Chapter 5-1: Changing the Routine

“I know. I’m just worried” He said, sighing, for her to shake herself from his clutches, and regain her space.

“Then don’t get in my way and leave me. I’ll just wander”

“Be obedient and come back before midnight. Is that clear?”

“Okay” she nodded obediently.

“If you're late, I'll act before Kaiden arrives” he murmured violently under his teeth, threateningly.

“Is that a threat?” she asked, her voice low under her breath, looking up at him.

"It's for your own good" he added in an urgent, indisputable tone, making her eyes narrow.

“Just go to sleep. I will be back in two hours” she reassured him, patting his shoulder confidently and then smiling.

“Really?!” He raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t believe me?” She frowned.

“Of course not… okay?” He sighed, pushing her out and saying good-bye.

As a result, he banished sleep from himself; he lit up that elaborate living room, then approached the glass window, looking out at it from the outside.

×××××

//9:00 PM//

//Mayfair Cloud//

One of the most famous nightclubs in the Monopoly game, which revolves around London.

And because the party is at its peak, she chose a suitable location in the corner, where no one is; watching the situation, without enjoyment.

When the bartender approached her, she quietly chose a mango juice with strawberry flavor.

On the other side, with 4 tables; A man in his fifties, with a plump body and an elegant suit, settled in with his forty-year-old wife and a twenty-year-old teenager, in the midst of a celebration of her birthday with some friends and invitees.

Caroline, who kept contemplating the situation with a listless, ghostly look, closer to the eyes of a dead fish, the corners of her lips trembled suspiciously, muttering.

"What a funny fate"

She held the glass cup with the tips of her delicate fingers from the concave side, mixing it in a way similar to drinking, then relaxed her shoulders and the tip of her straight head, and took the initiative to drink while savoring the sweet taste in her mouth.

The atmosphere inside was noisy, in contrast to her calm and introverted personality.

The dance hall, was filled with the noise of the disco. The atmosphere was immersed.

On the other hand, she extended her long, slender legs in a monotonous manner over the table, then looked at the strangers and family around her, in suspicious silence.

×××××

That day of that year, 14 years before they were kidnapped.

In Fog City, across the road between the house and Bradford High School.

Around 5 PM in the spring. The weather was calm and clear.

Kristen, Caroline, and Becca were already students in the final third grade, compared to their young age, those innocent childish expressions, and their stature.

At that time, they had also been accustomed to taking some refreshments from the store on the road, before the accident occurred; As they are usually the last person sitting and remaining to arrive.

When the bus stopped, the small, sudden collision was harmful.

At that very moment, the bus driver fainted.

It was a strange, uncomfortable situation. However, they did not fully understand the situation until it was too late.

The area studied, at the turn, was surrounded by quite a few shaded cars and some conscripts.

The planning was precise, fast, and decisive.

Kristen, being the older sister, hugged both of them, trying hard to reassure them despite her excessive anxiety and hold herself together.

Becca, who grabbed the cell phone in an effort to call her mother, her breath faltered in a race against time, amidst the thick fog and the desire to resist.

Becca, who grabbed the cell phone in a desperate attempt to call her mother, her breath faltered in a race against time, amidst the dense fog and the desire to resist.

This frightening and smooth scene was the last part I was able to see before consciousness disappeared and they fell to the ground.

On that day of that year too, she had been overwhelmed by the memory of the day before when she visited the principal's office and absorbed that call.

In a split second, she had pursed her lips and clenched her fists with a slight succinctness, annoyed.

'Very soon, all this will be over. Very soon, the damage of the past will disappear and will not come back.'

'Very soon, this bitter uproar will end, to be replaced by the taste of revenge, and only that!'

×××

Many of us have become accustomed to those fake faces beneath the cheap masks, and have been deceived.

That innocent appearance and flowery words. Those sweet, coded looks and twisted thinking.

We have all become accustomed to a person's fabricated background and integrity on the surface, without realizing, that we are on the verge of a pit of the underworld.

Where humanity and morals have disappeared. And the value of humanity and wealth has increased.

That greed, and the growing greed like corporate stocks, about trading in those bright minds, monopolizing fetuses and children, like robots.

Desire for quick gain and power.

Under the banner of science.

×××××

//10:05 PM//

'Time flies like a train of time...'

×××××

And During the period of boredom, she emptied 3 large cups of various types of juice.

Looking again at the clock, on top of the phone's illuminated screen, she finally adjusted her position, ignoring those lurking glances towards her, and yawned.

She really needed to get some fresh, cold air outside, freshen up and leave.

Barely when she was ready to stand up and leave the money in its proper place for the bartender to receive it.

She was intercepted by a young teenager, with elegant British features, a wheatish complexion, an arrogant aura like his coffee-like eyes, his hazel locks, and a prominent jaw with a height difference. he shouted hoarsely, smiling as a result of the noise, advancing towards her.

“Kristen!” He shouted manly, smiling as a result of the noise, moving towards her.

“Excuse me?”

In return, she blinked repeatedly, in disapproval, in confusion; In amazement, at the friendly way he called her, then she tilted her head slightly thoughtfully with her eyebrows raised.

“It’s me… We met again at the airport, and you invited me to have lunch together. You remember, right?” he explained in a soft voice, despite his slight frown, then added.

“Are you here alone? My friends are at that table!” he asked exploratively with a joyful expression, urging her, and she clenched her jaws together for a second in silence.

"Well?" She shook her head affirmatively, contemplating.

He seemed excited. She really felt confused despite her realization.

Compared to her past personality, it was expected that she would ignore him and leave or even bring him down.

But… in this life, she really wanted to experience the feeling of being surrounded by people who could be called friends and even spend time with them.

‘Not just because of Mr. Evan’s wishes, but because of her wishes.’

However, it was already late, and the library wouldn’t wait for her to arrive to close.

Also, the person who was looking for her and wanted to spend time with her was not her. So, she decided to politely apologize and leave the issue.

Compared to the only thing she came for, she didn't really care to explain herself.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go” she said with a brief smile, causing his brow to furrow in surprise and stiffen.

“Oh, okay” he groaned with a short, apologetic nod, then waved her goodbye.

This was harsh on someone.

×××××