Guided by secrets

02:54

Hey guys, and sorry that I haven't updated in a week or so. I just had a lot of family things going on, as it was New Year's Eve and Christmas. I hope you all understand that. Also, thanks for 270 views! I mean, wow....now that I'm back however I will start to update more frequently. Enjoy!

Time lapse: a long journey later

"Cleo!" Mother rushed to hug me. "Where have you been? What were you doing? Why did the bodyguards come back without you?"

"Let's just say I had a little trip to the unknown to explore the world..." I shrugged innocently and tried to push away from her bear-hug.
Mother looked at me, horror and shock in her delicate face. Then she did the unspeakable.

I touched my cheek, feeling it burn. That was the first time my Mum had ever hurt me, if slapping counts as abuse. The shock of it hurt more than the actual physical action.

Mum was staring at her hand like it wasn't hers and held back her tears. "Do you even know how worried I was? And now you tell me that you were just 'playing around'? On Christmas Day?" Her pitch was so different...determined and so sure...

She was right though. I lowered my head and looked at the floor. "Yes. I am really sorry." I said.
I didn't know if I meant it or not, which worried me.  However, it seemed to be enough for Mother to smile again.

"Oh Cleo! I am truly sorry for hitting you! You know, I've read those 'Raising-kids-booklets' and it said that a little slap once in a while doesn't hurt..."
She continued blabbing on.

Wait, what? Since when? Oh come on, I am nearly fourteen, and she's never needed to tell me something twice. I swear, those 'raising-kids-booklets' are gonna be the death of me!

Then I remembered the most important question.
"Wait, where are the bodyguards and Chief Gustav?"

Mother seemed very amused by my question. "Darling, those good-for-nothing-bastards left you alone in such a big city and God knows what happened to you! Do you honestly believe I would let them live? Ha, well you're bloody wrong! They are all officially fired!" She laughed.

I had never heard her talk in such an informal way...where was that woman of elegance that never did anything on her own and had no opinion?

"Anyway, darling, I think you have a matter to clear. A country to rule, or whatever you choose to do," she smiled.
#coolestmumever

"Actually, I remember having a duty to the world."

Time lapse: 24 hours later

"Byron Davey.  37 years old. Graduated in Politics and Law in Yale University.  Works as a business manager. Speaks four languages fluently: Spanish, English, Greek and French. Likes cooking and art.  Yearly income:  $160,000. Single.

Isabelle Pattinson. 42 years old. Graduated in Law in Cambridge. Works as a politician in London, in the house of Commons. Speaks three languages fluently: English, French and Norwegian. Likes gardening.  Yearly income:  $220,000. Married."

My brain was buzzing from all the names I had to learn in the past 12 hours. Plus the fact that I had to narrow down around 500 people to the top 20.
It was unbelievable that many people, at least 40 put stupid things in their submission forms, such as;
Bla bla bla. Graduated in the Art of Eating Academy.

And: Yearly Income: $$$$ (a lot of money). Single but always has a backup gal.

I mean, just how immature can adults be?

Then I had to choose the top 5.  I already arranged for them to come in for an interview with me, Mother and our best lawyer, Thomas Valerins first thing tomorrow morning.

The clock beeped, signalling that another hour had passed. 02:54.

New 'late-sleeping' record.