I was expecting the door to be locked from the outside because after I was kidnapped from here and bought by Ansell, he assured me that he had locked my house but what surprised me was that Ansell pressed the doorbell.
That means there is someone who is residing inside and I don’t even know about it.
How could he allow anyone to stay at my house without my permission?
I was about to ask him the same when the door swung open and revealed my mother’s face.
What?
What is she doing here?
When did she come?
Why don’t I know anything about this?
“Nara!” My mother exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion, and she practically jumped on me, enveloping me in a tight, warm hug. My eyes closed as I surrendered to her embrace, a feeling of longing fulfilled after being separated for so long.
She caressed my back before pulling back.
“Over the call, you were constantly telling me that you were fine. But I knew that something was wrong with you”
My eyebrows drew together in confusion. Does she know about the reality of Ansell because he hasn’t moved from his place and she didn’t seem question his presence with me?
“Just look at you, Nara ” my mother’s eyes traveled down to my frail figure. Her voice trembled with emotion. “You have lost so much weight ”
“That’s because she wasn’t taking her meals on time” Ansell chimed in before I could respond. “But don’t worry, auntie. Now that she is with me, I will take good care of her”
He is taking as if he is not the one because of whom my condition is so weak and vulnerable. And why is he telling my mother that now he is with me?
What’s going on?
“Oh, Ansell” my mother’s eyes flicked to him. “In the excitement of meeting my daughter, I forgot to welcome you”
“It’s Okey, it’s my home now as well, isn’t it?’ Ansell replied.
“Yes, of course ” she smiled warmly, her words filled with genuine affection. “It was always your home, and it will always be”
I couldn’t help but gulp, my unease growing as I tried to comprehend what was happening.
“Come ‘
She gave us a way and Ansell and I entered the home. My heart filled with warmth as I inhaled the scent of my house. It is the very home where I have spent my whole life. Earlier, I used to complain about our house being so small but now, after living a hell of life in the luxurious house of Ansell, this seems like heaven.
We went to the living room, where dad was already waiting for us on the couch. It seems like they already knew about our visit. Ansell must have told them and I am sure they are surprised about what he was saying to me. I am glad that I actually liked his surprise this time. I wanted to meet them so badly.
“How are you, Nara?” My dad inquired, his hand gently caressing my head.
“I am fine, dad” I replied with a smile on my lips that genuinely reflected my happiness at seeing my parents again. “How are you?” I returned the question.
“I am good, perfectly fit” he beamed with joy, his smile stretching from ear to ear. “Thanks to Ansell”
Ansell?
“Don’t you know?” He asked, reading the confusion on my face. “He appointed the best doctor for me and this is because of him that I recovered so quickly” he said with gratitude in his eyes for Ansell.
I didn’t know that Ansell was doing it for my parents.
“He is the one who has brought us here and asked to stay in our home instead of an a city where we barely know anyone” my father added, “he thought that if we stayed out of place, then I would recover soon”
“Yes, Ansell, we are so thankful to you” my mother said.
“It’s ok, I have come here and practically lived here for my teenage years, i have stayed with you more than I have stayed with my parents. So I think that I haven’t done any favour to you. Please don’t make me feel guilty by saying all this” Ansell’s voice was so soft and gentle that for a moment, I forgot what a devil he was.
He was behaving normally the way he used to, but now I know how double faced he is.
“But we are angry with you, Nara” my mother said.
“At me why?”
“Because you didn’t tell us about your relationship with Ansell ” my mother said.
Uh!
I didn’t know what Ansell had told my parents, so I was unsure about what I should say. One thing was certain, though, he hadn’t revealed the full truth, or my parents would never have treated him this way.
“She was worried about how you would react” Ansell said on my behalf, smoothly covering for my silence. “After William’s passing, you were already under a lot of stress, so she didn’t want to add to your burden. But due certain circumstances, we have to marry in haste, which is why I am telling you now”
“Why would we get angry?” We have seen him since he was a teenager, and we know that no one could take care of you more than him. We trust him as much as we trust William” she said.
