“I don’t know, I never knew anyone who had their own business,” she answered timidly. “If I could have gone to school that is what I would have studied. When Mama was out and I didn’t have to work, I used to draw designs of buildings and houses. The notebook in my backpack has all of my designs.”
Her brothers smiled, but Henry marveled at this revelation. The apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Can we see them?” He asked anxiously.
“I lost my backpack,” she said sadly.
Hunter left the room.
“Did you finish high school?” Sylvie asked.
“Yes, but I never received my diploma. I was 16 when I finished school. My mother didn’t know I was still going to school, and I worked hard to keep up with school and keep my jobs. I managed to hold a 4.0 all three years, and was even chosen for valedictorian, but I turned it down. I couldn’t let Mama know I went to school behind her back.”
Sylvie shook her head.
A minute later, Hunter returned with her backpack in his hand and handed it to her.
“Thank you,” Mya said quietly, keeping her eye to eye contact with him to a minimum. She unzipped the bag pulling out a notebook, and handed it to Henry, who turned the pages silently.
“Come see these boys,” he invited. They quickly gathered around, and this time, even Hunter joined them.
“They’re good,” Bryan commented. “And this is without training?”
“Do you really think they’re that good?” She asked, sounding surprised.
“They are better than good, Sis,” Bryan replied. “These are great. A little rough, which is to be expected considering the lack of formal training, but original.”
Mya’s eyes strayed to Hunter, was looking through her notebook, his face expressionless.
“I had a counselor at school and she convinced me to take my SAT. I didn’t see the point of it though, because I would have never been able to go away to school, but she didn’t give up. She was confident that I could get a full scholarship, so I took the test and applied at some schools. I was surprised at how really well I did. I got accepted at Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Spellman, all on full scholarships, but I if I could have gone, MIT would have been my choice.
“Would you be interested in going to college?” Henry asked.
Mya shook her head. “No, I don’t think so, it’s too late now.
“You’re never too old to go to school,” Henry stated smiling. “So tell me, where would you like to go?”
“I’d be happy just to attend a community college.”
“Okay, but Arkansas University is a good school and has a good architecture program,” he commented. “I can start the process and maybe you could start in June… if you want to.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“What dear? What is it?” Sylvie asked, her heart reaching out for her.
“Why are you doing this… after what my mother did?”
Henry moved and stood before her, taking her hands gently in his own. “You are my child Mya. What your mother did had nothing to do with you.”
“I don’t even look like any of you. My hair is ugly, my eyes are strange. My own Mama said I was a freak of nature.”
“Your mother was crazy!” Henry snapped.
“Henry,” Sylvie chastised.
“I think you’re right. I know for a fact that she hated me. Aren’t you afraid that I may be just like her?”
“I am,” Hunter blurted out.
“Hunter!” His mother and father said together as his brothers glared at him. Hunter ignored them all.
“Do you know what your mother did?” He said vehemently.
Mya looked directly in his eyes. “No, what did she do?”
“She tried to kill my father. She shot him and he almost died.”
Mya gasped. She knew her mother was vindictive and evil, but oddly enough, she was not surprised.
“You say that as if it would surprise me, but let me tell you something. Nothing my mother did surprises me,” Mya’s said looking directly at Hunter. “Now I understand why we moved so often after she ruined so many people’s lives. If she hadn’t gotten sick, I would have been next.”
“What do you mean?” Hunter demanded.
“My mother was not as beautiful as she used to be, and her many friends started to find me attractive. Too many times, I had to fight them off. She accused me of flirting with them, which was not true; she stopped them from getting far, but afterward she would beat me. She once told me to be nice to her landlord, and when I refused, I received the second worst beating I ever received from her. I was about eighteen at the time.”
“Did they ever…” Sylvie asked sadly.
“No. If I knew she was entertaining, I would tell Mama that I was working until the morning.”
“Why are you telling us this?” Hunter asked harshly.
