Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 43

Chapter 43 - First Day in the Dom Mansion
Miexha's Point of View

I didn't even get to go home.

The moment I blinked awake, they were already there.

Asha and Jayson Dom. The presidential twins.

With uniformed guards standing behind them.

"You're being escorted," Asha announced cheerfully, like this was some kind of school field trip.

"All your favorite things are already in your new room at my house. Okay—technically our house, but mostly mine." She waved her hand dramatically. 

She pointed a thumb toward her twin brother, who was standing near the window, brooding like a decorative statue.

"Don't mind, Jayson. He's in tragic mode again." She sighed loudly. "Ugh. You don't actually need him. You have me. I'll personally take care of you. Twenty-four seven."

I laughed before I could stop myself.

I really liked Asha. She was the kind of girl I used to see only in glossy teen magazines—bold, funny, a little chaotic.

The kind of girl I secretly wished I could be.

It was only January second—barely two days into the new year—and I was already being whisked away like a glass doll in a velvet box.

Though I still felt floaty and warm from the IV fluids and medicine.

And—oh! Jayson let me sit by the window.

The car window was actually open. Well... half-open.

We were wearing masks—Asha said it was her "personal compromise" with the doctors.

But the breeze! I felt unfiltered wind on my face for the first time in my life.

I leaned against the door, eyes wide, drinking in the city as it unfolded in color and movement.

Common people. Walking. Talking. Laughing.

A whole world I had only ever read about.

"Is that... an arcade?" I gasped, pointing at a glowing building full of blinking lights and loud music.

Asha snorted. "Girl, you haven't lived. We're going everywhere. Arcade, mall, museum—say the word."

My eyes welled up. I didn't mean to cry. But I couldn't stop it.

I was so happy it almost hurt.

"Hey, hey—no tears," Asha said quickly.

She reached into her purse like a magician and pulled out a tissue, gently dabbing at my cheeks.

"You cry, I cry, and Jayson will call the presidential emergency medical squad."

"I'm sorry," I sniffled, laughing softly. "I'm just... really happy."

Without thinking, I leaned over and kissed Asha on the cheek.

She froze. Completely. Then her face turned bright red, her mouth opening slightly as I had just slapped her.

Jayson finally turned from the window.

His voice came out sharp. "She'll be in danger if you start parading her around like a tourist."

He crossed his arms. "If anything happens to Miexha, I'm the one taking the blame. Not you."

Then he glanced at me. "And Miexha—don't kiss Asha again."

I blinked. "Why? She's a girl."

"She may look like a girl," Jayson muttered, "but she's a man at heart."