Chapter Three: Mate

I woke up again to the loud alarm on my bedside table, but I slammed it off and dragged myself into the shower.

It's Sunday, so I don't have to work today. I thought about memories from last night while I cleaned up.

I'm sure the woman thought I was someone else, or maybe she was sick since Dad began forgetting things quickly before he became really sick. I didn't get it at first, but months later he was diagnosed with an illness.

Maybe I looked like someone she knew, and she thought I was them.

I shake off the thoughts and get out of the shower. Then I dry off with my towel. I let my wet hair fall down my back while I combed it. Then I put on a black tank top and blue trousers and white shoes to go with them.

It's the twins' birthday today, and I need to be there to help the chefs make a variety of foods before the visitors arrive.

Before he died and gave the firm to Helena, my dad's company, the Adams Empire, was one of the three most respected in the nation. There would be very powerful billionaires there, and it would be the talk of the town, as it usually is.

But the twins' celebration has always been the same.

During times like these, I always had one goal: to help them in the kitchen and then slip back into my room without anybody noticing.

Like I usually do.

 

I gathered my confidence and walked into the kitchen, where I welcomed the chefs and maids with enthusiasm. We had to cook breakfast and lunch today, as well as get ready for dinner for the celebration tonight.

Breakfast arrived quickly, and I'm glad I didn't see Helena or any of the twins today. Just in case, I went to my room to eat.

I saw that breakfast was almost over as I looked at the clock. I fix my hair and silently leave the room to go to the kitchen to get ready for lunch.

I heard a voice speak in a quiet voice as I rounded the corner, and the individual seemed upset. I stopped in my tracks because I knew right away who it was.

"I already knew he didn't want the money back, but what's his problem? Why is he asking for something he knows he can't have?"

I heard Helena's furious voice, and it seemed like she was on the phone.

I became more interested, so I slowly crept closer and stood behind a wall.

 

"Please, I don't care. I don't care what happens to him. Tell him I'm not going to do what he says!" She yelled and hung up the phone right away.

Oh.

 

What made her so mad? I pondered on it.

I didn't want to witness any of her anger, so I rubbed my arms for comfort and stepped away from the wall. My eyes met Helena's angry look, just as mine did.

 

No way.

I took a big breath and hastily looked about for a way out, but it was too late; she was already heading up to me. At that moment, I felt sharp claws tear into my scalp and pull it back.

 

"Did you just eavesdrop on what I said? You useless girl." She sneered angrily.

Without much time to think, she let go of my hair and slapped me across the face with her hand, moving my head to the side.

I could feel spit flying out of my mouth as I staggered.

"How dare you?" She spat with anger.

Another blow hit me, pushing me into the wall.

"Please, I'm sorry." My head is whirling so much that I gasp in agony.

 

She came closer and held my jaw tightly.

"I'll send you packing the next time I see you snooping around in my business. Amelia, learn to remain in your place and don't challenge me," she spat.

I nodded quickly, and tears started to fall from my eyes.

She gives him one more glare and then walks away.

I remained there for approximately a minute before almost racing inside my room.

I must have fallen asleep while I was crying because when I woke up, it was already past noon. I got out of bed slowly and headed to the restroom. I made a face when I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy, and my jaw hurt like it was on fire. There was a red mark on my cheeks and a cut on the side of my lower lip that was easy to detect.

I watch as the cut on my lip heals on its own and the red bruises on my chin go away, leaving just my puffy eyes.

Somehow, whatever damage I suffered on my body healed faster. It might take days or weeks for most people's injuries or wounds to heal, but mine was different. It just took a few hours, or even minutes.

I don't know why. It just did.

I was nine years old when it first happened. My parents brought me to an ice skating rink one night. I remember stumbling over my heels and bruising my ankle the first time I skated. I yelled for my parents since I was in so much pain at that time.

They rushed me to the hospital, but the pain in my ankle suddenly went away when we got there. I told my parents I was freaking out because I couldn't feel anything. The doctors looked at my legs and said they were in excellent condition. The looks on my parents' faces made me think something strange had occurred. Since then, I've hurt myself on purpose and seen how it healed in a strange way.

I sigh, splash water on my face, grab a towel to dry it off, and let my hair down, then I leave the bathroom when I'm done. I debated between going to the kitchen or staying in the room until the party was over.

No one is likely to notice me anyway. That I'm okay with. I want to be as hidden as possible.

I saw that everyone was already working on their own things as I left the bedroom. There were already designers and decorators present, and I glanced around to see all the different decorations. There were separate tables for drinks and alcohol. Things were appearing more refined and majestic.

The party would start in a few hours. I went to the kitchen to see if I could help with anything. Vivian, the head chef, came up to me with a smile. Since I was a kid, Vivian has been the cook in our family.