“Because I know you hate me Mr. Mason. Hate is something I’m used to. What would be strange is if I were loved. I have never known what that is like. I have nothing to hide; I feel ashamed because of what Mama has done to many, many people that crossed her path. Mama cared for no one but herself, and if she did care about someone, she cared only as long as that person was useful.”
“Enough!” Henry said. “This is a party.”
Hunter looked at Mya for a long while as she listened to his family.
“Mom, show her pictures of Ghani,” Trevor suggested.
Sylvie smiled and glanced at Hunter. He was feeling more than he wanted known. She watched as he tried not to look at Mya and could tell right away that it was more than dislike her eldest son was feeling. She returned with the family album and placed it on Mya’s lap. She then turned the pages until she came to a large photo, and when Mya saw it, she gasped, and looked up at Henry and Sylvie.
“That’s my mother,” Henry said with a smile.
“She’s beautiful… and I look just like her,” she said in amazement.
Hearing this, Hunter grunted and left the room.
As Mya turned the pages to look at all the beautiful people in the album, there was a picture of Hunter as a child with an elderly Native American couple.
“Who is that?” She asked.
“That’s Hunter with his grandparents. He is part Cherokee and African-American. Hunter is my godson. His parents were killed in an auto accident, and when he was two years old, he came to live with me and Sylvie. We adopted him. I promised his father that I would never let him forget his heritage, and every summer while he was growing up, Hunter lived with his people to learn their ways and culture.
“Is that why he wears his hair long?
“It’s tradition,” Henry answered.
Pondering her father’s words, Mya remained quiet as they went on to tell her all about her other brothers.
Hunter returned a while later.
“Going out son?” His father asked.
“Yes, I’m going to meet Heather.”
“Okay son,” Henry said. “Be careful.”
Hunter went to his mother and kissed her cheek.
“Must you go?” His mother asked.
“Yes, you know how Heather can be if I break a date.”
“Yes I know,” his mother said rolling her eyes.
After Hunter left, Henry chuckled. “Sylvie?”
“I know honey, but I don’t like her for him.”
“We don’t either Dad,” Bryan added, as Trevor and Chance agreed.
“Who is Heather?” Mya asked curiously.
“The woman Hunter’s been dating for the past year or so,” Bryan told her.
“I hope he doesn’t get it in his head to marry her,” Sylvie replied.
“Now honey, we don’t interfere in the children’s lives.”
“Yes, I know honey but…”
Mya looked over at her brothers and they shrugged. “Heather is the town socialite. Her father is an Arkansas state senator.”
Later Mya settled in an
d was awed when she entered her beautiful bedroom, a room that was larger than any of the houses that she and her mother had lived in. The sage and ivory colors were subtle from the ivory walls, accents of the draperies, and carpeting on the floors, but what took her breath away, was the large sleigh bed that sat caddy cornered in the room. Her very first bed and it was beautiful covered in a sage duvet. She had her own bathroom with a shower and a large claw foot tub. She had a huge walk-in closet with a bench sitting in the center, a chaise lounge across the room and a beautiful vanity. Mya’s eyes filled. Never will she get used to all this splendor.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, when you get stronger we will fill that closet,” Sylvie said with a smile.
Mya gave her a watery smile in return. “I don’t expect you to buy me things; if I find a job...”
Sylvie took her hand and led her to the bed.
“Nonsense, your father has a lot of years to make up for,” she chuckled. “Now come, you still need to rest and when you are stronger, we are going shopping.”
Sylvie helped Mya get comfortable in the bed and fluffed the pillows behind her. She then sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Mya’s eyes took in the room, and when their eyes met, she could see the tears that shone in Mya’s eyes.
“Mrs. Trent I don’t deserve all this. I didn’t expect it. All I wanted was to know who I am and maybe get some answers as to why my mother could hate a child as much as she hated me.”
