••••🍀RACHEL🍀
Manhattan,New York|Collins Manor|:|A Month Later|:"You haven't eaten from your plate, my love. Do you want to have something else?" Father asked.We were having breakfast in the gazebo of the central garden that circumnavigated the paths that led to other peculiar gardens.My father lived a lavished lifestyle. Everything was to his disposal, he could afford anything he ever wanted due to his purchasing power. Unlike the satisfaction that wealth brought, it can never be substituted for happiness. I sighed, cutting into the Confit De Canard(Duck Confit) with aid of my cutleries. A French dish comprising of duck meat, salted and boiled in oil and then preserved in a cool place.It was my favorite dish as a child, thus, my father always made sure that it was specially prepared by one of the best chefs in the world and served to me whenever I wanted.I was spoiled by him. A spoilt brat who always had her way as long as the name Blake was concerned.Due to my father's nature of business, I lived in secrecy and out of the public eyes.Only a few gets to know who Rachel Blake is.You might think that I am living the best life, but to be sincere with you, I ain't.My father is an habitual abuser. I have watched him beat up my mum to pulp and called her all sorts of racist nonsense as a growing child.It made me hate him, I hated him.Father once said to me when I turned 14,he did say,' you are lucky to be biracial, if you had your mommy's extremely dark skin, I would have killed you a long time ago.'It made me devastated.Depressed and angry at myself to been to a man who cared less of anyone's feelings.Collins Blake...My father, yet, the man I wished never existed. I picked up the duck meat with the fork, stuffing it into my mouth. Ever since I got back to the manor, it's been a very strange thing that I began missing Jake.Especially knowing now that he is Uncle Ryan, it makes it more... interesting.Still...I am going to make him pay for everything he did to me.For using me, assaulting me countless number of times, for making things difficult for me."You haven't answered my questions." Father said.I swallowed the churned food, lifting up my head to look at him."I am okay with this..." I smiled,"... it's as delicious as ever." I said.I watched him lift up his wine glass, and his eyes were fixed on me."Ever since you returned, you have been extremely silent. You rarely leave your bedroom, and you have been avoiding having breakfast, lunch or diner with me. What is the problem, my love? Did father do something wrong?" With my table napkin, I carefully patted my soiled lips gently."Nothing at all, papa. It's just that, I have been away for years and I am still getting acquainted with this kinda lifestyle."He chuckled."This has been a lifestyle you have been used to for years. Although I am a bit angry at you, I still cherish my pretty white flower."Yeah... Father was obsessed with me.His obsession was what made me run away. In my own life, i was treated as an object. i was forbidden to mix up with the outside world and to have friends asides Zoe.I picked up my glass of freshly made orange juice,I gulped little and then carefully placed it on the table.A steward moved into the gazebo,"Sir Collins, Miss Rachel..." he greeted with a bow."What is it?" Father asked sternly.He moved closer, holding a small black envelope."It's a letter of invitation, addressed to you, Sir Collins Blake and Miss Rachel." He said, handing it to my father.He collected it, opening it to see what was in it. He brought out a white piece of paper and began reading through it."I, Seamus of Bronx City, cordially invites Mr Collins and Miss Rachel Blake to an unveiling and auctioning party..."When father mentioned Seamus, I was dumbfounded.He is inviting my father and I to Bronx for... wait!... that sculpt work he asked me to model for., is it the one he is...?"... the unveiling of the RC160403 would be taking place at XXXX banquet hall, accompanied by the auctioning ceremony. You are invited to grace the occasion as the amiable host of the auction sales..."My heart throbbed.It felt as though I was immersed in a pot of boiling water."Well..." father placed the paper on the table top,"... this is an opportunity to meet Seamus himself. I have heard a lot about him. It would be nice to have him sculpt a piece for me. What do you think, Pretty white flower? Would you be coming to Bronx with me?" He asked.I felt like sinking into the ground immediately. I am not ready at all to return to Bronx.Even though I wanted to run away from this hell, going back to Bronx is the worst possible decision I could make.I cleared my throat."Do I have to, father?" I asked."Of course, we were both invited. You have to honor an invitation that was addressed in respect to you. We are both expected to be there as hosts. Except, you are not a fan of artistic talents." He replied.I went mute.My father knows that I do love arts and it many branches. To deny is to insult his intelligence."I will go with you." I said, my voice was raspy.Father smiled, gulping his wine from the wineglass slowly.I watched him drop it and then began eating.I sighed, picking up my cutleries. It's better I tell him the truth, I averted my gaze, staring at the bowl of seasoned vegetables in front of me.If I do tell him about everything, he won't spare me. I will meet my dead end and... I glanced at father.He was busy cutting into his grilled poisson.... there is no way I could escape his wroth. All I have to do is... I have to stay low...