Seven years later...
Fifteen-year-old Sally stood before the mirror, the early morning light resting gently against her figure. She had grown into the delicate beauty of adolescence. Black, flowing hair cascaded down her back,catching the morning light that spilled through the tall windows of her room.
Against her pale, luminous skin, her features seemed almost delicate, full peach coloured lips, a pointed nose, and pretty brows that arched naturally over striking sapphire Phoenix eyes. Those eyes, bright and observant, were framed by long lashes that brushed her cheeks whenever she blinked.
This particular morning, those beautiful eyes were narrowed in battle… with her school tie.
She adjusted her uniform hurriedly, fingers working through the buttons with practiced speed. The outfit alone spoke volumes, finely tailored, crisp, and adorned with the distinguished crest of a prestigious academy.
"Where did you even go?" she muttered, turning in a full circle as though the tie might suddenly confess it's hiding place.
Finally locating the runaway tie hanging innocently on a chair, Sally looped it around her neck, grabbed her bag, and dashed out of her room.
There was no more time to waste.
Sally stepped out of her room on the second floor of the luxurious duplex and descended the staircase quickly, her footsteps light but urgent against the polished marble.
The scent of breakfast lingered warmly in the air.
At the dining table sat Elena, now every inch a refined madam. Time had been gracious to her; the passing years seemed only to have deepened her beauty rather than steal from it. Her posture remained elegant, her presence calm yet commanding.
Beside her stood the older nanny, carefully serving the morning meal.
From the opposite staircase came Dominic.
He descended with measured composure, his tall frame straight, his presence naturally imposing. Broad-shouldered and impeccably dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, he carried himself with restrained power. His polished shoes reflected the morning light, while his hair was slicked back neatly, revealing sharp eyes that seem to pierce into one's soul.
For a brief moment, Sally's gaze met his.
Just as quickly, she looked away and moved to the dining table.
"Good morning, Mom Elena. Morning, Nanny," she chirped, reaching out to steal a toast from the plate the nanny was serving from.
A soft chuckle escaped the older woman.
"You're late again this morning, young miss," the nanny said with smiles.
"And skipping breakfast again," Elena added in a playfully strict tone before signaling to the nanny, who nodded with a knowing smile and disappeared into the kitchen.
Elena rose when she noticed Dominic approaching and stepped toward him, smoothing the front of his suit with familiar ease. He leaned down and pecked her cheek, earning a soft chuckle from her.
"I'm leaving,"
Sally announced, already halfway out of the dining area.
Right on cue, the nanny hurried back, a neatly packed lunchbox in her hand.
"Here, young miss. Madam prepared this for you, your favourites especially ."
"Thanks, Mom Elena!" Sally replied quickly, accepting it while glancing at her wristwatch.
Her eyes widened.
"Bye, Nanny. See you later, Mom."
She hurried toward the door.
Dominic suddenly spoke without looking at her, his tone calm.
"Rowan will pick you up after school."
His voice halted her steps.
Sally paused for a brief silence,
"…Hm," she responded without turning, then continued out the door.
Elena watched her leave, a faint sigh escaping her lips at the familiar distance between them as Dominic guided her gently back toward the table.
"You are not really trying to ease the relationship between you two," she said quietly.
"What is there to ease?" Dominic replied, picking up a toast.
"Sally is still a child. It is only natural that there are things she does not yet understand. But you, as the adult, should try to..."
"Alright, alright," he interrupted lightly.
"I already accepted when she said not to drop her off at school. But picking her up is non-negotiable. One cannot give a child, as you have said, too much freedom."
Elena opened her mouth to continue.
He pointed his toast at her.
"You're not about to start lecturing me this morning, right?"
She laughed despite herself, and soon the two settled into breakfast.
As Sally stepped out of the house, Dominic's car was already parked in the driveway, its polished surface catching the pale glow of the morning sun. Beside it stood Dominic's secretary, Ace, straight-backed as ever, a tablet tucked neatly beneath his arm.
His gaze lingered on her.
Sally noticed.
Tilting her chin upward, she flipped her long dark hair with deliberate arrogance and smirked before striding past him.
"Good morning to you too, Statue," she muttered under her breath.
Ace didn't react. He simply watched her walk until she disappeared beyond the gates.
The residential area was wrapped in a gentle morning calm.
Luxury cars slept quietly in wide driveways, and the asphalt road lay spotless beneath rows of carefully planted trees.
A cool breeze brushed against Sally's skin, carrying with it the warm scent of freshly baked bread from a boutique bakery down the street.
She jogged lightly, her hair swaying behind her. Drawing in a deep breath, she let the morning air fill her lungs.
"Morning, Mr. Evans" she called, lifting a hand.
"Off to school already?" the shop owner replied with a grin.
She waved without slowing.
Passing these shops and breathing in the crisp morning air was how she liked to begin her days, a small, comforting ritual.
When the towering silhouette of Valemont Academy came into view, she slowed to a walk.
The marble-red walls stretched high into the sky. Students hurried toward the gates, panic written across some faces, while others strolled in without concern, leisurely striding to school.
At the main gate stood the school guard, already herding late students toward the punishment area. His short cane tapped authoritatively against the ground before he used it to poke a male student who's uniform shirt was untucked, tie missing entirely.
"Where is your tie?!"
"Sir… it believes in freedom."
The male student raised his hand in a playful salute.
Poke.
"Stand straight!"
Sally's lips curved into a knowing smile.
Amateurs.
Instead of heading toward the gate, she casually veered sideways, lowering her posture as she slipped along the shadow of the towering wall.
Reaching a familiar spot, she glanced around.
Then she ran.
With practiced ease, she planted a foot against the wall and pulled herself upward.
Less perfect.
She scrambled upward anyway, grunting.
"Why… is this… higher today?"
After what felt like a full upper-body workout, she dragged herself to the top and froze, balancing dangerously.
The rough marble scraped her palm, but she ignored it, hoisting herself over .
For a brief second, she wobbled at the top. Still smiling, she swung her bag over first.
Then,
She jumped.
Thud.
Her landing was anything but graceful.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
"And there she lands."
Sally groaned and looked up.
Two girls stood waiting.
The one holding Sally's bag, Rhea, had bright amber eyes that sparkled with mischief. Her dark brunette hair was tied into two playful ponytails bustling with colorful clips. Her uniform was barely tucked in, mismatched socks peeking above her shoes, and a vibrant headset rested around her neck. A bubblegum-pink backpack hung loosely from one shoulder.
Chaos, in human form.
Beside her stood her complete opposite. Selene, her uniform was immaculate, carefully ironed and perfectly tucked. Smooth tan skin complemented her calm violet-gray eyes. Her black hair flowed neatly down her back, and she carried a structured dark-gray school bag. With her arms crossed and posture straight, she wore a small, restrained smile.
"Good morning~~" Sally sang, retrieving her bag and stood up.
Her ankle immediately disagreed.
Rhea clapped slowly. "A performance." She teased.
"I meant to do that," Sally snapped giving a playful glare.
They began walking toward the school building together.
Selene glanced at her watch.
"Today's morning is exceptionally bright," she said smoothly, "seeing how you decided to honor us with your late arrival, fence hopper."
Rhea . "More like wall-jumping nerd student, no, wait… that doesn't rhyme, fence hopper princess..."
Sally shrugged, slipping ahead of them.
"Call it whatever you want. You're just envying my climbing skills"
Rhea smirked as she hurried to keep up "Next time warn us before you jump. I want popcorn."
Selene followed at a leisurely pace, watching the two with quiet amusement.
Students streamed past them, laughter filling the courtyard.