Sylvie patted her hand. “I don’t know much about your mother. Henry and I had just started dating a few months before the incident. He didn’t talk about his past relationships with me, so anything you want to know you will have ask your father.”
Mya nodded. “Mrs. Trent, I don’t feel comfortable taking things…”
“Mya, listen to me. You are family and that’s, that. I cannot wait to introduce you to the rest of the family. Ghani is going to be thrilled. She’s away at in Atlanta visiting her other sons, who are twins, and then she’s off on another cruise. Oh, my I forgot. You have uncles. Jonathan and Jamison the twins, then there is Jackson, and he lives in Texas. Your father is the oldest. You my love are the only girl in the family, and Ghani is going to be thrilled when she finally gets to meet you,” she replied happily. “We finally have a girl in the family. We are going to have a special family dinner to introduce you and welcome you into the Trent clan.”
“How old is Ghani?” Mya asked.
“Ghani is 77 years old, but she doesn’t look a day over fifty. She’s the sweetest person, very spry and sassy, and healthy as a horse.” Sylvie chuckled. “Ghani doesn’t let too much dust settle around her feet. She’s travels most of the time with her friend.”
Sylvie got closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Her sons don’t know she has a male friend who travels with her. Of course, they think their mother is fragile and feeble, until she sets them straight, and she once was told me that she refuses to let them make an old woman out of her. Now you get some rest honey. I want you to get good and strong because we have a lot to do.”
Sylvie kissed her forehead and smiled. “I would like you to consider calling us mom and dad, but only when you are comfortable.”
She shook her head. “Wait until Ghani sees you!”
She smiled and left the room.
Chapter Five
Henry and Sylvie doted on her, but Mya was not sure how to react to the attention and affection she received. She felt that they generally cared about her, but the affectionate hugs and kisses on a forehead were going to take some getting used to. Everyone in the family seemed to hug. Her father hugged his sons and the brothers hugged each other. It was all so nice.
After she was well enough, according to Sylvie, she was able to join the family at dinner. All her brothers were there, Bryan, Chance, Trevor, and Hunter, and although most of her brothers welcomed her warmly, Hunter was still suspicious and cold. This would be the first time she had seen him since her release from the hospital. She quietly watched as the family intermingled, laughing, and sharing their day, and couldn’t help but smile at the way they interacted with each other, but that smile soon fell away when her eyes met Hunter’s. He glared at her. She quickly dropped her eyes and began pushing her food around the plate.
Sylvie didn’t miss the exchange. Why was Hunter intimidating her daughter?
“Hunter!”
“Yes Mom.”
Sylvie’s eyes narrowed, causing Hunter to frown.
“Ma’am?” He asked.
“Stop it!” She mouthed to him.
Sylvia watched as Mya continued to push her food around the plate. “Is everything okay honey?” She asked gently.
Mya’s head lifted, and her eyes shifted to Hunter then back to Sylvie. “Yes, everything fine,” she said softly. “Would you mind if I went up? I’m feeling a little tired.”
Mya hated to lie to Sylvie, but she could not stay another minute sitting at the table while Hunter piercing gaze shot daggers at her. She rose from the chair and bid everyone a goodnight as she left the room. She knew Hunter didn’t trust her, and to his credit he made no excuses for his suspicions. He thought she was like her mother and was plotting revenge on her father, but if he felt that way, why did he even bother to find her and take her to the hospital? She sighed. She didn’t know how to convince him that she meant her father no harm. All she ever wanted was to know who her father was; she didn’t expect them to take her into their home. She wanted to know for herself if he was the horrible man that her mother made him out to be. So no, she was not surprise when she discovered that her mother lied about the type of man he was and was equally not surprised to find out that she tried to his kill him. She was however, ashamed and embarrassed by her mother actions, and she understood why Hunter felt the need to be so protective of his family. After all, she was the daughter of a psychopath. Who in their right mind wouldn’t be protective?
