Elara spent the rest of the afternoon working on her training ground, perfecting the setup. The quiet hum of her efforts carried her through the day until the familiar sound of her mother's car pulling into the driveway brought her attention back to the present.
She quickly smoothed her hair and adjusted her clothes before rushing out to meet her. Her heart fluttered slightly in anticipation, though she didn't know why—perhaps it was just the excitement of seeing her mother after a long day alone.
As the car doors opened, her mother stepped out, smiling brightly, her arms full of shopping bags. Maids followed behind, carrying more bags, each one overflowing with colorful items.
Elara raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Mom, what are all these bags for?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue.
Her mother grinned as she approached, clearly pleased with herself. "Not for me, darling. They're all for you."
Elara's eyes widened. She hadn't expected this. She glanced at the mountain of bags in confusion, but before she could say anything else, her mother gently tugged her into the house.
A Bright Surprise
Inside the living room, Elara was led to a pile of clothes laid out on the couch, each piece more vibrant than the last. Pink, orange, lime green—all bright and bold colors that screamed out in stark contrast to her usual wardrobe.
Elara blinked at the clothing, her expression a mix of bewilderment and disbelief. "Mom, they're so… colorful," she whined, unable to hide her dismay. "I don't need so many clothes."
Her mother, ever the doting parent, glanced down at Elara's plain attire—a simple pair of jeans and a basic t-shirt. "You've been dressing as if you're short of clothes lately," she remarked lightly, a teasing edge in her voice.
Elara looked down at herself, realizing that she hadn't really been paying attention to her wardrobe lately. Her clothes had become more practical, comfortable—plain even. She had been so focused on her goals and training that fashion wasn't really a priority.
Still, the thought of wearing such childish, brightly colored clothes made her wince. She had been 26 years old in her past life, and the thought of dressing like this now felt almost juvenile. But then again… it was her mother, who had only ever wanted the best for her.
With a sigh of resignation, Elara gave her mother a smile, pretending to love it. She picked up a bright pink top and grinned. "It's perfect, Mom," she said with exaggerated enthusiasm, knowing that this would make her mother happy.
Elara sighed quietly as she stepped into the changing room, eyeing the pile of brightly colored clothes her mother had bought for her. The vibrant hues were so different from what she was used to—she was more accustomed to neutral, muted tones that suited her more mature, reserved personality when she was 26. But her mother was insistent.
"Try them on, just for me, darling," her mother had cooed earlier, giving her a pleading look. Elara couldn't bear to refuse, so she reluctantly changed into one of the colorful outfits. The moment she emerged, her mother's face lit up like a star.
"Oh, my little princess! Look at you, so radiant!" Her mother grabbed her phone, snapping pictures from every angle, complimenting Elara endlessly, as if she were her own personal model. Elara couldn't help but cringe at the constant fussing, but she endured, knowing it was her mother's way of showing love.
After what felt like an eternity, Elara finally managed to slip away, feeling like she'd just been through an exhausting photoshoot. She couldn't help but smile, though, amused by her mother's over-the-top admiration.
Later that evening, as they sat down for dinner, the atmosphere was light and easy. The clinking of silverware and the warmth of family filled the room. It was the calm before the storm of the next few months, and for a moment, Elara felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.
Just as she was about to take a bite of her food, her brother's voice cut through the air, breaking the tranquility.
"Mom, Elara," he began, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I've got a week-long break coming up, and I'm planning to spend some quality time with you both. After this, I'll be tied up with an important assignment, and we won't be able to see each other for at least three months."
Elara looked at him, her eyes widening slightly. A week break??her workaholic brother is going to be around for a week everyone is quite used to the long months of not seeing
Her mother, always so attentive, immediately looked up from her plate. "That sounds wonderful! We could use some time together as a family," she said, her voice warm and affectionate.
Elara gave a soft nod, feeling a surge of gratitude toward her brother. It had been a while since they'd had the chance to spend time as a family, and with everything happening with her military school preparations, she knew the next few months would be chaotic.
"Sounds like a plan," she replied with a smile, her heart lightening just a little.
Her mother's eyes sparkled with joy, and she looked at Elara with a gentle, loving gaze. "We'll make the most of it, dear. Let's enjoy this time together."
As the evening progressed, Elara couldn't help but feel a little bittersweet. Things were changing—her path, her family dynamics, even her very identity. But in that moment, surrounded by those who cared for her, she felt grounded, at least for a while.
Author note
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