Folk tale say that will o wisps are ghost lights seen by travelers who mistake it for a destination or treasure. Willow was the same for Allison, the light she thought she could be proud of. A great elder sister. But she turned out to be the brightest light that made the darkest shadow - Allison, The Simply Second Daughter of her Parents.
There was a time when Willow was Willie or Lulu, but Allison was always Allison or the Youngest Heights. People said their names where closely rhymed with their parents – Alvin and Wilhelmina. But no matter how hard she used to try in the past, she never found the origin of her name in theirs. It was amusing at first, when they scold Willow but let Allie enjoy the simplest things like rain. Then it became weird and she would think 'why would they scold Willie when I did the same and got out of it?' Later it became a suspicion and her thoughts evolved – 'do they expect nothing from me? Will I ever make it like Willie?' Then all of a sudden Allison became Allie at 18. She met the youngest Masters student; Jason Rivers form New Zealand with his mature CEO vibes and thick straight eyebrows from an Austrian-Korean family. He was only 20 but drop dead gorgeous and sweet. The first person to call her Allie, when they met for their common course – the newly introduced – Public Opinion class.
He was the first person who saw her away from her sister's shadow. Although he didn't know her family, he was aware of the perfect and studious alumni Willow Heights, but never once did he compare Allie to her sister.
12 years ago
After taking Jason's graduation photos together with his friends, they were left alone near the campus creek. He had already secured a job with the 24WW (24 hours World Wide News) and would be starting soon. Allison was still in her 3rd year of college, 1 more year to go before joining him.
Jason: I'll see you on every weekends.
Allie: Won't you be busy in weekends, Eddie said you've an upcoming evaluation since you recently completed your part time.
Jason: They'll be done by noon and we could meet after 4.
Noticing that she was silent, he added "Besides you can join me when you do you 6 month internship."
Allie: And work there.
Jason: Anytime you want.
Allie: Okay then wait another 3 years, I'll join you as well.
But deep down she always wondered if it would be possible. She thought 'Willow would take over HB, there was no doubt, but she would be expected to work in HB too.'
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Present
Allie stopped in front of her home. '30 seconds to destination' - Mimi, the AI said.
"Thanks, sleep." Allie said the keywords and restarted her car thinking 'What more could go wrong? Her ex-boyfriend and his wife living under her roof or going home to face her hysteric mother?'
Into the compound, she was greeted by the guard station by her father. Ever since she officially took the heiress role from her sister, guards and security details followed her around. It was something Willow was brought up in, not her. She had a nanny, 43 years older than her, who took her to school and back, fed her and slept with her when she ran a fever. Now that amazing woman was at the main house, over looking the housekeeping and often called her or send her side dishes despite the hectic schedule back home.
"Hello, Allie." The voice calling her name brought her out of her trip down the memory lane. Looking up she found him, Rivers.
"Professor Rivers, you are here as a colleague who has yet to find a place. By seniority I am at least 3 levels above you, so lets not drop the honorifics." Looking into his deep blue eyes, she found herself lost, yet mustering up all the bitchy part of her she added "By the way, the east part of the house is where you'll be staying at. The house is still under my name and I think you don't have to be here."
Not waiting for a reply she parked and closed the door to the garage and without looking back went in.