We arrived at Kourtney's house when the loud music banged our ears as soon as we got out of the car. Their house was humungous and sophisticated, at the same time, with a fountain in the middle of the driveway. Their front porch had long columns standing on both sides of the entryway and there were also stairs that elevated their porch. It looked like our house but more dramatic. They had perfectly sheared bushes running along the driveway that enhanced the outdoor decorations. There were also tons of cars crowding the vacant lot.
As we headed to the porch, the wide doors suddenly opened and a group of drunk teenagers went out, holding a red plastic cup. I averted my gaze in front of me, revealing the chaotic party that I thought only existed in movies. The colorful lights flickered and the bass of the music sent thuds in my chest. There were many people crowding the entire place and I thought I would go crazy. I felt like I was going to die.
Suddenly, I felt a hand be
Nick was getting beat up by the guy in the Harley which left me in awe. My heart told me to interfere but my mind convinced me to keep myself away from a fight. I didn't know what to do as grimace formed on my face.Blood ran down from Nick's nose as he struggled to breathe in every cough he made. He was pinned down the floor as the guy in the Harley straddled him, throwing forceful punches on Nick's face. I was filled with sympathy when he gasped for air. But the guy in the Harley was too furious to let him go, as beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.The students that surrounded them cheered like they were watching a sport game. I didn't know what Nick had done to infuriate this guy, but getting him beat up wasn't a solution.As I watched the scene unfold in front of me, I was flooded with memories I left behind. The scars, bruises, and gunshots that I received from working with William were just overwhelming. I cou
"Araulla," Mom said, wiping the tears on her cheek. "What are you doing here?"I couldn't utter a word, as I uncomfortably looked away. Mom was staring at me with those puffy eyes that were soaked with tears. After what happened last night, I couldn't care. But as I was looking at her, my heart was filled with sympathy. No, she was a terrible person so why should I care? She was a deceitful liar."Stop pretending, " I demanded, my voice sounded forced.Mom sighed before looking away from me. Tears rolled down her eyes as she grimaced in pain. I didn't know what else to do but to stand there, frozen."Am I a terrible person?" she asked while sobbing uncontrollably like a little kid.To be honest, I wanted to burst out in laughter but now wasn't the time. I wanted to confront her how terrible she was but with this state, I couldn't.Clearing my throat and shaking my
"You just got yourself in a drama," Caley said which had me confused."What are you talking about?" I frowned at him and shook my head."I'm talking about the party. Hello? Nick and Daniel drama," he answered like it was obvious.Then the moment flashed back and curiosity ran in my head. I didn't have any idea what was going on last night between those two, but interfering wasn't the best decision. Knowing that it might put me into their drama, I should've been more cautious."Why are you telling me this?" I asked."As much as I know, they were fighting over Lindsey and you happen to get in between. You sure want the spotlight, don't you?" he chuckled sarcastically and I frowned in annoyance.Why does everybody care about the spotlight? I didn't want it in the first place, they just assumed I did. And why did he even bring this up? What was it for him?"I
"Something didn't go well," he sparingly responded which had me confused."I see." I nodded. "Mom told me that you regretted letting her take the credit card. Why?" I curiously asked."What is it to you in finding this out?" I couldn't see his eyes but I was sure he was glaring at me."Maybe because I'm just too concerned about Jones' wealth after all." I scoffed, trying to get him to spill it out though I was anxious. What if Mom had lost millions of dollars? "Don't be silly, Araulla." He chuckled, shaking his head. "I didn't let her take the credit card because she spent too much money on pointless stuff. Like getting drunk with a guy and partying. I beat up Greg, her boyfriend, because he almost raped Mom.""That's why." I nodded, my tone sounded sarcastic as if I didn't believe what he said. Because if it was the truth, he wouldn't have a hard time spilling it.
