Chapter 3.
Nerea point of view
My car glided across the street before the mighty gate which was pushed open for me to drive in.
I had just finished talking to my best friend Mia as I jumped down from my car, I glanced at the car when I remember that I was going to sell it soon.
I was slowly going broke and each time I remember that my parents had left me so soon leaving me in the hands of my nanny tears clouded my eyes.
It was going to be my birthday in three days time and Rosa,my nanny and few of the maids have tried to make me feel happy by starting to decorate the large living room.
I stood under the sun which was pouring its golden rays on me as I stared at the mansion. This was three out of the five properties that was remaining after my parents death.
The rest had either been seized by the government or sold off to cater for my medications.
After Mom and Dad's death I was zooming down the social ladder quickly,almost going bankrupt.
It hurts me anytime I remember it and I miss them so much.
I exhaled and walked up the front porch,I had seen Rosa peeking out of her rooms window to see me back after two days of not returning.
I had already laid out different lies and excuses I was going to give to her just in case she tries scolding me.
She was only family I had left though and I was trying my best to see her as my mother.
As I climbed the stairs to the porch I froze,there on the doorsteps were a bouquet of flowers,same flower had been receiving since I turned a year and an envelope
I groaned in frustration,i was hoping that the unknown person who kept sending them would forget and not send any
But as usual I had received it three days to my birthday,it also came with a letter in a nice white envelope.
I picked it all up ,glancing behind the envelope which had the dates.
"12th May 1945." Which I read aloud and rolled my eyes, I didn't even bother to read letter because I know it was the same old rubbish which I had received last year.
The roses and had the words : To Philippa which I also read aloud.
" Whatever."I cursed under my breath as I kicked the door open and walked into the magnificent living room and I was greeted with silence.
I was hoping I could see the maids come out to meet me like they usually do everyday but I was surprisingly alone in the living room.
I glanced at the bouquet in my hands shrugged and made my way up stairs to my room.
I pushed the door open and dropped the bouquet on the table before falling to my bed in exhaustion.
" Stupid librarian."I said to myself grabbed one of the pillows and flung it at the door in anger.
Because of her I had to stay at Mia's not because I helped her in arranging the books back but because I ran away before she could even notice.
The memories made me giggle and I curl myself up , this was the first time ever since my parents death that I was feeling this happy..
In my excitement I took the second pillow and threw it at the door it was at that moment that Rosa my nanny came in and she dodged in seconds before it could hit her.
" Nerea." She called.
"I'm so sorry Rose I didn't see you coming in."
" Silly little girl." She said shaking her head .
"Look what I found again today."I said jumping out of my bed and pointing to the table where the bouquet was.
" I'm already tired of all this why does this person keeps sending this to me?"
When Rose said nothing I probed further." Did you see who drop it here."
"No I didn't." Rosa sighed."no one ever does it arrives anonymously."
I resign to my fate and chewed on my lower lip."this is the 21st letter and bouquet I have been receiving and I'm really tired of it , should I report it to the police."
" No,you shouldn't do that." Rosa said smiling kindly at me.
"But it doesn't make sense how will no one who keeps dropping the flowers for me. I'm tired of it already and I'm also scared."
"I know how you feel Nerea, when your parents were alive they also tried to find the person but they couldn't."
"So are you saying that I would keep on receiving those flowers ." Then quickly I sat up on my bed excitement in my eyes.
"Do you think it's a secret admirer?"I asked smiling sheepishly.
Rosa shook her head slowly and smiled again.
" I don't think it's possible."
I collapsed mechanically on my bed again.
"I have been throwing all the F
Flowers I have been receiving I think I have to throw those one away too."
Rosa tilted her head.
"Did you open the envelope to read the letter inside?"she asked me and I turned to give her a funny look.
"I don't think those letters are mine it is addressed to Philippa and I'm Nerea , I think it is a case of mistaken identity. Besides why does it keep on having the same date over and over again, it's 2021 not 1945,okay."
Then I got off my bed and walked to the table seizing the bouquet of flowers and snatching the envelope walking to the door.
"Where are you going with those things."
" To the bin of course they aren't mine and..."
" They are yours and I have some very important to say to you Nerea." Rosa said in a small voice that made me stop in my tracks.
"What do you mean by that?" I stammered my eyes growing wide with fear.
Without saying a word Rosa walked to me and snatched the envelope from my hands she tore it open and there were two piece of paper instead of one.
"The first one is a birthday letter and the second one is still yours." She peered into my eyes and tore it open."since this is the 21st letter you are receiving, then I think it comes with the marriage proposal."
I coughed suddenly,my eyes bulging ." Marriage what ?"
"It is a marriage proposal." she said and began to read the letter to herself." Lucien Avery Del Mar wants you to be his bride."
"I beg your pardon." I scoffed."what nonsense are you saying? For crying out loud I and my boyfriend Derek broke up two weeks ago,if this is some sort of prank or April 1st prank ,I think you should stop it."
Rosa was watching me silently as if reading into my soul.
"I wish you have a say in this Nerea or if only I can help you but I can't." She said in a very small voice which held a tinge of sadness
" What are you talking about?" I said dropping the bouquet and rushed to her my hands shaking has eye shook her shoulders.
" Is this some sort of an arrange marriage, huh ? Did my parents promise anyone that I was going to get married to them for some sake of a business deal?"
Rosa eyes were tearing up and she looked so sad.
"I wish it was a business deal Nerea but it isn't ." Rosa said swallowing hard.
" Then what is it ? How can I marry a man I barely know."
"You have no choice but to marry him Nerea else everything your parents ever owe will vanish forever."