine asked with gritted teeth, she couldn’t believe that this brat was once her friend...her best friend.
“I am here to see what is left of Raine Quinn and I am disappointed because there is nothing left.” She scoffed.
“You are so redundant.”
“Really?”
“Yes...you are a spoiled, arrogant brat parading around Bel-Air looking for those to talk down on because you are so shameless.”
“How dare you!” Emma made a silly attempt to slap Raine but she caught her hand and tossed it away.
“You have nothing! I took everything from you, even Axel.” Emma blurted out.
“Enjoy it while it lasts.” Raine said lastly before she walked away.
“b***h!” Emma screamed in frustration.
***********************
Raine hailed a cab to the airport and as the cab drove to the destination, she clenched the pendant around her neck; she couldn’t focus on one thing because there were a lot of thoughts running through her mind.
She was heading to a new town, a new life, something new and different from what she’s used to, will she ever adapt. Well she had to get there first.
Taking a deep breath, she told herself to be courageous; it was the only way she could keep away the doubts.
- Writer
