Chapter 1. Return home

Arriving in A.J City, 24-year-old Nancy Marlon frowned, puzzled about why her parents had asked her to return home.

She had been studying in City X and had recently graduated with a degree in business administration. Her father had told her clearly over the phone, "Nancy, I want you to return home and not stay in City X."

Nancy had frowned during that call. She knew her father was a politician in A.J City, and she couldn't go against his orders. So, she arrived at the airport at exactly 2 p.m., where her father's men were already waiting to escort her home.

"Welcome home, Nancy," her elder adopted brother, Matthew Marlon, said with a smile. But Nancy frowned as she walked with him to the car.

She sat in the back seat, aware that the city was ruled by the popular President Nolan Alejandro and his family.

The city was even named after the Alejandro family. They had been in power for years, and any opposition party that tried to challenge them was immediately silenced.

Nancy watched the road as Matthew started the engine and drove out of the airport. Her eyes fell on a gigantic billboard displaying photos of the city president.

"Hmm..." Nancy hummed. She could see Matthew smiling at her through the rearview mirror.

She ignored him and continued wondering why her parents had insisted she return home.

When they arrived home, the security men at her father's mansion gate pulled the huge black gate open. Nancy watched as Matthew drove his black exotic SUV onto the premises and parked.

She saw her parents standing at the mansion's front entrance. Her mother wore a red gown, and her father was in a black suit, with the maids standing behind them in their blue uniforms.

Nancy stepped out of the car and walked up to meet her parents. She was dressed in a red top, black trousers, and black high-heeled shoes.

As she approached, her mother welcomed her wholeheartedly. "Welcome home, my beautiful daughter."

"Good afternoon, Mom, Dad," Nancy said with a smile, hugging her mother. Her father added, "Welcome home, Nancy. It's good to have you here with us."

"Thanks, Dad," Nancy replied, still embracing her mother. The maids chimed in, "Welcome home, Nancy."

"Thank you all," Nancy said, smiling at the maids. Her mother suggested, "Let's all go inside."

"Okay, Mom," Nancy replied, and they walked into the living room together.

The living room hadn't changed—it was still painted white, with beautiful flower vases scattered around.

Nancy walked to one of the seven black couches and sat down.

"Home, sweet home," she whispered.

She noticed her mother standing in the center of the room, smiling sweetly at her.

"Mom, what's the good news? You look so excited to see me," Nancy asked, curious about the reason behind her mother's bright smile. Her mother was the epitome of beauty—cute and youthful at 51, still looking under 40.

Mrs. Olivia smiled and sat down on a nearby black couch. "Why wouldn't I be excited to see you, Nancy? You've changed so much, and you look even more beautiful now than when you left the city five years ago."

"Thanks, Mom, but I'm still the same," Nancy replied with a sweet smile. She knew her mother was right, though. She had changed since leaving for her studies abroad—her figure had matured, with fuller brẹasts and wider hips, making her a sexy, charming young woman.

Nancy knew how people often paused and stared at her as she passed by, captivated by her appearance. Her mother loved calling her an angel because of her pointed nose, sparkling blue eyes, and long golden hair—the most striking of her features.

"Mom, I need to go upstairs now to freshen up. Then I'll come back down to join you and Dad for dinner," Nancy said, standing up from the couch.

"Okay, my dear," Mrs. Olivia replied, unable to stop admiring her daughter. She considered mentioning the arranged marriage with the president's son but decided it could wait.

~•~

Nancy smiled and headed upstairs to her bedroom. She pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Her room hadn't changed either—it was still painted pink, with beautiful flower vases around.

Nancy walked to the window, pulled the curtains open, and stared out at her surroundings. Three black cars had just arrived, driving into the mansion and parking.

Nancy saw several men in black suits step out of the back car. They walked to the front car and opened its door.

A man in a black suit and inner red shirt emerged. His handsome black eyes met hers, but she quickly looked away and shut the curtains.

She headed to the bathroom, stripping off her clothes to take a bath before rejoining her parents for dinner.

Nancy removed her red top and black trousers, then stepped into the bathroom to bathe.

A few minutes later, Nancy emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a long white towel. She walked to her bed, sat down, and began creaming her body.

She had missed her family while in City X, and now that she was home, she decided to look for a job in A.J City. She wouldn't be returning to City X anytime soon.

Nancy opened her bedside drawer and took out her body lotion. She picked up the television remote and switched it on. Photos and videos of the president filled the screen.

Nancy increased the volume and heard the reporter say, "Good evening, citizens of A.J City. I bring you the 4 p.m. news: President Nolan Alejandro has just won the recent election, scoring over 50 million votes."

"…" Nancy frowned; she disliked the Alejandro family. She switched off the television, knowing they had ruled for so long and refused to let another family take over.

Nancy was aware that her father was a politician working under the A.J Political Party group. Sighing, she decided not to worry about politics.

She didn't like the luxurious lifestyle her family led. She wanted a simple life for herself, her future husband, and their children—no security men following her every minute since her return.

Nancy finished creaming her body and stood up to find something to wear.

She walked into her closet and selected a short brown gown that hugged her body tightly, accentuating her hips and boobs.

Smiling, Nancy returned to her room mirror. Holding her long white towel in her right hand, she dried her wet golden hair and combed it to cascade down her back.

She saw that it was past 5 p.m. If only she knew the real reason her parents wanted her back, she wouldn't be home.