Ava twisted and turned on her bed. Her body tangled with the sheets, and her forehead glistened with sweat. Her hands clenched the edges of the mattress as fragments of strange, vivid memories she'd never consciously known lashed through her.
As new images, faces, voices, and half-formed scenes flashed behind her closed eyes, she clenched the mattress even more until her knuckles turned white from the strain. She inhaled and exhaled weakly as old memories from her past life, and new ones she never knew she had mingled into one.
Just when she thought she was about to go crazy from all the memories, her eyes shot open. Her chest rose and fell as she heaved, gulping air like her life depended on it. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her haze, until she registered the familiar chandelier that hung above her. She was in her room in her family's house.
Forcing herself to sit up, she pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart beneath her palm. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to breathe slower. When she opened her eyes again, her breathing became slower, but that didn't ease her mind. Were those new memories?
.
The Whitlock's mansion never stirred with activity except on the grandest occasions like festivals, so the buzz movement as Ava made her way to the dining room for breakfast surprised her. Staffs hurried past her, carrying decorations, and arranging flowers.
Ava was about to ask somebody what was going on, but Wadsworth's sudden call for attention beat her to it.
"Good morning, Miss Ava," the man greeted calmly.
"Wadsworth," Ava greeted.
"I'm here to inform you that the garden is ready, as you requested," he said politely.
The garden? Ava's mind churned, trying to make sense of it. But her face must have betrayed her, as Wadsworth continued, "The garden for Old Whitlock's birthday, as you instructed. I'd intended to inform you last night, but with… the unexpected events, it was delayed."
Old Whitlock's birthday... Was that today?
Like fog lifting from her mind, flashes of memories from her conversation with Wadsworth about setting up the garden to honor her grandfather, came to her mind. In her previous life, she never made an arrangement like this. Was this a new memory from her new life?
Straightening herself, Ava nodded to Wadsworth. "Thank you for seeing to the arrangements. Has anyone informed him about the celebration?"
Wadsworth gave a slight smile. "Not yet, Miss Ava. Your instructions were to keep it a surprise."
Ava didn't know how to feel, but she was grateful for the surprise. Her grandfather deserved more than the fake parties thrown for his birthdays. This birthday would be different, she'd make sure of it.
She turned back to Wadsworth. "Get me a bunch of his favorite flowers from the garden," she requested, earning a nod from the butler before he walked away.
"And Wadsworth," she called out to the butler who turned back to meet her, "Keep the garden a secret until I bring him out to the garden."
With a respectful nod, Wadsworth excused himself to see the preparations.
As Ava walked into the dining room, the clinking of silverware came to a halt, and all heads turned to her. Matilda's eyes flickered to the bouquet of flowers in her hands, and she cocked a brow. Across the table where Sasha sat, a small frown settled on her face as she wondered what Ava was planning on this time.
"Did you enjoy your beauty sleep, Ava?" Sasha's warm tone made Ava almost puke.
Ava pretended not to hear her, and simply casted a polite smile around the table. "Good morning, everyone," she greeted, locking eyes with each person seated there.
An uncomfortable silence settled as no one returned her greeting. No one except her grandfather, who offered her a warm, approving nod. Once, that chilly reception would've stung her pride. But now, she could care less about their petty judgments. Let them simmer.
Turning her attention to the one person she truly cared about in that room, she stepped over to her grandfather. With a smile, "Happy birthday, grandfather," she said warmly, extending the bouquet to him.
William's face softened as he stared at the bouquet in front of him. He took the flowers in confusion, and his eyes darted between his granddaughter and the flowers he now held. William didn't know what to say. Once again, his granddaughter had rendered him speechless.
"There's more, Grandfather," Ava pressed. "I wanted this to be a surprise, but oh well... I had Wadsworth prepare a garden for you. You deserve a peaceful place to enjoy this day."
"What is the meaning of this, Ava?! Noah's voice thundered in the room, and Ava pretended to be stunned by his sudden outburst. "Are you not aware of the family traditions?!"