Yes, I was kidnapped by the hoodlums, they left me to die when I became a burden to them. I don't know why they attacked us both or why they killed Lord Marcus, it was all like a dream to me, I can't remember everything, but I know for sure that they were two men...yes...yes, they tried to kill me, they kept hitting our car with their truck, oh poor sir, he didn't deserve death." Mr Donald spoke in tears.
"Please, you have to let him rest, he's suffered a lot, and as you can see, he's badly wounded. We need to run some tests on him, please come back later for your interrogations please" Dr Hugh pleaded ushering the numerous reporters and police officers out.
"Is it true officer Harry? I was just watching the news and it says Marcus' personal assistant has been found, please tell me, how did it happen? Mrs Daisy asked.
"Is everything all right with him?" She asked again.
"Yes Mrs Daisy, its all true." Detective Harry replied.
"Some men said they found him in the woods earlier today and according to them, he was trying to hide from something or someone they couldn't see. He's in a bad state currently, but he'd be fine, he's being taken care of at the hospital as we speak, and once he has been restored to health, we will continue our investigations, so please, you need to be patient, please."
"Hello madam are you still there?" Detective Harry asked worriedly.
"yes officer...Mrs Daisy quickly replied
I'm sorry, my mind wondered off a bit
"Its okay, you must be strong, Mrs Daisy, you must take absolute care of yourself and your daughter, judging from his statement, it seems your husband was murdered by his enemies, and if that's the case, then you must be extra careful, this murderer might still be lurking around somewhere, waiting to finish off what he started."
"Yes, I understand" Mrs Daisy replied rather oddly.
"Elaine! Elaine dear!" Mrs Smith called walking into the magnificent mansion. Treasure got up from her bed and went down the stairs to the living room where Mrs Smith sat waiting for her.
"Yes Mrs Smith, what is the matter now?" Treasure asked. Mrs Smith sat her down on the couch.
"well dear, you're still refusing to call me mom, but its ok..." She spoke battering her eyelids so many times.
"your mom is very worried about you, she has asked me to take extra care of you because of some reasons, so I've come to take you to my house, so I'd be able to keep an eye on you at all times." Treasure stared blankly at her.
"Elaine...do you... Umm...do you understand?" Mrs Smith finally voiced out, and Treasure replied almost immediately.
"I'm going nowhere!" She blurted out
"huh!" Mrs Smith exclaimed, but Treasure continued.
"listen, you don't run from danger, you fix the danger or it will catch up with you later! I don't blame my mom for being so scared, but this is my house, and no harm whatsoever will come to me here!"
"But Trea..." Mrs Smith tried to explain, but Treasure won't listen.
"don't you worry godmother, just take care of yourself and Ingrid, I'd be fine." She got up and staring at the wall clock, she said, "its getting late, I need to prepare for school" she walked out while Mrs Smith stared after her in shock.
"What braveness! this girl always finds a way to ruin my plans" she spoke to herself before getting up to leave.
At school, Treasure bumped into the grumpy girl she had met in the locker room. The girl still gave her usual evil snare and walked away almost immediately, leaving Treasure more devastated than ever.
"I need to know what's up with her." Treasure muttered to herself.
"Hey Tresh!" Percy called out from the door of the classroom. "Hi Percy" Treasure replied looking a bit worried.
"What's up with your face huh?" Percy asked as he sat beside her. "Well, that girl with the blonde hair over there has a problem with my existence" Treasure said pointing out the girl to Percy. He looked in the direction of Treasure's finger and asked,
"The girl with the French plait?" Treasure nodded, and he asked again,
"Ingrid?..." Treasure was taken aback...
"Ingrid?" she repeated and Percy continued,
"yes...Ingrid Smith, that's her name, she's got a problem with almost every human being that walks this earth, but don't let that bother you, rumor has it that its because she suffers an inferiority complex that she hates everyone so much." Percy burst out laughing, but Treasure kept staring at Ingrid too shocked for words. She had always known that Ingrid had a resemblance with someone she knew, but didn't know where exactly, but now that she knew who it was, she realized that everything Mrs Smith had spoken about her daughter was a terrible opposite.
"This Ingrid can't be Mrs Smith's daughter!" Treasure said aloud but Percy struggled to keep her voice down.
