Caged Between The CEO And His Son

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?

"Husband," she said.

My mother and I exchanged a startled glance. I told her what I heard.

"Are you both dumb?!" We recoiled as the woman screamed.

"No, ma'am. I apologize. There appears to be a miscommunication. Mum stumbled.

The woman's eyebrows went up.

"We are here to see Nicholas Richard," Mum said, still firmly grasping my hand.

She is under pressure.

I am, too.

A masculine voice called up the stairs, "Honey," grabbing our attention. Footsteps came down the steps.

"What appears to be the issue? I heard you shout. "Coming into view," the individual remarked.

The man is middle-aged and wearing a blue robe with gold and navy designs.

The thought that he might be my father made my heart race.

"You have some visitors from the slums." I turned to face the woman as she spoke.

She is irritated as she looks at us.

My mother called, "Nick," and I had to turn to face her. She is grinning slightly as she looks at the man.

She simply referred to him as Nick. This implies that he is my father.

"What the hell?" He said, glancing startledly at my mother. His eyebrows are raised in perplexity.

"Honey," declared the woman. "Do you know these people?"

I can claim that my dad and mother are still looking at one another.

"Nicholas!" We jumped when the woman snapped.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Now that she was upright, she asked. She is boiling and angry.

"Uh....honey it's...." As he went down the rest of the steps and approached her, my dad stammered strangely.

"It's not important. Just a person I used to know." Dad told her.

I raised my eyebrows slightly. I glanced at my mother. She has a distressed expression on her face as she looks at my dad.

"Nicholas, it is me, Claudia." "Mum said."

I turned to face the woman when I heard her scoff. She crossed her arms.

With her hand on my shoulder, Mum continued, "This is Daisy." "Your daughter."

I glanced at my father. He twitched his face.

"What? Nicholas," the woman cried, casting a doubtful glance at her father.

"What do you mean my daughter?" Dad's question made my heart race.

"She's your kid. Richard Daisy. She is.

"What? She gave her Nicholas, your last name. He was confronted by the woman.

Dad started to say something, but he was unable to do so.

"She is yours, Nick. Her age is seventeen. "Mum said."

Dad's expression wavered.

I found myself trembling when I held my mother's hand. I don't like the way my dad is staring at me.

The woman glared at my mother and said, "Nicholas, what is this thing from the slums talking about?"

She looks like trouble.

"Is this true, Nicholas?!" Angrily, the woman asked.

"No, it is not!" Dad blurted, giving his mother a severe look.

I raised my eyebrows.

"She is yours, of course. She possesses exceptional intelligence and poise. Mom stood up for it.

The woman gave a disbelieving scoff.

"Nickolas, I ask again, is what this piece of shit in our house saying, true?" she questioned.

"No, she is lying." Dad stood up for it.

A pain went through my heart. I glanced at my mother. She gave a headshake.

"Don't say that, Nick. You own her.

"His name is Nicholas, you bitch." The woman yelled at her mother.

Mom appeared on the verge of tears.

I can sense that tears are about to fall.

"Go ahead, baby." Mom pleaded, "She is your daughter." Hug your dad. Mom remarked, guiding me to my father.

I gave her a look. She is telling me to continue while grinning and nodding. I went to my dad, my heart racing.

"Stop this, Claudia!" We flinched as he roared.

"I don't know what your fucking plan is but it is not going to work." "Oh," he said.

"Make a plan? "What plan?"

"Leave, please." "Dad said."

"Nick..."

"Have you not heard my husband? "Get the hell out of our house!" he yelled. The woman shouted.

With streaming eyes, Mum gazed at my dad while holding my hand.

"Get out!" She shouted one more.

"Mum, Dad!" In unison, two female voices demanded our attention.

I observed two females my age wearing minidresses and had dad-like brunet hair. Both of them are the same.

Those must be twins.

As the girls approached her, the woman replied, "Hi darlings," her irate look abruptly shifting. She kissed them on the cheeks. When one of them approached her father, he planted a kiss on her temple.

I felt terrible when I saw that.

I stood there staring at them with my mother.

"Dad, who are these people?" The girl next to Dad enquired.

She simply referred to him as "dad." Are they also his daughters?

"Well, girls, you know how all these low-class people from the slums behave." "Oh," the woman said.

Why does she insist that we are slum dwellers?

"They prefer to come into wealthy people's homes and claim rights they don't even deserve to have" I raised my eyebrows.

"Ew, what's that they are even wearing?" With a disgusted look at us, the girl next to the impolite woman asked.

