World of Crowns

04

NOTE: Please be aware of the chapters point of view.

“Ma’am Eli, your mother wants you to wear this later,”

The maid laid out a beautiful red wine off shoulder dress on my bed. She placed a box of shoes next to it and another box in which I assumed it was the accessories. I raised a brow when she opened the shoe box and took out cream colored suede strappy heels. What is all of this for?

“Why does she want me to wear all that?” I asked her. My brows furrowed when I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She couldn’t meet my eyes and was just looking far away. A sigh escapes my lips when I realize what this is all about. “She’s hosting another party, isn’t she?”

“I’m sorry ma’am Eli. Your mother told us to not say anything to you.” She answered.

It left me speechless and in disbelief. Does she really think she can trick me and bring me in that damn world of hers that she treasures as if she couldn’t live without having that job? She has done it once but it won’t happen again!

“Bring that all back to her. I won’t attend that party.” I said before passing by her to prepare for my class.

I took a short shower and put on my skincare before proceeding to my uniform. I wore my white long sleeve blouse tucking it on my grey pleated skirt with suspenders. My hands ran to my blazers and jackets section in my closet before my eyes went back to look at my regular navy blue blazer uniform.

“Should I stick with the proper uniform today?” I asked myself.

It took me a few minutes before deciding on wearing a Chanel white wool jacket for today. I pick out my navy blue with light blue linings cross over tie before pinning the silver crown brooch on the right edge to the tie. I wore a white ankle socks with ruffles and a pair of black leather monk strap block heels as my shoe. To complete my look, I put on a light makeup and a black beret on.

The moment I was walking down the stairs, I saw the maids going in and out of the backyard. They have things on their hands as my feet brought me to the door leading to the backyard to see what they are doing. There are tables being prepared and some decorations. She really is throwing another party.

I gave each maids a nod as I passed by them before entering the dining room where my breakfast is all prepared. A single maid remained in the room to serve me while the rest were busy preparing for that party later. My eyes keep staring as each of them passes by the room. They are starting to get annoying in my eyes that I'm starting to lose my appetite already.

“You haven’t finished your breakfast yet,” The woman of the hour arrived when I was about to stand up without finishing my food. She sat at the other edge of the table, looking all elegant in an all white blouse and pants with a pair of silver monks. Her lipstick is so thick red that I wanted to just wipe it off from there.

“I didn’t know it’s required to dress up elegantly for breakfast?” I sarcastically said before sipping on my water.

“I could say the same to you. Elite really allows you to wear a branded jacket and a classy shoe?” She pointed out without looking at me. She sliced her pancakes before putting a piece on her mouth and looking up to me. “Don’t you think you are too dressed up for school?”

“I wear clothes like this everyday. Maybe you are just too busy and caught up trying to keep your celebrity life going by hosting such parties without consulting the people in this house first before actually proceeding on helding one that you forget to pay attention to your own child.” I argued while pointing out the obvious facts. I shake my head a little. “Not really shocking anymore.”

I knew I hit it right when she stopped slicing another piece of pancake. She puts down her fork and knife on the sides of her plates before reaching for the table napkin to wipe the side of her red lips. A small smirk forms in my lips when I see the annoyance in her eyes.

“You saw the dress already? I want you to wear that later.” She says in an authoritative tone.

A small scoff escapes my lips. “I’m actually surprised that I was even informed a few hours before that party.” My tone has it’s sarcastic amazement tone which I know annoys her. “I thought you will use me again this time by me arriving back in this house with a party suddenly being held in front of me. The next thing I knew, I was being introduced by people I don’t care about and being photographed by those damn photographers.”

“The sun just rose up Eleanor. You might want to consider having respect for your mother early in the morning.” She says in a firm tone.

Instead of feeling bad and apologizing, another scoff in disbelief escapes my lips again. Her brows furrowed with my reaction as I stood up from my chair, wiping the side of my lips a little. “Then maybe you should also have considered respecting my desire for privacy instead of letting me be photographed by those reporters just so your name can be a big one in the industry again.” I said those words while looking straight into her eyes.

“That was a year ago already. You still haven’t forgiven me for that?” She says in disbelief.

“Do you really think after everything that I had to experience after that day, a simple sorry can make up and bring back my old peaceful life?” I questioned her with so much hate.

“You are my daughter, a celebrity’s daughter. Having a peaceful life is not really the main priority.” She pointed out as if it’s not new anymore.

I stood up and slammed my hands on the table, creating a loud sound that even made the maid jump a little in her spot. My breathing is rapid as I look at her in hatred. “I may be your daughter but that doesn’t mean you can ruin my privacy and my desire of not being in the spotlight. You are the one who chooses to be in that fame, not me. So please stop trying to use me just to regain your already ruined career.” I said in a firm tone.

