THE STERLING SIN _ MY SECRET SISTER

CHAPTER (2) Verida

As my feet bruised down from the bus stop, the fresh scent of pure energy filled my veins.

Eyes bright and shining, I smiled, my curly long hair pestering on my waist, and for the first time in a while I felt true peace, my body felt a spark,

my eyes reflected the glittering city lights like polished obsidian.

“This place is beautiful, I said.

Veridia didn’t just breathe, it roared. As I stepped off the bus, the air tasted different metallic, expensive, and thick with the scent of coffee and exhaustion. My small suitcase felt like a toy in my hand as I stared up. The skyscrapers were like jagged glass teeth biting into the blue sky, reflecting a shiny sun that blinded me. I felt like a country mouse lost in a palace of giants. Every person rushing past me in their tailored suits and clicking heels seemed to have a destination, while I stood there, a girl with a thrift store coat and a heart full of ghosts, wondering if the city would welcome me or swallow me whole.

A black Toyota Camry was packed beside the road, and a man walked up to me and said he was asked to bring the “Dacksoline Princess" home.

The title hit me like a physical blow. Dacksoline Princess. It was Mom’s voice I heard in my head, soft and proud, and suddenly the bright city lights felt a little dimmer.

The interior of the Toyota Camry smelled of expensive leather and air freshener that stung my nose. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of the window, watching the neon signs of Veridia blur into streaks of neon pink and electric blue. This wasn't Willow Creek. There were no crickets here, no rustling trees, only the hum of a city that never slept. The driver’s eyes caught mine in the rearview mirror, cold and professional. He didn't see Aurora, he saw a 'task' he had been assigned. I reached into my bag, my fingers brushing against the rough paper of Aunt Beatrice’s letter. Its edges were sharp, a reminder that I wasn't here for a vacation. I was a Dacksoline entering a battlefield, and the car was a chariot taking me to my fate.

“Maybe a change was what I needed” I said this with faith but deep down I didn't know what really was the change I was about to face.

The greenish gold gate of Dacksoline Estate looked exactly the same from the last time I was here.

When I was 12yrs old, mom woke me up one morning saying we were going to see her colleagues in another city.

We ended up here after going to a big house that had the symbol of S on the waterfront.

Mrs Marthe showed me to my room.

Mrs Marthe was the housekeeper and only cook of Late Mr Dacksoline and Mrs Mereline, my grandparents. Even though Mom told me Grandma was hospitalized we never visited her, I really was fond of my grandma Mereline until Grandpa married Auntie Beatrice’s mom then everything changed.

At the time I got to the main mansion where my aunt and stepsister lived it was already midday.

I couldn’t find my aunt or sister so I just waited.

I walked through the foyer of the Dacksoline Estate, my footsteps echoing off the marble floors like gunshots in a cathedral. The house was a museum of 'Almosts.' Almost a family. Almost a home. I stopped in front of a grand oil painting in the hallway of the Dacksoline family tree. I traced the gold frame, my fingers trembling when I reached the spot where my mother’s name should have been bright and proud. Instead, the house felt heavy with the scent of lemon wax and old secrets. It was too quiet. The kind of silence that happens right before a storm breaks. I wanted to turn and run back to the bus station, but the 'Dacksoline' blood in my veins kept my chin up, even as my stomach twisted into a knot of nerves.

Memories of my mother filled this place I thought to myself while strolling through the house, I stared at the family picture, my aunt’s mother wasn’t in the picture. Her Mother was my step grandmother.

As I walked past Mrs. Marthe in the kitchen, I stopped. "It smells wonderful here, Mrs. Marthe. Thank you for preparing the room." The older woman looked startled, I gave her a small, tired smile.

“Aurora you’re here” a commanding voice spoke from behind the kitchen counter.

I turned back immediately

Her ginger colored hair and grey eyes made her look foreign.

Selena made her way towards me, her eyes stared sharp like a dagger.

“Welcome cousin, Mom asked me to welcome you at the gates but I was too busy taking a spin with my new Range.” She said, flickering the black key cars”, she spoke like she was paid to speak, like every word was paid with gold.

“Lena, is that you? I asked with smiles.

“You look different from the last time I saw you.

“I’m Sele or Selena, don't call me Lena, " she said back in a sharp tone.

“Get settled in”. Selena called out as she reached the top of the stairs, not even looking back. “Mom already has your first assignment. You’re resuming work at the imperial first thing in the morning.

I froze with my mouth open “ The imperial?”

“The Sterling family is hosting a private gala”, she added, her voice dropping into something dark and sharp. “And the CEO, Kelvin Sterling, doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Don’t embarrass the Dacksoline name little princess. The Sterling’s don’t forgive mistakes.

“Dear Cousin, you’re now in veridia.

Surely Veridia will suit you little princess,”she grinned before finally disappearing into the inner rooms.