Chapter 1

(Colorado, USA.)

Saraya Newman wipes off her tears as she arrived at the her mother's gravesite and drops a bouquet of flowers on the slab that had her mother's name, Maria Moore, engraved on it alongside her date of birth and death. She had done that every month for the past six months after the funeral.

Her mother's death was never a shock to her, with all the heavy drinking and smoking it was only a matter of time only that it happened at an inappropriate time of Saraya's life.

Moreover, she'd just broken up with her good for nothing boyfriend of two years and needed some time away, a vacation,to heal from the heartaches these young men kept giving her. And maybe, just maybe, try her luck on the older ones.

_____________

SARAYA'S POV:

I took one last look at the cemetery before closing the door to my 2023 Cayenne Porsche SUV. My mother and I never had the best parent to child relationship but if I'm to be honest, that woman did try her best in the many ways most single parent never did.

The constant nagging about my excessive partying, the screening of the friends I hang around with her eyes and the forever gold look of disapproval at the men I brought home as my boyfriends.

"I bet he just can't wait to get a taste of your pussy or money, if he hasn't already. These men are up to no good! " She'd say with disgust in her eyes.

And as much as I hate to admit it, she was always right. They were no good. I suddenly find myself missing her incessant nagging.

My chauffeur pulled the car to a stop in front of the grand mansion my mother left me alongside other assets willed in my name.

The loneliness of an almost empty house greeted me. After her death, I relieved a good number of servants from their jobs retaining only three cleaners, the cook and gardener.

What was the need to keep so many anyway? My mother's gone. She was the one who needed that many employees at her every beck and call. As for me, I was rarely ever home after I graduated high school and skipped off to college.

I shut the door to my dimly lit room, illuminated by the rays of sun that penetrated the curtain openings. I let myself sink into the plush surface of my bed and just let the tears I've been holding back to finally fall.

The hot fluid streaking down my face to the soft comfort of the bedsheet. I reach for a pillow and press it hard against my mouth and screamed into it. It's therapeutic. No one has to hear, they didn't need to.

A gentle knock on my door. I sat up immediately and reach for a box of face wipes to dry my tears and wipe off my now messy make-up. My lancome mascara smeared around my eyes like I was casting for black widow in a horror movie.

Another gentle knock on the door, I look at my reflection in the mirror that stood gigantic on the opposite side of my bedside, one last time before responding in my usual soft cool tone.

"Come on in."

The knob twisted and Gabby, my mother's oldest housekeeper and nanny to me, walked in with two envelopes in her hand.

"How are you feeling today child?" She asks. She puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Do you feel unwell?"

"No- No Gabby. I'm, " I sniff in what's left of my courage," I'm fine. Really, I am."

"You know you could tell me -"

"What is that?" I cut her short pointing at the envelopes in her hand. Bless her good heart but I needed to change the subject alright.

Gabby can be overbearing sometimes. Seriously, I'm not trying to be rude. Last time she tried to comfort me by trying to carry me in her arms and sing me a lullaby to sleep like I was still six years old, after she caught me stuffing my mouth with ice cream because I couldn't sleep. So yeah. I had to change the subject.

"Well, this one," she made herself comfortable beside me on the bed and held out a sparkly gold envelope to me. "Is a letter from Australia. From your Father to be exact."

My countenance fell. He was hardly in my life ever since he found out about me five years ago. I can't blame him though. He has another family and only knew about me late. He had tried to fit into my life but with all that many years gone by, it was hard adjusting my world to fit him in. "I guess I will have to give some audience now." I muttered under my breath.

Gabby noticed my expression. "He wants you to join him in Australia. He would love for you to meet and get to know the rest of your family members and also introduce you to his business since you have a degree in business management."

I let out a sigh. "What about the other one?"

"Oh this?," Gabby picks up the other envelope. It was red with a gold ribbon wrapped around it in an X shape. "This is an invitation letter to an exclusive party. Guess where?" Gabby grinned.

"Florida?" My eyes narrowed and my eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"No! Australia!" Gabby seems excited. Sonia invited you as usual. If you ask me dear child, I'd say it's a calling for you to have a change of environment and start afresh. You can't always stay indoor, crying yourself to bed everyday."

She is right. I so much needed a change of environment for a start and work my way into making better choices in men.

Then, it hit me. "Wait, you've read my letters already?"

"Oh dear! I've been reading your letters since you were fifteen years old. I guess it's an habit since your mother made me read to her first before handing you the ones she believed was ok to let you know it's content." She winks and gets up to leave.

I roll my eyes in disbelief. "Well, I'm an adult now, you really should stop."

"Noted." Gabby replied with a smile before she headed out.

"No wonder some of the boys back in high school thought I was snobbish. Why not just ask for my number and send a text?" I asked out loud as I reminisce on some of my experiences back then.

I pick up the gold envelope to read it's content for myself.

**

My lovely daughter,how are you holding up? I know it's been tough for you. If you'd agree which I genuinely hope for, I'd love for you to meet the rest of our family. I also want to introduce you to the family's business. Call this number - 0291765471- if you agree.

Love you,

PAPA BEAR.

**

"Papa bear? Seriously, dad?" I said aloud and couldn't believe I just called him dad. After some internal conflict, I picked up my phone and dialed the number.

"Hello?" A deep voice spoke first. it's my father's.

"Hello, this is Saraya." I didn't know what else to say other than that in the moment.

"Saraya sweetheart!" I could hear the happiness in his voice "I'm glad you called."

"I read your letter." I pace nervously back and forth the room.

"And have you decided?" He asked.

"I'd love to settle with you in Australia." I let the words out of my chest.