Chapter 1: Snake In The Den

I parked my newly bought car in front of our house. I got out of it and confidently moved my way to the massive gate, greeted by the two guards in their uniform. I was wearing sunglasses which made them hardly recognize me, so they examined my presence, studying me from head to toe.

"Do you have any appointment with Sir Jones?" the bald guard asked, standing right in front of me with the humungous gate laying in between us.

I slowly removed my sunglasses and raised my eyebrows to them. "As a matter of fact I live here, and my appointment is clearly to continue living here."

The look on their faces was amusing. They weren't happy; rather they were shocked and anxious. They felt rushed and quickly pressed the button for the gate of Jones' Mansion to open.

I went back to my car and started the engine. Driving along the cemented driveway, I admired every bit of the exterior while my eyes lingered around. The lush orchids and landscapes were welcoming, as the water fountain exquisitely stood out among all the exterior designs. Oh, how I missed being back at my home.

I walked to the main door, not feeling the urge to knock since the maids just swung the two massive doors open, revealing our beautiful foyer. Our marble floor gleamed, as the chandelier lights reflected on every luxury item that my father owned here. I couldn't see any imperfection, except the people who were living here.

I stepped my foot inside, feeling the need to get my stilettos blessed by this gorgeous place. They would be absolutely dazed when they see me, especially Mom. As my eyes roamed around the place, my feet made its way to the couch where I could rest my aching butt. I sat there, comfortable enough to feel home. I never thought I would be living in this dungeon ever again.

"Araulla?" someone called my name from behind. I slowly stood up as I recognized the voice of my standardized mother. "It's a surprise to see you here," she added.

I scoffed before facing her and crossed both my arms above my chest. Her face looked undeniably mortified by my presence. She was in a full glam; wavy, dark brown hair, smokey eyeshadow that matched her wide blue eyes, and crimson, red lipstick.

I confidently looked at her straight in the eyes and tried to speak with respect.

"I'm even more surprised at myself for even returning here. I just wanted to check on Hansel to congratulate him on his success, now that he's already the CEO of Dad's company," I responded. She started to move closer, shooting me a glare that I really missed a lot.

"You look unwell, little girl. I'm not sure that my son will pretty much appreciate your commend because as far as I know, he started hating you for forsaking your family to chase whatever your desire to do in your messed up life," she insulted as if she had nothing to do with my rebellion.

I could tell that she was trying to provoke me into making a scene so she had an excuse for kicking me out again. But even though I wanted to show how enraged I was, I would rather be matured enough to confront her.

"Actually Mom, I am doing pretty well. I've worked, earned money, invested a car, got my scholarship, and tried to get a life on my own. How is that unwell?" I boasted, raising an eyebrow.

"You just heard what Hansel achieved and yet you have the audacity to brag about the things you accomplished on your own? How pathetic," she mocked, leaning closer to me.

I couldn't even imagine how she got beyond immature at this point. I didn't know where she got the nerve to say that to me. But the thing was, I wanted to be the bigger person here, and I wasn't going stoop down to her level to argue.

"What lies did you feed to Hansel, huh? I'm pretty sure he's not the type of person who listens to them. It's a shame I know him more than you do." I slightly laughed and gave her a teasing smile.

Then now her face became stern. She looked at me, up and down, before she rolled her eyes to meet mine.

"I really don't have much time to waste on you because there is far more important stuff I needed to arrange for the celebration of your brother's success. So if you're just going to sit here, you're wasting your time," she said, turning her back on me.

The maid handed her Birkin bag before she strutted towards the main door. She was about to step outside but she took a glance at me and said, "Might as well join me."

The evil smirk that crept across her face made it clear that she had another intention, aside from letting me celebrate with them.

She walked away, leaving me astounded from the fact that she might outsmart me and ruin my plan. I really didn't come here because of my brother nor William's suggestion to bring me back, rather it was the plan we came up with to build up the Jones' business that my mom and brother would destroy.

~*~

We drove all the way to the company, and I felt nostalgic just by looking at it.

When I was still a little kid, I almost got hit by a car when I absent-mindedly crossed the road for an ice cream. My father ran for me, then quickly blocked the car's way so that I would be safe in his arms. From that moment on, I knew Dad was willing to risk his life just to keep us safe from danger.

We went inside of the building when hundreds of eyes laid on me as if I had been followed by paparazzi. They were hesitating to approach because of the curiosity drawn on their faces. Walking down the hall to the elevator, I had people around, following in my direction. The guard pressed the button to the floor where Hansel's office was in.

I was wearing sunglasses, a black leather jacket, a red tube, and black skinny jeans with black stilettos. I looked like someone who had been in some kind of party which was definitely inappropriate and informal. Maybe that's why these people are throwing me a look of confusion? I thought to myself.

