Family Gathering

The three cars rolled down the long, winding driveway, flanked on either side by towering trees that formed a natural canopy. The house that came into view was impressive yet inviting—not quite a mansion, but certainly large enough to suggest a life of comfort and elegance.

Its stone façade was softened by ivy creeping up the walls, and tall, arched windows allowed warm light to spill out onto the drive, giving the home a welcoming glow. A pair of sturdy oak doors, adorned with intricate ironwork, stood at the entrance, hinting at the craftsmanship within.

As the cars approached, the gates slowly swung open, revealing the security guards who stood at attention. Their eyes widened in disbelief when they saw Qew behind the wheel, a woman they had known to be paralyzed since childhood. Their shock was apparant, but they quickly masked it with professionalism, stepping aside to allow the cars to pass through.

The driveway curved around to a spacious front yard that seemed almost endless in its expanse. The garden was meticulously maintained, with vibrant flowerbeds bordering the lush green lawn, which stretched out to the edges of the property. 

A fountain bubbled gently in the center, its water sparkling in the sunlight, while neatly trimmed hedges lined the pathways that wound through the garden. Despite the grandeur, there was a peacefulness to the space, an emptiness that made the house seem even larger.

The triplets stepped out of their car, the warm breeze carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden that surrounded the house. The path leading to the entrance was bordered by carefully trimmed hedges, while the rhythmic chirping of crickets added a gentle undertone to the tranquil evening.

As they approached the grand oak doors, Qew suddenly halted, her hand still resting on the car door as if lost in a fleeting thought. She glanced back, her eyes locking with her bodyguard, Esha, who had been quietly standing by, ever watchful.

Qew's smile was subtle, yet rich with unspoken intent—a message only Esha could decipher. Recognizing the young lady's intent, Esha's expression softened into a knowing smile, silently affirming she was on the same page.

Kay, picking up on the exchange, tilted his head curiously. "What are you planning, Qew?" he asked, a touch of suspicion in his voice.

But Qew only responded with a teasing, enigmatic grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Kay's confusion deepened, but Jay, who had been watching her closely, knew better.

Qew caught the knowing look on Jay's face and immediately recalled the mind-reading ability he shared with Olivia and couldn't resist calling him out. "Hey, that's an invasion of privacy. Stop reading my thoughts," she playfully scolded, her tone light but pointed.

Jay shrugged, his lips curling into a smirk. "It's not like I eavesdrop on purpose. The thoughts just come through unless I'm consciously blocking them."

Kay's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "Wait... does that mean Olivia can do the same?" he asked, a hint of panic creeping into his voice. "She can hear everyone's thoughts, all the time?"

Jay quickly waved off his concern. "She can, but fret not, I tweaked her Sigil so that her abilities can't affect you."

Kay let out a relieved sigh, grateful his thoughts weren't exposed for Olivia to see. But before he could fully relax, Qew smirked and chimed in, "You don't need to read minds to know when someone's interested in you, especially when they're making it painfully obvious."

As Kay's unease returned, a cloud of anxiety hovering over him, Esha quietly approached the group, pulling a foldable wheelchair from the trunk.

Under Kay's curious gaze, Qew calmly settled into the wheelchair and motioned for him to follow. With a mischievous grin, she explained, "As far as our family knows, I'm still a paraplegic."

Puzzled, Kay asked, "What's the point of pretending? Brother's going to lay it all out about the System and the Trial Program soon enough."

Qew giggled softly. "It's more fun to catch them off guard. You know I can't resist adding a little drama." Kay couldn't help but grin. That was Qew in a nutshell—playful, mischievous, and always finding a way to put her own spin on every situation.

With that, the group moved toward the villa's entrance. The house was just as impressive inside as out, elegantly decorated with a blend of modern sophistication and warm, traditional touches. The polished wooden floors gleamed under the soft lighting, and the walls were adorned with tasteful artwork that added a touch of character to the space.

A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle glow over the spacious living area. The dining room was set for breakfast, the long table laden with a lavish spread—fluffy pancakes, assorted pastries, fresh fruits, and many more breakfast options available. Attentive staff stood by, ready to serve.

At one corner of the table sat Olivia, her eyes sharp and observant, while Sergei, ever composed, sat not far from her. Their parents were seated on one side of the table, engaged in quiet conversation, while their uncle and aunt occupied the opposite side, waiting patiently for everyone to gather.

Their cousin Lokesh was seated nearby, casually leaning back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the table with an air of restless energy. 

He wasn't focused on the meal but rather on the lively chatter around him, clearly waiting for something—or someone—to liven things up. The moment he saw the triplets enter, his eyes lit up, and a wide grin spread across his face.

"Finally!" Lokesh exclaimed as he sprang up from his seat and hurried over. "It's been too long!" He wrapped both Jay and Kay in a bear hug at once, his laughter filled with genuine affection. "Jay, you hardly ever show up around here! What's it been, months?"

Jay chuckled as he returned the hug. "You know me, always busy. But I figured it's time to drop by before you forget what I look like."

Lokesh playfully punched Jay's arm. "Forget? How could I forget the new chief of security? I was surprised to hear you finally joined the family business. It's great to have you on board, especially since the HR and security departments work so closely together. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of each other now."

Lokesh grinned and motioned to the seats at the table. "Come on, take a seat! It's not often we get to have the whole family together like this." He then turned to Kay and Qew with a warm smile, engaging them in lighthearted banter, all while pushing Qew's wheelchair closer to the table, positioning her near the others before taking his own seat.

Jay's parents lit up when they saw him, especially his mom, who beamed with joy at the sight of her son. "Jay, it's been too long! I was beginning to wonder if work had swallowed you whole."

Before Jay could respond, his uncle Umesh greeted him with a welcoming smile and a wave. "You're just in time! We've got some big news. Miss Olivia has finalized the announcement date for launching the new S.E.E.D. technology products. Tomorrow at our headquarters, we're officially revealing our partnership with FUTURE Conglamorette to the world—it's going to be a game changer!"

Jay's expression stayed unreadable. He didn't seem surprised or even mildly enthusiastic about the announcement. Instead, he calmly interrupted his uncle, his tone serious but controlled. "There's something more urgent we need to talk about—something that could change the fate of our planet as we know it."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the lighthearted atmosphere shifting. Everyone exchanged uncertain glances—everyone except those who were already aware of what Jay was talking about. Their expressions remained composed, quietly waiting for the inevitable reveal.

His mother's smile wavered, giving way to concern. "Jay, what are you talking about?"

Jay took a deep breath and met each of their eyes, one by one, before beginning to explain.

They were all shocked at the unbelievable things Jay was talking about. But the words he spoke and the undeniable proof he presented left his family's minds jumbled, struggling to grasp the implications of what was to come.

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Author Note: 

Exclusive artwork for every free chapter is now available on my PATRE0N page! You can find the link in my Discord server.

I'm thrilled to share that I'm taking a big leap forward! Alongside Earth's Alpha Prime, I've launched the first sub-book for EAP.

ALTER REALITY: Online

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The first ten to comment for new chapter releases will get '1 ADVANCED CHAPTER' for free on Earth Alpha Prime's Discord server.

In the discord server, I opened a private channel for those Top 10 candidates, where I posted the respective Advanced Chapter.

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Discord Link for 'Earth's Alpha Prime' :

https://discord.gg/maQC7xDBYZ

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