I spotted the famous blue and gold pyramid out of the many placards which automatically made me cringe as I realized that they still used the company logo to collect their guests.

The Pharaoh Pyramid had the same fame as the royal crest and if you ever saw a pure gold-crest version of it nearby, it meant someone from the Pharaoh family was near as it was only meant for family members.

When I was young I used to carry the crest with honor but as I became older, it felt more like a bull's eye on my back more than a symbol of importance.

A man in his early fifties carried the placard wearing a pinstripe blue suit with the company logo on his lapel. Austin still looked the same as ever except for a few new eye bags.

'I thought you'd be able to get some sleep now that you don't have to babysit me', I smirked as I approached him.

He sighed and took my luggage before replying with a poker face, 'I still have other duties, young master. Like, for instance, your ward'.

'How is our golden child?', I asked with an awkward smile.

'A bright young lady as always. It's a shame you haven't made an acquaintance with her yet'. He frowned and then continued to lead me safely out of the terminal.

Oh Austin, if only you knew.

'So, did you bring my scandal child?', I asked trying to changing the topic.

'Is it really necessary that you must drive this?', he asked gingerly giving me the keys to the only extravagant object I possessed.

'How else would they know I'm back?', I grinned and I felt an old reckless spirit in me awaken as the yellow and black Bugatti came in to view.

'I assume the paps have already caught my scent', I said as I unlocked it.

'Yes, I made out a couple of their vehicles as your car was brought into the airport', he replied distastefully.

'It would be a shame if I didn't give them a show', I smiled innocently.

'Must you?', he asked tiredly watching me get in.

'If I need my plan to work, then yes', I shrugged and started the magnificent beast.

I could still remember the day I had bought this. Dad had never expected me to bring something like this home because he'd always assumed that my Triumph was enough for me. I never needed a car because we used the company car for almost everything. Besides, using the car meant the crest would be shown making it the perfect target for paps.

Me buying the Buggati and slapping the crest on it meant only one thing; I wanted the attention. Wherever the Buggati went, a scandal was close by making it nearly impossible for the company to become the headline for anything other than my feats.

It was like a wildfire. The silent son of Pierce Pharaoh was suddenly seen at clubs and fashion shows with celebrities and other young heirs. Twenty years of my life had been hidden from the public eye and suddenly I was out there gaining more fame than needed. My work offers shot to the sky, my entries to various expos kept winning, and I was invited to every single meeting and party more than Dad.

That was where the trouble started. He started to clasp iron bars around me saying that the success and fame were getting to my head and that I would be the reason for the ruin of the company but I did not yield. That was my first step into the dark where the only light I had was the one-second camera flashes of fame that seemed to blind me more than guide me.

It was through those flashes, my eyes fell upon a warm glow in the form of Naomi.

'They are at the gates, young master', cut in Austin's voice through the two-way radio which was connected in almost every vehicle we owned.

'How many?', I asked.

'About twenty, sir'

'Shame', I smirked and revved up the engine attracting the attention of people on the road. Ah, how I missed this.

Just like Austin said, a swarm of paparazzi was seen at the gates and I tugged the shades down from my head to brace my eyes for the blinding lights.

'ETHAN!'

'WHY ARE YOU BACK?'

'HOW'S LIFE IN CANADA?!'

'WILL YOU RETURN TO PHARAOH ASSOCIATES?!'

I slowly lowered my window and gave them a smile as I waited for the gates to open before zooming into the safety of the compound.

'Your room, young master or-' asked Austin as I got out but I cut in, 'The guest house'.

Austin nodded and then signaled the staff to open the guest house before leading the way.

As I walked along the pebble covered grounds, I glanced at the tall stone mansion with grey shingles. The building which once felt like a safe haven now felt like a suffocating prison to me.

The tall glass doors to the guest house opened as I approached, leading me into a foyer lined with tropical palms on both sides which created a path to a natural-looking pool complete with a small waterfall in the center.

The path forked into two directions. One which lead to the staircase while the other lead to the dining room and kitchen. Behind the small jungle was a wall lined with glass windows with a double door at the center which opened into the living room. The guest house looked more like a tropical retreat center in comparison to the gothic compound it was located in which was why both I and Mum used this as our safe space.

