章 2: Feeling played

A sad light appeared in Arissa's eyes when she heard how nonchalant her mother's tune was. She turned back to her mother but with a cold look now because her mother do not deserve to see any emotion from her, "Where is the father?"

"Go to your room," her mother ordered her before walking away from her with no more chance for the unhealthy interaction to go on.

Arissa looked at her mother retreating before scanning the living room. Everything seems strange and deserted, she does not know if it's because of her father's illness or something else.

"Let's go to your room, Ms. Arissa." Mr. Adams spoke behind her with all of her stuff with him. There is also no maid available so it's only natural if Mr. Adams help her with her luggage to her room.

"I would do that myself,"

Arissa rejected his offer dryly before taking her luggage from him before her blazer and handbag. "Where are the maids?" she asked Mr. Adams after only a step forward.

"They all retired."

Arissa could only scorn hearing what Mr. Adams said. Her mother's attitude probably chased them all away so she isn't surprised, "When do they employ new ones?" The house is a bit untidy to her and she does not know if it's because of a long time out or it is because it isn't cleaned.

"Not sure about when," Mr. Adams said and with a small bow, he continued, "I_ would take my leave now"

"Hm," Arissa nodded in approval and then stood alone in the living room. She somehow has a wired feeling that she is being lied to and with how everywhere is and the feeling she is getting, her instinct is now too strong.

She looked at the staircase and with steady elegant steps, she walked to the grand staircase and then into her room. Arissa arranged her luggage at a side of the empty room before seating on her soft bed.

No one of her parents contacted her for years only her elder sister and now she is regretting why she rushed down here with just news of her father being sick. It made her feel like she have too much love for them.

.....

Arissa coldly glanced through her room with no memorial emotions. She hates this place it is just a golden cage to her.

She kept her box in a lone corner of the room before bringing Blu out of her bag-like cage and placing her on the bed. The place is already all cleaned up so she has no work to do.

"I miss someone Blu," she smiled mindlessly to the cat stroking its fur.

Her stomach rumbled reminding her that her uncaring mother is still the same. She sigh and brought her phone out of her purse so she can call her friend_ Jocelyn.

After two rings, the phone was answered, "Lyn?" Arissa called her friend who seem to want to sleep. It's night there already.

"You have arrived" Jocelyn noted as she sat up and at that moment, sleep vanished, "So tell me. How is your father?"Jocelyn asked straight to the point because she had already booked a flight for the next morning in case something bad happens and her friend can't bear it or perhaps, a mental breakdown occurs. She would have followed her, but Arissa turned her down, and again, she have a shoot to finish first for the day.

"I haven't met with him, " Arissa answered dryly as the feeling of being played came back to her heart "I came straight home," Yes she did that because Mr. Adams talked about home rather than a hospital first.

"Huh? Why?" Jocelyn asked confusedly as she rubbed her eyes to be sure she is talking to Arissa. She was with Arissa yesterday night when the call came and with how worried and pressured her mother's voice was, Jocelyn already thought of the worst happening so why is Arissa in the house instead of a hospital?

"It's–"

"What is it Arissa?" Jocelyn interrupted calmly as she prepared herself mentally so that she would also be able to comfort Arissa if anything "Arissa?"

Jocelyn called again as she watched Arissa just looking at the phone while tucking her hair in her ear

"I feel played Jocelyn.." Arissa said confidently as she stood up and walked to her window looking down.

"Played how?" Jocelyn asked with a frown, " By your parents?"

Arissa looked down at the floor from her window door before replying "Not really. My consciousness might be wrong this time around, " she said with a small smile to calm Jocelyn's worried eyes.

She looked at her beautiful soul sister and smiled at her "I think you have to sleep Lyn. I would fly back the moment he is in good health." she promised and knowing Jocelyn would protest they should talk more, she hung up first.

Her eyes glanced at her sister's contact number that has been switched off for three months now. Previously, they talked every day and every free chance they have but not anymore, and this also brought her down and made her more depressed because the fear increased when she did not see her sister coming to pick her up from the airport just as she promised to her during her departure away from this place.

Throwing the phone gently on her bed, she looked out of her window as she try to assemble her thoughts. Her mind is in a total mess right now.

From an urgent call to a postponed hospital visit? All can't be a coincidence, right?

She would have visited her father alone, but she do not know his hospital address and as if her brain was rebooted again, she turned to her reading table after fishing her laptop from her bag and then, she set to work.

She has to find her father's hospital first before allowing any more thought.

.....

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