That morning, I had breakfast with Anna and Gilbert. I didn't know when we would eat together again.

"Are you sure you've brought everything you need? Don't leave anything behind." Anna stared at the medium-sized white suitcase.

"We checked that suitcase twenty minutes ago, Anna." I reminded Anna.

"I've brought everything I need, including this Hello Kitty. I can't sleep without it." I grinned widely as I took the doll out of my backpack and hugged it tightly.

The doll was a gift from my mother when I was 7. At least she celebrated my birthday with a cake she made before she died. The doll would always be by my side until I died.

I put the doll back into my backpack, worried I would leave it behind.

"Take care of yourself, Daniella. Don't be afraid of anyone, and always do good as much as possible." Gilbert said, smiling, his eyes showing sadness.

"It will always be in my memory." I smiled widely with a warm heart.

"Daniella!"

I smiled brightly and ran out of the house.

I hugged Gabriella and Clara for a long time because we didn't know when to see each other again.

"If you get a boyfriend, tell us!" Clara said, teasing me.

"Why do you hope so much that I have a boyfriend?" I snorted.

"We should video call often!" Gabriella gripped my hand as if she didn't want us to be separated.

"Of course!" I nodded.

A black car entered my yard. Diego and Justin got out of their car. They dressed in formal outfits. The difference was that Diego wore sunglasses, whereas Justin wore white eyeglasses.

My heart rate increased every time Diego took a step closer to me. Nervousness hit me after I realized that he was picking me up to live with him.

"Are you ready, Daniella?" Diego stood two steps in front of me without taking off his glasses.

I didn't see his hazel eyes, which always stared sharply, but he had an intimidating aura.

"Yes, I'm ready." I nodded.

"Where's your suitcase?" Diego asked.

"Oh, wait a minute." I entered the house and found Anna and Gilbert holding hands in the living room. Trying to be strong, I said, "Diego has come to pick me up."

They nodded and escorted me to the porch. Gilbert handed my suitcase to Justin. Justin hurriedly put the white suitcase in the garage.

I hugged them.

I felt very emotional, and my eyes were watery, but I was still able to control my tears.

Anna turned her face away from me when she could no longer hold back her tears.

I waved my hand and looked at them to ensure they were all stored in my brain before I got into the black car.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out.

I opened my eyes when I felt calm.

I didn't let my head turn back as the car left my house.

I looked to my right, surprised to find Diego sitting beside me.

I leaned back stiffly. The car was luxurious, and the seats were soft, but I felt uncomfortable.

I had never sat in a car with strangers before.

I stared out the window to calm my pounding heart.

We arrived at the airport. I was getting nervous and excited. It was my first time on a plane!

I frowned as two tall, muscular men in tight black shirts and sunglasses approached us.

"They're my bodyguards," Diego told me. "They're Axton and Oscar."

"Hi, I'm Daniella." I smiled at them. They just nodded. They were as scary as their boss.

"Oh, you haven't introduced me to your driver yet." I looked back; a man in a gray shirt stood beside Justin.

"He's Brian," Diego said.

"Hi, Daniella." Brian smiled at me.

He seemed as friendly as Justin. "Hi, Brian."

After a brief introduction, we went through a security check.

I wondered as I realized we were going down a different path than the rest of the crowd.

Where were we really going?

I was astonished as we went up the stairs to Diego's white private jet one by one.

I admired the private jet's lavish interior.

I had to pinch my hand to convince myself I wasn't dreaming.

I sat near the window. The chair was as soft as a sofa.

My smile disappeared, replaced by a confused face. Diego chose to sit in front of me despite the many empty seats.

I watched closely as the flight attendant demonstrated the safety procedures.

I held the armrest tightly as the plane took off and prayed that we would arrive safely at our destination.

I wanted to explore the private jet so much, but then I realized I was the only woman on the plane.

Suddenly, fear crept into my mind. What if Diego was a bad guy?

I was overthinking.

I read a novel on my phone or looked out the window the entire way.

I glanced at Diego a few times with an uncomfortable feeling.

Diego was staring at the laptop on the coffee table, but I felt he was watching me.

I held my breath unconsciously when our eyes met.

I lowered my head with my heart beating strangely. Diego didn't take his eyes off me as if he wanted me to catch him red-handed.

Diego made me not want to look anywhere else but my phone.

An hour later, Diego asked me out for lunch.

The dining room had eight seats. I chose a seat by the window, away from Justin, Brian, Axton, and Oscar, but unexpectedly, Diego sat across from me.

The delicious food lowered my suspicions and my guard against Diego. I ate a lot, trying not to be distracted by Diego's stares.

