Childhood Memories

Having finished the novel in just one day, Clara sneaked out of her bedroom to the library downstairs to search for a new book to read.

This mansion had a breathtaking private library with custom mahogany, natural walnut wood floors, high elegant ceilings, and hundreds of books collection on brown shelves.

Xander didn't renovate the traditional look of this library, but some new furnitures like the oversized leather couch, TV, chandeliers were added. Oh, and a full size billiard table.

Clara ventured inside the big room and search for the secret library door her father installed years ago. She had forgotten the exact shelf that could turn when suddenly she heard someone walked inside the library.

She quickly ducked behind the couch and regret it instantly. She was not a thief so why did she hide?

It was Xander. She was one hundred percent sure because only him walking with crutches in this mansion. After a while, he was sitting on the couch that Clara used to hid her body.

"I know you're there. Come out." He grunted as if the effort to walk from the door to the couch drained his energy.

Clara quietly appeared behind him and seized his neck using her arms in a tight grip. "I could choke you to death, Xander. And I'm itching to do so right now." She whispered.

Xander only had one good leg to use so Clara thought she could overpower him. Like killing this man that had kidnapped and tortured her, physically and mentally. But her arm turned slack and embrace him from behind. His black hair smells good with a subtle yet luxurious masculine scent.

"No, you wouldn't dare. Suddenly I remember a little girl that used to live in this mansion and she loved to play hide and seek. She had the same eyes and hair color as yours."

Clara released him and stand upright, "What are you talking about?"

"Sit here and I'll tell you everything."

Was this the beginning of the end? Xander would tell her everything and then what? Would he release her after all of this?

Her legs were shaking but she took a seat on the far side of the couch, away from him. "How did you know me as a child? Are you the son of one of my father's business partners?"

Maybe her father did something grave towards his family, after all, business men could be slick and deceitful to achieved their goals. But he treated his father with kindness.

He chuckled darkly, "I'm not born into a wealthy family like you. Quite the opposite, my mother used to work here."

Clara caught her breath. "What is your mother's name?

"You were just a small child, seven or eight years old when I first set my foot here so maybe you've forgotten. Her name was Lauren Ossa."

- 17 Years Earlier -

I pedal my rusty old bike through the bumpy road under the glaring noonday sun, red-faced with exertion. The unsmiling teddy bear in one of my hand that also grip the handlebar swaying from the movement. Paddington is the name bestowed upon it.

Paddington has a nasty tear on his stomach that needed to be tend soon enough, that is why I have to rush him to the hospital before the owner wake up and saw him in this state.

My mother works at a big mansion located far from town but it is not that long of a journey from our house. I look in awe as the mansion looming large but a security guard stopped me.

After I said that I am the son of Lauren Ossa, one of the maid here, he let me pass the gate. I ride my bike pass the beautiful green front yard, there are trees and flowers everywhere.

I stop in front of the entrance and drop my bike to the ground. I don't need to knock because a butler already opened the door. He is a big and tall man but has a nice smile and kind enough so I wait in front of my door while the butler that greeted me was calling my mother.

I rub my sweaty hand on my clothes, suddenly self-aware that someone like me doesn't deserve to be here. Then my mother appeared wearing a black and white maid clothes, she walks down the hall towards me.

"Alec, what are you doing here?" She says in worried face.

I hate to make her worry about everything, hate that she has to work so hard to support us while her boyfriend, Martin, can only drink and be angry.

Sometimes I wonder what makes her want to live with Martin. Yes, he provides us a roof but all the house expenses were paid by my mother because he doesn't have a stable income and job.

I stretch out Paddington to her, "Rollo tore it apart that's why I rushed here before she wakes up."

My mother takes it from my hand and inspect the tear. "Oh God.. It will take a while to sewn him back. You leave Aurelia alone in the house?"

I nod my head, "She is still sleeping, besides there is Rollo that can guard the house. Not that anyone want to steal something from our house." I murmur.

Mother gives me a look that could shut me up and says, "Wait here and don't touch anything, Alec. I'll be back after I fix it."

I watch her disappeared inside the house, then lean my back on the wall looking at the beautiful front yard.

This is the property of Davis family and I wonder what Mr. Davis do to earn so much money. I want to be rich one day so I could give my mother a better life.

Without me knowing, my feet take me inside and I admired the luxury in it. I observe the deer head with antlers that was hanging at the front hall when suddenly someone boo me from behind.

I jump in surprise and turn to find a small girl with brown hair and hazel eyes smiling at me. She is a cute girl, probably the same age as my step-sister.

"Who are you?" She asks.