The Billion's 2

Chapter 2

PANDORA'S POV

Iris or mom stopped in front of the hospital entrance and we both got out. She asked one of the bodyguards to park the car and me followed her in. No doubt I'm nervous to meet mommy. It's been weeks I haven't seen or heard from her.

Now I feel guilty for ignoring mom's call and text. We went to an elevator and mom let me walked in first. She pressed the correct floor and the elevator door shut. Awkward silence between us both.

Honestly, I don't even know what to say or do in front of her. We have never been close. The only time we ever talk was when I'm in trouble or if I need someone to send me somewhere.

The only thing I know about mom was her family was one of the most prominent families in America. "How's school?" I looked at mom and she laughed. "I'm joking. School suck. I know." The elevator door opened and we both walked out.

The first thing that greeted us was the bodyguards. They filled the whole floor and I can't see anyone else except for the medical staff. "I rent the whole floor alone for your mother. Better safe than sorry." Mom knocked on the door and opened it.

"Go and meet her. She's expecting you." I nodded and walked in. Mom closed the door and I walked in further. I turned to the bed and noticed mommy reading a book. "Mommy.." I softly called for her.

Mommy looked up and greeted me with her most loving smile. "Pandora..." I went to her side and hugged her gently. Without warning my tears began to flow out. "Awwww..." mommy said and rubbed my back gently.

"I'm sorry for ignoring everyone's call.." Mommy smiled. "It's okay sweetheart. You're here now.." I pulled away and looked at her smiling face. "I miss you.." Mommy smiled. But she suddenly pulled my left ear.

"Next time answer your phone.." mommy said and chuckled. She let go of my ear and laughed. I rubbed my now redden ear and sat on a chair next to her bed. "How do you feel?" I asked her. "I'm alright. I'm bored here.."

"You need to stay here until you're perfectly in health," I said. Mommy chuckled. "I will. Your mom will not let me go home without the doctor's orders." I looked at her injured leg but she quickly covered it up with the bed sheets.

"Does it hurt?" "It does at first. In time I can manage." I don't know how to act or say when I looked at her bruises. I'm angry, that's for sure. I want the people that cause her pain to experience her suffering. "Relax Pandora.."

Mommy cleared her throat. "Enough about me... how's Clarice?" What? I told her about my crush. She's the only person I trust who will keep my secret. Suzy and Grace? They will babble.

Mom? Are you even kidding me? She's always with the 'work' and I don't think she even wants to hear about a 17-year-old problem with love. "Same old same old... nothing change." Mommy smacked my shoulder hard.

"Ow!" I rubbed my shoulder and looked at her with question looks. "For heaven's sake make a move already." I can't believe what I'm hearing. "Mommy! She has a boyfriend." Mommy scoffed. "So?"

I really can't believe this. "So it's rude to snatch someone's girlfriend." "But honey, Timothy's a jerk. Clarice needs someone more... I mean.. Someone who can appreciate her... Like you." Mommy smiled.

"But... Timothy's.." "A bully? Pandora... Your mom will handle that when she knows her precious was being bullied in school... I know what happen this morning, Louie shouldn't do that. Should I call his mother?"

I laughed. "Mommy, its modern days now. No guys afraid of their mother.." Mommy shakes her head. "Oh honey.. you have no idea how fierce a mother can be." This is what I miss about her. She always makes me smile and laugh.

She always got my back and she understands me. She's my true best friend. "Pandora.." I looked up at her and smiled. "Will you stayed at the mansion?" I sighed. I nodded. "I gave specific orders to the maids not to disturb anything in your old room."

I smiled at her. "Thanks, mommy." We both heard the door opened and aunt Ashton walked in. "Pandora.." I stood up and hugged her. "How are you?" "I'm good." Aunt Ashton patted my back and handed me a bag.

"Your mom asked me to buy some food for both of you. Since Blanche here hates the hospital food." "Where's Iris?" Mommy asked. Aunt Ashton just smiled and I think mommy understand her. I shrugged it off and placed the food on the table.

"Ashton.." mommy called for her sister and they both whispered to each other. Aunt Ashton chuckled and nodded. "Okay... I'll make it happen." I noticed she was walking passed me. "Don't you want to eat with us?" She shakes her head.

"I have my fair share with the fried chicken." I looked at her weirdly and looked at a brown bag. I noticed a half ate a chicken wing. "AUNTY!!" She laughed and ran towards the door.

Mommy laughed. "She left a half-eaten wing inside the bag!" I showed mommy the wing. "Just put it on the side..." mommy continued to laugh. I chuckled and find it funny at the end too.

