IMOGEN'S POV
While growing up I've heard people talk all sorts of things about mother but I never got used to hearing it. Especially when they say she betrayed her best friend or stole her bestfriend's man, leading her to an untimely death.
You see, I don't care about those rumors or how true they might be. Each time I'm forced to think of the possibility of my mom doing that, I reminded myself that she brought me and my brother to this world. She gave us the perfect life anyone could ask for. People could talk about us at our backs for all I care, but I won't tolerate it when I'm a witness to such at the moment.
I couldn't stay back and do nothing when I hear such.
I smirked as their eyes widened on recognizing me, surely they didn't realize I was here.
'What were you saying about my mother just now?' I stood up and stride towards them, expecting them to be panicky but they were not. They seem rather...amused?
Do I look funny to them?
'Awwn,' the tall woman with blue eyes said pathetically. 'Oh hello there, queen wannabe.' She added and my eyes twitched at her indifference.
'Seeing you have the leisure of visiting the spa you mustn't have heard.' The short one added smirkingly.
What is wrong with these women?!
'Let's help her clear her ignorance a little.' The tall one grinned.
'What are you talking about? Do you realize I could sue you for this?!'
'Oh dear, you're just too clueless. I mean, are you sure you belong to the Grey's family? Because apparently, you're the dumbest person I ever met!' The short one said.
'What?! What did you just say?!' I yelled angrily, raising my hand to slap her but someone stopped me.
'Uhmm Miss, sorry but remember the spa's policy? No violence is condoned at the spa.' One of the attendants said and I smirked, turning to face her instead.
I gave her a good slap that made her reel backward for a while. Literally everyone in the room gasped.
'That's what you get for interrupting me. How dare you talk to me about your goddamn policies?! Don't you realize I could sue this entire company if I want to?! Or were you questioning my abilities as Chairman Grey's only daughter?!' I yelled.
I have a huge temper and people close to me, know very well not to provoke me unnecessarily.
'Not anymore darling,' the tall woman chuckled in mockery. I furrowed my brows, removing my attention from the already crying attendant and turning to face her.
'What do you mean?! Are you trying my patience or what?!'
'Yes, you heard me right. You're NOT your father's only daughter.' She said and I felt my heart sank, my anger immediately replaced with shock and disbelief.
'Tsk tsk oh poor thing,' the short one clicked her tongue. 'Now you see why I say you're very dumb. Haven't you heard of the tale going around the city this few days or you just choose to ignore it?' I couldn't answer her.
Of course I've heard the damned rumors going on about that lady at the canal, who looked exactly like dad's first wife but I choose not to belief. It was a rumor afterall but now, I feel utterly stupid.
I should have checked some more, pressed on until I got my answers but I didn't. My eyes clouded at the possibility of dad really having another child.
'Oops, are you gonna cry? That's so bad. It doesn't suit your personality 'your majesty'.' They mocked. I sniffed and look back at them.
'Like you said, it's a rumor! It's not proven yet so I won't tolerate anyone who tries to gossip about my family, especially in my presence!' I said and they both began to laugh.
'You don't know a thing! Your dad is currently touring the city with this beautiful lady who apparently bears his last name!' They said in raised voices and I felt a loud bang on my head.
'What?!!!' I gasped.
HARRIET
Harriet was having an interesting time with the other members of the 'Elite women club' she belonged to, clearly oblivious of the events currently taking place in her own family.
The exquisite four-storied club house was located at the heart of the city.
This club was specifically for high ranking and influential societal women and Harriet was the vice-president of the club. She was elected for the position because of her husband's rank in the society. And well, she was having a great time with the women constantly showering praises at her over her husband's business, her son's success, the latest piece of jewelry she had on or even the hairstyle she was wearing.
She was always thrilled to hear them praise her but she knew how well they talked ill of her in her absence. Particularly the chubby red haired secretary, who was only a few years older than her. Although, she's always made her despite known.
Today being one of their meeting days, Harriet had made sure she arrived late in other to flaunt her newly acquired designer wears when the women were completely seated so as to gain their attentions and received another endless shower of praises, while watching them burn red with envy.
While the women praised her as usual, Freya, the redhaired frowned and paid no attention to her. She just scrolled uninterestedly on her phone.
'Hello, ladies.'
The women turned around to see the president of the association walked in the rooftop terrace of the club house they were in. Everyone greeted her and she smiled at them all but paused on seeing Harriet.
'Harriet, you're here? Don't you realize what's going on?' The pretty woman asked. She was an average height with creamy white skin and had several stripes of gray over her black locks.
Harriet alongside the other women, shot her a confused stare.
'I'm sorry I don't follow. Today's one of our meeting days and as such, I ought to be here.' Harriet said, smoothening her hair with a hand.
'Really? Y'all don't know? Well then.' Everyone watched her picked up the remote control and turn on the huge TV.
Only then, did they realize just how well they've been missing out on the juicy details of what's been going on in town, while praising Harriet over her latest accessories. They returned their gaze to her and their pathetic mocking remarks began.
'Oh poor Harriet, see how flustered she look. She must've been unaware of events going on in her own home.'
'Jamie must have had this child a few years earlier than Harriet's children. This beautiful young woman looks a little older than Ashton and Imogen, don't you agree?'
'I thought as much. Who else realized this lady looks a lot like Paige Grey?'
