The World Where She Fits

TWWSF 11: The Successors

I stirred up and open my eyes. I am in an unfamiliar room, I think. With a knotted forehead, I look around only to realize that the room is not unfamiliar. Its just that, its been ages since I was in this very room. My room in McArden Mansion in Iceland.

I get up and sigh, Mom really drag me here, I thought. I can't believe my mother brought me here by force. I'm not sure what shes planning to do.

After fixing myself I come down to get some food. Its already past lunch. I cant even tell how many hours I've slept. Silence welcome me, other than the housemaids I didn't see anyone. I'm not sure if Mom stayed or she immediately went back to where Dad is. Grey maybe at school or in McArden Grand Empire (MGE) learning to do his duty as the successor.

I went to the kitchen to get some food and bring it over in the garden. My hair is being blown by a cool wind. The garden is my favorite place in the house. I need the sweet fragrance of the flowers, the sound of the leaves dancing in the cool the wind and peaceful place to relax and think. No one will disturb me here.

Pagkatapos kumain ay nag-ikot ako saglit sa garden. At dahil may katagalan na din ang huling punta ko dito, nag-enjoy ako sa pagtingin sa mga bagong bulaklak. My Mom loves flowers, no wonder that the flowers here is being taken care of, even if shes not here often. This house is her favorite out of all the houses we owned. But my Father loves my Mom so much that he wants her to be in his side, when we all grown up, all the time. Kaya kahit saan magpunta si Dad, kasama niya lagi si Mom, not in dangerous places though.

I am standing near a cliff, you can hear the wave splashing at the bottom. Aside from the garden, like to stay at this part of the property. This part is 500 meters away from the Mansion, in the farther back side. A gazebo and the fences around the cliff was built when I was still a child. My father found out that I like playing in this place.

"A penny of your thoughts?"

I didn't bother to look who bothered my peaceful trance. "When I cant find you in the house and the garden, I knew you'd be here," he continued. He stands beside me and put his arms in my shoulder. "Are you alright, Shan?" he softly asks and kiss my head when I leaned into him.

"I'm not, Grey. I don't understand why Mom had to brought me here by force," I sigh.

"What Tita Yuri did is for your sake, Shan. And I agree with her. You shouldn't be there with him."

"Not you too, Grey. You know how much I love him."

"And I know how much he loves you. But things are not the same anymore, Shan. Chase is already engaged."

"But he is not happy Grey. I can find a way to break that engagement. This time I want to fight for Chase." Even without looking at him, I know Grey smiles of what I said.

"You should do that, Shan. Chase suffered enough," Grey said. Silence engulf us in few minutes. "Then, I can help you get back to Megacity," Grey stated.

I freed myself from his embrace and turn to look at him," Thanks Grey, but I don't think that would be necessary. I need to hear what Mom is planning to do before going back." I walk towards the Gazebo and sit. Grey followed and sit facing me.

"Do you have any idea what is it?" he asked with a knotted forehead.

"Kind of, maybe it is about the place where I fit?"

"What?" he snapped, confused with what I said.

I laugh at him lightly, "You know, I should be playing my role as a princess," I said, not really explaining but I think he get the point.

"Why not claim your place as the successor of MGE? Since Ate Yen is now in the Imperial Palace and Kuya Shi is the Heir to the Throne, you are the only qualified to be Tito Ethan's successor, Shan."

"Nah, its your rightful place Grey. Aside from the fact that I don't want to go against the family's hierarchy, being a successor is not my place. MGE is not the place where I fit."

"And where it is?" he asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"Maybe in the shadow of MGE? The place that MGE kept as a secret?" Grey look at me, confusion is written all over his face. Before he can ask anything, I get up from my seat, "There are secrets that's better left a secret until the right time to reveal what it is. Just little more time Grey. When the right time comes, they will tell you or I will, because you are part of it." I smiled at him and offer my hand, "Lets go back to house, its already chilly here." He just nodded, still dazed with what I said.

Few days later, a party in celebration of the Foundation of MGE was announced. Two weeks before the big event my father decided to throw a party for the employees. And parties are not my cup of tea that's why I'm here in the corner silently sipping my wine while watching the employees from MGE enjoying their night. Later that night, Shawn Grey Pierre was introduced as my father successor. Grey was welcome with enthusiasm.

But the next event will be different. The Foundation party will be filled with people from the business circle. They're may be people who accept Grey without question but there are also people who will demand Grey to prove his worth as Ethan Davies's successor. In the event today, and for the coming event, I also realized that Grey will struggles to find the place where he truly fits.

*****

I just came back from Germany. I was at DC Org base in Germany for a few days. It is still surreal. I still cant truly grasp the situation. In a blink of an eye, everything changed and I'm not the same anymore, I cant be the same. Much bigger responsibilities are now weighing in my shoulder. I am now officially introduced to all member of DC Org as their Heiress. I cant help but ask myself, is DC Org the place where I truly fit?

