The private investigator Christian hired had just broken the news of my family's whereabouts to me. He'd been unable to find where they were hidden, but had information that came as a shock to me.
Leah was hiding them. And she used the power that is her family name to make sure they could never be found, or forced out of where she had kept them. So it was almost impossible to get any information about them. The PI said no one wanted to talk.
He was sure they were still in the country though. What he wasn't so sure about was the identity they used to stay hidden.
This is one of the many reasons you need his power. You need him! My mind didn't take any breaks from reminding me that Christian was the solution to all my problems.
I felt a lot of emotions, but anger had taken the forefront. I grabbed my bag from the table in the cafe, spilling the coffee I hadn't even taken a sip of.
After apologizing to the PI, and waiter who had rushed to our table with a table cloth, I began to walk out of the cafe, my mind on only one destination.
I'd had enough of her abuse.
"Where are you going?" The PI followed after me.
I ignored him. My steps long and hurried.
"Don't tell me you are going to the Callisto's?"
I tried to hail a cab when I got to the main road.
"Mr Gulf will not be happy about that."
Like I cared what Christian thought. The PI continued to plead with me, saying if I didn't return back to the hotel he'd be in trouble. His pleas fell on deaf ears. When he saw that I wasn't deterred, he tried reasoning.
"They won't let you in."
I finally turned to face him. The tanned chubby guy with glasses almost looked pitiable as he begged me to forgo my mission.
"Do you know who I am?"
Even if it had been four years, the story about the fake princess being driven out of her mansion wasn't something people would forget that easily. The news had been everywhere. My face and Leah's plastered on every entertainment channel with me being the fake, and Leah being the real Callisto.
It was one of the reasons why I agreed to leave town with my biological parents and younger sister. I'd bought a house in the outskirts of town, and we'd been living there ever since. That was the most difficult time in my life. And with me being only eighteen, it was hard to do anything on my own. So when Dad offered me a large sum of money, I took it, even though it felt like he was paying me to leave and never return.
"I do." He nodded, looking frightful.
For confirmation I asked him who I was, and very awkwardly, he answered that I was the former daughter of the Callisto's. I noticed the struggle as he tried to find a word to describe my relationship with the Callisto's, before settling for 'former'.
"And you think they won't let me in? They were once my parents. Even though we aren't related, we used to have a relationship."
He looked like he didn't believe me. It upset me the way he looked at me. The hint of pity in his eyes even more so. But how could I blame him for that. It was the natural reaction to my life's story. I saw this look countless times as I went through hell.
"You'll only cause a scene if you go there." His tone wasn't that of mockery or warning. Rather, he looked upset on my behalf.
I knew he wasn't wrong. The truth was I wasn't sure that they'd let me in either. In the four years I stayed away, there were only two times my resolve to never see them again crumbled. I'd gone to the Callisto's mansion the first time, only to watch the house from a distanace. I was afraid they had given orders to send me away if I ever showed up, and I wasn't sure I could remain sane if that happened.
The second time, I braved up, but as I approached their gate, I spotted Leah and her parents coming out, so I hid myself behind a long pole. I watched as Mr and Mrs Gulf walked out, and finally Christian's secretary stood with them; I remember him cause he was always Christian's stand in whenever his parents visited. They were all laughing. And for the first time it occurred to me that I was the only miserable one. The tragic event that had me devastated, was auspicious for everyone else. Time had stopped for me, but it was moving for everybody else…
My anger had been doing all the thinking, up until now that is. "Fine. What do you suggest because I must talk to Leah. I need to know why she did it."
"Let's talk to Mr Gulf about it."
"Next idea," I said, irritation in my tone.
"Well…" he dallied, "Leah isn't home right now."
I gave him the eye, telling him to continue.
"She's at her regular saloon for an appointment. I know the place."
"You should have started with that. Let's go."
"Huh?"
"You're coming with me. Come on, let's go. Get your car. You must have driven here."
***
As soon as we got to the parking lot, I jumped out of the car. It must have been my lucky day because I spotted Leah walking towards her car. Glad for the slippers I was wearing, I ran with speed towards her.
"Leah." I yelled when I was close enough. She briefly looked at me, then turned back to her car.
As usual, she looked like she had just stepped off of a runway. Leah wore a white top and skirt set. The top was at least a size bigger than her, the hands fluffy and long, and the flared skirt ran to her knee. She paired it with a brown knee high boot, gold and silver jewelries mixed into the look.
Although, she looked elegant, it just seemed too much for a hair appointment. She wasn't a celebrity. In my opinion, as someone who was in this world for eighteen years, and had been told countless times that I had a fashion sense, she needed to turn it down a notch, or they'd come for her.
That is if they haven't already. I wasn't keeping up with her appearances on tabloids.
"How dare you! How dare you! They aren't your family anymore. How could you do this? What for?"
She closed the door of her car, her full attention now on me.
At least her makeup had improved, compared to the last time I saw her.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you in this side of town again." She crossed her arms together.
"Why did you send them away? Where are you hiding them?"
"What are you talking about? Make yourself clear. or get out of my way."
"Where is Faye. Where is my mum and dad."
She feigned confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"My family. Where are they? I know you're hiding them?" I glared. The anger I'd been trying to surpress so I could have a conversation with Leah was beginning to rear its head.
"I'm sorry they left you behind. But I had nothing to do with that." She rolled her eyes. She looked like she didn't have any patience for me, and it fueled my anger.
Leah tried to get into her car, but I stopped her, standing between her and her car door.
"Move you pauper." There was warning in her tone.
"Where are they?"
"I said to fucking move." There was no way to miss the hatred in her eyes.
"I won't take one step from here until you tell me where you hid my family."
"Did it ever cross your mind that they don't want you? They never wanted you. They are all adults. They weren't kidnapped or forced, they simply didn't want you, so they left you. Stop accusing an innocent person because you were abandoned. Again." She said with such vileness, and pushed me aside.
I fell to the ground, dazed and hurt by what she'd said.
She wasn't wrong. They chose to leave me. So why was I looking for them?
I heard the sound of Leah's car, and just like that, there was silence again.