Beneath The Shadows

CHAPTER 1

MABEL'S POV

The weather decided to mirror my mood - a hot mess of sadness with a hint of absurdity. The sky seemed to mock me, saying, "Life is a joke, but also, it's kinda miserable." I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry, especially on my mother's burial day. I still couldn't believe that cancer had defeated such a strong woman.

You might be wondering what's absurd. It's the hypocritical siblings of my mom who are currently pretending as if they care. I almost laughed out loud when I saw Bridget and Billy's crying faces, because it's hard to believe they're the same people who rarely call my mom nor ask about her well-being for about ten years. When Billy remembered she had a little sister, she advised her to formally introduce me to my so-called biological father, who I didn't give a flying f*ck about.

It's afternoon already, and here I am sitting under my mom's favorite tree in our compound after having talked to my best friend on the phone. It's so hard to relieve the lonely feelings even with tons of fake friends and family coming in and out of our house. As I sat under my mom's favorite tree, I spotted Billy approaching me.

"Hi, Mabel, how are you doing?" she said, her voice dripping with insincerity. I wondered if I should respond or not, "Hey, Billy." I chose the latter.

Billy handed me waffles and juice, and I questioned her motives. Was she trying to be kind or just pretend to care? "Thanks," I replied, waiting for her to reveal her true intentions. "Your father wants to talk to you," she said, her voice firm. "Eat your food on time." She added.

The mention of "father" made me stiff. I didn't hate him, but I couldn't see him as my parent. My mom had told me about their love story, but I never paid attention. We weren't strangers, but I didn't feel a connection. As I ate the waffles, I heard footsteps approaching. My emotions churned as he drew near, the fake concern about my mother's siblings replaced by a mix of anger, shame, and uncertainty. Why had he come now, after all these years? Did he think a simple appearance could erase the past? I felt like I was drowning in a sea of conflicting emotions, my inner struggle to reconcile this stranger with the father I’d never known threatening to consume me.

He wore a plain black shirt and denim jeans, his dark hair combed back, his ocean blue eyes fixed on me. I saw where I got my blue eyes from, but I still didn't feel a connection. As he sat beside me, his presence felt like a weight on my chest. Billy's departure left an uncomfortable silence, which he filled with a hesitant greeting.

"Hi, Mabel...how are you doing?" His voice was unfamiliar, yet eerily reminiscent of my own. I couldn't muster a response, unsure how to react. He paused, his eyes scanning mine as if searching for a glimmer of recognition. Then, he dropped the bombshell:

"I know we haven't met formally, but I'm your father, Anthony Grayson." The words landed like a blow, leaving me breathless and reeling. My mind raced to reconcile this man with the absent figure from my past. His next statement felt like a cold, calculated blow:

"I know this is a lot to take in, but I want you to know you're coming home with me." The phrase "home" twisted in my gut. I felt like I was being ripped from the only life I'd ever known, forced to confront a reality I'd never chosen.

I finally found my voice, "What do you mean I'm coming home with you?" He explained that this place wasn't safe for me anymore, and I had to leave with him. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty.

"Come on, Mabel. You're coming home with me. This place isn't healthy for you anymore." I stood my ground, arms crossed.

"Why isn't it healthy? This is my mother's house, my home." My father's expression turned firm but gentle. "I know this is hard, but trust me, it's for the best. You deserve a stable and safer environment, and I can provide that."

I shook my head, feeling a mix of emotions. "You don't get to decide what's best for me. You've been absent my whole life."

He took a step closer, his voice softening. "I know I've made mistakes, but I'm here now, and I want to make things right. I want to be a part of your life and help you heal."

He paused. "I'll give you three hours to pack your belongings. We'll leave then."

I felt a surge of panic at the sudden deadline. "Three hours? Really?"

My father's expression remained firm. "I'm afraid it's all we have. Please, Mabel, let's work together on this."

"So what will happen to this place?" I said with tears in my eyes, but I refused to let it fall, because this stranger didn't deserve to see my tears.

"You don't have to worry about that, maids will be sent to clean it every weekend, and I'll send guards here to ensure its safety. You can also come here only on Sundays if you like and, although, you'll be followed by my men" he said, and left.