When we reached the floor, I stepped out of the elevator, confidently swaying my hips as I strolled through the hall with a bunch of officers who were looking at me. I just ignored them, until I reached Hansel's humungous office door.

I didn't care at this point, what people think of me because when I thought of how they were wasting my father's hard work by letting Mom rule the Jones' company, the more infuriated and eager I was to destroy them.

I knocked, and when they heard it, they immediately opened the door. Mom was already here before I followed her to the office. I stepped inside in what supposed to be my father's office, now just a garbage room for traitors. Here they were, the two little wolves, conspiring against me. I felt like Mom got me into a trap. It seemed like these two were plotting someone's life to death.

"Hello brother," I started off confidently, interrupting them from their nice little talk. Hansel's eyes met mine which he detested. His eyebrows furrowed as he clenched his jaw to control his anger.

Mother moved to Hansel's side and rubbed his arm for comfort. She gave me an evil smirk before saying, "What brought you here, Araulla? I thought you never wanted to see your family again?" Mom pretentiously asked as if she knew nothing about awhile ago.

I scoffed and decided to play along with her façade, sitting on the couch confidently.

"Well I thought since the new CEO of Jones' estate is going to inherit everything, leaving me nothing but a burden, why not celebrate with y'all and just be happy for everyone's success?" I apathetically responded, spreading my arm wide open on the chair.

Hansel glared at me before moving closer until his tall figure stood in front of me. I curled my lips into a simper to show that his anger wasn't affecting me.

"Why did you even bother coming back? You weren't even the sister I once knew," he said, rather calm and guilty.

"Who said I was Araulla?" I snickered, rolling my eyes in disrespect. Standing abruptly, I unwrapped a gum and tucked it in my mouth. "Having my name changed into Lala Preston made a big change in my life. You all pretended that I was dead and started living with it, now shame on you. Did you even find me when I was lost?"

Mom looked taken aback and gulped in disbelief. She wasn't sure what word to utter, so she cleared her throat for distraction.

"You were gone for two years and paparazzi started to suspect something doubtful that led us into making up a story—" before Mom could even continue explaining, I cut her off.

"That I was dead," I added. Instead of feeling hurt or guilt, I felt numb and emotionless. "You know, I don't need further explanation because the past should be left behind and we should focus on what's going on now. In fact, I'm not gonna be needing my name back or my identity. I can keep myself undercover, especially now that everyone seemed to recognize me."

Hansel look confused and glanced at Mother in concur. I wanted to argue further but it would be pointless, especially to Mom. Explaining stuff to her was a waste of time because of her narrow mind. It just felt like talking to the wind.

Hansel sat on his leather chair and thought about the situation. I could tell he was hesitating but wanted to agree. Mother was totally enraged but afraid to show it because of her image to Hansel. Her two-faced attitude was sickening.

"Araulla, are you that brainless to even think that after turning your back in this family, it will make things any better? Even though you're my sister, you have to suffer all the consequences to learn from your mistakes," Hansel suddenly spoke, elbows on his office table and hand on his chin, thinking deeply.

"Are my two years of suffering aren't enough to prove that I've changed? If that so, then I wasted my time dropping by in my father's office." I shrugged off any emotions and apathetically almost stormed out of the room when mother suddenly spoke.

"I've stopped you from leaving but you still did because of the pride Edward gave you. Now that he's gone, you were too afraid to be left out. That's why you chose a path that was never meant for you and blamed it to us that made you rebel, " Mom pretentiously explained, making it appear that it was all my fault.

Her way of saying it in an unacceptable reason was infuriating. She even said that Dad was literally gone which got me thinking that she really asked for it.

My heart was heavily beating in my chest from anger but instead of showing it, I still kept myself collected and ignored what Mom said.

"I chose a path that changed me from being weak to a person I chose to be proud of. You see, I needed to get air and space from all the grief the world threw against me, and I can't find peace to a place that was supposedly my home, now just a court for people who give nothing but judgment," I said, composed.

When I flitted my gaze to them, their eyes widened, as if they were stunned by my courage for confronting them. They looked taken aback, and the tension in the room depleted as if I had rested my case. Mom gulped in nervousness, fearing the thought that I might spill all her wickedness to her beloved son.

I knew Hansel wasn't a callous man. As I said, I knew him more than my mother so it's a shame. He was a compassionate man like Dad but sadly, he was brainwashed by Mom. He was not the kind of person who would pick a side to a feud, for he would rather man up and be matured enough to fix things.

"Family should always stick together. I'll give you a chance and to not make things dramatic, I'll welcome Lala Preston for entering Jones' company. I've considered your plan in staying as Lala so be it," Hansel agreed in a most negotiating way.

I smiled in gratitude. His response was unexpected but I could tell he was still hesitating while mother was being sham about everything. She was against Hansel's redeeming quality, but I was sure she would get over it once I showed her some deceptive respect.

~*~