After a 6 hour flight, for which Aurora was almost always lying on my shoulder, we finally touched down on the Singford's private island. The aerial view of the island was beyond mesmerising. It was off the coast of Ourannos, with its own port and boats to allow us to return if necessary. The island looked like a private resort with two large villas in the centre of the island. There looked like there were numerous facilities for recreation and a private beach. The beauty of the island itself was pure and untainted. Lush greenery was still rather common to see.
I could barely even fathom the thought that my parents and I would be staying here. Mr Singford kindly offered my parents and I to stay here as long as we wished until we have our new place settled. On that topic, they seemed to be rather serious. My parents both had solemn faces as they were talking about our financial situation. From my occasional eavesdropping, I noticed my parents refusing to answer a few of Mr Singford's questions. I remembered that we moved away from Aurora a few years ago. Back then, we were neighbours, our house was the same as theirs, just as big and luxurious. However, due to circumstances I did not question, we moved, I accepted it.
Moving on from that topic, the government has decided to suspend school for a week, and the week after that would be carried through online resources. Mr Singford appealed for the school to extend the online education for Aurora and I till the Arcanothon. So, until October, we will be staying, studying and training on this luxury resort like island. It felt so surreal, I thought I was dreaming.
Upon touching down, I gently shook Aurora to wake up. After a few attempts, she sluggishly sat up and rubbed her tired eyes, looking around. When she saw me, she smiled and pulled me up. As I stood, I caught our parents looking at us with smiles on their faces, even Aurora's father. I was confused, but decided not to linger. "Dad! Kale and I are gonna go to the house to find Mom!" Aurora told her dad as she grabbed her bag from the upper compartment.
Aurora's dad only nodded and waved us off. She dragged my hand and I was taken by surprise as we ran down the plane and onto the barren runway. We eventually were walking on a stone pathway, covered with palm trees, providing shelter from the afternoon sun. I couldn't help but keep looking around at the beauty of the island, I could see flowers or vibrant colours, birds, squirrels and other animals going about their business.
After a few minutes the main villa came into view. Now standing in front of it, it was bigger than Aurora's house. I could not help but watch with wide eyes, mouth agape. It was majestic to look at. The outsides were clean and pristine, well- maintained. The lock on the fence gate had a key card closer as well as a keypad and fingerprint scanner. Aurora pressed her index finger to the scanner. "Welcome back, Aurora Singford." With that, both the fence gate and the main door of the house sprang open. Aurora pushed the gate open and I followed her.
I followed her through the main door and stood dumbfounded by what I saw. The moment I entered, the first thing I saw was a large family room with a ceiling that it 3 stories high. A an elaborate and radiant chandelier hung from it. I could see the beach and the sea from the clear sliding doors. I could also smell the fragrance and zest of an orange fruit. Aurora and I took our shoes off and stepped on the elevated floor of the house. We walked a little bit and Aurora turned right to the kitchen "Hi Mom." Aurora said somewhat monotonously. That said, it was already much more enthusiastic as compared to whenever she talks to any one else.
A woman with brown hair and green eyes whipped around to face us with a surprised expression. "Aurora! You're here!" The woman put down the orange and peeler onto the marble countertop and walked to Aurora quickly and spread her arms out for a hug. Aurora accepted and hugged her back. She released Aurora and walked over to me with a bright face. It was weird, the only thing similar between the mother and daughter is their face structure and body structure. Their hair and eye colour is completely different. Aurora's older sister, who is a teacher in East Ourannos, also looks nothing like Aurora. Despite that, genetically, Aurora is the rightful daughter of her mother, her biological daughter.
"Kaler! It's been awhile! How have you been?"Mrs Singford hugged me as well which surprised me, but I gratefully accepted the hug.
"I'm good ma'am." I replied.
"No need to be so formal dear!" She said, releasing me but still gripping my shoulders. "Just call me Aunt! I've told you this already," She said slightly pouting. I laughed nervously and looked away. For someone in her 40s, she certainly was youthful. "Aurora, show Kaler to the other villa, his parents and him can stay there." Aurora nodded and gestured for me to follow her.
She opened one of the sliding doors and put on the slippers outside. There was whole rack of slippers, so I just chose one my size and followed her. "The first house is where my family and I usually stay, it's more like a reception area, and much more grand. This second house is for guests. There's no way you can enter without going through the first house, except for the gate to the beach. " At this point, it was starting to get overwhelming, just how grand this place, and just how rich Aurora's family was, something I never really thought about. I knew Alistair was rich, but I never really thought about just how rich Aurora was.
We reached the second villa, while admittedly smaller and less grand then the first, it was still drool-inducingly magnificent. Aurora opened the door and led me upstairs and showed me to a room. The room was about as big as the guest room in her house, which is to say, 3 times my own bedroom. It was was rather plainly decorated, but was well furnished. Tables, desks, chairs, sofas, television, bathroom, it looked like the only thing was missing was a kitchen.
I dropped my bag onto the couch in front of the television and dived onto the giant bed, sinking into the mattress like a marshmallow. I felt a wave of comfort wash over my body, I could sleep right here right now. Just before I closed my eyes, I heard Aurora speak, "Since we will be staying here for almost 2 months without teacher supervision, next Monday onwards, we will start training ourselves for Arcanothon."
"Yeah, yeah…" I said while yawning, curling up into a ball. I felt my body relax and my eyes close.