"I...I mean, godmother said she's all humble and polite and... and I don't know, all the virtuous character you can think of, but I don't see it in her"
"could you just calm down Treasure? She'd hear us" Percy said very scared, but Treasure won't keep shut.
"Oh...I get it now, I get it, so that's the reason she hates me so much? its because she feels I'm the cause of her mom's divided attention towards her..." Treasure, you are mistaken, I told you Ingrid has a problem with just everyone, so calm down" Percy said, but Treasure had already gotten up from her seat and was making her way towards Ingrid.
"Oh no!" Percy muttered following her. She was already a few steps away from Ingrid when she stopped. Percy was relieved. He thought she had finally changed her mind but surprisingly, she spoke
"Out of my way Ancel...what are you even doing here? This isn't your class" Treasure spoke sternly.
"Treasure relax please, you hold grudges longer than I thought you would. I must say, I underestimated you." Percy stared blankly at the both of them, then, like he was suddenly reminded of his manners, he said,
"hello, you must be Ancel Edouard, the best ballerina of CHS, really nice to meet you." He said stretching his hand for a handshake. Ancel observed him for a while, he knew that if he dared to behave unkindly with Percy, Treasure was sure to have him for lunch. He forced a smile and shook Percy's hands.
"I'm Percy Lionel, you two must know each other already, right Treasure?" He asked, but Ancel didn't wait for Treasure to say a word before he voiced out.
"yes, we are friends, I...I mean we know each other very well" Percy smiled,
"Really? That's awesome!" He said. Treasure looked him over and walked out, forgetting about Ingrid totally. Percy was a bit confused, but Ancel quickly spoke.
"don't mind her, she's a bit upset with me, but she'd be fine...I will leave first." He said walking away. Percy stood transfixed, he didn't understand what Ancel said but he didn't like the idea of Treasure having some other male friend aside him that was even in a higher class.
"I should ask Treasure" he muttered to himself.
Back at home, Treasure thought about Ingrid.
"She hates me when she hasn't even gotten the chance to meet me" Treasure said to herself.
"I need to let Mrs Smith go or I'd suffer the wrath of Ingrid. Oh goodness, must I meet this everywhere I go? First Enzo, now Ingrid." Treasure fell quiet remembering Enzo.
"I'm sorry, I'm a bad friend, indeed I am. I can't even get hold of any of you to know how you are faring." She looked up to her chandeliers and spoke, "I'm sorry, Vanessa, forgive me Lexi, I'm sorry Jake, Romane... I'm sorry Enzo, forgive your silly friend, I was so careless with something so important. I promise, I will make it up to you all once I meet you again."
A tear rolled down her cheeks, but she made no effort to dry them. Lady Pauline watched her from the door, but was too scared to approach her.
"We have done a terrible thing indeed." She said to herself. Treasure's phone rang, and when she had taken it, Mrs Daisy spoke.
"Darling are you ok? How was school today? Please don't go anywhere without telling Mrs Smith ok? Its for your own good please, and don't be stubborn understood?" Treasure took in a deep breath,
"ok mom...," she replied.
"...but I must ask you this question."
"Yes, I'm listening" Mrs Daisy replied.
"Its not a bad thing to give back what belongs to someone is it?" Mrs Daisy was quiet for a while before she replied,
"no, its not a bad thing. You should always give back what isn't yours to their rightful owners." Treasure smiled.
"Thanks mom" she said
"Its ok dear, but why did you ask that?" Mrs Daisy asked a bit worried, but Treasure assured her it was nothing. When she had hung up the call, she said to herself,
"godmother must return to Ingrid because that's the right thing to do."
