The Blood Heiress

Walk Down Memory Lane

Adella

It was remarkably comforting that my room was not silent in the middle of the night. Verity slept like a rock on the bed, snoring softly. Not that I could blame her. She had always been a force to be reckoned with, but something about being in the biggest house she had ever seen in person, brought out a whole new level. She had fallen asleep almost instantly after raving about my ‘over the top’ bedroom. A squeal left her lips when she saw my closet. Sleep hadn't come so quickly for me, so I was seated on one of the chairs with my journal trying to quite my mind.

Thanks to her I saw more of the house today. All the first floor and second, we opened every single door and poked about every single room. Thankfully, we were informed by Maria ahead of time what parts of the house were reserved for the staff and had been able to avoid anything awkward. We hadn’t found anything too unusual. Lots of bathrooms and bedrooms, a huge library, the kitchen, a sunroom, two different studies, the entertainment room complete with TV and a few others that I planned to visit again. By the time we finished our touring we were late for dinner. Ben did not join us neither did Maria. In fact, I had seen so little of them since Verity arrived it was like they didn't exist.

After dinner had been a movie, which we barely watched and spent most of our time talking. It was our conversation that kept me up now. She had so many questions for me that I had too few answers. I felt so cheated. I wanted those answers more than she did and yet what had I done, really, to get them? I knew who might have some of them and yet I hadn't really pushed for them. I cheated myself. I stared at the list of questions I had made previously. I was certain that if Verity were in my shoes, she would have pulled all the answers she wanted out of Ben by now with her tenacity. I wondered why I was so complacent with letting him decide when and which answers to supply. Am I afraid of the finding out more? Or is it easier to not cause a stir?

My mind brought me back to a memory. One of the first that stood out to me with clarity. I was around six and a new girl had just been introduced.

"This is Beverly. She is going to be staying with us until she can find a new family. I expect you all to try your best to make her feel welcome and include her in your activities." Headmistress Lonell had told us all in the the primary. Beverly was taller than I was. Taller than most other children there our age too. Her height though was the only thing at first that stood out about her.

While we were together learning and playing, she made an effort to get along with everyone. She shared, seemed kind and happy. That first night though she seemed to change entirely.

"Give me your pillow," she loomed over me. A wicked grin set on her face. She had been assigned the upper bunk to my lower one.

"I saw Headmistress give you yours this afternoon. What do you need mine for?" I asked her not certain what she could possibly need mine for. It was late, everyone else was quiet and trying to sleep. Why was she bothering me for something she already had?

"So what?" She leered at me and put her hands on her hips. "I want your pillow. I never said I need it."

"You can't have it. I need it. Now go to sleep, I am tired." Without warning her fist shot out and hit me across in the cheek and nose. I let out a squeal and then she was on me. Sitting on my chest holding her hands over my nose and mouth. Trying to suffocate me.

"You give it to me now or you will regret it." She threatened me in a low harsh voice. My eyes went wide, and I began to panic. Trying to breathe but no air could be sucked in or out. Tears fell one by one. I remember wondering how she could be so mean over a pillow; over something she didn't need. I gave that pillow to her and instantly regretted it. I had made myself an easy target for someone who was just plain mean. Didn't matter much the context, and I became her new favorite diversion. Running from her and her associates became my new pasttime.

I had been hiding out from her during lunch, a few weeks later. Haunted by my lack of sleep, lack of overall peace really and eating alone in the hallway when I discovered a door, that led to the library. It was often empty now that the orphanage had outsourced education over 3rd grade. It was a perfect place to wait out my bullies. From then on, I would retreat to it whenever I needed to, to avoid her and later others that came along with much the same disposition. I was rewarded when she hopped to the next victim quickly once I became harder to pursue. She was never one to put in too much effort, more bored and damaged than motivated by a vindictive nature. She moved out of the orphanage within the year, if my memory serves me well. The poor family that had been charmed by her veneer.

