'Darling, we are home!'
Laura Rutherford squealed as she threw open the front door before the butler could think of doing so.
The bewildered maids took a polite step back to avoid being bumped into by the over hyper madam of the house.
Rhea and Daniel tugged behind their mother dragging after them the luggage their mother carelessly threw out of the car in her excitement to get to her 'home sweet home'.
"Welcome home Miss and Master..." the maids who stood by the door chorused as they took the luggage away from their grumbling masters.
The stressed little Daniel settle into the sofa closest to him as he was exhausted from spending hours on plane.
"Have something to drink little master" the head maid politely offered Daniel a glass of water.
"Thank you Madeline" he said with his little soothing voice.
Madeline shook her head proudly, 'he grew so well' she thought. She had watched over the boy since he was born and knew how much the little master of the billionaire household was pampered by all.
"No problem little master, call me if you need anything else... I have gotten your room cleaned prior to your arrival, you may go in to rest now" Madeline said and the boy nodded in response.
Madeline cast a quick glance at the maids still standing around, they got the message and scurry away.
"NO!..."
An ear deafening scream was heard from upstairs and everyone nearly jumped out of their skin in fear. Laura rushed down the stairs looking alarmed, fear and panic was written all over her gorgeous face. Rhea who was scared out of her wit due to the scream quickly ran to her mother's side.
"Mum, what's wrong?"
"Mum what happened?"
Rhea and Daniel asked simultaneously holding unto their visibly shaking mother. The maids who gathered around knew not what to say as that were equally surprised at the sudden change in the atmosphere. They all looked at their madam expectantly.
"Mum.." Rhea called her mother who stood still, staring at the empty space without uttering a word but was shaking all over like a drenched chick.
"Rhea ... Rhea..." Laura called touching her daughter's cheek as if feeling it to know if it was all real. Her eyes dimmed and blank, they seemed to have lost the light in it. she looked so far away and everyone watching could not help but be worried.
"Mum, I am here, right before you" Rhea held her hand up closing it over her mother's.
"Your.... your dad"
"what about dad?" she questioned.
Laura swept her eyes across the room without speaking, her eyes fell on worried Madeline. she looked at her meaningfully as if to tell her she needed space with her kids. Madeline understood the message and immediately ushered the anxious maids out of the room.
As soon as they were gone, Laura slumped into the couch and her worried children rushed to her side.
"Your father.... he's... he left" she said. she opened her palm and a crumbled note fell from her hand.
Rhea seemed lost, she subconsciously rejected what she was told by her mother, she bent down and picked the note. she straightened it and could see clearly who the writing belong to, it was her father.
A business tycoon who occupied the position of the top CEO and riches man across the country. He left for a business trip while his wife and children went for their own little vacation on the island of Oahu.
He was supposed to be back from the trip he left for prior to the arrival of the family but surprisingly, he was no where in the house. All had guessed his meetings took longer time, no one in the household would think of any unforeseen circumstances for his absence. Back to the note, Rhea started reading it.
"No, don't..." her mother cautioned but it was too late.
Laura dearest,
I could not wait so long for your return to ask for a divorce as it would take much of our time so I did it myself, through influence you know.
My lawyer did the most job for us I know I ease you the stress of going to court, on that note, thank me later sweetheart.
I have no reason for this sudden break up and it is also not your fault in anyway. on the actual note, you have been a great wife.
I just thought of moving on with my life. I generously left for your care and that of our children your alimony and it is safe in the family account. A whole huge sum of hundred dollars.....
I suppose that would do. Do not call me or try to find me because unfortunately for you, you will never find me.
You can keep the house as long as you want, after all it is only a tip of my glacier. you will find your divorce papers in your closet.
Bye my love.
"Bam!"
Rhea slumped, she stared at the paper in her hand unbelievably. Her hands visibly shaking, before she could utter a word, her mother jumped up and ran upstairs into her room. She returned holding a document with fear in her eyes and tears threatening to fall.
"No, this... this can't be happening!' Rhea screamed internally panic strikened.
"This... this is what your father left for us" Laura said in a pained calm voice. One could say her calmness at that moment was like the calm before the storm. Rhea took the document from her mother and glanced through it.
"No... no... no.. no" she cried internally.
"NO!" she screamed.
* * * * * *
Rhea sat up with a start, her eyes wide opened and her breathe came out in uneven small gasp. She was awoken by her most dreaded nightmare and was once again filled with the reminisce of the heartbreaking event.
Her heart pounded so loud with her with all adrenaline rush, cold sweat broke all over her skin like she was holding the note from her father once again. She ran her fingers through her thick hair turned bird nest from her uncultured sleeping style. she cupped her face and let out a small sigh.
she knew it in her heart how much she have been holding it in her not to hate the man responsible for tearing her family apart. The man who left her mother broken and cheated.
