Hestia's hand Trembled Slightly as she tied Her mind Racing with worst -case scenarios. Her first day at the coffee shop and she was already anxious. What if she messed up orders? What is customers complained? What if she couldn't keep up."
Mr and Mrs Marcus greeted her warmly and introduced her to the team.
"welcome to our team, Hestia we're thrilled to have you on board."
Mrs Marcus, Emma, led Hestia to the back room where the rest of the team was busy preparing for the morning rush.
"Hestia" Mrs Marcus gestured a messy blonde hair man. "Oliver but he liked to be called Ollie."
"Hey, Hestia I'm Ollie."
Then introduced Sophia a light brown-haired woman. And Daniel, the coffee roaster welcomed her. Then Rachel the pastry chef.
Hestia met the team , they were a quickly bunch but they seemed genuinely care about each other and about making a great coffee. Hestia learned about her new colleagues. Ollie was a coffee aficionado with a passion for crafting unique drinks. Sophia was a student by day and a social butterfly by night. Daniel was a perfectionist who sourced the finest coffee beans around the City. Rachel was a talented baker who whipped up mouthwatering pastries.
Hestia took a deep, cleansing breath and refocused, shaking off the initial jitters. With renewed determination, she began to move with a newfound confidence, her hands gliding swiftly and precisely as she expertly crafted drinks. The hissing steam, the gurgle of the espresso machine, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee became her symphony.
As the morning sun streamed through the café windows, customers started to trickle in, drawn by the inviting atmosphere. Hestia found her rhythm, effortlessly juggling orders and conversations. Her colleagues, Emma, Ollie, Sophia, Daniel, and Rachel, exchanged warm smiles and playful banter, their camaraderie infectious.
During a brief lull, Hestia shared stories of her weekend, regaling her coworkers with tales of her latest baking experiments. Emma chuckled at Hestia's misadventures with a particularly finicky recipe, while Ollie offered words of encouragement. The warmth and laughter filled the place. As her shift drew to a close, Hestia bid her colleagues farewell, promising to bring in her famous lemon bars for the next staff meeting.
Night began to fall, Hestia rushed through her shopping, gathering everything on her list. Finally with bags laden and worries eased she hastened back home. By as she approached the door, a chill ran down her spine. It stood ajar, creaking gently in the evening breeze.
Rylynn! ?
Her eyes widened as she sprinted inside she dropped her bags. Frantic, she scoured the rooms until she spotted Rylynn in the kitchen, lying exactly where she had left her.
"No, no , Rylynn!" Hestia's voice trembled as she rushed to her side.
Kneeling beside her, Hestia grasped her wrist feeling for a pulse. Relief washed over her as she detected the steady beat.
"Wake up please" she whispered.
Hestia hastily summoned Mr. Jenkins a seasoned physician who lived nearby. Together they gently laid Rylynn on the bed.
"What happened?" Mr. jenkins asked despite being familiar with Rylynn's condition.
"I wasn't home" Hestia explained. "I came back and found her like this. I don't know what happened."
Mr. Jenkins lifted Rylynn's eyelids, checking her pupils and felt her pulse. "She is icy cold" he muttered. "Hestia knowing her fragile state, why did you leave her unattended? This time, I'm struggling to understand her body's response, she relies solely on you. You must care for her. " His tone turned stern. "Perhaps Raymond should stay with her when you're away."
Raymond! Stay close to Rylynn. The thought unsettled her.
"It won't happen again" she assured.
"In case like this, Rylynn requires thorough examination."
"Examination?" Hestia's voice laced with alarm. "You can examine her here?"
He shook his head. "No I need specialized equipment. You must take her to the Kingdom's city Where the royal physician reside they'll have the expertise to diagnose and treat her condition."
Hestia sighed heavily as Mr. Jenkins departed leaving her feeling helped. The weight of Rylynn's worsening condition settled upon her like a boulder. "why did I even leave?" She lamented. If she has stayed she might have known what happened.
Desperation drove her to search for a solution. Scanning the room Her gaze landed on a familiar green box tucked away and forgotten. Her biological mother's gifted bestowed upon before their tumultuous parting. She opened the box , a flurry of emotions swirled within her. The green jewels sparkled reminding her of happier time. Beautiful necklace, elegant earrings, a delicate bracelet and an intricate hairpin. Hestia's eyes misted, threatening to unleashed torrent of painful memories.
She chuckled bitterly, fighting the urge to reminisce about her mother and focused on the present.
"These heirlooms you should keep them safe" she remembered their father's words but now they represented a lifeline for Rylynn.
A sudden knock on the door made Hestia jolt, hastily setting the jewels aside. She rushed to the entrance revealing Raymond's sight.
"How was work today?" He asked his tone deceptively casual.
Hestia's eyes narrowed her mind racing. She had asked him to keep an eye on Rylynn despite knowing he didn't truly care.
"When did you leave home today?" She asked her voice low and controlled.
"Shortly before you came" Raymond replied his expression innocent.
Hestia's anger boiled over " something happened, didn't it?" She accused her eyes blazing.
Before Raymond could respond Hestia's emotions erupted. She kicked him sending him crashing to his knees. She grasped his hands squeezing fiercely and yanked his hair.
"Hestia what the hell." Raymond cried out in pain.
"Hell? You want to know hell? " Hestia's voice was venomous. "I will show you hell." She kicked him again her anger and fear for Rylynn's safety unleashing a torrent of rage.
Raymond winced struggling to break free but Hestia's grip was unyielding .
"please" he begged his voice cracking as he feared his hand would break.
Finally, Hestia released him, her chest heaving. Raymond stumbled upright rubbing his sore wrists.
"I asked you to watch her" Hestia spat. "How could you leave her?"
His expression turned defensive " I thought she was fine. I didn't know...."
"Don't" Hestia interrupted "don't lie to me" her voice cold.
"i didn't mean to hurt her"
"Hurt her?" Hestia's voice rose. "You left her alone, vulnerable what if something worse happened?"
Raymond's expression turned sullen "you are always so quick to assume the worst about me."
"Because you have give me every reason to" Hestia retorted. "Raymond what's wrong with you? " Her voice demanded. "You are not fighting fair , are you? She is your sister, how could you abandon her like this?" She said. "Rylynn would never leave you vulnerable like that. She would move heaven and earth to protect you. But you? You are supposed to care for her more than I do, she is all you have and yet you're doing nothing." Her tone harsh and firm. "You are always coming and going, never lifting a finger to help. I'm the one looking for a job securing our future while you waste time with that toxic friends of yours. And now you can't even stay with your own sister? Rylynn needs you and you're nowhere to be found." She voiced her mind.
"I ...I didn't mean to...."
"Don't make excuses you already made your choice." She said.
Before she left him standing!
