DAN'S POV
The paddock Mansion?
I had many tales about the place, ghost thriving around.
The wrecked up family.
Their psycho son who went astray
But I was not one for superstitions, or tales,
The scariest thing in the world is not ghost,
Imaginary demons and spirits.
The scariest thing is human itself.
"There’s a human!” Nothing will happen because we look like as harmless as ever but we really aren’t.
The comforting creatures we are supposed to be is not who we ended up as.
The damage humans or humanity has caused to this earth and other animals also on this earth is blood curdling.
It's been so much and and it still can’t stop.
Humans are more than just monsters because they know how to hide it so well, they can be your friend for ok second and stab you in the back the next second.
Within an heartbeat.
That's what we preach love.
I personally think humans, have a really f’ed up mindset.
Demons scare you immediately, cause we all know what they are and expect to do, humans allure you and backstab you leaving your trust to break into a million pieces.
Demons will finish you at the same time as they see you but humans?
They will emotionally blackmail you, manipulate you, torture you mentally until you can’t handle it anymore.
They will make you kill yourself and give it the name of “Suicide” when it in fact is murder.
That's is the true scariest thing, and I've witnessed it firsthand.
Humans can murder with heir words itself, they don’t need scary faces or octopus like legs to chock you to death they will lead you to your own death and act like they fucking care.
Along with being monsters humans are great actors thus mind tricking one to believe what they wouldn’t believe otherwise.
They are the real demons.
Funny, how that is possible, but men locked up with greed's, evil and wickedness in turn becomes the real demon that grows and flutter in their heart.
My worst fear right now, is Hailey taken away from me.
I watched everyone talk about their stupid superstitions when they were the monsters they should be afraid of.
It was the reason i became a fan of the 'The Humans' movies by Shirley Li.
It talked on and exposed the different murderous instinct about the so called humans.
But something was bothering me, it was Mr. Derrick, he hadn't gotten himself since he said that.
Were we not supposed to know?
Was he scared...?
That thought alone ignite a smile inside of me.
I watched he come up with different activities to entertain us.
What tipped me off was it was for two fucking months.
I hadn't equipped for that, i may have packed a months load for Hailey but not more or less.
How was i gonna cope?
I also had them on my heels?
Was Mr. Derrick ok?
I noticed the easy he jumped at Miss. Ashley sudden appearance.
One thing i know about him, he has never been fazed about anything.
Trying to rile him up a bit, i asked for puttanas.
(whore)
It was a simple joke to others, but i was communicating with him.
I thought he didn't get it but when he said there will be i knew he was alright then.
I had to leave it, must be me just overreacting since I haven't got much sleep.
Then he dropped the bombshell saying we are staying here temporarily,
It would shake them off my tail for awhile.
Till i can sort what they want.
Listening in to hear him make out a ridiculous attempt about the Yonkers street, it was my mom's Dreamland.
She wanted to there once with us but didn't get the chance, so i had remembered everything about it.
To take Hailey sometime.
I already missed California.
I just hoped Hailey was coping, it's been 2 years now since he was accosted that we haven't moved.
She wasn't used to it before, i made her get accustomed to meeting new people and different environment.
I had blanked out a bit after to notice there was a lingering question in the air.
I knew the answer,
But what got me to talk was the prize attached to it.
"Yonkers street" i spoke up staring directly at Mr. Derrick, Rita stared gaping at me when he announced i was right.
I wasn't that dumb.
Seeming to come to an agreement just as the bus halted, i hopped off the bus with Hailey by my side.
The others were gawking at the building, it was a palace, it was very different seeing it in person.
It was truly magnificent as they said, then why the rumours.
I can't believe a happy family once lived here and turned it into a chaos.
I was going to make the most of it now with Hailey.
It's going to be a planned out vacation for us.
Staring back at the bus to notice Mr. Derrick hadn't left the spot i left him at.
He was zoned out staring at the building, staring back at the direction he was facing.
