Chapter 1

Ariana

The air outside was different. I stood at the train station, clutching my suitcase and staring at the departure board. My heart skipped a beat as I confirmed the schedule. Today was my 20th birthday, and I had a surprise for Mom and Dad.

I stepped off the plane at JFK Airport, my heart racing with excitement. Over ten years had passed since I'd last seen my parents. I'd wondered why they sent me away to boarding school in Switzerland.

The memories of our life together were fuzzy, like a watercolor painting left out in the rain.

I remembered the day Mom and Dad sent me away to boarding school in Switzerland like it was yesterday.

"It's for your own safety, sweetie. You'll have the best education and care," was the only thing mum said.

Daddy on the other hand had a stone cold expression, "We'll visit soon, Ariana. Promise." They never did.

Life abroad was a mix of loneliness and routine. I excelled academically, but friendships were fleeting. Letters from Mom and Dad were rare and always filled with vague updates.

Until a week ago when they sent me a cryptic letter after six months of not hearing from them. It was written in Morse code. My curiosity piqued. I decided to confront them myself. After all, I graduated early, I had no business in school anymore.

The flight across the Atlantic felt like an eternity.

The crisp New York air enveloped me as I exited the terminal. I breathed deeply, feeling the city's energy course through my veins. Even at night New York was beautiful. A chauffeur, dressed in a sleek black suit, waited for me, holding a sign with my name.

"Ariana Morales?" he asked, smiling.

"Yes, that's me!" I replied, beaming.

The city whizzed by in a blur of lights and sounds.

"Happy birthday to me," I whispered, smiling.

The car stopped in front of the estate. The place looked bigger than what it used to be. But I was child when I was sent away, so it's probably my eyes.

The driver whisked his head back at me, “Ma'am, are you sure this is the location?” he asked me with this dangerously concerned look.

“Yes.” I said flatly, obviously I knew what my parents house looked liked, I'm not lost.

“Okay, but I can't drive further unless you get permission from someone on the inside.”

“Wait here,” I said to him before alighting. As I approached the manor, I couldn't but notice the heightened security measures: Discreetly placed surveillance cameras tucked seamlessly into the landscape, a massive perimeter wall and strategically positioned guards, dressed in suits?

There were two imposing figures right in front of the Morales Manor. Their presence commanded attention and serious unease. They did not look like ordinary body guards. They looked like the kind of secret service officers that escorted my international classmates whenever they left campus.

With their rugged physique, it looked like they had years of military and special operations training, or maybe they just ate granite for breakfast.

The taller of the two, stood at over 6'5" with a shaved head and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. His sharp jawline and angular features added to his intimidating presence. His name is now Blue.

The other one had a weathered complexion and jet-black hair. His eyes, a deep, piercing brown, seemed to absorb every detail, missing nothing. Obviously this is Brown.

Both men wore tailored black suits, crisp white shirts, and slim ties, their attire understated yet unmistakably expensive. Their gold cufflinks glinted in the fading light. Daddy must have been paying them a lot.

“Ma'am, you are not allowed within ten feet of the property, I suggest you get into your cab and start heading back, this is private property.” Brown was the first to speak.

His tone flipped a switch in my head, why does everyone seem to think that I'm some sort of lost kitty?

“I'm sorry sir, I know you're just doing your job. I also know that this is private property because my daddy owns it, and maybe he owns you too.” The spoilt brat in me was quickly activated.

They shared a look that spoke millions but didn't change their demeanor. The first guy pulled up his suit jacked revealing a Glock 22. It's the standard weapon for law enforcement. Obviously it was a decoy, their real arms would be on their ankle strap.

My head flicked up at the block of muscles subtly threatening my life on my birthday.

“If you don't leave now, I'll be forced to use violence.” Blue seemed to be in a bad mood.

"Ariana Morales," I said sharply looking back at the taxi to make sure he was still there if this went south.

“My name is Ariana Marcella Morales, I'm not dumb enough to play with my life right now.”

Brown exhaled. He looked at me with something that resembled pity, I knew that look all too well. When people realize you've been living in a boarding school since you were ten and have never had anyone visit you, they start to treat you like an orphan, and sure enough that was how I felt.