There was a time when I found my life to be normal because it was all I ever knew. Normal was having a healthy diet, strict workouts, dance lessons, and then private classes to prepare me for my future at the company. Business parties and banquets were an add on and then the usual debutant balls where I spent most of the time hiding behind illogically huge statues, otherwise, I'd become bait for a to- be- debutante.

Entering my room reminded me of how it was a stark contrast to the classical one in the main house. This room was in the shades of white and blue with fenestrations wherever I turned. There was no particular theme, it was filled with whatever I liked no matter how weird it looked, like that wall full of comic hero Funkos.

I curiously opened the walk-in closet door wondering if they had all been shifted to the main house but to my relief they were still there, protected in garment covers. I guess Austin was behind this and I felt warm knowing that he had looked after this room as if I would return tomorrow; he was the only person who still believed in me.

I unzipped a bag to reveal a mustard yellow coat and I grinned as I remembered how I had worn these just to spite the company. In the beginning, my clothing had followed the same strict path as well. Whatever they thought was suitable for a young heir, I'd wear them and that was mostly slacks, button-down shirts, and a coat appropriate to the weather. Wearing a tee and jeans was rare because at school we had a uniform and every other time I'd either be in my training outfit or business look.

It wasn't until I entered university did I realize- well I was shown, that my outfit choice was too uptight which sounded ridiculous to me.

'You have an excellent figure. Why are you dressed like an old professor?', asked Naomi.

'It's practical', I replied.

'It's boring', she shot back.

'Ethan's idea of fun is walking tippy-toe', mocked Aravind and I watched as my old squad cackled with glee.

Naomi had opened my eyes to a door that I had never bothered to open before and it lead straight to my own choices.

Suddenly, it was as if everything had been turned upside down. It all still made sense but it appeared unrealistic. That was when I understood that never in my life, had I ever made a decision on my own. I was so busy living for the company like a robot programmed with only one goal, that I forgot I had a say in my life as well.

I smiled as I opened each bag slowly to reveal an array of warm autumn tones and cool blue shades. Gone were all the whites and neutral colors, it was like spring had entered my life.

I remembered the day I had first started wearing my own style. The house staff was confused but Austin told them to let it go as it was simply clothing and nothing else. However, I never knew that the simple choice of opting what to wear had sent a signal to Dad and that ever since then, he had been keeping a close eye on me.

With each tightening pull of the noose around my neck, I fought harder, and when it finally came to a point where I couldn't breathe; I cut loose.

'Austin', I called pulling myself back to reality and he appeared at the door.

'Is Claudia home?', I asked with a small smile.

'She is. Are you planning on visiting Miss Walker?', he asked squinting his eyes.

'Now when has that ever worked out, Austin? Just confirm a time so that I can give her a surprise like usual', I shrugged and he sighed.

'Yes, young master', he said.

'Is the great Pharaoh, home?', I asked looking at my phone to avoid eye contact.

'He went straight to Dubai after visiting your university'

'What about the joker?', I smirked.

'Master Nicholas is here', he frowned.

'Doesn't he have classes to be following the man around?', I asked under my breath.

'He manages to balance his studies and work-'

' I don't need to hear of his greatness', I scowled knowing that everything Nico touched was practically gold.

'Miss John is also well', he said slowly and I felt my heart tighten at Naomi's name.

'I never asked', I replied curtly.

'Yes, but your eyes have been asking ever since you stepped foot in the guest house', he said with a soft smile and then exited leaving me with the numbing pain.

The guest house had once been Naomi's temporary home until everything came to a crashing halt. I could still see her walking around in oversized pants with her headphones on as if nothing else in the world mattered until I came to view and she'd break into a radiant smile.

Almost immediately, Salome's face popped into my head getting rid of the past which caused me to sit down unless I wanted to be swallowed whole by the intensity of the feeling.

After a few quick breathing exercises, my mind was back in order but this time surging with the determination to set things right before anyone could walk in and mess it up again.