Dangerous Substitution

Chapter 4

Days passed with Maya slowly regaining her strength, reading books Mrs Duffy brought to her and staring out the hospital’s window at Palm's city skyline. She received a note from Mrs Prescott confirming the job and providing details about her new home and start date.

Mrs Duffy would occasionally tease her about having to get used to silver spoons instead of plastic forks and Maya would laugh it off. Inside her she was still in shock about how things were about to change and so quickly.

On the day Maya was discharged, a sleek black car came to pick her up, the driver had such serious look that made her startled. Maya hugged Mrs Duffy goodbye while promising to keep in touch with her.

The driver helped Maya get into the car, after which he drove off while Maya waved at Mrs Duffy who was smiling widely. The drive from the hospital to the Prescott's house was a four hours journey. Regardless of how tired Maya felt she couldn't sleep. She was watching the city with sparkling eyes, admiring these part that she'd never seen or been to before.

Maya's mouth and eyes were wide open when the car drove Into the Prescott's house.

‘House? More like mansion’ she said within her, the Prescott's mansion was overwhelming. Marble floors and chandeliers like falling stars. She was taking it all in when she heard Mrs Prescott coming down the stairs.

“Hello ma'am” Maya greeted with a warm smile and it was reciprocated with a hug from Mrs Prescott

“You're finally here, I have been waiting for your arrival. Welcome to my home Maya or should I say your home. Get comfortable and feel at home”

“Ma'am your house is so beautiful, I've only seen houses like this but never actually entered one” Maya said looking around

“ Maya dear you can call me Vivienne, no need for all those formalities”

“Oh no I couldn't possibly call you that ma'am” Maya chuckled nervously

“Great. It's good to see that you know your place. Now walk with me” Vivienne said and walked away while Maya followed behind her. She discussed what Maya's job would be and gave her instructions on how to carry them out. She also gave her a list of things to not forget.

“My daughter is not home now but as soon as she arrives, someone will come get you and take you to her room. Meanwhile this is your room” She said pointing to the door in front of them.

“Thank you so much ma'am, I promise I'll carry out my job with diligence and not disappoint you”

Vivienne looked at the frail girl standing in front of her and saw that determination filled her eyes. She signalled for her to go into the room and then she walked away.

Maya closed the door behind her and stood still for a moment. The room was bigger than her entire home back in the outskirts of Palm City, cream walls, velvet curtains, and a bed so soft it looked like it could swallow her whole. Everything smelled faintly of lavender and polished wood.

She let her fingers trail across the dresser, smooth and cold, nothing like the worn-out furniture she had grown up with. A lump caught in her throat. Mother… if only you could see me now.

Slowly, she walked to the wide window, evening sunlight spilling across the floor in golden streaks. She pressed her palm to the glass, staring into the sky.

“I don’t know why life brought me here,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “but I promise you, Mama, I’ll make you proud. I’ll work hard. I won’t waste this chance. I’ll carry your love with me always.”

Her eyes burned as tears rolled down her cheeks, but for the first time in years, Maya felt something stir within her, hope.

She threw herself into the bed and almost immediately, she was carried away by sleep. Maya couldn't sleep for long, maybe because she wasn't comfortable yet with her new environment. She stepped out of her room and just then she heard her name, curious as to who was talking about her Maya followed the voice.

Liana folded her arms as she leaned against the doorway of her mother’s study. The matriarch was seated at her desk, a lamp casting warm light over piles of documents.

“Mother,” Liana began cautiously, “why did you really make Maya stay with us? You could have just paid her tuition like you promised. Why bring her into our home?”

The matriarch looked up, her lips curving in the faintest smile. “Why? Don’t you like her?”

“That’s not the point,” Liana muttered, stepping further into the room. “She’s… different. Kind, yes, but we don’t even know her that well. And you’ve never let anyone outside the family live here before. What are you up to?”

The matriarch set down her pen and leaned back in her chair, studying her daughter with eyes that always seemed to see further than anyone else’s. “Sometimes, fate brings certain people into our lives for a reason. Maya is not just anyone. She risked her life for you, Liana. That alone speaks volumes of her character.”

“But is that all?” Liana pressed, suspicion lacing her tone. “It feels like you see something in her”

Her mother’s smile deepened, though it carried an edge of mystery. “Maybe I do. Or maybe I simply trust my instincts. You’ll understand in time, my dear. For now, all you need to know is this: Maya belongs here.”

Liana frowned, unsatisfied with the answer, “Are you trying to replace me mother?”

Maya immediately turned and left silently to her room after hearing Liana's question, she didn't want to break the relationship between a mother and daughter because she understood very well what it feels to be without a mother.

For a long moment her mother said nothing. Then she stood, walking towards Liana, she cupped her daughter's face.

“My child”, she said, her tone full of warmth.

“You are my blood, my heart. Nothing in this world could ever replace you. Maya is not here to take your place but to add to your life. She is a mirror fate has places before us to teach us things we could never learn on our own”

Liana blinked back tears, “are you sure about that mother?”, she asked and her mother pulled her into a hug.