His eyes moved away from me for a second before finding them again. “Check!” was the only word he told Blue.

Blue nodded curtly narrowing his eyes. He whispered into his collar for a moment. After a while there was feedback. His eyes widened. I the twenty minutes I've been here this is the first time the guy has changed his expression.

“I am incredibly sorry for the misunderstanding ma'am.”

Those words made me exhale all the air I had been holding.

“A car will be here for you shortly, please send the cab away.”

I paid the cab driver and attempted to take my things out of the car when one of the large figures grabbed my suitcase. In a moment, a car drove out of the estate gate. The whole car was tinted and probably bulletproof.

As I stepped out of the car and onto the winding driveway, the grandeur of my family's estate unfolded before me. The Morales Manor was a sight. It looked like it emerged from the very woods themselves.

Tall trees formed a natural canopy above the driveway. The air was crisp and clean. It was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass.

The driveway opened up to a circular courtyard with a majestic fountain. The place looked like a sanctuary, hidden from the ordinary man and protected by layers of security. It looked nothing like the place I grew up.

“This way ma'am.” A man who I assume is the butler led me to a stairway.

I climbed the grand staircase, my heart pounded in my ear. As I reached the top, I saw Mom and Dad standing in the doorway of their bedroom, they didn't look the least but excited.

"Ariana," Mom whispered, her voice trembling.

Dad's eyes widened, his face frozen in shock.

I halted, taken aback by their reaction.

"Surprise?" I ventured, attempting a smile.

Mom's hands flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. Dad's gaze darted around the room, as if searching for an escape.

"Ariana, what are you doing here?" Dad asked, his voice low and urgent.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Happy birthday to me, right?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Mom's eyes welled up with tears.

"Ariana, sweetie, we didn't expect you," she stammered.

Dad's expression was hard to read. I couldn't understand what he was thinking till he spoke. "How did you get here?" he demanded.

I frowned, my confusion was growing by the second.

"Plane, taxi, and a surprise visit?"

Mom stepped forward, extending her hands. "Ariana, darling, we need to talk."

The tension was, suffocating.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dad's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. “Ariana, you shouldn't be here. It's not safe."

“Andy!” They called out.

My brother Andy Antonio Morales had grown so much he was bearly recognible. His face lit up momentarily when he saw me.

"Jenkins, please escort Ariana to her room," Dad instructed, his voice was laced with unease.

Jenkins nodded discreetly.

"Right this way, Miss Ariana."

I hesitated, feeling dismissed and confused.

"But... I just got here. We need to talk."

Mom's eyes darted between Dad and me, her expression was strained. "Later, darling. We'll discuss everything later."

"Jenkins, ensure Ariana's luggage is brought up."

Jenkins gestured toward the hallway, "Follow me, Miss Ariana." I knew this path all too well. There was a large painting at the end of the hall, it was a door that led to another part of the mansion.

I reluctantly trailed behind Jenkins, feeling like a child being sent to timeout because that was what was happening. As we climbed the stairs, I whispered to Jenkins: "What's going on? Why are they acting so strange?"

Jenkins' expression remained neutral.

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss family matters, Miss Ariana."

We reached my bedroom door, and Jenkins opened it with a courteous gesture.

"Jenkins?"

He turned, his eyes softening.

"Yes, Miss Ariana?"

When I said nothing, he locked the door from the outside. My heart leaped out of my chest. I sat there for hours on end till night fell. I paced, trying to make sense of the eerie atmosphere and my parents' behavior. Something was terribly wrong.

There was a loud bang which sounded a lot like gun shots. I could hear the sound of tires screeching. With how heavily guarded the estate was it would take military grade equipments to break down the doors.

I froze, my heart raced. The sound of gunfire shattered the evening calm. Panic set in as I rushed to the window, pulling back the curtains. Below, chaos erupted.

Cars, their headlights blazing, careened up the driveway, spewing forth armed men. Bullets ripped through the air, ricocheting off the manor's walls.

More gunfire erupted, this time closer. I heard shattering glass, screams, and the thunder of footsteps. I was living in a nightmare.