Cressy

Opening my eyes when the constant sound of drumbeats annoyed my ears. I realized I had fallen asleep. And perhaps, no one else had noticed either. The courtesy of switching the sound system off wasn't evident.

Moving my hand, I turned the volume to zero, and leaned back, closing my eyes yet again.

"Cress!! Cress wake up" his voice fell on my ears, his hand shaking my arm.

"Wake up, Cress. We are almost there" he said, enthusiastically.

I didn't reply, or move, didn't want to. Tired, lacking sleep, all this was too much for my brain to wrap around.

Cressida Jordain Shipley, the only daughter of the richest man of the country, heading back home after completing her college, was actually, not very excited.

"Cress, for God's sake. We are able to see the gigantic mansion now" Lizzie, my best friend, the excited one, almost screamed.

Finally opening my eyes, enough to adjust to the light, I sat up properly to see what they were so happy about.

Okay, that, was definitely worth the madness.

I have lived mostly in dormitories. Boarding school, then college. Home, was something very distant in my memory now. Spend holidays at Lizzie's or, sometimes, at my granny's house. This wasn't what my expectation when dad called to inform that our new house was ready.

"Holy Shit!! " Jazz said with a round mouth wide open.

"That's called a house? " Lizzie asked.

"No" I said, adjusting in my seat, "That's and estate".

We were silent, till he drove to the very gates of my new, permanent house.

Those were huge, much like an entrance to some royal castle, with gun loaded guards, who were taller, darker, and very scary.

Jasper got the windows down, and his voice shook as he spoke, "Cressida, Mr. Shipley's daughter "

The guard peeked into the car to see me, and I tried to look like myself, even if my tired face didn't.

"Welcome home, ma'am" he said in his deep voice.

I just nodded. What else was I supposed to do? No one taught me the royal manners.

The gates opened and Jazz drove in, this time, even my jaw dropped down, staring at the vastness of the estate.

There were guards all along the lane and the road came to an end, the car couldn't go further. But the estate had just began.

Helpless, Jasper stopped the car.

"What now? " he asked looking at me.

"I am here the for the first time as well" I said.

Before we could react further, our doors were opened. Lizzie jumped in the back seat.

"Sir, hand over the keys. We would take the car to the parking lot" one of the scary men said.

We stepped out of the car, and Jasper swallowed hard as he handed the keys to him.

"Cress? You sure about this? " he asked.

"No, but what choice do I have? " I said.

"Follow me, madam " a less scary man said. It amazed me, how tall each of them was. Jasper's a good six feet tall, yet these men, they were giants. I held onto Jasper's arm as we followed them.

He led us to some stairs, on the end of which, a large golf cart awaited us.

"Your father seriously owns this all? " Lizzie asked.

I didn't reply, I didn't know how to.

We got into the golf cart and the driver started the engine.

What was visible to us before was just the starter, the main course was hidden behind the huge castle like building. We crossed it, and there was a large park, followed by a lake. I can't believe dad got an artificial lake build here. There were swans, and other kinds of birds floating on it. While many flew in the sky. I definitely saw a peacock, but it was just a blink of the eye. There were little huts, and cottages on the sides, with two very large buildings in the centre, and some smaller ones in the way.

"Madam? Do you want the full tour now? Or later with your father? " the driver asked.

"Later. I am very tired" I quickly said. Lizzie and Jasper were definitely not amused, but I wanted some rest.

"As you command" he said, and turned the cart over to the largest building.

A nice looking lady, dressed in a formal soft pink suit, walked to us.

"Welcome madam" she gave me a bouquet.

"Thank you" I said, confused. I was back at my own house. Okay, not back, this was new but whatever.

"Come madam, I'll show you, your room. Lily and Joseph please guide her dear friends" she said.

Lily and Joseph, both perfectly dressed, bowed and stood there.

"Take care, Cress" Jasper said, kissing my cheek gently.

"Love you, Cressy" Lizzie gave me a hug and they both walked away.

I followed the first lady.

"My name is Noah Brown, at your service always, madam" she said.

I just nodded. We walked inside the building, which looked nothing less then a five star hotel. She walked towards the elevator.

"Elevator? Seriously? We need an elevator here? " I was shocked.

"Yes, madam. The 7th floor is all yours " she said.

"And how many floors are there, exactly? " I asked as we stepped into the huge elevator, with shiny buttons and mirrors all around it.

"Twelve, madam" she replied.

"What floor is dad's room? " I asked, as she hit the seven button.

"Tenth, madam" she replied.

"Okay, what about the 12th? What's  there? " I asked.

"Its the.. " but before she answered, her phone rang.

"Sorry, madam. My senior is calling " she said.

"Yeah, take it" I said.

How many people worked in this place? Gosh! We reached the seventh floor, and walked out. I didn't pay attention to what she said to the person on the phone.

There was a small corridor, that ended in a big hallway that had a large door in the centre.

"The keys to your room, madam" she said, presenting the keys and an envelope , "and this is the map to your room"

"Map? " it was just getting weirder.

"Yes, it would guide you to the restroom, your wardrobe, study, gym, sauna, library, a personal living room, and a small home cinema. The cinepax is on the fifth floor if you please" she explained.

Oh God! I just couldn't imagine what all was happening. This better be a dream. Except, I knew it wasn't.

"I'll take your leave now, ma'am. There is a directory on your bedside table if you need any of us" she said.

"Wait, where are Jasper and Liz? They didn't take the elevator. Is their room on the ground floor? " I asked.

"Ma'am no, they took another elevator to the special guest rooms on the 4th floor. The elevator we took, is for family only. For selective family " she stated

"Selective family? Who else is here besides me and dad? " I asked.

"I am sorry ma'am. I should have explained. Your twin uncles, your grandmother, your three aunts, all of their kids. They are all in this mansion. " she said, lowering her head further.

"Great!! Now I have to bear those step uncles and aunts and their stupid children" I rolled my eyes, "you can go" I said noticing her uneasiness.

She walked away, and I took the keys and opened the door to my own mansion.

"Welcome home, Cress" I said taking  deep breath as I entered the monster called my room.

It wasn't a room, it was a house itself. There was another corridor, and I had to open the map as there were too many doors.

The map revealed the far distant door to be my actual bedroom, the one that had a bed. Thank God.

I rushed towards that door, opened it with another key, and when my eyes lay on the large comfortable bed in the center, I finally relaxed.

"Goodnight, everything. Cress, is now going to sleep" I said, closing the door.

I threw my purse over the couch,  kicking my shoes off, I jumped on the bed, and closed my eyes.

________

So, guys.
A fresh start.
I hope you like Cressy.
So, is it Jasper?
She is so rich.
Do give your reviews.