THE SURPRISE

I once more drive the through my father's gate. The morning is bright and fresh. I believe that the skies are also happy about my audacious choice. Sigh!

I park my white gleaming Porsche and tell my driver to park the jeepney which was trailing behind me as well. I take my first stride with more vigor and confidence than I have ever had in my entire life. I am experiencing blissful ecstasy, but I am trying my best to conceal it. It's not yet time to celebrate.

"Mike, pull back the cover while you wait for the items to be unloaded and drive the jeepney back home. The rest will be handled by Sherry and Rose." I explain to mark once we are outside.

"Alright, ma'am. What time do you suggest I pick you up from the office?"

Ahem! About that.

"Ah, that. I may not require your services for some time. I'll be spending a few days here at my dad's house." I elucidate.

"You are not ceasing my services, ma'am?" He inquires in a concerned tone.

Mike is a decent person. The best chauffeur I have had in my life—by around ten—so far. Don't look at me like that. I simply can't stand any level of incompetence. You won't last a second with me if you don't provide your services exactly like I anticipated you to. Simple!

"Definitely not, Mike. I am can't terminate just like that without a notice. While I'm here, why don't you go see your wife? When I return to my house I'll give you a call." I explain.

"Alright, ma'am." He says.

It is virtually impossible for him to not be elated about such an opportunity given that his wife is expecting their first child. Unless he's a jerk, which I highly doubt.

"Alright. Say hi to your wife for me, and," I pause to fish out a small envelope from my purse and continue, "here." I hand him the envelope, which he accepts begrudgingly. "a small gift for you. Please, take good care of your wife."

"Yes, ma'am, I will. Thank you so much for this." Before my father calls my phone, I give Mike a nod and begin to stroll toward the castle. I know my father well. He is a gratingly impatient man.

"Ma'am?" I turn to Mike in a half-turn, wondering what he wants once more.

"Yes, Mike?" I query.

"Happy Birthday, Ma'am."

Wow! Ooh! How weird! The first person to wish me a happy birthday this year is my driver. Nevertheless, I'm not surprised. This morning neither Rose nor Sherry greeted me. I'm certain they have some mischievous bombshells planned for later. poor souls! The biggest shock of their lives will come from me.

"Thank you, Mike. Bye." I respond, grinning broadly as I pick my pace again and match towards the huge entrance of the castle.

"I was about to call you, my dear." My father's hoarse voice welcomes me the moment I pop my head inside, a black leather satchel in his hand. I told you. The elderly man is quite strict and punctual.

"Papa." I give him a slight embrace. "I'm here now. Sorry if I kept you waiting for so long." I apologise.

"It's alright. Happy Birthday, darling! Your father is chuffed with the woman you have grown into. And you're going to make me much more proud today." He adds while grinning widely after we pull away while the two witches roll their eyes at us. Their acrimony and venom are on a whole other level.

"Thank you, pa."

That's all I can mange to utter, considering that at the end of the day, he won't feel anything but profound impairment and complete disgrace rather than pride. I'm not sure how he will handle such a tumble.

"Shall we?" I inquire before my emotions dominate my cool.

"Sure." He starts to pull me outside, but I halt and gawk at the two witches behind us.

"By the way, I kept my word. Your gift is right outside, Rose." They exchange intense stares as I speak to them. "Come on! It is not a bomb." I giggle and follow my father as the four of us exit the living room. Even my father is in bewilderment. We stride outside and match straight to the parking.

Our hefty footsteps halt in front of the jeepney where the servants have gathered around, but maintaining a safe distance from us. All the eyes tumble on the luggage lying on the floor. On the white mattress which is on display, is clear, bold red writing that reads, "I'm the white who fucked my sister's boyfriend on their bed. ROSE!!!"

I can see my father's jaw dropping to the floor, but I'm not more interested in his reaction.

I turn to face this bitch behind me who is lurking behind her mother's back.

"Rose, how do you like my gift? Now you can enjoy your wonderful memories of sweet betrayal." I mutter, audible enough for everyone to hear.

"Would someone care to explain what is going on here?"

My father's icy tone resonates while Gracia takes a step away from her daughter, revealing Rose's withered visage as humiliation is smeared all over her. Just as I had anticipated. She is quivering while dodging everyone's gaze. She's probably trying to be the ground she's standing on to open up and swallow her whole so she can escape from this embarrassment. And here I believed she was pleased with what she had done. Why is she now a trembling mess?