The maid handed me back my bag when I approached her. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down because I can feel the anger within me again. I was about to walk out of the room when she suddenly spoke up.

“You will come to the party, right?” She asked. I can sense in her tone the pleading which she always uses whenever she needs something from me. Whenever she wanted to use me to show to everyone that she is a good mom… and I hate it.

“Don’t even expect.” I simply said before passing by her.

I’m Eleanor Grace Heinrich… and my mother is a celebrity. Once a known celebrity to be exact. Before I was born, her career was skyrocketing. She has projects here and there, endorsement internationally and locally. I can never deny that she is one of the biggest actresses before I was out in this horrendous world she lives in. But all of that changes after I was born.

She was 21 when I was born and my father was 25. She was one of the indemand actresses while my father is a big businessman who owns an art foundation, JHN Art Foundation, that has been his family business for two generations now. They were in a relationship back then and got married rushly before I was born. I’m not really sure whether I’m a blessing for them or not. Maybe I am to my father but not to my mother.

Her life was never the same after she took me out of this world from her womb. She wanted to take younger roles but she couldn’t be given one because she had given birth. Most of her endorsements cut their contract with her because it mostly targets young teens audience and they said she isn’t appropriate from it anymore. Maybe because at that time, everything was still not fully modernized that she was called not a good role model for the young teens.

Based on what my nanny told me, she never wanted to have me. At first she was ecstatic but when the news of her pregnancy broke out in the media, it became all different. When her career was at a downfall, she hated me and my father so much that she almost didn't want to give birth to me. When I first heard it, I was still in denial but when I connected all the dots of how she treated me and why she seems to not give attention, I confirmed that she never really wanted me.

When I was five years old, she tried to use me and showed me in the media because she thought I could be her bridge to regain the fame she once had. She caught attention because who wouldn’t like an adorable young girl? That may be a great time for her but it wasn’t for me. People would scatter around me, taking pictures and would keep asking about things. My privacy and peace was taken away from me when I was still at such a young age. I struggled a lot that my father had to take me out of school and changed into a home school for a while.

Her happiness didn’t last long though. Because she exposed me into the public eye, my father filed a divorce with her. It was possible because they got married in Germany since my father is half German. She was in the news not for a good image but a bad one. They only lasted as a married couple for 5 years. My father even applied to take custody for me so he can have me but since I am still a minor and just five during that time, I will have to be with my mother. So since then, I just keep bouncing from one house to another. I’m just lucky because my father didn’t remarry yet so it was easier for me to come to him anytime I wanted.

The car that I will ride to school is already prepared when I walk out of the house. I’m not sure how many times already but I have been wanting to run away from this house for years now. I just couldn’t take how my mother keeps trying to hold on in a life that she can’t really have anymore. I mean, is it hard for her to let go from it?

“Kuya, don’t pick me up later. I won’t go home today.” I told my driver when he drove away from our house.

“But the party, ma’am,” He hesitated.

“I won’t come. Come pick me up in school after class tomorrow.” I said as he just gave up and just nodded.

That party. It happens almost every other month. She would hold a party in our house with known directors and other artists so she could be trending on twitter and everyone would talk about her. And everytime that happens, I will be out of the house instead of going home there.

I don’t know if it’s because I created a trauma when I was five but I hated it whenever I was the center of attention. I hate it whenever a camera is there to take a photo of me and upload it on a site where everyone can see it. Maybe because it is how it was since I was five.

Everything was worse when I started attending 7th grade. There will be some reporters outside my school and they will take photos without my consent which really annoys me because the flashes of their cameras blinds me. Even when I just want to have a peaceful day in the mall with a friend, there will be some people who will approach me and take a photo of me. It was so unbearable that since then, I choose to just order my things online and have it in William’s hang out place under his name as he suggested so I can keep my privacy. I was just lucky because he helped me with that.

“Hi Eleanor,” A sophomore says when I pass by her in the school hallways. I just gave her a small smile while continuing walking until I reached my locker.

Suddenly two girls approached me from my section. They each have a bright smile but I already know what they are here for.

“Hi Eleanor! Do you want to go have coffee with us? We will visit a newly opened coffee shop later.” The other girl says as I ignored her and fixed my things inside the locker.

“How about mall? Do you want to join us in the mall later? I heard there is a new branded shop opened in the nearest mall here.” The other one says.

They just never get tired from it.

I closed my locker door with a little force that created a loud sound. They almost jumped from their spot and eyes widened while looking at me. I turned to look at them with a blank expression. “Just tell me what you want and stop bothering me already.”

