Athena's POV
The morning in London felt lot more busy than Manila. We are going to the Harringtons. We barely slept. The concept of relaxation in Jules's involved constant pacing in the suit. Finally she slept for one hour. I could feel her tension growing with interest. We don't know why they want us or Jules? After the long time. When she finally trying to live, trying to laugh without boundaries. I'm confident about one thing what she'll gonna face I'm with her.
But the fact is she's now leaning into the seat but her mind is racing beyond the imaginations. I could tell that by analysis her over five years. Her fingers are working on the keyboard, eyes locked in the screen, brows frowning now and then.
I don't know how she survived all and still sitting here like her world is not falling appart.
"Stop staring! " , Her voice snapped me out of the thought.
"What?"
"Did Ben gave you any update? Why the mechanical dismantling happening? "
"I don't know. Let me check. "
I called Ben. The network disturbed. He finally received the call.
"Where are you both? I'm calling you again and again! "
He huffed while asking.
"You know we're in London. Jules needs update. "
"The situation is good. But something happening at mechanical part. Let me handle it. I'll solve the problem as soon as possible."
"Okay. "
I conveyed everything to Jules. She just nodded. Her eyes are not cold or warm. She's silent completely. Finally she speaks up,
"We have to go back as soon as possible. Work can't wait. This world can crash within a minute. "
Meanwhile we reached the Harrington mansion. It's my first time visiting her home. Well so called home. I can't believe she left this here and went to Philippines. But she handle it well.
But the thing that looking off is the long convoy parked in the driveway. It looks like the nation security crashed in the mansion. My gut twisted. Last thing I could think is message the whole situation to our emergency contact.
We paid the cab. Headed towards the entrance. For the first time Jules looked a little vulnerable but confident like always.
When we entered, the world which welcomed us wrapped in elegance with expensive taste. The interior, couch, curtains and the most important the persons I can see all of that seems like they use hundred dollars as the tip for the cab. Wait! they have cars why would they need to ride a cab?
But my thoughts got a pause when a lady from the couch comes to us, to Jules. Instantly I could feel the shift in her presence.
She turned cold like a Ice-queen that people call who know her now.
When the lady tried to hug her she moved back instantly. The lady's hands lowered slowly, her overly-sweet smile turned into a cruel smug.
"Still the same ha! You should have learnt some curtsy dear. "
Her words sounded like a invisible dagger with expensive sugarcoating.
Jules's POV
In the cab I was thinking about multiple things. The work proposal, schedule, meetings, how Ben handling everything and most important why I'm breathing in London air. I shouldn't be here. But for the sake of irony I'm here now.
Why the need me now?
Exactly they need me. Doesn't want me there neither I want them after crossing and loosing everything . It costed me over the price they could pay. But this time I'm ready to pay. Apparently I'm prepared for the worst what can they throw. But I need to see my grandma first.
My eyes are busy on laptop screen. I noticed the glitch. Is someone intervened? Is there any problem?
I noticed Athena with corner of my eyes. She's observing me. I can feel her concern. So I snapped her out of the thought.
She called Ben. Some technical issues are there. But Ben is efficient. He's dedicated to work. He'll handle it.
Then the worst part came. We entered the mansion. I can see the convoy in the driveway like a important pesron sipping on expensive tea in the living room. I scratched the thought. I need to serve the purpose.
I entered in.
Athena is awestrucked by the property or lavishness. Judging my every life decision that led me to Philippines leaving this liberty.
The Harringtons are there. A lady is sitting on the couch, her back against me. She seems a high society elegant.
As soon as my step mother Mrs. Lyra Harrington saw me, she comes to me like she's the most caring mom in the world. The past flashed a little.
The plead, scream, betrayal.
As she try to hug me. I backed off. So she lectured me. Huh! A uncircumcised woman who just needed validation in the society lectured me about curtsy.
Somehow all came together ,my blood boiled but my voice is so cold that can cut the ice.