"Where do you want to go to college?"

My heart jumped, not expecting him to talk to me after eating.

"I've been looking into it, but I haven't decided where I want to go to college. But I do know I don't want to go to Harvard."

Diego nodded. "What do you want to major in?"

"I want to major in business," I replied.

"Why did you choose business?"

"I want to be like you," I replied.

"What do you mean you want to be like me?" Diego raised an eyebrow as he poured himself a glass of wine and stared straight at me.

"I don't know what business I want to do, but I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to have a lot of money."

"Good motivation," Diego said. "What do you know about business?"

"I've worked at my adoptive parents' coffee shop since I was little. It's not easy to retain and attract customers. We must always innovate and take risks so we don't lose out to other coffee shops," I said excitedly.

"I like the concept of your adoptive parents' coffee shop." Diego nodded twice. "Cold milk coffee is my favorite."

My eyes expanded. The next second, I stared at him with curiosity. "Have you ever been to my adoptive parents' coffee shop?"

Diego stared at me for a long time, allowing the stillness to settle between us, and I got even more intrigued. "We're about to land."

Why did he ignore my question?

After Diego said that, the pilot announced that the private jet was about to land.

"How many hours is our flight?" I asked him.

"Six hours."

I looked down sadly. For six hours, I just sat in my chair and went to the dining room.

We got off the private jet. I hoped someday I could ride it again.

A white car picked us up. I sat next to Diego.

I watched the street. Boston wasn't much different than Portland.

The white car pulled into a block. I admired all the houses we passed. They looked like palaces.

My heart stopped when the white car stopped in front of a magnificent, classic-style mansion like the previous houses.

I exited the car and stared at the white house in disbelief. I felt like I had entered a fairy tale.

"I'll show you your room, Dala."

His deep voice penetrated my consciousness; all the hairs on my neck stood up as I felt his warm breath touch my ear, and that peculiar feeling returned to my chest every time he called me that.

Why was he standing behind me?

I took a step before turning to face him. His crooked smile made my back shiver as if a cold wind had suddenly blown in the middle of summer.

Everything in the mansion looked expensive, making me afraid to touch it.

I felt awkward walking on the marble floor.

The crystal chandelier in the spacious living room was beautiful.

I pinched my cheeks secretly. I wasn't dreaming.

Diego and I climbed the stairs to my room.

Who would have believed a girl like me could fly on a private jet and live in a lavish mansion?

I really got lucky.

"This is my office. Don't come in without knocking," Diego said, pointing to a dark brown mahogany door.

"Okay." I nodded with a confused face. I had no reason to enter his office.

We stopped in front of a room with a light brown mahogany door.

"This is your room." Diego opened the door for me and invited me in.

I strolled, my heart beating very fast.

My eyes couldn't blink. My room was so beautiful and elegant!

If I hadn't remembered Diego was behind me, I would have screamed and jumped up and down like a kangaroo.

"Do you like your room?"

Diego's voice jolted me out of my happiness. I wasn't used to his voice.

"Just tell me what you don't like. I'll throw it out and replace it with something you like." Diego was still standing in the doorway.

He said that as if money wasn't something that was that important to him.

"I like my room," I said firmly.

"Thank you so much for giving me this room." I smiled broadly and sincerely at him.

"I promise to keep my room clean and take good care of the things here," I said earnestly.

I blinked. I wasn't sure, but I thought I saw Diego smile for a second.

"Come to the dining room for dinner," Diego said.

"Okay." I nodded.

"My room is on your right," Diego said before closing the door.

I reflexively raced to the door and turned the handle. The door was unlocked.

I gave a sigh of relief. I had been overly paranoid.

"Miss Harris."

I was surprised when an old man with white hair wearing a black butler's outfit stood in front of me before the door closed.

"What's wrong?"

"Here's your suitcase." He handed me my white suitcase.

"Oh, my, I forgot about it." I took it quickly, feeling strange getting help from someone else. "Thank you very much, sir–"

"I'm Ronald." Ronald smiled politely at me. "Tell me anything you need. I'm always in the kitchen."

"Okay, Ronald." I nodded. "Just call me Daniella."

"Okay, Daniella." Ronald nodded. "Excuse me."

I never had a maid. I was used to doing everything by myself. I didn't think I would ever ask Ronald for help.

I put my clothes in the walk-in closet. There were still many empty closets. I thought I would only have a closet with two doors.

The walk-in closet would still have space if I brought all my clothes.

I walked around my room. I felt like I was in a five-star hotel.

"Do I really live here without having to pay rent?"