You know that feeling after you've suddenly been drenched in a bucket of water? Yeah, that's what I'm feeling right now. Not that I expected life to be easier with my mom out of the picture, but I didn't think it would be this much worse. I let down the tears I was trying so hard to hold on to and cried so hard that I forgot to breathe. After some minutes, I stood up and headed to my room and decided to face life upfront without any fear.

Even though I'm still shocked at how everything unfolded, I packed all my necessary clothing and shoes, took my bath and freshened up, then I sat on my bed and thought to myself, "Mom will I be fine?" and I imagined her answer "Mabel you'll be okay, no matter what you might be facing, it's just a phase, and it shall pass". I didn't even know I was crying again until I saw tears. I cleaned my face again and decided to do some light makeup.

I was drying my long brown hair, when my eyes caught a small picture frame beside my mirror. This time around I didn't cry, I smiled. It is a picture of an event mom and I went to in Switzerland three summers back. She was wearing a blue dress with a face cap, while I was wearing a white short sleeve shirt and red trousers. We took a picture after I got the first position in the car race. It was really a happy moment. I took the picture and put it in my suitcase.

About 20 minutes later, I heard a knock on my door and I knew it was time to leave. I glanced around my room once more, and I stepped out with my suitcase and school bag. By this time, everyone who came to sympathize with me had left, so much for those crocodile tears. One of Anthony's men collected my suitcase and took it to the black Honda jeep. I glanced at Anthony from the side of my eye and he caught it,

"We're going to the Bronx, it's about a 4-hour drive from here and that's where my main house is. You'll meet your stepbrother and sisters" he said, but I said nothing in reply .

We entered the black jeep and the driver started the car immediately. I looked back, and I saw that 3 more cars were following us. They're probably his so-called men. I thought to myself and wondered how my life could turn around from being a peaceful living countryside girl to a girl that had to be followed around by some security guards. I get that he's a billionaire who needs to have some sort of protective measures, but I hope I'll be able to live my life peacefully as I've always done.

As we drove into the compound, the well-manicured lawns and tidy gardens surrounded us, creating a sense of serenity. The driveway wound past several high-end cars, their sleek designs and luxurious logos - Mercedes, BMW, and Audi - gleaming in the fading light. The vehicles seemed to whisper tales of wealth and privilege. And then the mansion emerged. The exterior walls were clad in warm, honey-colored stone, complemented by crisp white trim and shutters. We pulled up to the entrance, where a warm glow spilled from within, casting a welcoming light on the porch. Two guards, dressed in tailored black suits, stood nearby, their eyes watchful and alert. Their faces were expressionless, but their presence exuded a sense of quiet confidence and capability. The mansion's interior was tastefully decorated, with polished hardwood floors and comfortable furnishings in muted, earthy tones. The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers and the soft hum of classical music floated through the halls, creating a sense of refined elegance.

"Ari, everything is in order, I presume?" my father asked the maid, handing her his keys.

"Yes, sir," Ari replied, her smile unwavering. "Dinner will be served promptly at 8 pm. Shall I show Mabel to her room?"

My father nodded. "Yes, please do. See that she has everything she needs."

Ari nodded, her eyes flicking at me for a moment before returning to my father. "Right away, sir."

My father turned to me. "Mabel, why don't you freshen up? We'll talk at dinner."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. Ari gestured for me to follow her. "Come along, Mabel. I'll show you to your room."

I trailed behind Ari, taking in the opulent decor and polished floors. We climbed the sweeping staircase, and Rachel led me down a long hallway lined with doors.

"Your room, Mabel," she said, opening the door to a beautifully decorated space. The room was cozy, with a plush bed, a walk-in closet, and a large window overlooking the gardens.

"I'll leave you to settle in," Ari said. "Dinner will be downstairs at 8 pm. If you need anything, just press the intercom." With that, she smiled and left, closing the door behind her. I stood alone in my new room, feeling uncertain and out of place. But I knew I needed to do something first. I walked up to the door, locked it, laid on the bed and slept off.