"I don't fit in the false-curtsy rituals like Harringtons. That's why I'm a Laurent. Much more efficient for them who actually deserves respect. "
Her face changed fully. Her eyebrows go upwards first then they frowned. Teeth clenched so hard that might break. Cheeks flushed by the humiliation. I can see the imaginary smoke coming out of her ear.
Before she could even process. A voice of boots marching against the floor comes from behind.
A person entered in. He stopped behind me and Athena. And looking at him the expression of the Harringtons changed.
I felt how curiosity itched against my skin to look who's the person. Like his presence makes them pale.
One thing to notice. The elegant lady seemed unbothered.
Who's she?
What do I care?
Mr. Arther Harrington, the husband of Lyra Harrington cleared his throat.
Yes he's my so called father but never done anything like father.
He swallow once, " Welcome Mr. Watson."
Wait!!! Just he said Watson ? Like the Watson-Watson?
No , no, no the fate can't be so cruel.
Maybe I can't handle all my past reunion at once atleast not in Harrington mansion.
And since when Harringtons and Watsons can able to come under room without any shooting or stabbing and without any collision?
Maybe the fate is that cruel.
The familiar voice greets from behind.
"Good morning Ms. Josephine Anastasia Harrington."
The audacity!!! To greet me? Me? Like nothing happened. How one can be so full of himself. You should learn from him. If he can teach you for free. Or hiring a Watson. Leave it behind the dreams or worst of all.
But the thing make me look at him . This time really looked. That he addressed me as Harrington.
A Harrington? Right. Something never changes.
I maintained my cool voice with my expression. Crossed my arms against my chest. Looked at his eyes.
The eyes which make me forget all things in the world. Turned out in those eyes I never wanted to meet.
He's looking the same. Same cold, untouchable, expensive,strong with presence to pause the breathing of everyone in the room with just a glare.
Everything was same. But his eyes looked different.
Stop Ana!
"Morning to you too Mr. Mark Keifer Watson. But you mistaken. I'm not a Harrington. I'm Josephine Anastasia Laurent. "
He looked at me like he's studying me. But a voice interrupted again.
This time a small voice. Happy, fresh, full of joy.
Before I could process two tiny hands caged my waist from behind. I turned in the hands.
"I missed you Fairy. "
A familiar face came in sight.
Keira . Keira Watson. The sister of Keifer.
She still remembered me.
She haven't change, just grew in hight. May be now she's ten. Still calls me fairy. I don't know why.
My expression changed immediately. I can't be hard with her. She's pure and innocent . Like I was.
I caressing her wavy hair.
"How are you my baby?"
She pouted a little. Her lower lip trembling. Eyes glassy.
"Why did you left me? You promised you'll never leave me."
The words hit more than they expected.
The air grew thick.
Keifer's POV
I entered the place that I hated more than anything.
The Harrington mansion.
But this time I have to make up my mistakes and fulfil someone's wish.
When I entered. She's there.
My Ana.
She's changed. Her posture now holding power. More than before.
Her step mother in front her. Looked like the world personally plotted against her.
But I want to see her face.
I greeted her as Harrington. Knowing how much she hated the Surname then.
She looked around. I knew she would.
But her expressions! So cold. So her voice. It clearly hit me with realisation that how much she had changed and how much I have to earn.
She addressed her as Laurent.
A Laurent? How?
I studied her. She's looking in my like. There's nothing like before.
Her softness, warmth are vanished.
Did she really moved on?
But the situation changed when Keira hugged her.
She looked like before.
But Keira' s question made the air thick.
A sharp realisation again hit. That I wronged with her too.
Then I noticed.
A girl next to her standing. Blonde with blue and pink highlights in hair.
Ana really likes colour. She's now with a colour-coded friend.
But leave it for now.
I cleared my throat.
"Keira. Don't make her uncomfortable. She's now here. "
This time Ana looked at me. But this time with a little gratitude, the coldness of her eyes still there.
But atleast she looked. And I didn't break the eye contact.
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I'm posting the second chapter. Please comment if you like it or not. And I'm trying to be more regular.