4 4.Alisha’s confound

Erwin Scott the chairman and CEO of T.C.D Private Ltd., when Scott's family died in a bomb blast his rivals took the situation under control and led to the circumstantial imbalance among the shareholders leading to the downfall of the whole chain of industries. That was when a 20 year old boy came to his own rescue after his family's tragic death. He worked very hard to gain the shareholders trust back and today his chain of companies are among one of the top ten companies. He is 22 years of age with flawless face and dark brown eyes. His dimples on his cheek sparkle up lighting up his eyes.

"What do you mean?" She glanced towards the sleeping Dawson and looked at him confused. "How can a collapsed old man set up...What?"She asked. "Come with me now." Erwin dragged her out of the Dawson's room and Alisha could not resist his force. She followed him into the elevator and they were soon out into the parking lot. "I guess you should leave my hand now." Alisha said hesitated and awkwardly they removed their hands from each other's grasp. There air was tense but there was a flaw in the air in the midst of them. Neither of them knew what it was and it was tensing up Alisha. "What are you here for?"Asked Alisha breaking the silence but Erwin was not at ease as he himself was not comfortable. "Ha, yeah. This is about your parents. You should leave your parents because they...Umm they also sent your every belonging and you'll be staying with me and my sister." He said looking away unable to bring up her parent's tragedy.

"Why" She asked unable to understand the situation she is in. "Your parents...were...there was a firing at your home and...and are in special care. You'll not able to meet them but I'll make sure you'll meet them." Erwin answered concerned lacing his voice as he kept on observing as she was grasping hold of the situation. Alisha collapsed on her feet as she whimpers and slowly her sobs grew and she cried out unable to control herself. Erwin kneeled beside her as he pulled her in to a hug as he patted her hair. Alisha clutched on to Erwin's coat as she was weakened by the recent revelation.

"Alisha, control yourself. You actually have a lot to see hereafter." Erwin said in a soothing calm voice as he continued caressing her hair. She pulled apart and looked into his eyes with a swollen eyes. His eyes glittered in the parking lot's bulb light. "Why can I not meet them?" She asked as wiping her new tear that was forming making her blink more than usual. "Alisha, Police don't know your existence as Miles daughter. In fact, there was no photo or no biological records that were found at your residence that has a fact that you belong to that family."Erwin said as Alisha stared at him oblivion. "You mean...How come that will be? You know I had my own room in that house and how come police did not find any evidence?"She asked bewildered. "I cannot take you to your residence but I...you know, my home has already received your belongings. You can look into your things and decide whether they are yours or not. OK?"He asked her hoping she would control her unrestrained emotions. She nodded in response and they both stood to their feet. When the realized they were in each other's arms they moved away awkwardly.

"Get in the car." He gestured Alisha to get in. "Umm, where are we going?" Asked Alisha as she looked at him as they stood either side of the car. "To my home. No, to our home." He said giving her his dimpled smile. She sat in the car looking forward deep in her thoughts regarding her parents. She felt a presence beside her. There was Erwin, who passed his hand and pulled the seat belt past her and placed it in its socket. She felt that her breath was caught up and she released her caught up breath when the presence of Erwin was gone. He looked at forward and pressed the automatic button by which the engine roared and they drove off into the busy streets caught with the mild traffic.

They reached the Scott's Mansion which is located in calmest part of the City. The night lights along street blinked brightly in darkness lightening the road. The car halted in front of the gates as she looked out of the window, she saw huge gates and was welcomed by the fragrance of roses plants mixed with mud which hit her face along with the wind. The gates opened and the car glided along with the opening doors. She kept her head rested on the window, eyes closed as the breeze fanned her hair onto her face. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled her parents. Who were her everything. Knowing that she doesn't existed ever in that home. Why was I no more belonged there? Why Mom and Dad had to be such a state? She thought clutching her dress over her chest.

She opened her eyes and she was still in the car as she looked outside. "It's been 5 minutes since I parked the car," Erwin said unbuckling the seat belt. She unbuckled and stepped out of the car. She wiped her tears off with her hands which were now not in her control. "Alisha" Erwin said placing his hand on her shoulder "You should stay strong."She nodded in reply. She looked up as she saw huge Greek statues welcoming them holding an outdoor lantern each on the either side of the main entrance. She walked in along with Erwin noticing her surroundings which were perfectly decorated with corridor. They walked into a spacious room which had a huge ceiling glass lantern and black L-Shaped sofa. The room was sprayed with Jasmine room freshener. One of the corner of the room had a flight of stairs leading to the first floor. "Alisha, Welcome Home. Make yourself comfortable and anything you need you can ask me or maids, they'll help ya out."Erwin said gesturing her to sit. "Mr. Scott, I have a request."She looked at him with her puffy eyes. "I want to look at things that...that you said earlier...you received." "Yes they are all set in the above floor next to my room. You can take a look later. You should eat something before you face the reality."Erwin said with a doleful expression. "I'm not hungry. I want to take a look at the things." She said stubborn. Erwin could not help her anxiety,"OK" he answered. "But whether they belong to you or somebody else you should promise me that you will have your dinner."Erwin said in stern demanding voice. "I cannot promise but I will try" She said as the maid led her upstairs. She climbed the stairs as she saw the stairs were curled up leading to another floor. The corridors were big with wall hangings. She saw that there were small drawings and doodles which seemed to be drawn by children. Mom used to scold me when I did such things. She thought as she passed across the door. She stopped on her tracks at the door. The maid looked back stopping, "This is Mr. Scott's room." Said Mrs. Lena Mascot smiling. "This way" She gestured Alisha to the adjacent room. Alisha stopped on her tracks, afraid to face her reality. "We arranged everything we received perfectly but if you have any problem, you can let us know." Mrs. Mascot said as she went her way inside guiding her but she stopped on her tracks once again seeing Alisha not behind her. Mrs Mascot walk towards the door, "Come in, It's your room." She said as she grabbed her hand and walked her inside the room. Alisha entered the room as she saw purple color walls with high ceiling. The cupboards and furniture were white showing the contrast but added its own tinge to the room. She walked towards the room and she glanced over to the box and she walked over to it. "I'll take my leave Ma'am." Mrs. Mascot said and left her alone.

