20

Finding my father means the world to me at this point. I dont even know what to feel. I'm still very shocked and confused.

"Why don't we go upstairs to the second parlour since you've already come this far." Dad said.

C2 began to advance the staircase, careful not to trip or anything. He looked at me, but I didnt understand what he was trying to express. But the major emotions I can see are worry and confusion. I give him an 'I'll explain when I can' face. He just nods as we follow my dad.

Where we enter next, was breathtaking. I can now compare it to somewhere that looks close to how Disneyland is.

Beautiful...

From the lights, to the cutleries, to the fancy napkins, to the the huge stage, it all looked way too good to be true. I've honestly never seen this kind of place before. It's only in Alec suite that I saw something a little close to this. But wow! The architect really did some work.

C2 laughed.

"It's funny how you look at this place like a small child seeing a blueprint instead of Lego blocks" he said.

I laughed at his statement.

"But really, this place is beautiful!"

"Haven't you been here before, you being a resident here?" He asked inquisitively.

I sigh.

"It's a long story C2..."

"C2?" He said as he laughed like he couldn't believe what I said

"I have a name sweetheart" he said with a wink.

"Oh..." I feel my face heat up.

"There's no need to be embarrassed, I'm suggesting you overheard someone in my group call me that" he guessed

"Yeah I did"

He smiles.

"My name's actually-"

He's interrupted as dad's voice booms through the hallway. In front of us is a huge brown oak door. It's golden handles are enticing.

Dad opens the door and we trail in behind him. Dad motions for C2 to drop me on the couch so we can all talk. I'm carefully dropped on the plush couch. I almost moan at how soft and comfortable the couch is.

"Omg!! It's suede!!!" I say playing with the couch as if I were a child.

Dad laughs

"You always liked these were you were younger " he said.

"Oh...about that"

"Yes, yes I'm getting to that. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine" I lied. When I lie, I cant help but scratch my nose. I know it's weird.

Dad squints his eyes in disbelief.

"Okay! I'm not fine. I hurt myself almost everywhere when I...um..."

"Fought?"

"Yeah" I say with my head bent. I cant believe he just cornered me!

"Well you're lucky to be alive at this point. Although, I was pretty impressed at how people explained how you fought. I'm not exactly angry that you went head on without support of any kind, but I'm happy that that spirit of yours, the one that always puts other before yourself, is still there. I dont want it anywhere else".

I could feel the pride drip of his tongue. I glew up in joy.

He's...proud of me...

"But it doesn't mean you should go jumping into problems, they're sometimes you just have to hold back and that is something many do not understand ". That seemed more like a speech of wisdom than a caution.

I look at this man with teary eyes. I notice his eyes are exactly like mine. I guess the only difference is the colour. And so is his nose, pointy. I smile, speechless.

"Are you okay? Did something happen? Why are you crying?" He asked like how any father would when something's happening to their child.

I smile at him.

"I'm just...happy to have you as a father."

He looked a little bit puzzled but still smiled.

"Princess, I'm sure you have a lot of questions to ask, and I'm very ready to answer any one."

I nod, thinking about what to say next.

"Yes, I do have a lot of questions. For starters, where's mom?"

"Oh she's-"

"Right over here" I hear someone whisper from behind my ear. I jolt up as I see this beautiful familiar face.

Her jet black hair is tied up in a neat bun. Her milky skin compliments her straight white teeth. Her piercing blue eyes are really a sight to see as what looks like fake eyelashes cover them. The way she stands, with so much poise, I can mistake her for a queen. From her smile to her curves to the cute dimples she has, it's like describing Barbie if she were a real life queen. I'm far too speechless to talk. How on earth is this woman standing in front of me my mother??

"Aww, why are you guys acting so shocked? Especially you Troy, you see me everyday " she says with an unbelievable face.

Dad smiles.

"You know, I never get tired of seeing you. Although there was this one girl..."

Everyone stares at him.

I turn to see a visibly annoyed mother turning red and clenching her fists.

"A girl you say?" She asks through gritted teeth.

Dad's expression never wavers as he is still smiling. Is this how normal parents act? Is this how they fight? Is this what it feels to have this kind of stuff?

They both start to laugh while C2 and look at each other in confusion

What the hell...she looked like ahe was gonna kill him just a second again!! Why are they all happy and laughing?? What?

"If you guys are going to show up in this home then you better be prepared to face what you'll see in here" she said as she shut her eyes and smiled like an angel. I'm assuming this is the first time C2 has been in this place.

No, he's definitely been in the house before, if not he would've had the same amount of shock I had. But it seems he's not been in this section of the house. It's most likely that he's only been at the base before because he also looked shocked when he entered here.

