The house was located up a hill, ancient, yet serene in its own way. It was a beautiful stone-walled mansion still standing tall due to careful maintenance. Somewhere in between some uttered praises of how the members of the house were blessed, prestigious and esteemed with both beauty and good looks. While others claimed the house carried a noble curse. The affluence was a wide acumen that expanded more on the beliefs about the curse. Some locals claimed the curse was death while other religious people claimed that money was why misfortune after misfortune followed them. None of these were actually proven, they were baseless rumors, some claiming that jealousy was a mirth among people who hadn't succeeded. The mansion had a green lawn, ornamently decorated with flowers ranging from lilies to roses, chrysanthemum to bluebells. There was a huge black gate, surrounded by a heavy wall made from bricks. The security was beyond top notch having No. 6 and Joker as the biggest German shepherd in the compound keeping guard at all times. In the far Northern side of the compound was a huge stable that had more than thirty horses. Somewhere at the back of the house was a conservatory where most members of the family as well as friends spent time together.
In the living room, it was impeccably furnished with dear old furnishings. On upper-right of the chimney hang a portrait of the deceased Dorian Lu Merlin. Mahogany chairs aligned and tables dressed with muslin cloths. Along the hallways, numerous portraits hung starting from the head of the family Grandma Ada Lu Merlin. Besides her portrait her lat son's portrait Richard Alec Merlin hung nicely in remembrance . They were gathered in the living room, each of them had taken a seat, eagerly waiting for the family meeting to commence. The atmosphere was tense, serene yet nostalgic in its own way. Grandma Ada Lu Merlin was an old woman, with a pallid wrinkled face, a strong jaw, greying flaxen hair and not to the point of slouching. Her black eyes were an array that demonstrated how stern and strict she was. Her skin which slowly went on the years was not yet dry rather she was moist from the expensive essential oils that she adorned herself with. Her greying flaxen hair was still young and rich due to high maintenance and self-love. Her voice forever carried authority and pride, she was a lady of utmost substance.
" From today onwards, I would like to decree that I am taking Samantha Alec Merlin under my wing; it was not my wishful thinking rather than it was an obligation and a mandatory task. She is part of the Merlin family, a daughter to my deceased son Richard Alec Merlin. (may his soul rest in peace). Some of you might think she is not worth it, however, she still carries my blood. Samantha mustn't and shouldn't be put up for adoption no matter the circumstances. Anyone with an objection is free to leave the Merlin mansion. " Grandma Ada Lu Merlin spoke lugubriously that no one dared to vote against it.
*. *. *. *
The slate grey curtains abruptly threw spears of light to every corner of the room. Birds had already begun their morning songs. The blaze of gold in the sky gave away that dawn had descended. Samantha stared at her vaulted ceiling board, she exhaled a shaky breath. Last night wasn't at all comforting, most of the night she simply tossed and turned, seeking refuge from horrid dreams. Her eyes couldn't bring themselves to shut and her body was heavy from exhaustion. One month had passed since her arrival at the Merlin mansion. She was well aware that nobody wanted her here, well informed that her presence only annoyed most of the and fueled their hatred more. Each individual in this house had a sense of security, superiority and hostility which made it clear to her that she was unwanted. Samantha shook her head to get rid of these horrible thoughts before she had a soft knock,
"Young mistress, breakfast is ready." Said Joanna heartily before her footsteps faded away. Samantha rose from the bed and went to her windows. She stood and stared above the sun-gilt fells, she could see the blue sky and it gave her a little comfort. Some beautiful memories from her home in Quebec still lingered before life took a rough turn. Her father Richard had passed away, her mother Tabitha had also left her, she was alone. Looking back perhaps the reason why the Merlin family resented her was rather because she was the cause of their deaths. They had deemed it as suicide however, Samantha felt like she was to blame. During Richard's funeral she had felt the piercing glances, the torment in their voices, the curses in their hearts, the hatred in the atmosphere. Her mother was despised, everyone claiming she was a mistress that seduced a married man. Claiming she brought misfortune and death to him. Samantha always knew that her father loved her mother dearly no ifs and buts. The prejudice and the judgment always came from the people so what would Samantha do? A small smile curved at her lips before she dragged herself to the bathroom. The warm water ran down her bare back and it comforted her. Her body was slender, a minimum sign of breast development. Sometimes, she saw how deep dark eyebags would form under her eyes due to the insomnia she went through each night. Compared to her cousin Miranda Matthews Merlin, who had blonde hair, her hair was forever bright and shiny. Her body her blossomed and her curves suited her in the best way possible. By fourteen years, boys would fawn over her beauty and send constant praise her way. Miranda had bright blue eyes demonstrating how lovely she was. Samantha could not forget her half-sister, Grace Alec Merlin, this was a true born angel, a magnificent heiress. She was the most beautiful thing Samantha had ever witnessed, she was flawless, delicate and sweet. Her mannerisms were appealing, gorgeous to the eye. Grace was fluent and gentle, blessed with platinum - blonde hair, green eyes that resembled an amazon forest, a body that highlighted how the heavens had blessed her in every aspect. Men could only admire and gaze from a far simply because of the fear of staining an angel on earth. Miranda and Grace were way out of Samantha's league, far better and far precious.