I lay down to feel the softness and comfort of the queen-sized bed.

I took out my phone. I got a lot of messages and calls from Anna, Gilbert, Gabriella, and Clara.

I told Anna, Gilbert, and Gabriella about Diego's luxurious private jet and his mansion, which looked like a castle in a fairy tale.

[You didn't tell me you had a handsome, dashing stepbrother.] It was a message from Clara. She asked me a different question.

[I already told you I didn't know I had a stepbrother, didn't I?] I replied to Clara's message.

I smiled as I looked at the photo frame of me and my mother that I had placed on the nightstand.

"Mom, I have a new life now. I hope you are not disappointed in me for leaving Anna and Albert, who have been very good to us. Don't worry, I will not forget them."

My mother never appeared in my dreams. Those photos and videos would help me not to forget my mother.

"Daniella, it's time for dinner."

"Yes. I am coming." I walked quickly to the door, surprised to find Ronald waiting for me. I followed him because I didn't know where the dining room was.

I was stunned when I arrived at the dining room. A beautiful chandelier and a long dining table with lots of food.

I held my breath when I made eye contact with Diego. He was already sitting there.

I sat across from him because, while I felt uncomfortable with his stare, it would be impolite to sit at the head of the table.

We ate dinner in silence. No one spoke. I was grateful to my mother for teaching me table manners before she died.

I glanced toward the kitchen, and my eyes widened when I saw a male chef standing in front of the stove. No wonder the food was delicious and beautiful.

"Could I have a few minutes of your time, please?" I asked Diego after we finished eating and before he left the dining room.

"Yes. Go ahead." Diego focused his attention on me, making me nervous and hesitant momentarily.

"Do you live here? I saw online that your family and businesses are in New York."

"This is one of my homes. I come here when I want to get away from New York."

I rounded my mouth and nodded. "Will I meet your family? Maybe your father?"

"No." Diego shook his head, leaning back in his chair and clenching his jaw. "I have a bad relationship with them."

"So they don't know about me being here?"

Diego nodded.

I felt happy and surprised simultaneously, but at least I was relieved that I wouldn't have to see them.

"I want to work part-time."

"For what?"

"Of course, to earn money."

"I can give you whatever money you want."

"I want-" My eyes widened as Diego handed me a credit card.

Did he think I would accept everything he gave me?

"Buy whatever you want."

"I can't." I shook my head. "You paid for my college. I live in your mansion, and I get delicious food."

I prefer earning my own money, so I didn't want to owe him too much.

"Just keep that card. You might need it." Diego said coldly on his face.

I snorted. "I'll just keep it in my wallet," I said in annoyance.

"Are you done talking?" Diego asked.

"So, will you let me work part-time?" I begged him.

"I don't know what I will do until college starts," I said in a bored tone.

"Just work in one place," Diego replied.

"Okay, thanks." I was so happy.

Then I looked at him seriously because I wanted to ask him something sensitive, and I didn't know if this was the right time.

"Do you know who my biological father is? My mom never told me." I said gloomily.

"If she didn't tell you, then she didn't want you to know," Diego said.

"Do you know?"

"No." Diego shook his head.

"Then do you know why my mom and your dad divorced?" I asked, my heart racing as I waited for his answer.

"They didn't."

My heart stopped beating for a few seconds. It couldn't be. All my life, all I knew was that my mother and his father were divorced.

"Then why did my mom take me with her to Portland?"

Diego looked at me like he was arguing with himself, and then his phone rang.

"I have to take this call." Diego stood up. "You better focus on yourself."

I watched Diego leave with curiosity growing in my chest. If my mom and his dad didn't get divorced, then what really happened?

I rubbed my eyes as I woke up. For the first time since my mother died, I dreamed about her.

My mother didn't do anything. She just stood there, smiling broadly and beaming with happiness. The same face she always showed everyone.

I'd never seen her sad before.

She didn't leave as I ran towards her, but somehow I couldn't reach her no matter how hard I pushed my legs.

She didn't try to say anything and ignored me as I screamed until my voice was hoarse and I coughed violently.

I didn't know what the dream meant.

Did my mother really appear in my dreams, or did my subconscious create her? Maybe it was because I looked at the photos in the album and watched the three videos before falling asleep.

"I hope it's really my mother who appears in my dreams. She's begging God to come into my dreams." I nodded.

I believe my mother has been watching over me from heaven all this time. So I was so glad she tried to appear in my dreams, even though she couldn't talk or hug me.

"Ah, they're still here." I picked up the photo album and pink phone from the bed and placed them on the nightstand.

