-2 CHAPTER 1: THE ADOPTED and THE ORPHAN

PRESENT(2010) : CRIMEAN RESIDENCE

I am Aye, they say I was born in the month of September. I am living with my parents but not my biological one, although, for me I consider them my real parents. They took me in, adopted me really, and I took their last name Crimean. I grew-up not knowing any of my real parents and I never asked them, I didn't mind.

"Aye! come down now or you'll be late. You have an entrance exam for college."

"Thanks mom!, I'll be there in a minute."

I forgot to mention that I'm still in highschool. I'm only seventeen but my mom wants me to take an exam for scholarship in college. I go to a nearby public school, a 30 mins walk. I do have friends but I rarely go out with them, so I'm more left out. I'm alright though, for real!

" Aye, here are the things you should. bring and God bless you child." Paul said.

"And don't forget to meet us after your exam." Shea added.

Aye left and went straight to the train station. She looked at her watch and saw that she has less than 20 mins left before the exam starts. As the train stops she stayed near the exit area and run as fast as she can to the examination building. 8 mins left and was able to find the room and took her sit. The exam started at exactly 9:00 am, she was less nervous and more confident to take the exam. She finished it after an hour and a half. She left the area quietly not to disturb the others and looked at her watch. She still have an hour before meeting her parents. She decided to walk around and watch other people do their own business. She actuallyy enjoy watching them talk loud like they can't hear each other, running from or to, gossips and arguments in the public area, and others who go non stop shopping, How busy the world is? She realize. She then reached the meeting place 25 mins early and looked for a spot to sit. As she continuously watch outside through the glass window, she saw 5 people carrying boxes and entered an abandoned shop, after 10 mins of waiting. No one came out.

"Excuse me, do you have any order in mind?" the waitress asked pulling her out of her trance.

"Uhmm..., I'll just have a cup of coffee, thanks" she replied and looked back at the window again.

After 15 more mins. of watching, 2 person came out holding a gray case and was on a hurry to leave. Once they left the perimeter the old shop started to crumble, one by one the front roof falling then the blocks but before Aye could stand-up and leave someone called her name.

" Aye, how was the ex..." her father started asking but interrupted by a loud crash on the ground. Smoke and dust started to cloud the place.

" What just happened?" Shea asked her brother.

"It was an old shop, at least their were no people who work there now." he replied

"Your mistaken dad I saw 5 people entered the shop but only 2 came out in a hurry before the place fell." Aye said to them.

All the three of them went out and look at the shop to help but before they could, someone already announced that it was empty.

"Oh! thank you Lord, no one got hurt." Paul said.

"I think we better Leave, we'll be late if we stay here longer." Shea mentioned.

"Were are we going?" Aye asked

"We are going to meet an old friend of ours and we are having late lunch with him." Her mother answered her.

Aye then went back in the cafe, paid her bill then took her things and coffee out. She never mentioned to anyone what she saw that day and never bothered to think about it.

They took a taxi going to Atterir Hotel, a prestigious hotel for the elites and other known individuals, it also host different occasions. They reached the place early. Walking along the lobby a receptionist guide them to the dinning area. It is found in the second floor to their right and they were ushered to a table where they met the wealthy owner of the only library near the city.

"Hello Mr. and Ms. Crimean, it has been 18 years since the last time we met. Come and sit with us, these are some of my staff and friends."

" Your right it has been 18 years and you got older but still strong even with a cane." Paul answered him

"Ah... but death is inevitable my friend."

"That is true, very true."

"Now Ms. Crimean, who is this? your child? or your brother's? And why didn't you told me that one of you is married." The man inquired.

"Well... yes and no. Aye is our daughter but not one of us is married. Her real name is Rei Aye given by her biological parents but we adopted her and she took our last name. That made us her..."

"mother and father." The man added and smiled.

"That's right!" Shea answered back smiling.

The conversation went on and on while the food was being served. Everyone ate while conversations on different topics were out, from books to economics, to politics, even personal experiences. The late lunch went to snacks and almost reaching 5 in the afternoon. Aye was able to find someone to talk to, she's 9 years older than her and a college professor, teaching science related courses. She is pretty and can make anyone comfortable, they talk about the news, researches and their opinion on it, her school, and her aspirations in life. Their conversation was cut short, because her friend has to leave and Aye let her leave after saying goodbye. She has no idea where she works but was satisfied knowing her first name: KEREN.

"Well! we have to go, it is already 4:35pm, maybe... Mr. Bien when you return again, you might want to visit us." Shea suggested.

"Yes, of course, I think we also need to leave. Bye my friend..., Ms. Shea and Aye, it has been a pleasure to meet you both.

"Goodbye and thank you for the meal Mr. Bien.". Aye replied.

"See you when we see you again, my friend." Paul followed.

