Bittersweet Legacy (The Patricians Book 1) Read online

  I rolled my eyes, but I wasn't sure I liked the feeling of giddiness settling deep inside at the idea of having his undivided attention. I turned around before he had a chance to see that on my face. “See you later.”

  Chapter 6

  Taylor had not been wrong in her assessment, things didn’t get better but at least they hadn’t gotten worse.

  In the two weeks following my start at Brentwood Academy, things settled – Of course my brother still reluctantly took me to school and made a fuss every time Tay couldn’t drive me back. Of course, I was always being glowered at by the Kings of Brentwood and their groupies included – Well, Tay and I called them the Glee Team and it suddenly rendered them much less threatening and highlighted just how stupid they truly were. They had tried to get me going but since I dismissed all of their jabs, and attempts at humiliation, they eased off.

  The only positive point in all of this was the classes, they were insightful and challenging and it was amazing for me to experience this level of teaching outside of the public-school environment I was so used to.

  And just like every morning since I moved here, I was sat at a table filled with so much food it was obscene, across from a brother who enjoyed playing with his phone to remind me I didn’t have one and who now excelled at pretending I didn’t exist.

  Our father stepped in, dressed in his usual crisp three-piece suit but his presence was an uncommon occurrence, he was rarely here, and poor Sophia was so faded into the background that I could barely see her either.

  I’d been so hell-bent on hating them both, William Forbes and his pretty trophy wife, but whilst I had no problem disliking him after everything he was putting me through, I couldn’t dislike her – if anything I felt sorry for her.

  The man she married was clearly a cold-hearted monster who didn’t look at her, touch her, or show her any affection – she was just a pretty toy who served one purpose – to make him look good when necessary.

  I sighed thinking about how sad she always looked, how a woman who should be full of life looked like a faded version of herself.

  “What’s the problem, Esmeralda?” My father asked, reacting to my sigh. However, his tone made it clear he didn’t want to deal with any issue.

  “No problem father, everything is fine.”

  He nodded stiffly. “We’re having people for dinner tonight. I believe it’s time to introduce you officially to the people who matter.”

  I looked down at my bowl to hide my eyeroll. ‘People who matter’ meant his rich asshole friends.

  “Look at me, Esmeralda,” he snapped, making my brother smile. Why did that boy enjoy my suffering so much?

  I met my father’s cold eyes unwaveringly. “Yes, father?”

  “I need you on your best behaviour tonight, polished and appropriate, I will not tolerate any mishaps, do you understand me?”

  “Yes, father I do.” These words felt like pebbles in my mouth. I wanted to tell him to shove his middle-aged rules as far up his butt as he could.

  He seemed pleased by my answer as his eyes shone with approval. “Very well, if everything goes well, I might reconsider your access to a phone.”

  I did my best to keep my face smooth knowing that any phone he would give me would probably be tapped, but at last I would have a communication device to talk to Tay.

  “Thank you,” I replied, and Lord did it cost me to bow my head and accept this.

  My father smiled brightly. “I’m glad you’re coming around,” He commented before swirling around and leaving the room the same way he walked in.

  Archie glared at me and I returned his look with an eyeroll. “I won’t steal your spot as favorite child Archibald,” I sighed. “I would never sink low enough on my principles and personality to be able to hold it.”

  Archie’s nostrils flared at the jab. If he thought he could break my spirit he had another thing coming.

  “Let’s go,” he ordered, standing up briskly and leaving the room without as much as a look back. He really was our father’s son.

  “Is Oppenheimer driving you tonight?” he asked as we settled into the car.

  “No, she has model union.”

  “Be on time then, I don’t want to wait for you,” he barked and resumed his usual disregard for me as we drove in tense silence – ah, family!

  “Please tell me you’re coming today,” I begged Tay as soon as I met her on the front steps.

  She shook her head. “No sorry, mom doesn’t do sitters and I’m always too happy to avoid stuffy parties by babysitting my brothers.”

  “Yeah, I understand,” I replied, crestfallen. I wanted her there, she was rapidly becoming my best friend, but I didn’t want her to suffer along with me. I liked her enough already to avoid subjecting her to any undue stress. “It’s maybe better this way, I’ll have a hard time pretending with you around.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, after Barbie wife William Forbes is gunning for Barbie daughter, isn’t he?”

  I shrugged. “It’s not forever.”

  She gave me a small smile full of meaning and it made me uncomfortable, as if I was delusional to even think about escaping this life.

  “Just see this evening as a social experiment,” she added with a shrug as we walked down the corridor, our arms interlaced.

  “It will help me with my Independent Studies,” I confirmed, somehow seeing the evening a bit more positively.

  “How is that?”

  “I decided to write a paper in Sociology, on the social castes and how old legacies didn’t really evolve to make place for strong women.”

  She laughed, shaking her head “Yeah, that’s bound to go down really well.”

  “Ah, I will not be here long enough for it to change anything. It’ll look good in my university application, since I want to become a social worker.”

  She stopped in her tracks and detailed me, some sadness in her eyes. “I’m not sure you’ll be able to get the life you plan, Esme,” she offered gently. “Getting out of the Patricians is just as difficult as getting in.”