They look at me in shock. What is there to be shock about? Some students in this school approach me for just two things. One for academic purposes and two for public exposure. They know that even though my mother is not that big in the market anymore, the eyes of the media are still on me because they still see me as the mysterious daughter of Olivia Heinrich who avoids the public eye. Being spotted with me in public will give them attention because some reporters are willing to do anything just to get information about me that they couldn’t get straight from me. But of course, it would be hard for them to take me with them now… because I already learned.

“Well… your mom… it was said that she will hold another party. Can you… invite us in there?” I knew it.

“Come if you want. It’s not my party anyway.” I said before passing by them, not letting them talk anymore.

It has always been like that. When I was in 7th grade, maybe because I was so psyched that I am already meeting kids my age after being homeschooled for 7 years, one girl approached me and we immediately grew closer and became friends. I would invite her to our house and would go out to visit places to hang out in. Until one day, when we visited a hang out place, a bunch of reporters with their cameras suddenly crowded the two of us. I thought she would help me but instead, I saw her stand up on the side while just watching me. I wouldn’t survive that crowd if it weren’t for that one guy who saved me.

After that day, I learned that she was the one who told the media where we are going after being in contact with them for months. She knows I hate the cameras and the media but she still chooses her desire to be known in the public eye. A single photo and information about me is an equivalent for her spot in the spotlight and she did have it. Ever since that day, I decided to not ever be acquainted with anyone and be friends until that same guy who saved me from that crowd appeared in front of me when I was in my freshman year… and that guy is sitting right there at the table.

I nervously approach their table, trying to keep my blank face. I stood on the side of the table where he was sitting on the right side. “Will,” I called William who was sitting right next to this guy.

“What is it, Eli?” William responded as I can see in my peripheral vision that Liam’s eyes are just focused on his food. Of course… that is where he would focus.

“Can I stay at your hideout later?” I questioned as Will just nodded. “I’ll just wait for you at the art room.”

I immediately turned to my back after that because I couldn’t take it anymore. While walking away, I can feel a pair of eyes behind me. I am certain it is him. That’s how we work things out now anyway. We would pretend like we don’t know each other anymore but would stare at one another from afar. I don’t know if he notices it but I do. I feel his stares at me whenever he does it.

“You will be a seconds away from being tripped if you keep being distracted,” A familiar voice of a girl suddenly said.

My eyes went to her who was leaning on the art room door with her arms crossed. She is dressed in the same way as me but instead of wearing a jacket, she is wearing a light blue v neck cropped cardigan with four buttons buttoned leaving the edge unbuttoned. Instead of wearing the usual white socks, she wore a black under the knee socks with a pair of black leather oxford shoes. The only thing we are basically wearing the same thing is our long sleeve polo, skirt and cross over tie.

“Aren’t you supposed to be eating lunch?” I asked her as a grin formed to her lips.

“And I’m supposed to say the same thing to you.” She suddenly bent down a little, reaching for a paper back that is placed on the floor. I raised a brow when she raised it up with a knowing smile. “I know you never prefer eating at the cafeteria so I brought this.”

I shook my head and opened the door of the art room where I usually spend my time in. She went to the long table while I approached the canvas that I am working on. “You think you can keep getting away with going outside the school in the middle of school hours to buy lunch when we have our cafeteria serving expensive foods?” I pointed out.

“We can actually go and eat at the cafeteria instead of me bothering with all the hassle of going outside BUT you prepare to eat here. At least here, we can eat a different meal than the others.” She reasoned out that made me just scoff in disbelief. “And besides, you don’t need to worry about me getting caught. I mean what’s the use of being a close friend of Liam Hale Thompson if I wouldn’t use his privileges sometimes.”

I stopped when I heard Liam’s full name. I will always have the same reaction whenever I hear his name. Maybe it’s because when he saved me before, his name was so special for me as I viewed him as my lifesaver. Although I should be used to hearing his name since we are in the same regular classes and extra classes, I just can’t seem to be so.

I felt her pair of eyes on me. When I look at her, her lips are sealed and eyes widened as if she had done something wrong. A small laugh escapes my lips. “What’s wrong with you Mill? What’s with the reaction?” I questioned.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to say his name.” She apologizes that made me laugh again. I put down the brush that I was supposed to use to continue my canvas and approached her instead.

“If you keep on saying sorry every time you mention Liam’s name, then should our teachers do the same everytime they say his name for attendance checking?” I teased which made her pout.

“That is different.” She reasoned out that only made me chuckle.

“Forget about that. Let’s eat! I’m hungry!” I told her as she nodded excitedly.

