In the Shadows of Deception: Love, Lies, and Redemption

The sound of the doorbell ringing woke me up. It must have been ringing for a long time because I know I am a deep sleeper. I lay still in my bed, trying to make do with the sound when my mom's voice echoed through the house.

"Agatha! Go get the door!" I heard Agatha scampering to get it. She was calling out to our housekeeper who stays with us. Agatha has been my caregiver ever since I could remember. She knows a lot of things about me which my mom doesn't even know. She was a middle-aged woman who, despite not being heavily paid by my parents, made sure to give her all in taking care of me. When I lost my dad, she was both an emotional and physical support to our family, especially to me.

"Baby? Are you awake?" my mom asked before she pushed the door open. I hurriedly shut my eyes; I didn't want her to know that I was awake. She gently approached my bed and kissed my forehead.

"I would be traveling to the States for a business project," my eyes flew open instantly, and as if she was expecting it, she smiled at me.

"Mom! But you just came back a few days ago from another business trip from the Netherlands," I asked grumpily.

"Yes, baby, I know I promised I was back for good, but Mr. Anderson called last night. You know ever since your dad died, I've been trying so hard to keep his company going. You know what it took me to assume this position, so I have to do everything in my power to keep it," she said in a way to appease me.

I know better than to argue with her after she reminded me of how she assumed her post.

My dad died three years ago, our world crumbled instantly. The people on the board of my dad's company started fighting over the company, paying no heed to us. I am the only child of my parents, so they automatically decided that the company will be handed over to one member of the board.

My mom became more depressed upon hearing that. The company she and my dad put their sweat and efforts into was about to be handed over to someone else simply because he didn't have a male successor.

It made her cut her mourning short. She went into the company and somehow managed to become the president, and since then, my mom had completely lost herself in the company's affairs. Not a day passed that my mom wasn't doing work-related tasks. She has been advised by the doctors on several occasions to take rest, but she wasn't listening to them because she didn't want to prove the board of directors right on their saying, "A woman is too weak to become the president."

"Baby?" my mom called again as soon as she saw that I had drifted off.

I noticed that Agatha was in the room now; I just looked at them both without saying anything.

"Baby, Agatha said the visitor came for you," my mom said, staring right into my eyes.

"What?" I asked, confused. The only one that would visit me was Sophie, my friend, but she wasn't in town. Who else would visit me, I thought to myself.

"Honey, get dressed and come downstairs while I attend to the visitor," my mom said and caressed my face before going downstairs.

I looked at Agatha, expecting her to say something to me, but she wouldn't say anything; she just looked away. Unlike her. If she was acting this way, then whoever came to visit me must be serious.

I jumped out of bed immediately and entered the bathroom to have my bath. I still had makeup on my face as a result of the party I attended yesterday.

It was my first official gathering since I became an adult. It was a corporate party hosted by my mom on behalf of the company to inaugurate new members into their various positions. Presidents and directors of different companies were present. It was indeed an incredible occasion. My mom made sure I looked my best for the event, even though I wasn't going to be inaugurated into any office.

"Honey, you need to look your best for today's party, that is why I have called one of the best stylists in town to get you ready," my mom's voice echoed from her room.

"Mom! Why? I don't want to get glammed for any reason; I don't even want to attend," I replied entering her room.

There she was sitting in front of the mirror getting her hair done. She had a meeting with some people before the party so she was getting ready to go see them.

Immediately, she saw I entered the room; she suspended what she was doing and walked up to me. My mom wasn't the typical mom figure; in fact, you wouldn't know she has a daughter my age till you meet me. She worked so hard to maintain the body she has now, and I envied her.

"Baby, you don't have to attend because you love the party. You have to attend because I need the board members to start getting used to you. You're going to replace me as President when I step down. I need you to get accustomed to how things are being done," my mom said and went back to her hair.

She knew what she had said was enough to convince me, knowing how much I wanted to replace her as president.

"Okay, mom," I succumbed, folding my hands under my breast to stand in a relaxed position. "But mom, I don't have a gown for the event," I said, concerned.

"Baby, I didn't call the best stylist in town for no reason. She's coming with a custom-made dress for you," she answered and continued with her hair.

"Okay, baby, I'm done," my mom said and stood up. "Come, give Mama a hug," she said and immediately spread her arms, gesturing for me to come to her.