Tangled in the web of love.

CHAPTER ONE

ARLENE

I pressed my nose to the window, watching blue cerulean blue clouds, uncertain of what my true feelings were. The day was clear and bright, as opposed to my troubled and dark thoughts. Different emotions wrestled inside me, fighting to take the top spot. I wasn't really sure of what I felt returning home after all these years.

I didn't know why I agreed to even return home. Grandma Erin had called, same request as always, but with a different catch, and that one positive response had me returning to the place that housed the most traumatic experiences and reckless choices of my life.

I didn't know why I had set myself up for such an experience when my present was better than any version of my life I could ever dream of, and my future shone bright like the diamonds on my left finger.

As the pilot announced that we were about to land, I could feel my chest tightening. One glance at my children and my fears heightened. How will my family accept them?

Seven years ago, when they found out I was pregnant, they had turned away from me, pushed me away, forcing me to seek refuge somewhere else, somewhere faraway.

I sincerely hope that won’t be the case now. Hopefully, seven years should be enough time for them to shred off whatever negative feelings they had against me; enough for my aunt and I to fix our relationship, and for my mother to look at me in the eyes.

“Honey,” I whispered to my son, André, tapping him gently. His eyes fluttered open, dark piercing eyes stared at me confused for a minute. “We are about to land,” I informed him. He sat up slowly, looking around him, and then the window. I turned to his twin sister, Andrea who had her head drooping off the chair and her mouth slightly open.

“Baby,” I whispered, shaking her gently. She let out a gentle snore and then turned away from me. “Baby,” I called again, whispering directly into her ear this time. She jerked up on impact, her eyes flew open. I smiled at her. “We are about to land.”

“Oh.” She sat up, rubbing her eyes with the back of her palm.

Few minutes later, we strolled out of the airport, my children before me, our bags rolling behind us. I glanced around, looking for our ride and sure enough, a middle aged man stood in front of a black Chevrolet, holding up a sign that had my name written in cursive caps.

“Mum, Look!” Andrea pointed to the man “Your name is written on the sign”

He met my eyes, then his eyes moved down to my kids. He shook his placard mildly, I nodded in response.

“Our ride is here” I announced, ushering them towards the man. He dropped the placard, making his way to us.

“Arlene O'Hara?” He asked the moment we met up.

“Arlene O'Hara” I replied.

He smiled, “Your grandmother sent me. I am Holden.”

“Hello, Holden” I smiled, he smiled back, then reached for our bags.

“May I?”

“Sure” I handed him our luggages. “Thank you”

“The door is open” he indicated to the kids. I helped them in, then sat down beside them, as he strolled back to the driver's seat. He turned on the ignition, and slowly we got back on the road.

The more the car drove closer to home, the more my heart beat accelerated. Beside me, André and Andrea bubbled with excitement, amazed by the new scenery. They had been more than eager to fly back home with me. Having been with my paternal grandparents all their lives, they wanted to see my family. I wished I could tap into their excitement, but all I got was dread. I dreaded every kilometer we covered, every turn that led us home.

I was due for a full blown heart attack when we arrived at the gates that led us into the family manor my grandmother resided in. A sense of nostalgia overtook me as the gates parted noiselessly, numbing my fears. I basked in it, as sweet memories of visiting My Nana comforted me. I was only happy when I visited her. She made me feel loved and welcomed.

Right in the middle of the large compound, the West mansion of over eight decades stood proud and elegant, basking in the golden glow of the mid afternoon sun. A water fountain preceded it, a sculpted squirrel spitting water from its mouth. The flowers that graced the building looked trimmed and tended to, and the air smelt fresh.

Seven years away, and this house still looked as magnificent as ever.

“Wow” Andrea gasped, her dark eyes wide in unabashed awe. André struggled to poke his head out through the window, oohing as we slowly swept past the water fountain, stopping before the intimidating mansion. “This place is so beautiful.” Andrea whispered in unadulterated awe.

“It is” I breathed out, unaware I had been holding my breath.

“Mum, does our grandma really live here?” she asked.

“She grew up here” I wasn't sure she'd be here, and I was struggling not to think about it. “She might be out though, but first, you need to meet my Nana” I opened the door, as did Holden, who went straight to the boot of the car.

The children basically flew out, but I was quick to stop them from running inside. “Please, behave” I pleaded, they offered a nod, then slowly got out.

