Chapter 1 Heading out

I must concentrate and work hard in my studies if I hope to maintain my scholarship, go to Harvard or Princeton, and pursue my dream of being a screenwriter.

It's going to change my life.

We finally arrive in New York City after several hours. I got out of the train station with my mother. We carried our suitcases as we made our way to the side of the road.

I felt strange right away.

Oh no. The new environmental phobia is the cause. As I gazed at the congested roads with cars traveling at an amazing pace, I gave myself a nervous embrace.

"Whoo!" We're here, baby," murmured Mom with joy.

As I suffered the pressure I was experiencing, I forced a grin.

"We need to board a taxi to this address." With a piece of paper in her hand, Mum said.

I exhaled and gave myself a tight hug, turning my head away from her.

"Are you okay, baby?" I had to look at her when she asked.

"Is your anxiety returning? Do you want me to give you your prescription? Before I could respond, she inquired while searching through her purse.

"No, Mother. I'm all right.

"No, sweetie, you must take some medicine. You fainting on me is not what I want. "You know," she replied, still looking through her purse, "we are in New York.

I stared ahead of her and sighed. I noticed a yellow taxi slowly making its way toward us.

When I remarked, "Mum, a taxi is coming," she turned to face me.

"Oh, taxi!" Ignoring the drugs, she screamed.

Thank heavens.

The cab pulled up directly in front of us.

"Where to, ma'am?" The cabbie inquired.

Mum leaned toward the window of the passenger seat.

My mother added, "Richard Estate, please," which caused me to furrow my brows.

Richard Estate, did she just say that?

"That will be five hundred dollars for both of you," he replied. My eyes went a little wide.

"What?" Mom lost her temper.

"Five hundred, ma'am." The driver kept up.

Mom gave me a look. I gave a headshake.

"Five hundred?" To me, she whispered.

"It is really expensive," I whispered to her in a whisper.

"Aren't you going, ma'am?" The driver demanded our attention and requested. Mother bent toward the window.

"We have three hundred dollars." "Mum told him. "

"No, can't do, ma'am." He said, placing his hand on the wheel and moving a bit, but Mum stopped him.

"Alright, we will go." She said, heading towards the backseat door.

"But Mum," I shouted, rushing toward her. "Do we have five hundred?" I whispered.

"Yes, baby, get in." She remarked, opening the door for me. I gave her a suspicious look.

"Are you sure, Mum?" Once more, I whispered. She started to say something, but

"Can you please get in?" The driver inquired. "I don't have all day."

"Yes, indeed. Apologies. We're going inside." "Please get in," my mother urged. She joined after me and shut the door. We were driven away by him.

"Mum,"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"You said Richard Estate," "I said."

"Yes, "I did," she said.

"But that's our last name," "I said."

"Yes, sweetheart. The estate is owned by your father," "she said.

Whoa. Does he have an estate?

She laughed when she saw how shocked I was.

She exclaimed with joy, "Your dad is that wealthy, baby."

Whoa.

That's enormous.

Throughout the voyage, my gaze was fixed on the window. We passed numerous structures, skyscrapers similar to those in our textbooks, and the one and only Statue of Liberty, of course.

From where I sit in this moving vehicle, I can't take my eyes off the wonderful things.

They are too magnificent to ignore.

After what seemed like an hour or two, we were dragged up to a gate that resembled a cage, with a stunning mansion behind it.

After we got out of the taxi, Mum and I couldn't stop admiring the place's beauty. The mansion exudes riches and is enormous.

Oh, jingles.

Mum approached the gate's left pillar and pushed a button.

"Yes, how can I help you?" From the small button that Mum pressed, a female voice spoke.

"Um, I am Claudia, and this is my daughter, Daisy," Mom replied as she held out her hand to me. I approached her and took her hand.

"We are Nicholas Richard's family," stated Mom.

Before it spoke again, there was a brief pause.

"What?" The system inquired.

"We are-"

"One moment, please," announces the system.

Mom glanced at me. I gave a slight shrug.

The system said, "Come in," and the gate opened on its own.

When I saw it, my eyes widened? Mum also gave me a startled expression.

My jingles, oh my.

We entered the compound after Mum took my hand. The compound is stunning. There are flowers, carpet grass, a statue in the center of the compound, and some water dripping from it. The parking lot is filled with exotic vehicles.

I couldn't take my eyes off of the beauty.

"Oh my God, baby." Mum grasped my hand and murmured to me. "This is our new home." I smiled at what she said. My gaze is still wandering about.

It's unbelievable that this is our new residence.

When we arrived at the front door, it opened on its own.

Oh, jingles.

A young woman who appeared to be about my mother's age. She's dressed like a maid. We followed her instructions to enter.

As soon as we walked into the house, Mum and I were amazed. It feels like nirvana within.

I wonder what heaven would be like in real life.

"Come this way, please." We trailed behind the maid as she led the way, but we couldn't help but be struck by the mansion's beauty.

High ceilings and drapes, white-painted walls, tiled floors, chandeliers, and pricey white couches. Huge artwork and portraits, a bar, and glass tables.

I can't list them all.

We were shown to another living room with a stairway at the side by the maid. There, we observed a woman sitting on a tall, golden chair in really costly clothing.

She is staring at us while carrying a red drink in her hand. We halted a short distance from her. After giving her a small bow, the maid left. The woman continued to give us a disagreeable look.

My mother gave my arm a slight squeeze, which caused me to turn to face her. She is observing the woman with uneasiness.

Is she anxious?

Oh, jingles. Both of us are anxious.

Who is this odd woman?

"You said you are my husband's family?" We were surprised when the woman inquired.

Was "husband" all she said?