Rose Is Back With Thorns

chapter one

Ten years later

She was led inside the enormous three storey mansion. Mansion was actually doing an injustice to the modern architecture. It was palatial. The foyer itself was unbelievably large. It led to a hallway that branched to a left wing and a right. Still, grand twin stairways poised themselves at every far end of an 'S' shaped balcony overlooking the living room. The antique furniture and decorative ornaments were nothing short of modernised and elegant. All, international imports. It was nothing but the best, like she deserved.

Mountain Green, the estate was located in a special place that she had personally requested for. The earlier owners had moved and as soon as the news spread, potential buyers showed interest. After speaking to the real estate agent who proved once again that everyone had a price, Mountain Green was all hers. A smile crept on her lips and for someone bushed and jetlagged, she looked rather dashing.

"Madam, if you don't mind I'll take you to the study where the gentlemen are waiting for you." The butler Simon interrupted respectfully.

With a smile etched on her face, she nodded once. "Have you extended an invitation to our neighbours for tonight's event?" She asked as they descended a dainty stairway.

"Yes. I've also hired their unsatisfied willing workers as you requested. Apparently your paying handsomely than their former employer, madam." Simon explained with a toothy grin.

"You're the best Simon, a raise is in order." She returned the grin.

"Thank you madam."

They took the right wing and two doors later, she was ushered into a huge gilded study. Two gentlemen sat across each other at the large mahogany desk. "There you are!" The man in his early fifties beamed.

"Daddy!" She flung herself at him the minute he stood up almost knocking him off him feet.

"He's an old man brat, you'll knock him down." The other gentleman reprimanded playfully.

She released her father and turned to the other man. Eyeing him skeptically with her head cocked to the side, they stared each other down before bursting out laughing. "We both know who the brat here is, Leon." She rebutted hugging him.

He kissed her hairline. "And that's you little sister."

The three of them laughed before she took her sit opposite Leon, across Archibald. She'd never in her wildest dream thought that she had a family. So when her father showed up ten years ago, she was bewildered, angry and happy at the same time. Thoughts of her family abandoning her to be brought up in an orphanage and later in the arms of despicable people riled her up. Archibald had later explained that they'd lost her when she was only two years old in a circus. They'd never stopped searching for her and even though Elena her mother had died two years before they found her, she was grateful for her remaining family. A protective older brother and loving father came in handy in her assumed orphaned life. Especially, showing up when they did. She'd never wanted to think about the outcome of things, if her father hadn't found her when he did.

She was brought from her stupor when protective arms coiled around her. "We are here little sister." Leon whispered reassuringly standing behind her in their locked embrace. Those were the words they'd reiterated perennially through the years.

"Do you want to stop everything? Rethink matters perhaps?" Archibald asked eyeing her with concern. "If you want to_"

"No. I will not stop until they pay. They killed my baby." The vindictiveness was unmistakable. "Mountain Green is mine now. My inspiration lies contiguous to my estate." Her eyes were trained into space when she spoke next. "What of their whisky and where's Warren?"