A New Life
1134 Words
Charlene got home late evening, entering into the house she saw Alex, her childhood friend. They had known each other since childhood, growing together in the same neighborhood they became like siblings. Alex was Mrs Smith's son.
“Alex, you are here”she asked surprised because he was usually at work during that time of the day.
“Yes my mom had a church meeting to attend and she asked me to watch over your mom for her.
And I did not go to work today though”
“Oh okay, let me freshen up and come back, thank you”. Replied Charlene as she headed to her room.
Charlene sat opposite the mirror in her room looking at her reflection. Thoughts flowed through her head, looking at that paper that she picked earlier. She felt like the person was trying to pass a message to her but she could not wrap her finger around it.
“Can I come in?” Alex knocked on her room door. She suddenly jolted out of her river of thoughts
“Yes come in”
“How are you doing? You seem a bit down”.
“Yeah Dr Lee, my mother's doctor called me earlier today at work to remind me of the urgency of her surgery. The tumor is really spreading fast and her memory would soon start deteriorating”. The weight of all this was really weighing her down.
“I can give you a bit of the money”. Alex said as he reached out to his pocket and brought out an envelope
“No, don't worry”. Charlene immediately refused “I don't need a pity money”.
“Okay you can pay it back if you want, I don't just want to see you struggling”. Alex expressed his concern.
“No need, I will be fine”. Charlene faked a smile. If there was one thing she didn't like, it was being treated with pity.
“Okay if you say so” Alex replied, placing the envelope back in his pocket.
“I just got an urgent call from work I need to go”.
“Alright thank you”. She replied, following him behind as he headed out.
Charlene locked the door after Alex left, went to her mother's room and sat close to her. She took her mother's hands. She could feel life slowly drifting away from her mother.
She has a make a decision and she needs to do that fast
Calling a number she said
“I am ready”
The next morning
A car drove into a compound. Charlene came down from the car stepping into the grand mansion. Her eyes widened in shock and surprise.
She has not seen such a beautiful mansion with surroundings neatly arranged.
Ethan showed her to an advanced woman Charlene could guess she was the caretaker of the house.
“Madam Theresa, this is Charlene”, and turning to Charlene “she will show you your room and the surroundings and help you get settled in” he added as he stepped out.
“Welcome ma let me take you to your room”
“Thank you” she answered smiling “where is he going to?” Charlene added questionly
“The young master is barely around, he is probably heading to the office again”. Theresa answered.
“Oh okay”. Charlene said as she followed her while the maids took her bag upstairs.
They got to a room, Charlene stepped into the room it was decoratively arranged to her preference.
She wondered how they knew what she liked
“I will leave you now to get settled in ma'am, the room opposite your room is the young master's room”. Madam Theresa bowed and left.
Charlene moved round the room and saw everything beautifully arranged as if they had expected her for a long time.
As she walked around the room she could not help but get a gush of mixed emotions. She was excited but wrestled with uncertainty deep down in her heart.
She was starting a new life with a stranger all just to save her mother's life. Charlene decided to rest a little before checking out the surroundings.
After a few hours of sleep, Charlene woke up from her nap, got dressed and was headed downstairs when she passed a room by the corner of the stairs.
On getting there she saw Ethan already sitting at the dining table.
“Don't be late for dinner” he said nonchalantly without even raising up his head from the book he was reading to look at her.
“Okay when did you come back?” she asked
Ethan did not bother to respond as he started digging into the food that the maids had served.
Charlene then realized what she had signed up for. ‘How stupid for her to ask him that question if the marriage was not even real’ she thought to herself.
After dinner she decided to walk around the house and compound to familiarize herself. Standing up from the table. Ethan suddenly spoke up. “Were you not taught to greet your husband after eating?”
“I thought the marriage was fake”.she said back, not minding the servants around.
“Really?” Asked Ethan
Before she could talk back he added
“After your stroll come back so we can discuss the details of our arrangements”.
Charlene could not help but sigh as soon as she came outside. This was just the beginning. She imagined what life held for her and how life would be living with Ethan. She took a look round the compound. The scenery was beautiful, flowers beautifully trimmed and cultured.
She went to the back of the house and saw a big blue pool , the cool breeze blew past her.
It was calm and peaceful, a good place to vent out some anger.
Charlene decided to check inside the house. Going from room to room, she realized there was no picture of the family to be found. I was just art all round. She headed upstairs,she saw a room hidden at the corner of the stairs she had not noticed before when coming down.
Charlene got close and noticed the door was slightly ajar.
Curiosity got hold of her, and she went to check what was inside the room. Charlene opened the door and saw a very dark hidden room
Inside she saw a collection of photographs and documents that held some Information about who Ethan really is. Seeing them Charlene heart skipped a beat
She could only ask herself a question. Who is Ethan Allen?
- Writer
