The Heiress Return

Chapter five

Mystery

Maya's POV

“You two know each other before?” I asked, confused. “Mom, answer me. Do you know Elena before?”

“Yes. I saw her earlier at my shop, where I sell food. I gave her some food and your clothes that we had forgotten at the store a day before,” Maya’s mum answered.

“And you? Who sent you to my family? First, you approached me, and now my daughter. Did Stanley send you?” she asked Elena.

“No, ma’am,” Elena answered.

Elena's POV

I was surprised to see that the woman who had helped me earlier was the mother of the girl who had taken me in.

She started asking different questions, asking if I was a thief or someone who had been sent to their family.

I explained everything about myself to both Maya and her mum, from how I had the accident and lost my jobs, to leaving the countryside to find better opportunities, and every incident that had happened to me here in New York.

By the time I finished explaining, my eyes were filled with uncontrollable tears.

“You don't have any family?” Maya's mum asked.

“No, ma'am,” I replied.

She sighed and then said, “It's fine. You can stay with us for the meantime.”

I thanked her, and Maya also thanked her on my behalf.

Maya's POV

Hearing Elena's story left me marveled at everything she had gone through. But the great news was that my mom had allowed her to stay.

I now had a sister and a friend to talk to.

I took her into my room and gave her one of my nightwear outfits to change into. After she changed, my mom called us for dinner. After dinner, we all went to sleep.

The next morning was Saturday.

I usually clean the house and join my mom at her kiosk because she usually leaves very early for her business, while I go for my evening shift later. This had been my routine for years, but this morning was different.

I got to spend it with Elena and get to know her more.

Elena's POV

I woke up to a quiet and peaceful environment. I hadn't had such a peaceful sleep in years.

At the orphanage where I stayed, six girls shared one room, and there was always one drama or another between roommates.

“Good morning, Elena,” Maya greeted me.

“Good morning, Maya. Thank you for yesterday. I really do appreciate it,” I replied.

“You're welcome. Go inside the bathroom and brush. You see a new toothbrush? Pick any dress and come down for breakfast,” she said, leaving the room before I could reply.

Although Maya's house wasn't a luxury apartment, it was a two-bedroom apartment with a sitting room and a small dining area. It was peaceful, and they had been kind to me.

I got dressed and rushed downstairs, hoping to greet her mom and thank her.

“Where's your mom?” I asked Maya.

“She’s off to work,” she replied.

“So early?” I asked.

“Yes. That's how she does every day except Sundays. She leaves early and comes back in the evening,” Maya replied.

“Ohhh,” I said and sat down to have breakfast.

“So, what school do you attend, and what are your hobbies?” Maya asked me.

Seeing that she was trying to know me more, I decided to be very open with her.

“I currently applied for a scholarship at Westbridge Academy, preparing for the coming exam, and I love to sing,” I replied.

“Oh wow! I also attend Westbridge Academy. And before you start thinking about how I pay my fees, I also entered through the scholarship scheme,” Maya replied.

“That's nice,” I said.

I was impressed. At least, even if I entered Westbridge, I would have someone to do it with.

“So, where do you come from? Do you have friends or anyone?” Maya asked.

“Yes, I do. Clara. She's my best friend. And speaking of Clara, please, can I power my phone with your charger? She will have been trying to reach me. I also need the phone for my reading and all because I lost all my reading books when I got here,” I replied.

“That's not a problem. You can use my textbook for your reading and all too,” Maya said.

I plugged my phone in, and we both left for her mom's store to help her.

The Whitmore POV

It was a usual Saturday morning in the Whitmore family. It was the day family members got to see each other, unlike the remaining days of the week when they were pretty occupied.

Right after breakfast, they all sat in the sitting room, everyone mostly pressing their phones and doing one or two things on them.

All of a sudden, Adrian asked, “Dad, how is the search for Elena going? It's been days.”

“Julian, please, not today again. Can we just forget about her?” Julian said.

Hearing this, Vivienne let out a cruel smile.

“Adrian, don't mind your brother. We have not gotten any news about her whereabouts yet,” Alexander said.

Adrian nodded. “That reminds me. Please, I want you all to be present at my next coming concert.”

“Congrats on another success, my bro. I didn't have a chance to support you during your last album listening party. I will surely be there,” Julian said.

“Yes, we are, my son. We are going to be at the event,” Isabelle added.

“Also, there's a gala event coming up for the elite in New York very soon. You all should behave yourselves. I want no scandal or negative remarks in the media,” Alexander said.

“That reminds me. I invited the Kingsleys for a dinner,” Isabelle said.

“That's very good of you. I've been looking for a chance to discuss my next proposal with Mr. Kingsley,” Alexander replied.

“I hope they come around, and who knows? One day, our family can be more close than this,” Isabelle said.

Vivienne let a blush appear on her face as she imagined herself as the future Mrs. Kingsley one day.

“I will be in my room,” Julian said.

Everyone looked at him. They all knew about his dislike for the Kingsley heir, and it all started when his father always compared them and their business strategies.

“My dear, make sure to reach out and know when they will be coming and inform the maids and guards. I want no improper behavior that day, and warn your son too,” Alexander said.

Isabelle sighed at the mention of her son. They all knew he was referring to Julian.

Alexander left the room.

The Kingsleys

Meet the Kingsley family, the wealthiest and most influential family in the world, known for their power, riches, fame, and business strategy. They are the owners of Kingsley Company nationwide.

Eleanor Kingsley is the wife of the late Kingsley Lane.

Richard Kingsley is the only surviving son of Eleanor and Lane Kingsley. He is a business guru, known as one of the most strategic businessmen among his peers.

Victoria Kingsley is the wife of Richard Kingsley and mother of the heir to the Kingsley property. Aside from being a wife to Richard, she is also a business tycoon—very smart and kind-hearted. The love between her and her husband has always made people admire them. After twenty-five years of marriage, there has been no scandal, no mistress, and no stain to the family name.

Sebastian James Kingsley is the richest young man in town and the heir to the Kingsley property, both at home and abroad.

He was the kind of man people would call a demigod without hesitation. His face seemed almost too perfect to be real—sharp features, an effortlessly captivating gaze, and a smile that could make anyone forget what they were saying.

There was something dangerously charming about him.

Girls could fall for him without ever hearing his voice or knowing a single thing about him. One look at his picture was enough to leave hearts racing and minds hopelessly captivated.

Rumor has it that he is gay because no one has ever seen him with any girl before.

Elena's POV

The past few hours had been filled with joy and laughter. Attending to customers and hearing Maya's gist about school and everything just made me feel whole again.

Is this what having a family looks like? I asked my subconscious mind.

“I'm heading for my evening shift,” Maya told me.

“Can I go with you? I probably found a job too,” she replied.

“Not now. Relax and get familiar with the environment first. You can stay with my mom or go back home to relax,” Maya said.

After Maya left, it was just me and Maya's mum. She didn't even treat me like I wasn't her daughter.

After we were done selling, we headed home.

“Go inside, have a shower, and let's make dinner,” Maya's mum said.

“Yes, ma,” I replied.

After a while, we were done cooking and came to have dinner.

“I will wait for Maya to come back, ma,” I replied.

I went into the room with the intention of calling Clara to gist with her and talk to her.

I tried my phone, but it didn't come up.

I tried again and again, but it was still the same.

Out of frustration, I yelled,

“Not you too again!!”