As we start pulling up the road closer to our destination, what looks like a city as we get closer and closer looks more like a castle. 

"WOW they must be loaded." 

Claire exclaims with excitement. 

For some reason I don't have a good feeling about this. As we pull up closer and closer we reach a big white gate. Claire then says,

"Huh, there's people at the gate." 

There are two men suited in black with black ties and sunglasses standing in a position with their legs spread and their arms crossed low. Most likely trying to come off as intimidating.  As we Approached the gate she slowly rolls down her window to speak to one of the men in suits. 

"Yes miss? What can I do for you?" 

The man in the suit asks firmly. 

"We are friends of Carters." 

Claire smiles wildly trying to come off as relaxed. 

"Hold on." 

Replies the man in the suit.

He then approaches the gate intercom to speak as he presses down on the button making a crackling sound, 

"Hello, Mr Richard's some of Carter's friends are here to visit should I send them in?" 

The crackling sound repeats once again. 

"What are their names?" 

The man in the suit looks back at Claire signaling her to answer his question so he can inform him. 

"Uh it's Claire and Amelia." 

Claire says almost timidly. It seems like she's regretting her decision to be adventurous. She looks back at me nervously. 

"It's okay Claire, they're just rich people, no need to be so scared." 

I laugh mockingly.

"Shut up! I'm not scared I was the one who convinced you to come! Hmph."  

Claire pouts.

All of a sudden the big white gate parted like the Red Sea. Without saying a word Claire grabs hold of the wheel unsure and slowly drives the path. The closer we get the bigger it appears, I knew Carter was rich, but I didn't know he was this rich. Finally after what seemed like a 20 minutes drive we made it to the front door of the mansion. Both me and Claire exit the car, both of us exchanging nervous glances. 

"I'm not scared, I'm a brave, independent, hot, Indian woman! Yes!" 

Claire pumps her first in the air reassuring herself.  

"You knock." 

I demand knowing she can't say no since she was the one who dragged me here.

"Ugh fine."  

Claire gulps. 

"Their just rich people, their just rich people." 

Claire mutters to herself trying to reassure herself, before she reaches for the big round gold door knocker that had a roaring lion sticking out from it. She then picks it up pounding the roaring lion against the door, Eventually after knocking a few times, after what seemed to be around 3 minutes a man comes to the door. He has a wide charming smile as he approaches us. 

As I examine him I spot similarities between Carter and him. They both have blonde curly hair and the same slender figure, he wore a gold ring on each of his fingers which were curled up clutching a black smooth cane that had a rounded top with a sapphire in the middle. 

He was wearing a suit as well but it looked far fancier compared to the men standing at the entrance gate.

"Hello, come on in!" 

He says invitingly.

His smile almost looked empty and cold, nowhere near a genuine smile. I try to ignore it. As we make our way inside I glance around to see big portraits hanging all over the fancy wallpapered covered walls. Is that Carter? 

I stare at a painting that looks exactly like Carter with a serious face, fancy clothes on with his hair slicked back. I chuckle to myself. 

"So I hear you're friends of Carter?" 

The man asks, startling me because I was too immersed in the fancy painting of Carter. 

I then speak so Claire won't have to, seeing how nervous she is.

"Actually he asked me to tutor him, sir." 

I reassure as politely as I can. 

The man suddenly stops in his tracks. 

"Is that so?" 

The man says slightly intrigued. He then goes to speak again. 

"Your Amelia? I've heard of you." 

He says almost like he wanted to intimate me. I keep a calm composure as I reply, 

"Oh you have? Did Carter tell you?"

The man chuckles. 

"No, nessa warned me about you." 

He turned around still smiling that fake, cold smile. Warned?

I stayed silent in disbelief having no idea how to respond. 

"Follow me." 

He gestures towards a big room that holds big red fancy chairs adjacent to each other. In the middle a rectangular marbled coffee table. 

"Both of you please take a seat anywhere you please." 

Both me and Claire sit besides each other on a big red Sofa. 

"Could I interest any of you in something to drink?" 

Both me and Claire reply simultaneously with a, 

"No thank you."

He then takes a seat across from us setting his cane against the chair. He then raises both his hands to interlock together, crossing his legs pointing his shiny loafers, exposing his long black socks. quickly changing into a serious, stern expression, almost identical to Carters. 

"There's no need for you to tutor my son, tell me how much he pays you and I'll pay you a year's worth." 

He says firmly hands still interlocked. I could feel his deep blue eyes burn into mine. Carter must get his eyes from his mother. 

"Excuse me?" 

I ask confused. 

"It's best to stay away, Carter doesn't need any distractions right now it's best if you could keep your distance. Nessa warned me about you coming." 

He says. 

"Nessa? But I-" 

I try to gather my words together, Carters father interrupts, 

"His mother is bedridden, he has enough to deal with as is. I'm sure you know, Carter and Nessa are engaged to marry. So I would say it's best to take this money and leave." 

He states coldly not taking no for an answer as he gets up to hand me a slip of paper. It's a check with more zeros than I've seen in my life.

I sat there in shock, check in my hands. Before I could say anything the man speaks again, 

"Well I guess I'll see you off then." 

Without another word we both obey knowing there's not really much of a choice. as he walks us out the door, Me and Claire walk back to the car. Once we reach the car door, Claire finally speaks after a long moment of deafening silence.

"How dare he! Who does he think he is, To buy you off like we are some type of animals?! Rich people disgust me!" 

Claire screams out in frustration. 

"Claire, it's okay. Let's just get out of here okay?" 

I say my mind is too full of thoughts to get angry. 

Claire then looks at me with a saddened look. 

"Okay." 

She responds. The rest of the way home was silent, Trying to wrap my head around everything. How nessa set me up, how they were supposed to be engaged but the one thing that bugged me the most was what Carters dad said about his mother. Bedridden?

I had no idea she was sick, that's why he never comes to school, He's always by his dying mother's side. My thoughts all blur into one as the rain starts pouring down, racing down my window.