Home or was it not?

...

The Gunnar's arrival at Weammont International airport was unlike the one they experienced at Chamrose city. Here, they were welcomed by a group of men and women in black suits. These people were the Gunnars's staff and bodyguards.

"Sir, Madam and young misses, welcome back!" a man and a woman approached them. Their professional demeanor formed a sense of admiration for those watching from behind.

Anna stared at the disciplined crowds who bowed in unison upon seeing them. She noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Gunnar's smiles were one of satisfaction. It looked like they enjoyed such treatment.

To Anna, such an extravagant display of power was something she could never appreciate. She disliked the idea of being powerful, for she knew power comes with responsibilities.

And sometimes, people crossed morality to uphold these responsibilities.

"Excellent! How about the matter I assigned you to do?" Mr. Gunnar asked the man who was standing in front of him.

"Sir, all the media in Weammont city has been mobilized. They are waiting outside," the man explained and then pointed to the big opaque door.

Anna frowned when she heard the term media. Even though she was still unfamiliar with most of the things in this world, she understood the jargon used by them as well as its context.

She looked at Avery, who was also looking at her. The way she bit her lips indicated that she was unaware of her father's plan as well.

"Mom, what is dad talking about? What about the media?" Avery turned to her mother, who was talking with a female staff beside her.

"Just a formality. The country needs to know that you're safe," she explained with a sweet smile on her face. In contrast, Avery felt her body turn hot as anger started to rise within her.

"Can we do this another time? At least until Anna recovers. Besides, why are they worried about me? They should be worried about Anna," Avery couldn't comprehend her mother's answer.

On the other hand, Mrs. Gunnar was displeased with Avery's reply. "Avery, Anna isn't the heir of the Gunnars family, but you are! So, keep your mouth shut," she countered. Her tone was calm but harsh.

Avery's eyes grew more prominent when she heard her mother's reply. She couldn't believe that Anna, who they treated so nicely before, didn't hold any meaning when it came to their family's reputation.

She glanced at Anna, hoping that she didn't hear what her mother had said earlier. Seeing Anna's steady-state, her heart calmed down.

'Thank god,' she thought.

"Mom, can we postpone this to another time? Please..." Avery moved closer to her mom and whispered in her ear. However, Mrs. Gunnar shook her head.

"No, I don't want to do this. It isn't right!" Avery stated in a firm voice and started to back away. Mrs. Gunnar scowled as she instructed two bodyguards to hold her.

"Let me go!" Avery shouted, startling the people around them. However, the bodyguards didn't move even an inch of their body. Only their eyes showed their curiosity. They were surprised that the family who rarely argued with each other was now arguing.

Mr. Gunnar heard the commotion behind him. He walked to Avery and signaled for the female bodyguards to release her.

With his back facing the onlookers, he spoke while patting her shoulder. "Avery, remember when I told you not to go against your elders?"

Avery trembled in fear. To other people, his act was fatherly, but to Avery, it was a threat. She knew her parents well. They were the kindest of people, but nothing or no one could stand in their way when it came to their family reputation. Not her nor Anna.

Sadly, Avery was one who rarely followed orders, so she objected, "Dad, we're lucky enough to find Anna. She needs her rest. She needs to be at home. Isn't it better to do this once Anna recalls her memories? Besides, I've already informed the media about my situation back then. Why must we do this again?"

"Avery!" Mr. Gunnar's face turned black after listening to Avery's insistent complaints. His lips were pursed, trying to hold the urge to lash at his daughter.

"If you didn't run away to look for Anna, we wouldn't have to do this!"

"Dad, Mom!" Avery didn't know what else to say. All she knew was that they were completely unreasonable, and Anna, why was she so quiet? Couldn't she at least say something, especially after listening to the sentence her dad had spoken?

Avery looked at Anna, pleading her to say something.

At this time, Anna finally spoke.

"I'm sorry, but when can we go home?" she asked. Her lips trembled slightly. She walked towards the trio, pretending that she didn't hear anything.

Seeing this, everyone was shocked.

"Anna, what's wrong?" Mrs. Gunnar walked closer and touched Anna's forehead with the back of her hand.

Mr. Gunnar stared at Anna with a crease on his forehead.

"I feel dizzy," Anna replied in a weak voice. She took a deep breath and released it, wobbling a little. Similarly, her face was getting paler and paler. She held Avery's shoulder for support.

"Anna, are you okay?" Avery asked. She was surprised to see her suddenly acting weak. It was a minute ago that she saw her still in a good state... was this her plan? Avery couldn't help but grin inside.

"My body feels heavy," Anna told them. Her eyes conveyed the agony she was feeling.

Heaving a sigh, Mrs. Gunnar stared at her husband. "This..." she mulled.

Avery's eyes lightened up only to dim when she heard her father declare the final verdict.

"The press conference must go on. Kevin calls a doctor to be on standby!" he ordered.

At this time, even Mrs. Gunnar was surprised at his husband's decisiveness. However, she didn't protest; only a dull smile was seen on her face.

Unbeknown to them, Anna's pale face turned dark. She stared at the floor, pouring all the disappointment plus the reverence she had towards the pair of husband and wife on it.