Disregarding all thoughts about everything, I change my clothes. Mom choose to stay in Germany with Dad, allowing to travel back to Iceland on my own. I cant go back to Megacity yet, not unless I am already introduced into the world where DC Org. exist.

I asked one of the driver to drive me to Reykjavik University where Grey is taking his Business Management degree. Instead of using a car the drivers usually used, I decided to use Grey's favorite car. Grey is staying in a condo near the university and come home every weekend. His condo is a walking distance from university that's why he opted to leave his favorite car here and brought his motorbike instead.

We were able to park the car near the gate. I can see the students walking towards the gate from where I am. The driver already left with along with other car that bound for grocery shopping. I was holding the key and leaned in the car. Students can't help but give a second look with the car. Who wouldn't if it is one of a limited-edition car in the world. Driving this car means you are something.

I saw Grey among the hordes of students. Behind him are more likely his friends, a girl and two boys. They talked to Grey and he sometimes give them a glance. Before I can call Grey, someone speak.

"Walking with Pierre again, Cheska? I can drive you wherever you want, you know."

My ears perk up upon the mention of Grey's name. The guy who spoke is leaning in an expensive car in front of me. They were looking at Grey's group while laughing. Bullies! The girl, which I assume is the one called Cheska raised her brows and called the guy jerk.

I was about to speak to get Greys attention but he beat me to it. "Yah! That's my car," his eyes widen looking at his favorite car beside me.

"Your car? You should say your dream car, Pierre," it was that guy again. "I didn't know you had quite an unreachable dream, Pierre. I don't think you can get that kind of car in your lifetime."

Grey didn't say a word, he just shrugged his shoulder with what the guy said. Amused, I look at him and said, "I didnt know that the successor of McArden is being bullied". I give emphasis with the word successor and McArden.

Cheska and the two guys behind Grey, as well as the guys who bullied them, their eyes widen and look at me as if I am crazy.

"You don't have to emphasize it, sweetheart." He gave me an all-knowing smile. He knows what I'm playing at.

"Oh, sorry," I said, though my voice were not sorry at all, "was it supposed to be a secret?"

"Not really," Grey shrugged his shoulder, "I just don't think it is necessary for them to know. By the way, did you drive my car here?"

I pouted, "I should have, but you know I don't have a license here." He let out a sigh of relief. He knows I can be a reckless driver sometimes. "That's why you will be driving me around," I tossed him the key.

"Care to introduce her, Shawn?" the girl, Cheska, told Grey.

"Do you like Grey, Cheska?" I interrupted. Cheska stiffened with the question.

"Why ask? Are you jealous, sweetheart?" Grey jokingly nudge me.

"Yes, I am." I admitted, not for me though but for someone I know. Grey laugh hard at me before introducing the three to me. He never mentioned our relationship though, which I prefer by way. Because there is a special someone, I know who had a special place in Grey's life.

"Where to?"

"Anywhere?" I answered unsure.

"What? You bother to bring my favorite car, yet you don't have a destination in mind?" he looks at me unbelievably. "I know there something wrong, Shan, care to tell me?"

Instead of answering him I look at my watch to check the time. "Its too early to go to the place I want. Just show me around for the time being."

"So, you really don't want to tell me," he sighs.

"It's not that Grey, I'll tell you everything when we reach the place I'm talking." I answered without giving him a glance otherwise I can't hold myself and tell him everything right here, right now. A car is not a perfect place to tell him something big, that may change his views about the family.

"We don't have time to try catching the elusive Aurora Borealis, but I can take you to the Golden Circle instead," Grey suggested after a few minutes of silence.

"Sounds fun," I replied.

There are many tourists when we reach the geothermal area in Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur that erupts every 5-10 minutes. Though we were not able to stop at other tourist spot in Golden Circle due to lack of time, I enjoyed the Gullfoss Waterfall the most.

When the night falls, I told Grey to drive back in the city, giving him the address of the place that we need to stop by. It was an old resto-bar in the middle of the city, built in 1960s. The bar doesn't actually look old since it was renovated to match the current architecture design in the area. But once you are inside, the retro designs are very much alive. The bar is the safe haven of the people from the higher class.

Without looking around, I walk towards the bar counter where the bartender is busy mixing some wines.

"Komdu sæll! Gott kvöld! Is Mr. Viktor Steinsson here? Ég heiti Bethany". (Hello! Good evening! Is Mr. Viktor Steinsson here? My name is Bethany.)

"Gott kvöld! Velkomin Miss Bethany! Já, I will be glad to notify him of your arrival," the bartender smiled before stepping backwards, bowed slightly before taking his leave to tell his master about me.

"What is this place, Shan?" Grey ask with a curious look in his face while secretly scanning the area. "We are not here for a drink, are we?" he asked with an annoyed smirk in his lips.

"You wan't to know what's wrong with me, right? Then, this is the place." I look around the bar before turning my eyes to him. "Behind this beautiful bar lies many secrets, Grey. The secrets of McArden and Davies."