New Beginnings(Wattys2015)

Chapter 2

I looked around curiously as the car drove by various shops. California was way hotter than England, and I hated it.
It wasn't even summer time yet. I was forced to take my jacket off as soon as we got out of the airport. Such bad weather for a beautiful place
Stevie, our uncle's chauffeur, picked us up and soon we were pulling up into a huge mansion. I would've been amazed if our home back in England wasn't just as huge. The car rounded a marble fountain before stopping in front of a huge mahogany door
I opened the door and Stevie got our suitcases out the car. We followed him into the house. As soon as I entered the house, it was like I entered a fairytale.
There was a huge chandelier which lit up like a million stars. Four huge windows; each looking out onto a wide glittering pool, with their silk curtains pulled neatly to the side, which midday sun rays poured through and fell on the plush carpet.
All the couches were white, with multicolored couch cushions on which sat two girls who would've passed off as twins, if one didn't look older than the other. They both turned their attentions to us as the door closed behind us, as their eyes held a twinge of curiosity.
"I said I wanted lilacs and roses not sunflowers, what am I hosting, a tea party" a young woman walked into the living room, screaming at someone on the phone which she tried to balance between her shoulder and her ear while trying to put on heels.
Aaron let out a low wolf whistle. She was honestly gorgeous. She had neck length, silky brunette hair with blonde tips and highlights
"I don't ca-" she stopped as she finally noticed us. She froze for a while before she barked out her last orders and ended her call
"You guys got here early, we weren't expecting you till the evening" she sang out, smiling widely, showcasing rows of perfect, white teeth
"Yeah we took a different plane" I explained "Took longer than expected" Remembering the torture Aaron put me through
"Oh that's good" she moved her bangs from her face "I'm Trina by the way; you must be Ashley and Aaron? William told me you'll be staying here" I nodded
"So can I show you to your rooms?" I nodded again, for some reason, Aaron was silent
She led us up the staircases, her skirt swishing from side to side. Aaron almost fell while staring at her ass. And I let out a low giggle.
Stupid men hormones.
"So how do you know Uncle William?"
"I'm his fiancée" she smiled and I opened my eyes in shock
Uncle Will was getting married? Again? Last I heard, he was already married to some Indian woman who apparently was extremely scary. And he had three children with her and the second one, Barbara, was my age. We have only met once, for like just four minutes when we were ten.
The only cousins I ever really met were Augustus and his older brother Derek, but they were two psychopaths who needed help. Derek enjoyed following his father's player lifestyle and August enjoyed getting drunk, crashing cars and manipulating his father into getting him more cars which he crashed again.
"So this is your room Ashley" Trina said stopping in front of a door. I didn't even realize they had stopped. I thanked her and stepped into my room. Trina was explaining the whereabouts of everything in the room but I tuned her out as I checked out the room
It was painted sea blue, with cyan drapes on the wall. A huge bed in the middle of the room, with lots of pillows I definetly need to use a s a fortress.
"And the closet's right there. If you need anything don't be afraid to ask, okay dear?" she smiled as she concluded her introduction. I nodded my head, and they left my room.
Letting out a huge breath, I sat on the floor, and began to unpack the suitcase nearest to me.
"Hey there" I turned swiftly. Leaned on my doorpost was a tall brunette, looking at me curiously yet deadly. What struck me most about her, were her eyes. They were icy blue, which contrasted her tanned face.
"What are you not going to say hi back.....cousin?" she said 'cousin' in such a taunting way, as if the word disgusted her. She rose her eyebrows and pushed herself of the doorpost, advancing towards me slowly. "Guess not huh?"
She took one of my photos. The corners of her mouth turned upwards then fell again. Her eyes fell on me again.
"I'm Barbara"
"Ashley" I croaked out. Stunned by her appearance; the last time we met; she wore pink all the time and was as shy as a mouse, and she wore the cutest pigtails.
"I know...... Ash" she smiled, repeating the same disgusted tone with my name
"What do you want exactly, Barbara?" I sighed
She took another photo "What I want" she placed it down "Is to lay down the rules" she looked at me straight in my eyes, her blue eyes burning a hole in my soul. I looked away immediately, even though I should've kept eye contact.
"Look dear cousin, I don't know you, but I don't like you" she glared at me. Same here cousin. "In this house, there are rules, rules to be followed, rules to break, rules to piss off idiotic brothers and drive away stupid stepmothers" she stopped to make it all sink in, then began again "But there are special rules, made by yours truly" I snorted to stop my laughter "One don't steal friends, two, don't even think about stealing boyfriends, and three and most important" she stroked the side of my face, "stay out of my way and my plans and we're good, got it?" she dug her nails into my skin, smiled and left my room
"Cute pictures" she added on her way out
I plopped on my bed, heaving a huge sigh. Things weren't going to be as easy as I thought.