Beyond Scandal{Book 1 Of The London Affairs Series}

{01}

Chapter One: Hope

•Sabrina•

The chauffeur halted the car in front of a very huge mansion leaving me  marveled. I took in the structure of the house, it's so beautiful. The chauffeur climbed out of the car as he turned around, opening the door for me.

"Thank you" I smiled at him as I climbed out of the car. Walking into the compound with my suitcases with me, I took in every structure of the building. I can't even remember the last time i came over to london to visit her.

"Bonjour Mademoiselle! I'm Bjorn, I'd be taking you into the house" A butler greeted, making me smile. "I'd love to help with the suitcases" He grabbed the suitcases as I trailed behind him.

"Bjorn?" I broke the silence grabbing his attention. He halted, turning to face me. "Oui Mademoiselle?" He propped his brows.

"Do you speak English?" I asked before realizing what I just said. That's so dumb of me. Before I could correct my supposed mistake, he spoke.

"Of course, I speak English" He said, as he continued working. "Good" I forced a smile in my face, nodding. I shut my mouth throughout the remaining walk, more of a tour as I was led to my room.

He twisted the knob, as the door creaked open. He strolled into the room with the suitcases with me following behind him.

"Your room Mademoiselle" He said with a little courtesy making me chuckle.

"Call me Sabrina" I corrected as he nodded in response. "I'd just be down the hall if you need anything" He walked out of the room, my room slamming the door gently behind him.  This is gonna be a lot better than staying in America with Michael.

I cringed at the thought of his name as  the memories from earlier this morning came flooding back.

"She can't stay here!" Michael's voice was so loud that it woke me up. I rolled off the bed as I walked out of my room, going to see the reason for the argument.

"But she is our daughter" Mom cried. "My daughter" Her voice broke as she looked at Michael. Looks like he has seen the video too.

Who the hell am I kidding? Everyone leaving in this neighborhood has seen the whole video.

I watched them as they both argued. "That whore isn't mine! You brought her with you when we got married! And I was so stupid to take her in as mine!" Michael shouted, regret written all over his face.

I felt a huge pang in my heart as tears rolled down my cheeks again. Getting to be called whore by my father is just so... Depressing. More depressing than getting blamed for the offense I totally didn't even commit or think of doing in the first instance.

Michael's eyes drifted from mom to where I was standing by the balcony of  the stairs.

"You leave today!" He said. "I don't know where you want to go to. I don't really give a damn about that!" He grabbed his briefcase from the table before his eyes met mine again.

"And you lost the privilege to call me dad! And calling Evelyn your sister!" He barked, walking out of the house. Slamming the door with so much force, making mom and I flinch.

Mom looked up to me, forcing a smile to her face. "Good morning baby" I fake smiled at her as she wiped the tears off her face.

"You know what?" She asked me as I stared at her, blankly. "You're gonna go to England to live with your aunt Mariah, that's a long way from Michael and his troubles right?" I smiled at her, genuinely this time.

"I'd go get packing" I nodded as I turned around walking into my room to pack my bag.

The door creaked open, drifting me away from my thoughts. I turned around to see Jaxon walking into my room. A smile found its way to my face, as I charged towards him.

I jumped on him, leaving him startled. "Oh!" He chuckled. "I missed you too, Sabrina!" He hugged me back.

Oh my gosh! I missed Jaxon so much!!

We pulled away as I scanned his face. Damn! He looks so much older and finer?

"You looked so grown up, souris" He stated through little laughs as I hit him in his rib. "Don't call me that!" He held his ribs as he looked at me in awe.

"I thought you liked the nickname" He teased. "I never liked that name! Besides I was just six when I found liking to the name and I'm twenty two" I said.

He chuckled at my words as his phone rang. He picked it from his pocket looking at the screen of his phone.

"You've gotta go?" I asked, propping a brow at him.

"Mm-mm" He mumbled, keeping his phone in his pants pocket. "And Mama and Old man wants you at the dining table, I forgot for a sec that it was the reason I came up here"

"Dining table?" I asked, been confused.

"It's evening here!" He chuckled. "I think you need to change the settings of your time since you're in London now" He grabbed the knob, twisting I open as I trailed behind him. We walked down the stairs, turning to the dining area. Seeing the maids roam around, placing different delicacies on the table, my mouth watered at just the sight of it.

Aunt Mariah sighted me from the corner she sat in as she smiled, coming towards me.

"Sabrina!" She pulled me into an embrace. I let out a soft laughter as she pecked my both cheeks before pulling away.

"Mom, I've gotta go" Jaxon informed her as Uncle Kevin walked into the room.

"Uncle Kevin!" I chirped as I jumped towards. Catching me halfway he let out a chuckle hugging me back. "Looks like you missed me much, kid" I broke the hug, smiling at him.

"You didn't greet me like that" Said a pouted Aunt Mariah making everyone chuckle. "It's time for Adonis's father's burial ceremony" Jaxon said as we all moved to the dining table.

"Ah! Jackie's death is still a shock to everyone of us" Uncle Jaxon took a seat next to Aunt Mariah's as I took the one next to him.

"Jaxon darling, please tell Eleanor that I am so sorry I couldn't make it" Aunt Mariah said as she served some food on the plates.

Jaxon nodded, kissing his mother at the top of her head and bidding us goodbye. After Jaxon left, we are the dinner in a very comfortable silence.

They didn't ask me the reason why I was in England all of a sudden or why my mother had decided for me to leave with them. They didn't push any question and I hope they wouldn't...