The Hidden Heir

Chapter 3- Bella Hale

“Bella, this is Mr. Grey” Mr. Grey looked like the guy who’d pay my mum would go out with from time to time.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Grey,” I grumbled, even though it was clear to everyone that I thought the exact opposite.

“My days, you look just like him,” he interrupted. Whomever, he has a horrible habit of interrupting. “Call me Callum, I’m your dad’s” his voice begins to waver. “What’s all this about? Because I have a calculus class, I really cannot skip.” I hastily murmur as I begin to pick up my stuff.

“I don't know how to say this but …….” Mr. Thompson breaks the silence with “..... Mr. Grey is officially your legal guardian. He has the paperwork to prove it.”

I felt my stomach shatter. Could he know that my mother was dead, that I lived outside the district?

“BULLSHIT” I called out. I've never met this man. I've been the only adult in my life since I was 14. It’s my freedom.

“My mother signed my entrance form for school”, I argue.

“Show me that” I yelled, snatching the paper.

I skim over the words as my head starts to spin, the words legal guardian, deceased and bequeath pop out of the page.

“Anyone could have photoshopped this. Give me 15 minutes in the IT lab.”

“If your mother’s here, then why don't you bring her in. Go ahead, call her.” Mr. Grey finally says with a smirk.

He had me, and he knew it. I couldn’t even leave.

“Bella, you're coming with me, I'll send someone for your stuff” He began to lead me outside. I quickly text Noah saying that I'm moving away, and we need to end things. At least that’s one good thing that’s coming out of this. I ran behind him, entering his Bentley. How do people own cars that cost more than my house? I sat in the back of the car, and awkward silence lays like a thick blanket.

“Bella, let me explain”. He finally breaks the silence.

“Your dad was my best friend and my business partner, he was always a little explorative and until 6 months ago, he didn’t even know he had a daughter. Sadly, he went on a ski trip and has been missing ever since. The investigations are still going on, but there’s little to no hope. Feel free if you have any questions.”

“What was my dad like?” I almost whispered.

Not that matters, but it would be nice to see the life I could’ve had.

“Well, he was one of the best people I’d ever met, he was smart and always wanted to have a daughter.” He rambles on and on about how wonderful my father was and how he would’ve loved to meet me, all until we reached what looked like a private landing strip.

“We have to take a short flight before we reach home.”

My jaw almost hit the floor. It's insane how I went from working two jobs just to make ends meet to getting onto a private jet in a span of 24 hours. I admire every aspect of the plane, the seats, the ceilings. Everything looks so grand. I sit on the lush seat in absolute awe. The plane begins to take off.

“First time flying?” Callum asks.

“Yeah, money wasn’t easily available.”

“Anything I should know before we land?”

“Yes, well, I have 5 sons, and they aren’t very friendly to new people normally” he responds.

“Oh, okay, and what about your wife?” I asked again.

“She passed away just a few years ago, it’s been hard on my boys.”

His eyes soften as he continues to speak of them. The flight is maybe 35 minutes before we begin descent.

We entered yet another Bentley to take us home. Callum gives me a couple of pointers, who can all be at home right now, and mentions his girlfriend, Scarlet.

It takes around 15 minutes to get in through the driveway.

WOW!

My school could fit in this building.

The house is what I can only describe as a mansion. It has the view of the ocean, and looks like an old Victorian style home, only fancier. That's the only way I can describe it.