Morning — Third Person POV
Sunlight slipped through the tall curtains and landed directly on Jay's face.
She groaned and buried herself deeper into the pillow.
Beside her, Keifer was still asleep, one arm loosely wrapped around her waist like he refused to let the night end.
"Keifer…" she whispered.
No response.
She tried to move.
His grip tightened automatically.
"Five more minutes," he muttered, eyes still closed.
Jay blinked at him. "You're not even awake."
"Doesn't matter."
She tried again to sit up.
He pulled her back down gently, burying his face into her shoulder.
"Five," he repeated.
Jay sighed but couldn't stop smiling.
Outside their room, the corridor was already alive with muffled sounds.
---
Two doors down—
Freya had thrown a pillow at Edrix.
"You said you'd wake me up!"
"I tried! You threatened me in your sleep!"
---
Across the hall—
Percy stood in front of the mirror.
"Why does the humidity disrespect my face?"
Honey, half-asleep: "It's 7 a.m."
"That's not an excuse."
---
Keiren and Keigan were arguing about who snored.
"You sounded like construction."
"That was you!"
---
Meanwhile, downstairs—
Eces was already awake.
Hair neatly tied.
Simple but elegant outfit.
Calm posture.
She sat on the couch in the main hall, one leg crossed over the other, sipping her coffee as if chaos were background music.
She had clearly been awake for hours.
---
One by one, Section E and the rest descended the stairs.
Jay and Keifer came down last, still slightly close to each other.
Ci-n yawned loudly.
Mica looked like she regretted existence.
Denzel stretched dramatically.
Percy fixed his hair using his phone camera while walking.
They all froze when they saw Eces.
She didn't even look surprised.
"Good morning."
Her tone was smooth. Controlled.
No one responded immediately.
They looked like a group of unprepared children caught skipping school.
"…Did you even sleep?" Calix asked carefully.
"I did," she replied, taking another sip. "You all, however, look tragic."
Gasps.
Percy touched his face.
"Tragic?"
Jay coughed to hide her laugh.
---
Just then, the smell of breakfast drifted from the kitchen.
Parathas. Chai. Something spicy.
Everyone's attention shifted instantly.
Honey stepped forward.
"I'm starving."
Eces raised her hand slightly.
"Stop."
They paused mid-step.
"All of you," she said calmly, "need to take a bath before eating."
Dead silence.
"…What?" Keiren blinked.
"It's a rule here."
Percy looked horrified. "Before breakfast?"
"Yes."
Denzel groaned. "I just woke up."
"Exactly," Eces replied.
---
Immediate chaos.
"But I'm hungry!"
"It's too early!"
"My hair will collapse!"
"I'll faint!"
Jay leaned toward Keifer. "Should we run?"
Keifer smirked. "You first."
Eces stood up slowly.
No shouting.
No anger.
Just presence.
"You travelled yesterday. You touched everything. You slept for hours."
She looked at them all evenly.
"You bathe. Then you eat."
The maids quietly appeared in the background like silent reinforcements.
Freya whispered, "Why does this feel like military training?"
Ella nodded seriously. "She planned this."
---
Percy crossed his arms dramatically.
"I refuse."
Eces raised one eyebrow.
Percy paused.
"…Fine."
Honey dragged him toward the stairs.
---
Keiren tried negotiating.
"What if we just wash our faces?"
"No."
"What if we promise—"
"No."
---
Within seconds the staircase became traffic.
People bumping into each other.
Arguing about whose room was closer.
Someone dropped a slipper.
Jay laughed as she started climbing back up.
Keifer shook his head. "We should've stayed in bed."
"You're the one who wanted five more minutes."
"And I still do."
She nudged him playfully.
From below, Eces watched the chaos unfold.
Completely calm.
Coffee finished.
As if this entire morning had gone exactly according to her plan.
And somehow…
It felt like she was enjoying every second of it.
One by one, they returned downstairs.
This time—
Hair wet.
Clothes fresh.
Energy slightly restored.
Percy walked carefully, checking his reflection in a spoon.
"I look reborn."
"You look the same," Honey replied.
Eces was already seated at the head of the dining table when they arrived.
The long table was beautifully arranged. Steam rose from plates of parathas, bowls of sabzi, chutneys, fresh fruits, and glasses of juice.
