Forbidden Ties

Chapter 3: Meeting her new family

Helen woke up with a sudden pain in her stomach. Her head was also aching.She was starting to get up from her bed but remembered it was Sunday.She again returned to the warmth of her blanket.

Helen lay still on her bed for a few minutes,thinking the pain was gone.But it returned as soon as she turned sideways. Clasping her belly,she left her bed and sluggishly walked downstairs. Her mom was in the kitchen making breakfast. Hearing Helen's footsteps, her mom turned back with a smiling face," Are you hungry,sweetie? "

Helen nodded as she walked towards her mom, "May be a little. I'm having a stomach ache though. "

"These delicious pancakes are gonna vanish all the pains of my little girl." her mom placed the plate filled with pancakes in front of her."Sit and eat slowly " her mom also sat down with her. "I've something to tell you."

Helen stopped eating. "What is it this time? Mom,don't tell me you're going on another business trip.You've just returned from one few weeks ago!"

"Helen,let me start at least.This time it's not a business trip, honey.Rather...you can say it's a vacation. "

"A vacation?" Helen asked, surprised. Why would her mother go on a vacation, that too alone?

"Yes,and you're coming with me." her mom finished.

"Mom,really! You're taking me on a vacation? " Helen's eyes gleamed with joy.Her mom hardly took her to places on vacation. Last time was when she was 11 years old.

"Yes,sweetie." her mom said, but Helen noticed her mom's face was saying there's much more to this vacation.

"Mom...what aren't you telling me?"

Her mom looked down. "I got married"

A complete silence followed after.Helen stood up from her chair. "You-" she didn't know what to say to this shocking news. "You got married secretly and now you're telling me?!"

" I didn't know how to tell you." came her mom's reply.

"Why are you telling me now? And this vacation thing... Are you doing this because you're feeling guilty? "

Her mom shook her head no. "The place we're going to visit is Alaska - your new father's home."

This ticked Helen. " Mom,I love you but don't you dare call a stranger my father!" she growled. " I never had a father and no one is ever going to take that place!" leaving her mom alone in the kitchen, she ran up her stairs and slammed the door close.Then she smashed almost everything in her room while her tears continuously flowed down.

When all the students were excited for upcoming summer vacation, Helen was crying in an isolated corner of the library as she told Melinda about her mom's sudden announcement of marriage. Melinda hugged her for the whole time she teared up.

"How could she do this to me!" Helen sobbed."Now I have to call a stranger my father? "

"Helen,Even though I'm no less shocked than you at this news,think about the positive side of your mom's marriage.You're getting a new family. You won't be alone anymore when your mom goes on her month-long business trip.From now on at least there will be a person to take care of you."

Helen pulled away from her friend and looked up,"Step dads are evil,Mel! So you aren't helping. "

"Not all of them.Now that your mom is already married you have to give your new family a chance.If it doesn't go well there,you're always welcome to stay with me here.You know my parents love you like their own daughter."

Helen thought for a while."I don't know if I should give my mom another chance to be a good mother to me but I'm definitely not giving a stranger any chance to interfere with my life.Thanks for the advice though, Mel."

"So when you're leaving for Alaska?" Melinda asked.

Helen sighed, "The day after tomorrow. "

---

Helen looked at the snow covered mountains and the calm sea through the small window as their plane landed at Anchorage International Airport.During the whole flight, she didn't talk with her mom as she was still upset with her.Her mom gave up trying to make her talk. After getting through the airport security, when they passed the exit,Helen saw an old man coming towards them smiling. Her mom smiled too when she saw him.

"Señora" he bowed a little.

"Jeffrey,how are you?" her mom asked.

"I'm fine, madame.Sir has sent me to take you home. He would've come himself if he wasn't called in a sudden meeting."

"It's alright, Jeffrey.Let's go now." Taking Helen's hand her mom approached the car with Jeffrey.

The car moved through the busy city. About an hour later it took a turn to the left and entered into a broad driveway. Helen could see some part of a big mansion at the end of the driveway."This is going to be her new home." Her mom spoke in a soft voice. Helen rolled her eyes. Yet she didn't retort back anything even though she wanted to.

As the car stopped, Jeffrey came out of the car and opened the door for Helen's mom first Then he moved around to the other side to open the door for Helen.Unwillingly she got down from the car. Everything around the house was silent. Doesn't anybody live here?

"Sir has also returned,I see." Jeffrey said as he pointed at the garage.There were two more cars standing there.He pressed on the bell.

The door opened revealing a woman who seemed to be in her fifties. She almost ran towards her mother in excitement. "Finally,you came, Matilda!" she took her in an embrace. Then breaking the embrace,she stepped towards Helen.

"And who is this beautiful young lady?"

Matilda smiled,"This is my daughter- Helen"

The woman gave Helen a bear hug. Helen couldn't deny that she instantly liked the woman when she saw her smiling face.

"I am Penelope.You can call me Aunt Penny or Penny. The boys called me Aunt Penny though. I am the housekeeper here" she said.

Helen scrunched her eyebrows. Boys? Does she have step siblings now?

They all entered the house. An elegant man walked down the stairs.

"Matilda" he said with a lovely smile as he gave Helen's mom a side hug and kissed her cheek."How was the journey?"

"It was great. Thanks for sending Jeffrey."her mom replied with a shy smile. Helen wanted to roll her eyes,but that moment the man turned towards her."So, you're Helen ,I suppose?"

He looked a bit familiar but Helen couldn't place where she saw him. Helen just nodded . She forgot to ask her mother her step father's name. She needed a name to address him. Because no way in hell she is going to call him 'dad' .

Sound of another set of footsteps came down the stairs.

"What the hell !" The very familiar voice made Helen look up in shock .

Yuri was standing there in front of her.Behind him was Denver.Both the brothers had shock written on their faces.

"Oh. my .god!! Who did you marry,mom?!" Helen uttered those words loudly . This can't be real!

"What's going on here?" Her mom's new husband asks in a puzzle.

No one said anything. Only Yuri turned back and stomped up the stairs in fury.