[chapter 4. Hating the Family]
The human mind is the most horrifying thing of all.
It is adept enough to create hauntingly vivid images that would scar you till no return.
Gasping, Selena woke up. Her eyes shot wide, and her throat parched. "Seven hells," she rubbed her throbbing temples. Tears cascaded through her eyes as she sighed. Her body turned sluggish. She let out a silent scream of pure agony, not knowing if the room was soundproof, wishing not to create a scene, not on her first day here.
Thoughts painstakingly ate her soul away bit by bit. Hollowed her mind and then filled her with hysteria.
The space was dark and bitter cold, but she admired it.
There's something to the ambiance of not knowing your surroundings, not seeing the color of things as they appear, but as they are. There's something unspoken about the dark, something the girl can never quite put words to, something terrifying yet beautiful.
The warm tears dried on her drained face as she tasted the salty essence of emotions on her tongue. On her stomach, she lay. She planted her face in the silk pillow and coiled it into a fetal position. She hugged another pillow closer to her body.
Selena could not find peace in this unfamiliar environment.
She never would. She never will.
Her demons, no matter how quiet, were never silenced. Clam as they were, they waited for a reason to wake up, take a long-overdue breath, and crawl back to her ears. Whispering like the scheming sirens, coaxing her to let them take control.
A strong sense of her demons returning possessed Selena. They were looking for a fight, willing to be unleashed and untamed. Take on everything that stands against her and win. And this time, she might just let them.
----
Another sleepless night had come and gone. A knock jolted her. She whined, unwilling to leave the softness of matters and the pillows as she hugged. Begrudgingly, she got up and opened the door.
Liliana greeted her with a warm smile, making her roll her eyes inwardly. It was a good mom act. She loathed it.
The woman in blue did not care about her. It was her guilt speaking and nothing else, Selena theorized.
Again, who had this much energy at eight in the morning?
The room was white and simple, containing only an enormous bed, a mirrored vanity, and a walk-in closet the size of a standard apartment.
"I decided not to decorate your room," Liliana admitted, looking at the empty room. "We were unaware of your taste," she clarified immediately, not wishing for her daughter to misunderstand her action. Her orbs trembling and her face crestfallen then; put on a smile. "On the bright side, we can co-design the room," she said, clasping her hands. "However you wish," she added. Delight smudged all over her almond face.
"Yes." Her reply was dry. She had just awakened and had no energy in her body.
"First, let's have some breakfast."
Grumbling, she dragged her body to the dining hall for breakfast. Her nose sucked in the fresh aroma. Every eye snapped to her, exacerbating her wince internally.
Selena despised attention because it would lead to so fucking much trouble, primarily if they found out where she was.
A chill ran down her spine; goosebumps raised over her skin.
She looked at everyone. They were frozen as if she had cast a spell on them. Then again, she was one of the rarest who could be herself so effortlessly, and the world adored her for it.
Theodore cleared his throat and motioned for her to sit.
Workers served them a charcuterie board of pancakes, waffles, bagels, cream cheese, an assortment of fresh fruits, and brewed coffee after they settled in.
"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I made everything I think teenagers like; I hope you like it," Liliana said nervously. She felt terrible about not spending her childhood with her and not knowing anything about her only girl child.
They had failed to protect her. Done was the damage; there was no going back.
Her poor daughter.
Selena was thankful, but not because she loved them. But at least they fed her well; she was used to going hungry, stealing, and killing for a piece of bread. She sipped her smoothie while eating large chunks of pancakes. Sweetness flooded her mouth, and it felt refreshing. "It's great... Mother," Selena said.
Samuel left the table early, and breakfast went in peace.
"Have you finished your food, Selena?" Theodore questioned, watching her wolf down the last waffle.
Selena nodded, dabbing the corner of her mouth gently. Her face stayed desolate of any emotions. "Please accompany me to the office. I need to speak to you about a few things."
The door beeped open, and her gaze ensued to Theodore as he entered a passcode and scanned his thumb on the flat screen. His back looked distant, and he carried an unapproachable aura.
Wilson grinned as he entered the room a few moments later. He bowed his head to the chairman.
The room was tastefully ornate with dark mahogany wood. There were no windows, elevated ceilings, and sturdy walls made of shelves containing many thick books and files; a modest desk setup with a monitor and a paperweight on a table with a file.
Simple and clean.
Selena sat on the black antique leather sofa, Wilson in the corresponding armchair, and her father seated in front of her, separated by a rectangular, long marble table with gold details.
"You will start school in three weeks," he said, handing her a file. "It has all our important information, contacts, and the Wi-Fi password."
"I have assigned Garold to be your bodyguard. You notify him if anything happens," the cold man said curtly. His voice left no room for discussion.
He could take no risk with her security. They had lost her before and did not wish it to ensue again. Not when the predators eyed her like a fresh piece of meat. Raw and tender, ready for a bite.
Selena traced her finger over the curved design. "The Imperial Academy," she said, raising her brows. The Elite institute only acknowledged the crème de la crème of high-status students.
"Have you heard anything about it?" he inquired. The Academy had a low profile but a substantial amount of influence. Only the brightest minds or those with the means to invest millions could enter.
"Never."
"Your scores are low, but there is room for improvement," he added. Selena responded with a hum. Her finger brushed against the Wi-Fi password; she needed to upgrade her laptop and contact a few acquaintances.
Her academic record was only average. Enough to make her appear modest. She needed to maintain a low profile. If she caught their eyes, she would drop dead.
"You'll catch up quickly, Miss. You would be second to none with young master Samuel with proper guidance," Wilson said of the young prodigy who was reaching new heights in biochemistry.