"Sam, I'm sorry I couldn't help with the meals. Can I help you with anything else? " I asked her when she had gotten to me.

She grinned a lot and waved me off with her hand while shaking her head.  "Not at all. We're almost done here. You can go back to your room."

I smile back and say thank you, then I turn around and go back to my room. I let out a huge breath of relief as I shut the door behind me.

Safe.

****

There was a knock on the door.

I frown as I take off my headphones and see the situation.

I was busy painting when the party started two hours ago. I adore doing this, especially when I don't have anything else to do.

I turned around from my desk in the corner and walked to the door.

"Who is it?" I asked in a soft voice.

A woman's soft voice came from the other side and said, "It's me, Lana."

I was not happy about it, but I slowly unlocked the door and opened it.

Lana, a maid about my age, stood outside and nervously looked behind her.

"Yes?" I say.

"Madame Helena called for you." She says this while wiggling her feet.

What?

My eyes widened with fear, and I found it difficultto breathe.

"W-why does she want to see me?" I stammered.

Lana only shrugged and looked away from me.

I nodded when I saw that she wasn't going to answer. "All right."

She hurried away, and I locked the door behind me.

What would make Helena want to talk to me? I hope I haven't done anything wrong that needs to be punished.

I thought hard about anything bad I had done, but I couldn't think of anything.

I took a deep breath and went outside.

The party was in full swing, and people from all over the world had come. I only need to get through the swarm of people to Helena's room without anybody seeing me.

I always managed to stay away from everyone. I hope I can get this done quickly and go back to my room. I had no intention to go to the party.

I gently go up the stairs, going past the mob.

I could feel my heart thumping against my chest with every step.

I arrived at the door, took a deep breath to calm my shaking hands, and knocked.

"Come in." I hear a voice coming from within.

Entering the room, Helena was seated on her bed with the twins beside her. They seemed to be discussing something serious, as I noticed the flush on their faces.

Grabbing at the hem of my shirt, I glanced down at my feet when I noticed their hateful glare on me.

“You called for me.“

Mentally, I cursed at myself for stuttering.

Ignoring the stutter, Helena got up and walked up to her dressing table. She picked up a silver ring and placed it on her right pinky finger before turning to me.

“I want you to make two glasses of Irish tea. The one you made for the old man before he died. When you're done, bring it down to my office.“

I stood wide-eyed as she talked.

Irish tea.

It was during the time Dad was on the sickbed that I did them. He loved taking the tea in the morning, and I had perfected how to make it with a lot of practice.

When I walked into the room, Helena was seated on her bed with the twins next to her. I saw that their cheeks were flushed, which meant they were talking about something significant.

I held on to the hem of my shirt and stared down at my feet as I felt their angry glare.

"Y...you called for me," I said, stuttering.

I chastised myself in my head for stammering. Helena got up and walked over to her dressing table, ignoring the stutter. She slipped a silver ring on her right pinky finger and then turned to face me.

"I would like you to make two cups of Irish tea." The ones you prepared for your father before he died. "Bring it down to my office when you're done."

I stood there with my mouth open, as she said.

Irish Tea.

I created them when Dad was in bed unwell. He liked to drink tea in the morning, and after a lot of practice, I learned how to make it.

I had promised him that I would always be there for him and take good care of him.

But I haven't made any since he died two years ago. I don't even think I could do it right anymore.

I raised my head to look at Helena.

I haven't made them since he died two years ago, however. I'm not even sure I could do it right anymore.

I raised my head to look at Helena.

What does she need tea for at a party? She didn't even take them. Was she trying to get back at me? What did I do wrong this time?

Molly stood up and snapped her wonderfully manicured fingers at me, which made me cease staring at her.

"Are you deaf now?" She growled and looked at me with disdain.

"No, no, no. I'm sorry." I stammered and looked down again.

"Just get out of my room now. And don't let the tea become too sweet." Helena replies, looking at me with narrowed eyes. "Do you understand?"

"Yes." I nodded deeply and quickly exited the room.

As I pushed through the throng, I bumped into someone and gasped as I heard the tray of champagne they were carrying fall to the ground.

The loud music covered it up, but it didn't hide the fact that the drink had spilled all over someone else's white shirt.

Fear filled the maid bringing the champagne, and I instinctively put my hands on the person's shirt to try to wipe off the red mark. At the same time, the maid got down and started putting the broken glasses on the tray.

"I'm so sorry." I nervously whispered, with tears threatening to fall down my face.

A terrifying growl emerged from the person's chest, and I felt a surge of electricity go through my body. It set my heart and mind on fire, making me shake.

I moved back and took my hands away right away.

"Mate!"

An intrusive voice rang out in my head, making me gasp in fear and tighten my fingers. I raised my head and looked the person in the eye. My mind raced as the bright green and gold colors swirled about and enveloped my head.

"Mine!"