Chapter 25: Chapter 25
KAEL
However, he didn't know that she wasn't deserving of such courtesy. So, I asked him to wait there while the unpleasant Rachel and I entered the residence. The mansion I lived in was exquisite and luxurious, and I had paid a high price for the privilege of being well-located and close to the headquarters of my company, which I considered essential.
However, it was all worth it for the most important person in my life, my mother. It was just the two of us, and I was willing to do anything to be by her side and provide her with the best that money could buy.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Graham," greeted Marilda, the housekeeper, a Mexican lady who had been with us for several years, as we arrived at the main hall of the mansion. "Is this the visitor you promised to bring to see Mrs. Graham?"
"Yes, Marilda," I confirmed. "Please bring her in."
"Certainly, sir. She was very eager for your arrival," Marilda replied.
Marilda left the room to fulfill my request, and I indicated for Rachel to sit on one of the sofas in the huge living room, elegantly decorated by the best professionals in Seattle, something I made sure to arrange.
The ambiance was all in light tones, with walls and curtains in different shades of beige, white sofas with dark brown cushions, and a lighter brown carpet. The glass coffee table displayed various decorative items, while some paintings adorned the wall facing the entrance hall.
"Beautiful house, Kael," Rachel commented, looking around. "I can't accuse you of having bad taste."
Before I could respond to her comment, my mother entered the room, closely accompanied by one of her nurses. I felt the familiar tightness in my chest as I looked at her and no longer recognized the vibrant and joyful woman Mary used to be.
I gestured to the nurse, authorizing her departure, as I wanted to be alone with my mother, and her presence was no longer necessary. That was the actual role of the nurses hired to take care of Mary.
"Rachel!" The expression on my mother's face completely changed upon seeing Rachel, becoming full of life, and I immediately felt a sense of dismay at the transformation.
Rachel was not worthy of such a warm gesture from someone as kind as my mother, and I couldn't understand why she had waited so long for this moment.
"Hello!" Rachel said with enthusiasm. "I feel immensely delighted to meet you, Mary Graham."
Rachel approached my mother, and to my total consternation, she embraced her as if genuinely thrilled to meet her. It was yet another proof of how good an actress she could be.
Although I knew all that excitement displayed by Rachel was completely fake, I now admired her as an adversary because she played her part in this scene impressively.
Once again, I questioned myself on how I didn't immediately realize that she wasn't the same person I was with on the yacht. I never genuinely felt displeasure being with Sarah, even as I tried to remain immune to what I believed was her feigned innocence. Simply being in the same space as Rachel and hearing her voice already made me uncomfortable.
"Thank you for coming, Rachel," my mother expressed her gratitude, unaware of the high cost it bore for me. "I've been looking forward to this meeting for a long time."
"The important thing is that I'm here now, isn't it, Mary?" Rachel responded.
I noticed an intriguing look exchanged between them, sparking suspicions that they shared something I was unaware of. This only heightened the discomfort I already felt witnessing that scene.
"Can you leave us alone, son?" My mother asked.
I could sense that she seemed different, displaying confidence I hadn't seen in her for a long time. This attitude further fueled my curiosity about the real reason she had always insisted on speaking with Rachel.
"Alright, Mom. I'll be in the hallway if you need me," I reluctantly agreed.
Leaving them alone, I concluded that I needed to investigate the true relationship between Rachel and my mother. It was evident that my mother had lied to me, and this discovery opened a floodgate of questions in my mind.
Sarah
Rachel had won another battle, and now I was on my way to the place where Kael Graham would be waiting for me. I had no idea where he had chosen, which made me even more nervous. Although I suspected he might be waiting for me on his yacht again, given the direction the driver was taking, I couldn't be sure. It had only been a few minutes since the driver picked me up in front of the building where I still lived.
In truth, I didn't know what plans my sister and, even less so, Kael had in mind. All Rachel had told me was that I should be ready by seven in the evening because Kael would send his driver to pick me up.
"The instruction is for you to bring a suitcase with your belongings, as he intends for you to spend a few days at his disposal," Rachel said while brushing her hair.
Once again, I wondered where the sister I knew had gone and how someone could have deceived me my entire life. But that no longer mattered now; I needed to think about myself and everything that was to come, which was no small matter.
"I can't just be at a man's beck and call, fulfilling his every desire whenever he wants," I said, choosing my words carefully to avoid sounding vulgar, though they could have been even harsher.
"I don't see why you can't fulfill Graham's desires," Rachel retorted dismissively, her attention fully on her reflection in the vanity mirror. "You don't work, you don't study. We don't have money for anything, not even food. At least with Kael, you won't lack for anything."
"I can't be so detached like you, Rachel," I objected. "And I can't comprehend your way of thinking either."
"Because you're naive! You should make Kael Graham fall in love with you and take a lot of money from him; he has plenty of it, as I've researched everything about that arrogant creep."