I forced a smile. Mom I also used to trust him a lot because I was also in darkness, just like you. I am sure he also helped him the treatment of my father because he wanted to earn the trust of my parents. He is the same man who has forced me to do many things by blackmailing me to kill my parents if I didn’t comply with his orders.
“I am excited for your wedding” she said it with a broad smile.
I could see the same happiness on my father’s face. He talks less but his happiness is quite visible in his eyes. He is also happy with this relationship.
“Mom, we are not having a big wedding. It will be simple ” I informed her, watching as the smile on her lips faded.
I knew that since William’s passing, I was their primary source of happiness, but I couldn’t afford a grand celebration because it would essentially be a celebration of my own captivity.
“You wanted a big wedding. What happened to you?” My mother asked about cutting my thoughts.
“Mom, timed change, people change, and desire change” I replied with a smile. “I no longer believe in wasting money on a one day celebration” I added.
“My little girl has actually grown up” she chuckled and I forced a smile.
“Bring something for the kids to eat” my father interrupted my mother.
“Oh, yes” she exclaimed, standing up. ” In my excitement, I forgot. I have baked pizza for you. I remember how much you used to love it during your teenage years ” she chirped.
I remember whenever Ansell visited our home, all he wanted was to eat pizza made by my mother because he thought that it was the world’s best and not even 5 star hotels could match the taste.
Ansell and my father engaged themselves in a conversation while I cut myself off. My eyes are taking in my home, as I was not sure when I would get the chance to visit it again.
Within a few minutes, mom was back with the pizza and placed it on the table along with the sauce.
“I have missed your piazza so much” Ansell chuckled, swiftly grabbing a slice as soon as it touched the table.
He appeared entirely at ease, just like his old self. No one would suspect that a devil hid behind that facade, and my innocent parents were blind to his nature.
“It’s delicious” he remarked, licking his lips. “Have some before I devour it all” he teased.
“You can have as much as you want, I will bring more” my mother offered before heading back to bring another pizza.
I took a slice and nibbled on it. It was really delicious but I wasn’t feeling like eating anything. One slice was enough for me.
After having pizza, mom made tea, and my father and Ansell were deep in conversation, discussing everything from politics to sport to business and more. On the surface, things seemed so normal but deep down, I knew the reality. My parents are completely unaware of how much trouble their daughter is in.
I would have been the luckiest girl in the world if Ansell were truly the person he was pretending to be.
I was having the tea when Ansell nudged me and mouthed ‘Documents’ reminding me of the purpose for which we are here.
“I am going to the room to take the documents” I told my parents.
“Ok” mom nodded.
I stepped up to the first floor and once inside my room, the feeling of nostalgia hit me. Everything was in its place and all I wanted to do was lie on my bed and go back to those carefree days.
Sitting at my desk, I pulled out the drawer and retrieved the file containing all my documents. I began to go through them when I heard the door click. My gaze shot to the entrance, and I saw Ansell standing there. He hadn’t even bothered to knock before barging into my room. For him, my privacy doesn’t matter even a bit. He says that both of us are one and there should be no curtains between us.
What is he doing here?
His eyes moved around, scanning my room. It is the first time in his life that he has come here. William never let him come on the first floor without him, let alone my room.
“Your room is defining you, beautiful and warm” he chuckled as he stepped towards me.
His eyes went through my things when they stopped on the exam board. It belongs to him but I remember the day when he gave it to me.
I forgot to take my exam board with me and was running out to buy one when he have it to me.
Since then, I have kept it with me on my desk all the time, as it motivated me to study.
“You loved me just as much as I loved too, didn’t you?” He asked, his tone filled with amusement, his eyes fixed on the exam board.
Without uttering a word, I reached for the exam board and placed it inside the desk, alongside other things that had lost their meaning to me. The person I had deeply loved had passed away, and these mementos no longer held the same significance.
Suddenly, he took me by surprise by leaning over me, his eyes dark with desire.
“What Ansell?” I tried to push him away but his intentions were saying something else.
My ears turned red in anticipation and my heart started pounding in my chest. I don’t want him to do anything here. His next words took me by surprise.
“Your mother put forward the offer of staying overnight in their house and guess what, I have accepted it”
My eyes widened in shock. How am I supposed to keep him away now?