The ballet moves were now a bit more difficult than the ones Treasure had learnt in middle school. Their new ballet teacher was however very kind, and Treasure was able to fit right in. The senior girls were able to perform the fouette moves excellently, and even performed on stage in other schools and were called to feature in movies. Treasure got motivated by this and struggled to be the best amongst her peers. Ancel, because of his talent, had gotten the opportunity to dance with the senior girls and even represent the school in competitions. At his age and class, he could perform the whipped throw (fouette) perfectly, just like the seniors, and even add an extra glamour capable of getting the attention of the whole audience. They never out for a dance performance without Ancel. Everyone took him as a role model, but Treasure tagged him a rival, and struggled to make herself a better dancer than he was. Rachael wasn't bad either. She was also respected amongst the ballerinas, but she related with Ancel like a servant would do with a master. Within weeks of learning, she was able to prove her importance to Mrs Karen, and the rest of the ballerinas. Soon, she was top of the list of nominated freshmen to join the senior ballerinas for a balle performance outside the school. Ancel however was trying his best to make Treasure his friend, but Percy was thwarting all of his efforts. He didn't have the courage to question Treasure about Ancel yet, but he wasn't giving up either. Ingrid's resentment towards Treasure grew even more when she found out that Treasure had passed the tryouts into the lacrosse team and was also in Percival house like her. She created problems for Treasure and refused to settle things out with her. Treasure however wasn't disturbed by this, and kept excelling both in her academic and her social lives.
Like magic, Treasure graduated into her tenth year in CHS. She had become more familiar with everything there, and was now known for her excellent performances both in ballet dancing and her lacrosse matches. Treasure had longed to ask Ancel of Romane's cell phone number, but couldn't get herself to do it. But now that she had become a sophomore, she was determined to get it from him at all cost except letting her guard down, or embarrassing herself. So many times, she had tried to use friends, and even the concierge, but all proved abortive. She had thought about asking him personally, but she feared the possibility of being misunderstood.
"Percy! Yes! Percy should be able to help" she said to herself.
"Hey Tresh, what's up with you?" Percy asked immediately Treasure called out his name.
"Sit Percy, I've got something to ask of you" she said sitting on his desk.
"Ok, I'm all ears" he replied when he was sitted.
"You know, something has been bothering me Percy."
"What is it?" Percy asked nonchalantly, but Treasure continued
"I want to get really close to Ancel, but I'm not quite sure how to go about it." Percy's eyes widened in shock. He rose to his feet yelling.
"What?! Unbelievable!" Treasure was taken aback. She felt even more embarrassed when she saw that Percy's voice had gotten the attention of the other students especially Tyson who couldn't get himself to shift his gaze from them.
"Have you lost it Percy? Why did you yell?" Treasure asked in a low tone. Percy fell quiet, staring blankly at Treasure. She looked him over and asked him to meet her at the school cafeteria, then walked quietly away. Percy felt devastated. He closed his textbook and walked out of the class with the rest of the students staring after him.
"I'm sorry Treasure... I'm sorry for my outburst...I really..."
"Its ok Percy." Treasure replied interrupting him.
"I don't know why you acted that way, but I think you really misunderstood me. I wanted to get the phone number of a friend I left back in Coventry. I really miss her a lot, and Ancel is my only chance to reach her, because they are cousins." Treasure paused and lowering her head, she said,
"but I'm not doing that. Its unbelievable. Its wrong, befriending someone for my own selfish reasons. No, its absolutely wrong... What do you reckon Percy?" Treasure asked jerking Percy back to reality. "I...umm...good thinking, you shouldn't befriend someone for reasons like that, that's what I was trying to tell you." He lied. "Thanks Percy, for now I can only hope for a miracle." Treasure said a bit sad.
"We should get back to class, its almost time for math." She said pulling him along.
Treasure got home a bit exhausted, and just when she had jumped on her bed to rest her head a little, she started hearing voices from the living room. The voices were sounding so familiar that Treasure had to slip out of bed to find out who. She was halfway down the stairs, when she recognized Mrs Smith's voice. She was trying her best to keep her voice down as she spoke to someone who had a feminine shape, and was putting on a CHS uniform too. The girl didn't seem to be in a good spirits to understand what Mrs Smith was saying as she sprang up to her feet yelling.
"I don't care! We already have enough, we were fine before she came here!" Treasure was taken aback,
"Ingrid?" She called out rushing down the stairs to the living room, and certainly, she hadn't mistaken the voice, for Ingrid stood facing her with her hands akimbo, and her face red with anger.
"Yes? You must be surprised to see me here" she spoke looking disgustingly at Treasure.
"Of course I am, but I don't think you should be yelling at your mom like that in somebody else's house, it could dent your sweet and virtuous personality, don't you think so too Mrs Smith?" Treasure asked mockingly.
"I'm sorry Treasure, she's not always like this you know" Mrs Smith said looking very embarrassed.
