Bound By Hate

The Woman In The Picture

Melanie’s POV

We were done with breakfast and Philip told me he had some work to do, so he left to a part of the house. Since I was stuck here, I would try to make the most of it. I tried giving myself a solo tour since he wasn’t much of a host.

I kept getting lost in the mansion, it was like I was in a maze. After minutes of walking, I entered a room and walked towards a window that had a great view of the rest of his property. I noticed the sky started to clear up and the sun gradually rising. As I stared, I remembered my parents. How six years ago I stood between two coffins containing the two most important people in my life. How my life went downhill. How I have not been the same ever since.

It all came flooding back, how the reporters swarmed my apartment constantly, I had no privacy. Everyone saw me as the helpless orphan and how his family moved on and lived like royalty. Suddenly, I heard a knock, before I could answer, the door opened. A lady came in holding a tray.

“Good morning, Miss Smith.”

I sighed “Seriously, this again?”

“Do people in this house ever wait for permission?”

She had that annoying smile “Not usually, ma’am.” She brought breakfast but I was confused.

“How did you even find me? I didn’t request anything.”

“Mr Harrington did. He wants you to receive the very best treatment ma’am.”

“Whatever, thanks I guess.”

She nodded then placed the tray down carefully.

“Mr Harrington also said to inform you that lunch will be served by one.”

“Does he schedule breathing too?”

She chuckled subtly before clearing her throat. She looked nervous all of a sudden.

When she left, I wandered around, I didn’t have any intention of spending one more day in these walls.It was quiet as I walked, I noticed the staff were avoiding me like they were afraid, like they could sense that I would bombard them with questions.

I approached a corner and noticed a door slightly open. Curiosity won and I went and pushed it open slightly. The room looked different than the whole house, it was way older. The interior design was noticeably old too, I could see the dust piled up around.

There were also multiple boxes and books that filled the room. It looked like a storage room.

I stepped in completely, closing the door halfway. As I turned to look around,I noticed a pile of framed photos sitting on the cabinet. I hesitated at first but eventually walked up to it and went through them and it featured mostly Philip but at different ages.

“I guess he used to be an actual decent guy.”

I continued checking and as I kept going I saw some pictures of Philip and his father,they looked happy. There was another of him graduating.

Suddenly, I found one partially hidden behind the rest. I moved the others aside. I froze. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.

It was my mother. She was standing beside several others at what looked like a corporate event years back then standing not far from her was Philip, he was younger but I could still recognize his features.

My heart started to pound “What the hell?” I said to myself. How come my mum never mentioned knowing him? How could he not have shown me this? What’s everyone trying so hard to hide from me?

“Looking for something?” A voice spoke, I dropped the photo and spun around out of fear, I saw who it was and let out a deep sigh.

“Jesus Christ, you creep.”

He leaned on the wall folding his arms.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on people, that’s just weird.”

“You shouldn’t go through restricted areas.”

“Well, I didn’t see a sign that said it was restricted.”

I picked up the photograph after I had calmed down.

“What is this?”

He didn’t seem concerned about what I found, instead he smiled.

“Hello? I’m talking to you.”

“I’ll take that.”

“No no, you don’t get to do that.” I took a big step back.

He walked forward.

“Melanie.”

“I said no!” I paused.

“You knew her, you actually did. So, why not just show me this instead of the way you speak vaguely.”

He didn’t say anything and my frustration grew.

“Why’s everyone so secretive, it’s f****d up!”

He looked at me.

“So you think the truth will make you feel better?”

“At least it’s the truth, how I handle it isn’t your business.” I said angrily.

What I said made the room go quiet, neither of us spoke. Then he reached out slowly and took the picture from my hand.

“You should leave this room, it’s not good for you here.”

I laughed bitterly.

“There it is everyone.”

“What?”

“The Philip Harrington special, always thinking he makes the rules and everyone should submit to him.”

I scoffed and as I was about to walk out, I used my shoulders to push him out the way, a voice echoed from the hallway.

“Philip?” I paused.

It was Miles. He rushed in but stopped immediately after seeing me. He looked at Philip,then at the photo and back at me. His face went pale. He knew what he walked into was a complicated situation.

Miles then coughed to ease the tension.

“Uh..”

I realized he knew something but before I could say anything, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Unknown number again.

I answered. It was static.

“Hello?”

I heard low breathing but nothing was said at first.

It was a male voice.

“I see you found the photograph.”

“The f**k?”

“You should have left it where you found it, Melanie.”

“Who is this?”

They ignored my question “Ask Philip what happened the night your parents died.” The line disconnected.

I turned to him and he seemed almost afraid but I knew I needed to get to the bottom of it.

He tried to speak, then I cut him off.

“No one is leaving the room until you tell me what happened to my parents that night.”

He stared at Miles and looked back down at me, he didn’t break eye contact.

“Now!” I screamed.

Seeing how restless he acted made me realize that there’s so much more to this I don’t know yet and Philip had uncovered memories with my mother. My own mother.

But where was my father in all this? Where was his father too? What relationship did he have with my mum that could make her not mention knowing him?

“Well, I’m listening.”

“Look, Melanie I don’t know if you’re ready to actually talk because your reaction is not very convincing.”

“The balls you have to still try and emotionally check me is crazy. I asked one simple question and I need a very straightforward answer.”

“Okay okay, why don’t we sit.”

“No”

Miles rubbed his hands uncomfortably “I think I’ll leave you two to it.” We didn’t give him any regard as he left the room.

I took a deep breath, looked at Philip and wondered what had I done to deserve this. I took a deep sigh and decided to take a seat.

Then my phone rang again.