I gave her a plate of food and watched her eat. "Pandora.." I turned and she put a spoon near my mouth. "Open your mouth.." I was about to do what she asked when she made a train sound and actually feed me like a kid.

I burst into laughter as she kept a serious look. "Come on.. the train is coming.." I can't even look at her seriously. "Mommy I'm 17..." "And yet you call me mommy and honey, even if your 40, you will always be my baby.."

She feeds me a couple of times and gave her a drink. "Did your mom tell you about what will happen after this?" I shake my head. "For precaution, a group of bodyguards will be protecting you 24/7."

I stopped eating and looked at her. "After what happen to me, we just don't want anything to happen to our kids." "But.. my freedom.." mommy looked at me apologetically. "You will have your freedom back after we settled everything."

Mommy caressed my cheek. "I'm sorry honey.. but it's for your own safety. Like it or not, you're a Vera. And we're a target now. We even send Zeva to another state." I slowly nodded my head.

"But, if you want to travel the world with Grace, I can make some arrangement with your mom."

I chuckled. "Grace will never leave a country without her boyfriend." Mommy laughed.

"Pandora, the jet can fit 10 people. Besides, we already gave you the combination to your vault in our new vault space. Use it when you need to. It's your honey.." I smiled and thanked her for everything.

We hugged and continued to eat our food.

***

"Thank you.." I thanked the driver and got out of the car. I looked at the mansion I used to live in 3 years ago. "Nothing's change." I looked around. "At all.." I started to walked towards the front door and it suddenly opened.

Behind it, a blonde and brunette woman greeted me with a smile. I don't think they're maids because they didn't wear the uniform or should I say lingeries.

"Welcome back Pandora." The blonde woman says. "Umm... do I know you?" They both shake their head. "No, but we do. We heard a lot of stories from your parents." I nodded. "Come in. This is your home after all."

They snapped their fingers and a couple of maids helping me with my stuff. "My name is Blondie. And this Eliza, we're part of you're security force." I chuckled. "You meant to say, my babysitter." "You can say that." The brunette or Eliza said.

Blondie smacked her shoulder and looked at me with a smile. "No, we're not your babysitter. Maybe just protecting your life with ours." I walked into the mansion and instantly memories of growing up in this huge house came to my mind.

My first fall, the vase I broke, the statue I accident kick and broke, the time when I pushed mom from one of the twin stairs, accidentally though. Oh god, it was so frightening to see how angry she was.

I was looking at the wall when my eyes landed on a portrait pictures of my parents, Zeva, and these two babysitters. I turned to them and asked with my eyes. They both chuckled.

"That my dear, you can ask your parents," Blondie said. Eliza nodded. I turned to the pictures again and noticed mom wrapped her arm around Blondie's waist while mommy kissed Eliza's cheek. Zeva was laughing together with a boy.

"Who's the boy?" "My son," Blondie said. "Where is he now?" "He died. Last year. He was sick." s**t. I shouldn't ask her that. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." Blondie smiled. "It's okay."

I know my question triggered something. "Well.. have a nice rest. I'll call when it's dinner." Blondie smiled and move to the side. I thanked her and went up the stairs to my room. I chuckled when I noticed my old stickers still on my door.

I turned the knob and laughed when everything was at its place since the day I left this room. They didn't even replace my own parent's picture on my study table. I smiled and took the picture and just touched my parents face.

I don't remember them much but mommy always talks about them. They were family friends. I was only 6 when they took me in. I was grateful but as I get older, I began to understand what mom does for a living.

Mom always so serious except for mommy who always smiled and acts as if there's nothing wrong with the world. I tend to love mommy more than... mom. A knocked from the door startled me and I went to open the door.

It's mom. "Everything's okay?" I nodded and let her in. Mom looked around and went to my study table. She took my parents picture and chuckled. "Mom... I have a question." "About Blondie and Eliza?" She turned. I nodded.

"Well since your old enough to know, they both our sugar baby. So feel free to call them as your mother because Zeva did." Mom smiled. "Anyway... I'm here because I want to give you this." He handed me a key.

"It's your car key. I want you to drive to school." I looked at the logo and sighed. "Mom.. is there any normal car for me to drive?" Mom looked at me weirdly. "What do you mean by normal?" "I don't want to stand out from everyone."

"Pandora it's just a Mulsanne. Either this or the Ghost. Your choice." I shake my head. "I'll go with the Bentley." Mom smiled. "Good. I'm going to send your mother her food. If you need anything just call for either Blondie or Eliza." I nodded.

