17.

I checked how I looked in the mirror before a few soft knocks sounded on my doors. I knew it was time for lunch with my father, whom I barely knew and still a stranger to me. 

When I arrived my father was already sitting at a lunch table filled with all kinds of food.

"Good morning Jade, please sit down. I had someone prepare your favourite, it should be ready any moment now."

As I sat down a staff member poured me a glass of fresh orange juice and as my father has told me a few seconds later a baked bun with brie, walnut and honey was put in front of me. 

"How did you know?" I asked surprised and felt my stomach ache for the bun in front of me. 

"I read your diary, and of course, I asked your mother. Enjoy your bun before it gets cold." 

When I was done eating I sipped my orange juice and the staff started to empty the table and hand both my father and me paper and pen. 

"How has your stay been so far?" My father wanted to know. 

"Very pleasant, though I honestly still need to get used to all of this."

"That's understandable, I asked you to join me for lunch because I want to discuss a few things and of course to spend some time together. As with any household, we have some rules here, and of course, you do need an education and other things to settle here. How about I hand you this file so you can read through what I have set up so far, and we can discuss to add or lose things if needed."

A servant handed me a copy of the file 

Rules

1. School comes for all else.

2. Everything that happens in this house, stays in this house.

3. No contact with anyone from your former life unless approved. 

4. No stealing.

5. No use of powers without proper training. 

6. No gambling.

7. No drugs.

8. Respect staff. 

It was a short list, I turned the page and started to read the next page. 

Education schedule and extra curricuairs. 

 Languages: 

English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese.

Spiritual:

Potions, enchantments, powers 101, powers in practice, The dangers of powers, History of powers.

Schooling:

Finances, history, religion, cooking, survival, technology, First aid, domestic skills.

Extracurricular:

Book club, writing for beginners, volunteering for a cooking class.

I looked up at my father, My glass had been refilled in the meantime so I decided to drink a few sips before asking any questions. 

"So, what do you think?" 

I took a few more sips of my orange juice before I decided to answer my father's question. 

"It is very different from the schools I'm used to if I may be honest, but these do seem like things I'll be needing. Why so many languages if I may ask?"

My father smiled at me and he seemed relieved. 

"Because normal schools will prepare you for a normal life, however, that's not the case. You are not any ordinary girl, and that's why I choose to send you to the same school as other girls and boys like you, and the languages will be needed as you might travel a lot and do business a lot in your life. I simply want you to be well prepared."

"That sounds fair enough, what were you thinking about schedule-wise? And are there other things you want to discuss?"

My father smiled at my answer before he nodded and cleared his throat. 

"Well yes, before you go to school next month I would like to propose you take this time to make your wing your own. I have a list prepared of stylists for your looks, to make clothes to your exact size and for decorating of course. There is no limit since this is an investment but I expect you to be wise and to not go over the top."

A servant handed me a list and a map of different styles, brands and colour schemes.

"Since we're done eating, I need to get back to work, but take your time and make this place your own. Also, if you need help for what you've been through and you're ready for that let me know so we can make arrangements." 

As I was back in my room I couldn't help but overthink last night. The dream I had never felt this real. I wondered for a few seconds if it was part of my powers, but I pushed the thought away looked through the file and tried to see what I should do first. 

Before I went to bed that night a few knocks sounded on the doors of my bedroom.

"Come in" I answered as I was just done washing my face and brushing my hair. 

My brother appeared and leaned against the wall while he looked through my room.

"Were you about to go to sleep?" He wanted to know. 

"I was indeed, why are you here?"

"I came to tell you if you need any help I can help you out a bit."

"Thank you, I think I have gotten most of it by now but how about we sit down with what I have so far tomorrow at lunch?"

"Sure, that sounds good to me. Well, good night then." 

After he left I wanted to fall asleep fast. Part of me hoped to see Jake again in my dreams, I still missed him every moment I was here. 

When I started to fade into sleep, I visited the same room as the night before. I decided to look around the room, outside it was early morning, so I knew I probably didn't have long. 

Jake seemed more calm right now, he laid in his bed, on his back and he held something, when I looked closer, I saw it was my former diary, as if he fell asleep reading it. 

I walked to his desk, where I couldn't help but notice the letter written to me.