The STALKER

A Home

The car stopped in front of a white mansion. Laira recalled it to be her mom's family house. She had been here once before. She never expected to come back here after that one time. During the drive, Jacob kept her engaged in a lot of things. He was trying to keep her mind off things, and it really worked. Now Laira had a certain brightness to her face. The gloomy expression was long gone.

They both got out together. Laira kept looking at the huge structure, and it still mesmerized her. Her mom had spent her childhood in this house. Although she doesn't share any memory with the house, she was suddenly overwhelmed with the thoughts of her mom. This brought tears to her eyes, but being a really tough girl, she bit down the sorrow.

A man in a guards uniform hurried towards them. He was followed by two women dressed in grey uniform and a young looking man in a suit.

'Welcome back sir.' he said to Jacob while bowing slightly.

'Is her room ready?'

'Yes sir, we shall escort her right away .' the man said, while gesturing the young man towards the trunk of the car. He then proceeded to take her luggage.

Jacob turned towards Laira and placed his hands on her shoulder.

'I want you to forget about everything laira. This is your new life, and this is going to be your home. You won't be alone any more. I will be there for you. We all will Okay?' Jacob said gently.

Laira looked away for a moment and then looked into his eyes. With a small smile that she managed somehow, she replied, "okay!".

"Atta girl" Jacob said while patting her.

The guard had now returned. Laira followed the man inside.

The main door led to a grand hall. The walls were adorned with antiques and expensive art pieces. The staircase stood in the centre and at its end was a portrait of someone she wasn't really fond of, her grandfather. Her mom's father.

She never hated him, yet she also didn't like him. He seemed to never care for his daughter and he never really accepted laira's father also.

For every occasion, laira never recalled her grandfather ever showing up. She often wondered if he actually wished to see laira as his grandchild. But it never bothered her much nor anyone else for that matter. It seemed like everyone just knew what kind of a person he was.

The guard led her towards the stairs. At the end of the stairs there was a long corridor and at the end of it was a large bedroom. Her belongings were already inside.

'This is going to be your room, miss.'

The guard said. His face always showed the same expression.

Laira simply nodded. She then sat on the bed.

"I will be going now miss, your lunch will be ready shortly , the young master expects you to dine with him."

"okay." she replied.

All this formality was quite unfamiliar for her. Her parents didn't want to have such kind of a rule around the house. Every one were like friends. Even the maids were really close with them. But here, every one seemed a bit distant. Did Jacob really encourage such formalities? It doesn't sound like him.

Laira was still impressed by the house. She couldn't stop her self from looking around. She then decided to go out of the room and take a tour of the house.

Not much members of her family has stayed in this place. It was always Jacob, his mother, father, younger sister and grandfather. But grandfather had left this house and moved to Chicago where he handles his company. That leaves jacob and his family who are currently away for some reason. Laira always enjoyed their company since she was little.

And deep within she was a bit excited to meet them.

She wandered through the corridor. But she suddenly stopped just before the stairs. She heard someone speaking. It was coming from downstairs.

It seemed familiar, the voice. She tiptoed towards the staircase and stood still.

"It's been a while. But I was never expecting to see you again." it was Jacob who spoke. But the person who replied was unknown.

"You were always so predictable Jacob. It's not surprising that I should find you in that hospital. Who was it that you were so lovingly embracing? Such a gorgeous woman. As far as I know you aren't married and I am sure you are not exactly a lover type." the man said. His voice was strangely Familiar . But Laira couldn't make out who.

" That's none of your business. I had clearly asked you to stay out of my life. You've got some balls to come in front of me again. It's like you have a death wish " these words that came from Jacob startled Laira. Without realizing it her hands covered her mouth. Did Jacob just say that?

" woah, easy tiger. I am not here to cause any trouble. I just heard the bad news about the Deans. It must be hard for you to suddenly loose your aunt and her family."

How is that old man catching up hearing about his daughter.? Must be quite a shock for him."

The man seemed to care less. He spoke without an ounce of sympathy.

"No survivers eh?" the man continued.

"Hmm." Jacob replied.

"what?! " Laira thought out loud. Why would Jacob say that? Suddenly every thing seemed strange around her.