Welcome Home Heiress

Chapter 002.

Aurelia's POV

One car after another stopped in front of the mansion. The gates opened as the cars drove in one after another, until the entire driveway was filled. Maids and bodyguards stood in two neat lines in front of the mansion, waiting for me. My parents stood at the entrance, and the moment I saw them, something inside me softened.

I had spent years living as someone I was not. I had hidden my family, their wealth, and everything that came with my name to follow my heart. But standing there and seeing my parents waiting for me made me realize how much I had missed home.

My car stopped, and a bodyguard quickly opened the door.

“Welcome home, Miss Aurelia.”

“Welcome home, Miss.”

“Welcome back!”

“Welcome home, young miss!”

Their voices followed me as I stepped out of the car. I smiled at them, but my eyes were already fixed on my parents.

My mother was crying. “Aurelia!”

“Mom!”

I ran to her before she could take another step. She caught me in her arms, holding me so tightly that I could barely move.

“My baby,” she whispered, running her hands over my hair. “You're finally home.”

I closed my eyes and held onto her. “I missed you.”

“We missed you more.”

When I finally pulled away, I looked at my father. He was trying to keep his usual serious expression, but his eyes gave him away.

“Dad.”

He opened his arms without saying a word.

I ran into them.

He held me against his chest for a long moment before patting my back.

“Welcome home, princess.”

A small laugh escaped me, even though my eyes were already burning. For the first time in years, I did not have to pretend to be someone else.

I was Aurelia, their daughter, and I'm back home.

I walked inside with my mother's arm wrapped around my neck. She held me as though I might fall if she let go. I understood her feelings. Who wouldn't react that way after having their only daughter away for three years?

“I knew that boy was up to no good. How dare he treat my daughter this way?!” Dad roared, his eyebrows furrowing as I finished telling them everything that had happened with that jerk, Asher.

Such a lowlife.

How could I have ever loved that man?

"Forget about him, Dad. I'm back home now, and I'm ready to make things right" I smiled.  

Dad stared at me, biting his lower lip as if he was trying to hold back his words. I gave him a questioning look, silently urging him to speak.

“Now that you are back, what do you think about...” He paused. “I know you don't like it, and I will never force you. I'm just...”

I interrupted him. “Yes, I will take over the company.”

I could see the hesitation on his face. My parents had never imposed anything on me. They always respected my decisions. But I had given up everything before just to chase after my heart.

For three years, I used my father's connections to make things easier for Asher. I got him a job contract he did not deserve and even helped him secure a position in the company. And now, he thought I was someone who did not deserve to be in the same category as him.

“Really? You're coming back?” Dad's face lit up with excitement.

I nodded. “Yes, Dad.”

Mom cleared her throat. “Well, why don't you also get yourself a man?” She adjusted herself in her chair. “Since that idiot wronged you, it's best you move on. It will be good for you.”

I chuckled. “So, Mom, do you have a candidate in mind?”

“Xavier Moore!” They both chorused.

I stared at my parents in disbelief. It was as if they had planned it together.

I was about to respond when I heard footsteps.

A woman walked in wearing a tailored suit that showed off her long legs. A pair of sunglasses covered her eyes, while her wavy black hair fell past her waist.

She was wrapped in a cloying cloud of sugared berries and blooming roses. The scent was beautifully sweet but so thick and powerful that it practically announced her arrival a few seconds after she even entered the room.

I couldn't look away, utterly mesmerised by how someone could embody something so breathtakingly rich and fragrant.

"Wow" My lips parted in awe. 

Then she took off her sunglasses, and my face dropped instantly. Not because she is ugly, but...

"Isabella!!" I screamed, unsure if I was seeing the real person. 

"Aurelia!!" She opened her arms wide with a big smile on her face.

Without hesitation, I ran into her arms, and we stayed in each other's embrace for a while. I could not believe what I was seeing. It felt like an unending dream.

The number one model in town, a brand influencer, a brand ambassador, and the face of several cosmetic companies was standing right in front of me, hugging me so tightly.

I could not help but remember all the old memories. Tears pricked at my eyes, and I blinked repeatedly, trying to hold them back.

We finally broke the hug and looked at each other.

Isabella furrowed her brows. “Gurl! What the hell is wrong with you? You look so drained!”

Mom beat me to it. 

“She donated part of her liver for a worthless man!”

Isabella immediately pushed me aside and ran toward Mom. “Hi, Mama! I've missed you so much!”

I watched my mother pat her back gently. "I missed you too, baby"

Isabella and I had been childhood friends. We grew up together, went to the same school, and even attended the same university. She became the face of the whole school when we were young. Her beauty and charm were no joke.

I was the good and smart student. Bella was the beauty queen. Somehow, we made a perfect pair, and our friendship only grew stronger over the years because our parents were also close.

My mother treated her like her own daughter, and her mother treated me the same way.

I remembered telling Bella about my decision three years ago. She had warned me not to leave everything behind for a man, but I was too blinded by my feelings to listen.

That was all in the past now.

Aurelia was back.

The bona fide heiress of the Whitmore family.

“Holy chicken!” Bella exclaimed after listening to Mom's explanation. “What the heck? Don't tell me you did all that?”

I lowered my gaze and nodded slightly.

“Ewww!” Bella clapped dramatically.

Dad stood up, adjusting his wrinkled shirt after sitting for so long.

“You girls can have some time together. Don't forget our conversation, princess.”

“I won't, Dad.”

Mom stood up as well and blew a kiss toward Isabella.

“I'll follow my husband. Have fun, girls. Call the maid if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Mama,” Isabella said with a smile.

“Bye, Mom.”

The moment they disappeared, Isabella turned to me and glared.

“So, madam, what's the plan? Are you letting him go scot-free?”

I chuckled. “Scot what? Never. Even the Scot won't be free.”

She smiled and gently patted my hair.

“That's my girl! Now, what's the plan? I'm sure you're not going to say you're handling it alone. We need to put it into action.”

I knew exactly what she meant.

Isabella and I had done this before.

When her ex-boyfriend cheated on her years ago, we sat down together and made a long list of ways to get back at him. I was the master planner, and Bella was always ready to follow through.

With my ideas, we made him regret the day he was born. By the end of it, he was practically crawling at our feet, begging for mercy.

We had slipped fine glitter into the vents of his car so it would blow everywhere whenever he turned on the heat.

We canceled important appointments on his behalf and even posted embarrassing pictures of him online.

Those were only the least of what we did back then.

And now, I wondered how someone as smart as me had managed to become such a fool when it came to love.

“I haven't planned anything yet.” I shrugged and settled deeper into the couch.

“Are you kidding me?” She tapped my shoulder, but I remained still. “If that's the case, then let's go clubbing. You need a few drinks to give yourself a factory reset. I know some heavily built men, and I'm sure you'll like them.”

I burst out laughing.

Bella found solace in having different men around her. She practically fed her eyes with different sets of abs every day.

“I surrender to you. Let me go get dressed.”

“Hurray!” Bella jumped to her feet. “Let's hit the town!”