She opened her box and grabbed her diary. Unbelievable! She thought as she kept looking at the diary and she glanced at other things in the box. She found an old envelope which was curled and tore with the passed time. Alisha opened the envelope, curious, and she read

I am in the midst of the clouds,

In your imagination

Down to earth I see you from above,

I give you the pendant of cursed love,

Where you and I are Unrequited with.

-G290

"Its mom's handwriting!" she whispered to herself. She placed the letter on the table and grabbed the edge of the box, desperate to find more truths behind her abandonment. She groped inside the box aimlessly but in vain she found out nothing. She heard the door knock and turned as Erwin stood there by the door. "May I come in?" Erwin asked hesitated concerned about his timing about his intro. "Yes, Mr. Scott can you help me in finding who this G290 is?" She asked Erwin as he paced himself slowly observing the room keenly. "G290? How did you know the code?" He asked baffled. "Who is G290? Just answer me!" She almost yelled her tears spilling out as it turned into uncontrollable sobs. "It's your mother!" Erwin busted. She looked at him shocked, unable to express herself as her tears flow out through her eyes. "It's your mother's code name when she was in alpha organisation. But how did you found this out?" Erwin asked perplexed. Alisha was shaking now unable to take in the reality. She handed Erwin the old envelope trembling as Erwin went through the letter. "Seems like some love letter!" He guessed and he was about to hand her the envelope back. As she was about to take, she felled down unconscious.

Erwin lifted her and placed her on the bed gently. "Lene...Lene", He called out to her. Mrs. Mascot hurried in astonished. "Call the doctor!" He ordered. Mrs. Mascot scurried towards the phone and called the number right away."He'll be here right away." She said and went to bring her some water.

"Alisha you really had a hard day today but you need to stay strong. You have a lot more to find, a lot more to confound and this is the only beginning." Erwin said striking her hair gently with his hand as he kept looking at her disconsolate. He caressed her cheek with his thumb as she lay motionless. Her eye brows turned into frown as she memorized everything that happen. "Alisha! Alisha" Erwin called out to her shaking her little making come out of her dizziness. Mrs. Mascot entered with a jug of water and Doctor was behind following her. "Hello, Mr. Scott" He greeted and rushed towards Alisha. Doctor Brooklyn is one of the Erwin father's most trust-able doctor. He looks short and stout with a thin white hair barely sprouting up his bald head.

Dr. Brooklyn checked the pulse and breaths of Alisha as he glanced towards his wrist watch. "She's stressed out." He said. "She needs to calm her nerves, anyway, I'll prescribe you to give her regular meals and put her out of stress."Dr. Brooklyn said. Erwin nodded yes and smiled. "Mrs. Mascot." He called, "Lead the doctor."He said to Mrs. Mascot. "Thank you Doctor. Good Night."Erwin said as he shook his hands with the doctor. "No problem. Call me if you need anything." Doctor said and left the room along with the maid.

"Alisha, it's a long night but I hope you would find yourself after this so that you can find the truth behind it." He said as he held her hand. "Sir, the porridge you asked is ready." Mrs. Mascot said as she brought the bowl steaming with the vapour. "Feed her. I have an important call to make." Erwin said as he stood up and left the room. He saw the maid gently waking the weak Alisha to sit.

"Good Evening, Officer Jayson. Reason for your call?" He questioned. "I just wanted to know how Alisha is doing. Did you mention her parents?" Officer Jayson asked Erwin concerned laced his voice. "Yes, she is stressed out. Officer, what was her mother like?" Erwin asked hesitated. "Mr. Scott let's talk everything about her at our next meeting. But, I wish she recovers. What all that happened to her from Afternoon till this evening, hope you put it in secrecy." Officer Jayson warned. "Yes, of course. She'll attend her college as usual so that she would find herself among her mates." Erwin suggested. "That's ok. She doesn't have any record though. She's free to."Officer Jayson said in the tone of matter of fact. "Officer, catch you up later."Erwin said and hung up the phone. Alisha has finally confounded her reality in front of her eyes. This gonna be my second long night. Thought Erwin, sighing heavily as he paced himself to his room to sleep.