I was desperate. Yep, that was the only reason.
Desperation forced one to the brink of insanity and once there, standing at the edge of the cliff, you begin to make irrational choices. Choices that weren't even an option on a normal day. Choices like this.
The cab pulled over at the familiar looming gates of my parent's small mansion. Never in a million years did I imagine myself back here yet here I was.
Remember Leia, your ego will get you nowhere. These children need you, I told myself as I pushed the gates open and stepped into the familiar courtyard where I spent a bit of my childhood. One I swore I would never come back to.
Some of the helpers around the house stared at me in shock but I didn't care. I just looked straight ahead and went through the front door and into the foyer.
They hadn't bothered to change the boring interior deco around here, I noticed. My parents like to keep things pristine and in other words, boring. The white walls with touches of pale furniture were just as I remembered them.
Just then, I saw my father walk down the stairs looking comfortable in his home wear, tee shirt and khaki shorts. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
His eyes met mine and he smiled, truly surprised and delighted to see me.
"Leia, you came. I thought you wouldn't."
I exhaled, already getting tired although I barely got into this place.
"What can I say? I have no choice. That's how desperate I am, dad."
"Nonsense." My father shook his head and pulled me into a hug I wasn't prepared for. He still smelled the same. The expensive cologne he had been using all through the years and cinnamon.
I began to feel annoyed without even knowing why. I gently pushed my father away.
"You know, if you want something from me, you could at least pretend to be glad to see me. At least your mother does that." My dad remarked looking displeased.
"That would make me a two faced user. I'm glad that's the difference between she and I."
I replied.
My dad sighed defeatedly. He knew there was no winning when it came to me.
"Come, have dinner with me." he beckoned as he stepped deeper into the house to the dining room.
"But you said-" I tried to protest, he had already gone. I reluctantly followed him into the dining room where dinner was being served.
At the sight of the variety that was served at the table, my stomach grumbled. When was the last time I ate a decent meal that was not pizza or instant noodles? But it was much better to be free than be in bondage just to eat all the delicacies in the world.
The only reason why I was sitting at this table was because I needed the money my father promised and my mother was not home.
I ate the delicious food aware of my father's keen eyes on me. When I finally glanced at his direction, he didn't budge.
"I've missed having you around the house, my little cherry."
I scoffed, looking down at my food. "Please. When have you ever been around to notice my existence? You were always so busy working."
He sighed looking regretful. "And all that work is for what? The person who was the reason I had been working now treats me like a total stranger."
"And whose fault is that? You're really the cause of whatever treatment-"
"Cadence, what is she doing here?" I heard the shrill voice for the she-devil I call my mother from behind me. Involuntarily, my fists had already clenched under the table.
My father rose to his feet immediately to try to placate my mom. I didn't even dare turn my neck, she was someone I never wanted to see again.
"Nia, I invited her here." He said calmly.
"Why would you invite her here? After how she turned her backs on us?" My mother asked my father with disbelief in her voice. I felt my fingers digging into my palms enough to draw blood.
I needed to be calm. She can rage all she wants but I would stay calm. I had a mission and I wasn't going to let her get in the way of it.
"I know what she did wasn't the best, but no matter what she's still our daughter, Nia. Come, have dinner with us." My father offered. I couldn't see the expression on my mother's face and I didn't need to. I knew she probably looked like a dragon from my children's drawings ready to spew hot lava.
Dad had sat at the head of the table and I sat by his left. Mom came and sat opposite me, her brown hair bouncing as she walked. I got a lot of features from my mom, save for my eyes. They were ashen like my dad's.
I met my mom's hard glare with one of my own. Then I turned back to my food.
"What brings you back to my house Leia? Last time I checked, you were doing fine. You even got invited to Clayton's."
My lips pulled up in a smirk. I knew she would see the news.
"Yes. I'm already going places without your money and influence." I replied.
My mom chuckled darkly. "I also heard that Sterling Holdings bought your school and you have no where to go."
The cook, Mary, brought mom's dinner and she picked her fork. She sensed the tense atmosphere and quickly darted away.
I hated to admit it, but she was right. I had no where else to go. That was why I was in this hellhole right now.
"For someone who had been too busy to care for me when I was younger, you sure have the time to stalk me now."
"Someone has to keep an eye on you, lest you ruin our good name through one of your goofy schemes."
"Ladies, enough bickering!" My dad banged the table so both of us would be silent. Sometimes I felt sorry for him having to be in the middle of our quarrels all the time when he was just a quiet and peaceful person.
"If by any means you think we will support that useless venture, then you might as well get out." My mom said despite my dad's outburst.
"If you think that educating the less privileged people in your country is a useless venture, then I should really get out of your house. Lest my brain gets infected with your selfish virus." I stood up from the table and went to grab my purse.
"You dare call me selfish? After all I've done for you? You're the one who selfishly walked out on us to accomplish your stupid plan which will be a huge flop by the way."
I looked back into her smug eyes and swore to wipe that look off her face, even if it took me a hundred years.
"That's why I never wanted to stay, mom. Because you would make me a ruthless monster like yourself and that would be a nightmare."
I turned to my dad. "Have a good day."
I quickly walked out of the courtyard and back into the street. It was all my fault for going there. I should have known nothing good would come out of it.
The weather changed and began to rain. I still hadn't found a cab and I ran to the nearest overhanging roof to seek shelter. My phone buzzed in my coat pocket. I picked it and unlocked it finding a notification on my screen.
It was from Ethan Sterling.
We need to talk. Where are you? I'll come by and pick you up.