The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 3: Hidden

Hey guys, sorry for the late update. I was on a school field trip for a week and when I returned home my computer crashed. Turns out my hard drive broke and I ended up losing all of my data. Luckily I have a backup of most of my school work, pictures and this chapter so it's all good. xx

Chapter 3: Hidden

*Jennifer*

Getting off the floor I walk in the direction the click came from. Looking around I can't find anything. Walking to the curtain I push it aside. Looking along the wall I finally see it. Almost near the floor is a small engraving that must have been covered. Running my hand across it I realise what it is. Pulling out my locket I place it into the engraving before turning it clockwise.

The locket is heart shaped with engravings on it and a red ruby in the centre. My parents gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday. Inside is the last family photo we took a few months ago. As I turned it, I pressed down.  “Click”. Stepping back from the window a drawer opened under the window seat. The seat where I would sit and read while dad worked, the days were I was young and still believed in fairy tales and happily ever afters. Looking inside I found a letter and two keys. Opening the letter I began to read.

Jennifer

If you are reading this that means that something has happened to your mother and I and that we are no longer with you. I wish isn’t the case and hope that you never have to read this.

If you are then I apologies. Your mother and I were told the risks but we never realised what they would cost us. I am sure by this point you are very confused. It is time I tell you the truth. Your mother and I work for a government organisation known as NIA Our job is to infiltrate companies and investigate them for fraud or illegal dealings. We have wanted to tell you for a long time but realised that you were better off not knowing. We have made many enemies and we believed that you and your brother would be safer not knowing about that side of our lives. Your mother and I have tried and protect both of you from all this but now that we are gone we can no longer do that. You have all the skills you will need to stay safe and are more than ready to stand on your own.

Don’t feel sad honey, your mother and I want you and your brother to move on with your lives. We want you to live happy and fulfilling lives.  You have become a strong and independent woman and I couldn’t be prodder of all you have achieved. I know you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that. Your mother and I love you both we could not ask for better children. Even though we are no longer with you in body we will always be in your heart.

Lots of love, Mom and dad

Wiping the tears from my face I wondered for the hundredth time if the pain would get any better. Every time I thought about how they were gone I would feel as if I was being stabbed through the heart. I couldn’t wait for the day in which the pain would fade into a dull throbbing, I knew it would never go away completely.   Taking a deep breath to calm myself and read the letter once more. There had to be another clue somewhere in the message. Something that I just wasn’t seeing.

My eyes stopped at ‘Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that.’ I had heard those same words before. Wracking my brain for where I possibly could have seen it I finally remembered it was from a book. Moving towards the bookshelf I began searching for the particular novel I was looking for. After 5 minutes I finally found it near the very bottom of the shelf. Pulling it out I looked at the cover of the Nicholas Sparks novel Message in a bottle remembering my mother and how she was a hopeless romantic reading all of his books.  Thinking back to our girl’s night were we would watch the notebook, lucky one or the last song while eating ice cream. Flicking through the pages a small piece of paper fell out. Picking it off the floor I read the 16 words.

Your mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw, she looked especially beautiful in white.

Looking on the back of the shelf where to book used to be I saw a button, I pressed it gently. There was a click before the whole bookshelf shifted revealing a metal door.  On the right of the door was a keypad. Looking back at the slip of paper that was still in my hand I realised that that was the clue I was looking for. Making my way to the keypad I pressed the numbers that formed the date of my parent’s anniversary. The door opened to reveal a flight of steps leading into the darkness.

*James*

Stepping into the club all I could hear was the load thumping of the music as the song reached it’s chorus. Looking around I finally spotted Dylan across the room near the bar. He was surrounded by girls. Making my way towards him I couldn’t help but wish I was at home hiding in my room instead of in this dark crowded club full of strangers. I really didn’t want to be here right now. I told him that when he called earlier but he refused to take no for an answer, said was I needed was to go out and have some fun. I really couldn’t blame him for his stubbornness since I knew he was only trying to help.

“Hey man, you finally here. Took you long enough. These lovely ladies are Abby. Crystal and Rachel. Girls meet James. Now that everyone is here are who’s ready to party!” This was definitely going to be a very long night.

*Jennifer*

I began to make my way down the steps. I wasn’t even 3 steps down when I heard a click. Suddenly I was plunged into darkness. Great the door had closed behind me leaving me in a pitch black staircase that I had no idea where it lead to. Why is it that as soon as you become surrounded by darkness in an enclosed space your brain decides it is a good idea to show you the death scenes of every horror movie you have ever watched. Taking a deep breath I try and calm my racing heart. There has to be a light switch around here somewhere. Running my hand along the walls I finally locate the switch. Flicking it on I would actually be able to see where I was going. The staircase was actually quite long taking me far underground.

When I reached the bottom of the staircase a light turned on automatically illuminating the whole room. It was unbelievable, on one wall there was a massive bookcase across from it was a massive desk facing 9 screens. In the centre of the room was a large glass table making my way towards it I soon realised that it was actually an interactive touch screen that must somehow be connected to a computer.  Turning to my left I saw more shelves. They each contained different gadgets such as cameras, binoculars and listening devices. Above the selves was a large painting.  Turning around I noticed two doors behind me.  I made my way towards the door on the left taking out the keys I had placed in my pocket.

I unlocked the door before pushing it open. Like in the other room the lights turned on as I stepped in. I was met with a huge underground garage. Quickly counting there were over 10 different vehicles. There was about 4 cars, 2 vans and some motorbikes. Going back into the other room I decided to have a look at the other door. Using the remaining key to unlock the door I entered the smallest room of the three. There were shelves on each of the walls each containing different types of weapon from guns and rifles to knives and nun-chuks. It finally made sense why my father started taking me to the shooting range when I turned 16. Returning once again to the main room I made my way to the glass table. After circling the perimeter of the table twice I finally located what must have been the on button. The screen turned on quickly showing a lock screen with 4 different users. Each having a different picture of the members of my family. I tapped my picture with my thumb. It asked me for a password. As my parents had used their anniversary for the door I figured they would make it easy for me to guess. Typing in my date of birth the screen went black before displaying a video. I couldn’t help but cry as I saw both my parents’ face displayed on the screen as they once again said their goodbyes and told me everything I needed to know to survive life without them.