Secrets of the Solomons

2. Fiona:

*A week prior to the attempted murder*

Today, I was getting ready to go out with Mom. It was a Saturday, and I wanted to spend some mother-daughter time together. We had planned to go shopping and grab lunch at our favorite café. I was excited to have a fun-filled day with Mom, catching up on each other's lives and enjoying each other's company.

As I made my way down the stairs, I saw all my siblings gathered in the living room and my father in the middle. I stood beside them and noticed that everyone had a serious expression on their faces. Curiosity filled me as I wondered what could be going on.

Father had a mischievous smile on his face, which was suspicious. He declared that he had fired the servants this morning and said that we would be moving to a new house soon. This shocked me. It hadn't even been a month since we moved into this house, and now he wants to move to another house. What a joke!

Mom tried to talk him out of it. She pleaded with him, reminding him of the time and effort we had put into settling into our current home. However, Father seemed determined, insisting that this move would be for the better and that the new house would be bigger and more elegant. As the conversation continued, I couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and frustration.

Mom gave up sooner and later, and we both just went out to enjoy the day. As I walked out of the house with Mom, I glanced at Father. I noticed he had a smile on his face. A smile that didn't seem pleasant to look at. But the one that gave you a feeling that something dangerous was coming.

I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered in the air. It was as if there was an underlying motive behind my father's determination, something beyond just wanting a bigger and more elegant house. It made me question what exactly he was hiding and whether this move would truly be for the better.

We both went shopping first at the mall. Mom bought all the dresses she fancied—Armani, Valentino, Gucci, and whatnot. She always had a black card at hand. As we strolled through the mall, I couldn't help but notice the envious glances from other shoppers. My mother's extravagant taste in fashion was clearly well-known among the elite.

As Mom was shopping, I looked at some stores in the mall. During that time, I found a store that sold self-defense weapons for females. The store had many options, from pepper sprays to stun guns and personal alarms. Intrigued by the idea of feeling safer, I decided to browse through their selection and consider purchasing something for myself. I bought a stun gun, taser, alarm, and pepper spray. Although I knew how to fight and had black belts in some martial arts, it would be nice to have something at hand. After all, you can only sometimes carry a gun and knife around.

Having self-defense weapons like pepper sprays and stun guns can provide an extra layer of security, especially when carrying a gun or knife may not be feasible or allowed. Additionally, being trained in martial arts can be advantageous, but having a backup option like these weapons can offer peace of mind and a sense of preparedness in uncertain situations.

Mom's shopping spree wasn't over yet. She dragged me to a jewelry store right after I left the store. Saying that it sold all the latest trendy pieces of jewelry. She insisted that fashionable accessories were essential for any outfit, and she wanted to ensure I had the best options available, as if I didn't have the best options available. My huge walk-in closet says otherwise, stocked with designer labels and an array of accessories. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but appreciate my mom's enthusiasm for ensuring my style was always on point. I knew that having a wide range of jewelry options could enhance my style and make me feel more confident. Plus, it never hurts to have some extra choices for special occasions or unexpected events.