Of course, others bullies of different varieties came and went, and my avoidant tendencies became ingrained as a matter of survival. The library didn't always serve as my sanctuary for every situation, as I discovered other methods of avoidance. Sometimes it had to be extra chores, or voluntary kitchen duty or helping out the groundskeeper. The best method was to not draw attention to begin with, sometimes that worked, but more often than not it seemed I had a giant target on my head attracting those that had an axe to grind. Adapting, led to me changing and dimming until I didn't recognize myself anymore. My fire had been snuffed out. Holding onto some semblance of who I used to be, I still dreamt faintly of a life outside the orphanage, when I was older. I wasn't too clear on what that would look like, but I hoped it meant freedom and independence.

That was a ways off yet. Throughout the remaining years, my coping skills remained, my behavior unchanged. It bled into my classes at the public schools as I phased out of the orphanage school. I did what was asked, never stepped out of line and hardly socialized. Verity was the only one I let in and that was after some considerable effort on her point.

Her friendship had been a buoy. I treasured it, I closed the journal; the days’ activities had been recorded and my list of questions reviewed. Tomorrow would mark a new season for me, one where I would start to take control of my life and where it was headed.

***

“You really should think about enrolling now. Taking classes was all you could talk about senior year. There isn’t anything standing your way now. Do you want me to pick up a class schedule and brochure for their programs?”

Breakfast was so much livelier and more enjoyable with Verity as a dining partner. I gave her question some thought. But I didn’t need much, she had already brought this up last night and I had made up my mind.

“Yes, please. I want to see what the college is offering. I wish I could have started when you did but better late than never.”

“You always did well in classes I bet if you take a few extra credits here and there you could finish not so far behind the rest of us.”

“First I have to decide what to take, which program I want to join.”

Verity pushed her plate off the side in the way I showed her and a server immediate came to take it away. I handed mine to him as well. She smiled maniacally and I felt again that the wrong person had inherited all this. She seemed to get such joy out of all aspects of my new life.

“I just wish I had another plate.”

“They aren’t puppets Ver.”

“I know that. But you get to do this every meal. I only have a fraction of those instances to enjoy their prompt and robotic service.” I roll my eyes and stand.

“You have 40 minutes until your first class let’s go get your stuff together.”

“Boo! You are such a killjoy.” She playfully bumps into my shoulder as we move to the door.

Her things were already nicely packed and by the door when we entered the entry hall. Ben was waiting for us too.

“I will see you soon, thank you so much for having me over. Don’t forget to invite me back.” She hugs me and as she pulls back, she sticks out her tongue. “I was on my best behavior, so you have no reason not to.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I giggle at her antics.

“Bye Benny boy, see you soon. Take care of her for me.”

She brazenly approached him and patted his shoulder. And then, she walked through the door and was gone. The room felt very empty.

“Addie,” Ben had recovered from the unorthodox farewell rather quickly. “We need to discuss some things that are time sensitive. Would you care to join me in the parlor for a moment?”

Perfect timing, I steeled my resolve to push for much needed information from him. He would answer at least, one of my questions. Now, just don't back out to keep the peace.

We sat across from each other, I on the sofa, he in a wingback chair. The coffee table between us. Ben had some coffee brought out and even though I had just had breakfast I was secretly grateful for something to hold.

“I have news on your job. You are set to start tomorrow morning. Do you feel that you have the clothing you need to be dressed for it?”

“You can check if you would like Ben, I know that I have plenty of professional items though. I simply lack casual clothing.”

“I will note that for when you go shopping. A few things about the job, it is an unpaid internship. Your supervisor was not advised of your true position. In fact, no one was. As far as anyone is concerned there you are simply the new intern.”

“But isn’t the Russo name on the business?”

“Yes, but for the time being you are to continue to use the Smith last name. It is part of the rules of the new trust.”

“What logic is behind that? Shouldn’t my coworkers and supervisor be aware that their future boss is working amongst them?”

“According to the trust you will not become their boss unless you successfully complete the requirements it sets forth.”

“And please tell me, what are they? I have not been given the whole picture yet.” Simmering below the surface my frustration came out to play. I would get nowhere shouting at Ben though and I wasn't certain he even deserved it.

“Unfortunately, as the executor, I am not at liberty to divulge everything to you yet. I am sorry Adella. It was what your parents wanted.”

“I want to believe that Ben. But it feels like I have blinders on. I must blindly trust everything you tell me. My entire life has transformed into a cloak and dagger production overnight, not that it was all that normal before. Can you at least help me out a little bit?”