It was the 3rd floor balcony, i think there's more to the Paddock Mansion than we know.
And Mr. Derrick was a key in this, directly or indirectly.
I was going to find out.
It seemed I already got a new mission on this journey.
Going towards the bus knocking the glass windows to get his attention.
He looked towards me, a faint smile on his lips.
The snarky comment i wanted to make died out on my lips, he looked pale, faint.
I was surprised he was still standing strong, if i only had an instinct before, now it was a qconfirmed theory.
His reaction towards the building seems to ignite a memory, of some sort.
It was terrifying.
He came out of whatever trance or memory he was in and went towards the drivers side.
It seemed there were packages to be offloaded which included foodstuffs, writing and teaching materials, cleaning stuffs, first aid box and other luggages.
I watched as some men dressed in black suits with wireless microphone hing from there neck to their mouth with a transmitter came rushing outside from another end if the palace.
They'd probably be the workers and guards.
Ghost or not, there was no way, they'd leave the building unwatched.
Carrying in stuffs one at a time, no one dared to move.
They were afraid of imaginary ghost.
Secondly, i doubt this stiff-necked men would let us in without direction from Mr. Derrick.
And I'm definitely not one to jump into problems, don't wanna be in anyone's bad book now, do we?
I chided myself.
Once Mr. Derrick was done barking out orders to them and the stuffs has been settled in, he came to address us.
"I want to announce to you all, we are live at the Paddock's Mansion." They l clapped their hands.
I just carried Hailey on my hands, taking note of everything.
What i like to do best.
He continued in a braver and confident tone than earlier "This is the first stage in our continuous learning, we'll do the tour early morning tomorrow, then Miss Lydia will lay out to us the schedule for the next two weeks and Miss. Ashley will be in charge of the foods" there was an instant uproars if yes, yays.
Silencing them with the clapping of his hands, "Also, anyone with an allergy should see and report to her immediately."
"Okay, that will be all" he said dismissing us. "Wait..." He called out "We will be occupying the West wing, that was the section apportioned to us." Announcing to everyone, i felt like there was a catch.
"Nobody... I mean nobody is to stray" he said in a warning tone.
Was it just a warning or something else was there.
We all agreed with a nod if the head, then the big four doors in front of us were opened.
Like it acted on a command.
Opening onto us revealed a bald 5ft 3 inches man also dressed up in a black suit also.
He curtised before us and welcomed us in with his hands directing us inside.
Who bows in this generation and time.
Choosing to ignore what just happened, i went in with the others.
"Welcome to the Giovanni Adamos Mansion" he said spinning around to buttress his point.
Giovanni's were the owners?
Are they Russians?
That must be the real name of this place.
It sounds less scary.
Why was it called Paddock?
I'm guessing it's because of the horse ranch it had.
No wonder the accent.
There was whispers all around, but he didn't look fazed whether he heard it or not.
"I'll now show you to your rooms" he said leading us upstairs.
I ignored the whispers from others taking in the place, it was indeed magnificent.
The mansion’s grand entrance with its sweeping staircase, high ceilings, and intricate details gave a sense of majesty and splendor that was fit for royalty.
If i hadn't known better I'd say a King lives here.
It's intricate architecture, elegant chandeliers, and ornate furnishings exuded an air of sophistication that would leave anyone in awe.”
It was definitely gorgeous.
Serbian took us on the spiraling staircase which were coated in gold, slowly, climbing up to reveal better view of the mansion.
It was as though everywhere was bathed in gold, shiny ones.
The amount of gold and marble that adorned the mansion would be seen by many as rather excessive.
But it's created a superior and intimidating look, to be feared.
Whosoever lived here wanted to be respected, deserved to be respected and he wanted the people to know and act it.
Rich, snobby, billionaires.
Because of its spiral style we couldn't see the end of the stairs, just taking a step at the time.
It turns out his name was Serbian and his great great grandfather served as a butlers for the Aordinma(kings).
