Odessa sat at a small cafe waiting for her food to arrive while scrolling through her phone, the bell of the cafe door rang indicating that someone had just come in, she raised her head that was when she sighted a small figure coming in, a little girl with jet black hair and forest green eyes, the little girl was beautiful but Odessa paid no attention to her, but something about the little girl drew Odessa to her, shortly after her food came, and after eating she paid for the food and left the restaurant but not without taking one last glance at the little girl.
Odessa scanned the crowded street for a taxi to take her back to the hotel. As she raised her hand to hail a taxi her gaze fell on a little girl on the sidewalk, that was the same little girl from the restaurant, Odessa wondered where her mother was, the little girl was captivated by the street performers, her eyes wide with wonder and amazement.
Suddenly the little girl's attention was captivated by a stray puppy that wandered in the street, without hesitation she ran after the puppy, laughing and calling out to it as the puppy ran away, Odessa eyes didn't leave the little girl when all of a sudden Odessa watched in horror, the puppy had wandered into the path of an upcoming vehicle.
Instinct took over as Odessa sprinted towards the little girl grabbing her by the waist and spinning her around just as the vehicle whizzed by mere inches from where they stood, fear took over the little girl as she clunged to Odessa waist trembling.
Odessa stroked her hair trying to calm her down
"Don't worry little one, you are safe now" Odessa said
The little girl looked up at Odessa, her eyes sparking with tears "Thank you" she said still trembling and Odessa crouched down to her level
"What's your name, sweetheart" Odessa asked
"I'm Liana" she replied sniffling
"Liana, my name is Odessa, but what is a sweet little girl like you doing all alone here, where is your mother" Odessa asked
"She went to go buy me ice cream when I left the cafe" she said
"You shouldn't have done that" Odessa told her
"Well, let's go look for her" Odessa said and they both went back to the cafe. A lady who looked to be in her mid forties approached them both with worry etched on her face, she suddenly took Liana away from Odessa and raised an alarm
"You are trying to kidnap her, well I won't let you get away with it, I'm going to get you arrested" the woman said but Odessa looked at her with a calm face, by this time the customers at the cafe were already watching the drama taking place
"You want to arrest me, I think you should be the one that gets arrested, where were you when she almost got hit by a motorcycle" Odessa said in an angry tone
"And you call yourself a mother, you don't deserve the title of a mother because you aren't worthy of being called one" Odessa said with venom in her words and the woman was left in shock and she left the cafe in anger, she hailed a taxi and went back to the hotel hoping to never cross paths with them again because they totally spoilt her mood
Odessa settled in her hotel room feeling relieved fo finally relax after a long day. She took a refreshing bath and slippedbinto comfortable clothes.
As she sat on her bed she couldn't shake off the conversation she had with George Anderson earlier. His words echoed in her mind she knew she had to make a decision because her career was at stake here. After much contemplation she decided to head home to her family's estate the next day. But she decided to only go for the party after that she would leave New York.
The next morning Odessa checked out of the hotel and made her way home. She took a taxi to the estate, as Odessa stepped into the grand foyer of her family estate, she was instantly enveloped in the warm familiar scent of fresh flowers and polished wood. The soft glow of crystal chandeliers cast a welcoming ambiance and the soft hum of classical music floated through the air.
She was greeted by the familiar face of their loyal butler, Jenkins
"Welcome home, Miss Odessa" Jenkins said with a warm smile
"Thanks Jenkins" Odessa replied returning the warmth
"Your parents are not in at the moment, but they should return shortly" Jenkins said
"Ok, I'll just go to my room and rest for a bit
Jenkins nodded "Very well Miss Odessa, I'll let you know when they arrive" . As Odessa was about to make her way upstairs Jenkins called out
"I'll send a maid to bring refreshments to your room"
"Thanks" Odessa said and made her way upstairs
When she got to her bedroom she settled in surrounded by awful memories of her childhood. After freshening up she lay on her plush bed feeling the softness envelop her. Her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off into a light nap.
After resting for a while Odessa was startles by a gentle knock on the door "Come in" she called out. A maid came in and bowed respectfully
"Miss Odessa, your parents have arrived and are waiting for you in the living room"
Odessa heart skipped a beat, she took a deep breath, smoothing her hair and standing up. It was time to face her parents and confront the issue that had been weighing on her mind.
Odessa walked into the living room, her parents already seated on the couch, the tension was palpable
"Odie darling, it's good to see you" her mum said smiling after Odessa had already taken her seat
"Drop the act and get straight to the point" Odessa said with a trace a disgust in her tone
"What are you talking about" her father asked.
She ignored her father and turned to her mother
"Mrs Ross, you told me to come home to save your dear husband reputation, so hear I am, what do you want" Odessa didn't say the real reason she was here
"First of all Odessa we need to talk about your behaviour" her father said
"My behaviour, you mean how I've been trying to make a life for myself despite your constant interference" Odessa asked in anger
"Odessa that is enough" her mother reprimanded her
"No, it's not enough, you two have always favoured making me feel I'm not good enough" Odessa said
"That's not true Odie" her mother said
"Now you are gonna tell me what's true and not, why did you two not believe me when I told you I wasn't responsible for what happened years ago when I was a child" Odessa said painfully
"Odessa, the truth was right in front of us, what did you expect us to think" her father said
"Don't lie to me, you two have always hated me, always made me feel like I'm the one to blame for everything" Odessa said tears brimming her eyes
"Odessa that's enough" her father said
"You know what, just tell me the reason you both called me here"
"The Mayor us holding a party and we've both been invited, so to clear the media's questions and save our reputation, we'd like you to go with us" her mother said
"Whatever, but after this I'm going back to California" Odessa said
"Good, I'll make sure to get you a beautiful dressbfor the party" her mother said
"Just make sure it's not too flashy I wouldn't want to draw attention to myself"
With that Odessa stormed out of the sitting room leaving he parents staring at her in anger and confusion