What Is She Doing Here? 

Alaia 

“To start, I want you to come with me to the UK,” my father requested, but I remained silent, trying to process everything. I don’t know how to feel. My parents are wonderful, and although I don’t like lies, I know they wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I have no complaints about my life and their role as parents. “I shouldn’t have hidden it for so long, Ali, but I didn’t know how you were going to take it. I wanted to tell you when you became a woman, but something stopped me.” My mother looked distressed; it must be because I hadn’t said a single word. 

“It’s okay, Mom. I think this was the best time to learn the truth.” That was how I felt. Leaving the country is better than moving to Chicago. I just want to start a new life far from the 

Garnetts, far from everything. 

My mother hugged me; my father watched us in silence, waiting for my answer. 

“When are we leaving?” I asked. My father raised both eyebrows. 

“Whenever you want, honey. Everything is ready for you to move. You’ll arrive at my house in the UK, and then we’ll find a new house for you. You can choose what suits your liking, of course, if you want to move. Just take what you need; you’ll have everything you need there.” 

“We’ll move. I don’t want to be in the same house where you live with your wife,” my mother 

said almost immediately. 

“Paula, I divorced several years ago,” my father stated impatiently. 

They started talking, or rather arguing, leaving aside the cordial relationship they had maintained all these years. 

“You were married?” I asked, completely surprised, making them stop. I don’t know much about my father’s relationships; I never questioned him about that aspect. 

“That’s right. I got divorced five years ago. Now I live, let’s say, alone. We’ll talk about it when 

we’re in the UK and settled in.” 

I’ve entered a new world in the past week, and all I know is that I have to adapt to a new life and new revelations. It seemed like I’d been living a lie, not only with Nick but also with my 

family. 

“We’ll leave tomorrow,” I said confidently and stood. My mother looked surprised. 

“Good. I’ll arrange the trip for tomorrow night, so you have tomorrow to get ready, and you should tell me what you want to do with this house.” 

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9 Paint 

What Is She Doing Here? 

I looked at my mother, and she shrugged, letting me know it was my decision. 

“I want to sell it, but now that I see it’s not necessary, we can rent it. I just don’t want it to be in 

my mother’s and my name.” 

“Okay, we’ll put it in the company’s name. It can be yours again whenever you decide,” my 

father said to which I agreed. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll go so you can officially take my last 

name,” he added. 

Then I remembered that I don’t have his last name, something I never questioned. 

“I did it to keep Darius away from you, honey,” my mother explained as if she knew what I was 

thinking already. 

“I’d save a new question for when this is all over. I just hope there are no more “surprises.” 

“Well, it’s been a very long day. I think it’s best if you go to bed, honey.” My mother cupped my 

face in her hands. 

I said goodbye to my parents and went to bed. I think I’ve had enough emotions for today. My thoughts and feelings were in turmoil. I brought a hand to my flat abdomen and felt a tingle run through my chest as I thought about them. 

The next day… 

After changing my mother’s last name to Russell, my father’s, we went back home to pack my bags. I closed the last suitcase with my clothes and sat on the bed to look around. All the memories of my childhood and adolescence were here. I let out a sigh, not wanting to think 

about my time in college. 

“Honey, everything is ready. We’ll leave in an hour,” my mother said as she entered and sat 

next to me. 

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you for your unconditional support,” I said, taking her hand. I’ve put aside the secret that she kept all these years; I can’t change the past, so I need to live with the 

present. 

“You’re my only daughter, my treasure. I won’t leave you alone for anything in the world.” 

“Even if you have to go to my father’s house, just for me,” I said with a little amusement. 

“I’ll make the sacrifice, honey.” She laughed. I shook my head. 

“What happened between you two?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. My mother made a gesture 

with her lips. 

“Honey, it’s a long story. Come on, we’ll have time to talk about it. I always wanted to go to the 

2/6 

. Pain 

What Is She Doing Here? 

UK, you know,” she said, emphasizing her British accent, making me laugh. 

She stood and held out his hands to me. I got it as we clasped our hands together before going down. 

I walked through the house, feeling a bit nostalgic, temporarily saying goodbye to it before getting into my father’s truck and embarking on a journey that would be a new beginning. 

We arrived at the airport, and I was surprised to see the black private jet with my father’s 

company name written in large letters. We boarded, and I was even more amazed at how 

beautiful it was inside. I took a seat on one of the comfortable couches and watched the city 

as it took off. It felt strange to leave so unexpectedly, but I was sure that there was nothing left 

for me here. The only people who matter to me are traveling with me. 

“Honey,” my mother whispered and shook my shoulder. 

“Mmmm,” I said and slowly opened my eyes. 

“We’ve arrived.” My mother kissed my head. I woke up and stretched my body. My father was 

reading something on his laptop while drinking juice. 

The plane landed and we got off. A beautiful blue sky welcomed us. A couple of men took 

care of our luggage as we got into a black van. A certain excitement ran through me, as I 

watched the beautiful city with delight. I looked at my mother, and she looked just as excited 

as I was. 

