Natalia’s P. O. V

“Syrenlina.” I whispered. My last name.

“You’re her daughter.” Mrs Margret said it like a statement, “I knew there was something familiar about you. You have the same face and you carry yourself the same way. You probably got your father’s eyes.”

‘No, I didn’t get either of their eyes’, I thought.

Hatred filled me at the thought of the sperm donor and I forced a smile, “Probably.”

“Aquina said that I have to ask you three questions to be sure of your relation to her.” She unlocked a drawer and pulled a paper out.

I nodded, “Go ahead.”

“Did you know her last name before the past three years?”

“No.”

She checked the paper, “What are the names of your step family members?”

“Clark Lightwood, Tiffany Helena Lightwood, Harry Theodore Lightwood and Brittany Penelope Lightwood.”

“What was your mother’s favourite song? Explain your answer.”

I remembered my five tear old self asking my mum this same question after hearing a song on the radio for the first time. Her answer had puzzled me at the time but I understood now, “She didn’t have one. She always said that every melody, lyric and song was a different expression or story. She said that to ask her favourite song was like asking a book lover their favourite novel – each one was too unique and has a different impact to be compared to another in terms of the best.” It was true. My mum had only been a music lover but I adored music, art and reading and from personal experience, I could say it applied to all of them.

Mrs Margret put the paper down and smiled at me, “Well, I guess that proves you’re her daughter.”

She searched the drawer and produced a set of keys and a different sheet of paper, “Here’s the key. Just sign here and the house is yours.”

I read the paper and signed.

She handed me the key, “Are there any things you’d like to move to the house?”

“Just clothes. Can you help me with them?”

“Of course. Your mother paid for our moving branch to cater for your move.”

“Thank you. May I have some paper and a pen?” She handed them to me and I wrote my address down, “This is where I live. Will it be alright if they come at seven in the evening?”

“No problem.” She replied.

“Thank you.”

I walked out, smiling at the brunette as I passed.

On the cab ride to my landlord’s place, Candy spoke up, ‘I’m sorry, Nat.’

I sighed, ‘It’s alright. I know you’re worried about us but we’re gonna be fine. We don’t need anyone – we have each other. That’s more than enough.’

‘Yeah, each other.’ She echoed.

After a brief silence, I whispered to her, ‘Mom lived here.’

‘She did’, Candy agreed.

‘Did you like the house?’

‘Of course! It has everything both of us want and it’s already beautifully furnished. It’s like mom knew.’

‘She always managed to know exactly what I like.’

‘What was she like?’ Candy asked.

I relished the memory of my mother’s love, ‘She was the gentlest creature I’ve ever known. She always did everything in her power to make sure I was happy, even if it was at the expense of her comfort. She was stunning on both the inside and out. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother.’

‘She sounds wonderful.’ Candy commented.

‘She was, in every way possible. I miss her.’

We pulled up at the landlord’s place. I asked the driver to wait and knocked on the door. After a lot of scrambling and muttering, Mr Parkerson opened the door.

“Oh! What can I do for you, Arielle?” he asked.

I smiled, “I came to notify you of the termination of my rent.”

“When are you moving out?”

“Tonight.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

He looked shocked, “That’s a very short notification.”

I shrugged, “It was a spontaneous decision.”

“I see. You paid for the month so I’ll have to refund the money for the time you won’t spend in the house. You’ve only been there for four days. Let me get my calculator so that I ca-”

“That won’t be necessary. You can keep the money. I should be able to get the keys to you tomorrow.”

His eyes widened, “Are you sure you don’t want a refund? I can work something out for you.”

I shook my head and smiled, “Keep the money. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I turned and walked back to the cab. I got home an hour before the movers were due to arrive. I hadn’t unpacked any of the clothes I’d bought so I packed my things from the pack back into my duffel and put everything in the living room.

Once I set the last box of shoes down, I locked my house up and walked across the street to Trevor’s place. I knocked and waited.

An old lady opened the door. “Hello, Arielle. This is a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”

I smiled, “Good evening, Mrs Geranomy. Is Trevor home?”

She shook her head, “No, dear. He should be back soon though. Would you like to come in and wait for him? I just finished baking some cookies and I’d love it if you tried some.”

“Of course.”

She stepped aside and led me into the house after closing the door. The place was decorated with warm colours and had a homey feel. She took me to the kitchen and sat at the island, motioning for me to take one of the other two seats. I sat opposite her.

She took a cookie from the bowl between us, “Go on, dear. Try one.”

I picked one up from the bowl and peered at it. I’d never tasted cookies before, even though I made them dozens of times for the pack. I hadn’t been allowed to eat or drink anything sweet. I wasn’t even supposed to eat more than three times a week and I only took fruits because I knew they wouldn’t notice.

I bit into it and smiled. Now I knew why the pack kids loved them so much. They were delicious.

“Do you like it?” She asked with a grin.

“I do. It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.” The first I’ve ever tasted.

“That’s good to hear. How do you like New York so far?”

“It’s such a lively place. Trevor and Greg have been so helpful – they even took me shopping along with two of their friends yesterday.”