I may be the type of person who likes to be alone now but I wasn’t every time. When I entered Elite International High School, with Liam being the only one familiar to me and I seemed to be familiar for him as well, he introduced me to his few friends. I learned then that he is not that talkative and many students view him as the cold heir of TH Group so it wasn’t a big problem for me.

It was hard for me to trust everyone but among all of his friends that became mine as well, I am closer the most to Mill. Maybe it’s because of her positive personality that always puts me in a good mood that I was able to forget my problems from time to time. She makes me feel calm whenever the media and the camera is trying to bother me. There was even a time that we accidentally met a reporter and she was the first one to step in to protect me. I think she is the person that I trust the most now.

“Thanks for letting me stay here. I will go to my father’s house later too so I’ll just lock the unit for you.” I told Will when we arrived at his unit as he nodded.

He was silent for some time while checking his instruments. This hang out place of his has become one of my comfort places as well. Maybe because he doesn’t allow anyone in here except his close friends. I feel safe in here because he tightened his unit security as per request by his parents as well because of what happened way back when he was still a kid.

“He wouldn’t admit but… Liam wants to know if you are fine.” He suddenly said that made me look at him. My eyes blinked as he raised his head to look at me as well. “He knows that every time you ask me to stay here, it’s because your mom will hold a party at your house again.”

I avoided his eyes and kept it on my phone. I cleared my throat before answering him. “You can tell him that I am fine. It’s not like it’s a new agenda anyway.” I only said.

“I’ll make sure to tell him.” He says. I saw him stand up after checking his piano and took his bag from the table again. “I’ll go ahead since I still need to check on something. Feel free to eat the snacks and drink the juices on the fridge. Message me if something goes wrong, okay?” He reminded me as I nodded.

I stayed in his unit for a couple of hours before deciding to leave at 9pm. I made sure that everything was clean there since the only thing I did was watch anyway and watch the stars in his balcony. Before coming down from his unit, I booked a grab to ride on my way to my father’s house. It’s the safest ride now I think but everything doesn’t always go with my plan.

The right moment I stepped out of the building, a camera flash immediately greeted me as a paparazzi or four came towards me. They keep asking things as I can feel my breathing getting heavy as they keep on shoving their cameras on my face. How did they even know where I was?

“Eleanor, why aren’t you at your mother’s party?”

“Do you have any plans on entering the entertainment industry like your mother?”

They keep on questioning things without even letting me go. I mean where are the guards of the condo building? Why aren’t they helping me?

Suddenly, a soft cloth covers my arms that I am using to cover my face. I look up to see the same person who saved me way back then. Liam yelled at them and kept asking to back off but they didn’t and just kept asking. They even asked if he is my boyfriend and such.

We managed to get inside the grab car and the driver immediately drove away from the building. We were just silent throughout the whole ride while each of us were just staring outside the window. Starting a conversation will never be easy for the two of us now.

“Are you okay?” He asked when we hop off the car. We stood in front of my father’s house in silence before he decided to break it off.

“Are you asking about what happened earlier or about the party?” I questioned him.

He avoided my eyes as a sigh escaped his lips. “Both.” He simply answered.

“Well then… I’m fine,” I answered as he slowly nodded.

“Then that’s enough for me to know.” He raised up his eyes to meet mine before putting on a small smile. “Get inside and take a rest. Don’t think about those people earlier. I have to go.”

He was about to turn around when I called for his name. When he looks at me, I can see the hope in his eyes. It almost made me weak but I just put on a small smile instead. “Thank you… for saving me again.”

His eyes of hope disappear as he looks down. It didn’t take him a minute to look up at me once again and put on a sincere smile. “I’d be willing to do it every single time.” He said sincerely as he nodded. “Go inside now. I’m going.”

I watched him walk away before going inside the house. Dad already knows why I am here so we just spend the night talking about random things. I am certainly much more closer to him because he understands me more than my own mother whose focus is only on that industry. The industry that threw her away.

“Message me whenever you want to go and stay in my house, princess. I will pick you up whenever you want.” Dad says as I nodded with a smile.

I hopped off the car and a crowd in front of the school building immediately greeted me. My brows furrowed seeing everyone circling around one guy. My eyes went to Liam who first walked inside before William followed him a couple seconds later. I spotted Mill on the other side so I decided to approach and stand next to her.

“What is going on?” I asked her without trying to look closer to the one guy being crowded.

“New student.” She says.

It was enough to catch my attention. I looked at the guy in the middle and my eyes immediately widened realizing who it was. The resemblance can immediately give me an idea why Liam walked out first despite this whole big crowd.

The resemblance that only those who are really close to him could tell that this guy… is his long lost brother, Zane.