The man, I assumed was my father, was...not what I had pictured. I didn’t know if that was because he wasn’t Anton or because I didn’t know what the fuck to picture. After all this time, what was I to expect. Right now he was just Kaleb Varela.
“My name is Nikolai King, and this is Anastasia Exley. Your daughter.” Nikolai’s voice gripped me, reminding me that he was right there by my side.
“We don’t have a daughter.” My mother spoke coldly, her words crushing a tiny piece of my soul. My eyes inspected her face for a lie, but she gave nothing away. I quickly started spiraling, doubting the point of this whole excursion. Were we in the wrong place? Had Nikolai made a mistake?
Was it even worth all the hassle? With that thought, my gaze flickered to Nikolai, stood tall and god-like by my side. While things between us hadn’t exactly started out typically, we’d come so far. When I asked him to find my parents, I hadn’t given much thought to the monstrous task.
“February 22nd, two thousand and two. During the night, a man broke into the south corner bedroom of your home. He left with a young girl, approximately three years old.”
“Mrs Rachel Varela?” Mother.
I had always wondered what the woman who birthed me looked like. She wasn’t what I expected but it was hard to tell because I’d never had a clear expectation in my head. The image associated with the word ‘mother’ had always been a faceless, colorless woman. I’d never seen photos, I’d never known what to expect. But then again, I’d been told my mother had died giving birth to me.
It was beyond my wildest dreams that I was here meeting her in person.
“How do you know all this? You just expect us to take your word for it, that this is our daughter?” She spoke once again, to Nikolai. She threw a speculative glance my way. Immediately, I wondered what she thought.
“Why now?” Kaleb - my father asked, showing just as much speculation as Rachel.
“I understand you have a lot of questions, maybe it would be best if we talked in private. I know this is very overwhelming for Anastasia.” Nikolai pleaded with them.
I wanted to hear their conversation but at the same time, I wanted to bury my head in the sand and pretend everything was okay - or throw up. I stayed silent, watching as my ‘parents’ stood still - not budging an inch.
“Please,” Nikolai barked out, making the placid word sound like a strict command. One that they reluctantly followed, shuffling their feet as they led Nikolai away, thankfully. He flashed me one last look. I tried not to stare, to not read anything into it but I wanted to. I wanted that one look to mean so much more than what he’d probably intended. Another issue I’d have to come face to face with eventually. But, for right now, I knew I just needed to be strong enough to hold myself together. For a few more hours at the least.
I heard nothing as I stood awkwardly waiting in the foyer. I had expected to hear raised voices, I’d seen how quick Nikolai could be to lose his temper, but I heard nothing. Not even a whisper.
Minutes passed, filled with me inspecting the artwork on the walls. Not exactly my taste but I had no doubt that they weren’t hung because they fit anyone's taste, they would’ve been worth more than everything I owned. I rethought that thought with a snide chuckle. At that precise minute, I owned a lone suitcase full of Target-bought clothing.
A shallow cough from my left caught my attention. Roaming my eyes to find the source I froze at the sight of a young man standing by the staircase. My heart began pounding rapidly, my stomach churned at the realization.
This man, I was related to him. It didn’t take two seconds for me to recognize him as family. I stared, the resemblance was uncanny, almost like staring into a mirror. He had a bigger build, taller and stronger with shorter hair. Aside from those minor differences, I’d have sworn we were twins.
“Ambrose, and you are?”
I was confused as to how he couldn’t immediately see it, but I answered anyway. “Anastasia.”
“Ah.” So clearly, he did know who I was. “Where are my parents?”
“They went through there.” I pointed in the direction they went. I longed to be there, with Nikolai by my side, rather than here.
The room grew tense. No words were exchanged as I tried to look anywhere but at my brother. His presence made me uncomfortable like I was trespassing.
“Why did you come here?” Ambrose spat out at me. His mask had now completely slipped.
“I-I wanted… I wanted to know my family.” The mere sound of my voice had me wanting to cringe. I couldn’t help feeling small in his presence, but I tried my hardest to keep my fear hidden. From the look in his eye, I knew he lived to strike fear into others. He enjoyed it, fed off of it. He was the hunter, and I was his prey. I didn’t like that feeling at all.
“Well, now you do. Congratulations, princess.” A sinister smile spread across his face but it had none of the happiness of a smile.
If I had thought Nik was bad, this guy was far worse. Evil, through and through. If he hadn't scared me so much, I would’ve pitied him. In a way, I still did. Our parents had to be real pieces of work to have raised such a monster. I followed him with my eyes as he stormed off. So, that was my brother…
Well, I wasn’t impressed.
Finally left alone, I released a heavy breath while waiting for Nikolai to return with my parents. I took those few minutes to inspect the room, their living room. It was dark, cold, almost reminding me of something pulled from the Addams’ Family. It held none of the warmth of Nik’s home.
That thought struck me as odd. I hadn’t ever thought of Nik’s house as warm and inviting, but the comparison had me rethinking my opinion.
The four of them entered the room once again. I could have cried out at being back in the presence of Nikolai.