She dried herself, piled her hair in a messy ponytail above her head. The reflection that stared back at her was pitiful, disappointing, discouraging and most of all dead. Her grey eyes weren't appealing, her skin looked pale and all she did was shrug pulling on a pair of baggy shirt accompanied with bootleg trousers. A pair of black sandals completed her outfit before she went downstairs.
*. *. *. *.
Everyone was gathered at the dining table for breakfast. Lady Ada Lu Merlin always sat at the highest seat on the table, beside her was her second son Tomas Matthew Merlin, on his left sat his wife Elizabeth Matthew Merlin. Beside Elizabeth was her eldest son Mark Matthew Merlin and Miranda Matthews Merlin. Elizabeth had the exact features as her daughter Miranda, if they were the same age, perhaps they could be referred to as identical twins. She was a very, very stunning woman. On the right side of Grandma Ada, sat the angelic Grace and Samantha took the seat next to her. Thinking more on Aunt Elizabeth, Samantha knew she was a selfish woman, self-absorbed, self-opinionated, it was always about self. Samantha knew that the key to surviving her foul mouth and wrath was silence and tolerance. As for Uncle Tomas, he was tall, with a bouncy type of hair, always highlight pepper and coal. He had hazel eyes, his looks complemented his character that sometimes Samantha wondered why he'd marry a woman like Aunt Elizabeth. Today again like another day she did not see Grace's mother Natalie Alec Merlin. She appeared on specific day, she was like a fairy that appeared and disappeared whenever she pleased. After all, she had blamed Samantha for losing her husband Richard.
Breakfast was always heavy, Joanna kept a plenty of food on Samantha's plate. Grilled pastrami, boiled meatballs, sweet steak, cooked beans, pitta bread, sautéed lettuce, bitter americano and juice as the finishing course. Samantha always ate less, firstly she didn't like meat, she loved fish, the americano was ever bitter it burned her throat and most of all because of Aunt Elizabeth's critics. The woman constantly complained how her mannerisms were uncouth, comparing her to a starved barbarian in the desert. They never once asked her what were her preferences in food, to her it seemed as though the food spoke, " your unwanted in this house, so just like a dog, eat what we feed you, your simply a nobody here, so why on earth would you be picky??" On the other hand, Grace forever said she was picky yet beggars can never be choosers, Miranda often claimed she's just like a stray dog so she should accept the scraps given by passers-by. Their words always stung but what hurt more was the fact that her grandmother, uncle Tomas and Mark behaved like they didn't hear their insults directed at her. This situation always made her leave the breakfast table hungry, as for today her plans were simple : play with the horses, do some painting and play the piano. Samantha stands from the table to leave before Grandma Ada Lu stops her,
" Young lady, where are you heading to?" She asks in distress.
" To the stables." Samantha responds politely.
" Any other activity you would be doing a part from the stables Samantha??" She asks concerned.
" Um-um, perhaps I will practice painting and the piano. " She says quietly.
Grandma Ada exhales in distress and Grace and Miranda snicker a laughter by covering their mouths with their hands. Samantha doesn't mind them really, they ever criticize, cringe, judge. However, who are they to judge?? She goes to the stables because they don't like her, she paints because she explains better how she feels through painting, she plays the piano because she's lonely. So what right, who gives them the right to judge her?? The sole reason she is like this is because of them!! They shout at her, they call her stupid and clumsy, they mock her, torment her, isolate her, giving her false hope that she belongs. Ada asks Mark,
" Mark, what are you doing today?? Its a pretty long holiday."
" Ethan and the guys are coming over today, so we are a having a book club, board games and so on." He responds calmly. " Grace and Miranda are joining us. Samantha can join to once she's done " He adds. Lady Ada stares at Samantha before dismissing her with the wave of her hand. She slowly walks away very well aware of the whispers that arise from the table.