I stretched my arms, my eyes wide. The bed was incredibly comfortable, even though the spacious room made me feel lonely.

I took a cold bath in the bathtub for the first time and lathered myself with the expensive brand of soap. The lather was soft and fragrant.

I soaked for a few minutes, closing my eyes. It felt so peaceful.

When I felt the skin on my fingers wrinkle, I got out of the tub and stood under the shower. I poured the shampoo over my hair and massaged it in.

I sang confidently, imagining myself on a grand stage with thousands of people in attendance.

When I lived with Anna and Gilbert, I was embarrassed to sing in the bathroom because they could hear me.

I was sure no one in the mansion would hear my terrible voice because the bathroom was far from the door.

"My body feels refreshed, like I've just come back to life." I chuckled as I exited the bathroom and headed for the closet.

I still couldn't believe I could use all these facilities whenever I wanted without paying.

However, I hadn't bought a hair dryer. I didn't know why things always broke when I didn't have money.

So I had to wrap my hair in a towel and stand out in the sun until it dried. It actually worked pretty well.

I played with my phone while sitting on the sofa, answering texts from my host parents and my two friends.

"Okay. Time for a house tour." I was curious about what was inside this mansion.

I wore a white short-sleeved shirt and black pants. I was the only woman in the mansion; they were a few years older than I. I didn't feel comfortable exposing myself in front of them.

I walked down dozens of steps, scanning my surroundings. The atmosphere was quiet, and a chill hit me, as if no one lived in this place.

My feet entered the kitchen as my senses picked up a delicious aroma, and I found the chef making breakfast.

I quickly left before he noticed me.

I didn't see Richard. He said he was always in the kitchen. I shrugged.

I stood in the living room with a frown. A sudden feeling of doubt came over me. What if I got lost?

I still didn't dare to text or call Diego, and if I screamed, would anyone hear me?

Finally, I decided to look out into the front yard while drying my hair in the sun.

I pulled the big, imposing door with all my strength. It turned out to be light. Good thing I didn't fall over.

The cool morning air greeted me. The sun was shining brightly. Several people were exercising.

There was nothing but two wooden chairs and a table on the porch. This mansion truly reflected its owner.

I walked to a tree in the left corner, not knowing what it was.

"This tree looks like a palm tree found near the sea and the beach."

I walked around the yard for 30 minutes while listening to music. Walking is excellent for burning fat.

Then I sat on a chair on the porch, breathing heavily. This is the result of not exercising enough.

I wrote down everything I would do today and tomorrow on my phone.

The first thing I had to do was find a job online.

"I need to go shopping, and I also want to bake a cake."

I've got some savings, and my parents give me an allowance. At least I can buy skincare and baking stuff.

Anna suggested I bake a cake for Diego. While I wasn't sure it would be to his taste, I was sure he wouldn't throw it away. He wouldn't hurt my feelings, would he?

I entered the mansion feeling strange and out of place. Hard to believe my life has changed in just four days.

"Dala."

I gasped in surprise and froze at the sound of his deep voice. My neck stiffly turned towards him.

Diego wore a white t-shirt and jeans, while Justin walked beside him. They looked like they had just come from somewhere.

"I want to give you something." Diego stood beside me, his index finger pointing forward, urging me to follow him.

I didn't know if I'd ever get used to him. His mysterious aura made me not want to be around him.

He led me into the family room. It was pretty warm compared to the guest room, perhaps because it wasn't spacious. The lighting was dim, the sofa was dark blue, and an ocean painting stretched across the wall.

I first sat on the leather sofa and was surprised to see Diego sitting on the same sofa.

My heart was beating fast with anxiety. There was nothing wrong with his actions.

"I got you a laptop and a phone." Diego set a large and a small paper bag on the table.

"Thank you so much." I pulled the boxes out of the paper bags.

My laptop and cell phone were still in good condition. I wouldn't know how to repay him if he kept giving me unexpected things like this.

Despite that, I was excited to see my new laptop and cell phone. I turned them on with a bright smile on my face.

"I'm glad you like them," he said.

"I like them." I nodded. "I'll take good care of them." I blinked, catching him smiling briefly. Why was he so embarrassed to show his smile?

"I want to go to the shopping mall and the convenience store," I said. "I have money. Don't worry." I told him I wouldn't use his credit card.

"I'll go with you." I blinked. Had I heard him right? "We'll leave after breakfast," he added.

He didn't see my shocked expression. Not only that, but he didn't care about my opinion, and he decided when we would leave.

I didn't want to go with him, but somehow my mouth wouldn't say it.