Chapter 1:
Present
“And so she left without a trace bidding good bye to the life and people she chose to let go. Never to be found again, she forgave, bracing a smile towards a new day finally feeling like she was living again.” Serene closed the book in her hand gently placing it down next to the small white wooden makeshift coffee table. The small group of children sitting in a circle surrounding her whined disappointed that she had stop reading at such a cliffhanger.
“Is her prince going to find her?” Spring pipes up curiously.
“The prince loves her didn’t he? I know he did!” Lillia crossed her arms upset at the story.
Joey who was sitting next to her jabs Lillia by the arm, “No he didn’t! If he did she wouldn’t have left! Right, Ms. Serene?” Joey looks at her expectantly. The two sibling bickers, trying to prove who was right.
Serene shook her head lightly at the innocent minds before her. She was about to answer when a small hand rise in the air catching her attention.
“Ms. Serene can’t you tell us what happen next?” Benny, the six year old smiley face of the island children raised his hand shyly.
“You’ll have to find out tomorrow when you come back tomorrow.” Serene stood up from her chair and grabs her basket of baked biscuits along with fresh flowers from the side, “Run along now, you’re parents will be expecting you guys any minute now.”
On Breeze Island everyone knew everybody. The island wasn’t very big to begin with a small population of kind people and adorable kids. She had chance encountered upon the peaceful island and grew an attachment to the place, automatically settling there. The island people were warm and welcoming when she had made Breeze Island her home. Serene ran a small flower shop business though the income wasn’t much it was enough for her to live on. Everyday around noon the children on the island would come to listen to her story tales and eat her baked brownies.
It had become a routine of her to pass by the time and day. After the last of the children had left, she cleans her small seating area of the shop. Serene slip on a knitted cardigan before hooking the handle on basket of biscuits and flowers on the crook of her arm. She would usually visit the town’s people giving out biscuits and flowers to elderly after her storytelling session.
“That was cliffhanger you left there. I’m also very curious what happens next.” The deep warm masculine voice startles her as she turns to head out. When she realized who was leaning against her door she patted her racing heart to slow down.
“Well then you’ll have to come back tomorrow to hear the rest.” Serene locks the door behind her with him falling into steps beside her. “You’re early.” She asked as he takes the basket away from her to carry instead. Serene lets him take the basket not even bothering to argue with him.
“I am.” He answers looking at her with his warm hazel eyes.
He usually arrived after she finished storytelling or even sometimes after she went around town handing out biscuits. He comes and stays for two days sometimes three, always helping her around. The people around there knew who he was as he came and visit more and more often. Like Serene, they welcome him warmly even to the extent of telling him to pursue her. He came after she had resided there on Breeze Island for awhile already. Serene was in the midst of telling stories to the kids when he made his appearance known to her. He wasn’t from the island, but like her, he found the island. He was a businessman, always decked in three piece suits when he visits meaning he must’ve came right after work. There were times he arrived late when the sun had fallen.
