1. As a guarantee?
“We're sorry we have to do this, Aneska. But, as you know, we couldn't let go of Anevay. So –” The woman cried, unable to continue her words to ask the girl to understand her plan.
Aneska Antheara Willis, the long-haired girl, was only able to remain silent, trying to digest what had just happened. Even though Aneska has just returned from studying abroad, the parents who raised, cared for, and supported her family want Aneska to replace her younger sibling who is the collateral.
"I know you just came home. But they are already waiting. We have no other choice, Aneska. So, please understand and join them today," said the man who had been her father for seventeen years.
Aneska still can't believe that her adoptive parents will exchange Aneska for her younger sister as collateral. Aneska's brain was blank so she was slow to understand it.
The woman was still crying in her husband's arms. Aneska knew they weren't acting. This family situation is not good. I don't know what happened while Aneska was away.
"If you marry young master Edwin, you can find the murderer of your family."
Aneska raised her face when she heard that. What has happened? The girl's gaze fell on her adoptive father.
“I know you are waiting for the right time to find your family's murderer to avenge you. If you follow them, you will soon find clues as to who the culprit is. So, please come with them, Aneska," persuaded the man.
After seventeen years have passed, Aneska has managed to overcome the dark past that always haunted her. Survive as hard as you can, and fight to get out of that terrible shadow. However, it's not easy. It feels like a nightmare that haunts me every night. Even now, memories of this day reopen.
Aneska's hands were clenched tightly, and the girl's teeth were clenched tightly. Aneska's chest rumbled, and anger began to control her. What happened next was the most terrifying thing that Aneska witnessed firsthand. Blood and corpses lay stiff on the floor of his house at that time.
“Hey, come on quickly! We're running out of time!” The door was knocked from outside, warning.
Aneska's adoptive father and mother, who were now in front of him, looked at him with pleading eyes.
With a blank stare and anger burning in her chest, Aneska made a decision.
"Okay. I'll go." Aneska decided, and it made her adoptive parents smile.
After saying that, Aneska left the room and immediately met a fat man who was waiting for them in the living room of the minimalist house.
Meanwhile, Aneska looked at the house to reminisce about the good times in that house, and how Aneska grew well into a teenage girl under the loving care of her current adoptive parents. Aneska has many memories here. However, in the last five years, Aneska has been abroad to complete her second degree on a scholarship offer,- and also got a job there. Aneska only came back an hour ago, and she had to leave again. This time, I don't know how long it will last.
"Please look after our child, sir," said the woman who is Aneska's adoptive mother.
There was no answer from the fat man who seemed arrogant and cold. He even pushed Aneska's back to move quickly.
He grabbed the suitcase which was still near the living room door. Aneska looked at her adoptive parents sadly. The woman was still crying while holding a white handkerchief to wipe her tears. Meanwhile, the man who was the girl's adoptive father was carrying his wife. Anevay, her adopted sister, was not at home, even though Aneska wanted to meet the girl who was twelve years old.
Aneska took a deep breath when she arrived in front of a black car whose door was open. However, the girl remembered something when one of the fat man's bodyguards brought Aneska's suitcase.
"Sorry sir, I forgot to leave this for my sister. "I'll take a moment," said Aneska and immediately rushed over before the man stopped her.
Running as fast as possible and leaving souvenirs for her sister, Aneska fell silent at the door when she heard talking from inside the house. His body was stiff, his heart felt like it was squeezing when he heard the words of the girl's parents.
“I'm relieved to finally be free of that girl,” the woman said.
"Aneska won't be able to come back here after marrying Young Master Edwin. Besides, what's the use of that child if we already have children of our own," said the husband.
Aneska's eyelids moved, and tears welled up in her eyes.
What does it mean?
"It's been five years since Aneska went abroad to study for her second degree. Just then the girl came home when Mr. Zeeler's men came to take Anevay."
Aneska was still silent, trying to listen to the conversation.
"That way, Anevay doesn't have to become Young Master Edwin's wife because of the guarantee. Eh, I'm so relieved that Aneska came on time, and took it as collateral. We can rest easy now.”
Aneska's body went limp when she heard what her ears had just caught. How could those who Aneska considered to be her parents, be willing to sell her? It turns out it all had a purpose.
Aneska's body felt weak, her mind was blank, and her heart ached. Aneska felt betrayed by the people she considered family.
"What has happened?" whispered the girl sadly.
Aneska's footsteps were slow and that annoyed the fat man.
Aneska was forced to get into the car, and throughout the journey, she didn't speak at all, just kept quiet, and lowered her head, thinking about what happened. The feeling of shock after hearing what her adoptive parents said made Aneska unable to think clearly, Aneska didn't even know where she was being taken.
Even when the car entered the iron gate which was quite high, Aneska didn't care at all. Maybe it would be better to be there now than at his adoptive parents' house after hearing what they said.
"Get off," said the fat man coldly.
Aneska complied.
The car door opened from the outside, and the girl got out.
Aneska's attention was diverted this time, directing her gaze to the magnificent building in front of her with large pillars supporting the floor above. The building looks modern.
“Follow me,” said the fat man.
Once again Aneska obeyed the man's words. Aneska's heart has made up her mind, to marry a man who knows who, and find out who killed her biological family seventeen years ago. Aneska realizes that her adoptive parents have now made Aneska. So the girl's choice now is to live with someone completely stranger.
Entering the magnificent house, Aneska found a thin man in a full suit sitting on the sofa. The room looked very spacious with all the knick-knacks.
“Sir, I have brought it,” the fat man reported respectfully.
The man who was sitting took the tablet from in front of him and put it on the table, then directed his gaze at Aneska, whose body suddenly froze because of the cold gaze,- and the man's expression was even sharper.
The thin man's eyes narrowed.
"Good. I'll take care of the rest. Take the girl to the south house until Edwin returns, don't let the girl wander around," ordered the thin man who seemed to be the fat man's superior.
"Yes sir," said a female servant who immediately approached Aneska. “Come, Miss, follow me,” said the maid.
Even though she was confused, Aneska just obeyed. The girl realized that the man sitting on the sofa was not just anyone. Even if Aneska fought back, all the plans she had thought up would be in vain.
"Wait. What's your name?"
Aneska's footsteps stopped and the girl faced the thin man. While watching the man, Aneska noticed the aura the man gave off. His authority is extraordinary, and firm, even though he looks cold. From where Aneska was standing, the man's face was slightly wrinkled.
"Aneska Antheara Willis, Sir," answered Aneska, introducing herself.
“Aneska. Nice name," praised the man. “Rest until my wife comes back. I will introduce you to my wife later, and Edwin.”
After saying that, the man who was probably the host moved his head to give orders to the servant to take Aneska away.
Walking towards the southern house that the thin man mentioned earlier, Aneska looked around. From the gate, there are many guards and bodyguards in many places. Aneska doesn't know anything about this family, is he a powerful billionaire, or is it a mafia organization? Of the many people who wear full black suits, maybe one of them, or even both.
Aneska didn't know anything,- and had no information about this family.
It turned out that the house to the south was separate from the big house that Aneska had just entered. Now the girl is outside, on the path connected to the minimalist two-story house. The southern house is different from the main house, but around it, there are many flowers and other plants.
"This way, Miss," said the waiter accompanying Aneska.
Aneska entered the house, but her body stiffened when she heard a loud sound like a gunshot. The girl's eyes were perfectly round. The girl's heart was pounding as if running from its place in her chest.
What's that? What has happened? Where did the gunshots come from?