  I shrugged, not wanting to let my spirit go down. “We’ll see.”

  She gave me a big kiss on the cheek before smiling brightly, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I truly hope you’re right,” she humoured me, and I decided not to dwell on the subject anymore and risk having my logic thrown in my face.

  When I went to the library for the last period, I set a reminder on my watch to leave 10 minutes early – I’ll be waiting by the Maserati when Archie got out, this will avoid a lot of bitching.

  “Hey, Ms White,” I whispered as I walked into the library.

  The middle-aged librarian looked up and her generic smile widened to an earnest one. “Ah my favourite student,” she chuckled, pushing her thick glasses up her nose.

  I smiled back at her, we both knew that her choice was quite limited as most students considered themselves much too important to talk with the faculty, and this included the loveliest librarian on the planet.

  “Are you here for your Independent Studies?”

  I nodded.

  “That was a bold choice,” she nodded approvingly. “But I can see you doing something amazing.”

  I smiled, almost wanting to cross the line of polite society and pull her into a hug. Everybody had been basically horrible to me since I moved here, or at best ignored me completely. If it hadn’t been for Tay’s support or poor Sophia’s attempts at kindness, I would have sunk so deep into depression I would have drowned. They were attempting to break my spirit and some days I feared they’d succeed, but then I had people like Ms White who brought back a little light in my life, a candle in a dark tunnel, providing just enough illumination to keep me going slowly and painfully, one step at a time.

  “I’m thinking about writing a Sociology paper.”

  “Interesting,” she tapped a finger on her chin. “I think you should start by having a look in aisles 12 and 13.” She pointed to the far end of the library
. “Let me know if you don’t find anything suitable,” she said, waving her paperback at me. “I’ll be here reading.”

  I nodded. “Thanks for your help, Ms White.”

  She looked around the room, as usual it was dead quiet. “Please call me Anna when we’re alone.”

  “Thank you… Anna.”

  She smiled again before going back to her seat and resuming her reading.

  I set my things on the table closer to the entrance and looked at my watch, making sure the alarm was on. I had 30 minutes before going to meet Archie.

  As expected, aisle 12 turned out to be useful and I found a couple of books to help me start my research.

  I was taking the book back to my desk when I frowned looking at the brown manila envelope on the table. My name was written in red marker, in capital letters ‘ESME’.

  I looked around but the library was empty except for Ms White who was engrossed in her novel.

  I sat down warily, opened the envelope carefully, expecting nothing but a prank. I tilted it on the table and a brown leather clad cahier notebook slid onto the desk. It was the size of one of my textbooks, quite thick as well, thicker than my thumb.

  I looked around once more before opening it.

  I ran my hand over the first page, the handwriting was beautiful, very well-defined cursive letters, elegant and feminine. Words written with care, with a fountain pen.

  If you’re reading this, it’s because I’m not around to explain everything to you and despite my efforts to save you from this life I failed.

  I stopped reading, my heart accelerating in my chest at who I was assuming wrote these words. I took a deep, shaky breath before looking down the page again.

  I’m not sure what you can call this – a diary? A confession? An apology? It’s probably a bit of everything so let’s say it’s a Journal, shall we?

  I’ve learned many things living this life, and the key is that knowledge is power, Esmeralda, and I’m going to tell you all I know, all there is to know in the hope that these truths will help you succeed where I clearly failed. If you are reading these words, it also means I'm not here to shield you from everything you are about to face, everything you will learn and for that I’m even sorrier than I can put into words. I hope this journal will at least help guide you toward freedom.

  I didn’t want you to have this life, my beautiful daughter -

  I gasped, before resting a shaky hand over my mouth to stop any further sound from coming out.

  This was just not any diary; this was my mother’s journal!

  I brushed my fingertips against the page, suddenly turning emotional. It was something from my mother even if it was just her handwriting, some words on paper. It was something I never thought I would ever have, a front row to my mom’s personal thoughts.

  I closed my eyes for a second, trying to rein in my emotions. This was probably the most precious thing I owned.

  This story is not a happy one, well, maybe in retrospect some aspects were happy as they gave me you and your brother, my beautiful boy, Archibald.

  You’re probably mad at me for condemning you to a life where women have little to no value, no more than a breeder, a display doll and a bargaining chip.

  I hope you’re actually reading these words and my ally kept the promise they made me. I can't give names, too much is at stake – this person has known you’re alive for years and this is not the kind of betrayal which will be ignored by your father and his associates.

  I rested my hand on the page and looked up. I wasn’t mad about this crazy life, I was mad that she sent me away, leaving me so unprepared on how to deal with these people their hate, so ingrained in their core that I didn’t think they could function without it.

  I think I’ll need to start at the beginning, how I got there, how it all started and the fateful night at the regional debate tournament, the night that changed my life for better or worse.

  My watch vibrated, bringing me back to reality. Archie would be out in 10 minutes. I shoved the leather notebook in my bag and went to check out the books for my research. I was just so excited about the journal – I couldn’t wait for the night to be over for me to read a bit more.

  “Found everything you needed?”

  “More even,” I admitted, not able to hide my elation.