The maids moved gracefully, serving each of them.
No chaos.
Just the sound of plates and quiet appreciation.
Jay tasted the food first.
Her eyes widened slightly. "This is so good…"
Keifer glanced at her reaction and smirked. "Worth bathing?"
She nodded immediately.
Across the table, Keiren was eating like he hadn't seen food in years.
Freya whispered, "You complained the most."
"I was hungry the most."
Eces watched them silently at first.
Then she finally spoke.
"Better?"
Everyone nodded.
Even Percy.
---
After breakfast, they moved to the living room again, sinking into couches with satisfied expressions.
Denzel stretched. "Okay… now this feels like vacation."
Ci-n leaned forward. "House tour?"
Immediately, several voices joined.
"Yes!" "Show us everything!" "There has to be more!"
Eces looked at them for a moment… then stood.
"Fine. But stay together."
---
The House Tour
They followed her through a long corridor that opened into the backyard.
Gasps filled the air.
A large swimming pool shimmered under the sunlight, water reflecting like liquid glass.
Honey ran closer. "We're swimming later."
"After permission," Eces replied calmly.
Beside it was a small, peaceful garden — lined with flowering plants, stone pathways, and a wooden swing under a tree.
Jay smiled softly. "It's beautiful."
Eces nodded once. "I come here when I need silence."
They exchanged glances — that was new information.
---
Next—
She opened a wooden door.
The faint smell of paint and canvas filled the air.
It was a painting room.
Canvases leaned against walls. Some finished. Some half-done. Some abstract. Some deeply emotional.
Keifer stepped closer to one painting. "You made these?"
"Yes."
Percy tilted his head. "You paint like you're hiding something dramatic."
Eces gave him a look.
He immediately straightened. "Respectfully."
Jay noticed one painting slightly covered by cloth but didn't comment.
---
Then—
Another room.
Mirrors from wall to wall.
Polished wooden flooring.
A proper dance studio.
Speakers in the corners.
And against one side — musical instruments. A piano. Tabla. Guitar. Violin.
Mica blinked. "You dance?"
"Yes."
"Like… trained dance?" Aries asked.
"Yes."
"What style?"
"Classical. Contemporary. Whatever I feel."
"You play instruments too?" Keiren asked.
"No"
"Then why are there million of those here?"
"Krish does."
Denzel crossed his arms. "Your whole family is suspiciously talented."
Eces and Jay both ignored that.
Freya stepped forward. "So what do you like more? Painting or dancing?"
Eces thought for a second.
"Painting when I want to think. Dancing when I want to feel."
That answer silenced them for a moment.
---
Then she led them down another quieter corridor.
Her steps slowed slightly.
They reached a smaller carved wooden door.
Eces stopped.
Inside—
A small temple room.
Soft incense fragrance lingered in the air.
In the center stood two idols side by side.
Goddess Kali — fierce expression, powerful stance.
Goddess Durga — calm yet commanding.
The energy in the room felt heavier. Sacred.
Section E collectively froze.
Keiren stepped slightly back. "Why does that one look like she's about to judge my entire life?"
Percy swallowed. "Her expression is intense."
Honey gripped his arm.
Jay felt the shift in atmosphere too.
Eces turned to them calmly.
"Stop."
They halted before stepping inside.
"You can't enter."
"Why?" Denzel asked quietly.
"You're not dressed appropriately."
They all looked down at their casual outfits.
"Oh."
Eces continued, voice steady.
"This is not a place to walk into casually. It requires respect."
Section E nodded immediately.
Keiren still stared at Goddess Kali's idol.
"…She looks powerful."
"She is," Eces replied softly.
"They're not meant to scare you."
She stepped slightly forward, standing between them and the entrance.
"They represent strength. Protection. Destruction of evil."
Her tone wasn't dramatic.
Just certain.
Jay glanced at her.
For the first time that morning, Eces didn't look amused or composed.
She looked devoted.
After a moment, Eces gently closed the temple door.
"We'll come here properly some other time."
No one argued.
As they walked back down the corridor, the usual chatter slowly returned—
But something had shifted.
The house wasn't just luxurious.
It wasn't just artistic.
It had depth.
And maybe…
Layers they still didn't understand.
