LIA POV
With shaking hands and quivering lips, I picked the phone to listen to a vexed Pat.
“I see that you're starting to grow wings. I do not care about wherever you are now. Meet me right now at this very minute!” he ordered and cut the call. He wasn't even patient enough to confirm if I was the one who answered the call or someone else did. Such a horrible and obsessed man! I wish I could kill him with my bare hands. I raced to my supervisor at work to inform him about my sudden leave.
“Lunch break is already over. You should be in a class right now!” he exclaimed, gazing at me with his eagle eyes.
“I'm sorry sir but it's very urgent. I need to be there,” I begged.
“Be back in twenty minutes. I'd only allow this because you're in the good books of our director,” he said.
And I have Greg to thank for that, I thought while I walked away from his office, out of the building to get a cab. While I was heading home, I had all sorts of feelings. What would Pat do to me when he sees me? I pray that Greg doesn't show up so that Pat wouldn't drag him into my mess. Out of the blues, I suddenly missed my Mum. Days with her were filled with peace and if she had not been snatched away from me, I'd not be a victim of Fred and Pat's sexual abuse.
********************
SEVEN YEARS AGO
“That's enough, mother. I'll finish up here so that you can rest,” I said, helping my Mum to sit.
“You should be studying now, you know? I don't want to burden you,” she said.
“Of course, you're not burdening me with anything. I'm fine. I'll be done with this in a few minutes. You work too hard, that's why you're so tired,” I commented but she simply smiled.
It was late when we were done working at the Richardson house. Mum was extremely tired, more than I could imagine. While we passed through the gate, a car was going through and it stopped on its track. The occupant brought the window down so we could see him.
“Good evening, Mr. Richardson,” Mum greeted and signaled that I should do the same which I did. He must be the owner of the large house, I guessed. Mum had said that he was a politician.
“Who do we have here?” he said, sizing me up. For a young lady of seventeen years old, I would say that I regretted being too pretty for my age.
“She's my daughter, Lia,” Mum said, motioning for me to say something once more.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you sir,” I said.
“The pleasure is all mine. Still in high school?” he asked.
“Yes sir,” I answered without looking at his face.
“It's dark already. Mind a lift?” he asked.
“Oh No sir! We wouldn't want to bother you. You're already heading into the house,” Mum said even though I pressed her arm because a lift would do us a lot of good.
“It's no bother at all,” he said, alighting from the car. “I'll just take a walk in. My driver will take you home,” he said and turned to his driver, “ hey man, take this madam and the little miss to their home. I'll be expecting you back soon,” he said, with his eyes glued back to his watch then to me. Why was he staring at me? I couldn't fathom it.
“Goodbye ma'am and you, Lia,” he said and walked into the house.
“He's such a gentleman, mother,” I kept saying when we got to our tiny room apartment with a bit-sized kitchen and restroom.
“Of course, he is,” Mum said, smiling heartily.
“And I wonder why he kept staring at me. Did I smell? Was something on my face?” I asked, rushing to her on the bed.
“No. you don't. You're just too pretty to be ignored,” Mum replied and I guessed her response was so that I could let her rest. I got the memo so I went to pick my books to study. While doing so, I found a ruffled sheet of paper on the floor and while I was about throwing it in the bin, I saw the very thing that shook my world and made me what I am today.
“Cancer?! Mother! Cancer?! Really?! And you didn't tell me!,” I screamed, tearing up in front of her. Mum was short of words. She didn't know what to say or how to react to my emotional breakdown.
“I'm sorry,” she muttered.
*********
“How are you feeling now?” Mrs. Richardson asked, staring as if she'd fold me in her arms.
“I – I'm – I'm fine, thank you ma'am,” I sniffed and wiped my face.
“I'm so sorry about your loss. I pray that she rests in perfect peace,” Pat said.
“Thank you sir,” I whimpered.
“My driver told me that he saw you a few days ago and you're planning to drop out of school,” Pat questioned.
My eyes opened wide because I was short of words. “Yes sir,” I replied.
“I see that you're a lady of fewer words,” he said and motioned to his wife. What were they doing that for? I wondered but it was not my place to ask.
“Well, considering what we've heard about you and your mother, we'll like to extend an open arm to you. If you don't mind, we'll be glad to adopt you as our own so you won't have to worry about tuition or other bills for your upkeep. You'll be well taken care of,” Mrs. Richardson explained.
“Adopted?! Really?!” I exclaimed. They could just extend a helping hand instead of adopting me. The new development made me curious but it was an opportunity beyond my imagination. I whispered, “ Would I have to drop my mother's name?”
“No, you don't if you don't want to. We'll work around that but you’ll have to become a Richardson,” she answered.
How could I have said No to such an amazing opportunity. I might never get such a chance ever in my lifetime. A very wealthy family wants me to become their daughter. The woman seemed like someone from old money which meant she was also rich. Cool!
After a few weeks, I became a real Richardson officially and legally. I got introduced to the whole world as a Richardson. I appeared on several media outlets and it was a grass to grace story. Pat's approval ratings skyrocketed. I was a big blessing to the family as they would say. They changed my school and my wardrobe. I got a new smartphone, laptop and so many accessories I could ever need. Welcome to the life of the rich.
On one particular Sunday evening, news came that the first son of the family, Fred Richardson had just flown in from Italy and would be settling in New York city. I felt so elated that I'd get to meet my first eldest brother. I had a second one who I never got to know - for now, anyway. Little did I know that it was the start of a very terrible journey. I wore one of my best dresses and stood at the door to welcome him. He had to like me and I’d give whatever it takes. I can't imagine being a little sister who was hated by her brother. I was even adopted. That would spell doom on me.
“You must be Lia, my new sister,” Fred said, extending his hand for a handshake as soon as he reached the doorway and met me.
“Yes and you're welcome back to New York,” I replied, returning a smile since he kept grinning at me.