The Repeated Dream

"Innie,"

Her head turned, seeing the little boy walking towards her. He had this sweet smile and red plump lips. A necklace hanging around his neck, a golden moon amulet with diamond around it.

The little girl blinked but failed to get a clear view of the boy's face. Everything was blurry and the only thing she could see was the key. She felt those warm palms cupping her cheeks, and a soft whisper echoed into her ears.

"Come find me, my princess… in the future."

Before her lips could utter some words, a gust of wind blew onto them. She stretched her arms, but before she could touch him. The boy already vanished into thin air.

———

She woke up and found herself inside her room, staring at the ceiling only to glimpse the shine in the glow-in-the-dark had faded.

The repeated dream every night but couldn't remember the blurred face ached her head in the fast few days.

She sat down as the long silky hair fell onto her shoulder. Her hazel brown eyes gazed outside where the sunlight crossed from her window.

A small yawn with a long stretch made her completely wake up before she stood up. After a while, she heard a knock behind the door.

"Come in," she said loudly enough to hear the person outside.

"Yes Miss Camrynne," the maid said before opening the door and entering the room.

"Miss Camrynne…" she called out with her head lowered. "Master Payne ordered me to call you. Breakfast is served downstairs." She said,

Camrynne scanned the maid from head to toe. It was a newly hired maid and nervous to make a mistake. One rule was never to look right into the master's eyes which were created by her father.

'Ridiculous.' She scoffed whilst thinking about his father's rules.

She walked to her couch and sat in front of her, crossing her arms and legs. Her eyes never left the sight of the maid.

"If you keep mumbling while your eyes stick to the ground, I'll never catch your words."

The maid flinched from the lady's stern voice. It was her first day and didn't want to make a mistake.

Then, she looked at her and said clearly, "Miss Camrynne… Master Payne ordered me to call you. Breakfast is served downstairs."

"I see…" Camrynne stood up and went to her wardrobe to pick her clothes while the maid stood behind her.

"What's your name?"

The maid jolted before she replied immediately, "I-I'm Ivy… Ivy Fortaleza."

She glanced back at the maid with her clothes before placing them on a pole.

"Ivy, you are working as my maid so look me in the eyes when you are talking to me. Isn't that proper etiquette? You aren't breaking the rules if I'm the one who ordered it."

A smile curved into Ivy's face. The nervousness built inside from earlier was reduced to a simple order by the lady.

"I understand, Miss Camrynne."

She left from the couch and headed inside the bathroom, connecting inside her room. Ivy tidied up the bed before leaving the room.

After a long shower, her eyes gazed at the time. "Sh*t!" She cursed, knowing that she was late from the call time given by her friend.

She wore the clothes and boots she prepared before brushing her hair and did a light makeup before walking downstairs.

"I'm screwed up. My friend would kill me." She murmured while strolling inside the dining room.

Then, Camrynne noticed the man was almost done eating breakfast alone.

The head of the Payne family had a symmetrical face that complimented his brown hair and his earthy deep brown eyes. He was very tall and had a muscular body even though he was in his early 40s.

Alexus Payne was the head of the family. The owner of the biggest company not just in England but also in Asia.

Many people respected him from the charity and public project for poverty Alexus created. Even the Queen recognized the generosity of the Payne's Family.

As she sat on the designated seat, the head of the family was deeply staring at her. She was terrified if her father discovered her secret and was ready to confront her.

"You became very thin. Are you busy studying in your college?"

She sighed in relief when her father asked a simple question. She observed her body.

"I don't think I became thinner, Father. I maintain my posture as before so you don't have to worry about it father," she replied.

"Well, you need to be more careful of your health. You know you can't make any mistakes since…" he stopped to wipe his lips using the napkin laying on his lap. "You are my successor to our companies. Remember that."

"Yes, Father," she said before he left without saying a good greeting for his daughter.

She clenched her fist and was ready to attack. But a weak sheep couldn't fight back against the predator of the family, her father

Camrynne Payne was the oldest daughter of the Payne family. The company was turned over to her afterward.

Their company was originally owned by her great, great grandmother and it passed on from generation to generation. It grew widely since every CEO made the business stronger.

So her father pushed her to study Business Administration to have knowledge to expand the company and made wise decisions so no mistake would be implied.

It was a big pressure given by her father. However, she complied for her freedom.

And when her father gave her freedom, she secretly worked as a helper in the museum. Sometimes she worked as a part-timer in a library near her prestigious university.

And she believed that one day, she became a famous historian so she tried to conceal them from her parents.

But if her father knew about her secret, he may be respectful yet a dangerous man. Whoever was opposed to every order, misfortune might come to oneself.

"I can't believe he's my father. He wasn't even affectionate to his children." She mumbled as the maid served her breakfast.