Chapter 3
Seated in the soaring plane, Ximena Webster closed her eyes as she listened to the cool songs from her headphones.
Her seatbelts were intact with her back leaned against the seat; and for a moment, she didn't even realize she was on a plane. Oh; it felt so good.
In the goodness of the music, her mind kept playing around her educational achievement and how she couldn't wait to get home and start up a new life. School had been both dramatic and educative for her and she felt so glad she had been able to attain such heights.
She couldn't wait to get home, meet her parents and start working in her father's company like she's always wanted to. It's going to be a dream come true for her.
Few minutes later, their arrival was announced and some tingles rushed down her system. She unplugged her headset, turned on her phone, got her mini bag ready and awaited it to get to her turn before alighting the plane.
Stepping foot out the door, Ximena paused to inhale the fresh air - the freshness of America she had dearly missed. Oh! How good it felt to be back home after so many months..
She smiled and made way for other passengers to come through, admiring the whole place as she headed for the baggage carousel. Excitedly, she scrolled through her phone for her parent's contact to inform them of her arrival. Actually, she had been expecting to see a text from them already, but there was none.
Regardless, she placed a call to her mum, heard it beep to an end without getting answered. She called again - twice - and decided to try her dad since her mum wasn't answering. But, same thing happened with her dad. He wasn't answering either.
Okay; What was keeping both of them so busy at the same time when they knew she'd be arriving around that hour??
Not wanting her mood to get ruined, she decided not to think about it and got her luggages at the carousel.
Afterwards, she went through the exit.
Getting out and meeting the various people awaiting to welcome theirs loved ones, it brought Ximena to the realization that her family were meant to be there as well - or at least, send a driver. But scouring her her through the crowd, she felt upset they were not there.
Maybe she'd find the driver anyway - she consoled herself and pulled her luggages along as she walked away.
Ximena was confused when she couldn't find the driver. She had seen a picture of him the previous day, but from the crowd, she could see no one that looked like him. What was going on??
She found a spot to stand and tried reaching her parents again, but they were still not answering their phones. Now, this was getting really annoying - she thought painfully. Why would her parents leave her stranded at the airport?
She waited a few minutes, but nothing worked. And getting fed uly, she ordered a ride.
Ximena's fun 'home coming' was getting ruined as she sat moodily at the backseat of the moving car. Although, she had always known her parents for their ridiculous busy schedule, but not on a day like that! She's been away for ten months and they dare act so non - challant during her arrival? She thought they had been excited over her return? So, why the unneeded attitude?
She continued staring through the window and couldn't wait to get home and get an explanation from them.
A while later and the cab pulled over right in front of her gate. He kept honking his horns, but the gates wouldn't open and even Ximena was beginning to get frustrated. Now, where the heck was the gateman?
"I think I might just have to stop here, ma'am" the cabby turned to her and said.
Goodness!.
"Fine. How much is your charge?" Ximena asked while dipping her hand in her bag for some change.
"That would just be ten bucks, ma'am" he answered warmly, but grudgingly, #Ximena paid him and stepped out. She got her things from the booth and proceeded to the gate, cursing and swearing to make sure the gate man loses his job.
Knocked once on tbe gate and getting no reply, she decided to push it in and was surprised the gate was actually opened. Why would the gate to her father's mansion be carelessly opened??? Without the security on gate?? What the heck was going on?
She paused and looked around, noting the two storey building was looking more beautiful than the last time she had seen it. It looked much beautiful, but... there was something wrong. She couldn't exactly point it out, but she could feel it. There was something missing.
She dragged her luggages all by herself to the door, equally wondering why none of the maids were rushing out to come welcome and assist her already. She really couldn't understand.
She dropped her luggages beside her and opened the door. And the first sight she saw right from where she stood, threw her off the edge.
Her heart stopped functioning, her hands shook and fell from the door.
No...
She rushed in, her heart summersaulting in her chest as she felt her eye sight was failing her. But, getting close enough, she held her chest and screamed at the sight in front of her.