( DAILY UPDATES!) Reina's entire a life is a terrible truth covered in a beautiful lie. After living the most luxurious life imagined, it all stops when her father dies. She soon uncovers truths about his past and struggles to provide for her family...
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Some things never change, and the frustrating ways of Carter Leon Demoso was one of them. He absolutely refused to tell me anything about his new heist. All I knew was that I had to make the party huge and bustling with people. He said there need to be some of his men in costumes that I had to hire. And most importantly I needed cameras, lots and lots of photographers. After all, I was hosting the alibi.
Carter gave me his curt instructions and left me largely to myself. My schedule was now busy with event planners and catering staff. I needed most of the party to be built, and a lot of Lily's requests weren't easy to attain. Ponies and mermaids weren't easily found. I accepted calls all throughout the day. I even excused myself from class to reply to the event planners 'emergency updates'. Each time I closed the phone and progressed a little more, I felt more like myself. I felt more like who I am supposed to be. Carter said the budget was open. His excuse was that if the Lorenma's were going to do it, it needed to be believable. He has seen the lavish parties we threw before and knew what the standards were. I only wish I started sooner. Having an open budget for everything gave me a sense of freedom. It reminded me of when I was younger and had multiple private banking cards at my disposal. Each withdrawal was at a minimum in the thousands. If only I had that money to use now..
"You've been distant lately." Eight commented as he peered at me kneading my sourdough. Since I was hired I still make a small bread everyday in hopes that it works. It's been getting better each time, but I haven't completely mastered it.
"Yeah, I guess I got a lot going on." Way too many things were on my mind, the last thing I wanted to do is make conversation.
"Is everything alright, you know at home?" He asked, joining me in my kneading.
"Yes, why wouldn't it be," I laughed. When I saw the serious look he gave me I shook my head.
"No seriously Eight, thank you but I'm more than fine. It's not as bad as it sounds. You just caught me at a bad time that day." He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion and a little bit of disbelief. He leaned closer and in a lower voice said,
"Twelve I can help you." Just like that. As if I need to get help from more people. I know he was being nice but the worried and pitiful look on his face made me angry. How dare he think I need charity? How dare he think- where was he before Carter rescued me?
"I have a friend, he. Well he's from a wealthy family. I told them about your situation and they wanted to help." My thoughts were in a jumble from being curious to offended to deeply angry.
"You what?" I said in a deathly calm voice.
"I-"
"How dare you speak of what I told you in confidentiality. And more, how dare you think I need help? I didn't ask." He looked taken aback by my anger and held his arms up.
"Woah- sorry I didn't bring up who you are, don't worry. I was just trying to help. As a friend." I walked away from him and tossed my bread in the oven.
"As if you even know who I really am... a name doesn't mean anything" I murmured to myself, fuming.
"I don't need help." I said coldly. I don't care how rude I may sound, but I worked desperately hard at keeping who I am and my story a secret. One little loose end can unravel everything I worked for. Having someone I trusted to the slightest degree the reason why would only add to my list of growing hurt.
When I came home after my shift I made sure I was home alone, and then made my way to the basement. There were a handful of builders walking outside rummaging around with wooden parts and paint. I stifled a laugh as the event planner was waving her clipboard at the workers in frustration. I was glad there was something that could do the harder half of the work. Climbing down the marble stairs I dragged my hand softly down the wood railings. I never got to properly appreciate the actual piece of art our house was. Especially since it's been dusty with the windows closed shut for the longest time. But with the risk of it being gone, I have been different recently. Now every time I wandered in our home it felt a little like I was an outsider. I stared at the work of art our place was and tried to memorize every detail, every nook and cranny.
I know I should have waited for it to be night so I can be fully alone before I indulge in my bad habits. But I couldn't help myself. I needed to be calmed in the way only the jewels can. I locked the door behind me and typed in the code to the second largest vault in the house. I relish the feeling of touching the diamonds and gold. It replenished me in a way I can't explain. When I see how they glimmer in the light, pure works of art, my heart see's everything it can be.
It takes me back to so many places. Me playing in my mother's lap as she picked more things to add to her collection. I used to grab her necklaces and tug her closer to me. I was always in awe of the little shining things. It takes me back to science class when I was bewildered by the fact that coal- the dirty, dark and powdery material was in fact the same exact thing as diamonds. The only difference between the carbons was the pressure the diamond has gone through. They were made of the same things, but the experiences are what made one better than the other. It took me back to breathlessly hiding the jewels, swearing to the courts that this was all we had.
But most importantly, it drags me back to my past, and who I really am.
I fingered my favorite ring yet. It isn't safe here at all. It almost made me laugh how dangerous keeping it here was. Only the fact that no one knew we had anything at home is what protected it. It was a large vivid blue diamond solitaire. It was truly a wonder, I held it closer to me and slid it in my finger. This alone was worth millions. I completely forgot about it. I could easily sell this and buy back our house and another estate as well. But auctioning the ring will bring too much attention, and my sole promise to my father is what kept my mouth shut about it. I will explore any solution before selling this ring. Weeks after he bought it my father made me promise that I would never, ever sell it. And if I ever knew where it was I would keep it hidden. I was young then and couldn't understand why my mother's ring was so special, but nodded nonetheless. Even now I don't fully grasp the significance of the ring. But I will respect my promise, unless of course there is no other choice.
I don't remember the day he bought it. But I remember the day he gifted it to my mother. It was a night so magical and luxurious I doubt I will live to see another like it. I was too young to remember the event clearly but the security cars, and the entire fleet of bodyguards were unforgettable. My mother wore the most extravagant dress and looked regal as she descended to the throne-like a sitting room. This is not just any ring. I remember the collective gasp of the guests as they pulled out the ring. The whispers and turning heads, as my father slipped it onto her finger. This was to celebrate her pregnancy with Lily. Only a tiny bulge of her belly showed through her gown. I didn't need to be older to understand I was witnessing something extraordinary. All I can wonder is how my mother wasn't possibly a queen.
There was never a price too high to pay when it came to his daughters. He never left a thing too far from our reach. He always used to hold me and Lily close and tell us how we were his princesses. He never once gave me a reason to believe he didn't want two girls, but now I remember that he had no real son to continue his bloodline. My father was the last of his line, and with Carmen, no one will ever know. I stare at the blue diamond and wonder if my father had wanted a boy.
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