*. *. *. *.
In the conservatory, there was a coffee table and metallic chairs painted white. The air was fresh and refined. Mark had invited over Ethan, Deib, Arthur and Rafael. They were making idle chatter before Miranda speaks,
" Why don't we go to Minnesota for skiing this November.??
" It does seem like a good idea. " Rafael says while Mark, Deib and Ethan nod their heads. Ethan continues to have a conversation with Mark, absolutely bored to death, completely uninterested and uninvolved yet his expression said otherwise. Ethan thought that Grace was always self - absorbed, self- indulgent, thinking the world would end if she disappeared. Each second was about her, every statement involving Ethan this; Ethan that. It really irritated and irked him in the most disgusting ways possible, however he always smiled and laughed. Sometimes he gave short clipped answers like '- yes, no, maybe, perhaps, okay, yeah, not yet, somehow -' never really forming full sentences just to indulge in her silly caprices. Samantha was finally done helping Old man William and she decided that she felt like painting. Her thoughts were in a distant realm, that she didn't realize that people were in the conservatory. Ethan's attention instantly shifted to Samantha who had just arrived. He sprawled on his chair and a little smile curved his lips.
Samantha was unaware that the hawks were watching her. She kept on mumbling on how horses are silly animals, on how Old man Will behaved like a horse, on why the sky is blue not pink, why the grass is green not black, why the sun appears in the day and not the moon. She carried one portrait and placed it on a frame stand. Moreover, she kept mumbling on how the sun was sweltering thus making her uncomfortable. She even claimed she would break her fingers so she wouldn't play the piano. Ethan bursts out laughing at the last retort and she shrieks, falling off her stool. The other guys join in the laughter while Samantha removes the strands of hair from her face. Facing them she realizes how Mark covered his face with a novel and is shaking with laughter, Rafael and Arthur are bursting with too much laughter while Grace and Miranda are staring at her with disgust and contempt. Samantha stares shyly before rolling her eyes and standing up. She buffs her butt and perches on the stool ignoring the stares and laughter. This was when her brain told her that was the most embarrassing thing she has ever done in her life. Why are they here? They saw how she mumbled to herself like a crazy woman!! Samantha set out her painting tools and continued working on the piece of drawing she was working on. If she could describe what she was drawing, it was a bird, but this bird had broken wings, yet they were clipped, the bird was in a cage, yet the cage was open. This cage was divided into two, day and night however, the night seemed stronger than the day. This bird, what was it? Why was Samantha feeling this way? She did not know. Ethan observed her, the way her dark long lashes fluttered, the wind wisped her hair in her face, the way her lips opened and a small piece of tongue swept out to wet them. Her eyes, yeah, her eyes, Ethan loved her eyes, they were outstanding, something that cannot be described as beautiful rather rare was a term that Ethan would use. Those irises of grey , almost turning to silver amazed him to the point of insanity. It shocked him that he'd met her twice yet he only realized how spectacular and how beautiful she was. Only when he stared at her did a blush creep from her neck to her face and she was so damn adorable.
At some point he thought that Samantha was a goddesses ashira from the Egyptian Mythology. People believed that she was a goddess of beauty, youth & feminism. If Ethan could stop time, he would stare at her for eternity, never to tire. The way the sun reflected her face just described how angelic her features were. Those lips of hers, peachy pink, a color that only suited her, her lips being so deliciously attractive the lower one being more pouty than the upper lip. That cute little nose that perfectly suited her heart- shaped face. Then came her hair, ooh goodness he was really loosing it. That hair, he'd never seen in anyone apart from her deceased mother. The hair with an array of aurbun with shades and strands of black. It looked like embers of a failing fire in the sunlight, whenever the moon illuminated,; it looked like a raging fire that can never diminish. Her innocent looks were what made him take a liking to her, he developed a certain fondness to her. She was completely shy with her stares but very bold with her looks. Perhaps she didn't know how attractive she was, maybe she didn't even realize it, but she would make nations bow for her. It was then that it dawned on Ethan that...???
His thoughts are brought back to reality when Grace decides to pick a fight with Samantha indirectly. " Miranda, don't you think the novel ' SHE is GUILTY' BY: ANNY. M. Was more thrilling, how the female protagonist thought that the male lead was smitten with her?"
"Yeah, I mean the plot twist was insane, the male lead was a psycho, till the female protagonist also went insane." Miranda suggests averting her gaze towards Samantha.