It's weirds when i see people taking up a professional after their parents,i knew it was supportive but never having one.
I didn't understand the logic behind it at all.
He did a mini introduction to lightened the place a bit while laying out the same rule of not crossing over to the other wings.
It was simple.
It was the 250th steps i had taken and I was already tired.
Considering i was carrying Hailey, our luggages were collected by some of their staffs using an elevator.
It was funny, how goods used elevators and humans didn't.
We were all grumbling and tired, some sat at the end of stair throwing a tantrum.
I got to much pride to act out or whine about tiredness.
I looked back down trying to locate Mr. Derrick, i hadn't seen him since we entered the building.
Straining my neck to spot him, i couldn't.
It was on the 300th floor, Serbian stopped, i look up to see more stairs, wondering why he said.
I looked at him, i wondered how someone with his age could walk this stairs without a bead of sweat on his forehead.
I was a sweating mess already and the others weren't better off.
They were a bundle of sweats, out of breaths, and collapsed.
I smirked to myself, i applauded at my self- will.
He indicated with his hands towards the left, "This is the West wing, where you all will be occupying."
Looking towards where he pointed at, it was a long passage which was dimly lit up with candles.
Golden candles at that,
Such a fairytale,
He clapped his hands twice, trying to understand what he was doing when suddenly the passage lit up revealing the thousands rooms on both sides.
It revealed the opulent decadent decor, from the imported marble floors and walls to the ornate hand-carved woodwork and gilded accents, was a testament to the owner’s extravagant tastes.”
Everywhere was oozing wealth, and glamour, it was too much for them.
Could this be the least place this mansion offered, then how were the rest?
We arrived at the spacious living areas, which included a staircase leading to multiple rooms, a grand formal dining room, and a sprawling chef’s kitchen, provided ample room for hosting large gatherings and entertaining guests in style.
It didn't end there, we were asked to choose a room, on it would be placed a tags of our names.
Everyone rushed out to a room, i stayed after everyone had occupied their slots, i went in search for mine.
I stopped at the second floor, not too far from the living areas, and a bit of space for me too.
Rita and Edward went into the ones just beside mine, out tags were immediately put up with our luggages.
Coming back down, to find it equipped with kitchen staffs and workers who were at our beck and call.
But not to be misused.
Was his exact words, with the same warning from earlier, we were not allowed to leave this floor to anywhere else, everything we need will be provided here.
"Anything else, i can help you with". Serbian the butler of the mansion asked.
He was about to leave, when I decided to ask the question that has been bothering me since we entered here "What is the true story of this mansion?"
He looked taken aback, like he didn't expect it.
I knew if i was to get answers from anyone it wi have to be someone old and sentimental about the place.
And an aged butler who had been living here with no one to ever ask the true story on, was the best bet i could offer now.
AUTHOR NOTE ONCE AGAIN
Thank you once again for giving this book a try and for loving it, also i want to say some brief things.
First, for those asking about my books in my DMS, i would like to personally say to add the book to your library so you'd receive personal update whenever i update the book, so you wouldn't miss anything.
(But your choice)
Don't forget the vote which i very much appreciate and your wonderful thoughts in form of comments.
As i already said, my updates will be on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, thank you.
This is the Sunday update, enjoy yourself as you read this while preparing for a new week.
Also, I was all about the Paddock Mansion and describing it, its elegance, it's wealth now that brings me to say.
DISCLAIMER
THIS STORY DOES NOT IN ANYHOW BELONGS OR RELATE TO ANYONE, OR ANY PERSON, OBJECTS OR SITUATIONS.
ANY RESEMBLANCE TO PERSON OR PERSONS IS TOTALLY BY COINCIDENCE AND NOT INTENTIONAL.
THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE PADDOCK'S MANSION AND THIS ISN'T THE TRUE STORY OF THE MANSION.
Thank you
(my very own curtised )