Samantha's POV
'We are gathered here today to honour the life and memory of Mia Grey. Death has come to her as it does to all persons. Death brings to our minds and hearts the common concerns and shared destiny of humankind. We are drawn together by deep felt emotions, and are reminded of the essential community that lies beneath the many divisions of humanity on earth.' The priest's words echoed in my mind.
It was a beautiful funeral. The only downside was that it was a funeral. Why did she have to die? I wanted her to stay with me. I love her. Grandpa seems lost. I am lost... we all are... I stare at the ceiling bringing back all the memories Mia and I shared. I was never prepared for this. She left us all so sudden. She left us in her sleep. How did this happen? She was as healthy as a horse. I never understood this... and I didn't want to understand this. She was... is... no... she's still here with me. I don't want her to be out of my life. I want her with me. Why did you take her God? Why?
There were so many unanswered questions that I didn't have any answer for. Grandpa said that the doctors confirmed that she died of a heart attack. She's young! How could she die like that? They said that it had been coming a long way, only that we didn't realize this. I couldn't understand how she, didn't recognize the signs or feel anything. She knew how this worked! Grandma always made us read about these stuff. Why did she do this? Why did she leave me alone? Why did she leave us alone? I've lived with her all my life... She's what's held me together these past 2 years. And now, she's gone. Just like the wind taking away every dust particle away.
I buried my face into the pillow and let myself wonder there. I wished to chock... and I didn't want to live without her. A part of me died with her. I haven't cried as yet. There was no amount of tears that could explain the sadness and the pain in my heart. I held on to grandpa's side throughout the whole event. I didn't want to let go of him, and I never want to. There is no way in hell that I'm losing him as well, nor grandma for the matter of fact.
'Sam...' I heard grandpa calling me as he opened my door. 'Can you come down? We need to talk...' He started, while he came forward and set on the edge of the bed. 'How are you feeling Sammy?' He asked as he noticed that I didn't make a move.
'I don't know...' I replied as he placed his hand on my back while I sat beside him. 'I miss her grandpa...'
'I know Sammy...' He smiled weakly. 'I miss her too...'
'How are you holding up?' I asked him gently.
'I'm not holding up...' He cried as I rubbed his back. 'I want her with me... with us Sammy... I can't believe she's not here with us anymore...' He admitted as he buried his face in my shoulder.
'Grandpa, I know this is hard... but what would Mia want us to do?' I asked him. I felt such a hypocrite doing this, when in reality I was still holding on to her death.
'She'd want us to be happy...' He smiled weakly.
'I know this is hard grandpa... but I don't want to lose you too...' I replied as he took out his handkerchief and dried his tears.
'Sammy, we need to talk... downstairs...' He said again as he stood up and held his hand forward for me to take it. We went downstairs, and there he was, with grandma. The bastard of a father I had, sipping from his scotch. The same spitting image I had of him of when I was younger.
'What's he doing here?' I asked grandpa as I sat to his side.
'He... as you're calling me...' Christian started. 'Is here to talk...'
'Yeah... like that was ever your forte...' I threw back meeting his same glare.
'Ok... stop it you two...' Grandma clearly ordered. 'Sammy... I talked with your father... and... we think that it's best for you if you go live with him...'
'What? No... I'm staying with you grandma...' I said again as I looked towards grandpa. 'Grandpa, please!'
'Sammy... We can't take care of you alone... We're getting old, and this house... this house will tear you apart. You've watched Mia die here... you held her hand while she died...'
'I don't care... I'm staying here... I don't want to move... I want to be where you guys are...'
'Samantha, this is not your choice. You're coming with me and that's the end of discussion...'
'Who are you to just come in here and tell me what to do?' I threw back.
'I'm your father...' He replied. 'I have the right to decide for you.'
'That's a good one...' I sarcastically replied. 'If I recall correctly you haven't been a father in like ever. You've abandoned me in that hell hole and the only people that loved me where your parents... but what do you know right?'
'Sam... stop it...' Grandma ordered. 'We didn't raise you like that... you're grounded...'
'...but grandma?'
'Two weeks?' She threatened while I shut my mouth. 'Apologize to your father right this instant, and you're forgiven...'
'Sorry...' I automatically replied. 'Am I still grounded?'
'No...' She smiled weakly. 'Look... I know this is going to be hard for you... and I know that you don't want to leave us... but you need someone that can offer you everything. You need somewhere where it doesn't remind you of what you've seen here...'
'...but I want to be with you grandma!'
'I know Sammy... I know... and we'll always will be... Don't worry about that...' She assured me. 'But you have to live with your father…' She continued.
