ONCE UPON AN US

Chapter 1

Mrs Gryphon= Abigail Gryphon
Ms Gryphon = Clarke

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A few cornfields and luxury estates later, Costia Jackson pulled up to the Gryphon estate driveway as it only just began to rain. As soon as the vehicle was parked, Clarke hurried out and onto the front door canopy to seek shelter from the chilly rain breeze. She had exposed her beautiful sun-kissed skin to the rain, but she was able to avoid getting too wet. Once she was under the canopy, she noticed just how leisurely Autumn had weaved in, bringing its misty morning chilly air and dragon-flamed leaves along with it. The leaves scattered on the wet muddy ground, and the clouds appeared every time she exhaled. It was such a beautiful sight, and it made her feel so alive.

Feeling unable to return to the vehicle to offer Costia a proper goodbye given the circumstance, Clarke settled for an air kiss. She didn't want to catch a cold from staying out too long in her blue loosely fitted denim jeans and cropped white T-shirt as they were not equipped for this particular weather, so she quickly bolted into the estate. When Clarke entered the estate, Abigail Gryphon came down the staircase into the foyer where she was met with her only child.

– There you are! I called you 15 times.

Abby stated, her voice sounding slightly horse but pleasant to the ear like a vast rural area filled with nothing but sunflowers and plants to convey how full of concern she had been for not receiving a response - As she approached.

– Pardon my rudeness Mother, my phone had run out of battery and I had no way of contacting you since I'm not good with digits. But I'm here now, was there something of importance you needed to discuss?

– Yes, and you do not have to apologize for having a dead battery. Walk with me.

Mrs Gryphon alongside her daughter made their way into a dimly lit room, with the curtains closed to block out the bright sunlight. The room was filled with antique furniture, with a sofa and a few chairs arranged neatly in the middle, the perfect place for a private conversation.

– Mother, It's one month. You do not have to worry about me. You and Father have been looking forward to this deal, it would be a shame to let all your hard work be in vain simply because you couldn't bare the thought of your only child being home alone. I would feel guilty if you stayed for my sake, so why don't you just go seal the deal and enjoy yourselves? Leave everything else up to me, I promise to take care of myself.

– Regarding that...

– I am much too familiar with that tone, what did you this time?

– Well...you are familiar with Dale and Cathleen Rivers, their Daughter requires a place to stay while she's in search of a new one. And what sort of friend would I be if I allowed the poor girl to stay in a hotel? Coming across an excellent flat can take weeks or months seeing as they are in such high demand these days. So I communicated with her parents and-

– And you offered her a place here?

Clarke unapologetically cut in, entirely disregarding all the lectures she had received as a youngster and adolescent of how utterly impolite, not to mention, immature it was for one to interrupt an adult or alderperson speaking. However, Abigail's silence and faint smile were all she needed to understand that her mother had already gone through with it.

– You have always been exceedingly bright. But don't worry, I have yet to solidify the proposal because I still need your clearance.

– One of the perks of being an only child is the amount of time I had to examine human expression, particularly yours. So you need not pretend to require my clearance on something you already approved of! Although I'm quite hurt you did not seek my approval beforehand, I am however amazed you want me to live with some outsider.