Penelope
Dad is the man in the Mount family but Mum had all the balls. They met at a time when the shareholders of Mount inc. wanted our family off the leadership table, it was a rough time for the family, Grandpa was the CEO then and had died during the crisis. Dad was too scared to take over till he met Mum, a foreigner who ran away from her country. They still won't tell me why she did, but all I know is, she saved the Mount's with the creation of the basement. Nana loved her so much, she called her Lëoht. To every one else, the basement is a luxurious spa owned by my family in a clandestine location, The basement is the only structure on these lands. There are two security check point two kilometers away from the basement building and you had to book and confirm your appointment weeks before you can come in. The whole land around the basement and about four kilometers away is owned by my family. Rich people loved mystery so they always subscribed for membership packages. In high school, girls always talked about how their mothers took them there and praised our family for it. It also lead to my first fight with Vanessa, she wanted so badly to see the place when I asked Mum to take us, she said it wasn't time for me to visit the place. Vanessa didn't like that and refused to speak with me for days. She still hasn't been there till date.
I drove into the parking lot of the basement the next morning. I was late again, I would be getting an earful for this. Mum isn't so tolerant to late coming, to her it just shows irresponsibility.
I walked around the huge buildings to a smaller one at the back taking the elevator, I place my hands on the 3D scanner, it takes me underground where the real basement is located. I hurriedly stepped out of the elevator walking quickly down the hall to the iron door with iris locks that housed Mum's office.
After scanning, the door opened, I haven't taken two steps in when I am greeted with my Mum's
"You are late"
"I am so sorry I got delayed" James woke me up with questions of cheating.
Since I wasn't willing to get down with him I must be getting it somewhere else.
The irony.
He won't let me go out this morning till I told him I was meeting up with my Dad. I wasn't about to tell Mum that, she would blame it all on me.
"I don't care, you brought me out here the least you can do is keep to time" she said her round latina face crunched up at me,
"You look great in those pants" one thing Mum loves, is Dad and I complementing her dress sense.
"Really? I just got it. Fendi, your father loves it." she took a spin for me
I smiled at her, this right here I missed so much we stopped hanging out after I got together with James. I walked futher into the room and hugged her.
"I missed you"
"You didn't seem like it in the hands of that scarecrow" when I didn't say anything she hugged me back really thigh.
"Ok that is enough hugging for the day. Sit and tell me everything."
So I did, I told her everything I found out about James and Vanessa. She wasn't really shocked when I mentioned Vanessa, I only left out the part about my death and rebirth even I still don't understand that part but I was grateful for it.
When I was done talking I asked
"You don't seem surprised about Vanessa" "I always knew she is very ambitious and this isn't something I would put behind her" she answered. She sighs and sitting up
"What do you want? What do you want to do with them?" she asked me.
"I want to live for me Mum. I want to be strong, be like you. I want to make you and Dad proud."
"I want to run the family company" I concluded
"You are kind Nene, that doesn't mean you aren't strong. You love with everything you've got but not everyone deserves that kind of love sweetie."
"And I am always proud of you, except for that glitch with the scarecrow" she said with a smile and I giggled.
"What do you want to do with them?" she asked seriously again.
"I want them to pay. I gave everything to those two expecting nothing in return but they want me dead, all for money"
"Nene you would have to help me out here. When you say pay in what kind of way? Do you want them beaten up? Legs amputated, arms dislocated or do you want them dead with-"
"Oh my God Mum!" Even if they did that to me I don't think I would ever have the heart to do that to anyone.
"What?" she said with an innocent smile. Why do I have a feeling she can do just that.
"I want them to feel how I am feeling. To think they have everything they need and have it snatched any from them in a moment"
"I want them to watch the company they so much love crumble before their very own eyes. Then maybe go to jail?" I said with a little shrug.
"You are too kind Nene." she said shaking her head.
"I won't be able to help you out with that" She said with a sigh.
"What? Why? I don't know how or what to do. I need you."
"You alone know how you want them to suffer, the plan is already in your head Nene"
"All you need now is resources which I would gladly give to you" When I decided to ask her for help, I knew she wasn't going to spoon feed me but I at least thought we were going to plan all this together.
"You have to trust yourself sweetie. You also need to stop dressing like a sercetarty" she said eyeing my clothes
"What is wrong with what I am wearing?" I said looking down at the pencil skirt and chiffon top I had on.
"What you are wearing is okay, but it won't command the kind of respect you are hoping to get"
"You need to start dressing the part, You are the heir to the Mount fortune Nene" She grabbed her bag from the table.
"Where are you going?"
"Get up, we are going shopping" Oh God.
"Don't you even dare complain, I am hiring a stylist for you".
" You want to be like me? Dress like me"
"No thank you." Mum dressed too elaborately for me.
Four hours! , that is how much time we spent with the stylists. Most of the clothes we picked out, Mum wanted them custom made so they would be delivered straight to my new house next week. I talked about the house with Mum and she also thought it was a good idea. After we left the stylist building Mum took me to a salon, it was more like a day to get pampered than a day of plotting. When I told her this, she said "It is better to blind your enemies with sweet time so they never expect it when you actually strike".
At the end of the day, I did feel like an Heiress. I had over twenty shopping bags to take back to the condo, Mum gave me two of her bodyguards and a maid to arrange the clothes and help with packing.
Her parting word also helped with my confidence,
"Be calm yet ruthless, be patient yet swift. Don't ever make decisions based only on your emotions, sit and think about it again. Above all learn to Love yourself."