"Mom!" Mom turned again. "Send my regards and tell mommy I'll visit her tomorrow after school." Mom smiled. "Ok honey." She turned and walked out. I closed the door and went to my bed.

I lay down and closed my eyes. Today has been hectic and I have no idea what tomorrow holds for me.

***

"Pandora!! Dinner time.." a knocked on my door woke me up from my slumber. "Ok..." I shouted over the door. I got up to a sitting position and yawned. I rubbed my sleeping eyes off and lazily stood up and went to the door.

I was walking down the hallway towards the stairs when I heard mom's yelling voice. Oh.. she's back already? "TELL US THE TRUTH!" Her voice thundered, startling me.

I was intrigued to know what's going on at the other side of the door. "I have no idea!" A man's voice said. Sound familiar though. I learned in the door and listened. "LIARS!" Geez! Mom can scream. "I'm telling the truth madam.."

"Bring him to the basement." Was all mom said? And this is my cue to go. As I was walking backward, I stumbled on something and fell butt first on the floor. The door opened and two guards carried a man with his face filled with bruises.

"Mr. Maine?!" He looked up at me with his eye filled with rage. "Get rid of the evidence. I don't want Pandora to know." I heard my name and mom walked out of the room. She looked at me and shoved the papers to one of the guards.

"Get him out of here.." mom said and the guards quickly dragged Mr. Maine away. "Where are those people bringing my English teacher?" Mom smiled. "What do you mean by don't want me to know?" I asked her.

She just smiled and offered her hand to me. She helped me up and placed his hand on my shoulder. "It's nothing. Let's have dinner." There's something. I know it. I shake it off and followed her to the dining hall.

Blondie and Eliza were waiting for us. Blondie offered mom a sit. I waved at Eliza and just sit at a chair next to mom. Blondie and Eliza sit next to mom side by side with each other. The maids bringing the food and I was overwhelmed by how many.

"There's people coming?" I asked. Mom shakes her head and eat. "There are so many foods." Mom smiled. "It's for you.." I pointed at myself. Mom nodded. "Welcome home honey.." mom smiled. "Welcome home Pandora." Blondie and Eliza smiled.

I smiled at them and eat. "Mom.." "Yes?" I looked at her. "If there's a lot of leftovers, gave it to the guards. They probably hungry." Mom chuckled. "Honey they always eat after we do. That's why the maids have to cook a lot."

"Oh. Okay then.." mom pushed her plate after she's done. "Pandora, Blondie, and Eliza will go to school with you. I already asked permission from the principal. Here." Mom gave me a piece of paper.

"They will not enter your class but they will wait in the hall with the others. I'm sorry for this but it's for your own safety." I nodded. "Okay." "And I know you have a friend named Grace?" "And Caspian. His Grace's boyfriend." Mom nodded. "Ok noted."

"They can come to this house but not the basement. I repeat. Not the BASEMENT. Understand?" I nodded. "Good. You can have a party or anything but you need to inform Blondie or Eliza first. Okay?" "Okay. And don't worry. I don't think I would be hosting any party."

Mom chuckled. "That's what your aunt Iva said before and yet she did. Before I forget..." she reached for something in her pocket. "Here's the key to your vault." She pushed the key to me. "Vault?" Mom nodded.

"Blondie, Eliza, show her later okay?" They both nodded. "If you need money or anything, ask them. They will bring you to the vault." I took the key and kept it safe.

"But.. remember this. Don't spend on useless stuff. It may be a lot but if I know you spend on drugs or alcohol, I'll be skinning you alive myself." I looked at her disbelieved.

"Yes even though I'm a drug lord, I never touch those things. This is a family business. Drugs bad for your health." Blondie chuckled. "Says the drug lord." Mom took a handful of fries and threw it at Blondie.

"I'm going to the club now." Mom stood up. "Welcome home again honey. See you tomorrow morning." Mom kissed my head and went to kissed both Blondie and Eliza on the lips. "Guard her with your life."

They both nodded and we watched mom go. I turned to them. "How did my parents met you two?" Blondie and Eliza looked at each other. "We're dancers at your mom's club before." Oh... They both dancers... that's mean their... strippers?

"And no we're not strippers. Dancers. We dance on stage. We're your mother's private dancers." Eliza explained. "Why?" Blondie asked. I shake my head and smiled. "Mom asked me to call both you as I refer to her." Blondie chuckled.

"You can call us by names. It's okay." I smiled and continued to eat. They're both not that bad. I like them.