  I exited the building still buzzing with excitement and stopped dead in my tracks. No, it had to be a mistake, I looked around the parking lot once more – there was an empty spot where Archie’s car was glaringly missing. He wouldn’t – I stopped my train of thought and rolled my eyes at my own stupidity. Of course, he would! He knew it was critical I made it home early.

  I let out a humorless laugh and checked my watch. I had to be home in 30 minutes, something that would not happen in this life. The mansion was about five miles away, it’d take me at least 90 minutes to get there if I walked, even if I walked fast.

  I looked at the sky in despair – I was not even despaired by my lateness, William Forbes couldn’t hurt me much more than he already had. What hurt me the most was the extent of my brother’s hate, how badly he wanted me to suffer.

  I sighed, adjusting my bag on my shoulder and tightened my jacket around me. It was not Fall yet but I was starting to feel the definite bite of the wind. Better start walking, Esme.

  As I walked, I couldn't help but think of all the new experiences I was going through here – unfortunately none of them were positive. I thought of Archie, my own flesh and blood, who hated me with a passion I didn't think was possible.

  Truth be told, I’d never been hated before – at least not that I knew of. I’d been disliked by some girls at school, sure, I’ve been envied when my curves appeared and I started to attract boys’ attention but it only escalated to catty comments at best, I’d never had anyone set out to destroy my life as Archie seemed intent on doing. I gained the experience of having an arch-nemesis and as luck would have it, it had to be my brother.

  “Black Panther or Thor?”

  I stopped in my tracks, startled but also grateful at the interruption of my dark thoughts.

  “Sorry?” I asked turning toward a tall lanky man who I would put in his early twenties- extended two figurines toward me.

  He smiled, and it was such a childlike innocent radiating smile that it swept all the darkness away. His startling blue eyes sparkled and I could see his black hair curving around the border of his red cap. “Black Panther or Thor?” he asked again.

  A man about the same age appeared beside him – a bit breathless with an open backpack in his hand. “I’m sorry, he never does that.” He turned toward the other man. “Theo! I told you to wait for me. You can’t just go run around like that!”

  I rested my hand on the man’s arm to stop him from chastising Theo. “It’s alright, I think it’s a good question.” I smiled at Theo. “I can’t choose like that, Theo. Who are we fighting?”

  Theo’s smile brightened even more, and I knew he was pleased with my answer. “Want to play?” He pointed to his bag.

  The other man threw me an apologetic glance before looking at Theo. “No, Theo you can’t ask people to play – they’re busy. We discussed this, remember?”

  “I don’t mind.” And I really didn’t. I was late, there was nothing I would be able to do now, and I’d have to take whatever stupid punishment my father would throw my way anyway. At least I could be a child again for a few minutes, it would make whatever chastisement coming my way a little bit more worthwhile. “I can play for a bit. What’s your name?” I asked the other man.

  “Ah yes sorry,” he blushed, and I found that cute, such a difference from the over-confident guys I kept meeting since I’d stepped into Stonewood. He was a bit short, 5’7” maybe, and his hair was the same shade as Theo’s but his eyes were a deep brown. “I’m Mike and this is Theo – also known as Super TT.”

  As if on cue, Theo rested his hands on his hips, back straight, puffing his chest out in a classic superhero pose.

/>   I laughed at that. “Very nice to meet you, Super TT, I’m Esme.”

  “Hi Me-me,” he waved enthusiastically. “So, we play?”

  I nodded. “Absolutely!”

  “Thank you,” Mike said, apparently surprised by my enthusiastic reply. “He grows tired fast, anyway.”

  “I really don't mind.” It was the truth, I was looking forward to playing with this childlike man, who clearly didn’t have any hidden agenda or a mean bone in his body. I needed that more than I needed to go home to a house full of rancour and bitterness.

  “Okay…” Mike trailed off as if he was having a hard time believing this. He took the blanket out of the backpack and set it down on the perfectly manicured lawn of the park.

  I sat carefully across from Theo as he emptied his bag full of superhero figurines on the blanket. “You’re not joining in?” I asked Mike as he took a seat on a nearby bench.

  Mike snorted, looking at Theo with mirth, “I’m not wanted when there’s a new player.”

  Theo nodded thoughtfully. “What you want, Me-me?”

  I looked down at the figurines pretending to take the matter seriously. “Can I mix Marvel and DC?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are we fighting each other?”

  He shrugged. “Yes and I’m very good, my brother BB, we fight every week and I win.”

  I smiled looking up at Mike who was taking in the scene with such kindness on his face. “You’ve got a good brother.” Mike was just so sweet and adorable, why couldn’t he be my brother?

  “The best brother, I love BB. Two teams?”

  I nodded. “You go first.”

  And within five minutes the teams were made. I had Wonder Woman, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Superman and last but not least, Captain America. Unfortunately, after 15 minutes I’d lost, but it had been a close one.

  “You’re good.” he confirmed, bringing his hand up and patting my head.

  “You are too.”

  “I know,” he replied, looking down at his figurines and arranging them in some kind of way, talking to them.

  I chuckled and joined Mike on the bench.