Mya sighed remorsefully and climbed the spiral staircase up to her room. Enough thoughts about Hunter; there was nothing she could do to make him trust her anyway. She promised Sylvie now that she was better that she would look through the stacks of fashion magazines for their shopping spree. Her father also wanted to discuss her future. At the age of 27, what could she do but get a job? And even though her father offered her an opportunity to attend college, she still felt that she was too old for college now. Maybe she’d find a job at the mall or grocery store. She still didn’t want to be a burden to them and it was her plan, just as soon as she was able, to find a job and get her own place.
Mya took a shower, slipped on pajamas, and sat on the rug with her legs curled under her. She spread a stack of magazines on the floor around her and began thumbing through the pages. Sylvie had instructed her to tear out pages of the things she liked, and then they would sit down and discuss her choices, but she tried to tell Sylvie that she didn’t know the first thing about fashion and style. If Sylvie didn’t believe her, just look at her hair, which was very thick and curly and hung passed her shoulders. In fact, she never once owned a dress or even walked in high heels. As she continued thumbing through the magazines, tearing out the pages that caught her eye, and stacking them neatly by item in front of her, Mya smiled and shook her head. If Sylvie thought she could do something with her, she had her work cut out for her.
Sylvie glared at her eldest son as she rose from the chair.
“Don’t you move Hunter Trent Mason,” she warned with tight lips.
Hunter sat back down. “What is it Mom?”
“I want it to stop right now!” She ordered.
“What am I doing Mom?” He asked blandly.
“Don’t take that tone with me!”
Henry, Bryan, Chance, and Trevor stopped talking when they heard Sylvie’s voice rise.
“What’s going on Honey?” Henry asked, watching as both mother and son glared at each other.
Sylvie didn’t look at her husband when she answered. “I want your son to stop intimidating his s
ister.”
“She’s not my sister and never will be. You may welcome her into the family, but I never will. I don’t trust her. I don’t care that she carries Dad’s DNA and looks like Ghani; I don’t trust her. We don’t know her. How do we know she’s not a psycho like her mother, just waiting to strike at Dad?”
“Come on Hunter, aren’t you being a little melodramatic?” Chance asked. “I think she’s genuine.”
The others at the table agreed.
“Fine,” Hunter growled, rising to his feet before storming from the dining room. “I’m going to keep an eye of the anyway.”
Hunter was furious. He went for the door, but changed his mind and instead turned taking the grand staircase two steps at a time. He stopped in front of Mya’s door and knocked.
“Come in Mom,” she greeted.
“Mom?” He repeated as he opened the door. He found her sitting Indian style with magazines scattered on the floor all around her. Her wild hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail while ringlets framed her face.
Mya lifted her head and the smile on her face immediately melted away.
Hunter was stunned. She looked so beautiful sitting there surrounded by magazines and in pj’s like a teenager, but he wouldn’t let her beauty sway him. She was the daughter of the woman that tried to kill the only father he had ever known.
“She is not your mother Mya, and the fact that you carry the same blood as my father is of no consequence. I don’t trust you, and if you hurt my family in any way you will live to regret it. Do I make myself clear?”
Mya’s eyes widened with fear knowing he meant every word of what he said.
“Yes,” she croaked with fright. Without saying another word, he left.
Mya stared at herself in the mirror at Neiman Marcus. The red sheath dress that she had on was both beautiful and classic, and when she looked over at Sylvie for her approval, she nodded, bringing a big smile to Mya’s face. Sylvie had several more dresses thrown over her arm for Mya to try on, and they had already done so much shopping that they had four sales girls following them around the store. Mya got it all from hats to shoes. She even got underwear that was so beautiful she was afraid to wear it. For the first time in her life it was more than just one pair. Jewelry was next, and since her ears were not pierced, the piercing pagoda in the mall was their next stop. The last stop was an all-inclusive appointment with the exclusive Style Salon Spa for hair, face, and a body makeover.
Just To Be Loved Page 6