He had already begun the process of patenting his creations, even earning appreciation from the Defense Ministry.
"Contemplate the courses you want to take. Notify me by tomorrow," the father demanded.
Selena lowered her gaze and gripped the hem of her sweatshirt. "Yes."
"Can I leave?" Selena asked quietly. Her patience had run out. It would only take a split second for her to lose her cool. She did want to stay with the person who was causing her insomnia.
"One more question," he said as he leaned forward. "Do you remember who brought you to the Hope Orphanage?" he queried with a strained voice.
The adolescent girl stiffened and relaxed. "No," she said, shaking her head.
"I've only ever been in the orphanage with Beth for as long as I can remember," she lied through her pearly white teeth; it was second nature to her.
Theodore leaned back, his eyes filled with guilt but camouflaged by indifference. "Hmm, you can leave." She left without waiting for another second.
She bumped into the young boy. He looked at the new girl provoked while he removed his headphones. "Bitch," he muttered under his breath.
"What?"
"You are nothing more than a filthy lost thing brought from rags to riches," Samuel said, causing Selena to halt and turn around. "Remember your place, you piece of trash," he hissed as he walked downstairs, not looking at her.
Selena rolled her eyes.
His words to the barest did not prickle her ears; she had heard worse. She wandered to the third floor.
"Oh, my dear. I was about to call you," Liliana said with a smile. "The designers have arrived. Let's work on your room," she exclaimed like a giddy adolescent. Selena sighed quietly to herself. "Of course," she said with the same grin.
"I'd love to," she said, placing her hands on her chest and displaying her dimples. She looked into the amber eyes of the woman she needed to call mother and saw stars twinkle.
The French man and his peers bowed to the Mariano women. "Let's begin planning, madame, mademoiselle," the designer said as he looked at Liliana and Selena.
They took their seats in the white-blank room while the servants assisted the designer in measuring the space.
"I prefer a simple appearance. Perhaps a black and gold accent," Selena suggested.
The Frenchman took note of her preference. His painted nails tapped against the tablet screen. From the duvet to the vanity to the painting on the left wall. They had already agreed on a hundred things.
"We also need better ventilation in the closet," Liliana added. "Also, replace the rugs with something more soft and warm," she instructed.
The maid arrived with a tea trolley full of hot tea and snacks. She placed the plates of snacks on the table with care and arranged the cups gently, pouring the tea into rare porcelain. "Ah," the maid stumbled as she poured the scorching liquid over Selena's hand. She hissed harshly.
The maid immediately apologized. "Leave," Liliana snarled to the servant. She would ensure that the woman was appropriately disciplined and that- she received the proper training to avoid such gross negligence soon.
Though Liliana was kind, she was the matriarch of the house. She needed to be sharp and stern enough to rule the house.
"Be careful," Liliana hastily grabbed tissue paper, gently dabbing on the reddened area like a feather caressing the skin, blowing air to alleviate the discomfort. "Does it hurt?" she panicked and asked her daughter. "Wait, let's go put your hand in cool water," she rushed up.
Selena despised the woman's focus on her insignificant actions. She touched her with such tenderness. Like how the woman flashed a harmless warm smile. Why was she being so nice to her after only knowing her for a day? A sneer made on her face.
Her eyes dimmed, and she scorned the way; the woman looked at her as if she actually cared. She scoffed quietly to herself. She preferred Samuel's open hostile behavior; unlike the woman in front of her, he was at least honest. Damn you, actress.
She hated this family.
----
"Boss. Here are the orphanage records," Wilson said once the young lady had left the room. His grin had faded, and he had become solemn. The room plummeted into somberness.
"She'd been there since she was three. She was home-schooled in an orphanage until the age of ten, then Miss went to public school, and then transferred to another school a year ago," the secretary stated.
Theodore flipped through the pages of the file. Every piece of information was carefully read. "I inquired around. Beth Garcia is a good caretaker, and I have not heard any complaints about her except that she is strict," Wilson added.
In response, the boss hummed. "What made her change schools?"
Wilson bit his inner cheeks to prevent an amused grin from trying to form on his face. "It was because she punched a teacher by accident. She got expelled."
Theodore raised an eyebrow and lifted his head. "An accident, you say," he mocked his secretary. The girl had a fire within her that she concealed with grace. "It must be her rebellious phase; every teen goes through one," Wilson defended his choice of words.
"She better not punch any teacher in the Imperial Academy."
The cold man rubbed his brow. The daughter was good at turning people to her side. Just a day, and she had his secretary as her loyal dog.
"Stop covering for her," he grumbled, his hand running through his black hair. "Did the designers show up?" he questioned.
"Yes."
"Keep an eye on Selena; make certain that her actions do not harm Lily. She is cold, and Lily craves the girl's affection. She should not misuse it," Theodore advised. He had nothing against his daughter. But she was an enigma. He had to learn the hard way not to trust anyone in business. Not even your own family. Who might be the ones causing you the pain.
Furthermore, Theodore was always uneasy when he looked into her emerald eyes. He had no idea who she was, and the background check had only scratched the surface of her history. And he couldn't judge her character based on something as flimsy as white pages.
"Boss, be easy with her. She is an ordinary girl who has had a monumental turn in her life. High society is already difficult; don't make it any more difficult," Wilson almost whined. Theodore could envision his secretary with a tail and drooping ears, like a mistreated pet.
"Enough."
Theodore narrowed his eyes at the glum man. "Are you sure a normal girl can handle such a radical change with such ease?"
~~~~
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