The man who taught her not to ever trust his kind ever again. One good thing, this same man gave her the opportunity to be able to stand on her feet after he left them. letting out a deep sigh, she decided in her heart that she was not going to sit glooming over him.
'He is just a dickhead who should feed on cattle dung for all I care!' she sneered internally.
Gathering her body and soul together, she got out of bed and entered the bathroom. She looked at the mirror and saw an awful panda like version of herself staring back at her.
'Aww...' she groaned, 'I definitely need a warm bath' she thought to herself.
Getting into the tub, she filled it with warm water and soaked her body in fluffy white bubbles till she was satisfied she was clean and ready for the day. She changed into white sweatshirt and gray pants, she sat by the dresser to touch her face.
Naturally pretty, Rhea was never a fan of anything fashion but for the sake of her nagging friend, she always apply baked powder on her smooth baby face and her signature nude lip gloss. She grabbed her purse and phone and dumped it in her bag.
She checked the time, 7:15am...it seems someone is going to be late today! well maybe not, with her crazy driving skills, she will get to school in no time. she wore her black boots and headed downstairs.
"Rhea?" Laura called placing some dishes on the dining table with the help of Madeline.
After her husband left the house, be also stopped Laura from having access to the family joint account leaving her with nothing to manage the home. Laura had to toil through the thick and thins to meet ends.
she sent away all the maids and other workers of the household as she could no longer afford to pay them. Among all of them, Madeline choose to remain in the house with Laura and her children and she have been of great help throughout their early years of struggling, in return, she was accepted as a family and no longer a maid.
"Good morning mum, Aunt Madeline" Rhea acknowledged the two women as she headed to the door.
"Have breakfast dear" Laura said offering a small smile.
"No mum, I'm late"
"Listen to your mother, you can't just go in with an empty stomach you know right" Madeline lectured.
"But Aunt, I'm late already" she groaned.
"Okay dear, have coffee then... I brewed this especially for you, it's your favorite and you're gonna love it" Her mother said grinning from ear to ear, she knew her daughter would not say no to that tempting offer
'These women, they really are hell bent on making me later than I am but this is coffee we are talking about here, to have a productive day, I need caffeine in my system.... a few more minutes won't hurt' Rhea thought with a shrug.
she was already a college nerd and does not need any more points added to her already high aggregate. she could actually ditch her entire college years for a cup of her favorite cappuccino coffee.
she got back to the dinning table while her mother pulled a chair out and she sat. Madeline quickly poured a steaming cup of coffee for her. she also placed a plate of toasts before her.
Rhea raised her head and gave Madeline a look as if to say 'I know what you are up to' and Madeline flashed her a sheepish smile making Rhea scoff.
Laura looked at Madeline meaningfully and the latter excused the mother and daughter duo. Unaware of the signals between the two women, Rhea continued sipping her coffee she also took bites of the toast.
"Hmm..." she moaned
"Stop doing that" Laura laughed at her silly daughter.
"What.... hmm" Rhea teased.
"Rhea... " Laura stared at her daughter with all seriousness making Rhea raise a questioning brow. "Remember today?" she asked.
"Today? As in the date?" Rhea asked.
"Just today.."
Rhea tilted her head and blinked twice as if thinking. Then her eyes widen and she dropped the cup she was about to sip from. It was that day again. 15th of August!
"Mum...." She held her mother's hand. She obviously remembered what day it is, no wonder she had the dream once again. That fucking man!
"I try sweetheart, I always try to forget everyday but each year the day comes, I feel alone once again. I find it very difficult to believe your father left us just like that, it makes me really not able to trust the future again... I.."
"Mum, what are you saying about future when you can live in the present with Rhea and I" Daniel who just walked in well prepared for school said.
"Hey sis" he greeted grabbing a toast from Rhea's plate. Rhea nodded in response before turning her attention back to her mother.
"Mum, Daniel and I will always be here for you. So stop being worried okay" Rhea said.
"Aww... my children" Laura sighed and pulled the two grumbling adults into a bear hug.
Madeline who had sensed what kind of discussion her madam had with her children worriedly peeped out through the kitchen door. When she saw them hug, she released the breath she was holding. It was obvious she also knew that these day was not too good in the live of the family. Seeing them able to smile once again eased her mind. She knew she had nothing to worry about so she returned into the kitchen.
"What is this I have done, making you two late, c'mon hurry sweethearts you have to go already" Laura said practically dragging the Rhea and Daniel to the door.
Rhea rolled her eyes and gulped the last drop of her coffee before heading out. She hurriedly got into her car before her brother thought of hitching a ride with her. She glanced at the time on the dashboard and knew she could not be any later. She sure was done for today.