C2 A STRANGER IN A NEW WORLD

Rose's POV

The moment I stepped out of the airport, a strange emptiness settled in my chest.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the unfamiliar surroundings while Mrs. Zara's driver collected our luggage.

I was leaving.

Leaving my home, my city, my friends, my college, and every little thing that had once made me happy.

I was leaving behind the only life I'd ever known.

And the worst part?

My parents weren't here to tell me everything would be okay.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked away, refusing to let the tears gathering in my eyes fall.

How could my life change so drastically in just a few days?

One moment, I was a girl with a loving family and a beautiful future ahead of her. The next, I was an orphan with no idea what tomorrow held.

Sometimes, I still wished someone would wake me up and tell me it had all been a terrible nightmare.

But nightmares ended.

Mine didn't.

"Rose?"

Mrs. Zara's gentle voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I turned toward her.

She studied my face for a moment before reaching for my hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

I forced a small smile.

"Yes, Aunt Zara."

She gave me a look that suggested she didn't believe a word I said.

"You don't have to pretend to be strong around me, darling. I know you've been through more pain than anyone your age should ever have to experience."

My throat tightened.

I looked down at our joined hands.

"I just miss them."

Her expression softened.

"Oh, sweetheart..."

She pulled me into a warm embrace, and for a moment, I allowed myself to cry against her shoulder.

"I know you do," she whispered, stroking my hair. "And I wish I could bring them back for you. I really do."

I closed my eyes.

"But since I can't, I promise you something. You'll never have to face this world alone as long as I'm here."

I pulled away slowly, wiping my cheeks.

She smiled at me.

"You deserve to be happy, Rose. And I promise that, in time, you'll find happiness again. You'll have a good life here. You will laugh again, make new memories, and discover things about yourself you never knew existed."

I stared at her, unsure whether I could believe those words.

Happiness?

How could I possibly be happy when the two people I loved most were gone?

Still, I didn't want to hurt her by rejecting her kindness.

"Thank you, Aunt Zara," I whispered.

She squeezed my hand again.

"You deserve so much more than words, darling."

Before I could respond, the driver approached us.

"Madam, the car is ready."

Mrs. Zara nodded.

"Let's go home."

Home.

The word felt strange.

For the first time in my life, I had no idea where I truly belonged.

---

The drive was quiet.

I sat beside Mrs. Zara in the back seat, watching the city pass through the tinted windows.

The tall buildings, expensive shops, busy roads, and unfamiliar streets blurred together as we drove farther away from the airport.

I tried to distract myself by looking outside, but my thoughts kept returning to my parents.

Would Mum have liked this city?

Would Dad have complained about the traffic?

Would they have been excited for me to start a new chapter of my life?

My chest ached.

I missed them so much that even breathing sometimes felt painful.

Eventually, the car turned through a set of enormous black gates.

My eyes widened.

Beyond the gates stood a magnificent mansion surrounded by perfectly landscaped gardens. Elegant lights illuminated the long driveway, while a beautiful fountain sparkled in the center of the courtyard.

The mansion looked like something straight out of a billionaire's movie.

I leaned forward, staring through the window.

"Is this... your house?"

Mrs. Zara laughed softly at my reaction.

"Yes, sweetheart. Welcome to our home."

I looked at the mansion again.

Good Lord!

These people were ridiculously rich.

I knew Mrs. Zara and her husband were successful, but I hadn't imagined they lived somewhere like this.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance.

Before the driver could open my door, I was already reaching for the handle.

I stepped outside and gazed up at the mansion.

It was enormous.

The architecture was breathtaking, with tall glass windows, elegant balconies, and massive pillars framing the entrance. The garden was filled with beautiful flowers, and the sound of flowing water from the fountain created a peaceful atmosphere.

For a moment, I forgot about my sadness.

Then reality struck again.

I wasn't here on vacation.

I wasn't visiting for a weekend.

I was moving into someone else's home because I had lost my own family.

My smile faded.

"Come on, dear," Mrs. Zara said gently.

I nodded and followed her inside.

The moment we entered, a maid approached us.

"Welcome home, ma'am."

"Thank you, Grace," Mrs. Zara replied. She turned toward me. "This is Rose. She'll be staying with us from now on. Please make sure she's comfortable and has everything she needs."

"Of course, ma'am."

Mrs. Zara turned back to me.

"Grace will show you to your room. You must be exhausted after the journey."

I nodded.

"Thank you, Aunt Zara."

She kissed my forehead.

"Get some rest, darling. We'll talk later."

I followed Grace upstairs, dragging my suitcase behind me.

When she opened the bedroom door, I stopped in my tracks.

My goodness!

The room was bigger than I had expected.

A massive bed stood in the center, covered with soft white bedding and surrounded by elegant pillows. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the gardens, while a beautiful chandelier hung from the ceiling.

There was a dressing area, a private bathroom, and even a small sitting space near the window.

I walked inside slowly, looking around in disbelief.

"This is my room?"

Grace smiled.

"Yes, miss. I hope you'll like it."

Like it?

I was practically standing inside a luxury hotel suite.

"It's beautiful," I admitted.

"I'm glad you like it. If you need anything, just ring the bell beside your bed."

"Thank you, Grace."

She nodded politely and left, closing the door behind her.

The moment I was alone, my smile disappeared.

I dropped onto the edge of the bed and stared at my hands.

Everything around me was beautiful.

The mansion.

The furniture.

The enormous bedroom.

Everything I could possibly need was right in front of me.

Yet, I had never felt so poor.

Because no amount of money could buy back the people I had lost.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as tears slipped down my cheeks.

"Mum... Dad..."

My voice trembled.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore."

Silence answered me.

