Game of fate

PORTMAN'S MANOR

Dominic

My 18th birthday was supposed to be a day of celebration but it turned out to be a revelation my mother dropped on me like a grenade. Suddenly, shaking my beliefs and burying me under like an avalanche, ‘You will be meeting your father soon’ she said. And I echoed, after some time of wondering and asking, a wave of emotions hit me, mostly Anger and confusion. Why did she keep him a secret, why did he leave, why couldn't she be with him? Before I could open my mouth to protest or ask questions we were interrupted by a loud honk outside and all she could say was ‘The driver is here ’ I was standing there looking at her like a volcano waiting to erupt As I collapsed into the car I shot my mother one final glance, her expression was a blank slate. The driver Mr. Singh tried to break the ice with a friendly introduction but I was too engrossed in my world to reciprocate the gesture, he backed it up with, you look a lot like your father, I cast him an icy glance, one cold enough to freeze a person to death, he understood. The rest of the drive was silent, I arrived at the airport to find a private jet waiting for me, and the crew members treated me with excessive Courtesy bowing at my every step, I boarded the flight without a word, I plugged in my MP3, I could hear the crews murmur pointing out the striking resemblance between my father and I, same piercing eyes, strong chiselled jawline evoking a sense of authority, same egoistic and arrogance that identified his persona. The flight came to an end and still consumed by my own emotions, Mr Singh picked me up from the airport, As I arrived at the manor gate, a long driveway stretched outlined with ancient trees, arriving at the final curve of the drive the full refinement and sophistication of manor come into view reflecting the status of the owner's wealth, I was greeted by a group of staff running from each corner of the manor, I scan through the environment hoping to spot a glance that looked like something that could be my father but my eyes landed on something or someone instead, a woman at the far end of the manor staring at me from the window like a baby that just got her candy taken. I quickly tore my gaze to the door debating whether I should go back while I still could

“You are here” a deep baritone broke my thoughts.

I turned to see a tall sturdy man in front sharing striking features with me, eyes, mouth and a one-sided dimpled smile. He exuded both masculinity and an aura that wanted you to cower yet soak into him.

“My, you carry my blood” Only when he walked forward did I notice the strange woman from before attached to his side like a sore thumb only this time she wore a smile that stretched her lips too thin and animated her features in a pixie doll's

*This is Vivian. My wife” my dad introduced.

“Oh God. Look how much you have grown “. She wore the same plastic smile but her eyes told a different story.

I am in for some serious s**t. I thought to myself.

As I settled into Portman's manor, months went by and I still haven't spoken to my mother, I found myself grappling with my unease around my dad and struggling to muster the courage to ask him a million questions swirling in my head. Rather I was the one on the defensive with my responses to him. Barely, more than monosyllabic grunts - "Fine", "Okay", "Not bad".

I often wondered whether we would ever have a truly meaningful conversation. And then there was Vivian, my stepmom - the wolf in sheep's clothing. Her sickly soft voice and plastic smile were nothing but a facade. She was no angel; she was more like the angel of doom.

More like the angel of doom

Oddly, as years went by there were barely a few things that my dad and I had a shared agreement on. We both did not like her.

Why did he marry her again?

I sighed exhausted from the numerous questions and no answer.

I was currently sitting in one of my favourite parts of the house, where a huge tree stood tall. I loved sitting under the tree, because of the serenity and the fact I could avoid all the family drama- my dumb step-siblings, cold dad and of course the evil Queen of the West.

I saw my dad hurry out of the house with Vivian hot on his trail. The only indication that he was perplexed was his creased brows, which I was sure his eyes would be stony. He turned abruptly which caused her to halt in her steps. I saw his mouth move slowly, I was certain he was gritting his teeth.

Shaking my head I turned to scroll through my phone, I paused as I saw a profile of a person with a Nezuko in Demon Slayer popped into view. For whatever reason, I pressed the request a friend button.

Ding

I saw that the person had accepted. Crazy. I shook my head amused.

Ding

A message popped up from

Triumphant23:

“Hello, Rare gem ”

A smile curled my lips.

This was one crazy person.