"Stop trying to make me look good before her, who is she to us anyway?" Ingrid asked furiously. Treasure giggled and sat down crossing her legs.
"Mrs Smith, I don't think Ingrid is in the mood for pretence today, we shouldn't bother her, right Ingrid?" Treasure asked with a smirk on her face. Ingrid grew in a rage.
"You know Treasure, you are the cause of all these in the first place. Had my mother not left me for you, I would have been more polite to her, and maybe I wouldn't have to come here just to see her!" She said almost in tears.
"Enough Ingrid!" Mrs Smith yelled, but Ingrid faced her.
"Of course, that's what you'd say, I just knew it! Treasure and I share the same birthday, but you left mine for hers! You stay here taking care of her every need, but you left me with that drunkard you call a sister! Dad barely comes home, and I get really lonely too. Just tell me mom, when will all this end? Then, when she wasn't here, you gave the excuse that you had to take care of the house for lord Marcus, but now that he's dead, you still won't leave here, why mom?! Hasn't she got a mom who can take care of her? Yeah, she's chilling out somewhere in Coventry, and you're here running errands for her and babysitting her daughter. Why does she get all the care? She's got more maids than us, yet none of them is enough to care for her. Even at school, everyone pays her attention, Treasure this... Treasure that...Treasure is the best in lacrosse, and the best at ballet dancing, Treasure gets all her sums correct all the time, she should run for class president! I'm tired of it all! I used to be somebody till she came. All of my friends have left me because of her, even Percy doesn't notice me anymore! Why should I be living in her shadows? She's not even my sister, but I'm made to swallow all of these. I won't take it mom, you have to leave here, you are my mom not her servant." She finally burst into violent sobs, and for a moment, Treasure felt like giving her a shoulder to cry on.
"Why is she here? I hate her mom! She's stealing everything from me, my identity, my friends and you mom." She cried.
"Its not what you think dear..." Mrs Smith said trying to hold her, but she picked up her backpack and stormed out of the house. Treasure stood transfixed. She couldn't believe she had been a threat to Ingrid, or that they even shared the same birthday. She felt worse remembering Percy. Often times, she had caught Ingrid staring at him, but she had mistaken those stares. "Oh goodness, I should have known..." Treasure muttered to herself. Mrs Smith rushed to Treasure, and tried to help her sit down.
"Don't mind Ingrid, she can be a little naughty at times, but she'd be fine. Go...go change your clothes, take a shower and come down for dinner." She said, but Treasure stared at her a little irritated.
"Do you honestly think Ingrid was just being naughty when she said all those things about my mother and I?" Treasure asked in fury.
"Calm down Elaine, you need to rest or you'd get sick..." Mrs Smith said but Treasure yelled at her...
"just stop it ok? Your Ingrid needs this care not me, I mean haven't you got a heart? Or is it common sense that you lack? Your daughter thinks I'm trying to take you away from her! She's clearly mistaken because you spend only two hours here everyday. I don't even let you sleep here, ever since I found out Ingrid was your daughter, I always remind you to take good care of her, how is it that she isn't given proper attention huh? Today, I have come to realise you go about your business and use me as an excuse for not being with Ingrid! For a year now, Ingrid and I have been at loggerheads over trivial issues, and that's because deep down inside of her, she's been blaming me for it all, thinking I'm tying you down here! How could you Mrs Smith? Do you know how hurt she'd be if she finds out exactly who's at fault here? You've been lying to me and hurting her, but not anymore! I won't let you use me any longer than you already have. From today Mrs Smith, I have relieved you from whatever responsibility my mother has placed on you. You are free to take absolute care of your daughter now" Treasure said angrily. She got up from the couch and headed for the stairs, but Mrs Smith held her back. "You're misunderstanding everything my dear, Ingrid is...
"No Mrs Smith enough of your lies! I have always prayed for this day when I can release you to your daughter. So go, don't worry about me or my mom, I will take care of it ok? You can only come here when I ask you to, so goodbye..." Treasure stopped halfway up the stairs, and spoke
"apologize to Ingrid on my behalf, tell her I can't intentionally steal anyone or anything she loves, its just a big misunderstanding, but I will set things right if I can." Treasure walked up the stairs to her room devastated. Minerva quickly went after Treasure with a glass of milkshake.