I turned onto my side and hugged a pillow against my chest, wishing it could somehow replace the warmth of my mother's embrace.

"I miss you so much."

My tears soaked the pillow.

I didn't know how long I lay there, crying quietly.

All I knew was that my old life was gone.

And whatever waited for me in this new world, I would have to face it without the two people who had always made me feel safe.

Or so I thought.

---

Eric's POV

The city glittered beneath my office window, its endless lights reflecting against the glass.

I stood with one hand in my pocket, staring down at the streets far below.

I had been in the office for hours, dealing with contracts, business proposals, and a series of problems that seemed determined to ruin my evening.

Honestly, I was getting tired of everything.

Work.

People.

Their endless demands.

Sometimes, I wondered if anyone in this world knew how to do their job without bothering me every five minutes.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and my assistant walked in carrying a stack of documents.

"Good evening, sir. I've brought the documents you requested. Everything is ready for tomorrow's meeting."

I turned away from the window.

"Good. Leave them on the desk."

He placed the documents down.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"No. You can go."

"Of course, sir."

He turned toward the door, but just before leaving, he stopped.

"Sir?"

I slowly raised my eyes.

"What is it now?"

He hesitated.

"It's getting late. Everyone else has already left the building. I thought you might want to head home as well."

I stared at him.

Was he seriously giving me a lecture about my own working hours?

"I know what time it is, Daniel."

"Yes, sir. I was just concerned—"

"Daniel."

He immediately straightened.

"Yes, sir?"

"Good night."

His mouth snapped shut.

"Good night, sir."

He hurried out.

I exhaled sharply and loosened my tie.

God, that man talked too much.

I had no idea why I continued tolerating his endless commentary. Perhaps because he was competent at his job.

Or perhaps I simply hadn't found a replacement who could put up with my attitude.

I glanced at the documents on my desk.

Another meeting.

Another contract.

Another night wasted in this office.

My phone suddenly vibrated.

Mum calling.

For the first time that evening, my expression softened.

I answered immediately.

"Hello, Mum."

"Eric, darling!"

Her cheerful voice filled my ear.

"What's up?"

"What's up?" she repeated, sounding offended. "Is that how you greet your mother after disappearing for almost two days?"

I rubbed my forehead.

Here we go again.

"I'm sorry, Mum. I've been busy with work."

"Busy with work!" she exclaimed. "Eric, you run a company, not the entire world. You can't keep spending every waking hour in that office."

I leaned against my desk.

"I'll try to come home earlier."

"You'd better. Your father and I barely see you anymore. And don't even get me started on Ethan. The two of you seem to think this family exists only when you need something."

I almost smiled.

My mother had a special talent for turning a simple phone call into a full family meeting.

"I'm sorry, Mum."

She sighed.

"When are you coming home?"

"Soon. I just have something important to finish."

"Eric, enough. Take five minutes, finish whatever you're doing, and come home."

I glanced at my watch.

"All right. I'll be there."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"And don't disappoint me again."

"I won't, Mum."

"Good. I'll see you soon, darling."

The call ended.

I stared at my phone for a moment before slipping it into my pocket.

My mother could be exhausting, but I knew she only wanted what was best for us.

Family mattered to her more than anything.

Sometimes, I wondered how she managed to keep everyone together when the rest of us were so determined to go our separate ways.

I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door.

It was time to go home.

Little did I know that my perfectly controlled world was about to become a lot more complicated.

---

Mrs. Zara's POV

I stood near the bedroom window, watching the garden lights flicker beneath the evening sky.

My thoughts were elsewhere.

Rose.

The poor girl had endured more pain in a few days than some people experienced in a lifetime.

I could still remember the look on her face when she learned that her parents were gone.

The helplessness.

The disbelief.

The way she had begged for them to wake up.

Even now, remembering it made my chest ache.

I closed my eyes briefly.

Elena had been more than a friend to me. She had been like a sister, someone who had stood beside me through the best and worst moments of my life.

And now she was gone.

Just like that.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I won't let you down, Elena," I whispered. "I'll take care of your daughter. I promise."

A soft voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Zara?"

I turned.

My husband stood in the doorway, watching me with concern.

"What are you thinking about?"

I sighed.

"Rose."

He walked over and stood beside me.

"How is she settling in?"

"She's trying to be strong, but I can see how much she's hurting. She barely speaks, and whenever she thinks nobody is watching, she cries."

He looked toward the bedroom across the hallway.

"Poor girl."

I nodded.

"She's lost everything, James. Her parents were her whole world. I can't imagine how frightening it must be to wake up every morning and remember they're never coming back."

My husband placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"You're doing the right thing by bringing her here."

I looked at him.

"I couldn't leave her alone in that mansion. Every room reminds her of Elena and Richard. She needs people around her, people who can help her find her way again."

"And we'll give her that."

I managed a small smile.

"I hope so."

He studied my face for a moment.

"There's something else bothering you, isn't there?"

I hesitated.

It was difficult to explain.

Ever since I had brought Rose into our lives, I had felt an unusual sense of responsibility toward her. It was more than simply wanting to honor my late friend's memory.

I couldn't bear the thought of her feeling unwanted.

I wanted her to feel safe.

Loved.

At home.

"I just want her to know she's not alone anymore," I admitted. "She deserves to be cared for, especially now."

James smiled gently.

"Then we'll make sure she is."

I leaned against him, grateful for his understanding.

"Thank you."

He kissed my forehead.

"You don't have to thank me, Zara. She's part of our family now."

His words warmed my heart.

Our family.

I could only hope Rose would eventually believe that herself.

Because beneath her sadness, I sensed a girl who had barely begun to discover who she was.

A girl whose life had been changed forever.

And somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling that bringing her into our home would change our lives, too.

I just didn't know how much.

To be continued...