The Enigma Of Deceptive Love

Chapter 18: Shadow

LOGAN

Sometimes to fix things, you need to start by breaking them.

Love isn't happiness, it's control.

I, in no way had a messed up childhood. It was the awfully similar to every oneother family, sans the  occasional bloodshed in the attic. Neither party was to blame, my father demanded his properties back and the "victim" refused to abide by the contract — lack of resources.

Mama was extremely proud of how her son turned out, and she did not turn away from bragging about it every chance she got. No one lent her an ear though, "rich people brag anyway." My father on the other hand, worshipped my sister. A pain in the ass.

It took her 8 years to finally be an asset. 

And it took me 13 years to start seeing her one.

Mama threw yet another party to celebrate my overall grade at school. Contrary to popular belief  being rich doesn't necessarily exempt you from gaining education, instead it helps you gain education at its finest — something the Ashcroft kids took for granted. Their ignorance didn't get them killed then, but since they'd continue living the way they do, someone had to send death to their door.

They came to the party as well, their mother shaking hands and nodding her head to everything others say. Classic definition of people pleasers they were. It was a pity the heir to their business had to be sent to an experimental prison. Wait no, calling it a prison would be disrespectful, a psychological torture centre? a well established luxurious hotel? anything with fancy words suited The Castle.

Not less than fifteen minutes later the cause of The Castle walked in a charming bright yellow dress and a clearly worn out hat that had a patch on it, almost like something was violently pulled out of it. Her mother accompanied her as well — their resemblance was uncanny — the same chestnut eyes, pale skinned with a comforting presence. They stood out among the others, with their bold colour choices. The little girl might've felt my eyes on her; because when she met mine, everything went blank. Alicia was beautiful, she was pure.

Her brother came in along with the two of them, everyone knew about Alex and Tiffany. Mothers are obsessed with their sons, hence our initials shared eerie similarities with a multinational conglomerate. That's why the names Alex and Alicia didn't make sense. If Vanessa had hated Tiffany, why would she name her only child with the same initials as the son her husband had with another woman.

It could just be coincidence, or she was just the sweetest person. Too bad Max's father ran over her. Max was a pretty chill guy, I wanted to rip his tongue out when he called Alicia by that name. 

Rosalita

Shit stung more than being shot by an old friend. 

It was more than fate when I saw Sam and Alicia play together, it gave an opening for everything to be executed smoothly. I had no such plan till a few years later, when Alicia started coming over constantly. Mama didn't like it — the whole "class" shit. Sam being the sweetheart that she was, openly welcomed Alicia without second thoughts and father was more than pleased to have someone to make Sam happy. Someone who actually liked Sam for more than her money. 

I didn't mind it either, seeing Alicia on a daily basis was something I'd craved since then. But, I couldn't let her see me, not until I'd saved her from hell. Father died shortly after the party, overdose of opioids. I wonder who changed his dosage though.

The entire plan was well thought of, almost perfect. Each step would take place over the next few years, she'd be a legal adult in 3 years and everything was in place. After father's death, it was pretty easy to convince people that I was...well, dead. But, for that Mama would have to die — leaving Sam an orphan. Oh wait, leaving the both of us orphans. I was an adult, hence, I could legally take care of myself. Sam, on the other hand couldn't.