My Background

"We don't know how you could just disappear," said grandpa Kent Jeremiah IX, an old man who still looks handsome and dashing at the age of 67.  "Apparently, because you weren't injured, you got out of the car and walked on your own, while your parents were trapped in the car until it caught fire."

My heart constricted with feelings of sadness and hurt.  "Where was Jayden at that time?"  I asked.

"Jayden didn't come with you all, because at that time he had a fever and your grandmother forbade your mother to take him. She took care of Jayden herself while you all were away," said Grandpa Kent in an even tone.

"When the search team arrived at the location, the car you were in was already on fire and it was no longer possible to save your parent, while no trace of you could be found at all," added Denzel with a gloomy face.  "I personally led the search at that time. Not just once, but we walked through that area many times."

"Is...," I swallowed hard.  "Was it an accident or...."

Grandpa Kent sighed and this time his face turned very gloomy.

"It's very unfortunate, it was a single accident. It looks like your father was sleepy and hit the road divider until his car overturned and the gas tank leaked," said Grandpa Kent quietly.  "I'm very sorry for asking your parents to go to the conference invitation, even though previously your father had just returned from the Maldives to take care of investment matters and hadn't had enough rest."

"The investigation into the accident was finally closed after two years," said Denzel.  "The police decided to close the case and we continued the investigation ourselves. Until finally, two years ago, your traces began to appear."

"We investigated all orphanages, hospitals, clinics, even homeless care homes throughout the country, but to no avail. No one knows about your whereabouts and the police even believe that you died because you fell into a ravine," said Grandpa Kent.  Again.  "The area where the accident occurred was a street outside the bustling city flanked by hills on one side and deep ravines on the other."

"How did you guys find me? After more than twenty years?"  I asked confused.

"I saw you accidentally, at a supermarket near your house," said Jayden.  "It just so happens that the owner of the supermarket is my friend."

"You recognize me?"  I asked confused.  "We were only two or three years old when we separated, right?"

"That's called blood ties," said Jayden in a satisfied tone.  "I saw you smile and laugh, at that moment my heart immediately started beating fast. We have a unique way of smiling and laughing, similar to the way our father and grandpa did. Not only that, you also have two moles above your right eyebrow. Look, I  having it on my left eyebrow. It's our trademark."

I looked at Jayden's left eyebrow and found two moles that were the same as the ones I had above my right eyebrow.

"I really can't believe it," I muttered.  "This is even more astonishing than just a dream."

"After seeing you at that time, I immediately focused my investigation on you and slowly many facts began to emerge, until finally I met Mrs. Marry, your adoptive mother," Jayden continued.

"Mom Marry said she found me in the bushes, when she was looking for her fallen lighter, on her way out of town. She took me to the nearest small clinic and recognized me as her child. She then took me to her house and looked after me with the children  another stray he saved," you said continuing my side of the story.  "We often moved because Mom Marry was poor and didn't have enough money to buy a permanent house."

Kent stroked my hair gently.  "This is a miracle and in the end, it is not yet time for our family to lose a precious heiress, that even after decades, we can meet again."

I lay down on my grandpa Kent's shoulder, feeling the scent of his soft and warm perfume, pine and woody.  I didn't feel awkward towards him at all, even when he first hugged me, there was only a feeling of surprise, but then I just felt comfortable, as if I had rediscovered something familiar and long lost.

"It's a shame that your grandmother couldn't see that you had returned. She was so sad and had been sick ever since that incident, until finally her body gave in to the sadness and despair she felt," said Grandpa Kent in a trembling voice.

I stared at a photo of a beautiful middle-aged woman on the wall in front of me.  Eleanor Kent Jeremiah IX.  I think, when I'm the same age as her in that photo, I'll probably look similar to her.

Next to Grandma Eleanor's photo is a photo of my parents, me and Jayden as the babies.  We smiled in the photo and my tears dripped down my cheeks.

"I never expected things to be like this," I said sobbing.  "Ever since Mom Marry told me how I was found by her, I thought that maybe my parents didn't want me so they left me where I was found. Moreover, Mom Marry showered me with love and attention, so I didn't feel deprived."

"I found a note that Mrs. Marry had searched for information about you, but I think because of her limitations, she didn't continue the search either," said Denzel.

"You've known about me for two years, but why are you only meeting me now?"  I asked.

"I sent my adopted son to look after you and he said that you looked happy with your husband, so I thought not to disturb you now. I was worried that you would reject us and to be honest, I was worried that your husband would become dependent on you or even take advantage of you, if he found out  your true identity," said Grandpa Kent with a frown.

"Your adopted son?"  My eyebrows suddenly furrowed.  "Do I know him?"

"You know who he is, but you probably don't know him very well," said Grandpa Kent with a smile.  "He'll be here soon, after his business is finished."

After that, many other stories flowed, filling various gaps during the years I was separated from my family.  I was more stunned, shocked and cried, in the arms of Grandpa Kent and Jayden that whole day. This is magical experience for me.

Everything was so unexpected and unreal to me.  This morning I was still planning to find a job to survive after the divorce, and now suddenly I am part of the third richest noble family in the world.

"Master Kent, Lunch is ready and served," said a staff member while we were still talking.

Grandpa Kent and Jayden took me into the dining room and while Jayden was pulling a chair for me, someone entered the dining room.

"Ah, looks like I haven't missed lunch with the newly found princess," said the person who entered the room.

I was stunned.  The voice seemed familiar.  I looked back and was stunned.

"You?"

"Hi, princess."