My mother and I glanced down at our clothes. We have clean clothes. Despite their age, these are our finest clothes.

"They are indeed from the slums." The first female made fun of it.

My eyes started to well up with tears. I don't even want to consider my mother's current state of mind.

"You can say that again, honey." The woman was in favor.

"Benson!" she cried out...

Mum's eyes were full of life as she gazed at me, but she turned back to my dad.

Then a large man entered wearing dark shades and a black suit.

"Yes ma'am?" He inquired.

"Throw this dirty bitch and her little rat out of our house." She gave an order.

My heart tightened.

With a nod, the man moved in our direction.

"Before they infect us with whatever disease they got from the slums." She went on.

"This way, ma'am." Benson gestured to the front door and gave the instruction quietly.

"Nick," my mother called, glancing at my father.

"Get the bitch out of here right now!" The woman shouted.

Benson said, "Ma'am, please move."

With a small nod, Mum took my hand and we made our way to the door, Benson following.

"Filthy items. They arrived to make untrue statements. The nerves for me. The woman said something that I heard.

"Let this be a lesson to you all staffs, don't ever let people like this into my house!" She gave an order.

My gaze shifted to my father. As one of the females spoke to him, he turned to face us.

My mother put her hand on my shoulder and held me tight as we left the home, so I turned around.

We continued walking in the direction of the gate.

Mom sniffed.

I gave her a look. She is quietly crying.

My heart became constricted. It pains me to see her like this. Since we decided to move here, she has been content. She's depressed now. This was what she had anticipated.

I didn't either.

I assumed everything would go according to her instructions. She assured me that my dad would welcome me and we would chat about things for a while.

However, the exact opposite just occurred.

He has two other daughters as well.

He allowed them to call us names as he stood there. He allowed them to expel us.

There's a problem. He's married to my mother, right?

I stared at my mother and thought about it. She continues to weep in private.

I called, "Mum," but...

"Claudia," a man's voice called, halting our progress. We looked at him.

We noticed Dad coming toward us holding what appeared to be an envelope.

I glanced at my mother. The sight of him has brightened her face. As if seeing him out here is a relief. I trailed behind her as she took a few steps in his direction.

"Nick, I...." "Take this and go back to wherever you came from." As he put the huge package in her palm, he interrupted her.

I looked at the envelope with my mother.

"Nick why are you...."

"You have to leave." Dad interrupts.

"Why are you treating us like this? How is your daughter doing? Mum put her hand on my shoulder and requested.

Dad sighed as he glanced at me. He turned back to face my mother.

"You're expelling her from your home. This is unfair. "Mum said."

"What is not fair is you coming into my home, into my family after all these years with a daughter I have no idea existed," said Dad.

I raised my eyebrows.

"How am I sure you are not lying?" He inquired.

"I promise I'm telling the truth. She's your daughter. Mom stood up for it.

Dad let out a sigh.

"She possesses your exceptional intelligence. A scholarship was awarded to her in a..."

"I cannot accept her." He contributed.

My heart became constricted.

"What? Why?" Mom inquired. The pain in her voice is palpable.

"Because I can't believe that one night of a horrible mistake produced this," Dad yelled and gestured angrily at me.

Again, my heart constricted.

I was objectified by him.

Mum pushed me away so I couldn't see him.

"Avoid mentioning her in that way. She's a kid. You'll offend her." My mother whispered to me.

"I'm not concerned, Claudia. He responded, "Take her and go."

His nasty comments made my heart constrict.

"Nick, please," my mother nearly sobbed.

"Leave and never return. I'll get you jailed if you come here again." Dad made a threat.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I looked down, but I wiped it away right away.

"That envelope contains a significant amount of cash. Take it and return to your starting point. As he returned to the house, he said.

As we stood there, Mum and I watched him come inside.

I didn't anticipate this.

I anticipated a broad smile and his arms wide.

I anticipated receiving a thank-you note for my intelligence and passing the scholarship exam.

I thought he would express his pride in me. My life was lost for seventeen years, and I am so sorry for him.

I had high hopes for today.

Not....this, of course.

"Let's go, baby." As we made our way to the gate, Mum remarked and took my hand.

In my head, I thought about everything. They're married, right?

He seemed to be saying that they weren't.

Do I become an illegitimate child as a result?

The possibility of my ideas made my heart constrict.

We left through the gate. As the gate closed on its own, Mum looked back at the mansion. She glanced at the envelope she was holding.

I looked into her dissatisfied and sad face.

I considered what we might do next.

Will we return to our little town?

