WITHOUT YOU

CHAPTER 4

There are at least five cars in the parking area, and they are not just cars but expensive machines. I stand there, admiring a white Maserati that is parked in front of Justin's car and then I walk to the trunk just as he gets my bag out.

“I got this,” he says when I make to take the bag from his hands and he leads me out of the parking lot into their beautiful compound.

Just opposite the garage, at the far end is a water feature that has water cascading over the top of the wall into the huge crystal blue pool that is in the middle of a garden. The sound of the water act as a perfect sound buffer and it creates a cool environment. The grass and the flowers are well maintained and there are two huge trees a few meters from the pool that provides plenty of shade.

It's a very serene place.

I nearly gasp when I see the huge, magnificent mansion that is standing a few meters from the garage and it's a wonder to behold.

“Your house is really beautiful." I compliment.

“Thank you, I hope you’ll like it here,” he says and I nod.

How can I not? I just hope I will get along with the rest of the family members too.

"I will, thanks." I follow him to the main entrance and he rings the doorbell once, and then he stands beside me as we wait for someone to open the door for us.

A few minutes later, the door is pulled open and I get all emotional when I see my mother standing at the door with a huge grin plastered on her beautiful face.

“Mom.” I shriek excitedly and a lone tear rolls down my left cheek.

"Emmy," she calls my name and when she opens her arms for me, I practically fly past Justin and I throw myself in my mother's warm arms.

She engulfs me in a very tight embrace, almost suffocating me and I tighten my grip on her as I break down completely.

I missed this, I missed her so much.

"Hey, it's okay, baby," she tells me, fondling my back until I calm down a few minutes later.

"I missed you so much, mom," I tell her in a shaky broken voice as I pull away.

"I missed you too, sweety." She says wiping my tears with her thumb and she flashes me a beautiful contended smile. "So much."

I smile back at her and stand there just staring at her.

She is in a long, black and white servant's dress, a black pair of flat shoes, and her blonde hair is pulled up in a loose bun. But even in this simple outfit, her beauty is still exceptional.

"Let's go inside," she takes my hand and Justin smiles at me as he follows us closely.

The entryway is elegant.

There is a huge round mirror that occupies the better part of the wall on the right and a couch on the left side. The coat rack is a few meters from the bench and a beautiful ruby-red runner covering the better part of the marble floor.

A grand crystal chandelier is hanging from the ceiling, a few artifacts hanging on the wall, and a large, expansive split staircase that leads upstairs.

“How is Grams?" Mom asks as we walk down the long hallway.

"She is fine, she said hello."

"God, I miss her so much."

"She misses you too, you have no idea." I sniffle. "She will have a hard time without me."

"But she will get used to it eventually."

"I hope so,"

"Uhm, guys," Justin calls and we both turn towards him, I forgot he was around.

“Sorry, we got carried away," I tell him as I take my bag.

"You are such a cry baby," he teases me and I chuckle lightly as I tuck my hair behind my ears.

"Thanks for everything."

"It's nothing, I'll see you around?" He tells me and then he turns towards my mom. "I will be in my room."

"Thanks, Jus," mom tells him and he flashes her a smile and then he strides towards the stairs.

"Let me take you to your room," mom tells me and I follow her past the kitchen to what I assume is the servant's quarters.

"This is my room." She tells me, pointing at the first first room from the entrance. "And this is Sara's and that is Ari's," she says pointing at the other two rooms opposite hers, and then she opens the next door.

"And this is yours. If you don't like the sheets and the curtains we can change." She says, giving me a nervous smile.

"It's beautiful, mom," I say as I step inside and I take my time to look around.

The room is two times bigger than my bedroom in Grams house, there is a four-poster bed on the right side, a study table and a small wardrobe on the left, and directly opposite the door is a very expansive window and a door that probably leads to the bathroom.

I don't like the dull color of the curtain and the bedsheets, but I know my mom went out of her way for me and the least I can do is appreciate her efforts.

"I like it," I say as I walk to the wardrobe to pack my clothes.

"Let me help you with that," mom offers and I nod, a tiny smile pulled on my lips.

"Are Mr. and Mrs. Anderson here?" I ask mom after we are done hanging the clothes in the wardrobe. "I want to thank them." And I am really eager to meet them.

"They are not here yet, but you'll see them at dinner." She tells me as she sits on the bed and I sit next to her.

"They are nice people, Justin too."

"Yeah, they are but sometimes even the nicest people get to their limit."

"Okay," I say, squinting my eyes, eager to know where this conversation is going.

"I don't want you to get too close to them, it will be nice if you maintain a healthy relationship even with the kids."

"I will do that mom, they are paying for my tuition fee and I can't mess that up."

"Good, and stay away from the boys."

"Okay,"

"I am serious, Emily, I know they are both charming and handsome but I want you to stay away from them, especially Jayson."

I nod.

"You have nothing to worry about, I won't mess around with them. I promise."