Everyone started to stand and say their goodbyes and all one by one took their leave.

"Father, I'll have to go to the rest room, would it be alright that you wait for me?". Aye asked them both before they reached the door.

"Of course, take your time, we'll be waiting for you in the lobby."

Her parents left her and walk along the hall then the stairs going down to the lobby, while Aye went in and looked for a rest room at her left side.

PRESENT (2010): AZALEA MANSION

The phone was ringing for three times before the house maid reached for it. The caller was asking for Mr. Roque, and the caller was connected to the master's study phone.

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiing."

"Hello! Mr. Clark, you called, is their any thing I could do for you that you called this early in the morning?"

"We______ll, sorry to call on you this early Mr. Roque. What's with the formality Carl? anyway the reason I called, as one of our business partner, you are officially invited to attend the conference and bring your nephew with you.". Clark said to him.

"You called this early in the morning just to invite me and my nephew. Since when did you become your own secretary and messenger at the same time?" Carl answered back laughing at him.

"Actually, the letters should have reached everyone yesterday but a problem came up. So, to finish everything I have to do it myself." Mr. Clark explained annoyed.

"Why don't you just say that you fired again for 106th time that secretary of yours. Where and what time will it be?" Carl asked.

"At Atterir Hotel, it will be an early dinner at 5pm and the venue would be private by that time." He answered not bothering to answer his first statement.

"We'll be there then." Carl answered and put down the phone.

Just after Mr. Roque have talked to the phone, he asked for his nephew from his butler.

"Rune, call my nephew." He ordered.

Rune left and went to find this master's nephew. He found him in the courtyard playing with a friend, Sera, the youngest daughter of the head butler. The master's nephew treat Sera his sister.

"Excuse me sir but your uncle wants. to speak with you now, he's in his office."

"Did he mentioned what is it about? Sera and I are still playing."

"I think it's urgent sir but I don't know what is it?" Rune replied.

"I'll be going then, once uncle say now it is now! So... Sera why don't we have this match for next time."

"What! no way! I was already ahead of you by 2 points." Sera said.

"Then you can beat me again next time."

"Okey, next time then." Sera replied happily. He left after hearing her reply and took his things. Once he was gone in their sight Sera asked her father.

"Father what do you think Mr. Roque wants from Akira?" Sera asked

"I don't know, we don't need to know, and next time don't just call Mr. Akira in his first name alone." Rune answered her while walking away.

"Poor father, he can't even say the name of Akira without the word Mr. or Sir, maybe father try loosening up or I'll do a brain transplant to change your mind from thinking to much.". Sera said while following her father.

"What did you just say Sera? ... would you like me to cut your allowance?" Her father threatened her while grinning.

"Ahmm... it was nothing, really father forget about it, it was just a joke and please don't cut my allowance, I need it." His daughter started to beg.

Her father didn't say anything but laughed after hearing Sera plead, while Sera pouted and continued to walk behind her father.

Meanwhile, Akira walked in the house and put all he was carrying at the shelf near the stairs then went through the stairs, climed it and reached the top. He took a turn to his right and knocked on the first door. He heard his uncle's voice and he let himself in.

The room was wide, as he enters he saw a familiar figure, a small flower that was carved from crystal glass with few tinged of ruby color on it's petals. It seats on the top of the center table surrounded by furnitures.

"I'm amazed that from all the room and corridors of this house, this is the only room that constantly change. This time he never changed the position of all furniture nor even the color, he keeps everything in this house the same as they are from the first time I saw and stayed here, except this room 'his study'." He said to himself while waiting for his uncle to say something.

"I'm curious uncle, this room keeps on changing every time I enter, except for this carved flower center piece on the table." Akira announced after looking at the room..

"That flower is named Azalea. it's impossible to remove it, it's part of the room and I want it to stay where it is." His uncle replied.

"I figured that, the last time I was here... Anyway what was the important thing you want to say?" Akira asked.

" It is not a thing but an event. Tonight you are coming with me so I want you on your best behavior. By 4:30 this afternoon we are going to Atterir Hotel. It's about time you'll meet all supporters and the board of Audessus Essai University." He answered back.

"Come on uncle, are you still trying to put me to college?" He asked again.

"Actually no, this time it is only for business, at least you'll learn something from this event, and you were invited. And as long as you are living with me, college is still is a requirement." His uncle replied.

"Thats all, you can leave now, just be ready by 4:30." His uncle added.

"_________I'll be ready by 4:30 then. But you haven't' told me the story of the flower." Akira asked.

"Leave Akira, I have other things to do." He answered. He left his uncle alone and he went straight to his room and started looking for an attire, something to wear for dinner.