'…and family for the matter. Teddy and your mother are missing you a lot...' Grandpa continued.
'So what? You take this decision without me? You cannot do that! Not even as an attorney!'
'This is not some law case that we can discuss!' he said again.
'Let me handle this dad...' Christian replied. 'Your stuff is already packed and there is going to be no discussions. You're coming with me and that is the end of the discussion. Are we clear?'
'Not! You cannot tell me what to do!'
'I can and I will...' He replied back while I stood up.
'No... I am not!'
'Sammy... do you love us?' Grandma asked me as she held me from my shoulders.
'You know I do grandma...'
'Then please, do this for us... We've never asked you for anything... We're asking you this... please!' She begged.
'...but I want to stay with you...'
'I know... and I do too... but you need someone stable for you... Please do this for me!' Grandpa joined in.
'Grandpa...'
'I promise we'll talk everyday... we'll even have some of our fun with law cases... and you can come whenever you want… but please... do this for me! For us…' He begged while Christian stood up and took my luggage. 'Please Sammy...' He begged again. '...for me...'
'Ok...' I finally gave in and let my head drop. 'I love you grandpa...' I said again as I hugged him tight while he lifted me off and hugged me tighter. 'I love you grandma…' I continued as she hugged me tight.
'I'm never going to forget you princess...'
'Neither will I...' I quickly dried my tears.
The drive to Aspen was uneventful. Him driving and I looking and staring outside the window. He is a rich bastard... while he makes millions, others are dying out of hunger. I hated every second of this. At one moment I lost Mia, and now I'm losing my grandparents too. Why did they have to send me away? I still wanted to live with them. I love them... Guess it's not enough if they had to send me away.
Christian's POV
I kept looking at her at times. She looked nothing like when she was a 6 year old. That's the last time I've seen her. Before I sent her to boarding school. Now it's been 10 years, and she's already 16. She looks exactly like me, and even her attitude seems to be like mine. More tougher to handle. I made a mistake leaving her there… and it's one we're all paying… She was miserable there… but I felt that it was the only way I could keep her safe… I could hide her from the world… but it wasn't enough… that's why my parents raised her, and now, she's all different. She's all grown up.
'We're here...' I said as I parked into Gate 4. I exited the car and she still remained quiet although she joined me. Taylor came forward and took her luggage while we made our way to the elevator. 'The code is 523615.' I stated while she remained with no emotion on her face. Just blank.
We moved to the living room and I quickly took her to her room. She remained staring at it from the door.
'Aren't you coming in?' I asked while she hesitated. 'If you don't like it... we can change it...'
'It's fine...' She smiled weakly. 'Thank you...'
'You're welcome... It's the same one before you left.' I replied. 'We just changed the crib for a bed…' I smiled, as I moved to her desk. 'So you have your schedule over here...'
'I have a schedule?'
'You're living with us now Sam...' I replied. 'You have to wake at 7am for breakfast, Taylor will drive you to school at 7.30am, you come back home straight at 14.00, Taylor will pick you up, at 14.30 we'll meet for lunch, you do your homework and study, and I expect you to have good acceptable grades, dinner at 17.00.'
'I have soccer practice three times a week from 17.00 onwards...' She quickly said as she avoided my eyes. I could feel that there was something she was hiding. 'Theodore usually drives me…'
'Soccer?'
'Yeah... is there a problem?'
'No...' I replied. 'I'll revise your schedule again. When are the days?'
'Depends...' She replied back. 'Wait... why am I agreeing to this? I'm not following some damn schedule you just placed... I've lived without one for at least 14 years for sure!'
'You live here now, and you do as I say...' I replied again as I eyed her. 'For starters, I know that you haven't eaten anything, and you seem too thin if you ask me.'
'Well I didn't ask you!'
'Wipe of that smart mouth if you don't want to be in trouble.'
'...and what are you going to do? Spank me?' She threatened.
'I might just as well do...'
'Yeah... try that, and I won't stay here for another second...' She threatened.
'Let me make this clear I am your father...'
'No you're not... blood is what makes us related... but you're not my father...'
'Ok, I deserve that...' I admitted. 'We'll pick this conversation after lunch...'
'Not hungry...'
'You need to eat... and here we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner as a family… Your mother and Teddy are waiting for us downstairs.'
'Haven't I made myself clear that I don't care what you think?'
'Samantha, you're coming to lunch right now...' I grabbed her from her arm and dragged her downstairs. 'Sit...' I ordered, as she complied hesitantly. 'Wait here… and don't move… I'm getting your mother and Teddy…' I continued.