“If I give you too much information it would negate the inheritance and void the fulfillment of the trust. To this end, you can double check with Mr. Whitcomb and Mr. Sprattle about what I have told you concerning the trust. They are the only other ones who are to know the full extent of what it entails for the time being.”

“So, what is stopping you from telling me what happened to my parents? Is that in the trust too?” I don't recognize my voice as I spit the questions at Ben.

Ben grows stiff and straightened up his posture. I copy him and do not break eye contact him as I mentally willed myself to rein in my disproportionate frustration level. Ben was not avoiding anything and seemed to be upfront.

“You are correct and rightfully upset. I wasn’t sure that you were ready for the truth of their passing. With everything you have had to handle and adjust to since coming here I thought it best to hold back until you were ready. Though if you remember, I said I would answer your questions but just not right at that moment.”

“I do remember, but I am telling you that I am ready now. It has been foremost in my mind every day. I am an orphan Ben, you understand that you dangled information that would help me understand myself, my place in this world better.” I felt tears prick at my eyes.

“I am aware, and it was not to torture you. Please remember that.” Ben took a breath and settled in his chair. “You asked me a few questions those first few days about your parents. Which did you want answers to now?”

“I really just want to hear about them, who they were, how you knew them. How they died.” I practically whisper the last part. I watched his face for any indication that he was going to sidestep giving me information, he couldn’t back out now.

“I met your father as a young man. He was in need of some assistance at the time, and I was in a unique position to help. He then kept me on to manage his household. He was a fair and honest fellow. He cared about his family and kept them close. He tried to change the fortunes of those around him. You have his dark hair and blue eyes. People always thought that his looks were striking, as are yours. Though you are not exactly carbon copies as I do see quite a bit of your mother there too, especially in your gentle nature. I met your mother when she was brought to the house by your father a few months after they had met. I had never seen him so in love with someone. They were married not long after in a quiet ceremony on the grounds here. Only your two uncles attended but all of her family attended.”

“I have uncles?” Why aren’t they around? Where is my mother’s family?

“Had uncles. They passed with your father.”

“What about my mother’s family.”

“Your mother’s family had always been small. They all are gone as well; they have passed throughout the years. At least the ones she was close to.” Ben paused and passed me a few tissues; I could feel a traitorous tear starting to make its way down my cheek. “Shall I continue, or would you prefer to wait for another day?” He did look concerned.

“Please continue,” I set my coffee cup down, the coffee long since cold.

“They did a fair amount of traveling in their early married years. Enjoyed themselves quite a bit. But both wanted to start a family sooner than later so once they got the traveling out of their system, they fell pregnant with you. I had never seen either of them so happy as the day they found out they were pregnant. Your father began renovations on the third floor to create a family suite. Unfortunately, it is still unfinished. Your mother was six months pregnant when some enemies of your father launched an attack on him and his brothers while they were away on business.”

“What kind of enemies?!” My voice may have cracked a bit

“The kind that don’t give their targets any mercy. Your mother collapsed when she received the news and remained bed ridden until she had you. Once you came you gave her a reason to continue forward. She got stronger for you. I heard her laughing one day for the first time in many, many months when you were only weeks old. It was not meant to be. She was poisoned when she had been out and about with some friends. We didn’t find out until after she had begun to fade. That was when she decided to send you to the orphanage and charged me with looking after you. You were but eight months old.”

“She was poisoned? Who poisoned her? Why?”

“I cannot say who or why as I never found out any of the details.”

We sat in silence. I hardly knew what to say and Ben appeared content to let me work through the information at my own pace. I came to a firm decision though as tears threatened to spill.

“Thank you, Ben, I think I am done for today.” I managed without losing control and excused myself to my room.

I spent what was left of the day in bed. In between processing the information, I had given and fitting it into my life as I had known it thus far; I dozed catching up on all the lost sleep.

Eventually, hunger pulled me out of my protective cocoon of bedding. Quite fortunately for me, I had an amazing app on my phone to call up food so that I wouldn't have to leave my room. I put my order in and then cuddled up on a chair to write in my journal while I waited. I had been afford some relief, I had managed to get some answers.