"The Patriarch of the Crawford's was a hardened man in his mid-forties." The man began when the old truck was peacefully traveling on the highway.
I learned that he was a farr, happily married, and has two beautiful daughters. He was there in the city to buy so farming tools when he spotted , standing there on the street, looking as if I didn't belong there.
"Oh but why? It's unbelievable he was that cruel when he fathered eight children from eight different won at the young age of twenty!" I exclaid, unable to contain my surprise as he told the whole Crawford history.
"You see, Adele was his first love. They are about to get married when she eloped with another man while she was carrying his daughter. Being jilted was so painful that it carved a scar deep through his heart. He beca a womanizer to perhaps hide the pain. He was longing to have his lost daughter back."
The man smiled but it didn't make his eyes twinkle which gave the impression it was forced and he was sympathetic to the Crawford patriarch.
"I couldn't imagine my wife running away with another man and bringing my children with her to be raised by another man. It's so painful. I would die of loneliness if it happens." He added and I finally grasped why he was so understanding. He had what the other man had lost and it was sothing which money could never buy.
"Are you sure you aren't related to the Crawfords?"
His tone suddenly turned accusing and I almost fell off my seat.
It was the third ti the man asked and just like the first and second attempt, I replied 'no.' My eyes flickered with disbelief and amusent as I looked at him.
Do I really look like that person he was referring to? Perhaps we might have a few similarities. But having the sa facial features was too impossible. Even blood related people don't look the sa. How much more if they weren't related at all.
If what he was saying is true—which I find it hard to believe—then that would be one in a million occurrence. Now I'm intrigued to see the person he was talking about.
The man scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. He wasn't amused like I do. He was taking this matter seriously. I searched for a trace of humor in his face but I found none.
The man explained that Crawford's are the wealthiest clan in the country of Cordova. They own a chain of hotels here and across the country. They also own resorts, malls, and chain restaurants.
"Are you telling the truth?" He asked after a mont of silence. His doubtful gaze never left my face.
"Of course! I would not gain anything by lying." I told him as he continued to look at intently as if assessing my features. The look of bewildernt plastered on his face was epic. If the situation weren't this serious, I swear I would be rolling in laughter now.
"Seriously?"
I couldn't suppress the mirth inside. My eyes sparkled as I tried to contain the crisp laughter erupting from my mouth. I blinked my eyes several tis to calm myself before I responded. "I swear! I'm telling the truth!" This ti I raised my fingers up in an oath.
He seed to agree but not entirely. He may not say it but his doubt was almost palpable in his eyes. Despite my best efforts, he wasn't convinced that I was telling the truth.
"I was fifteen years old when I saw Clarissa Crawford—that was the first and last—she was in her mid-forties that ti." He shrugged his shoulders as he continued. "She was a breathtaking beauty with seraphic features. She once was the pride of this country in beauty pageants during her younger years."
Fondness sprung at the corners of his eyes upon recalling the mory. Despite not knowing why he was explaining that to , I smiled and continued to listen to his amusing tales.
"You must be intrigued why I was telling you about her." He gave a quick glance before focusing his attention straight ahead. "The reason is you looked so much like her. I thought she was your grandmother."
"No, we are not related," I replied looking straight ahead now, watching a blue car overtake the truck. "We haven't t even once," I added. If I'm lucky, I will et her soon.' I silently thought to myself.
The conversation was interrupted when the gigantic, regal Mansion of the Crawford's ca to view. I took a deep, steadying breath when my heart suddenly began beating like crazy. My brain is reminded of why I ca here.
With my mouth wide open, I watch the luxurious mansion with admiration. The Crawfords are indeed no ordinary people, they belong to the Elites—the super-rich—who could do everything they wanted, and that includes rcilessly taking lands and leaving the poor residents to fend on their own. The last thought vanished the admiration I felt towards the luxurious facade of the house.
I fidgeted on my seat, my fingers absentmindedly began to ta my hair by repeatedly brushing them with my fingers as the truck ca closer to the Mansion.
There's no turning back. I told myself. Ignoring the cowardice that was nibbling my reserve. I am doing this to help the family who looked after , and treated as their own after I lost my mory.
The car pulled into a stop in front of the iron gates. The fluttering of butterflies inside my stomach intensified.
"Thank you for the ride, Sir. Hopefully, we will see each other again." That's it if I will make it out alive. I added inwardly and banished the thought as quickly as it arrived.
"Very much welco. Please take care" He said and climbed out of the car and opened the door for . The man was kind enough to assist to the gates where a guard was standing vigilantly. The guard's sharp, prying eyes remind of Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the gates to the underworld.
"Good Luck." The man said and I gave him a thankful smile before he walked away. The truck roared to life and sped away. The car was nowhere to be seen but I was still standing there, pondering what I should do next.
I looked heavenwards and asked God for assistance. When I was through with my quick prayers I whirled to the guard only to catch him intently looking at as if he was mystified and hypnotized by my beauty.
"Hello."
He snapped out of the trance and his expression sobered. "Good afternoon Ma'am, how may I help you."
My eyes curiously darted on the cars neatly parked outside the gates after noticing that there were too many of them. It seems the family has a lot of visitors now. I wonder if I ca here at the wrong ti of day. It seems a family occasion was underway. Hopefully, I won't be disturbing sothing after I ca here.
"I want to see Mr Crawford please," I replied in the most formal tone I could muster. My fingers turned cold and butterflies churned my stomach but I did my best to ignore them.
Hopefully, he won't notice I was an uninvited guest.
"May I have your invitation card, Ma'am." He asked politely.
"I-Invitation?" I stuttered, eyes wide in surprise.
"Yes, Ma'am. Invitation to the party."
Jeez... What am I supposed to do? I thought as I took a deep steadying breath. It never occurred to I needed one until the guard told so.
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