Stepping out of the car feels like a weird dream; after twelve years of never being home, the memories had begun to feel fake, but looking at the big estate I grew up in reminds me that I was once a real person. Sometimes living as a ghost made it easy to forget about the past, especially when you're stuck bouncing between identities like a child at a trampoline park. But the four-story building standing in front of me brings memories rushing back through my head like a leaf blowing in the harsh autumn wind. I remember running into my parents' bedroom when I was young and had a nightmare. I remember sitting with Calum in his room as he played video games with friends, before our father got serious about his so-called training. It's bizarre how someone can remember so much, but not know anything about who they are.
"Mom," Christian's voice breaks me out of my thoughts, "where are we?"
"This is where Jess and I grew up," I smile as I look at my best friend. His family was a long-time friend of my family, his grandfather was close to my grandfather, and Jess moved in with us when he was six-years-old. He and Calum became pretty close over the years, and even though they're both only two years older than I am, they acted as protective as dad—maybe even more protective.
"Is it just me, or does the house look different?" Jess asks.
"I think it's just been a long time," I chuckle. "What are the chances Calum and my dad are still awake?"
"Uncle Calum!" Christian's scream answers my question as my brother walks down the steps of the front entrance.
"Only Christian would be that excited to see you," Jess smirks when we get close enough for Calum to hear us. Christian is still wrapped around him like a koala on a tree.
"Hey, I haven't seen my nephew in two years, let me enjoy it," he scolds jokingly.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, I wish we could have come home or met up more often, but it was hard when we were moving around the world so much," I say, the regret lacing my tone. After Christian was born, we always made the time to get together in a random place, but we only got the chance once a year, and sometimes less often than that. It was also hard to spend a lot of time together when we did get together because it was too vulnerable to be out in the open like that.
"What have I told you about apologizing for that kind of stuff?" he asks. "Dad and I agreed to send you away for your safety, you barely had a say in it, but you rolled with it like a fucking champ anyway."
"Language!" I scold. "Seriously, you're literally holding Christian in your arms." I shake my head in disappointment, but the smile on my face gives me away. Christian finally scrambles down from Calum's arms and I get to hug him. He pulls me into a bear hug, holding me like I would fade away if he let go.
"I missed you so much, Isa," he says as he pulls away before quickly hugging Jess. Christian tugs on my leggings, indicating he wants to be picked up, and I oblige with a tired smile. He yawns and rests his head on my shoulder.
"Let's grab the luggage and get inside, it's been a long night, and he's exhausted," I say.
"The driver brought the bags in already, but let me show you Christian's room." Calum turns his back to me and leads us inside. Everything is exactly how I remember it. The chandelier illuminates the entryway and showcases the large double staircase that leads to the second-floor catwalk, which overlooks both sides of the first-floor, including the entrance and living room. Looking past the stairs, I can see the main living area. The living room and kitchen are one massive space, the high ceilings making the rooms look even bigger, and dark wood floors extend throughout the entire house. On the opposite side of the main area, the panoramic folding doors display the gorgeous pool and extensive backyard.
"The doors are new," I state.
"Yeah, dad wanted to be able to see the backyard."
"What about people seeing inside?" Jess asks.
"You can't see in from the outside, it's one way bullet-proof glass. We're also in the middle of about fifty acres of land with gates and security systems everywhere," Calum laughs.
"That's why the drive from the main gate up to the house felt like it took an entire week," I roll my eyes.
Christian stirs in my arms, and we take it as our cue to continue walking to his room. Calum leads the way again, going upstairs and turning left, before pointing at the door that used to be my room.
"That's still your room, but it still looks like a kid's room," he says, and I cringe internally thinking about the pink, princess themed room hiding behind the closed door. Then, Calum points to the door across the hall, "and this is Christian's room." He opens the door and flips on the light to reveal a room painted in very light gray. The floor is painted to look like a racetrack, and there's a red racecar bed on the wall opposite of the door with a comforter that matches the colors of the wall. Two doors sit on the left wall, and I assume the layout is similar to all the other rooms, meaning one door leads to a bathroom and one leads to a closet.
"This is so cute, how long has this been here?"
"Dad hired someone to do it the first time we met Christian. I think it was his way of holding onto hope that you guys would be able to come home some day."
I smile at the thought of my dad telling a decorator about his design idea, and my heart warms. Calum walks into the room, pulling the covers down, so I can put Christian in the bed. I slip his shoes off, then pull the blankets over him, before realizing Jess has disappeared. "Where's Jess?"
"He's in my office with dad, we'll head over there now," Calum responds.
"Your office, huh? That's new too," I tease.
"It's been my office for almost three years," he scoffs. I smile and shake my head, kiss Christian on the forehead, and follow my brother out the door, making sure to turn off the light before leaving. I leave the door cracked open, so I can hear Christian if he wakes up.
"So, dad's room is still at the end of this side of the hallway, mine is still the one next to yours, and Jess' room is still the one across from mine." He turns towards the other side of the hall, and walks back past the staircase. The double staircase continues up toward the top two floors, which are somewhat closed off from the two lower levels. "My office is the same one that used to be dad's office," he says, pointing at the double doors that sit at the end of the hallway. "These are all guest rooms," he points to the closed doors on the left side of the hall before gesturing to the right side, which only has one door, "and we got rid of the rooms on that side to add a gym, we have a full boxing area, weights, treadmills, and all kinds of shit."
"Where does everyone else live?" I ask. Members of my dad's organization were always around when I was younger, but not enough for me to remember.
"The rest of the family lives on the third and fourth floors. There's about forty bedrooms, plus a second kitchen on the fourth floor. There's also smaller houses and buildings around the estate for when people are married or on security watch. Plus, some members and families live off the property. We have underbosses and other guys in most of America's biggest cities and other important places, but I won't bore you with the details."
I nod as I keep following him to his office. I can hear voices coming from inside, one of them is Jess, one is my dad's, and there are a few more that are inaudible. Calum opens the double doors and the talking stops immediately. He walks in the large room, sitting down at the head of the conference table on the right side of the room. I can feel multiple stares burning holes in my head, but a certain pair of green eyes steals my breath away.
"What the hell is he doing here?" I ask, my tone sharp and cold.
YOU ARE READING
Finding Isabella
Teen FictionIsabella's life was never easy. But how could it be when your father is head of the American mafia? At seven years old, she watched as her mother almost died from the first assassination attempt. At ten years old, she was injured in the same car "ac...
