Ice Cold Obsession

03

Mia

My father sold me.

The words keep repeating in my head as the bus rolls down the highway.

He sold me? It was worse than abandoning me or even kicking me out. Heck it was worse than his physical abuse that I had to endure for all these years.

I press my forehead against the cold window and watch the scenery blur past. I didn't slept properly last night. Every time I close my eyes, I hear his voice.

She’s young and a virgin too.

You said the debt would be settled once I handed her over.

My stomach twists.

How long had he been planning it? Had he realize that torturing me wasn’t going to bring mum back and it was better to make money out of me? Was there ever a moment when he looked at me and saw his daughter?

I swallow the lump in my throat.

For years I’ve made excuses for him. The drinking, gambling and the physical abuse. The things he said when he was angry. I convinced myself that somewhere under all that bitterness was the father I remembered from childhood.

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe that man disappeared a long time ago.

I look down at my phone.

Aunt Esme number is open on the screen.

I’d called her late last night and told her I was willing to take the scholarship.

She arranged a plane ticket which I declined and settled for a bus ticket not wanting to be a burden even though she could afford more than I could ever imagine.

Giving me the scholarship was more than enough, I didn’t want to be more of an inconvenience than I already am.

And for my father, I didn’t bother to leave a note or inform him of my whereabouts, knowing he’d finding me and he’s me for his selfish needs.

Thirty-six hours is a long time to sit with your thoughts.

The bus makes several stops, allowing passengers to stretch their legs, buy food, and use the restrooms.

By the time Boston comes into view, my entire body feels stiff. I step off the bus with my backpack hanging from one shoulder and my small suitcase rolling behind me.

The station is crowded with people hurry past, talking on their phones or searching for waiting relatives.

I glance around a man in a dark suit standing beside a black car holding a small white sign.

MIA BROOKS.

I almost laugh.

It feels ridiculous seeing my name displayed like that. I’ve spent most of my life trying not to be noticed and now someone is standing in a busy station announcing my arrival.

I take a breath and walk toward the driver. “Miss Brooks?” He asks

I nod.

“Welcome. I’ll take your bags.”

“Thank you.”

He opens the car door and I slide into the back seat.

The journey to my aunt’s estate feels unreal. Tall buildings gradually give way to quieter roads, large houses, and neatly trimmed gardens. Everything looks expensive, polished and far removed from the life I’ve known.

I rest my hands in my lap.

What am I supposed to do when I get there?

How do I behave around people who don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from?

And what if Aunt Esme changes her mind when she sees me?

The car slows before a set of enormous iron gates.

They swing open, revealing a long driveway lined with trees. At the end stands a beautiful mansion with wide windows, white pillars, and flowers arranged along the entrance.

The car stops and before I can open the door, someone steps out of the front entrance.

Aunt Esme

She looks older than I remember,but her smile is exactly the same.

“Mia!” She calls out hurting towards me and I barely have time to stand before her arms wrap around me making my whole body stiffens and my sore rubs ache from the impact.

I don’t hug her back. I don’t know how.

Affection is something I forgot existed. I stand there with my arms hanging awkwardly at my sides while she holds me.

“Oh sweetheart,” she whispers. “Look at you.”

She pulls back and cups my face. “You’ve grown so much.”

I forced a smile unsure of what to say.

Her eyes move over my bruised cheek and her smile falters. “What happened?”

Shit!

My concealer may have cleared off. I look away mumbling “Nothing serious.”

She studies me but thankfully doesn’t push. “Come inside. You must be exhausted.”

I follow her toward the entrance.

The inside of the mansion is even more beautiful than the outside. Everything smells clean like fresh flowers and expensive furniture.

“Make yourself comfortable Mia. You’re family.” Aunt says rubbing on my shoulder slightly.

I nod, though I have no idea what that means anymore before I can answer a voice coming from the staircase.

“Well, look who finally decided to show up.”

I turn.

A girl stands halfway down the stairs, one hand resting on the railing. She’s beautiful in the effortless way some people seem to be born beautiful. Her long hair falls neatly over her shoulders, and her clothes look more expensive than everything I own combined.

Aria.

My childhood best friend.

It’s been seven years since I last saw her.

Now she looks at me as though I’ve tracked mud across her perfect floor.

“Aria,” Aunt Esmeralda says, her voice carrying a warning.

“What?” Aria shrugs. “I was just welcoming our guest.”

“She’s not a guest. What are you talking about? She used to be your best friend .”

Aria’s eyes return to me.“Used to be, mum but not anymore.”

Aunt Esme groans. “What is the matter with you Aria? Mia just got here, please don’t start.”

“I’m not starting anything mum, we’re already doing so much for her. You should have gone with my idea and give her some money instead cause we all know that’s what she’s after” she spat in disgust as she walked the remaining steps and stopped in front of us.

“Aria! How dare you? What is the matter with you?” Aunt scolded sending her a glare.

Aria shrugged. “I told you I didn’t want her here, you should have left her in the slumps where she belongs”

My jawline hardened, feeling her words pierce even though she was right.

“Enough! Not a single word from you Aria. We’ve talked about this, Mia is going to be staying with us from now on and you’ll respect that” she warns.

I don’t dare say anything, I just watch the Duo exchange words feeling responsible.

“Mum—“

Aunt cut her off before she could continue. “I’ve had it with you, just take Mia to your room and help her unpack—“

Aris shrieked, “What? My room? I am not sharing a room with her”

“ARIA!” aunt snapped.

“No mum, I’m not sharing my room with her. As if it’s not enough she’d invade our lives, you want her to take my room too? No mum. She can take the guest room or better still the maids quarters” She says with a mocking smile playing on her lips.

I gulped a lump. "It’s fine. I'll take anywhere ."

Aunt’s face falls. "Mia no, you're family. I want you to feel—"

"The guest room's fine." I pick up my suitcase. "Just show me where it is."

Aunt sent her a glare.

"What?" She shrugs. "I'm just being honest, she doesn't belong here mum, I don’t get why you’re to blind to see that"

The words hit me but it’s clear that she doesn’t want me here and I respect that. I’ll try as much as possible to stay out of her way.

“I’m so sorry about Aria, don’t mind what she—“

Aria rolls her eyes and turns toward the stairs. “I’m not sorry but whateverI have better things to do.” L

“Aria, come back here.”

But she keeps walking.

Aunt Esmeralda closes her eyes briefly before looking at me.“I’m sorry about her. She’s been difficult lately.”

I don’t say anything.

She gestures toward the staircase. “Come on. I’ll show you your room.”

The guest room is larger than the entire apartment I left behind. There’s a king-sized bed, a private bathroom even a balcony overlooking the gardens.

“You can unpack whenever you’re ready,” Aunt Esmeralda says. “Dinner will be at seven and Mia?”

“Yeah?” I mumbled..

“I’m glad you’re here.” She says sending me a smiling

“Thank you.”

She stays quiet for a moment. I can feel her studying me, trying to understand the person I’ve become.

Shaking her head like she was choosing to keep her thoughts away from spill, she says “I’ll leave you to freshen up”

I nod

She smiles and leaves, closing the door gently behind her.

I spread my arms out falling onto the bed, the mattress practically swallowing me followed by pain exploding through my ribs.

“s**t!”

I hiss and roll onto my side, forgetting about my injuries.

When the pain settles, I stare at the ceiling.

I don't deserve this.

I don't deserve any of this.

I close my eyes.

"New start," I whisper to myself. "This is a new start."