"Oh no! She's ruined everything!" Mrs Smith muttered to herself. "Don't worry madam, I will keep an eye on her in your absence." Lady Sydney spoke walking into the living room. Mrs Susan smiled with a nod.
"Report her every move to me. Find out where the house deed is, and get it for me. You know your reward will be great don't you?" "Yes madam." Lady Sydney replied and walked away.
"That foolish girl wants to act smart with me, this house belongs to me, and nobody can take it from me" Mrs Smith said heading for her car.
"Please drink this little mistress" Lady Minerva said holding out the cup for Treasure. "I don't want it, please leave me alone" she replied turning away. Minerva stared at her sadly, then sitting down on the bed beside her, she said,
"let me cheer you up a little, come, I will show you around the house."
"Ginevra already did, and I'm quiet familiar with everything here, so don't waste your time" Minerva smiled, and dropping the milkshake, she said,
"listen little mistress, you can never get familiar with everything in this mansion. There are rooms Ginerva has never been to, and because of that, she can't show them to you..." She paused for a moment, but when Treasure wasn't saying anything, she continued.
"If you change your mind, I will be in the maid quarters" she got up and walked out of the room leaving the milkshake on Treasure's table.
"How much more must I know?" Treasure asked herself. She took off her school uniform and after taking a shower, she drank her milkshake and fell asleep.
"I'm so sorry about your husband Mrs Daisy, he was a good man. Sometimes, I just wish I had been the one dead instead of him..."
"Oh please don't talk rubbish Mr Donald" Mrs Daisy scolded.
"We are all glad you are alive. At least now, you can help us run the company, until we find the heir..." Mr Donald was taken aback.
"Find the heir? What does that mean?" He asked and Barrister Malcolm replied,
"umm...you know Marcus was a very cunning man when he was alive. He did a little mathematics and confused us all on who will be the heir to his chains of companies as well as his other valuable properties, including the huge sum in his bank account. Its been years now, but we are still unable to identify the heir from amongst his children." Mr Donald fell quiet for a while before asking,
"so you are sure this heir is amongst his children?" Barrister Malcolm and Mrs Daisy nodded simultaneously, and Mr Donald fell quiet again.
"This heir must have been given something to help him identify himself should the time come, but I'm surprised, and equally sorry to say this, but that heir must be a dumb one." Mrs Daisy and Barrister Malcolm exchanged surprised looks, but Mr Donald continued.
"What I'm trying to say is that the company must move on without this heir, at least for the time being, until he has finally come to his senses... What do you think Mrs Daisy?" He asked, but she was lost in thoughts.
"What's wrong Mrs Daisy?" Mr Donald asked jerking her to reality, and she said.
"I'm just a little worried over my daughter and I. Detective Harry, has asked me to be careful, we don't know if this murderer is still lurking around somewhere, so..."
"Why should you be scared? Its not like you possess something of Lord Marcus that this murderer might want to get..." Mr Donald replied smiling, but Mrs Daisy's countenance fell, and Barrister Malcolm noticing this, quickly spoke,
"none of his children or their mother's have any of his priceless properties, except his heir of course, and if this heir is still unknown, I don't see why not only Mrs Daisy, but any of his family members should be a target, and that brings us down to the main reason we came here, Donald." Barrister Malcolm adjusted on his seat, and continued,
"listen, when I was reading Marcus' Will to them, he instructed us to help him take care of his heir once he's been brought to light. You're to introduce him as the new CEO of the company in all the branches once he comes. Judging from the way Marcus was murdered, it is common sense to know that this murderer's main target might be the company, and worse the property papers. Its our duty to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands. It won't be easy as this is quite a dangerous and deadly game, but we will keep an eye on Marcus' kids and find out which one of them is the heir. Once we find out who it is, we must guard him, and fulfil his father's last wish." Mr Donald was quiet for a long time before he said,
"but we don't have the property papers, or do we?" He asked looking from Mrs Daisy to Barrister Malcolm.
"No, but that's what makes it even more interesting. I'm sure that Lord Marcus has either handed it to this heir, or has given him a clue on how to find it. So are you with me?" Barrister Malcolm asked and Mr Donald nodded his head. He turned to Mrs Daisy and asked,
"...and Mrs Daisy? Is she with us too?"