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"Hi! I'm Akira Roque, an orphan and the heir to the Roque Company. Both my parents died in a plane crash when I was young and I was the only one who lived. I don't remember what they look like so the pain of loosing them is less. I think that is also the reason why I believe to live my life to the fullest because life is soo... short. Also I'm not studying, I still want to enjoy having fun. Anyway I have to go and prepare."

At 4:30 in the afternoon, Mr. Carl Roque and his nephew were just about to leave. Sera was talking to Akira while his uncle settled himself in the car, waiting for him.

"Hey brother, you look hmmm....." Sera started.

"Good? nice? what?" Akira inquired.

"Noo..., ______you look different, this is the first time I saw you wear a suit, it's just that... ah... never mind, forget it." Sera replied.

"That's all! come on Sera don't I look like 'Adonis' huh? say it" Akira joked. Sera laughed at it and didn't say anything else because his head will surely get bigger if she agrees to it.

"Akira were leaving, we'll be late if you don't move your ..."

"Yes! I'm coming, see you then later sis.". Akira said.

He sat just beside his uncle and the car started left the mansion. The ride was short it took only 15mins. They didn't talk until they reached the hotel and Mr. Carl went out first, his nephew behind him. They walked along the lobby and directly to the dinning area. Few people are still there and others are leaving.

"Oh! Mr. Roque, please come in, your sit will be near the window on your right. Please follow me."

"Thank you, let's go Akira, remember my... you already know it."

"Sure!" He replied looking bored beside his uncle.

Aye was finish using the restroom and look at herself in the mirror. She was debating if she'll wear her glasses or not, to hide her eyes. She was also thinking of her parents waiting for her and decided to wear it and left the rest room. While she was walking she accidentally hit the nearest table to her right were people are around it. She said sorry while walking away from them backwards but suddenly hit someone and cause her to fall forward, but able to find her footing.

"Are you alright Mr. Roque?" The attendant asked. While Akira went to her and help her then asked:

"Miss are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine thank you." She answered.

" Is she alright Kira?" His uncle inquired.

"Yeah, she just say yes, then maybe she's fine." He replied.

"And before I forgot, next time miss try to look where your walking and not else were." Akira whispered to her coldly and sarcastically.

Aye took in those words carefully and felt humiliated, the words were true but the way he said it felt that sarcasm was part of it. She faced him and look directly to his eyes, while putting on her glasses and said:

"Thank you again sir for pointing out my mistake, I_______I'll keep that in mind." Aye responded coldly and walk pass him to meet the man she bump too.

"Sorry sir for the trouble."

"That's alright no harm done, you can go now." Mr. Roque said assuringly.

" Thank you sir." She replied in relief and smiled genuinely. She left the place not looking back. She tried to erase the face of the guy who help her in a way and in the same way irritated her before she meets her parents.

As for Akira he was rooted in the place not moving until someone called him.

"Akira, would you please take your sit. Did something happened or are you seeing ghost?" inquired of him by his uncle.

"It was nothing, I just remembered that I forgot to bring my phone." He replied while acting that his phone is left at home.

"Was that a trick of the eye or what? Her eyes were different. They must be contacts, wasn't gray or silver? Who is she?" He thought to himself

He was brought back to reality by the speaker standing in front of the stage and welcoming everyone. The event was about the plans for the development and possible expansion of the university. The first speaker discussed on the updates in the school both in skills and academics of all students, slide shows were shown on how these student excel and compete to other schools. The following speakers discuss on the financial stability and where was the money coming from and to what purpose they were used. Other speakers just thank everyone who supports the school and those who help in the school mission.

"Now that we are near from finishing, I would like to tell that the reason why I also asked this young people here to come is for you to be convince to enter our university. The school faculty and some students made a wonderful video of the school and it will answers your questions regarding the school because I'm old and can't stand that long." Mr. Cross started.

The video presentation was 15mins. long and shows the different facilities, classrooms, auditorium, school ground, and the entire map of the university and island. It shows also other school activities and national and international competitions. They also added students who graduated and now working and are successful. The video ended but Akira was still unconvinced and bored at the same time.

"Well then young one's this place I have shown you is known as the Essai island. This island is not found in any continent for it is a man-made floating island. " Mr. Cross added.

"Excuse me sir, would their be a place that we could enjoy without the feel of imprisonment?" A lady asked.

"Actually there are, we have malls, beach, virtual rooms, and other recreational activities. Additional to that with the help of your relatives this was made possible."

"So any more questions?" the Mr. Tristan Cross further asked.

Everyone stopped asking questions after 10 mins, some are already starting to leave and said their goodbyes. That made Mr. Cross to stop talking and end the event at 15 mins past 10 that night. Akira started to leave the place and went to the receptionist area to wait for his uncle. After a few mins. he saw his uncle pass, followed him to the car and they went straight back home.