The Billionaire's forbidden daughter

Chapter 3

EMMA

"Something wrong, Em?" Marcus asks.

Yes, something was wrong, I think as I stare at the text message from my father, Ethan.

Have dinner with me at the house this evening. I think it's time you met your grandmother.

I sigh. How can I sit at the same table with the woman who had lied and manipulated us all these years?

I had asked my father how he could stand living in the same space with her.

"Weak heart," he had answered, smiling bitterly. "The doctors insist she mustn't be stressed in any way which she would be if I... cut her off. And though I don't think I can ever forgive her for what she's done, I can't let her die on me either."

I thought it was convenient her playing the weak heart card to keep her son under her control.

"I'm no fool, Emma," father had said, giving me a wan smile as though he had read my mind. "She's had heart trouble for years and after discovering this... stunt she pulled all those years ago, I had my own specialists examine her just to be sure she hasn't been manipulating me with her condition."

"Em?"

I blink, put the phone away, turn to Marcus and manage a smile.

"Everything is fine, dad," I say.

Looking at him, I think it hadn't been all that bad. Father had insisted on giving me a generous allowance. Marcus and I had moved to a more decent apartment.

Even better, we aren't going to have any more trouble with Ed.

Still, sometimes, I can't help but feel a little guilty at having and spending so much money that I haven't worked for.

But as Marcus always says whenever he figured I was thinking in that direction,, "You deserve it, Em. Every cent of it. You're a Cole after all."

My phone beeps again.

Pick you up by 5?

I react to the message with a thumbs up.

Exactly at 5, a uniformed driver pulls up in front of our house. I am already dressed in the nicest pair of slacks and t-shirt I own.

"Evening, ma'am," the driver greets, stepping out and holding the door of the sleek Mercedes open.

Inside the car, he twists around in his seat, holds something out to me.

It is a credit card in gold with my name, EMMA COLE, embossed on it.

"It's an unlimited credit card from Mr Cole," the driver explains. "He says you can buy whatever you want with it. He said to tell you dinner is by 7, so you have a few hours to dress shop if you want."

I gape. An unlimited credit card? Is there really such a thing?

Turns out there is.

We go to the most exclusive boutique in the city where the prices of clothes and accessories literally makes my jaw drop. I buy a lot anyway.

It feels like a dream when I see how the boutique staff fall over themselves to attend to me.

At a few minutes to 7pm, I see the Cole mansion for the first time.

Fingers tightening around the strap of my bag, all I can think of was how the mansion was bigger and grander than I had ever imagined.

The car rolls to a stop. I get out slowly, my eyes scanning everything. The manicured lawns. The garden in the distance. The house itself.

The staff are lined near the entrance, waiting.

"Welcome home, Emma," Father says hurrying towards me.

"My daughter, Emma," he says upon introducing me to the staff. "She's going to be a regular face here."

I follow father inside. He points out places as we move. "The living room... the west wing... the kitchens... terrace..."

I am barely listening. I am still trying to get used to the idea that this is my home too.

Then he says something that brings me back down to earth with a crash.

"The dining room..."

My teeth clenches, fists tighten as I prepare to meet my grandmother. But the dining room, large enough to seat 20 is empty.

"Sir, Madam Veronica says she won't be down for dinner," the maid who follows us in says.

I feel myself relax. Good that she is away.

Father's face falls at this bit of news, but he says nothing. Dinner is a delicious 3 course meal.

Father and I talk. The conversation between us is a little awkward but I suppose in time we will get used to each other.

After eating, he snatches up his phone which had been ringing almost nonstop throughout dinner, and says, "I've had a room prepared for you for when you stay here. Go in, rest, try on the new clothes you bought. I've got to step out for a bit. Business, you know."

He pats me on the arm and is gone.

A maid shows me to my room upstairs.

"They have brought up your things," she informs me. "I hope you like the decor. If anything at all is not to your liking-"

"I'm sure it will all be," I reassure her with a smile.

She retreats. I ease open the door and stiffen.

Someone is in the room, waiting.

A lightbulb clicks on. In the sudden glare of lights, I see the intruder clearly.

Dressed in a trouser suit, she is seating by the window as though she owns the room. A gold topped cane is planted between her feet.

Her pure white hair is swept back in short, perfect curls. Strings of pearls circle her throat and wrists. Diamonds glitter in her ears.

"So you are Emma," the elderly woman says in a grating tone.

I say nothing. I know who she was of course. My grandmother.

I can see no hint of remorse in her expression for what she had done to my mother. To me.

I stand there, nails biting into my palms as her gaze moves over me from head to toe.

"You know who I am, I suppose?" she asks.

I spit out the word, "Yes." and say nothing else.

A spark of annoyance flashes in her eyes. We stare at each other for a long, tense moment.

When my eyes refuses to give ground, she says sharply, "Well, I came to give it to you straight. You are a Cole now, girl. You must act and dress the part. Already people are talking about Ethan's long lost daughter. The media will soon start digging up everything they can on you. Make sure they find no dirt. Cut off any... unsuitable acquaintances. Do you understand me?"

I clench my jaw hard. If I say one more word, I don't think I will be able to stop myself from screaming at this arrogant woman.

She starts to say something, thinks better of it. She stands up slowly.

"I will personally oversee your training before your proper introduction into high society," she continues. On her way to the door, she stops to give me another once-over. "Looks like I have my work cut out for me."

She leaves.

I take a deep, calming breath. Another and yet another.

The tap tap of her cane grows fainter.

I sit, stand, pace the room. All of a sudden, I decide I can't stay here anymore. Not in the same space as Victoria. At least not today. I need... air, space.

I grab my bag and storm out. I go down a series of stairs before realising I am lost.

I look around for a maid to show me the way out, but there is none. I start to go in the opposite direction when I hear someone say, "I have just spoken to her and yes, the girl will indeed be a problem."

The voice comes from a patio I hadn't noticed, just a little way ahead. Curious, I move closer and catch a glimpse of Victoria, seated with a phone pressed to her ear.

She starts to look around. I duck back before she can see me.

Veronica chuckles as she listens to the person on the other end of the line.

"Not to worry though," she says. "Before she ruins everything, I will handle her just like I handled her mother. Poor Ethan doesn't know all I did to Ava, that gold digging tramp and I'm taking those secrets with me to the grave. That Emma will either bend to my will or break." A pause. "Can I still count on your help and connections when the time comes to execute my plan?"

There is a longer pause this time and then she says, "Good."

I hear the soft click as she disconnects the call. My skin breaks out in goosebumps as I slowly back away.

What did Veronica mean? What else had she done to my mother that she hadn't confessed?

And what is she planning to do to me?