GATES$

CHAPTER ONE: MEET THE GATES

Ria's pov :

2/9/2024

So it's Monday and summer break is finally over. So it's time to head back to school .

Then as I'm finishing up with dressing I hear my dad yell my name so I go downstairs. Morning dad. Morning honey bee so today I'm going to be working the late shift so don't stay up so late he says. But why dad. Well how else I'm I supposed to pay for your school bills you know I'm I'm just a waiter at Big belly's burger he says.

Ok but I'm not going to let you suffer alone , I'm going to go get myself a job after school today. Fine I cant stop you baby but be safe out there. So I hug him goodbye and catch the bus to Brooklyn High. So I finally arrive at school and everyone is welcoming me, I'm kind of a celebrity here that's because I'm the best singer here and next year is nationals for the American All stars and I have to make it so I head to the music studio then I bump into Antonio my best friend or atleast he was until what happened this summer. I may have rejected him when he asked me to be his girlfriend. So hey Antonio how are you doing. I'm fine. I am so sorry for what happened this summer. it's fine I get it you don't like me like that but we can still be best friends. Yeah sure why not I put my hand at the back of his neck as we walk down the hallway and plus I'm really looking forward to our junior year in high-school and we get to be seniors next year. So I go to the music studio and Mrs Smith tells me to practice with Max. Max is my ex boyfriend who literally sabotaged me last year not to win the musical we had last year. Hey Ria so what song do you want us to work on. The song I hear you screaming in pain and agony I say to myself. So it's 5:00 pm and it's time for me to head back home but first I need to get a job. It has been two hours and no one looks like they want to give me a job so I just head back home and once I'm their I seat on the couch and turn on the tv and I fall asleep, it's 11:50 pm and my phone is ringing I wake up and answer it then some lady says this is Tara Heineken calling from the Brooklyn health centre your dad was shot and he asked for you. So I get up call Antonio's mom to pick me up and drop me off at the hospital, once I'm their I enter the room my dad is in and it doesn't look like he's in a good condition. Then I notice the bullet in his chest. Dad what happened I ask with tears falling down my eyes. He wipes them and says I was shot honey bee and the doctors say theirs nothing that they can do about it. What but dad you have to fight this for me. I'm sorry honey bee, tomorrow you have a flight to Los Angeles and you'll be staying with your aunt and uncle, I've already told them. No dad I want to stay here in Brooklyn with you and my friends. Brooklyn isn't safe for you anymore. Dad who did this I ask furiously. It doesn't matter sweetheart he says while gasping for air. You'll find answers in LA ....... Then he stops talking I start shaking him to wake up but he doesn't move that's when it hits me, my da is gone. Mrs Bianchi, Antonio's mom takes me to their house so I can spend the night there until the next morning.

3/09/2024

So it's morning and I pack my stuff then Antonio and his mom drop me off at the airport. But before I get on the plane Antonio tells me to to promise never to forget him. I hug him and say I'll be back soon don't worry. So I get on the plane and it's a six hour flight. Then I finally land then I see a black range rover pulling up to me and some mysterious looking guy approaches me and says welcome to LA.

Fred's pov

So I go to the airport to pick Bill and Holly's niece and she looks rattled when she sees me. I welcome her and tell her to get in the car, so I carry her luggage into the trunk of the car and get in.

WHILE IN THE CAR.....

So who are you to my aunt and uncle. I'm the head of security and welfare to the Gates family. Ok so what's your name. My name is Frednard Stone but you can call me Fred. Well my name is ...... I stop her and say Riana Reynolds but let me guess I can call you Ria. Wait how do you know my name. Your uncle gave me the details and plus I know everyone related to the Gates and I'm also sorry for your loss. It's ok she says with sadness on her face. We finally arrive at the Gates mansion and the look on her face says it all.

Ria's pov

So Fred's nice and we arrive and damn do I got me some rich relatives. We enter inside and it looks better than my whole house back in Brooklyn. Then I see my auntie.

Holly's pov

I see my niece Ria and she looks absolutely beautiful.

Hey auntie, hey Ria how are you doing I give her a hug. I hope your doing well especially with what happened to your dad. I'm fine, it looks like their's a party going on. Yes your uncle is running for vice mayor. I see Micheal talking to a couple of guests and they are girls. Micheal come here.

Micheal's pov

So I'm spreading the news about my YouTube channel to some ladies when mom calla me and I turn around and see her with my cousin Ria. Hey their's my favourite cuzo. Aren't I your only cousin she says while laughing. I give her a hug welcome to LA Ria. Then mom tells me to take her upstairs to her new bedroom so she can change to qqto something more formal for the house campaign. So I take her upstairs and then she bumps into Trey.

Trey's pov

So I get out of the washroom after cleaning my suit since some waiter poured wine on it then I bump into probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. She looks so natural her eyes are brown and her lips are pink. Then I grab her waist to prevent her from falling. Hi I'm Trey, I'm Ria. I see Micheal waiting for us to finish. I ask him is she a friend. She's my cousin. Then I quickly realise that means she's Tori's cousin aswell so I quickly walk away to avoid that drama.

Micheal's pov

As I'm waiting for Ria to get dressed my YouTube channel has five million views while mom wants me to a doctor and dad wants me to be a lawyer like him. So Ria is finally done and she looks amazing, so I walk her down to the backyard. Ria I'm sorry I'd love to show you around but I have to meet up with some guys. It's fine I get it. But I need you to network and socialise.

Ria's pov

So I'm standing outside the house looking for someone I can talk to then I see uncle Bill so I walk over to him.

Bill's pov

As I'm talking to mayor King to give me his full support in my race for vice mayor. I see Ria walking towards us. Hello niece, hi uncle Bill. David this is my niece Ria she's from Brooklyn her father just past away. Then David says I'm so sorry I know it must be difficult growing up in a struggling community but we are here to help people like you. People like me what's that supposed to mean. So I realise things are getting heated up with Davind and Ria so I quickly alert Fred.

Fred's pov

So Bill alerts and looks like he's in abit of trouble with Ria so I quickly so I go pull Ria away. I think you should allow your uncle to finish his conversation with Mayor King. But he was. being mad disrespectful. That man is the mayor of Los Angeles. Just go find your cousin Tori I think you two have alot to catch on about.

Trey's pov

While I'm talking to some ladies I notice and see Tia standing all alone so I go over to her. Hey you again. Trey right. Yes Ria, why are you standing here alone. Well I really don't have any friends here in LA. I thought your from here. No I live in Brooklyn the only reason I came here is because my dad died. What about your mom? My mom has been pretty much dead since the day I was born. I'm so sorry to hear that Ria. It's fine what about you don't you have any sad story. Well I live with my mom and older sister. What about your pops? He died a few years ago. I'm sorry to hear that. It's all good I guess your going to living here in Beverly Hills so that means your obviously going to Beverly high. I guess. Then I see Tori approaching us.