It was 10 am when Hayley woke up; it was the day after the school festival and it was a holiday. She squirmed inside of her black duvet and buried her head again in her pillow. She was not in the mood to get up from the bed. If it was up to her, she'd gladly stay in bed and sleep for the rest of her life. Don't get her wrong, she's not depressed, just bored. She got nothing to do. What else can she do in a day, as if she can go backpacking and go abroad, right? She had classes tomorrow!
She rolled her eyes and sighed helplessly. She looked around her spacious bedroom and looked at her cute pink heart-shaped wall clock. It was the only light color you can find in her room, since all things inside were in dark hues, just the way she likes it. Though it stuck like a sore thumb around the black-themed room, it was one of the few things she cherished in her life. Then she heard the white mouse on the farther side make a squeaky sound, probably hungry. That was her cue to get out of bed. She made her way to her black long drawer near her vanity table and opened the top drawer to take its food.
"Hey, Stuart, don't you have had a midnight snack? Why are you begging for food early in the morning?" She teased it. But then she still gave it some. It has its own space in her large bedroom, a nice little gingerbread house that looked old but sturdy. It also has a spinning wheel where it can have its little exercise to pass the boredom. Hayley was trying to raise it as a hamster, though truthfully it was a white mouse. Some maids know its history, except for her parents. Whatever it means to them, Hayley couldn't care less. As much as she cares for that mouse. They were like a group of people with different purposes and uses for one another...
She stretches her lithe body and still can't keep herself from yawning. She combed her long black hair and goes to her black-themed bathroom. To the entrance, there was another vanity table surrounded by small bulbs, and to its side, there is a black with silver metal edges drawer where she stores her bath towels and robes. Next to it was her toilet and beside it was her egg-shaped black bathtub. On the far right corner was her spacious and closed shower room. She doesn't like a clear glass wall; she felt like someone was watching her while taking a bath, nonetheless; it was still made of glass but tainted. Most of the ideas behind her room design came from her. She also has a walk-in closet that she was so proud of. It was made of sliding cabinets on the wall to conserve space. To the left is where her top is stored, to the right is where her bottom is stored, and the center at the back is for her shoes. Only her shoe collection was on the display. There was a huge glass case in the center of the aisle and that is where she stores her accessories, like watches and headdresses and pieces of jewelry. Her bags are in a different room, because it was in a different category, according to her.
Back to our heroine, she is brushing her teeth and tying her long hair into a messy bun while doing so. She believes in effective multi-tasking, and so, she was also picking her home comfy outfit from her other wardrobe outside the bathroom; she has two wardrobes, and her walk-in closet differs from her home comfy wardrobe. Since it was just casual clothes, it was placed around her bedroom. After that, she made her way again inside her bathroom and washed off the toothpaste, and took her shower.
It took her an hour to finish all her morning routine; she was blow-drying her hair when someone knocked on her bedroom door.
"Come in." She said. She's not used to locking her door.
A docile and serious-looking old maid opens the door. "Young miss, madam is having breakfast and wishes you to accompany her right now."
She stopped drying her hair and looked intently at the old maid. She's thinking her mother should've gone last night. Who would've thought that she stayed over the night?
"I'll be down in a minute." That was all she says and started drying her hair again. The old maid made her quiet exit.
After she was done drying her hair, she makes a simple and careless tussle with it and just let it hang around her bare shoulders. Since she was only inside the house, she was wearing a comfy and soft white cotton top and cotton white dolphin shorts. She looked taller, with her slender legs in clear view. Her white smooth shoulder is also nice to look at. Though her curves are showing, it was not an indecent view at all. She just looked innocent, but with an indifferent aura around her.
After some time, there was a soft footstep that can be heard going toward the dining area.
In the big, spacious, and elegant dining area, two women were talking while the young, handsome man was eating elegantly while listening to their talk, though he has nothing to do with fashion and has little knowledge of the woman's world he maintains his politeness to those whose talking, not too disinterested but not that enthusiastic either.....
"She must be here...." Hayley's mother said. Her voice has a hint of excitement. She placed down her cutlery and dabbed the side of her mouth with the table napkin.
Going inside the dining area, Hayley just lazily strolled over and made her way to the long table. She was not giving her attention to the guests present because it was a common thing whenever her mother was around.
"My darling daughter, come on and sit, have your breakfast, I want you to meet someone...." Her mother dotingly called her and made her sit beside her.
Hayley was still not paying attention to anyone, but the two guests neither take it to the heart nor think she was being rude, especially the woman beside the man. She already knew this young lady's infamous indifferent character. Like mother, like daughter...
"Your auntie Mira has not been here for a long time, why not greet her first?...." Her mother coaxes her.
By then Hayley lifted her head and takes in her surroundings and finally, her eyes landed on the two guests present... And that is her turn to be surprised. The man took her surprised expression very well and smiled at her.
What caught Hayley's attention was that electric steel-blue eyes... It was mesmerizing the second time around.....