She grinned mischievously, “I know. Trevor can’t stop talking about you. He told me all about how you stood up to that mean girl he spends time with. He rather likes you. I think my other grandson might be equally fond of you too.”

I felt my face heat up, “R-really?”

Her grin widened, “Oh, yes. They were both so happy this morning and they actually acknowledged each other without any mutual friends around for the first time in two years. I even heard them having a conversation in the living room while I was in the kitchen. I recall hearing your name a few times.”

“I’m glad they’re getting along.”

“So am I. You seem to have worked wonders for them. You don’t know how happy I was to see them smile together within these walls.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

She nodded and suddenly turned serious, “While I’m delighted with what you’ve done for them, I won’t tolerate you playing around with my boys’ hearts.”

I shook my head vigorously, “I wouldn’t dream of it. They’re both good friends of mine and I would never intentionally do anything to hurt them. I’m not ready for a relationship right now anyway.”

“That’s a shame. I think you’d be good with-”

The front door opened with a bang. Trevor and Greg’s voices wafted to the kitchen in unison, “Gram! We’re home!”

They walked into the kitchen and stopped when they saw me.

“Hi, Ari. What brings you here?” Trevor cocked his head.

“Hi, Trev. Hi, Greg. I actually came here to tell you guys that I’m moving.”

“Moving!? When!?” They yelled in harmony.

As if on cue, I heard a horn and looked out the window to see the moving truck, “Today.”

The brothers and their grandmother looked in my line of sight. “Oh, my. Trevor, Gregory, why don’t you two go and help Arielle with her things?”

“Okay, Gram.” They synchronized and led me out of their house and to mine. I unlocked the door and beckoned the movers inside. In a flurry of movement, the brothers and the movers got my clothes and duffel into the truck.

“What should we do with the furniture, miss? We’ve been told that the house you bought is already furnished.” One of the movers with a southern twang asked. “You guys can take what you need and donate the rest to an orphanage.” I replied.

“Are you sure?” Another mover asked, analysing my sole sofa, “They all look brand new. I’m sure you could refund them.”

“I’m sure. I’ll just take the vase of tigerlillies.”

“That’s mighty kind of you.” The first one commented.

I smiled, “Thanks.”

“What about your clothes? If we put the furniture in the truck, it’ll be a hassle getting them out.” said Greg.

Trevor shrugged, “We could always move them to the car.”

“Okay.”

Greg got the car out and the movers carried everything to the truck once we got my stuff out. When we were done, the first mover clapped his hands together, “Well, that’s everything, miss. None of your things are in the tuck so should we just go back?”

“Yes. Thanks for your help.”

“It’s no problem, miss.” He said and got into is truck with his colleagues then drove away.

“We’ll take you to your new place.”

“Okay.”

We got into the car and Greg drove while I rode in the passenger seat and directed him. “Why the move?” Trevor asked when we were halfway there.

“Last night, I realised the house was a bit too small so I decided to move into something slightly bigger. I went house hunting today.”

“I guess it was pretty tiny.” Greg mused.

I heard some ruffling from the back. Trevor handed me a frame with a picture of us at the mall the previous day. Our grins were wide as we huddled together while Keily took the photo. I smiled as I stared at it.

“We were gonna give it to you tomorrow but we think it’ll be a nice housewarming gift.” Greg explained.

I was speechless as I hugged the frame to my chest.

“Do you like it?” Trevor asked in a small voice.

“I love it. Thank you so much.” I couldn’t speak any louder than a whisper, lest my voice fail me. Having people be this nice was new to me.

“It’s no problem. It was all my idea.” They said at the same time. I laughed as they briefly glared at each other through the rear view mirror.

They bickered over whose idea the heart-warming gift was while I laughed and directed Greg.

“I’m telling you it was m-” Trevor stopped short as my new home came into view.

They both whistled in sync and stared at the house. We got out once Greg parked the car.

“I thought you said it was slightly bigger.” Greg muttered as he opened the trunk. I laughed as we picked the bags up and carried them to the house. I unlocked the door and walked upstairs to my room as they slowly followed behind. We got all the bags into my closet after three rounds.

“Would you guys like a tour?”

They nodded. I took them around the house then to the back yard.

“We are so coming to visit.” Greg said as he stared at the pool. Once the tour was over, I accompanied them back to their car.

“Would it be okay if you could come take me to Killdrain tomorrow?” I asked as they got into their car.

“It’s no problem. We’ll be here by noon.” Said Trevor.

“Thanks. And thanks again for the gift.”

“No biggie. See you tomorrow, Ari.” They said together. I waved as they drove off and walked inside once they were out of sight.

I got ready for bed. Once I was done, I checked the time – ten thirty-three. I climbed into bed and thought of my mother sleeping in this very room, on this very bed and smiled.

‘We’ve accomplished a lot today, Candy’

‘We have. Greg and Trev are such great friends.’

My smile widened, ‘They are.’ I stared at the picture on my bedside table through the dark.

‘We forgot to eat again.’ Candy reminded me.

I sighed, ‘We’ll unpack first then we can eat before they come to pick us up.’

‘Okay. Goodnight, Nat.’

‘Night, Candy.’

I drifted off to sleep with thoughts of my mother in my head.