Almost 45 minutes later, we arrived at a neighborhood with beautiful houses, villas, and lovely 

gardens. I observed everything, noticing the great difference between Los Angeles and the UK. 

After a short drive through the elegant streets, we arrived at a spectacular house. I turned to 

look at my mother, and she didn’t seem as surprised as I was. The car stopped in front of the 

door, and the men, who I now know were my father’s bodyguards, opened the doors for us. 

I slowly got out of the car and looked around curiously. 

“Go ahead.” My father pointed to the door and took me by the waist to lead me into the house, 

which turned out to be a very huge mansion. 

Everything was in order. The decorations were elegant, and the floors and every part of it 

shined. All I could say was, “Wow!” 

“Welcome to your new home.” My father made me look at him. “I had two rooms prepared for 

you. We’ll have lunch like a real family, for the first time in many years,” he said, a slight smile 

playing on his lips. 

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+3 Pain 

What Is She Doing Here? 

“Sondra, this is my daughter Alaia.” My father introduced me to a pleasant–looking woman. She must be in her 40s. Sondra nodded. “And this is Paula, her mother.” 

“Nice to meet you,” we both said warmly. 

“She’ll give you a tour of the house so you can familiarize yourselves while I make a couple of calls.” 

We nodd. My father kissed me on the head and walked towards a huge door. 

“Follow me, please,” Sondra urged. 

We did as told, and the house doesn’t disappoint. It has ten bedrooms, a swimming pool, and a beautiful garden. The spaces are huge, it was a big change. Finally, Sondra took us to the rooms where I decided to take a bath. My room overlooks the pool and the gardens, and in the background, I could see some trees. The closet has two floors; now I’ll have plenty of space to store all the clothes I’ve bought. It was incredible that this was my new life. 

After taking a shower and changing into jeans, a military green short–sleeved T–shirt, and sneakers, I went downstairs in search of my father. 

“Dad!” a boy about eight years old shouted as he entered the house. 

Confused, I watched him, and he stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed me. 

“Aidan, I told you to wait for me,” a girl said, entering behind him. 

“I wanted to see my father,” the boy replied. His companion noticed me. 

Just then, my mother arrived next to me. 

“Honey,” my father came out of the office. 

“Dad!” the boy shouted and ran towards him. 

Paralyzed, I watched my father’s new secret. 

“Son.” He smiled at the boy and hugged him. “Were you good while I was gone?” he asked. 

“Very good, wasn’t I, Ash?” He looked at the girl. She rolled her eyes but nodded. 

“Honey, Paula, this is Aidan, my son.” 

“Aidan, this is Alaia, your sister. Remember, I told you about her?” The boy nodded and looked at me. I was still speechless. My father is a box of surprises. 

“Hello,” the little boy greeted me. His hair is blond, unlike mine, which is brown. 

“Hello,” I replied and approached him to shake his hand while looking at my father reproachfully for hiding my brother from me. 

8 Point 

What Is She Doing Here? 

My mother seemed to know about the boy. 

“Hello, I’m Paula, Ali’s mother,” she greeted him calmly. 

“Hello,” the boy greeted her. 

“And this is Ashley, your cousin,” my father introduced us. 

“Well, Uncle, you sure kept that one quiet. Hi, welcome. We didn’t know you were coming, or 

we would have organized a welcome for you,” he said to me. 

I smiled. “It’s okay, don’t worry, it was unexpected.” I looked at my father. I knew he was 

discreet, but I didn’t think he was that discreet. 

“Let’s go to the table,” my father said. We all followed him. I must admit that this first lunch 

with the family I didn’t know a few seconds ago was a bit strange, but we have to give it time. 

Lunch passed by, and with it, we got to know Ashley and Aidan a little better. She is the 

daughter of my father’s older brother and she lives next door with her mother, who is on a trip to Scotland. Her parents divorced a couple of years ago. Aidan is eight years old and lives with his mother, but he prefers to see my father, so he spends a lot of time in this house. 

We finished lunch and went out to the living room. I still don’t know exactly what I was going to do or what my father meant when he said that I should take what belonged to me. 

“Patrick.” I heard footsteps and saw an older man who bears a certain resemblance to my 

father enter the house. 

“Grandpa, it’s good to see you,” Ashley said, greeting him. He nodded seriously. 

My father went out to meet the man with my mother. I saw the man clenched his jaw. 

“What’s she doing here?” he asked, turning to look at me. 

“She’s my daughter’s mother. She and my daughter have every right to be here,” my father shot back and stood beside me. The man looked annoyed and snorted. “So, you’ll have to get used to seeing them. It will be Alaia who will take over the company soon.” The man looked at me, and I could tell he wanted to say something. “And I won’t let you say or do anything against her, Dad.” 

“I need to talk to you,” the man said instead, holding back his words, and walking towards 

what I think was an office. 

“Well, he’s a bit of a difficult man,” Ashley said after a sigh. 

“A bit?” 

my mother questioned. Ashley just laughed and shook her head. 

“Come on, let’s go for a walk, instead.” She took us with her. Aidan joined us, too. From what 

b/b 

What Is She Doing Here? 

I’ve seen, he seemed like a good kid.