Chapter 3 – Nemesis
1658 Words
(Elle’s POV)
The sound of the waves of the sea is music to my ears. When I was still studying, I would usually listen to its sound to calm myself, especially when Belle was crying and I had to study for a test. Never did I imagine that there would be places like this.
A paradise!
This would have been a perfect place, the blue sea reflecting from the perfect-blue-sky and the fine white sand that Belle and I would enjoy making a sandcastle. She had been talking about it before I was thrown over on a battlefield and met Billy’s sons. Not finding its beauty anymore, instead of enjoying the beach, Belle and I stayed in the bedroom and went out only when we were called for dinner.
Dinner was peaceful because I didn’t see the twins. Aiden has to attend an online meeting, and Caleb meets a client over a dinner meeting. The truth is, I don’t care about it, and I am just happy not to see them around. I could breathe and enjoy the time with Belle as we took pictures on the grand staircase.
When Mom called Belle, I was left in the living room, taking selfies and then looking at our funny pictures in the living room and the staircase. I chose the hilarious pose and looks of Belle and me to send to Apple, but I could not connect to their Wi-Fi. Hernan found me sitting on the couch, trying to type the password he gave me this afternoon.
“Good evening, Miss Elle,” he greeted me, stopping near me. “There was a problem with the connection, but don’t worry, the technician’s checking on it right now.”
I shook my head and smiled gently at him.
“It’s okay, Hernan. This isn’t really important. I just want to send this picture to my friend,” I give my phone to him to show him our funny pictures. Hernan fills the living room with his chuckle as he looks at the pictures.
“I’m glad you’re part of the Page now. You will definitely bring color to this family, Miss Elle,” he said, returning my cellphone to me and causing my cheeks to blush.
“I hope not a bloodbath color, Hernan,” I sneered as I took my phone.
He laughs again, perhaps remembering my little squabble with Aiden at lunch. “Don’t worry, Sir Aiden can be serious, stern, I may say, but believe it or not, he’s more loving and sweeter than Sir Caleb.
I scoff. “Hmph! I don’t know, Hernan, but thanks for the info.” I moved my head closer to him and whispered, “I really don’t care if they both hate me because I have no plans to live here with them, especially that Aiden!”
He nodded, just smiling at what I said.
“Uhm, Hernan, I’ll just go outside,” I pointed in the direction of the beach.
He tilts his head, looking in the direction I pointed. The beachside was not as well-lit as the mansion, but it was safe for me to walk outside since it was private property.
“Just don’t go swimming, Miss Elle,” he reminded me.
“I will just send this to my friend. And oh, Hernan, I might see my prince charming there,” I joked, grinning at him.
“Prince charming?” he smiles at the thought. “There are only -”
I cut him right away. I know he means Aiden or Caleb, or him if he is still single. “Merman, Hernan. Mer…man!”
He chuckles when I roll my eyes. “Just don’t swim on the beach. Sir William will kill me if something happens to you.”
“Don’t worry, Hernan! No one’s killing anyone tonight. I’ll be good, promise!” I winked at him, then walked past him to have my little walk on the beach.
The mansion is near the beach, and if Apple was here, I am sure she would challenge me skinny dipping. I checked on my phone, but I was only getting one bar, so I took a few more steps. My feet feel the white sand as I take off my slippers and leave them on the side. The child in me runs excitedly to the beach, hoping to let the calm waves on the shore kiss my feet, but as soon as I feel the water, I scream in excitement and delight.
“Brrr… Cold!” I giggled as I walked a few steps away from the water. I am finally getting a good signal in this area. I sent her the picture with a message ‘Cinderella and Belle finally made it to the palace. Where’s prince charming?’
A few seconds later, Apple is calling me already. I pressed the accept button to answer her call.
“Where’s prince charming, then?” she asks right away.
“Dead!” I answered briefly, sneering my lips.
“Come on, Elle,” she bursts out laughing, so she must be home. She could never laugh like that if Apple were with the man she met on her trip.
“Home?” I still had to ask, though.
“Yeah!” She sounds down, but it is only for a while. “Tell me about the stepbrothers, Cinderella?” She let out another peal of laughter.
“Not funny, Apple,” I roll my eyes, but my lips curve a grin. “Just imagine my jaw dropping when I first saw them,” I giggle and look heavenward, sighing as I think of the twins.
“The sigh! I hate hearing it from you, Elle. What’s that for?”
“Well,” I pursed my lips, turning around to see the house behind me. “Billy’s filthy rich, Apple, and it worried me that we don’t fit in his world.”
“What happened to Billy, the supermarket bagger?” she jokes, causing me to chuckle. I could feel my cheeks blushing.
“I was wrong. The bagger owned the store,” I said, feeling embarrassed at how I judged him.
“What’s the problem then? If he’s rich, you don’t have to worry that your stepfamily will take advantage of your money, Cinderella.”
I scoffed at her. “As if I have that much.” I chuckled, upset about my attitude. “I bet the butler was getting more salary than my monthly allowance from Dad’s insurance.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
I heaved a deep sigh, turning around to see the sparkling lights from the boats on the sea.
“Living with them is the problem,” I answered. “Billy wanted us to have like a trial family thing, living together for ten months until their wedding,” I groaned as I twisted my right foot, trying to bury it in the sand.
“And?” she asks again, waiting for my central point.
“Apple, I don’t think I could do that without killing one of his sons,” I said, cringing at myself. “I’m not a violent person, and you know that I’m a big supporter of peace talks, but I really hate Aiden. Grrr!”
Apple laughs. “Woah! He must have done something to make you furious at him. You’re the kindest person I’ve ever known in my life. Killing him? You couldn’t hurt a cockroach, Elle.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know, right? Maybe if I had to save only one, Aiden or the cockroach, I would choose the latter.” I uttered, pouting my lips and looking up in the sky as I thought of choosing the insect over him.
“You really hate him that much?” Apple asks.
“He started it, Apple. He said he couldn’t live with me, and he didn’t like me,” I answered.
I turned around, facing the house again. “As if I wanted to live with-” I paused, my mouth gaping open, feeling my heart stop beating.
“And?” Apple was waiting, but I couldn’t say my next words.
Standing behind me… Oh, no! Standing in front of me now is Aiden, looking at me with hate on his face.
“Likewise,” I continued, wishing a tsunami would happen but taking only me. “As if I wanted to live with him.” My lips quivered, realizing it was too late to draw back what I had said. Aiden must have heard most of my conversation with Apple.
She groans. “That’s impossible!”
“I hate him,” I uttered, almost hushed. I swallowed hard, but I did not retreat when Aiden met my eyes.
“Someone’s at the door, Elle. Let’s have a chat later, okay?”
“Yeah!” I didn’t wait for her goodbye. I press the end call button and hope to walk away to avoid him, but before I can do that, Aiden has his hand, gripping my upper arm already.
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” He said in a stern voice that made me shiver.
“Staying away from you,” I answered, brushing his hand off, but he clutched at me so tightly that it hurt.
I wince, and my tears start to well in my eyes, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
“Let go of me, Aiden.” I wriggled, almost crying.
“Better do that, Elle. Stay away from my family and me.” He released me. “You don’t belong in our world. If you don’t, I’ll make sure to bring hell into your life, Cinderella.”
My lips quiver, hating my tears betrayed me as I feel them rolling down my cheeks. I found myself crying and running back to the mansion, forgetting my slippers and cursing the Page for coming into my life.
- Writer