|A Week Later|: Dad and I touchdown Bronx city in his private jet, a day prior to the occasion. We were lodged in Reece's lavish and luxury hotel with the best security standing by.I had a room to myself, a presidential lodge and a private assistant to accompany me.Dad hired her to help out with everything and anything that I needed.Though Father was famous for being a philanthropist and industrialist, people still believed he made money through illegal means. Eyebrows raised each time he donated millions and billions to charity and sometimes, the FBI do visit the manor once in a while.In Bronx, I should try as much as possible to avoid bumping into Ryan before his party. Harriet, my private assistant, did most of the shoppings for me. I just have to be positive with things and pray, I don't get to stand in front of him on that day.**** The day came, a limousine drove us to the venue. On getting there, I was nervous.I felt nothing but anxiety and my nerves were on the edge.Wearing a white glittery evening gown that has a slit that went up to my thighs and rested below my hip, matching silvery D'orsay heels and on my neck, a ruby Victorian necklace with twin draping ruby earrings adorned them perfectly. The gown was a bit revealing, the neck went very low and into a V above my navel, thereby flaunting an impressive cleavage. The straps were of silver chains and they did little in holding the material.A silver clutch purse and red bangles that glittered to match the necklace and earrings. My curls were held up and rolled into a bun, my edges were made into baby curls complementing my subtle evening makeup.After standing and striking poses as the cameras kept flashing on the red carpet, taking a deep breath, I entered the hall with Father holding my arm. People were already seated in their chairs and around their tables.An usher came forward."Mr Collins Blake, your reserved table is this way." He said, gesturing at a table that stood close to the big stage.Father nodded, and we were taken to our table. To my surprise, Reece was seated in one of the chairs with a lady sitting beside him.I frowned as we locked gazes."Sweetheart, you sure look beautiful. I'm guessing, you want a man to take you home tonight?" Reece taunted with a sneer on his face.I ignored him, sitting on a chair beside father."Reece boy. Never knew you would be attending." Father said."Luckily, I got the invitation." Reece said.I stared at the lady beside him, she looked uncomfortable and worried. It's no news that Reece abuses his partners, all that handsomeness radiating off his body, dwells a demon inside... Just like my father."Hello." I greeted her."Hello." She greeted back.She was fidgety and I could sense her fear.I wanted to engage her in a discussion but then, I hesitated."It's a pleasure to have everyone gathered here to witness the unveiling of the mystery art that the famous Seamus had been talking about for a long time. But before we proceed, I would love to bring in the famous artist himself..."I quickly turned around on my chair to see a pretty blonde lady standing on the stage wearing a boom mic. "... as you all have been anticipating for this great moment of reveal. The anonymous artist that stole our heart for years with his experienced and beautiful arts. I present to you... SEAMUS!" She announced, gesturing at the curtains behind her.People stood up, putting their hands together as they clapped loudly, cheering and expecting his appearance. It took a while and then, he came out of the curtains, waving his hands at the crowd. When I saw him, I was stricken.Ryan...Such a magnificent sight to behold. He was wearing a warm brown trench coat above a white turtleneck shirt inside, a pair of black plain trousers and a warm brown pair of brogues to go with the trench coat. His hair was styled backwards, with a parting in the middle and was held behind his head with a band. He was also wearing a boom mic.He looked really handsome and breathtakingly seductive at the same time. I looked away immediately, steadying my swaying senses."Thank you, guys. Well, my name's Jake De Walter..." He said.I slumped on hearing that voice again.My body temperature rose without any form of warning.That deep, sensual voice that caressed my very core."...I'm guessing you all have been wondering who Seamus was and when is he ever going to make a public appearance..."
"Fuck it! Jake?!!" Reece said while Ryan was making his speech.I sharply looked at Reece to see him staring at Ryan with a look of surprise on his face."What's the problem, Reece? You know him?" Father asked.Reece glanced at father and then at me."No..."Reece's eyes were focused at me, I looked away, avoiding his intense stares."... with no further ado, I will now unveil the piece of sculpture that I have been obviously bragging about..." he turned around to look the curtains as it gradually opened,"... my most precious time was painstakingly wasted each time I worked on it and sometimes I wish I could buy it back..." a volley of laughter erupted from the crowd."...Still... this beautiful lady that modeled for this to be a reality was indeed a spectacular person..." I blushed when he said that. The curtains were opened, revealing a sculpted piece of a naked and faceless lady laying seductively on a couch.The details on it was stunning.Exactly the measurements of my entire body!It was like I was seeing a lifeless and faceless me on that stage."... I call it,RC160403. It's not a code actually, it rather two important things in one..." he turned around to look at the crowd.".... 160403 signifies a special day of my life. April 16th,2003; a date that changed my life forever. A night that made me who I am today. And RC... that's the abbreviation of a woman's name, a woman I love and hold dear to my heart." He said.My face instantly flushed. I became flustered."Something is not right here, Collins.