" I mean, being a psycho in real life also affected other people like Tabitha, ooh that's little Sammy's mommy. Like mother like daughter. " Grace chirps.
Samantha goes stiff in her chair, her breath halts and she freezes, staring, syncing with what her half - sister had just said. She stands up and walks quietly to Grace, she slaps her hard across the cheek and it revibrates across the whole conservatory. That look was a look that our dear Samantha never had, that look of confidence, contempt, resentment, hatred and pure disgust. It was a look that was empty yet fearful, filled with nothingness yet with something. For the first time Grace thought she should have shut her mouth.
" Grace Alec Merlin! If you have never met a psycho in real life, then you met one today! DON'T YOU DARE INSULT MY MOTHER! Hate me, insult me but don't ever tarnish my mother's name with your filthy mouth.!! Because you might find yourself six feet under!! " She addresses seriously and stomps away raging.
*. *. *. *.
That evening the sun was setting behind the horizon, the evening was chilly, with tar black clouds devouring the sky. The wind was blowing heavily and from a far rumbles could be heard, a bright light suddenly split the sky in half. In an instant, the sky burst out letting out a torrent of crystal drops. Deep in silence they fell lively on the roof. Lady Ada Lu was seated in her office. It was decorated, books stacked neatly on shelves, yet she stared intently at the rain that fell, slowly basking in the flames near the chimney. The rocking chair slowly moved to her rhythm, her thoughts on her grandchildren couldn't put her to rest. Around noon, Grace had stormed into her bedroom crying, claiming Samantha was crazy, that she had slapped her, threatened to kill her. Grace was her favorite grandchild, referring her to as Gracie : Her future was already decided, she would marry a handsome man, and become the next heiress on the Merlin mansion. Lady Ada had already decided on who she would wed in the near future ;Ethan Duke Masters would be her husband, they were perfect for each other. Furthermore, she would often compare Ethan to Raphael from Greek mythology, he was already from a family with old money the Masters, they were a very rich family, in fact the richest family in Ontario. They went far back in generations, as far as owning an Island in Hudson bay, Belcher Island and Ottawa belonged to them. Their ancestors began making money way before an era of new money began. Moreover, they were powerful, independent and overall influential. The business that boomed with their nature was hospitality and hotel management. A factor that facilitated them to engage in tourism and transportation. They were only focused on places where money boomed, practicing objectiveness over relationships. Lady Ada thought that creating an alliance between the Merlin and Masters family was the best course of action. Ethan would learn to love Gracie in the long - run. Then care the carefree Miranda, in the future, she would marry Rafael Noles Miguel: the cousin to Ethan Duke Masters. The Miguel family had close relations with the Masters, for Rafael and Arthur were brothers, direct cousins to Ethan. The instant their families joined, the Merlin family would be more reputable and represented! She thought joyfully. The Miguel's family had a vehicle development and vehicle importation and exportation. Since Miranda had taken a liking to Rafael, they would have good chemistry together! She thought proudly. Then there came Samantha, ooh!! Poor Samantha! The suffering child! She was like a wild horse, never settling down. Each time she was clumsy, unkempt, ordinary! She thought solemnly, dear Sammy was skinny, so slender never - caring about her appearance. The dear child spoke less, said little, always associated with horses, painting or the piano. She was the only child who had inherited the grey eyes of her late son Richard. Lady Ada was aware of the hostility between Samantha, Gracie and Miranda. Knew that Elizabeth disliked her in every aspect. In fact she knew that her daughter-in-law Natalie hated Samantha that she would avoid having breakfast with her on the same table. Since Richard's death, Natalie has never be the same, she changed, closed in on herself only mostly engaging with Elizabeth. Yet this child never complained, she never retorted, only when her mother was involved did she show her fangs. Samantha was always quiet and fearful, no one defended her, she was so very pitiful. Lady Ada took in the child because she pitied her, she was terrified and scared, seeking comfort in someone or perhaps something. Tears threatened to burst through her eyelids but she would ascertain Samantha had a peaceful life. She would wed her to a farmer, perhaps a baker - nothing too extreme or extravagant for poor Sammy. A man not too ugly not too good- looking, they would earn a minimum upkeep in an ordinary family. She would be happy looking after kids and her husband. Not forgetting that she would give her horses and a farm to cultivate. A simple lifestyle that would be enough to satisfy her loneliness. All was planned and Lady Ada hoped it would end well.