41: ORDEAL

ORDEAL

It was the third time the man asked and just like the first and second attempt, I replied 'no.' My eyes flickered with disbelief and amusement as I looked at him. 2

Do I really look like that person he was referring to? Perhaps we might have a few similarities. But having the same facial features was too impossible. Even blood related people don't look the same. 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 humour 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 owns resorts, malls, and chain of restaurants.

"Are you telling the truth?" He asked after a moment of silence. His doubtful gaze never leaving my face. 

"Of course! I would not gain anything by lying." I told him as he continue to look at me intently as if assessing my features. The look of bewilderment 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 try to contain the crisp laughter from erupting from my mouth. I blinked my eyes several times to calm myself before I respond. "I swear! I'm telling the truth!" This time I raised my fingers up in an oath.

He seemed to agree but not entirely. He may not say it but his doubt was almost palpable in the air. 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 time." He shrugged his shoulders as he continued. "She was a breathtaking beauty with seraphic features. She once been the pride of this country in beauty pageants during her younger years."

Fondness sprung at the corners of his eyes upon recalling the memory. Despite not knowing why he was explaining that to me, I smiled and continue to listen to his amusing tales.

"You must be intrigued why I was telling you about her." He gave me 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 met even once," I added. If I'm lucky, I will met her soon.' I silently thought to myself.

The conversation was interrupted when the gigantic, regal Mansion of the Crawford's came to view. I took a deep, steadying breath when my heart suddenly began beating like crazy. My brain reminded why I came 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 mercilessly 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 tame my hair by repeatedly brushing them with my fingers as the truck came 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 me, and treated me as their own after I lost my memory.

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 welcome. Please take care" He said and climbed out of the car and opened the door for me. The man was kind enough to assist me to the gates where a guard was standing vigilantly. The guard's sharp, prying eyes remind me 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 me 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 came here at the wrong time of day. It seems a family occasion was underway. Hopefully, I wouldn't be disturbing something after I came 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 me I needed one until the guard told me so.

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