I couldn't believe my eyes right now. She couldn't possibly be a Houston, this couldn't be happening. The way she strutted in as she approached the table was spine chilling and I quickly looked away to hide my face. She knew I was a Jones."Good morning everyone," she greeted with a smile of victory. Wasn't she an FBI agent? What was she doing here? She was the one who tried to kill me when I was on a mission of finding the vault.Hansel stood abruptly from his seat and cleared his throat to catch everyone's attention."Everyone, meet Catherine Houston, CEO of the Houston company," Hansel gladly introduced as my eyes drifted to Mom.She was smiling from ear to ear and a face of victory was plastered on her plastic face. I suddenly realized how bad this meeting would go because everything was going well in Mom's relish. I was so tensed right now, my hand suddenly became sweaty and I didn't know how
It was Monday and I was heading to school for the event today. The fundraising activity was the most anticipated event; they assured me it was fun. Everything that happened at the party flashed back in my head. Why was that night so dramatic?I went out of my car and clipped the ticket between my fingers. Once I entered the school, the humungous lot near the entrance was filled with colorful decorations. There were booths, mini-games, some food stalls, and many more. I was in awe, to be honest, and I never thought this would look like a carnival.I approached the entrance as I spotted Lindsey and Jillian, collecting the tickets. I extended my hand forward to Lindsey as her eyes flitted from my hand to my face."Hey," she said with a smile."Lindsey, right?" I responded as I dropped the ticket inside the box. She ignored me and after writing me down on the list, she then said,
I was in this tight, metallic cell with the person I least wanted to see. I was standing as far from him as possible as I could feel uncomfortable glances thrown at me. It wasn't that I was angry at him, it was because I punched him at the party and I wasn't really sure how he would react towards me now."You'll soon have Nick to rescue your ass up," Daniel initiated to talk, filling up the silent atmosphere inside the cell."Can you just not talk, please?" I said, rolling my eyes in annoyance."I thought you were different from most girls here in Kingsley. Turns out you're just like them." He scoffed and moved closer to me.I ignored his remark and pretended that he wasn't standing right next to me. It was really uncomfortable and I was starting to feel uneased. I was fidgeting my fingers as I was looking outside of the cell.Everyone was having fun and they were free. Some dumba
It was the next day of school and I was heading to the cafeteria. Everyone was looking at me, gossiping about what happened at the party. I tried my best to ignore them and focused on my way, not minding their judgmental eyes.I swung the door open in the cafeteria and moved to the counter, grabbing a portion of food. As I held a tray, I took a glimpse at the table that Nick and I usually sit in, but he wasn't there. He was completely ignoring me and I didn't know what to do. Maybe he became uncomfortable being with me since the night Daniel ruined my reputation.I heaved a sigh and shook off everything that was bothering me. When I got my food, I approached our table and sat on the chair.I didn't feel like attending school today but since attendance was a must, I didn't have a choice. I was really feeling down after Catherine Houston entered our lives and then this happened. People continued to judge me as if I
The whole ride on the way back to the hotel was quiet. We immediately left Paola’s house after the conversation we had, and Miguel didn’t choose to persuade her more for he understood her situation. All that I could do at that moment was empathize with her for her loss and we did everything we could to not make her feel bad about not helping us. Miguel also had told her to go to their mother which Paola instantly declined since she felt hesitant to show up to him. Then we all bid her goodbye along with Xavier.
“I met up with our father yesterday,” Miguel said and it received a baffled reaction from Paola.Her eyes widened and she stiffened on her seat as she stared at Miguel.
The next day, Gwen, Miguel, and I left the hotel in the afternoon along with William’s men. We would be heading to the person Miguel was referring to yesterday and we would try to talk to him or her about Fernando. To be honest, I was full of anticipation and I was being optimistic about the outcome. I wouldn’t deny, I was still a little nervous.We were inside the car and Miguel was in the driver’s seat. Gwen was sitting at the back while I was on the shotgun.
No one knows where the golds are, only your father, I repeated Fernando’s words in my head. I was certain that I knew where my father hid them, and he entrusted those to me that’s why I became the new keeper. Why did he come up to that conclusion? Did the Houstons know that I hid the golds?“You know that my father’s dead, right?” I said, my tone was laced with resentment. “And the treasure didn’t die along with him.”
Seeing Fernando sitting in front of me was probably one of the most unsettling feelings I’d ever had. I stared at him in awe, trying to hide the anxiousness I suddenly felt at the sight of him. He plastered a stoic face, and only two guards were standing on both sides of Fernando. I was right, he looked just like an Italian mafia boss in his early thirties. But I knew he was older than that, he just appeared younger because there weren’t any apparent wrinkles that formed on his face. I knew where Miguel had inherited his features, and I could already visualize how he would look like when he got old.
I was seated in front of these men who were gawking at me as if I was prey they needed to devour. There were five of them, and Fernando sat in the middle, contemplating. Beside Fernando was Dmitri, smiling mischievously like he was planning something sketchy. They’d locked William up in a chamber, and I was left alone because we got caught. We failed to conceal the secret between Arthur and William, and we were about to escape Mexico when we got caught by Fernando.
We got out of the car and moved closer to the house that looked just like a freaking castle. It was an old-style house, a bit outdated if you would ask me. But it was gorgeous, dark, and foreboding. It was the house you would expect a beast would live in. The house was surrounded by trees that there were dried leaves that scattered all over their unkempt lawn. The grass had grown tall, maybe because no one was staying here and no one looked out for their house. The hedges that ran along the front of their house also looked dehydrated, and they weren’t the luminescent green color we’d always had at our home. This looked more like a haunted mansion that no one would ever dare to stay here for long.
I was in a deep slumber for the entire ride that I hadn’t realized that we’d landed already. Though I’d already slept, it seemed like I had just blinked my eyes and now we were here. It was quick, about an hour or two rides that I honestly didn’t expect. Gwen had woken me up when we arrived and we quickly got off the plane. William’s men, who I barely communicate with, held our luggage. When I roamed my eyes around the place, we were taken to another hangar which wasn’t expected.
I was in a deep slumber for the entire ride that I hadn’t realized that we’d landed already. Though I’d already slept, it seemed like I had just blinked my eyes and now we were here. It was quick, about an hour or two rides that I honestly didn’t expect. Gwen had woken me up when we arrived and we quickly got off the plane. William’s men, who I barely communicate with, held our luggage. When I roamed my eyes around the place, we were taken to another hangar which wasn’t expected.