Samantha's POV
Who the hell does he think he is to just grab me and drag me down? He may do it with everyone but not with me. Gosh… I miss grandma and grandpa already… but at least, I have Teddy and mum here. I can avoid him… Guess there is an upside to this.
'Welcome home Ms. Grey...' Gail came from behind me
'Thanks Gail...' I smiled honestly.
'They're here...' Dad came in from behind me with Teddy and mum.
'Teddy!' I made one run towards him and jumped holding onto him.
'Easy princess…' He chuckled as he held me close to him and lifted me off. 'God I missed you! You've grown up so fast…' He replied as mum came in.
'Heard that my baby is back!'
'Mummmyy!' I smiled as Teddy let me back on my feet, and ran to her and hugged her tight.
'Baby…' She smiled as she hugged me back and kissed my forehead. 'Glad you're finally home…' She continued while I remained quiet.
Christian's POV
'I see... so it's with me you have a problem with…' I commented as Ana and her let go of their embrace. I had to admit to myself. I was a little hurt with this.
'Glad you finally noticed...' She replied back.
'What happened to you? You used to be such a sweet girl...'
'At least one thing never changed... you're still judgemental...' She replied back unaffected by my comment as we all went to the table.
'From where did you get this attitude?'
'According to grandma from you... Glad we share something Christian...' she replied back as Gail chuckled while I sent her a death glare, along with Theodore and Ana which she also seemed to be unaffected by. '...but what do you know? You were never around... isn't that right Christian?' She replied as she stood up from the table and made her way, while I stopped her.
'Sam... Where are you going?'
'Why do you care?' She asked again while I remained quiet. 'That's what I thought...' She replied with a smirk on her face. 'Usual Christian.'
'Sam, call me Christian again and you're grounded.'
'Mhm... Pulling the big guns aren't we Grey?' She replied sarcastically. She truly loved pushing the limits. It reminded me so much of me.
'That's it you're grounded...'
'...and what are you grounding me with?' She smiled cheekily.
'You have a week no TV.'
'Sorry... I don't watch it... It's utter waste of time watching some other TV life when I have mine to live...' She caught me of guard. I never took her to be like this.
'Ok, then no Facebook.'
'Don't own one...' She smiled back.
'No going out with your friends for a month...' I reached her.
'You really don't know me... I don't have any friends and I don't go out... so stay assured that I won't exceed my curfew...'
'You what?' I asked again.
'You heard me...' She replied. 'You see... there's nothing you can ground me on... Not so tough are we Grey...'
'I won't tell you again... you are to speak to me with respect...'
'Respect is earned Christian... Earn it if you want it...' She said again leaving me dumbstruck behind.
'You met your equal self-Christian...'Ana chuckled.
'I'll give her some time to cool off.' I replied as I took my lunch into a napkin. 'I'm going to the office for some time. Call me when her attitude has subsided…' I ordered to Gail.
Anastasia's POV
'She's pushing it…'
'Come on mum… I had fun seeing this. I've never seen anyone defy dad…' He replied.
'You did! Remember that time you went to a party while we weren't here?'
'How can I forget? I wasn't able to walk or sit properly for a week…' He replied. 'I swore I'd never drink beer after that night… and I never did…' He continued. 'You think she's still angry at him?'
'You think Theodore?' I chuckled. 'I know so…'
Samantha's POV
It was so damn huge. Why would a family of three… well now four want this huge house? I don't recall Escala being this huge… at least from the little I remember. I never understood his ways, and I never wanted to understand them. I checked the time and realized that it was little after 13.00. I was getting hungrier now that more time passed. I have to start having a plan for Christian not to win. It was quiet around and he didn't seem to bother me. I decided to head downstairs.
'Hello Ms. Grey…' Gail greeted as both mum and her stopped doing their recipe research from the cook book.
'Gail… please call me Samantha or Sam… whatever you like…' I replied.
'Your father won't like it…'
'He might as well shove it up…'
'Samm!' Mum stopped me.
'Sorry…'
'You're still angry with him?' She asked me again while I slid on one of the breakfast stools.
'Wouldn't you be the same?' I asked her.
'You're right…' She smiled.
'Listen, is he here?'
'No… he just went to the office. He asked me to call him…' Mum continued as she moved beside me.
'Don't… not for now…' I replied. 'Can I ask you something?'
'Anything Samantha…' She smiled.
'Can I please have my lunch? I'm starving!' I replied.
'Oh God! Not you too!' Gail replied. 'Theodore's grumbling that he's always starving is already enough.'
'I thought you weren't hungry…' Mum came forward.
