THE ANGEL IN HER

Chapter 3

The whole family gathered at the dinning room, awaiting for her arrival.

Their long lost daughter.

The one who they thought wasn't useful anymore.

Father had an anxious face.

Mother had a calm face but she was deeply curious to see her again.

Her sister was uninterested but her spite was evident in her expression.

They waited.

Waited until they saw her walking down from the stairs.

Graceful as before.

Beautiful despite the harsh treatment under the basement.

Slim, slender legs that were exposed to reveal her bruises, scars and shame.

She wanted to show them what they had done to her.

She wore a red gown that showed her arms and legs. An evidence of their wickedness on her skin.

Her frail body walked effortlessly despite the swelling on her feet.

Her brown hair went flowing to her back. Ten years in prison was enough to make her hair grow longer.

The maid known as Lily did her job very well to change Noelle from before into a woman with power.

Her aura filled the room as they were stunned to see her looking so different than they expected.

It was shocking but no one had the boldness to ask.

They saw her scars.

Scars that have been inflicted over the years.

Noelle caught their eyes on her body. A deadly smile appeared on her face slightly.

They felt her strong presence and it was uncomfortable as she stepped down from the stairs.

The silence was so sharp that a pin could be heard when it touched the ground.

David let out a fake smile and walked up to her. His eyes lit in relief when he saw that she was the perfect prey.

“My daughter!” He cooed deeply, smiling and reached out for her hand but Noelle was quick to withdraw back.

Immediately she heard that word. Her anger rose. Her breath became heavy and all she wanted was to lashed out but she held herself.

This wasn’t the time— she muttered under her breath.

Don't give them what they want– she told herself and let out a big smile.

He noticed but kindly hid with a dry laughter that almost ruined the moment.

“Why am I here?” Noelle asked in boldness and walked past him.

She headed for the dinning as the sweet aroma of jasmine tea hit her nostrils.

This was something she couldn't resist.

A taste would be delightful on her tongue.

“We have forgiven you, my child.” Rebecca spoke softly. Her face held pretences and hints of disgust which she perfectly hid with a fake smile.

“Oh, finally. You even made me my favourite tea.” Noelle replied and walked over to the table.

The aroma of the sumptuous meal in different varieties made her mouth water.

She couldn't stop staring at the chicken on the platter.

Rebecca noticed her drooling and chuckled slightly. She knew that Noelle loves chicken so much.

“Do you want some? I made them for you.” She intruded with her sharp voice.

Noelle realised that it was a trap and shifted her gaze to Rebecca who returned the gesture with a mocking smile.

“No, thank you. I am fine.” Noelle lied and took a seat as before.

Her own seat was replaced by her sister who couldn't stop gawking at her.

The whole atmosphere was awkward and everyone was on their toes. No one knew what was going on in her mind.

“Let's have breakfast, shall we?” David spoke, trying to break the tension a bit.

“Good! I am starving. Being locked up must have made me so hungry.” Noelle smiled sharply and looked at all of them.

Their reaction was something that gave her joy.

They were confused.

Their plan was to see her vulnerabilities but instead she was here to see them being vulnerable in front of her.

It was obvious that they needed something from her and she can't wait to find out.

The maidens took turns to serve them food. Her sister, Calise, watched her with hatred. She couldn't pretend and decided to taunt her on the table.

“Is it enough? I bet that you don't see this kind of food in your cage, right?”

Noelle laughed softly and replied to her.

“You are right. I was trained to eat moderately. Our mother taught me very well. Isn't that right, MOM?” Her eyes moved to her mother who almost choked on the water in her mouth.

Calise got pissed immediately and rolled her eyes in anger. They both looked at Rebecca who was caught in their quarrel.

“Urm— yeah. It was our way of training her to be a good woman.” She replied immediately, stuttering in the process.

Calise was so angry and flared out.

“How can you all be dumb? Why did you bring her here? she is supposed to rot under the basement. Why is she having breakfast with us? Mom? Dad? What is going on?”

Noelle was calm as she munched on her food with joy.

Her father, who couldn't bear the noise, slammed the table with his fist.

Anger was written all over his face.

“Can’t we have one nice meal as a family?” He asked between gritted teeth.