'Rest her soul, I would've thought her to be Paige Grey if I didn't attend her burial ceremony myself.'
'Oh dear, do y'all realize her death anniversary is in two days?'
'That's true. How do we explain this mystery? Few days to his first wife's death anniversary, Chairman Grey's touring the city with an exact replica of her?'
'Hmm, what if there's a lot more side stories than we all think.'
The last woman chipped and everyone turned to look at her. She was none other than Freya, the redhaired secretary.
Harriet couldn't contain her humiliations again. Tears now clouded her eyes and she was having another series of heart attack. She hurriedly grabbed her purse nearby and made the way to the closest restroom.
HARRIET'S POV
I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my face even as the water came in contact, for the umpteenth time with my face. How could this be?! How did this happened?! No, It's not possible!
FLASHBACK
22 years ago>>>Canberra, Australia
'Harriet, please don't...don't forget your promise to raise my child well. We're best friends right? So we ought to help each other. Please do...don't forget your promise!' Paige said her last words with great difficulty, sending a pleading gaze my way as she breath her last.
I wiped the tears from my eyes as her hands fell lifeless, off her child's body.
'I'm sorry Paige. I really am.' I closed her eyes with my palm and took the baby from her numb body. The little child started crying immediately and I began to feel guilty. A thought to change my mind occured but I sighed and shook my head.
No, I've gone in too deep to opt out now...
I try to calm the crying child in my arms, wrapping her carefully as the doctors ran in.
'She's dead.' I cried.
******
'Take the child, make sure you do what you need to do. I'd transfer the cash to your account now, so make sure you do a good job.' I said in the dark night, handling the child whose silver grey eyes fluttered open instantly, to the hired man.
'Forgive me,' I whispered to her...
******
PRESENTLY
'You don't know how great I feel about these recent developments Harriet.' My eyes snapped open and I stare at the mirror only to see the reflection of Freya; the only woman who has openly despised me and made sure I knew.
I sighed as I watched her.
'Have you come to mock me?' I asked, rinsing my hands on the sink.
'Hmm, as you've always know. I've long despised you for reasons I can't place but because my guts says so. I don't know why or what happened many years ago to my dear friend Paige, but you know what? Something keeps screaming in me that you're guilty.' She said.
I stared at her directly in the eyes through the mirror with a lazy smirk playing on my lips.
'Did you hear yourself just now? So you've been hating on me all these years only because your gut screams there's something suspicious about me?' I chuckled darkly. She shrugged.
'I'll definitely not stop until something proves otherwise.' She said.
'Freya, come at me when you have evidence and I'd be ready to face you then, not now because of your baseless assumptions.' I said, picking up my purse after drying my wet hands of course.
I turned around, gave her a once over glare and walked out of the restroom.
Stupid woman...
I exited the building and my bodyguards escorted me to the parking lot. I entered the car and as the driver drove to my husband's manor, I stared into space. I need to contact someone soon but I can't do that immediately, otherwise there'll be a problem.
Moments after I arrived home, I walked in the living area to find my children pacing about.
'Mom!' They rushed to me immediately. Imogen had tears rolling down her cheeks and Ashton's hair was disheveled, he had a panicky expression on and I felt guilty instantly.
Poor children...
'Mom, does dad really have another child like they all say? Why's he touring the city with that stranger but wouldn't look at me for weeks?' Imogen cried and I hugged her immediately.
'Don't worry darling, your father would explain it all, soon.' I smoothen her hair.
SCARLETT'S POV
I hugged Dad once more in the car and he pecked my cheeks.
'Thanks so much for today, Dad.' I smiled.
'No, I should thank you. I've never been this happy in a long while.' He caressed my hair. 'Are you sure about this?' He asked and I nodded positively.
'Yes dad, it's best I meet them now.' I said.
While on the tour, we did talked about a lot of things, including the rest of Dad's family members. He told me the story all over again just as my foster mom did, only that it was from what he knew about the whole matter. Dad said he wasn't pressuring me into joining the family, but he did mentioned, he would be thrilled if I did.
I told him I was ready to meet them. After all, they must be confused themselves over all that's been happening and as such, they needed explanations.
It wouldn't be bad to meet the woman with so much negative energy flowing through her veins to the extent she could kill my mother, or would it??
Let's find out duhhh...
Dad had driven back with me in the limo to mom's farmhouse. We spent the whole day together and right now, a bodyguard was about taking the art pieces Dad got me inside the farmhouse but I stopped him.
'I'd rather you take those to the family's manor since I would be moving there soon.' I said with a small smile, looking out the window at him. Dad smiled in agreement to what I said.
'Okay Miss.' He bowed.
'About your mom's death anniversary, it's in two days as you already know.'
I turn sideways to Dad with a small smile.
'Yes Dad, I'm ready!' I took his hands in mine. 'You don't have to worry about anything.' I said.
'Heidi, everything happening now is just too good to be true. I mean, I feel like I'm having yet another dream of when I'll finally meet you. Are you sure you're not planning to run away?' He said with a bit of disbelief. I chuckled at his serious facial expression and he laughed.
'I would never do that Dad. Do you know how much I've long wanted a Dad?' I chuckled. Dad pursed his lips and smiled.
'Come here,' he hugged me again.
'Sugarplum! My sugarplum you're back!'
I chuckled when I heard Sky's voice and running footsteps over the porch.