'No… actually I'm very hungry… Only I didn't want to let him know that. If I let him know that I'll do something just because he orders, than he'll expect me to do so each and every time. I didn't want to let him win…'
'…and how long do you think you can keep this up?'
'Long enough… We've been like this for over 10 years haven't we? A couple more years won't hurt.'
'Samantha…' She started as she handed me my lunch. 'I don't want to be rude, and it's really none of my business, but I love you, and I don't want to see you getting hurt. Maybe you should listen to him once in a while… He's really trying you know?'
'Yeah right…' I replied sarcastically.
'Just give him a chance?' She asked again. 'Come on he deserves a shot!'
'Ok… ok… fine…' I replied. '…but only one… and only because you asked…' I smiled to mum.
'That's the girl I know…' Mum smiled as she ruffled my hair.
'Mhmm… this is a great sandwich…' I smiled. 'Thanks Gail.'
'Your favourite… cucumber and salmon…'
'You remembered?'
'How can I forget?' She smiled again. 'Welcome home Samantha…'
At around 16.00 he came home. He didn't come to talk to me. I guess he thought that maybe staying clear would avoid some more coldness between us, but I promised mum, and I had to give him a chance at least. Till now he has been trying to keep discipline. I went down to the kitchen before letting him to come and get me. He had papers in front of him, and a deck of cards that he was playing with in his hands while staring straight ahead. I was about to make my way back upstairs as I saw that he was busy, but he noticed me and stopped me himself.
'Sam…' He started. 'Do you need anything?'
'Um…Yes… but I see that you're busy…'
'I have time…' He replied as he pulled a chair beside him. 'Sit…'
'How was work?' I started.
'Usual… Normal…'
'I think you have to be more explainable rather than usual and normal…' I chuckled.
'I had a meeting…' He started. '…and now I'm thinking on some residual effects…'
'Oh…' I replied. 'Look… I wanted to apologize for this morning…' I started. 'I shouldn't have been too hard on you…'
'It's understandable…' He replied. '…but I've given it some thought, and I will earn your respect…' He smiled. 'Do you play?' He asked again motioning the cards in his hands.
'Depends on what…' I replied as I cracked my fingers.
'Remy…' He replied as he quickly shuffled everything and handed me the cards, while I felt myself wanting to jump in excitement. I was so good at this game. I only had to make him believe I sucked at it.
'Grandpa tried teaching me ones…Never learnt it…' I replied.
'It's not that hard…' He replied as I placed 5 dollars on the table.
'We should play fair…' I smiled. 'Some competition won't hurt…' I continued as he joined me. 'I could teach him a lesson or two…' I thought to myself.
We started playing, and I made sure to be losing in the first game. He soon placed all his cards.
'I win…' He smiled as he took the money and handed me back the 5 dollars. 'I can't take money from you…' He smiled.
'No… keep it… you won it…' I replied. 'I told you I don't know how to play…' I continued. 'Wait… what if we play again and we'll double them?' I asked.
'Are you sure?' He asked again.
'Yes…' I smiled. '…but this time, I'll shuffle…' I replied as I took the deck from his hands.
Christian's POV
She really was risking it this time… but I couldn't take money from her. She quickly took the deck from my hand and in an instant she was shuffling like a pro. She left me dumbstruck. I think she's playing me. She quickly handed me my cards and she took hers.
'Ok… let's see what we've got here…' She smiled cheekily, while I realized I had quite a good pack. I pulled them out and she was impressed.
'I think I win again…' I smiled.
'Not so fast Mr.' She eyed me. 'There are two rules in this game… first always make sure that you make the opponent think that you suck…' She smiled as she pulled out her deck and left me amazed. She had a full set, she won the double. '…and the second, once fortune smiles at you, back away from the game…' She smiled as she took all the money. She started counting and handed me my part.
'What are those?'
'Your half…' She smiled.
'Those are yours… you won fair and square…'
'That's not the point… Money isn't won, and doesn't grow on trees dad… It's earned…' she started. 'I don't want to start this horrible habit of gambling. It's just wrong… I want to earn the money… not win it…' She smiled. I had to admit. She is mature. 'Here… this is yours…' She smiled again.
'I guess that this has a metaphorical meaning?' I asked her.
'Yes… As you can see I already practice my own self-control dad. I don't need any schedule to put me straight…' She smiled.
'Fair point well-made Sammy…' I smiled. 'You're calling me dad…'
'You earned my a sub context of respect by talking not ordering around…' She smiled as she stood up. 'Ohh… and please… don't call me Sammy… you're not Mia…' She continued before she left.
PLEASE REVIEW