"So why are looking for me?" The way she asked it seems like she already knows but is trying to hide it. She asks the general question but she particularly looks at me. I meet up to her gaze. She's definitely my mother. I know where I got the black hair from now.

"Well" said C2 as he finally decides to speak after a long while.

"We're trying to find out a couple of things about this sweetheart's true origin."

"Oh yeah?" She said as she flops on the couch.

"Yeah. Annie, would you like to start?"

"Definitely not Troy, I had a busy day already, cant you cut me some slack?"

"Okay okay. Kim, you're real parents are Troy and Annalayla West. We are aged 49 and 47 respectively. You have other siblings of which you are soon to find out. You were still here at around age three but on one special day, when we all went to the park, you got taken from us from an unknown person. It was obvious the person knew who you were and of what worth you are. You got sold and became a child under the Monroe family. They have...strong beliefs. And one of them was that anyone brought to them that is not of theirs is to be treated like a slave because it's like adding a burden to them. So that's why they treated you so.

We had so many failed attempts of trying to get you back. It just seemed like we weren't going to see you again as we had no idea which you were located in. That is, until when one of my men said you were being hospitalized. I would've sent him to smuggle you out but Alec being the damned bastard he is, obviously knew I was going to come. So for a while, I decided not to.

"But I couldn't sleep at night, my whole mind was focused on bringing you back. So, I left for the hospital the day after. But I was met by the cool breeze coming out of your open window. And a note from Alec, telling me how achieved he felt that he finally found his beauty, his next project. And if course he would bring you back but but not the same. I know Alec doesn't kill people with his hands, but I couldn't imagine my dear princess suffering more than she already has. And so you were my drive."

"When I sent Leo to bring you, I thought the mission would come out successfully but it seemed Alec had other plans. I was so angry when you slipped away from me like that. Before any of this happened actually, after my spy told me where you were, I couldn't believe him, because I didn't trust that Alec would simply put you in just a hospital bed so I sent someone else to verify. Your mother. She in fact came back with intel that you were indeed in the hospital. She could've just taken you that day but her identity would be compromised in no less than a second because those taking their usual posts were either unconscious or bound somewhere, and there were more people to deal with on the other to sides, so taking you would just be outright suicide."

But what Alec didnt know was that I tracked you. In that bottle of water you drank, was a micro tracker. I'm sorry for that but it was something I just had to do. I kept on tracking you until nature finally took it's course and I lost all contact with you. It was a no brainer that Alec loved stupidly fancy things so that made it a little bit easier to find you. And when I did, oh God, I couldn't imagine how much you changed. Everything about you was so not three years old anymore. And when I heard that you actually fought somebody, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My baby girl has grown up so much and finally I can take her where she belongs."

"Questions?"

My whole body is stiff. From what I've heard just now, I know the majority of my questions have been answered. All except one.

"But...someone took me to the hospital, Alec said it was a lie but I dont know what to believe anymore. I just want to know..."

"That's what I've been trying to say all thai while Kim." C2 says

"My name's not C2, that's a code name used for secret reasons. My name's Nathan. And I'm the one who took you to the hospital"

My eyes widen with shock

So it's not a lie after all...he...he's the one I owe my thanks to for saving me back then...

"It's you...Nathan..."

I cant do anything else but hug him.

"Thank you!!!" I say as I burst into tears. This all cant be real. I must be delusional or something.

But there's still a lot of questions left unanswered.

I start to hear the sound of people talking outside. Their approaching this place.

"I dont know what your saying Isa, pineapples are way better than apples" someone said.

"What the heck are you saying Aiden? Apples are a piece of trash compared to pineapples"

"Why are you guys even comparing pineapples and apples? Why cant you be chill and focus on sexy skateboards and cool waves?"

"Cause we're not all hobos Jake"

Everyone laughs.

"Whatever, you guys just shouldn't bring all that crap up when you enter the house or else"

"C'mon Lexi, is there a day you dont spend without your phone?"

"Is there a day you shut that dirty trap of yours?"

"Oh no she didn't "

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"No way in hell are we doing this right now! Jake and Isabella stop this stupid discussion about fruits, human beings still eat them anyways. Lexi, learn to keep your cool, if you were indeed focused on your phone, there's little or no chance that what Isabella said would affect you. Isabella, apologise to Lexi and learn to stay where your nose is. Now, everyone, put on a smile before mom asks us to do fifty push-ups again" he sighed.

Everyone did as they were told.

Their footsteps echoed closer and closer until the door opened.

"Mom! We're back...home" Isabella said

"Dad...is that...?"

"Yes, yes it is."

"Guys, pinch me I may be dreaming"

"Why what happ-"

"Guys...Kim...she's actually here"

Suddenly they all come running here. They jump on me and all of them struggle to embrace me.

Family...

*******