Sweet Secrets

Welcome to Pearl Harbor

I have always been an early riser, but today I have a reason to wake up extra early. My mom taught me to cleanse the place where I'm going to stay for a few days. It is said to create a protective barrier around everyone with a positive aura in your proximity.

After completing my morning routine even before sunrise I did my morning prayer to goddess above me and sent a sweet and affectionate message to the morning star for my mother. In ancient scriptures kept conserved by my family it is mentioned that any message sent to morning star after taking any deceased name will reach them in no time.

It's still dark outside but I can't go back to sleep again even with sweet aroma of forest air. I played with the ring in my finger, I know my decision was completely on a whim but I will do this again. I want to prove this to myself whether I deserve my family position or not. I don't want the power just because I'm born to attain it, I want to be capable to handle them.

But that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to have my doubts. I'm still young and have zero experience with the world. Am I capable? Can I really do this? What if I fail? My whole life I have been told I'm the sole hier and failure here means .... I shook my head and make a promise to myself. I'll never let these insecurities mess up anything. I'm going to do what I must and let leave rest on goddess. I'm meant to be a ruler not a believer of my insecurities. I decided to head down and have a cup of coffee to calm my nerves a little.

I walked down the stairs and felt someone rummaging around the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen I find a lady in her late seventies, even with grey hair slightly bended spine and wrinkles on her face, anyone with eyes can still see she was beautiful in her days. Her melted brown almond shape eyes standout, it seems full of life and knowledge.

She smiled warmly and hugged me. I'm not someone who is comfortable with hugs but I think I can make a exception for her, it seems nice to have someone hold you in a warm embrace once in awhile.

"You must be Zoe, you can call me Elizabeth, I'm so sorry for your lose darling. I know nothing will ever fill this void but the show must go on, sweetheart. You want some coffee?" She started making coffee in espresso machine.

I nod my head. She poured the cup in two cups, she seems fragile so I helped her to the dining table.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't here to welcome you, I have to deal with movers so..... But, I hope you like Crystal and Stacey, they both of them are great kids a little bit loudmouth but what can we say. Time had changed girls in my time...." She let these words fade while shaking her head.

"I know this place seems old but I had tried my whole life to give kids living here a life a home. It might take some time to adjust, feel free to roam around. But there are some rules here but all of them are for your safety only, I hope you understand."

She looked at me exceptionally, I can't fathom out why but it feels like this one sided conversation was what I needed the most. I'm tired of people asking how I'm feeling, what I'm doing and why I'm doing something. She just said it once and let it go, leaving it on me to decide whether I want to discuss this or not.

"I understand." I replied and waited patiently for her to explain further. She took a sip of coffee let out a tired sigh.

"The thing is I'm retiring and tomorrow my granddaughter is taking over this orphanage, so I'll let her decide what kind of rules she is going to place. Enjoy your coffee dear and feel free to use anything in this house." I let her go with a polite nod and got up to help her, I can see her shaking hands not from fear but from extreme fatigue, but shook her head with a 'I got this'.

I washed the cup after finishing and head to library after all she said I was free to use anything in this house. I must say this house has a huge collection of books, I had just completed reading titles of a few random books when I felt my phone vibrate. It was Jason, he said he will be arriving around evening today. Goddess know what is wrong with him. It was 11'o clock the time Elizabeth said they will serve breakfast.

I returned to kitchen where Elizabeth announced her news of retirement, it wasn't shock given her age and health. She was leaving in the evening so we including me, Hobi and Jimin helped to arrange a small party. I can see Stacey's and Crystal's teary eyes, she was the mother they never had after all. Elizabeth left giving all of us tight hugs while movers were going back and forth taking almost everything from that room. It feels like these hugs are her way of expressing her affection.

Time flies faster than the speed of light. We were watching TV after cleaning the kitchen, hall when Jason arrived, I guess I should give him the charm first. I know everyone might feels I'm too much into this stuff but I've been taught these things since my diaper age, so I can't really help it.

I had told them that Jason will be arriving this Sunday, but it's Saturday so I had already prepared myself for any question that they might ask. Thankfully no one asked me any question when I said, "Hey, Jas..." I coughed a little, "Jacob has arrived, can I call him in?" I decided to check it out with them first.

Stacey rolled her eyes up and said, "I had enough of politeness with this Crystal, only god knows, how I'll handle another one?"

Did I said something wrong? I don't think so because next thing I know is Crystal throw a cushion at her face and said to bring him in.

Author note : From here own, everyone will call Jason, Jacob but our female lead will call him Jason in her mind, so that we don't forget his real identity.😅😅😅😅 I know confusing.

The moment I stepped out of the door, Jason give me a tight hug. I wasn't used to his physical display of affection ever, he was quite a follower of royal etiquettes, and we were expected to behave in a proper decorum. I hugged him back after I get over my shock.

"What's wrong?" I asked when we separated, I'm dying out of curiosity. I passed him his ring back that he accidentally left behind in hurry, the one which I charmed.

He shaked his head, "I have no idea I'll explain once I'm sure about everything." I nod my head and moved to a side. Well, he is at least prepared to play his part as a rebellious teenager to a T. The funny thing about life, you have to face the things that you hate. He hates the kind of clothes he is wearing right now, a tight black jeans ripped from the knees, a black shirt with some kind of band name on it and black sneakers to go with it. He even had some sorts of bands on his right wrist.

I returned to the living room where Crystal and Stacey were dumbfounded at the uncanny resemblance between Jason and Jacob, and Hobi and Jimin seemed somewhat dazed. I know, I can help Jason to hide his aura but I can't help him in hiding all the muscles he had.

"So guys, this is Jacob and Jacob she is Crystal, Stacey, Hobi and Jimin." I pointed at everyone.

"Hi!" He waved. I don't know what is with these people and getting lost in there own world. I offered Jason a seat near me.

It is quite comical though, like I was introducing an alien to them. Thankfully after a little back and forth about a video game between Stacey and Jacob, the environment become a little normal. Stacey was looking at her star eyed. Goddess, her craze for video games, she is now talking to him like one will talk with their idol.