Page 11 of Bittersweet Legacy

“Gracious not to?” I frowned “Why would he? It’s not like you had a choice in the matter! What are you expected to be? A broodmare?” I snorted.

The look she threw me showed I was not completely off the mark, but before I had a chance to add anything, she stood up briskly.

“Well Anika, the personal shopper will be here soon,” she announced, clasping her hands together.

“I don’t need a personal shopper; I just need my suitcase and backpack. Do you know where they are?”

She shook her head. “No, but your father will never allow you to dress the way you do, Esmeralda.”

“Please, call me Esme.”

She sighed, looking heavenward. “I can call you Esme if you wish, well when we’re together at least, but you need to realize that Esme is no more – she can’t be. Your father is neither understanding nor forgiving.” She walked closer to me and softly, almost tenderly, brought a tendril of my long hair behind my ear, in such a motherly gesture. “Choose your battles wisely, little one, and enjoy the best parts of it fully. Take the clothes, the gifts, the money… take everything you can – it’s the least you deserve for all the sacrifices you’ll have to make.”

I knew it was probably the mantra she repeated to herself for whatever crap my father and brother were putting her through, but what she didn’t understand was that while she’d chosen this life and was resigned to it, I was already thinking about the day I could open the cage and fly away without as much as a look back.

“I also arranged for the school’s official tailor to come this evening with your uniform. She assured me she’ll have it ready tomorrow afternoon for school. We wouldn’t want you to miss the start on Monday.”

“Uniform? School?” Of course, I had to go to school! How did I even skip this?Ben!I jolted at the thought. “I need my bag, my phone! Do you know where my father is?”

She eyed me warily. “Yes, he is in his office, but he hates being interrupted for any reason. I would strongly advise you against going there unless you’re being summoned.”

I rolled my eyes at the absurdity of it all. “I don’t really care what he wants.”

“You will,” she replied, the warming clear in her voice.

I shrugged. “Please Sophia, just show me where his office is, I’ll go door to door if I have to.”

She sighed with resignation. “I’ll show you, but please don’t be long. Anika will be here any minute.”

As we walked down the corridor and down the massive wooden staircase, I couldn’t help but look around for a glimpse of Archie. I’d hoped Sophia was wrong, that he would come to me, I was his blood after all. I read somewhere that twins had a special bond – I’d hoped to prove it but so far, I was nothing if not disappointed.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, she pointed to the corridor which I remembered she said led to the garden.

“Third door on your right, I’ll be waiting in the salon for you,” she added pointing to a room closer to the main entrance.

I nodded and turned to leave when she caught my wrist. “Pick your battles wisely, Esme,” she whispered, glancing in the direction of the office.

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, not yet, but the urgency in her whisper made me nod, even if only to placate the woman who seemed to have my best interests at heart. She smiled, as if I just gave her a gift, and let go of my wrist.

I walked to the office and took a deep breath before knocking, I knew he was my family, and this was technically my home, but I never felt more foreign than I did at this moment.

“You can do it,” I encouraged myself before knocking briskly.

“Come in!”

I opened the door to find my father sitting behind an imposing mahogany desk, on which sat an open folder and a tumbler half-filled with an amber-colored drink.

“Esmeralda,” he said closing his folder and leaning back in his chair. “Come in.” He gestured to one of the brown leather chairs in front of his desk.

At least it didn’t seem to bother him that much to have me around. I quickly took in the massive room as I walked forward. The two leather sofas, matching chairs in front of his desk, the long window giving a breath-taking view onto the back garden, the bookshelves taking all the back wall and filled with what seemed to be ancient leather-bound volumes.

The crystal ashtray, the open cigar box… it really was like in the movies.

“I’m actually glad you came; I’ve got some documentation you will need to familiarize yourself with as soon as possible. Sophia cannot find her copy of ‘The Guide of a Good Socialite Woman’,” he sighed, as if his wife disappointed him. “I had to order you a copy – it’ll be a couple of days before we get it. This is all a crucial part of your education.” He added removing his glasses, resting his hands on his desk. I could see why my mother and Sophia fell for him. He was a good-looking man, but his aura of power was off the charts, most likely making him irresistible to women looking for a comfortable life.

“Sure, I’ll study these carefully.” I stated not meaning a word as I looked at the two impressive thick purple folders he just pointed at. Seriously how much did he want me to learn? And how much commitment did I really want to put into it when I intended to leave and never come back the day after graduation.

“I’d like my belongings please.” I asked as politely as I could.

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