Her mother saw that surprised look in her daughter's eyes and took it as infatuation. She smiled. It will not be that hard, and so she thinks.....
"I want you to meet Damon Matthew Moretti. He's your aunt's son."
The beautiful aunt laughs softly. "what are you saying? They have met a long time ago! Sweetheart, do you remember Matty?"
The young man cleared his throat... "Mom." He said, warning interlace in his hoarse and deep voice.
Hayley was captured by his voice. It looked like this guy loves to smoke. It was clear with how gruff and deep his voice was. It sounds so... manly, nevertheless.
The beautiful auntie smiled dotingly at him. "I'm sorry, I won't call you that again..." she said while giggling.
The handsome man shook his head helplessly. She had said it many times before but still does it, anyway. The beautiful woman can't help it, though.
"Mira, stop treating him like a child. Do you see how manly he turned out to be and still call him that? You're ridiculous!"
Hayley looked at the guy beside the beautiful auntie. She understands quickly that the woman was doting on her one and only child. That explains his middle name. He's a gift.
"Sweetheart, Mat plays with you when you were both young." Her mother explains while attentively placing food on her daughter's plate.
"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Moretti is a few years older than me?"
There was a short silence then both women looked at each other wide-eyed, then laughs and looked teasingly at the handsome man.
"Just a couple of years." The guy said matter-of-factly.
Hayley keeps quiet after that and is focused on eating whatever is on her plate. She was not aware that the man across her was taking a peek at her every so often watching her eat, what she doesn't know was he loved the way she takes that fork in her mouth and gently licks it with her small pink tongue taking in the food before sliding it out of her mouth. The handsome guy especially loves watching it and thinks he will not get bored with it for a long time. He smiled despite himself. He was now deep in the quicksand and it will be difficult to get out of it.
After the sumptuous breakfast, the two women keep on chatting and the youngsters were forced to follow them to the garden to chat continuously and drink tea while appreciating the surroundings.
"Sweetheart, you grew up so fast. I can't help but remember when you were young, you are so bubbly and mischievous, you were so adorable!" The beautiful auntie said. There was a doting expression in her eyes. She was holding Hayley's hand and patting it softly.
Hayley's mother sighed, "how time flies. It was like yesterday. You were running around with colorful butterfly wings before, acting adorable now..."
If only Hayley could roll her eyes..... She hates this kind of thing, reminiscing and wishing for something impossible. No one can turn back time...
Hayley saw the handsome man standing close to them. He was on his phone and looked like his talking business. You can tell just by his aura... Such as being a businessman...
"Sweetheart, why don't you accompany Matt to look around the garden?" Her mother coaxed her again.
Hayley looked at her, thinking, what can this small garden entice him? Flowers?! But her mother looked at her with that domineering smile of hers. She was not afraid of her, but afraid that she would be annoyed with all her coaxing. So, she stands up helplessly and strolls toward the man.
Damon feels her presence and cut off the call abruptly and looked at the approaching lady. When she was a meter from him, he smiled at her. "Care to give me a tour?" He asked nicely.
Hayley raised her eyebrow. This guy has a sharp supersonic hearing! What can she do? "My pleasure, this way, please." She said with her not-so-excited voice and a lazy smile.
They stroll along the stone pavement, through the pond that has koi fishes, through the over-bridge that was decorated with orchids, and through the spacious gap with lots of trees surrounding it. In Hayley's own words there was nothing to see in the garden, but in a common person's perspective it was not only a little sister but also half the size of the famous Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens in Tokyo, it looked like one because it was inspired from that beautiful garden. Japan is her mother's favorite destination when her mother is still an international supermodel and likes to travel around the world. They talk about many things, including their childhood memories, which keep Hayley entertained, and she forgot her boredom.
"So, are you able to remember me now?"
Hayley looked at him first, then said, "Yeah, you were the one who always bullied Hunter..."
Then it was an awkward silence..... Hayley thinks, yeah, say something unexpected... She sighed helplessly. What can she do? That was the only memory she had of him.?
"He should have been a big boy now...." He said.
Hayley rolled her eyes... "Why are you trying to be cautious around me? I know that you know, Auntie Mira knows, my mom knows. They should have talked about him openly, not looked like feeling strained."
"It was never an easy topic, Hayley...."
It was the first time she heard him say her name... It feels nostalgic somehow.....
"Wherever he was, I know he's fine. It was better to talk about him. At least he knows he was not forgotten."
Damon looked at her. "That song you sang last night. I remember it was his favorite song, right?"
Hayley picked up a broken branch from the ground and played with it. "Wow, you still remember?'"
"Of course." That is all he can say.
"Well, I heard you were staying for good..."
He just hummed his answer.
"Why? You've been living there for almost ten years. Why go back now?"
He laughs, "mother does not want to settle there. She was longing for her own country. She wants me to be here."
"It's what she wants. How about you?"
"I like it here as well. I was born here. Why you don't want me to be here?"
Hayley rolled her eyes. Stop with your flirting, will you?
"I want to grow and stretch my empire here. I'm a businessman."
