Scion

16. Enemy

Harper's POV

Trudging up the familiar drive of my family's home was strange. I felt as if I hadn't seen it in years, I hoped for there to be more of a fuss when the guards saw me but I knew better.

In fact, when I approached the security gate, the man didn't even look twice, simply writing my name on the list of people at the house and letting me in.

The house looked the same, grand but cold. I knocked the door, bouncing on the balls of my feet out of nerves. If I told my father of the coming attack and he didn't believe me then... I couldn't even imagine what would happen.

The door opened, revealing a stricken Maria.
I hardly had time to process it was her before her hand flew towards my cheek, when she pulled away I couldn't help but be shocked. I hadn't expected and assault before I'd even walked through the door.

After a moment the small women grabbed me, pulling me into a fierce hug. Without hesitation I hugged her back, wrapping my arms around her, she only came up to my shoulder, so I hoped I wasn't suffocating her. She didn't seem to mind though, in fact when I felt her shoulders shake I realized she was crying. I hated that I'd put her through all that worry, but it felt nice to be missed.

We were brought out of our moment when someone in front of us cleared their throat, causing Maria to pull back from me and straighten out her uniform, averting her eyes once she noticed who was interrupting us.

Martha D'Ammodice  was undoubtedly beautiful. Although she was in her late 40's, no one could tell. Her skin was as flawless as that of a woman half her age, her hair nowhere near greying and her eyes held an unmistakable sharpness. She was my father's goddess, the only person he regarded more highly than himself, probably making her one of the most powerful people in the world.

She carried herself with the kind of class that only a woman of her social status could possess, and she only ever wore business clothing, when I was a child I honestly thought that she slept like that, until she came into my room one night to tell me I'd woken her up from her sleep ( I was practicing my technique for my brother and I's next fight).

One important detail about her was that she hated me.

The only reason I could think of was because father cheated on her, and then my mother had me. I was the product of his mistake in her eyes, and yes I did say she was everything to my father. But to him, cheating was nothing more than business, and it was near the beginning of their relationship as they had been in an arranged marriage.

She'd never moved on, and when at the age of 5 father had insisted I moved in with them, I think she almost sprouted her first grey hair. 

She was stood on one of the bottom steps of the grand staircase, staring at me with a cool, calculating gaze, before a grin broke out in her face.

'Jaaaammmmeeeesss' she called out, moving towards me with open arms. I had no idea why she insisted on saying my name like that. Drawing out the letters, I think she thought it made her sound kinder.

When she approached, Maria took a hesitant step away from me, turning to walk away, but not before squeezing the hand that lay limp at my side. I reluctantly hugged Martha back, but not with the same emotion I had with Maria. And before letting go she pinched the side of my arm, luckily I was wearing layers of clothing or it would have done some actual damage. 

Letting go she began to speak, 'I haven't seen you in a while darling, where in earth have you been.' 

She obviously didn't notice the cut on my eyebrow or the fading bruise on my cheek.

'I've just been around, actually I need to speak to Father-'

'That's nice dear, would you like something to eat, I can get something made.' I wouldn't take food from her ever again. Once when I was about 10 years old I'd allowed her to get me breakfast, the first time I'd ever allowed anyone but Maria to do so. Less than a day later I had mysteriously come down sick, a sickness that I couldn't shake for the next week.

'I'm okay I really just need to speak with Father.' Her  face contorted when I said the word 'father', she really hadn't let it go.

'Oh but my dear child, you need some food in you.' She replied suspiciously, but I was tired of the conversation, I needed to see my father and I needed to see him now.

I walked away, glancing back to see my stepmother looking as if she wanted to throw a tantrum, but instead of focusing on her I prepared myself for the conversation with my father.

Skipping the steps and pacing towards the looming wooden door.

I just hoped he listened to me.

A/N

Everything is gonna go down very soon, so buckle upppppppp😂

-Kylo (the fun one)  ;)