Chapter 2

The room was getting colder, and Zain felt the need to adjust the temperature of the Air Conditioner. The young guy advanced to his bed, grabbed the AC remote and increased the temperature to twenty six. His room was spacious and large enough to accommodate five times the size of his bed. All furniture were made of expensive wood. The wall was covered in wallpaper of different types of surfboards, ocean and the wave, a huge flat TV screen and a splint AC were perfectly fixed to provide enough luxury and comfort to the owner.

Zain is that sort of guy who never gives room for others to find his weaknesses. There were teachers who detested the idea of making him a disciplinary head prefect, but they had to give in as no any other student was qualified enough to handle it. Zain excelled in school in almost every aspect. First position in the overall grades of the senior classes has been his spot for two years now because when other students would play soccer and go to places like clubs at their free time, Zain would either be indoor studying, or outdoor surfing in the waves with his surfboard.

The door of his room abruptly swung open as a young woman stepped into his personal space without hesitating to knock. Not even a second of privacy did Coreen allowed her step son. "Zain, we're leaving for New York with your Daddy. I told Samantha to move in and manage the house until we get back. Take care of yourself baby." Coreen said, before she head back out hurriedly and slammed the door shut without wasting a minute to listen to what Zain has to say in reply. She already had a prior thought that her husband's rude son wouldn't have any nice words to say to her anyway.

Zain strolled to his study table and chair where he plopped down, already feeling irritated and angry with his Father's foxy wife Coreen. A woman who was just twenty seven years old; ten years older than him but she keeps calling him with all sort of foolish titles. Who the fuck was her baby? And why did she had to intrude in his personal space only to bother him with such a useless info? They —Coreen and his Dad, should both get lost and leave the house to rot if they wish to. This wouldn't be their first time traveling and leaving the house for months.

Zain found himself angrily muttering curses at the way Coreen addressed him like a kid. As he flipped to the next page of his mathematics workbook, a weird memory flashed into his head and he slowly laid back in his chair, roughening his black, shiny hair. What has gotten into him now? Is he seriously thinking about what he has done to that new ugly chick in school?

~~~

"Mom. I can't locate the house. I'm stuck somewhere around this Betty Palace please come and get me" Sasha complained into the phone, standing near a tall signboard which has an elegant calligraphy written 'Betty Palace.' on it.

"Dear, am on my way now. Just stay on the phone okay? I'm coming straight to Betty Palace now."

"Okay Mom please hurry." Sasha said with urgency, peeking at the surrounding. It was dark but the rich neighborhood was shining with the right amount of lights. Sasha thought its eerily silent and not bustling with activities like her neighborhood. Its scary. If only her Mom would agree to allow her sleep at home, none of this would have happened. She would've finished all her assignments by this time.

Sasha spotted a casually dressed woman coming straight ahead of her direction so she quickly hastened and approached the woman first before she could trek any longer. She hugged her mom lovingly. "Mom. . . Why do you have to agree with sleeping in this place? Why won't you say no to their demands?"

Sasha's Mother looked too tired, though she managed to explain the situation to her child. "You have a lot to learn dear. If I make a mistake and get fired on this job we won't be able to live a decent life. Even though my current boss treats me better, I fear that the young Madam will stop sponsoring your education if I go against her wishes."

"You worry too much about me that's why you're aging. Lets just go. I hate this neighborhood. It's creepy silent"

The two trekked down to the large and exotic looking Mansion and Sasha admired the beauty of the environment surrounded with well tamed flowers. There were more insanely bigger and beautiful houses along the pathway all covered with grass lawn. She could see another white Mansion almost as big as her new school.

What a paradise to live in.

Yet, most of those rich people are so ungrateful and mean. Sasha stuck with her mom as she recalled the embarrassment she faced in school once again. She can't even complain about it after what her mom has gone through to get her transferred there even though there was nothing wrong with her old school. In fact, it was much fun and comfortable to tag along with people of the same level rather than the rich kids who do not have any manners.

"Mom... For how long do I have to stay here?" She whispered into her Mother's ears as they entered through the gate.

"Until they return from their trip"

"But do they know that you're bringing another person? Am I staying here illegally?"

"I informed the young Madam that you will be coming at night to sleep with me and she agreed"

"Is there anyone in the house?"

"Yes. The youngest son is on the left wing of the mansion while the first daughter only comes around once in a while with her husband"

"Okay then. Mom I'm hungry, do I get to eat food before I sleep?"

"Of course dear. Food is not a problem in this household"

Sasha giggled merrily. Food was one of the basic things she never joked with. At least her sixteen year old brain need the energy in other to study hard and fulfill her Mother's dreams. Her Mother's happiness and comfort has always been her biggest dream.