Vengeful Ghost Of The Drowned Heiress

I walked into the opulent restaurant, my heels clinking to the polished tiles at every step I took. I could feel my brown hair bounce on my shoulder and my golden earrings dangle.

I clutched my silver purse to my side as my bangles clanged on each other to the rhythmic sounds of steps.

The restaurant was empty as I expected. My cousin Astrid Lancaster had invited us over to meet her heartthrob, the man behind her smile and happiness.

I was genuinely happy for her and for myself, I was also engaged to the sweetest man on earth. Rafael Moreno, we met last year while I was rounding up with my masters in London.

And just last month, he popped the big question. I felt it was too sudden just as my friend Vivian had thought, but no, I loved him and wanted to spend forever with him, so why should I wait?

“You should bring him home, and introduce him to the rest of the family,” I told her last weekend, holding Astrid’s hands in mine excitedly.

“No.” She shook her head.

“You should bring Rafael first,” she insisted.

I smiled, my hands making their way to her plump cheeks lovingly.

“Let him come,” I said softly.

She raised my hand to her lips and kissed it tenderly and mouthed a thank you.

“Good evening ma’am,” the receptionist behind the large exquisite glass table greeted.

I raised my head and looked around. Just like the previous days since my engagement to Rafael, I have been zoning out most of the time.

Shamefully, I opened my purse, brought out the golden card, and slid it onto the table.

“The Lancaster’s,” a broad smile appeared on her face as she stared at the card.

“Absolutely.” I replied without returning the smile.

“That way ma’am,” She pointed to the glass door at the extreme.

I strained my neck a bit to see where she pointed at.

“Thank you,” I said and tossed the golden card into my silver purse. I began heading toward the door.

“And do enjoy the rest of the evening,” the receptionist was certainly excited.

I stood before the door, it was a glass door but I couldn’t see anyone inside, it was blurry but I didn’t think much about it.

My eyes fell to my heels, and I could feel my feet heating up underneath, my eyes trailed to the ‘Push’ and ‘Pull’ signs stuck to the door.

My hand held the silver handle of the door and pushed it, everyone stopped whatever they were doing to stare at me.

That was what I dreaded the most, when people noticed when I walked into an open space.

“Oreva!” I heard Aunty Shelly’s voice echoed throughout the room.

My eyes sparkled and I released my grip from the handle of the door. I ran to where she sat and circled my arms around her.

“You look great,” my Uncle, Sabastian, complimented me.

I greeted the others but I was too excited to see Astrid. I looked into the kitchen area, she had her back to me while she was on the phone, maybe with Malik, her fiancé.

I leaned by the door, my hands folded to my chest as I watched her but I wasn’t necessarily interested in what she was saying over the phone.

She sighed and slammed the phone on the kitchen cabinet, her hand grabbed the wine bottle, and she poured a great amount into the glass. 

She turned quickly but as soon as she saw me her brows furrowed in confusion and surprise.

“Oreva…what are you doing here?” She stuttered.

“What am I doing here?” I scoffed and began walking to where she stood.

“I mean…I’m sorry,” she apologized and placed the glass carefully on the table.

“We talked about your drinking.” I smiled, trying not to make her feel bad.

“I know,” she muttered, her eyes drifting to her phone.

“Man troubles?” I asked, opening the fridge to take out a bottle of water.

“No,” she shook her head.

There was silence for the minute I used in gulping down the water. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was.

“No flowers, no gift boxes?” She looked around disappointedly.

“Oh,” I gasped. I had forgotten how much of a flower lover Astrid was.

“Not to worry. I got you something,” I said, reaching out to my purse.

“Here,” I dangled a silver necklace to her face which had a large diamond as a pendant.

“Oh my!” Her eyes widened.

“Is that Diamond?” She giggled.

“You guessed right,” I laughed at her facial expression.

“Oreva!” She whimpered and hugged me tightly.

I embraced her too while I sniffed her hair which was washed with honey and lavender-scented shampoo. I was obsessed with sniffing Astrid’s hair.

“We need to set the tables,” she recoiled from the embrace as she tapped the screen of her phone to check the time.

“Malik will be here soon, hope you don’t mind helping me out here?” She asked nicely.

“Anything for you cousin,” I tapped her cheeks and turned to look around, my hands rested on the clean plates and I carried them to the table outside.

In ten minutes we were done setting the table but Malik was nowhere in sight. Astrid seemed relaxed but I was worried on her behalf, she had not been lucky when it came to men and commitments, I prayed silently that this one would be different.

“He’s still not here,” I whispered from where I sat beside her.

“Don’t worry, he will soon join us, I think it’s just traffic.” She assured me.

I glanced at my wristwatch, I had just an hour before I left for a meeting that my lawyer had scheduled. He had said the day before that it was urgent.

Astrid stood up to leave without saying a word, before she got to the door her phone began to ring. She pressed the phone to her ear and opened the door.

Malik must be here, I said to myself.

I needed to use the restroom urgently, I stood up from my chair making a squeaky noise against the glossy tiles.

“I need to use the restroom,” I said to no one in particular.

I stood in front of the mirror in the restroom, I then realized that Rafael had not returned my missed calls, I didn’t want to bother him, maybe he was busy with work or in an important meeting.

I gently touched the bounce of my hair, making sure they were well balanced and washed my hands.

The chatter and laughter coming from the dining room was evident that Malik had arrived, and Astrid had gone to bring him in.

I sighed deeply and walked into the dining room, ready to receive my brother-in-law.

Astrid was in a compromised position with a young man whom I presumed to be Malik, they were kissing intensely, and I simply sat on another seat, my fingers hovering over my phone.

“Oh, Oreva is here,” Astrid said but her voice was different now, it was laced with scorn.

I raised my eyes to look at her but somehow it fell on the young man.

My lips parted, my stomach knotting tighter with each passing second. The room felt heavy like the atmosphere was holding its breath.

But I had to say something, maybe if I looked at the faces of my aunties and uncles. I might find the courage to say something.

Scorn, hatred, bitterness, jealousy, greed…these were all written all over their faces.

I swallowed hard and faced the young man.

“Rafael Monreno, what…what are you doing here?” I stuttered as my lips trembled.