“Dad!!!”

“Silence!” He growled at her and her face went sour.

“In this house, everyone will listen to me and obey my command. So can we eat now?” He thundered and everyone started eating in silence.

Noelle watched, observed as she ate. This was the best feeling she had felt in a long time.

But deep down, she was worried.

Whatever is going on that needs her must be so big and important, even dangerous.

She decided to use the silence as an opportunity to find out the truth.

“I know that I am here for something big.”

They all raised their heads in her direction.

Wondering. Deciphering her thoughts.

“Don’t worry. I don't know the details but I am not in a rush to find out.” She scoffed hard and drank her tea.

“What do you mean, child?” Rebecca asked in pretense. They need to know how much information she knows.

“Have you forgotten when you threw me into that cell? I was no longer needed. Remember when Calise fell ill and my blood helped her— I think it was three years ago if I can count.”

“That is a good thing. You saved your sister's life then.” David chipped in.

Noelle smiled with hate, already paranoid by the whole ordeal three years ago. She was being threatened to give out her blood for her freedom but in the end, it was all a lie. A tool meant to be used when needed.

“Don't allow her to gloat about that. Everything about her irritates me and I have to live with the fact that her blood runs through my veins.” Calise said with disgust.

“But I did save your life.” Noelle attacked her with words. Her eyes shut dead at her.

Calise got pissed and defended herself immediately.

“You were my last choice. I chose death over your blood but my lovely parents couldn't accept the fact and came to you. So it is your loss for being used again.”

Noelle was hurt and this got her angry. She couldn't hide her emotions. Her eyes glared at Calise who knew she had gotten her where it hurts.

“Hurt, right?”

“Calise, stop it!” Her mother warned.

“Mom, let me put her back in her place. She is so disgusting and I can still smell her filth from over here.” Calise flared out and covered her nose.

“Calise!!!”Her father yelled at her which shocked her. Her father who cherishes and loves her just raised his voice at her.

His eyes held immediate regret but the deed had already been done.

Calise, disappointed, got up and ran out of the room. She was so angry at her parents for defending a stranger over her.

Her mother followed her immediately, leaving her husband and Noelle who was eating her meal peacefully.

It was still awkward to talk.

So they both ate in silence.

Noelle was done eating and stood up, heading for the basement.

“Where are you going?” He asked with surprise.

Noelle stopped midway and replied to him dryly.

“To my room.”

“What?”

“Or aren't we done with breakfast?” She asked to taunt him.

“You have a room. You can stay there.” He informed him.

“Oh, that means I must be so important right now.” Noelle attacked him.

He was flustered and couldn't say anything. Her gaze pierced through him and looking at her without knowing her intentions was deadly.

All he knew is that he needed her alive.

“Go to your room. Me and your mother have something to discuss with you.” He announced and her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Finally! I was waiting for the next task. Is it my blood this time or my other potential because I need to prepare very well to give a good result.” She taunted heavily. The spite in her tone made him fearful.

He can't spoil the chance to fix the problem in his hands.

Noelle is the only one who can fix this mess.

“We will let you know.” David replied shamefully and his head bent to the ground.

“Good. I will be waiting.” Noelle replied and climbed the stairs heading to her former room.

A deep sigh left her mouth as she walked wobbly to the room because of her swollen ankle which was paining her so bad.

Inside her room, she sat by the door frame.

Lost in thought.

Did she get some payback?

No.

She was still hurt, miserable and angry.

The only family she loved and cared about was still treating her like a tool after all they did to her.

She couldn't hold back the tears and cried herself in pity as the memories from the basement returned.

A part of her wished it was better to rot inside that dark room than face humiliations from the outside world.

A sudden click echoed from the other side of the door. She froze.

Who…? She said, her voice low but alerted.

The handle rattled but the door didn't open. A folded piece of paper slipped under the door. She saw it and picked it up.

She opened and saw a message. It was short and had her father’s handwriting.

“ Tonight. Come alone. Study room.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

Alone?

Noelle’s hands trembled slightly as she unfolded the paper again. Somewhere deep inside, a chill ran down her spine.

Whatever awaited her tonight— it wasn't going to be just another meal.