Chapter 8 ... nothing has changed
Jessica's return to the Brown family wasn't anything to be proud of. Looking at the house standing at the far distance like a fortress, her heart felt cold.
As the car drives into the wrought iron gate she couldn't help but wonder if she had made the right choice of honouring the invitation to return home. The car pulled to a stop, the Brown family butler stepped forward and pulled the car door open for Jessica "Welcome back Miss". He said his face indifferent. Jessica alighted the car with ease and a maid just came out to throw the yesterday's trash; on seeing her the maid blotted back into the house to announce her return yet no member of the family cared to come out of the house. It was as though they are all dead.
With heavy steps she climbed the few staircase to the foyer with the suitcase in her hand which nobody cared to take from her. She had thought her return will be something she did be proud of but now it seems that is not the case, she had always remained the unloved and abandoned daughter of the Brown family. As a matter of fact nothing has changed. This family had finally dashed her hope of seeing them as one.
The living room was deserted and nobody to acknowledge her arrival, she made her way to her bedroom. Her feet dragging on the staircase with trepidation with a push, the door creaked open revealing a room with a dusty smell that sent her coughing abruptly. Waving in the air to clear the musty scent, she stepped into the room. Standing at the middle of the room memories of her mother's tease and laughter made her choke with tears. This room now shrouded in coldness had once being filled with laughter and happy memories.
"Mom, I am back and this time I will make you proud", she muttered.
She walked to the window and pulled it open letting in the rays of sunlight to brighten the room. Without any hesitation, she began cleaning up the room. As she opened her wardrobe she found out the safe in her room had gone missing. The safe had contained her mother's belongings and some documents, her fist clenched.
She need not be told whose handwork it is but then she isn't bothered because she must reclaim all that is hers with not one bit left.
By the time she finished the cleaning and discarding the waste it was already evening.
Jessica sat down beside the window gazing at the flowers dancing in the garden—the daffodils, it has been her mother's favorite flower.
A raspy tap on the door brought her out of her reverie, she stood up and opened the door. The maid stood there waiting with a mocking smile on her face "Dinner is ready", she stated.
"Okay", Jessica replied her voice devoid of any emotion.