An innocent child's laughter, her pink dress dancing with her as she twirled for the excited parents showering her with bubbles, popped in my head. They let the bubbles rain around her, creating a rainbow of colors as the sun's rays reflected on them.
I exhaled a long sigh, my eyes falling on the vines of the locked gates.
The mansion had been vacant for years. Its accompanying garden at the back was surely filled with dead grass and flowers.
This place had been magical when it housed a family of three. And there was no day that the gates were ever locked closed.
Even at night, it remained open, and guests were welcomed.
I never understood how that worked and why I often saw strangers in our house. My parents would tell me to play in my room or stay away from the main house so their esteemed guests wouldn't catch even a glimpse of me.
After their unfortunate deaths, things slowly became clear.
The windy path leading to the imposing structure was littered with dead leaves.
"Are you sure about this, Amiel?"
Bruce, my family attorney, asked me for the nth time. He was sitting beside me at the back of the limo.
I looked at the documents in my hands, staring at the words I had dreaded when Bruce first read to me after my parents' burial.
The will, my inheritance.
I put on a brave smile and handed him the signed papers.
Exactly ten years after their deaths, I had the right to do what I wanted with the house and every property my parents owned.
Only Bruce and I knew how much net worth my parents had left. It was enough to feed generations of the bloodline if I ever had children.
For any sane person, one would choose to keep the mansion and all other properties. But for me, I saw no point in having them stay abandoned.
I had always intended to sell them. The money would be given as donations to orphanages and hospitals.
Ironically, my parents had tried to keep me apart from the world they thrive in, yet I ended up becoming someone probably worse than they imagined.
Giving the money to the less fortunate was my way of compensating for what I do. I'm well aware it wouldn't cleanse my name and make me a saint to enter heaven when I die.
But, it wasn't a crime to try and save at least a portion of my humanity.
"I've never been more sure in my life," I replied.
Bruce nodded, opened his briefcase, and let out a tired sigh.
I knew he was retiring soon. His graying hair had shown his age. He had been with my family for as long as I could remember.
Pulling out something from the purse, I managed to grab it after shooing a reluctant Rory away. I handed it to Bruce.
He let out a chuckle.
"There you go again Amiel. You know I can't accept that."
I rolled my eyes, grabbed his free hand, and dropped the black card into his palm. It was an access card.
Access cards allows people who have it to get to VIP places, food, and things with a discount or totally free.
I had tried giving it to Bruce after he had arranged everything when my parents died and took care of the house while I was out in school and then training with Seven.
By the time I turned eighteen, I had moved out of the mansion and found an apartment.
Still, Bruce looked after the thing I couldn't because I was trying to move on. I couldn't thank him enough.
"Come on," I whined. "Don't break my heart and just enjoy that gift. You know it has no expiry. Just don't die early."
Bruce chuckled again, but he no longer returned the item to me. Instead, he put it inside his wallet and then patted my hand.
"It has been a privilege serving your family, Amiel. I know your parents are proud of you."
I smiled, looked at the window, and stared at the mansion from a distance.
The thing I love most about Bruce is that he never asked what I did or what plans I had. He continued to be there and ensured the finances were well taken care of.
He also managed to pay off all of the employees working under my parents after I decided to leave the mansion and live independently.
Bruce had put it upon himself to help each laid-off employee find employment.
The driver sitting in front of the limo was Roberto. He used to work for my family.
Bruce hired him to be his chauffeur after I left home.
"Thanks to you and everyone who had been patient with me, the mansion is still standing."
"Thanks to you, orphans and those who couldn't afford to pay their hospital bills will have happier lives."
I shook my head.
"I know what it's like to have no parents," I paused, lowering my voice. "I don't know what it's like to have no money to pay a bill, but I don't want anyone to die because they were refused medical help for being poor."
"You have a big heart, Amiel. I hope you find someone who would treasure it and build your own family one day."
"You always say the nicest things," I mumbled but leaned and kissed Bruce on the cheek. "I'll have one last look around."
Bruce nodded. He patted my cheek.
"This isn't the last time we see each other, young miss."
It was my turn to chuckle.
"I definitely would want to have dinner with you and your family sometime. You had always bragged about your wife's dishes, but I never had the chance to meet her."
Bruce grinned.
"You were always busy. But I hope we will have that chance indeed. I will surely pass the message to my dear Lourice."
I smiled and hopped out of the car. Before closing the door, I poked my head inside and grinned at Bruce.
"I better see you use that black card. Else, you'll break my heart." Bruce chuckled. "Thanks for the ride, Roberto!"
I had the car door close and waved at the limo as it honked and went away, leaving me to stand before the locked gates of the mansion.
"Welcome home, Amiel."