Maeve scanned the crowded coffee shop, her mind preoccupied with the looming task she'd hoped to avoid—her great aunt's funeral. It had been five years since she last set foot in the Donahue mansion, and the thought of returning now filled her with dread. The gossip, the whispers, the judging eyes. She couldn't go. Her final decision was made. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside.
They were more pressing concerns before her. Her eyes now focused on the customer in front of her making their order. She kept her smile rigid.
Her shift clocked in early, and she was headed home. She had not had a night's moment of rest since the night at the casino. She craved the healing touch of a warm, scented bath drawn in her bathroom. Soaking there for hours and healing her aching joints. She could almost melt at the thought of it. It prompted her eagerness all the more.
Outside the coffee shop, she noticed a black SUV was parked close to the shop, its tinged windows reflecting the afternoon sun. Maeve's instincts prickled, her heart sinking at the possibility of her assumption. She swiftly turned down the side and walked away from the car. Her hands crossed her face to shield her face from being recognised. She would constantly look behind her, checking if they were on her tail.
Her attention was focused on the car; she failed to notice when she had been surrounded by several men dressed in fitted black suits. Black shades are worn across their eyes. She had been caught too quickly.
"What can I help you with, gentlemen?" Maeve said guarded and cautious. The black suit and hunting gaze in their eyes set off so many alarms for her.
"We came to escort you home," one of them had said. Maeve tilted her head in confusion.
"I never had a problem commuting to home. So where's all this drama coming from?" she asked sceptically.
"The Donahue mansion is what we are talking about," he corrected himself. "We are here to escort you home to attend the funeral of your great aunt," he explained thoroughly.
The passing gazes stared in curiosity. She was panicked and didn't want this attention to disclose more than it already had.
"Fine," she agreed. and the back door was opened with a gesture for her to enter. Maeve quickly rushed in.
Maeve had not been home for five years. She felt a sunken feeling in her chest that sank to her stomach.
"Do you need to get anything to miss before we head home?" Maeve perked at the thought of buying a few things. But she had more restraint than that.
"I'll do fine," she said dismissively. They arrived in a short time at the Donahue mansion. The familiar gates greeted her upon arrival. Nothing about this place brought good memories, even right until the day she left.
Maeve stepped out of the vehicle, and one servant made his way to her. Even her welcome left a sour mood on her. The servant's expression was pinched. "Welcome, Miss Maeve," he said. She could hear the hidden disdain underneath his tone. More like he didn't bother to hide it. "We've been expecting you."
The servant who had welcomed her was the headbutler. He had always been a stickler for priority, and his disdain for Maeve was palpable. She followed him into the mansion.
The other servants they came across gazed at her. A scornful look in their eyes. Maeve caught snippets of conversations they had. Her gossip in the tabloids had reached the Donahue walls. She remained impassive to them, her eyes fixed on some point ahead.
The head butler ordered her things be taken to her room. Maeve interrupted with a suggestive look. "No, I'll be staying in the guest room. Take my things there."
"The guest rooms are for the guests, my lady," he said to her.
Maeve raised a questionative look, "And I am a guest in this house. I am not a member of this family," she corrected with a strong tone.
"Maeve, you are a part of this family. I don't know why you have made yourself believe such horrid things about us." Her tone sounded distraught and hurt.
The head butler's expression seemed more furrowed than before, but he said nothing. They escorted her with her things to the guest room.
With a quiet sigh, Maeve began to unpack, her movements economical and precise. She knew she'd have to face the rest of the family eventually, but for now, she just wanted to be alone.
Sturdy steps made their way across the hallway. The servants gave a curt nod to Victoria Donahue. She saw the head butler, her eyes expectant; however, she wasn't by his side.
"Where is she? Has she not arrived?" Victoria asked him. "I checked her room, and she was not there," she stated, confused.
"She has chosen the guest room to stay," he said to her. Victoria was baffled to hear.
"That's nonsense. Why would she choose the guest room when she has her room in this house?"
"I did try to persuade her; however, she was adamant."
Victoria was already on her way to the guest room. Her heels trudged quietly on the rugged floors. Her hands pushed open the doors in haste; it sent Maeve upright in shock.
"Maeve, you're finally here," Victoria stated, her arms outstretched to Maeve, pulling her quickly into a warm embrace.
"Mother?" Maeve's voice was rigid; she had not expected anyone to come see her. Her stance felt rigid in her mother's embrace. The familiar, strong scent of branded perfume hit her nose.
Victoria cupped her face, bringing them closer to hers. She breathed a deep breath. Then she drew back; her smile was faint but there. "Look how much you have grown. I can't believe you have been gone for five years." Her voice was sweet and hurt. Maeve felt the little sting it left behind after she spoke.
Suddenly she looked around the place, her luggage scattered everywhere. She picked up one of them gesturing for her to follow.
"This is no place to stay in after you have returned. Come with me. I had your room cleaned up and prepared for you." Victoria's voice beckoned sweetly to her. Worsening the way she felt about her next words.
"I am a guest, a stranger. I am no longer a part of this family, so I can't return to that room. I am not returning to this place, Mom." Maeve said in a quiet tone. Victoria looked bewildered.