"No no, but my concern is catching Marcus' murderer. I won't rest until he's behind bars" Mrs Daisy said looking into space. "Wow, that's a very good thing to dedicate yourself to Mrs Daisy, I wish you good luck." Mr Donald replied with a broad smile on his face.
"How many times do I have to sound this to you? I knew what I was doing! How could I possibly like someone else's daughter more than mine? I was doing it for your own good, but you have ruined my chances. I want the deed of that house Ingrid, yes, the deed. If you must know, that ghoul, Marcus, left me with nothing, after everything I did for him..." Mrs Smith yelled in rage.
"But he helped you buy this house remember? Dad said he even secured him his job, so what's all these..."
"Be quiet!" Mrs Smith yelled and Ingrid recoiled.
"That house should have been mine. He's super rich, he could have given Treasure something else, but he decided to give her that mansion. A tart like her, owning such a big mansion, I couldn't take it, so I resolved that I was going to steal the house deed and make the house mine. I was already succeeding before you spoilt everything! I'm using a plan B now, but you better put your nose out of it and keep your mouth shut. No one must find out, not even your dad, have I made myself clear?" Mrs Smith yelled, and Ingrid nodded rather sad that her mom was trying to steal from Treasure.
At school, Treasure had become extra careful. She didn't want to stand in Ingrid's way anymore. She even went as far as avoiding Percy for her sake. During their lacrosse matches, Treasure avoided goals, and even when she couldn't help it and scored, she shied away from their usual victory dances. The only thing she couldn't joke with was her ballet dancing, but it didn't mean anything, because Ingrid wasn't a ballerina. Treasure's change of behaviour affected everyone, but only Percy couldn't deal with it.
"What has gotten into you Tresh? Have I offended you in any way? Tell me, I will apologize, but please don't avoid me, please." He pleaded holding Treasure's hands.
"That girl, Ingrid..." Treasure spoke calmly,
"yes? What about her?" Percy asked impatiently.
"Have you known her before now?" Treasure asked and Percy replied,
"yes...I think so, I mean we attended the same preschool and middle school, but its not just her, Dave, Tyson, Anabelle, George, Gary, and a couple of other students I fail to remember their names also attended the same school as me but..."
"Relax Percy, I'm not eating you!" Treasure said and Percy took in deep breaths.
"Listen, were you ever a friend of hers?" Treasure asked again. Percy thought for a while before replying,
"no, Dave, Anabelle and one other girl, I think her name is Nora, they were her close friends, but I don't know, I don't think she walks with them anymore. Why do you ask though?" Treasure thought for a while. Anabelle, Nora and Dave were her friends, and that was enough to upset Ingrid, but if Percy wasn't a friend of Ingrid, why was she so upset about his friendship with her?
"This makes sense now, Ingrid likes Percy, but he's unaware of it" Treasure muttered to herself. "What? Did you say something?" Percy asked, but Treasure replied,
"no, not at all, the thing is, I have been acting strange towards you because I want to ask you for a favour." Percy was taken aback. "Seriously?" He asked,
"that's unbelievable! Anyways, what's this favour?"
"Well, I have developed a soft spot for Ingrid, and I want her to be my friend, our friend actually." Treasure said smiling slyly. Percy observed her for a while, a bit suspicious.
"So how can I be of help? Your decision was too sudden, but I'd do anything for you." He said smiling. Treasure blushed saying, "thanks, but I want you to set up a date for three." Percy eyes widened in shock.
"Excuse me? A date? With Ingrid? You should have said a date for the two of us, I really don't..."
"Calm down Percy, I know what I'm doing. Please, just trust me ok?" Treasure asked, but Percy looked away.
"Listen, you should choose a really nice restaurant, and a convenient time too. I will find a way to get you her phone number, so that you can tell her about the date." Treasure said. "Is that necessary? Calling her on the phone and all that? I could just walk up to her and tell her about it. But come to think of it, why should I be the one to inform her of the date? This is insane Tresh! I mean..."
"Shuu..." Treasure interrupted him, "you are my friend right? And friends help each other in times of need isn't that right?" Treasure asked, and Percy nodded reluctantly.
"Thanks, you're a friend indeed" Treasure said happily.
"I'm sorry Percy, but I've got to do this" she muttered to herself.