Chapter 1
It's a shame today's weather was clear; little bit windy, not to sunny, perfect for a walk in the garden or picnic. But today the course of many lives' life will change.
"Coco is finally here." Said the butler that accompanied her from the house entrance to Mr. Hunt 's study.
"Thank you, you shall leave" Mr. Hunt said.
Mr. Hunt study was steeped in the deep, warm tones of red wood, giving the space a sense of quiet authority. The walls, shelves, and ceiling beams were clad in richly grained timber. He was sitting at his desk. As soon as the butler left, he moved to oxblood tone sofa and also ask her to sit down
Coco sat down in restricted manner; perfect posture and legs tightly placed in slanting manner. Mr. Hunt said, "I have called you here to ask you to be the life partner of my grandson."
Coco said, "You want me to have any affair with your married grandson?"
Mr. Hunt said, "No, not that one. My daughter's son. No, I do not want you to have an affair."
Coco sighed.
"Wait, he had a daughter. How come I have never heard about her from anybody?" Coco thought in her mind.
"His parents died four years ago. He lives alone in his late father's mansion. Rarely sees us. I want to you take care of him. I know you are good person. You will take care of him, right?" Mr. Hunt said to her politely.
Coco had to say yes. She had no other choice. Mr. Hunt had already done a lot of her even when she refused his help. Now, it's time to pay him back.
Mr. Hunt said, "I want to you to sign a contract that states that you will stay with my grandson for at least three years. It also states that the money you will get monthly and what will you get after contract is completed."
Mr. Hunt got up started walking towards her than he squeezes her chin in between in his fingers and lifted up her chin up towards him in cold scary dominating way and said in a whispering flat way with a smirk. "There is also a clause about what will happen if you try to break the contract which I know you will not break. So, there is no need to worry about that." Then he scratches her head with affection and pointed towards the leather folder on the center table. He then moved towards the window, peeking outside.
Coco read the contract and signed it even though her hands were trembling but she did with a straight face.
Mr. Hunt sat down on his sofa; took a look at the leather folder and finally dropped the bomb. He said "My grandson's name is Dhruv Oberoi."
"He is a Hindu?" said Coco
Mr. Hunt said, "Yes, he is; just like you. My daughter married his father without our blessings that's why he does not see us often. He still thinks I and my family does not accept him." His eyes become watery like there was a bitter sweet feeling of regret and failure.
"Oh, I see." Said Coco
Mr. Hunt said, "I almost forgot to told you, his age. He just turned 18 last week."
"18......???" said Coco almost wanted to makes sure what she heard was wrong.
Mr. Hunt said, "Yes he is 18, Coco."
Coco's head went down and face got covered with her chocolate brown hair. Almost like covering her face so, Mr. Hunt could not see her state. Her eyes became watery and she was controlling herself not to have a mental breakdown in front of Mr. Hunt. It was like the rug swept out from under her feet. She started getting flashes of her past and started to lose hope for future.
Mr. Hunt said, "I know you are 21 years old that's why I chose you to make sure grandson is taken care of and is on right path. Now, my maid will be at the left of the door she will help you get ready to leave for his house."
Coco's head was still down and stood up and left the room quietly without even saying anything. When she closed the door, she took the support of the door and stood there for 5 minutes in pure silence looking at the ceiling wondering that everything he had done for was to make her in debt of him and then to make sure she pay him back. Mr. Hunt came in her life four years ago at the same time his daughter had died. It started to make all sense to her.
Even the maid did not disturb her as the maid knew that was really cruel of Mr. Hunt to do that to her. Even after everything Coco bring herself together and politely ask the maid to take her where Mr. Hunt said.
The maid took her to a room where everything was filled with designer clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry and everything a girl can ask for. Even though as per contract she owned everything in that room she was not happy. She looked life less. She felt apathetic and detached. She just took a glance at everything. She looked pale as a corpse like she will collapse any movement.
The butler knocked the open door to ask to come in. He brought her tea, water, macaroons and pastries like croissant and cinnamon roll on a tea trolley. As soon as he entered the room, he scolded the maid and make sure Coco sat down as she looked that she will faint any second now. He said to Coco and the maid "Please sat down. You look like you will faint my lady and why you have not offered her water or ask her to sat down?"
"My lady" muttered Coco. "You used to call me Miss". The butler was still scolding the maid when she said that.
"Yes, I used to call you Miss and now you are the part of this family I and other staff serve this family." He politely said to her will offering water and the handkerchief brought for her.
Coco drank the water and wiped her face with the handkerchief.
"You should eat something or you will collapse, my lady. Mr. Hunt knew you are going to react this way so, he asked to prepare tea and pastries for you." The butler said to Coco while preparing her tea.
The way butler was talking to Coco and taking care of her made her felt normal. She drank the tea and ate the pastries. Then he himself help her to get ready and what to pack and what to where to meet Dhruv. While getting ready Coco vaguely asked "What kind of person Dhruv is?"
The butler and the maid stopped in sync and did not answer the question. The butler dodges it well by distracting her if Coco needs to pack five same tops in same color. She started debating with him providing a clever way to change topic.
Coco wore a navy-blue full sleeves silk dress till paired with little sapphire earing and a sling bag in same color. They paired it stilettos of same color. They got her makeup down and hair had a fresh blow out.
The butler went with Coco to drop off her to the car and to make sure her suitcase was loaded perfectly. He opened the door of the car for her and she sat in the car while sitting in the car he gives her an uncanny look to her which was very out of character of the butler. He always hides his emotions well. He has earned a nickname of phenomenal pawn or puppet of Mr. Hudson. His eyes almost showed compassion for her and same time warned her something.
Coco even when car started could not stop looking at the butler even when the car stared. She was staring at him from the window till she lost the sight of butler. Her eyes were longing to know why? Why the most apathetic person is showing emotions all of the sudden?
Coco started looking outside till she got lost in her thoughts again. Coco started feeling crestfallen again. She did not have any easy childhood. Let's say adults around her where not acting like adults. She always wanted her partner to be older, mature and responsible. Someone who act his age and still be kind. Almost like a father figure. She wanted to feel safe; as safe as the house. Someone, if she hugs him her all problems disappear even just for moment. But now she was stuck with an 18-year-old boy whom she had to babysit and make sure he does not through a tantrum. She thought he would a garden-variety opulent adolescent with oodles of mental disorders and maybe one or two addictions. All the usual characteristics of rich kids without parents.