She recalled their warm care at the hospital and compared it to the person they were now. It felt like a comforting veil to hide their real personality.

She looked at Avery, who was staring at her with guilt all over her face. Suddenly, her vision blurred, and after that, she remembered nothing except Avery's familiar way of screaming her name.

"Anna!" hearing her name being called out loud, the scene at the cliff returned.

Perhaps, Avery was the only person who truly cared about the previous Anna...

...

Anna opened her eyes and saw that everywhere was pitch black. She blinked, trying to see what beyond the darkness when suddenly, a pair of red eyes took hold of her gaze.

Seeing those eyes, Anna felt her heart drumming wildly as a sense of fear started to engulf her.

She recognized those eyes. They were the eyes of her demon - her curse.

'No!' she screamed when the pair of eyes started to move closer, but no word came out of her lips. She tried to run but couldn't. She tried closing her eyes, but again, she failed.

Then it happened... the demon blinked as if mocking her futile efforts. Soon, Anna heard a sinister, heart-wrenching laugh inside her head. The laughter was getting louder and louder as the time went by, causing her to shudder uncontrollably.

She was afraid.

This demon was different. It was stronger!

She could feel it entering her consciousness and slowly taking control over it...

'Don't you dare, demon!'

Anna's consciousness returned at the sudden interruption. It was a commanding voice that seemed to grasp the tail of her demon so easily.

She opened her eyes and noticed the demon eyes staring at her earlier were rolling around, reacting to the voice that held power over it.

'You better stay still, or I'll cut your tail,' she hears that voice again. This time it was clear and somehow familiar. At the same time, the eyes of her demon started to scatter. It struggled for a while but still ended up losing its form.

Seeing the demon diminished to nothingness, Anna was bewildered. Who held such power over her devil? Even she failed to control it unless she went hard on herself.

'Soulmate, you're awake,' she heard the voice talking inside her head.

'Who are you?' Anna replied. 'Why are you inside my mind?' she asked, trying to find a clue in her dark surrounding.

'I'm sorry for entering your mind like this. If this small flea didn't try to harm you, I wouldn't do this,' the voice spoke again, and Anna couldn't help but bang her head so she could remember where and when did she hear that voice.

'Don't force yourself, or it'll be harder for you to recall our first meeting,' he sounded amused. His laughter at the end gave a warm feeling.

Anna shuddered as she dismissed the sensation that could make her lower her guard. This person was powerful, for mind-to-mind interaction couldn't be initiated so easily even with spells.

'My soulmate, you're overthinking. I don't need to use a spell when talking to you,'

Soulmate. That was the second time he said this...

'It's you! You're that child!' Anna couldn't define her emotion at the moment. She was happy to find out who he was but was worried at the same time.

That child, it made her lose her sense of self...

'I am not a child. That was only a disguise!' he retorted. 'Soulmate. I'm a grown-up man and one that is quite handsome,' he added, and Anna could almost see him smirk.

'Enough, how did you enter my mind? Which bloodline are you?' Anna suppressed her smile and asked more serious questions. However, he didn't immediately answer but went to a long silence, which worried Anna. For some reason, she didn't want him to disappear without telling her... like the last time.

'I will not leave without telling you, but my power alone can't allow this conversation to last longer unless your power is awakened. When that time comes, I'll come and court you like how a gentleman should be. As for who I am, one day, you'll know,' he finally spoke, but his voice was gradually fading.

Awakened?

'Wait!' Anna didn't want their conversation to end.

'Make sure to strengthen your body; else, the power of your awakening will become a burden. Till next time, my love...'

'No, WAIT!' Anna screamed, trying to hold on to the voice. However, her eyes caught the transformation in her surrounding. It was no longer dark but bright and white.

Who was he? Who was that man for him to be able to initiate a telepathic communication with her?

Anna thought harder but couldn't come with a compelling answer. She could only keep the thought away, for it was making her anxious.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed her mind. Finally, gaining composure, she inspected the new environment she was in.

She realized that she was no longer in the airport and, once again, lying on a comfortable bed. However, this was more comfortable than the one she had in the hospital. She looked up and noticed a frame was hanging on the wall behind her.

Slowly, Anna changed her position from lying down to sitting down. Her eyes immediately wandered around and realized that she was inside a luxurious room painted in white and bluish-green color. The bed she was sleeping in was big, making her appear smaller despite being five feet and ten inches taller. The room's furniture was minimal, but it exuded the decorator's excellent discernment in styling a room.

After checking the room, Anna finally looked at the frame hanging on the wall. At the bottom right of the painting was a fancy print of her name, Anna.

Inside the frame was a picture of herself in a white gown fitted from the shoulder to the hips and then widening to the hem. She was smiling towards the camera while sitting on a fluffy white carpet.

Anna stared at the picture expressionlessly. She had been reincarnated so many times that appearance was no longer necessary to her. All she cared about was to be able to do what ordinary people would be able to do. Still, something about the picture caught her attention.

Anna wasn't a pretty girl. Neither was she ugly. However, her elegance made her stand out in the picture. Her dark amber eyes made her normal-looking face look charming. Her gaze was mystic. It could either be strong, gentle or both. To those staring at her would find no discomfort, only calmness.

'So, this is me,' Anna muttered to herself.