3: The Return Of Anna Bel Air

Anna

The ride to the Bel Air mansion was one of defeat and shame. Like a prodigal daughter, I was returning back to my parents with nothing but the clothes on my body.

Through the rearview mirror, I could see Butler Lee sending me a side glance.

He obviously had a lot to say, but kept his opinions to himself.

I braced myself for what was to come as the car came to a halt in front of the water fountain of the mansion.

I had forgotten how huge the villa was, and it took me a while to adjust to my old lifestyle as the long train of maids came out to welcome me.

“Welcome Lady Anna, you have been missed.” The head of the maids commented warmly.

My absence was one that sent a huge blow to the Bel Air companies both at home and abroad.

The reason why my father forced me into studying business in College was for the sole purpose of me taking over his empire.

In the end, I dropped the bombshell of wanting to get married to their definition of a nobody and I got thrown out for my decision.

Walking into the mansion, my palms had become sweaty, as my footsteps echoed in my ears.

I was mentally and physically exhausted and didn't want to get in a brawl or argument with my parents. At least, not tonight.

Well, I didn't have the luxury of getting into my bedroom safely when I came face to face with my mother.

She looked beautiful as usual, her hair was packed loosely in a bun and her face was heavily caked with make-up.

“Anastasia Grace Bel Air, took you long enough for the scale to fall from your eyes. Tell me, what did your perfect husband do?”

I wasn't expecting the look of worry on her face. I doubted if it was genuine and was skeptical to open up to her.

“What he did doesn't matter. I am home, you can drop the fake concern and laugh away at me.”

Since it had come to this, I might as well just face their scrutiny and be done with once and for all.

“I warned you of that man from the very beginning. You just had to be stubborn like your father and go ahead to marry him. Now tell me, where is he? In the end he bit you in the behind and left you high and dry.”

Every word that my mother said was like a sharp stab in my chest. She was right, Marcus had betrayed me, my love, my trust, and my devotion to him was all for nothing.

I broke down, crying like a child before my mother. I couldn't control the fat tears that fell down my cheeks.

I gently rubbed my stomach, and my mother's eyes moved towards the direction of my hand.

“Are you?” My mother whispered her question shakily, and I responded to her speculation with a nod.

“Yes, I am. I don't know what to do Mom, what do I do?”

I sought my mother for answers, and she surprised me when she pulled me into a tight hug.

“You get rid of it, that is what you will do. Having a fatherless baby will do you and the family no good.” She whispered into my ears.

I stiffened at her disgusting statement and pulled away from her embrace.

How could she suggest that I get rid of her grandchild? That was unacceptable.

“I am your daughter, your flesh, and blood. Do you have an idea on how hard it was for me to conceive due to my fibroid?” I blurted out in a fit of rage.

My mother's eyes widened, shocked by my confession. “You have fibroids?”

In the second year of my marriage, after trying and failing several times to have children, Marcus suggested that we consult a fertility specialist.

After running a series of tests on both me and him, it was discovered that I had fibroids.

This child was my last-minute miracle. I wasn't going to get rid of the growing being inside me because of my family's selfish interest.

“It doesn't matter now if I have fibroids or not. I am pregnant, Mom! The least you can do is support me through this journey.”

That was all I needed. I needed my mom to hold my hands. I needed her to wipe my tears away and assure me that I wasn't alone in this.

“Your father has agreed to give you a second chance, another golden opportunity to prove yourself and that is exactly what you are going to do Anastasia!”

My mom screamed out my name like her life depended on it, her desperation rubbing off on me. Her erratic behavior made me suspicious that perhaps there was something going on that I had no idea about.

“What is going on Mom? Tell me.” I decided to use the quiet approach, curious to know what she wasn't telling me.

“I promise to tell you everything, but first, you need to prepare for the brunch event tomorrow. Your father wants you to go in his stead and your presence will reinforce your position as the heir to Bel Air companies worldwide.”

Something was amiss in the Bel Air mansion and my mother was reeking of desperation, the type that she had never displayed before.

My mom was a well composed, proud nouveau riche who wasn't born into wealth, but enjoyed living lavishly. My father was her insurance and she mooched off him like a tick.

So, I found her behavior out of character and decided to listen to her.

“Fine, I'll go.” I responded to her, and a smile, big and round like the early morning sun filled up her face.

The next day, I was driven in the latest model Mercedes-Benz to the brunch event.

The glitz and the glam overwhelmed me, fake smiles and side hugs suffocated me as I tried to isolate myself away from the crowd.

“Anna Bel Air! Girl, have I missed you.” My friend Gabriel gushed all over me, hugging me tight.

I knew Gabriel from high school. We were very good friends and at some point we went on a couple of dates.

However, a year before I got into college he came out of the closet and revealed to his parents and the world that he was gay and preferred men.

“I've been here and there, you know, trying to be a big girl.” I teased him, as we engaged in an over the surface about our lives.

Gabriel was hosting the brunch and his presence was required on stage. After bidding me farewell, he sashayed away, his stiletto hitting the tiled floor in a stylish manner.

I was finally coming around, and mingling when a hand tapped me on my shoulder.

I nearly threw the glass of nonalcoholic grape juice I held in my hand when I came face to face with Monalisse.

“Anna?” She called out my name in shock. “Don't tell me you slept your way into this gathering.”

Monalisse smiled sweetly at me, but I could see the animosity behind her sick mask.

I smiled back at her, and turned to face the podium not interested in getting into a conversation with her.

“Baby, guess who's here?” I heard her continue to speak. This time around she wasn't alone, through the corner of my eyes I could see Marcus, dressed in a tailored tuxedo, with his dark hair slicked backwards to match his appearance.

My heart momentarily jerked in my chest, as I welcomed his fragrance into my nostrils.

“Anna’s here and I strongly believe that she slept with one of the dignitaries to be here.” She said a bit too loud for others to hear.

I curled my hands into a ball, as Monalisse taunted me with a chuckle. I didn't want to create a scene and the last thing that I wanted to do was to get into a fight and disappoint my mother.

I could feel Marcus's gaze burn through my back, but I refused to turn and give him the satisfaction to see me break down before him.

Just when I was ready to leave, no longer interested in the brunch, the mic turned on and Gabriel's voice wafted through the speaker.

“Hello everyone, my dear ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Charity brunch. The aim of this event is to enable thriving and growing businesses to get sponsored by the big guns.” Gabriel's announcement had shed more light as to why Monalisse and Marcus were in attendance.

They needed funding, but what did they need money for?

The company was doing well before I left, and we were not short on cash.

“Before we commence in full. Today's event wouldn't have been possible without the help of Bel Air Companies, and it is my great honor to welcome the heir to the Bell Air Dynasty.” Gabriel had his hands outstretched and claps erupted everywhere, filling the space in the room and making my heart race excitedly in my chest.

It was time for Marcus to know who the real Anna was.

“Anastasia Bel Air!” Gabriel lifted the mic in midair and clapped, ushering me to the podium.

I could hear Monalisse gasp loudly as the crowd parted into two for me to come forward.

As I reached my destination, I hugged Gabriel and took the mic from him. My eyes remained fixated on Marcus and Monalisse who looked pale, with their mouths wide open like they had seen a ghost.

I knew Marcus was the most shocked and without breaking eye contact with him, I placed the mic on my lips and allowed myself to revel in the moment.

“Hello everyone, my name is Anna, and I am the daughter of Bel Air Companies worldwide.”