"ROSE! I'm waiting!" My father repeats while glaring homicidally at the terrified blonde which. I am so enjoying this.

Gathering the little courage left in her, she opens her trembling lips as she does us the honour of describing her repulsive behaviour.

"Sorry, dad. Things just spiraled out of control."

I was about to smirk at the disgustingly squirming bitch, but the last sentence made me almost choke on my smirk. I suddenly feel a tight knot in my belly. What on hell does she mean by things just got out of control?

"This was NOT, part of the agreement, Rose!" Mr Riccarford's stern voice rings once more, almost paralyzing me on my spot.

Everyone is avoiding his face, but I muster up the guts to dart my eyes in his direction. I don't care about his frightening facial expression right now, which might frighten even the devil, but what kind of agreement is he referring to? Agreement! Even the sound of this term makes my blood boil. It rings with a dreadful sound.

"Pa..." He thwarts me just as I was about to demand an explanation, cutting me off.

"I don't want to ruin this day more than you already have, Rose, so I will let this go for now. But tonight after the party, you better have a better justification or else..."

"Richard, come on! My daughter did you a huge favour. Can you for once give her some credit?" This witch makes an effort to protect her daughter. I'm not surprised though.

A favour, she said? Now I get it! However ridiculous it sounds, it now perfectly rings a bell. Loud and clear! Everything makes sense now. OMG!

"Stop defending her, Gracia. She messed up!"

"But Richard, the outcomes are exactly what you wanted, right? Cut my daughter slack, will you!"

"I don't recollect any part that said she was to sleep with Leo, much less on my daughter's bed and that, is unforgivable!"

"What does it matter, huh?"

I cover my ears to prevent them from blocking due to the yelling and barking.

For a moment, all I can see is their mouths screaming furiously, firing at each. A she-devil by the name of Gracia who won't give up in her defense of her daughter and a demon by the name of my father who is so enraged. It seems as though we are in a live soap opera while the nannies, drivers, and security personnels are the audience. This is just too much!

"STOP!" I yell while lowering my hands from my ears. They all stop their yapping and gawks at me as they exorcise their demons. Gosh! Never before has the tranquility of this castle been so disturbed. Never!

"We are done here. I need a good explanation for this tonight, Rose!" Father states with an autocratic tone that no one would dare defy or question. He then turns to me. "Let's go, my dear." He says before turning to leave.

"No, Papa! I demand an explanation. What did you do this time?" I query, refusing to move a muscle.

"There is nothing for you to know, Ellie. We have a meeting with the board in a few and we are behind time. Let's get moving."

He turns on his tracks once again, walking away, but today, I am letting him get away.

"Until you tell me what this accord was all about, Papa, I'm not moving an inch from here." I state. He makes a calm turn, but his veiled ire is clearly apparent in his demeanor. Wait. Isn't it me that supposed to be upset in this situation? "So, you are to blame for this treachery and ostracism?" I query.

He moves slowly in my direction.

"Your stubbornness, Ellie, made me do this and it turns out that that boy wasn't good for you after all. He slept with your sister without a second. He wasn't deserving of you, my dear. A decent man with a bright guaranteed future has been waiting for you for years. You can't just toss such a guy aside for a useless scoundrel. Besides, this was inevitable. Come on!"

"And you pulled all strings just to make this happen? YOU HADN'T ANY RIGHT AT ALL, PAPA! You are meddling way too much." My anger speaks between gritted teeth.

"I do have all the rights over you as your father, Ellie!"

I give him a stern look in his eyes as a tiny curtain of tears starts to form in mine. He irritatingly never ceases to astound me with his outrageous decisions regarding my life and for the first time in my existence, I feel so much resentment for the man in front of me. His face irritates me to the core. His demeanour is choking me. I can't believe he could result into this, honestly.

Teardrops escape my eyes and fall as I blink. I dry them away and give him a direct gaze.

"I'm afraid if you keep acting like this, Papa, you will push me into detesting you. This is too much and unacceptable. Let's see if the supposed angel you are trading me off to as my fucking husband can make me forget this deception and brokenness. Maybe then, just maybe, I will be able to forgive you for this, father."

I leave him to ponder on his misdeeds while I tap my foot on the linoleum and turn around. Away from all the madness of his autocracy. He has all the rights, he said? We will see about that Richard Riccarford. Without even sparing him or the vicinity a cursory glance, I hop into my Porsche and accelerate away. To wherever these resentments and heartaches take me, I'll go!