Chapter 1
I locked myself inside my room with loads of to-be-read books by my side. A normal day for me since I am homeschooled and have zero friends. Well, I do have loads of friends if and only if you consider fictional characters as friends.
Suddenly, I heard a loud and irritating knock on the door, "Come in," I hollered, not looking up from my book. A bit frustrated for I do solemnly loathe being disturbed.
"Ma'am Clementine, your teacher has arrived. She's now waiting for you in the study room." said our maid which I quickly dismissed with a wave but then I realized that I was being rude so I called her and said, "thank you" which earned me a smile from her.
I let out a loud groan and slowly went to the study room. As soon as I entered the room, I caught a glimpse of a sixty-year-old woman named Miss Dolores who was standing in the corner with her hands behind her back.
Miss Dolores is my homeschooled teacher since God knows when and my grandpa ultimately trust her. She literally visits our house every single day.
"Have you already study the book I gave you?" she asked as soon as I entered the room.
I stare at my pink bunny slippers and answered, "I overslept last ni-"
But I didn't have the chance to finished my answer, "Again with that stupid excuse, Miss Wright." she angrily interrupted.
"Tell me, Miss Wright, have you been reading those silly romance novels again? How many times do I have to tell you that it is a must for you to study the books I kept on giving you." she strictly said while walking around the room, her loud footsteps gave me chills.
"But Miss Dolores, I'll rather study Math and Science all night than read thick and boring History books that you kept on insisting me to read." I answered, my eyes still glued on my slippers.
"Plus, I have zero interest in that stupid victorian era that you're obsessed to." I added which made Miss Dolores stopped walking. I look up from my slippers and saw Miss Dolores fuming with anger.
"I'll quickly tell your grandfather about this, you insolent child." she said after a minute of pause. After that, she stormed off the room.
I let myself fall to the sofa and let out a sigh. For the nth time, I am in trouble. I'm sure Grandpa will get angry at me for this bad mouth of mine once again.
I just can't digest reading that Victorian book that Miss Dolores and Grandpa kept on telling me to read. I mean, it's all about the noble families during the Victorian area plus, I almost died because of boredom.
I hate everything about victorian era. From their meek women, pretentious so-called-gentlemen up to their tacky taste in fashion and stupid laws and etiquettes. Seriously, their gowns always made me cringe every time I stumbled upon them in the books Ms. Dolores kept on giving me.
I mean, I am sorry but I am definitely not designated to live in victorian era mainly for the reason that I am no demure.
I wander my eyes around the study room and realized that there's a family picture in the side. Why didn't I saw this for like forever considering that I go to this room for like every single day.
I snatched the frame and stared at the black-and-white family picture. There stood a handsome man probably around his fifties with his arm around a woman, his wife perhaps. In their right stood two young fella but between them was a girl which is very familiar too me. Too bad I can't see her face for she wore a massive hat that covered her face. As I let my fingertips dance around the picture, I felt connected to this picture. Although I noticed that one of the young men had his arm around the girl's waist.
I don't know why but I felt like I know them personally. Weird but true.
Anyways, I jus realized that i've never had a family picture.
I return the family picture to its original place bitterly and decided to divert my attention to the books inside the study room. Some were in Spanish, Latin, French, Mandarin, and Filipino. Really, I can read them all without any difficulty since Ms. Dolores taught me different languages but the thing is, reading boring textbooks are not my forte.
It was almost midnight when I heard a loud, irritating, and rhythmic knocks on my door again but this time, I knew it's Grandpa.
I quickly rose from my bed and shake whatever is in my clothes or whatsoever. I need to look presentable or else i'm dead.
I didn't bother saying "Come in," for I know grandpa will enter this room whether I like it or not.
As expected, I am met with an angry face of Grandpa again. "How many times do I tell you young lady to act properly. And don't you dare make that face in front of me right now. I have no time for your drama." he hollered, his back full of gossipmongers maids who were acting as if they're truly concern towards grandpa who might faint because of anger.
"You're making me regret I took care of you ever since both of your parents died! So whether you like it or not, the least thing you need to do is stop that stupid behavior of yours."
"Don't let her eat anything tonight," Grandpa added and as soon as he said that, he stormed off the room. Leaving me and the maids who are still looking at me as if I'm a criminal.
"Get out!" I shouted at them as I look at them angrily and started throwing off my pillows to them due to frustration and humiliation.
As soon as I shut the door, I get to my bed and let out a cry. I began banging my head on the pillow due to frustration. I guess i've been crying for a long period of time because I didn't noticed I drifted off to sleep.
Later that night, I woke up from being thirsty. Crying can sure make a person dehydrated.
I slowly and quietly went my way to the kitchen to drink a glass of water when suddenly, I heard the panic voice of my grandfather talking to a woman which I recognize the voice as Miss Dolores.
I don't know why but I have this urge to listen despite the fact that I know eavesdropping is not a very bright idea.
I placed my ear against the door and began to eavesdrop, "Clementine is our only hope in stopping Mr. Douglas and let me tell you this, Mr. Wright, we are running out of time and your granddaughter is not cooperating well." Miss Dolores said, her voice full of worry.
First of, who the hell is Mr. Douglas for me to stop him?
"I know that is why do whatever it takes for her to get ready. Whether we like it or not, she will be facing her mission as soon as she turns 18." Grandpa said.
That made me realize that my 18th birthday is just around the corner. That caught me off-guard, are they discussing their birthday surprise for me right now? I cannot help but smile with that thought.
"My family's name is not only that's in stake to this mission, my granddaughter's life as well." Grandpa said.
"I cannot lose her, Dolores. She's the only family that I have left. Please promise me she'll make it out alive." I don't know why but my heart began beating faster.
"That I cannot promise you, Mr. Wright but I can assure you I will do my very best."
I cannot help myself wonder if they're really are talking about my birthday. I mean, is my birthday party really that crucial enough to ruin our family's name and my life?
And what do you mean i'll make it out alive? Will my birthday party be dangerous? Will Grandpa invite a group of terrorists to my party to give a twist to it? I am so confused right now.
I was just about to continue eavesdropping when suddenly, the door flew open and was greeted by the disappointed looks of Grandpa and Ms. Dolores.
I licked my lips and stare at my pink bunny slippers. I can sense Grandpa was about to say something so I quickly run towards my room and locked it.
But before I can finally reached my room which is like five meters away from them, I swear I heard Ms. Dolores . said, "Pray that it won't happen again,"
I do get it that she is referring to what I just did but something tells me that it is not. That it is about something else.
It makes me wonder if it has something to do with their weird obsession with Victorian era. Stupid Victorian era.