Family lies

Rexonus Jackson "Jake" Luxemburg drives towards the big gold and emerald gates. Jessica looks out of the passenger window. Her anxiety heightening as he honks his horn, alerting the occupants of the large estate that they are here. 

As the gates slowly open, her boyfriend of four years brings the car to the entrance of the manor. Jessica can feel the stares of the staff stab her. Jake then places an assuring hand on her lap, his touch meant to alleviate her nerves, but it feels more like a weight pinning her down.

They step out of the car, and the enormity of the Luxemburg estate looms over her. The double doors swing open, and two figures emerge—Francine and Gerald Luxemburg, Jake’s parents. Both of them walk up the stairs watching them get closer.

“Mommy,” Jake says in his baby voice. Jessica cringes as the man reverts to a child-like state in front of his mother. Jessica cannot help but feel recoil. 

“Oh, my baby boy. I missed you,” Jake’s mother beams. The woman wraps her son in a big hug, making sure to temporarily shield him from the outside world. Jake makes sure to hug her back with the same love and tenderness. 

“Hi, Mrs. Luxembourg,” Jessica says with softness. Her words are ignored on the spot as she watches the pair cradle each other. 

Francine Luxemburg takes at least another two agonizing moments with her doting son. Meanwhile, her husband, Gerald, stands by watching the cuddling couple. Despite the greying hair, aging face, and glasses, he still displays dominance in the household. 

“Mr. Luxemburg, nice to meet you,” Jessica walks towards him and holds out her hand. He grabs it in a firm handshake and nods his head. 

“Likewise,” Gerald responds. This is the only conversation they share. 

After Jake and their mum break apart, they make their way inside the large estate. The intensity of the atmosphere is as strong as when she first met them. She marvels at the large hallways portraying different portions of the members. 

One sticks out to her the most. It is framed in a wooden frame coated in gold. It displays Gerald sitting on a throne with Francine behind him with her hand on his shoulders. On his right-hand side, there stands the now-deceased Cindy Ella Luxemburg. 

Finally, a young Rexonus Jackson Luxemburg is standing on his father’s left-hand side, looking up at him with awe and wonder. 

The painting almost looks life-like. It took a lot of effort and time to craft such a masterpiece. 

Jessica wishes that she could have conversations with the woman. Only five years older than Jake, an esteemed woman in her school and clubs alike. Her name has been brought up enough to have an idea of what she was like. 

However, her name is now forbidden to speak on. 

Dinner is awkward. The staff comes in and brings her meal. Three spaces on her left sits her partner. Opposite to her is his mother and opposite to Jake is his father. 

“So, Jessica,” Francine starts. “How is your little science major getting along?” She asks. Jessica picks up the salad fork and prods the leafy greens. The young girl looks at the woman, ignoring the glare towards her. 

“It is going fantastic. My thesis is almost complete, results are substantial, and my supervisor believes that I am on an upward trajectory,” Jessica explains. Pride beams from her as she discusses her passion. 

“You know, this little hobby of yours is only distracting you from your duties in your flat. My little Rex tells me how it's been difficult since you have stopped helping around when he is tired from working,” Francine states. This dissolves any semblance of joy Jessica had. 

Jessica wants to punch this woman so much. 

“Right, but this is—” 

“But nothing. If you cannot keep the household steady while your future husband is working, then how will you manage your children?” Francine inquires. Jessica, at a loss, looks towards Jake for support. However, Jake is looking down while eating; not wanting to come to her defense. 

“I don’t think that this is appropriate—”

“Excuse me?” Francine scoffs. “This is a perfect time. My son deserves to be with someone deserving, beautiful, and willing to bend over the earth to his needs. 

If you cannot do that then we will have serious issues allowing you into our family, Jessica,” She explains. This silences Jessica. 

All four of them finish their meals in silence. Jessica’s eyes blur as waves of frustration, unease, and anxiety crash into her. 

Once their meal is complete. Jessica and Jake are escorted by the staff. She looks up at Jake, the question lingers on her mind. 

“Why didn’t you defend me from my mother?” Jessica asks. Jake sighs and shrugs. 

“She’s my mother, Jessica. Besides, she’s right. You don’t do your weight in the house. If you dropped out like I suggested two years ago then she wouldn’t be like this to you,” He justifies. 

“Are you kidding me?” Jessica asks. 

“No, she understands what I go through in this relationship. You just need to align yourself with the right priorities,” Jake states. Jessica is at a loss. How can he be okay with something like that? 

“Ms. Gand,” The butler calls out. Jessica’s gaze moves from her boyfriend to the young male. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Luxemburg have requested that you sleep in Cindy’s room with the door locked to ensure no copulation between you two occurs,” The butler states. Jessica, not caring anymore, nods her head and walks into the bedroom. 

The room is beautiful with a soft lilac bed in front of a large window. The white walls are decorated with all of Cindy’s achievements. As Jessica undresses from her attire and wears the robe provided, she can’t help but sigh. 

For the longest time, she has always wanted to be financially stable. Now that it is coming true, she can’t help but not feel accomplished. 

Rather, she feels trapped. She might not need to worry about her next meal, but at what cost? Jessica is scared but this is all part of the process for her eventual acceptance into the family. Jessica gets into the blankets and gets some much-deserved sleep.

As Jessica sleeps in the room, she can feel the atmosphere of the room change. She gets up and walks around to investigate. While she is doing this, she marvels at the medals, certificates and awards. Her fascination towards Cindy makes her aspire to be like her: talented, courageous, and something to marvel at. 

As she walks around the walls of Cindy’s walls, a slight in the wallpaper catches Jessica’s eyes. As she presses onto the indent, the wall pushes back with a creak. 

Jessica, scared about waking someone up, stops and waits. After a few moments, she realizes that no one has awoken from the noise. She pushes the wall back and the door opens up to another hallway. 

The young woman grabs her phone and walks down the hallway. The dark walls encapsulating Jessica make her feel tight and constricted. As a result, her breathing is more labored. 

In an instant, a shadow buzzes past Jessica. Frightened, Jessica brings up the phone to shine at the shadow. A woman hisses from the light and covers her eyes. 

Her attire consists of light blue butterfly pajamas. She appears to be in her late twenties. Her blond hair is disheveled like straw, and the putrid smell emanating from her is overwhelming.

Once the woman adjusts from the light, recognition beams from her and she points at Jessica. 

“It’s you,” the woman rasps, her voice cracking. “You’re the one.”

Jessica takes a step back, her mind racing. “Do I… know you?”

The woman lets out a hollow laugh. “Of course not. No one knows about the dead, do they?” She curtsies mockingly, her movements jerky and unnatural. “Welcome to the family, Jessica.”

Recognition dawns on Jessica, and her blood runs cold. “You’re… Cindy. Jake’s sister. But you’re supposed to be—”

“Dead?” Cindy interrupts, her grin widening to reveal yellowed teeth. “Oh, I am. But not in the way they told you.” She steps closer, her eyes gleaming with a manic light. “They locked me away, Jessica. Just like they’ll lock you away if you don’t play your part.”

Jessica’s heart pounds as Cindy’s words sink in. “What are you talking about?”

Cindy leans in, her breath hot and sour against Jessica’s ear. “The Luxemburg's don’t let go of what’s theirs.

You’ll see.

You’ll all see.” The woman says before releasing a maniacal laugh.