I'd be thrilled to. In the first place, I had no intention of coming here.

However, what about education? How about the scholarship?

Mom glanced at me. I gazed at her. She pulled me in and put her hands around me, uncomfortably grinning at me.

"Baby, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you went through that. With her head lying on mine, she spoke.

She said, "I am so sorry."

"But, I thought you both were married." "I said."

She looked down and scuffed breathlessly.

I gave her a look. She is depressed. The tears in her eyes are aching my heart. I'm crying too.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. I was unable to inform you. You weren't old enough to comprehend. You shouldn't have felt different from other youngsters, in my opinion.

I glanced down, absorbing her words.

"Baby, please understand. Do not despise me.

I shook my head as I glanced at her. "I'm not hostile toward you. I shall always love you. I cherish you.

She gave me an emotional glance.

She hugged me and said, "Oh sweetie," practically crying. I encircled her in my hands. She forced me to look at her while sniffling and kissing my hair.

"Look, sweetie, I am here for you, okay?"

I gave a nod.

"Avoid dwelling too much on what transpired back there. Everything will work out OK. She gave me her word.

I gave a nod.

"We still have your prestigious school, right?!" Despite her tears, she smiled as she sang.

I gave a small nod. "I am still going to go?"

Her eyebrows were raised. "Yes, sweetheart. You are still attending the school, of course. "I thought-" "Why would you ask that?"

"You thought that this would stop you?"

I gave a nod.

"No, no. You won't be stopped by it. My business plans are also not being halted by it. You must attend such an institution. The second item that will transform our lives is this. especially your life, my dear." As she stroked my hair, she spoke.

I gave a nod. However, how will we manage to live? "Where do we reside?" I inquired.

Gazing about the peaceful estate, she let out a sigh. Although there are some stunning mansions here, the quiet is quite remarkable. There were no passing taxis or pedestrians.

Like the sound of a pin dropping.

It's too silent.

I'm already starting to miss our little town.

Dad handed her an envelope, which Mum examined.

I guess she's thinking the same thing I am.

"We could use this money to find us a small place." "I said," she said.

I gave a small nod.

"Your dad gave us this money even though he might not want us. It appears to be sufficiently large. Later, we'll count it. As she placed the envelope in her backpack, she spoke.

I glanced down. I hope none of these things are occurring. I want us to return to our tiny village and resume our regular lives.

I want my dad to be there too. However, he turned us away. He has a different family. He gave me a disgusted expression. I was even denied by him.

I remembered everything that had transpired back in the mansion, and my heart constricted. Include everything the woman told us.

I was deeply hurt by it. Dad didn't even try to protect us.

This is unjust.

"What are you thinking about, sweetie?" Mom inquired.

I gave a small shake of my head, but I kept my attention on my fumbling fingers.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." was my response.

"Are you sure?"

I didn't answer.

I lifted my face to meet her gaze as she reached for my chin.

"Tell me," I said with a sigh. "Will Dad ever change his mind towards us?"

She put her hand on my shoulder and sighed.

"I think he will. Let's simply pray and hope.

I gave a nod.

"I am aware of your hunger and exhaustion. We should wait for a cab. "I said," she said.

"One will show up in any minute, okay?" "I said," she said.

I gave a nod.

Soon after, a cab pulled up. It halted in front of us when Mum waved her hand.

I turned to face my dad's mansion's gate. I secretly hoped he would change. Another has absolutely no hope.

He's not interested in us. His family is better.

But let's pray and hope, as my mother suggested.

One day, he might desire us.

"Let's go, sweetie." I turned to face my mother as she spoke. The taxi's backseat door is already open. My mother joined me.

We took off in our car.

*******

The taxi arrived in front of a dilapidated-looking structure. We exited the taxi after Mum paid the driver. The cab departed.

Mum and I stood looking at the building from the other side. 'Cosmos Motel' is written on a signpost.

The structure is quite old and dilapidated. I continued to scan the place with my eyes. The streets resemble our town almost exactly. There are used bags and newspapers all over the place.

Beggars are sitting all over the streets, pleading for handouts. While some are talking to themselves, others are sleeping. Ignoring the beggars, people are pacing back and forth. While walking, some people were smoking, and others were reclining against the wall. Some girls are waiting for someone or something while partially nude.

I was immediately uneasy. My nervousness started to set in. The stench of smoke and urine is intolerable.

God, please.

"Baby, we must remain here for a bit. Until I locate a respectable location. "Mum said."

I covered my emotions with a nod.

I'm going to become sick, I think.