The things we take for granted are those things that come back to haunt us. Life is so precious and yet so less that before you know it puff... it's gone. Lauren McKenzie had never felt so much regret, her life was not perfect, no one's life is, yet when you finally find what you are looking for, that special part of you that needed to be activated by a force higher than we could possibly comprehend and yet closer to us than our family.
When a person encounters that force, it is like a bright, soft light that shines on your soul, making you face your true nature and forcing you to judge yourself objectively. At that moment you are filled with uncontrollable grief, disgust, revolt, you name it, but atlas joy comes and afterwards peace that passes all human knowledge fills you, it is at that precise moment that you know that God in heaven, your father has got you. Lauren, on her death bed never forgot what it felt like to be in the presence of the most high.
She looked at her little girl, Jade who was holding her hand and reading her her favourite story about queen Esther. Even at her little age Jade was always too mature for her age. Lauren smiled, she knew in her heart that Jade would meet a wonderful partner when she grows up. Lauren had pleaded with God and he answered her prayers to keep her daughter safe.
"Mommy why are your eyes closing?" Jade asked as she stared up at her mother with trusting eyes.
"Sweety I don't have much time left so I need to tell you this", said Lauren as she caressed her daughter's face and wiped her tears. Jade nodded and Lauren continued, "I loved your father very much but he did not feel the same way, I thought he did but when he found out I was pregnant he left me and went back to his wife and children. Now Sweety you have to go stay with him, I won't be here for long and he is all you will have".
"Mommy please you can't leave, if dad left then he does not want me", said Jade as she gripped her mother's hand.
"Sweety, I love you and so does your father, always know that you are not alone, the person inside you is greater that the one anywhere else, he is your supreme guardian. When you are old enough you will understand', said Lauren as she gripped her child in a hug and breathed her last breath.
Jade sat beside her mother shocked and still, the tears couldn't fall faster, the pain she felt was so intense she thought she would die. The feeling of hopelessness kept increasing until she remembered her mother's words, 'Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world'. Suddenly she knew that she was not alone and that everything would be fine.
******
The sun had never felt so bright, in the summer the garden was filled with wild flowers that shined so bright like a butterfly impatient to spread its wings. Jade smiled wistfully and caressed the flowers as she walked, the garden was her special place, although it was at the back of the house and she was sure the occupant had no idea it existed, she loved it just that way because the quiet air and stillness allowed to transcend her thoughts and meditate. Atlas, the peace was worth it after long hours of work.
''Jade, we need your help'', said Lillian. She had been the house—keeper for as long as Jade could remember, the woman of age fifty had been the other mother figure in her life.
''Yes I'm coming'', said Jade as she scrambled up and jogged lightly over to Lillian. From the look on her face Jade knew she would not like it. ''Yes, what is it Lillian?''
''Your mother and father want to speak with you'', she said with a grimace on her face. Jade nodded and kissed her cheek. She knew what was coming and prepared herself mentally for it. When she reached the brown oak door to the study, it was slightly opened so she walked in and stood close to the door poised for flight. Her father in his late sixties was still a fine respectable man; a father of one boy and two girls but didn't look it. He sat on his chair behind the huge mahogany desk that was always stacked with files and smelled of old books and dust. His wife, Margaret was standing beside him with a smug smile on her face that often made Jade think of violent things.
Despite Margaret's stoic face, she was an epitome of beauty and so were her two daughters. Born and bred with high class etiquette and grace, Laura and Jasmine never lacked in the men department and the same went for their brother David. ''Jade the reason we asked to see you is concerning the guests we are expecting next week and we do not want them to know certain things'', Daniel said, he was beating around the bush and Jade knew this.
However Margaret went in for the kill, ''Some very rich and affluent friends are coming and if it all goes well, Jasmine and Laura will be married to the eligible brothers. Now we do not want them to know there is an illegitimate daughter in the family'', she said with distaste.
Jade froze, the pain went straight to her heart. She looked at her father but he said nothing, unbelief evident on her face before she masked it and cleared her throat. "Okay I won't say a word and I'll make sure to stay in the background''.
''Good, see that you do, besides no one would believe you if you told them, you barely look like your father and for all I know you may not even be his child, anyway that is in the past'', Margaret said as she filed her nails, unaware that Jade had gone cold with shock. ''Is there anything else?'' asked Jade softly.
''Yes, we can't have people thinking or questioning why we have a young educated girl working here without ties to anyone for risk of scandal, so we have decided that you will be my sister's daughter who is staying with us".
