Esmarelda Lance: The girl you don't wanna mess with.

chapter 9

Zang POV.

I totally hate myself now.
I think I need to get some burden off my chest so I'll make a confession.

Please don't judge me for my decision...accept it as the past.

Before Esmeralda came into my home, she lived in Florida with her family. Her dad was a doctor and her mum was a counsellor. 
Her dad's name was Jeff.
And her mum's was Evon.

Jeff and I were best of friends, our colours didn't come between us and we enjoyed each other's company.

Jeff  started a family and Mel was their first child. Her soft brown eyes were just like her dad's and her full lips were perfectly shaped like that of her mum. The only thing was that I was her surrogate mum. I did it because of my close friendship with them and how desperate they were.

I was Jeff's colleague at the hospital. Life was perfect and all- I was married but I had only adopted a few kids which no one expect people back in England knew about.

Seven years after, two of Mel's sisters were born. Evon was finally able to carry a pregnancy.

I got really attached to Mel and I loved her like she was my child.
Although her name was iris. I changed it when I adopted her.

I couldn't take her away from her parents or explain it to them either that I really liked her. It was a difficult time because I spent so much time with her.

One day when Evon and Jeff took the kids out,I got a call from the hospital to say that they were involved with an accident. I was informed so I could try to get there and help the ambulance crew.

I rushed there thinking about Mel and if she was okay. When I got there, the ambulance wasn't there.

I...I can still hear the voices of Mel's sisters crying. I can still see Jeff's bloody hands reaching for me to save him. I didn't want to because it'll mean that they'd have Mel.
I watched all of them die and I stood there crying and asking for their forgiveness. I remember getting Mel out of the smokey car and taking her back to my apartment.

Before we left the scene I looked  in Evon's purse for any valuables but I didn't see any- so I took her 28 karat silver black diamond wedding ring.

When we got back to the house I transferred some of my blood into Esmeralda. she'd lost a lot of blood and I didn't want to take her to the hospital because legally I wasn't meant to have taken her. Plus I knew her blood matched mine.

I took her back to the accident hours later.

She looked at me with her innocent face "Aunt Daisy what we doing here?"

"I could have rescued your parents but i didn't and I just want you to say a last goodbye"

She looked at the blazing car then at me" I don't understand what the word ' rescued' means"

"Yo' mama and papa have gone up to the heavens and are with the angels." I reply.

Her eyes starts to water and her nose went red " na...tell 'em to come back. Save 'em I wanna tell 'em I love 'em.  You a doctor. Please God send 'em back- I not gonna be a silly child no more"

My heart started to break and I cried a bit more ". We should go now". I called the fire brigade again and threw my phone into the fire.

I pick up Esmeralda who stuck herself to the floor and sat in front of the blazing car like it was a bonfire.

She screamed and sobbed like a new born child. "Mama...papa...Yvonne...Liz...y'all better come back! I love you...Please come back!".

I held her to stand and rubbed her back" listen to me! Things happen. Do you think I wanted to watch your parents die?, I had no choice...I-I..." I broke down in tears.

Esmeralda stood and looked pitifully at me " Don't cry...the doctors will bring them back to life" she said drying my tears while tears drop from her eyes.

"Look into my eyes" I ordered her. It's going to be okay. "You'll live with me, i'll take you in with me and give you all the things you need"

I posted a resignation letter to the hospital, I cleared up my life in a America ready to reunite with my kids and permanently move back to England with Mel.

It was easy to gain full custody since I was placed as her legal guardian. Once that was clear we left the US.

When I brought Mel back to England she fell really ill and the doctor revealed something really dangerous to me that made me regret my actions.
Due to her age and what happened to her, her memory section of her brain was affected and she lost her most important memory because she experienced a very traumatic event. The doctor suggested medication to help with her memory but I felt she should have a fresh start.

When I brought Esmeralda home Tanya wasn't too pleased and she made it clear to her. I had to force her to be nice. Ben and Rip were cold towards her but Leah was quite friendly and tried to make her feel at home.

Leah was the youngest child before Ez. She was dropped at my doorstep when she was six months old, she's the only child that has childhood memories with me because the rest of my children were grown up when I adopted them.

Leah was a cute and adorable British child. She grew up with green eyes and ginger hair but decided to wear grey contacts and dye her hair red.

Everyone loved Leah and she held the family together. She always smiled and was always bubbly.

I bet Ez can't stop talking about her.

During the time I brought Mel, she went through so much pain and was so depressed. It pained me so much to see her sad so I paid Lucy's mum to get Lucy to be her friend.
She went through all that pain because of me. She couldn't love anyone because of me, she changed from being so innocent and pure to being a rebel because of me.

I have no choice but to let her lash out her anger at me and be rude and outspoken.

When she joined the family, I had to keep my guard up. I had to try and convince myself that I made the right choice.

I also have to protect her from nightmares and flashbacks from that day when she goes to sleep- I've been doing a pretty good job since then. The doctor gave me medications to help with her condition. I add it to her drinks and food sometimes even though she's unaware of it.

Going back to when I injected Ez with a sedative. It was meant to prevent her from getting any nervous breakdown our putting unnecessary stress on her brain.

I must say, I have the least stressful job that pays the most amount of money. Most of my money goes to tax, Ez gets the bigger share compared to the rest- i don't know if she realizes that but the others have certainly picked up on that. At least I think the money could make her a happier person.

Since we live in a ten bedroom mansion I don't have to worry about certain things- but I have to worry about everyone getting along well enough to live under the same room.

Tanya got her upper body covered in tatto and it cost a lot, when I scolded her she spoke about Ez's extravagant lifestyle so I dropped it.

Ben and Rip both bought expensive sports cars without my knowledge- that cost a lot too but I had to let it go.

Leah went to get a lip surgery which shocked everyone- just when I thought I still had one normal child. She said she was old enough to decide what she wanted.

Mel on the other had just keeps buying diamond bracelet, rugby earrings, expensive watches, trendy shoes and clothes.

After two hours, Tan and I checked on Mel and she sent us away, I still felt bothered and worried about how she feels about me.

Trust is crucial for her- and I might have lost it. All I have to do now is wait. I also have to try and keep her far away from stress.

Mel being  buddies with Xan doesn't  bother me but the future she has with the him doesn't seem pleasant. I know my perceptions aren't always right but I'll give him a chance.

The last time we had someone new move into town they caused a lot of trouble, that's why I'm a bit sceptical about the Banks family.