Dawn

Chapter One

"mom?"

"Yes darling,"

"Why is my life different from the other kids?" Her mother paused for a moment before resuming what she was doing , brushing her hair.

"How exactly do you mean darling?" Her mom asked. 

"David is no longer allowed here anymore. Anytime i brinc his name up all you is tell me to forger him. And i can't live my life or enjoy my childhood like other kids. You lock me up in the house, and have me home schooled. You said when i grow up you'll explain to me what's going on. I'll be turning sixteen few days from now mom. Can't you tell me what's happening?" Dawn asked as she finally looked up from her novel to look at her mom who stared back at her through the dressing mirror.

"Now is not the time Dawn. "

"Mom,"

"I said now is not the time!" Her mom replied in anger.

"So when will it be the right time? Is it fair mom? Is it? David was like a brother to me and the only friend i had. You became so cruel that you took that away from me and i am not even allowed to know what happened. This is about me mom."

"Dont you raise your tone to me !" Her mom warned. Dawn sighed, dropped the novel on the bed and walked up to her mom placing her head on her shoulder.

"Can you at least trust me with this one mom. It's been fifteen years already, look at me, whenever i look at photos of you, i see you had a lot of friends, went on dates, always had fun with your siblings but you're being completely unfair to me, locking me up, bodyguards everywhere, no friends, no sibling, no David. What happened mom? Am i cursed? Are you ashamed of me?" She asked. Her mom dropped the hairbrush in anger and got up from the chair. 

"You're watching too many movies and you're letting it ger into your head. And what part of it is for your own good don't you understand?"

"The part where it is not for my own good but for your fears. You're scared of something and the worst part is you're cropping me out. You and dad. What is going on? "

"All these attitude, is because you're turning 16."

"Stop assuming mom. The only one trying to put thoughts in my head is you. You and dad. Always telling me stuff to make me forget what i was worried about."

"I will be very mad at you young lady if you use that tone on me again." Her mom said as she turned to face her daughter with death glares. Dawn was about to retaliate when they heard something smash from the ground floor and noise. They both exchanged confused looks before rushing to the rails to see what was going on.

Jeffery, Dawn's father was responsible for the commotion downstairs. He seemed far frkm angrt, he seemed furious. Dawn's mother looked in horror then back at Dawn.

"Your father should not know about what hlwe discussed. Am I understood?" Her mother asked. Dawn nodded in surprise.

"To your room immediately. " reluctantly, Dawn turned away to her room before her mother went downstairs. 

"Get the hell out of my sight !!!!!" His voice roared through the entire room, echoing loud and clear sending chills to the spines of everyone, including his wife who managed to comport herself . She used her hand to signal to the servants to leave her alone with her husband. They quickly scurried away shutting the doors behind them. She quietly placed a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face her, he looked miserable, worn out, red eyes that seemed like they'd been crying. The moment their eyes locked together, the strong man broke down in tears like a little girl, leaning on his wife for comfort who felt sick in her stomach, remembering the last time she'd seen him that way.

"He's back isn't he?" She asked in a whisper. She tightened her hug around him when he nodded. 

"And he's back to take it all away. "

"He won't. "

"He will. I saw him today. Everything we've worked for... "

"Ssshhhh... don't say that. Don't complete that sentence. We're gonna fight and make sure we keep it all. No matter what. All we have to do is keep Dawn away from the outside world, now more than ever. We'll sort everything out. Okay?" She said as she leaned into him further.

NEXT DAY

They settled for a family breakfast when Dawn decide to drop a bomb shell. 

"I decided to apply to David's school and I've been offere..."

"Repeat what you just said." Her mom immediately cut her off. Dawn got scared for a few minutes before regaining her composure. 

"David. My cousin , we've been talking and he helped me get admission to his school..."

"You've been talking to David?" Her mom asked her. 

"Yes but..."

"Hand me your phone."

"But..."

"Don't even dare! " her mom threatened shooting her a deadly glare. Dawn reluctantly handed her mom the phone. Her mom walked over to the balcony and threw the phone into the pool.

"Make sure you get that phone and smash it into millions of pieces. If Dawn ever gets her hands on it you will lose your job." She said the bodyguard who hurried immediately.

"What the heck mom? Why you doing this to me?"

"You don't trust your parents but a complete outsider,"

"David's not an outsider !"

"I'm not discussing this with you. " her mom said ignoring her. 

"Why? Dad, you're a part of this too?" Her mom didnt allow Jeff to answer but answered immediately.

"You've sure grown some balls young lady. Never before has it occured tuat you question my decision."

"I'm gonna be sixteen."

"Sixteen. Not eighteen. You're still young and immature to be dragged into any issue. "

"David is having problems with Uncle Fred. "The mention of the name sent more chills down everyone's spines. "He wants to leave his father. Do you know anything about that?" 

"Eat your food."

"Answer me mom!" Dawn said banging on the table and getting up 

"Dawn !"her father scolded after a long while of silence. "You have every right to be ypset but you dare not react in this manner to anyone of us. "

"You're hiding so much from me. How can i trust you?" 

"But you can trust David. Listen to me young lady, " her mother said dropping her cutleries to face her daughter. "Tough decisions have to be made and now is not the right time for you tk be involved in anything going on. "

"But David can be involved?"

"David is nineteen incase you've forgotten. He's old enough to decide on his own."

"You know. "

"Excuse me?"

"You know of his issues with Uncle Fred. You know that's why you're not bothered. "

"We do not want to hear that name or discuss the name. "

"Why? Tell me why we can't.  Explain to me. " Dawn screamed but her eyes saying opposite,  innocence written all over , pleading for the truth. Her mother looked away to avoid spilling the beans.

"The peas will get cold. " her mom responded quietly. 

"Tell me what's going on !  I know where David is and i wont hesitate to run off to him "  her mother looked at her in shock. 

"You heard me, no one, not even the guards will stop me. "

"You dont know what you're saying. "

"Don't think I'm playing mom." Her mother slapped the table then got up grabbing the wrist ofbher daughter and pulling her along.

"Go easy on her Lilian !" Jeffery called out but she ignored him, he decided to follow behind to make sure nothing drastic happened. 

"Let go off me !!!" She kept screaming but her mother paid no heed until her mother locked her in. Dawn kept banging on the door repeatedly, 

"If by any chance she goes missing, or leaves her room, i will the bullet go right through your brain and your kids wont ever hear of you again." She warned the chief bodyguard placed outside her door. The banging continued as Lilian went to her room and shut the door with a loud bang. 

A few minutes later and the door slowly opened to reveal Jeffery. 

"I'll give time to cool off but being too harsh and strict on the poor girl isnt gonna help. Okay? She's a teen, situations like these are bound to occur, she wants to feel of age, you're being too harsh and I'm afraid to say this but you'll be pushing more than anyone of us can handle." He said before walking out the door.