Author's Preface
[6 Years Ago]
[Kai]
The alarm on my bedside table is blaring through the darkness as I manage to crack one eye open and glance at the digital clock. 9:30 a.m.
I grab my phone and the family group chat is already flooded with notifications.
Before I can scroll through them, my phone starts buzzing again.
"Yes Noah..." I answer the call, putting him on speaker.
"You awake?" his voice is rushed. "The lunch event starts around twelve at the farmhouse. Please be ready by eleven. I'll pick you up after I finish work."
"I can drive myself," I try to argue.
"No. Direct orders from the higher-ups." I hear muffled conversations behind him. "Pick-up and drop-off."
I sigh as I press the remote to open the blackout curtains.
Sunlight immediately starts flooding the room making me squint.
"Then just send over Uncle Ben," I tell him.
"...Ok let me check his schedule," Noah replies. "I'll let you know."
And then the line goes dead.
I leave my room and spot Aunt Rosa directing the housekeepers downstairs.
A few of them greet me as I head into the kitchen and grab a bottle of chilled water before continuing with my usual morning routine.
[ *** ]
I straighten my white shirt cuff and slip into my charcoal suit jacket.
The tailored fabric settles perfectly over my shoulders as I secure my black silk tie with a platinum bar.
I then fasten the gold watch around my wrist- a gift from Grandma on my eighteenth birthday.
I miss her every day.
Especially on days like today.
My gaze then lands on the framed photograph sitting on my desk.
"I miss you, Mom," I mutter to myself.
Outside, Uncle Ben is already waiting beside the car with the passenger door open.
"I can manage," I say with a smile as I get in.
He walks around to the driver's seat before chuckling, "I get paid for this, young master."
I scoff at him at him in mock amusement, " please stop calling me that. Just Kai.."
He glances at me with a warm knowing smile before starting the engine.
[ *** ]
By the time we arrive, the farmhouse is already packed with guests dressed in tailored suits and expensive dresses, their perfume lingering in the afternoon air.
Round tables fill the garden while uniformed waiters are weaving through the crowd with trays of drinks and appetizers.
A jazz quartet is softly playing near the gazebo, while a large play area has been set up where children are running and playing around laughing.
Every flower arrangement looks meticulously planned as well as every smile seem carefully practiced.
As I step out onto the lawn, I catch people stealing glances at me before quietly whispering to one another.
Noah approaches me out of nowhere almost immediately.
"Has the package arrived safely?" I ask him.
He nods his head, motioning towards the bungalow, past the main lawn. "I have already moved it inside ."
"And are they here?" I question.
He gives me another confirmed nod and I start making my way towards the house.
Something about this house feels painfully nostalgic.
The security guard is already holding open the front door as I climb up the stairs.
The house is buzzing with quiet activity inside .
While this is still my home, it hasn't felt like 'home' for a long time.
"Kai," the familiar voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
I look up and see her. Cindy.
Or should I say, my stepmom.
I have always called her by her name since calling her mom feels awkward.
I watch as she climbs down the staircase in a royal blue dress, smiling before wrapping me in a hug.
"You've gotten old," I tease as I am holding her at arm's length.
She gives a little laugh and lightly smacks my arm. "Your brother's been asking about you nonstop."
She pauses a bit before adding more softly, "Your father has been too.."
I fall silent at the remark.
"Where is he?" I ask her and she is instantly gesturing towards the library.
I walk over to the big mahogany door and hesitantly knock before a faint "Come in," echoes from within.
I step inside and find my father sitting over in the corner, reading.
I take notice of his rapid aging, how his hair now is almost completely silver since my last visit.
He has reading glasses resting low on his nose and a glass of wine beside the open book.
He looks up and smiles brightly, "Kai."
His voice is a bit rough with age, "...You finally came home."
I ignore the last part.
"It's not even noon and you're already drinking," I comment on his new routine.
He manages a faint smile, "It's only wine...don't worry"
I give him an unimpressed look.
"Are you staying over this time?" he asks me. "You should. You'll be leaving for university in a few weeks."
"About that..." I cut him off.
He waits for me to continue.
"I've already applied to Westbridge University," I casually inform him.
"Westbridge? The one in the North City?" he enquires and I nod in response.
He seems to be leaning back in disappointment.
"I'd already made arrangements for Switzerland for you though."
"I'm not interested," the words are coming out calmer than I expected.
"Considering I am not getting to choose my future career, I should at least have the freedom to pick where I study.."
There's an immediate silence that befalls us after.
Fortunately a knock finally interrupts us and seconds later, the door is swinging wide open.
" Kaiiii!" A loud cheer of my name fills the room.
I turn around to find Lucas sprinting inside, before he is completely throwing himself at me.
"Happy 13th birthday, Lu.." I wish him and hug him tightly.
"I missed you so much," he is mumbles against my shoulder. "I thought you started hating me or something.."
I gently set him back on the floor.
" I missed you too Lu...and I could never hate you, idiot."
I smile at him, "I've just been a bit occupied".
It's neither fully true nor entirely false either.
"I brought you something," I tell him and watch as his eyes instantly lights up.
"What?.. Where is it?" Lucas asks excitedly looking around the room.
"In the observatory," I answer.
He gasps all happy, "Is it a telescope?"
I just tell him, "Go see for yourself."
He is already sprinting out of the room before I can say anything else while his excited thank-you echoes down the hallway.
I'd had a custom built giant telescope made for him overseas.
Something that he'd been talking about owning one for months.
[ *** ]
Thankfully, lunch ends without any unpleasant incidents.
The children got a lavish birthday party.
While the adults got another excuse to make formal connections and exchange business cards.
Everyone leaves satisfied.
[ *** ]
As Noah is driving us back, I feel a dull headache creeping behind my eyes.
I guess I had too much socializing for one afternoon.
"Please pull over at a convenience store," I say, while rubbing my temples.
Noah stops by one and once inside, I grab a bottle of water, an energy drink, and a packet of painkillers before heading towards the register.
Just as I'm about to step forward, I see a girl rushing past, lightly brushing against me.
"Sorry," she mutters breathlessly, balancing a basket overflowing with instant noodles, chips, and snacks.
She looks about my age to me.
Probably a college student, judging by the way her bag is slung over one shoulder with books shoved inside it.
I just move to the next cashier instead.
By the time I leave the store, the same girl is already hurrying outside again and accidentally bumps into me.
I am slightly annoyed at this point.
"I'm so sorry," she says without really looking at me, still busy talking on the phone. "It's an emergency."
She barely notices me until she does.
Her eyes lift, meeting mine for just a brief second, and everything seems to pause.
My breath falters, and for some reason, I cannot look away.
Before I can ever respond, she's already running across the parking lot.
I keep watching as she disappears around the corner.
I take a small step forward and then notice something lying near my feet.
I bend down and pick it up.
It's a small black cat keychain.
A very personal looking embroidered cat keychain with an initial stitched onto its chest. Just a simple "A" with a white thread.
Noah calls from the car bringing me back to reality.
For a second, I consider tossing the keychain into the nearest trash bin.
Instead, for some reason I find myself slipping the little black cat into my pocket.