I turned to the large building, sucking a deep breath, struggling to calm my raging nerves. At the long exhale, I strolled right to the door, my children beside me. The door opened before we got to it. A middle-aged woman dressed in a sky blue gown sauntered out.

“Arlie” She beamed, stretching out her hands

“Vera!” I gasped, relief at a familiar face swept through me. I went into her arms.

“God, you've grown so much!” She remarked, her eyes glittering. I smiled, unable to say a thing. She looked past me “oh my god!” She gasped, “they are so beautiful” she walked past me, making for my children. “What are your names, sweethearts?” She asked them, squatting to their level.

“Andrea,” my daughter spoke first “ and my brother is André, he's the oldest,” she finished.

“Such beautiful names, and you're so beautiful” Vera complimented, pulling them in for a hug. “Come,” she stood to her feet. “Your Nana is waiting” she directed us in.

The interiors of house had changed a lot. Several new murals now graced the walls, as did several artworks. Some things didn't change though. The tiles were as sparkling as they always were, the huge chandelier hung up above us, and grandma's figurines hung upon a shelf in an alcove, just before the large living room.

The spacious living room had several cushions arranged in a large square, surrounding an equally large round glass table. A sculpture sat on the table, as did a few books. A staircase ran upwards, just before the entrance that led to the large kitchen by the right, and the family dinning hall by the left. In between these sections, a smaller dining table and about six chairs resided.

“Your Nana just returned from her garden”

“Still growing those pumpkins?”

“And bell peppers, spices, herbs and flowers. She's always planting. I'll go get her for you.” She made for the large steps, then paused momentarily. “Arlie?” She called, turning to me.

“Hmm?”

“You're home, don't act like a guest.” My brow curved at her. “Relax. Sit down” she said.

“Oh!” I let out a nervous laugh. She gave a small smile. I didn't know I was still standing. I pointed to the couch, Andrea and André made for it, plopping on it.

“I'll have Bianca bring in some refreshments” she offered, then continued up the stairs. I sat down beside my children.

“Arlie?” a familiar voice called. I turned, and sure enough, it was my grandmother.

“Nana” my throat clogged, a heavy emotion dwelling on me. I got to my feet.

“Child” she muttered softly, her eyes glistening, she stretched out her hands. I ran into them, relief washing over me at her gesture. “I'm so happy you decided to come.”

“Me too” She kissed my hair. When we untangled, I noticed her cheeks were wet. She regarded me for a long time, several emotions twirling in her blue orbs.

“Thank you” she said after sometime, I simply nodded. “Are these my grandchildren” she nudged.

“Yes” I wiped my face. “Children, come meet my nana”

“Oh God!” She lifted Andrea. “What a perfection” she remarked. Andrea blushed, while André simply stared up her.

“She doesn't look old” André remarked keenly. Grandma Erin chortled.

“We barely age in this family” she said, ruffling his hair. “Come, I baked some cookies.” She said to the children, putting Andrea down. “I didn't think you would come” She said nudging me to the Kitchen.

“You called”

“After several refusals”

“I wasn't ready. Not sure I am”

“She surely doesn't remember” Nana assured me.

“You know she hasn't forgotten. She barely forgets.” I gave her a knowing look.

“It's all in the past. Also, you didn't do anything wrong” I smiled at this. “And where's that handsome man of yours?” Nana queried with a smile.

“Ireland. Work, you know how it is. But, he'll be here for the wedding. He promised, and he sends his regards”

“I can't wait to meet him” She pulled me in for a hug.

“Me neither.” I kissed her cheeks. “Is my mother here?”

“She'll arrive tonight, before dinner”

“Dinner?”

“Yes. The family will be…” Nana began to say.

When the sound of clinking heels descending the stairs interrupted her. We both turned right in time to see my aunt Emmaline, land the last step.

Why didn't Nana inform me she was here already?

She was dressed in a blue jumpsuit that accentuated her curves, and complimented her eyes. Her breasts, were all out, except for her n*****s. My heart raced at the sight of her. Dread, at its peak. She was the one other West I had ‘hurt’ by being born.

“Mother,” she smiled, then her gaze drifted to me, then the children and her eyes froze over, as did her smile. “What the f**k is she doing here?”

Home sweet home