Hayley nodded her head.
"I heard you were the one who challenged the former queen in the academy...."
Hayley laughs and throws the broken branch in the air. You heard a lot of things... "Oh, yeah, I just want to annoy her... You know, it was becoming boring recently. A queen should take on a challenge, right?"
Damon laughed loudly. "You're weird. Have you ever heard of a beauty queen fighting for her crown the second time around?"
"Haha. So what? I know she will take the bait, happens every time." She said a bit haughtily. She thought, heck, she doesn't even think before agreeing?!
It was such nice weather along the nice road and it was a nice walk with him. They saw each other, not for the first time, but like old souls, the memories she had resonated through old times. It was sure a long time since she felt relaxed. She doesn't know the feeling until then. It was nostalgic and comfortable at the same time.
Somehow, being with him feels like being close to Hunter... It has been a long time. She's feeling it again. She yearns for it, every waking hour of her life. She was thankful that he came back, even if it was not for her..... The connection between them, her, him, and Hunter was so strong that she feels like having Hunter by her side again.
"Uncle will come home tomorrow... I will come here tomorrow morning to see him."
Hayley knew it was this month that her father will be home. It has been 6 months...
"Oh, why so early?" She asked. Why not have lunch or dinner? It was unnecessary to come so early in the morning, right?
Damon looked at her and saw her being skeptical. He chuckled. "Tomorrow, I need to go to the States for a conference. I won't be able to see him when I came back."
"Oh." That was all she said.
Early the next day, Hayley was going down the stairs when a maid comes to her and greeted her with a smile, and told her about breakfast. Her dad and a guest are with them. She knew that it will be Damon. She walked leisurely towards the dining room.
"Sweetheart, good morning! Come on and have your breakfast." Her dad greeted her with a wrinkly smiley face. He was a forty-year-old handsome man and was a good congressman of the province where he grew up. All the men in his family were into politics so, there was no surprise when he entered the world of politics at the age of 25. He was well-loved by the people under his district and did so many good things during his term and so, the reason he was reigning for three consecutive terms. There was a rumor that he would run as a senator in this coming election and so, he was busy within these 6 months that he was away from his daughter.
"Good morning, dad, Damon."
"Haha, why are you calling him that? He's older than you at least call him, big brother?" Her father teased her.
The handsome man across from him just chuckles but continues with his breakfast. Her father called for the maid to serve Hayley's breakfast. "Your mother was out, but she will come home this evening. Let's have our dinner. It's been a while since we have eaten together."
Hayley didn't answer and just put her head down and focused on her meal.
Her father was still looking at her, feeling a little sympathetic towards her. She has grown over the last six months. He has not seen her. It only made the big gap of indifference get bigger with every second he was away from her. He admits her daughter was not close to him. Not even a father and daughter bonding can amend the huge gap between them. He can't help but feel helpless. He turned his gaze to the young, handsome man on his left side; he was a successful businessman; it has been years since he last saw him; he has a favorable impression of him and that this young man's father helps him a lot during his campaign many years ago; he was having this dream that this young man fancies her daughter. If so, their family could have strong ties in the future. Not only for his benefit; but also his daughter's. He knew that if she married Moretti, she will have a happy life with no worries, her social status would be stable, and she can live as a typical rich wife in a typical rich family household can. In that way, he will worry less about her in the future.
"Matt, since you will stay here for good, why not accompany Hayley more often, you two have known each other since young, plus she can be your tour guide, she can accompany you everywhere, it's been so long since your last time here, a lot of things and places change here, you will be surprised."
The young man looked at the young lady whose head was down and eating while saying, "that's a good idea, uncle." He said with a smile on his handsome face.
Hayley had the urge to roll her eyes. She doesn't understand what these two men are talking about. All she needs in her life is Peace. The men were busy chatting from politics to business to current events and then back to politics again. She was getting bored every second.
After breakfast, Hayley looked at her Omega constellation quartz wristwatch and found that the time was not early and she needs to go to school now. She drank her tea and pushed her chair out. "I need to go now, dad." That was all she said.
Her father looked at her and then was about to call for a driver when Damon took one last gulp of his tea and presented himself to drive Hayley to school. At that moment, Hayley's father was smiling wide like he expected it to happen and hurriedly said that it was getting late and Hayley needs to be at school within half an hour.
Hayley thought her father can't wait to get rid of his rice eater of a daughter, huh!
They made their way outside of the house and his luxury car was already out of the parking and already in front of the huge gate. He opened the car door for her and usher her in; he sat beside her in the backseat. It was not long when they reach St. Claire; she got outside and Damon got out as well when he saw that no students were lingering outside the campus.
"All right, see you in about a week from now." That was all he said to her.
Hayley nodded and wave him goodbye. When she turned, she saw Yuri, who was near. She raised her eyebrow. Did this girl see everything?
However, that girl was not like her bubbly self, being so preoccupied at that moment, she was not sure if she did- or did not see Damon. She just shrugged and went inside the campus.
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