Pool Time
The silence from the temple slowly dissolved as they stepped back into the brighter part of the house.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Then Honey suddenly clapped her hands.
"Okay! That was spiritual. Powerful. Respectful."
She turned toward the backyard.
"But now… swimming?"
Keiren's eyes lit up. "YES."
Percy dramatically placed a hand on his chest. "Finally. Something that won't spiritually evaluate me."
Eces sighed softly, though the corner of her lips almost lifted. "You all just ate."
"We'll wait ten minutes!" Denzel declared.
"You said that about bathing," Freya reminded him.
And just like that—
The chaos returned.
---
Backyard — Pool Area
The pool glittered under the afternoon sun, calm and inviting.
It stayed calm for exactly five seconds.
Keiren sprinted out first in swim shorts.
"Last one in is weak!"
He jumped.
A huge splash followed.
Water flew everywhere.
"KEIREN!" Honey shrieked as droplets hit her face.
Felix — tall, competitive, and absolutely dramatic — pushed Percy straight into the pool.
Another splash.
Honey laughed and jumped in gracefully.
Denzel followed.
Freya dragged Aries in with her.
Within seconds, the peaceful pool had turned into a battlefield.
---
Jay stood near the edge, hands on her hips.
Keifer came beside her.
"You're not going?"
She glanced at him. "Who said that?"
He leaned slightly closer. "Scared?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Never."
Before she could react, he lifted her by the waist.
"Keifer!"
He jumped.
Splash.
Jay resurfaced, water dripping down her face.
"You are dead."
He backed away in the water, grinning.
She splashed him hard.
War officially began.
---
Near the far side—
Grace was seated on one of the wooden benches under the shade, holding little Grazel carefully.
Grazel, only five months old, sat comfortably in her lap, tiny hands waving in excitement at the splashing sounds.
Grazel suddenly let out a small, adorable laugh.
Grazel laughed again, tiny giggles bubbling out.
Grace smiled warmly. "You like the chaos, don't you?"
The baby's eyes sparkled.
---
Meanwhile—
Eces stood at the edge of the pool, dry, composed, watching.
Keigan noticed her first.
He hadn't jumped in.
He hadn't even moved.
He was watching her instead.
The sunlight reflected in her hair. The way she stood slightly apart. The way she observed everyone quietly, like she carried something deeper.
Something shifted in his chest.
Keigan swallowed.
He didn't fully understand it yet—
But he knew one thing.
He didn't want to look away.
---
"Eces!" Keiren called out. "Your pool! Your rules! You must join!"
"I don't need to," she replied calmly.
Ci-n splashed water toward her direction. "That's illegal behavior."
Jay floated closer to the edge.
"You should," Jay said softly.
Eces looked at her. "Why?"
Jay smiled. "Because you're watching life instead of living it."
That hit.
Keigan noticed the pause in Eces' expression.
For a brief second—
Her calm mask slipped.
Then quietly, she removed her sandals.
Honey gasped dramatically. "Oh this feels historic."
Without another word—
Eces dove in.
Clean.
She surfaced smoothly.
Keigan felt his heartbeat quicken.
It wasn't just attraction.
It was admiration.
Eces wiped water from her face.
"Move."
Then she splashed Keiren directly.
Gasps.
Chaos level increased instantly.
---
On one side of the pool—
Jay and Keifer drifted slightly away from the others.
Not obvious.
But close.
He brushed wet strands of hair from her face.
"You're smiling."
"So are you."
He leaned closer. "No revenge?"
She smirked. "Not yet."
Their foreheads almost touched before another splash hit them.
Honey had joined Ci-n in attacking everyone.
---
Percy attempted a dramatic dive.
It failed spectacularly.
Honey laughed so hard she nearly swallowed water.
Freya declared herself "pool queen."
Denzel challenged Keiren to a race.
Grace gently bounced Grazel on her lap while Grazel kept laughing at every loud splash.
And in the middle of it all—
Eces laughed.
Not controlled.
A real laugh.
Keigan watched her.
And for the first time—
He wasn't thinking about the chaos.
He wasn't thinking about the temple.
He was just thinking about her.
And maybe—
Without even realizing—
He had started falling. 🌊✨
+++++++++++++++
Here goes the Keagan for Eces....