falling
a PRH novel
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Chapter 5
voice
"What's your whole name, darling?" fake warmth wrapped her endless train of questions.
"Maria Claudette, ma'am. I have no family name." I answered politely and briefly, with a little less warmth than Angeline's voice.
"What a wonderful name. Do you remember anything of your past, dear?" Her questions were probing, yet still polite. I looked out at the window of the Bentley, to the blurred trees and pastures we passed. My past would remain hidden from this family, and that was that. There was silence for moments as she waited for an answer I was not planning to give.
"Claudy, remember the conver-" He stopped ubruptly. I looked up and saw tears coming down from my cheeks through the rear view mirror. I was taken aback by my tears. I never cried, not once. This was how it feels to get hurt. That only made tears come down faster.
"I'm sorry darling. I didn't know." She embraced me, yet I still felt like a stranger. She must have felt that too, for she released me quite abruptly. The car took a turn and we stopped in fron of a massive gate. I brought out a handkercheif from my little purse and dabbed my cheeks, never forgetting the lessons I had. I waited for everyone to unload, then I went out, with poise once again. I put out one leg then accepted the hand offered by the driver who was holding the door open. I climbed out the car fluidly in one movement. I nodded at the driver and took my position on father's right side. I was almost certain I would have looked like Blair from Gossip Girl that I used to watch with the other teenagers at the orphanage when we visit adopters at their rich homes.
We entered the manor, my straight, polite face not giving away the awe. The place was huge. The doors itself was grand enough for a king's. The double doors was opened by two workers in uniform. We entereed the manor together, my new parents were smiling. I was, too, but it was only the outside.
A mountanous man greeted us. My composure remained yet my eyes showed the fear.
"Mrs. Fowl, Mr. Fowl." He nodded at each of my new parents, as if they were superior to him. Although it was pretty clear the man could break their back bones in a second. "This must be Claudette." The deep voice said,, breaking my thoughts. I reluctantly lookrd up.
"Maria Claudette, sir."
"Claudette, this is Butler. He is our..um.. butler. He would be assisting you at your stay. Now, Butler, would you please call Art-" Before father could continue, a sharp, edged voice pierced the happy aura of the room- at least for my parents and Butler. The voice sounded like it belonged to the villain of a James Bond movie. The rich, genius villain. I searched the room, and saw a boy descending on the grand staircase. One eye was sharp, glaring blue while the other was demanding yet gentle hazel. Both were glaring on me.
"Butler, cancel everything. We cannot procede with plans with her here. Father, Mother." He nodded to each the stalked angrily yet gracefully (I had no idea how to walk mad while still seeming graceful) back up stairs.
I realized his voice called the tears back to my eyes, though I had no idea why
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Artemis will be nicer, promise