Episode 2

"Mom, who is she and why is did she call you, mother?" the seven-year-old Lucas asked in confusion as he peered at his mother.

Grace Luther, broke out of her daze, hearing her son's question. She strokes his head before patting him on the back. "Go to your room, Lucas. I have something to discuss with her."

The little boy gazed at the both of them before turning around to walk to his room.

After that, she turns to Adeline and beckons her, "follow me."

 Adeline followed closely behind her as they entered a room that looks like an office. "Sit." she gestures to the couch while taking a sit by the desk. "So, tell me. Why are you here? Is your father here with you?" Grace stared hard at her while attacking with questions.

For the first time, since the burial of her Papa, her eyes glisten with tears at the mention of him. she blinked hard to stop the tears from falling. "He is dead."

Grace stared at her, not believing what she heard. "He gave me a photo of you, that has an address on it and told me to find you." she paused before bringing out a handwritten letter that was written by her Papa for her mother. In it were his last words and he asked her to give it to her mother. "he said I should hand this to you."

Grace Luther read through the letter with a frown;

Dear, Gracey.

I assume you have met Adeline already as you examine this letter. She has already grown to become a nice young lady. When you see this letter, I reckon I am dead. Please take care of Adeline for me. She grew up without you by her side and has never known a mother's love. Don't worry, I didn't tell her anything, I have kept that matter a secret. All that I beg of you, is that you treat her better and let her finish her education.

                                          yours sincerely,

                                              David Matthews.

Adeline watched as she went through the letter in calmness while her mind wondered, what was written on it. Grace sighed and calmly put away the letter, before looking at the young lady before her. "Nobody should know that you are my daughter, understand?"

Adeline peered at her mother before nodding her head in agreement. "You will stay here, as my niece. I'll get a maid to show you to your room." She rang the landline and A few minutes later, a maid walked in, "yes, Madam. You called."

"Alicia, kindly take her to one of the guest rooms, she will be staying with us from now on." Grace Luther glanced at the maid before walking off somewhere else.

"This way, miss." the young maid calls out as she was led to her room. Along the way, she tried conversing with the young maid that was presumably around her age but it seems like the workers around here are very professional never saying much than when required. 

The maid led her through the second floor, as she walked to the very end. Turning to the corner, they arrived at the room. She mumbled a thank you before dragging her suitcase with her into the room and then closing it. The room was located in a good area, from her window, she could practically see the view of the mansion from above. standing here, she could tell when a car drove in.

Adeline turned around and examine the room, and smiled with satisfaction. Even though her mother, would not recognize her as her daughter. At least she had a roof over her head and free food. Besides, it will be awkward to be calling a woman she is not familiar with her mother. That word was odd. She took a bath got dressed and plop on the bed and went straight to la la la land.

***

"What do you mean, we have a sister?" a young girl's voice could be heard from the mobile phone. "A lady came to find mom, she even called mom, Mother," Lucas reported what happened to the other person as he was convinced that the lady he saw before was his sister.

The voice on the other side yelled impatiently, "Lucas stop spouting nonsense, none of what you just said made sense. How can we suddenly have an elder sister? I have to go, my mentor is calling me."

Grace Luther, waited for her husband to come back before talking to him about Adeline, her niece, who will be staying with them for a while.

" So, hun. can she stay?" Grace Luther acted cute as she hugged the middle-aged man on the waist. "Didn't you already give her a room to stay? Since you have allowed her to stay with us, I do not see any reason not to."

"Great, then I'll introduce her during dinner tonight. She might be resting from the long journey though. Come let me massage you, your shoulders look stiff."

••••

The young lady muffled a groan as the sun rays infiltrated the room. She blinks her eyes several times to adjust to the bright lights. When Adeline opened her eyes she realized, this was not her old room back in Nigeria.

 She stretched and got out of bed energetically and sauntered towards the window. She must have slept all through the evening till morning.

A smile caught on her face as she watched the Gardener tend to the flowers. The fresh breeze blows in through the window, it was such a lovely sight. She paused slightly as a knocking sound was heard from the door.

Adeline opened the door to find the maid that showed her to her room, yesterday and greeted her with a smile. "Oh. hello, Good Morning Alicia."

"Morning, Miss. everyone is waiting for you downstairs and breakfast is ready to be served," Alicia replied smiling sincerely. Adeline gave her a polite nod and followed her downstairs. When they reached the last steps, Alicia excused herself and went off somewhere. 

She raised her head to see a middle-aged man; he seems to be around 40 years or so and was extremely good-looking and surprisingly fit for his age. She swept her eyes across to find her mother seated beside the man, the little fellow, she saw yesterday and a pretty young lady by his side. together, they seemed like a happy family of four.

Just then, her mother's eyes coincide with hers as she raised her hands and beckons her closer. 

  "Sorry, I overslept earlier." Adeline apologized after greeting them.

"There are no worries, you must have been pretty tired from your journey. let me introduce you.." her mother acknowledged and turned to her family introducing them respectively.

"Adeline this is my husband, Rex Luther. You can call him Uncle."

"Hello, Uncle. it's a pleasure to meet you." She greeted in a soft voice, as he smiled in response. "Nice to meet you too, Adeline." 

While her mother introduced the two kids; the young girl who looked around 16 years old was known as Madeline and the younger boy, Lucas. They were both her children.

"Hello." she greeted them with a smile. "So now we have another cousin? where is she from?"

"Madeline, don't be rude!" The young lady snickered and turn her face to continue eating after being reprimanded by her father. While the Little boy smile back and asked sweetly, "Your smile looks pretty, can I call you sister?"

Adeline paused feeling awkward, as everyone turn to look at her. She lets out a fake cough before replying, "If you want to."

"Alright." the boy acknowledged and continued iowith his food.

***

"What major are you studying?" Mr. Luther peered at her and asked.

"Arts, Sir. I am through with high school and about to take the college's entrance exam." Adeline answered honestly.

"Do you have any college in mind?" Adeline shakes her head and mumbles a "No."

Mr. Luther looked surprised, "why don't you go back to attend the last class and then write the Entrance exams with everyone else. What do you think?"

 Anyway, she came to study. what is a few months in high school, she just needs to follow them and write the entrance exams? "Yes, Sir."

"Alright, then. You will be attending the same school as Madeline." Grace Luther look on expressionlessly and gave a quick peck on Mr. Luther's chin as he walked past.

She turned back to Adeline and asked, " how are your grades?"

"It's Alright," Adeline responded calmly. Having A's was considered alright, right? Grace Luther raised her eyebrows at her, before giving her a black card. "Use this and what you will need for school and some clothes for yourself. Madeline will take you to the Mall."

"Mom! Why should I be the one to take her?" Madeline shrieked annoyed with the fact of having to accept the fact that she gain an unknown 'cousin,' and has to babysit her to the Mall. I mean what will her friends say if they saw them together. She looked like some country bumpkin.