Aella's eyes widened, her imagination already running wild with possibilities. She pictured herself on a grand stage, captivating audiences with her enchanting voice or skillfully playing a beautiful melody on the piano.
"Acting!" she declared enthusiastically.
"I want to be an actress, Mama! I want to play princesses and superheroes and… and everything!"
Shayera chuckled at her daughter's boundless enthusiasm.
"That's wonderful, sweetie," she said, gently stroking Aella's hair.
"We'll nurture your passion and help you achieve your dreams."
Ms. Gino smiled warmly.
"Excellent choice! Hoshi no Gakuen has a renowned drama program with experienced instructors and stateoftheart facilities. I'm confident Aella will thrive here." She then turned to Shayera.
"Please come you will need to sign papers and also you will need to pay ahead of time."
"Mama I also want to learn art, and music."
"Okay baby, wait here with your brother and let mama go and sign papers," Shayera said.
Shayera followed Ms. Gino down a long, ornate hallway, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The hallway was lined with portraits of distinguished alumni and intricate tapestries depicting scenes from Japanese mythology. It felt like stepping into a living museum.
They arrived at a spacious office filled with gleaming mahogany furniture and an impressive view of the academy's sprawling grounds. Ms. Gino gestured for Shayera to sit down at a large desk, where a stack of paperwork awaited her.
"Please review these documents carefully," Ms. Gino said, handing Shayera a pen.
"They outline the school's policies, tuition fees, and other important information."
Shayera meticulously scanned the documents, her brow furrowed in concentration. The legal jargon was dense and complicated, but she persevered, determined to understand every detail before signing anything.
Shayera's lips thinned as she absorbed the staggering cost outlined in the contract. 100,000 yen… and that was just for a single year of tuition. It was a significant sum, even for her. But she didn't flinch, didn't show a hint of hesitation. She'd anticipated this – Hoshi no Gakuen was known for its exclusivity and exorbitant fees.
She'd come from a world where money wasn't an issue, where resources were limitless. Even now, despite the upheaval in her life, she still had access to considerable wealth—enough to provide her children with the best possible education and opportunities.
She signed the contract without a second thought, her signature bold and decisive on the page. Money was simply a tool—a means to an end. But not once has she spent money on herself sigh she felt so poor. When she finished she was told that Aella can start school on Monday. Shayera smiled and took the uniforms and then walked out and handed the bag to her daughter who was so excited.
"Zephyr we will drop you off on Friday morning," Shayera said.
"Mama I am so excited to start school!" The twins shouted. Shayera nodded her head and she drove back home she was exhausted and she slept for and entire day and night.
When Shayera finally awoke, the afternoon sun streamed through the villa's expansive windows, casting long shadows across the plush carpets. She felt groggy and disoriented, as if she'd been adrift in a dreamless void. A quick glance at the clock confirmed her suspicions – she'd slept for nearly twentyfour hours straight.
A wave of exhaustion washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. The twins were starting a new chapter in their lives—a journey filled with learning, growth, and endless possibilities. She needed to be ready for them, to support them every step of the way.
She stretched languidly, feeling the stiffness gradually ease from her muscles.
Tomorrow is Friday Zephyr has been packing up his things.
"Sis are you going to miss me?" Zephyr asked.
"Of course brother after all I can be with just name!" Aella said as she eat some food.
"You! You bully!" Zephyr said.
"Hehe."
"You two let's go to the water park," Shayera said.
The twins' playful bickering filled the spacious villa with a comforting warmth, a stark contrast to the lingering shadows of Shayera's exhaustion. She smiled, watching them spar with each other – a familiar dance of sibling rivalry and unwavering affection.
"Alright, alright," she chuckled, intervening playfully.
"No fighting before we go to the water park! Save your energy for splashing and sliding."
Aella and Zephyr immediately ceased their teasing, their faces lighting up with anticipation. The promise of a day filled with water slides and playful chaos was enough to quell any lingering animosity.
As they drove towards the water park, Shayera couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. Despite the lingering mysteries surrounding her past and the challenges that lay ahead, she was surrounded by love and laughter—a foundation strong enough to weather any storm.
Water Park
The vibrant energy of the water park hit them the moment they stepped through the entrance. A cacophony of delighted screams, splashing water, and upbeat music filled the air, creating an atmosphere of pure, unadulterated fun. Brightly colored slides twisted and turned, cascading into shimmering pools. Families laughed and played, their faces flushed with joy.
Aella and Zephyr were immediately captivated by the spectacle. Their eyes darted from one attraction to another, their excitement bubbling over.
"Mama! Look! That one!" Zephyr exclaimed, pointing to a towering slide shaped like a giant dragon.
"And that one! The one with the rainbow!" Aella chimed in, her gaze fixed on a swirling vortex of color.
Shayera smiled, feeling a surge of warmth as she watched her children's faces light up with pure joy.
"Alright, alright," Shayera laughed, trying to keep up with their enthusiasm.
"Let's start with the lazy river. A nice, relaxing float to ease into the fun."
The lazy river proved to be a perfect starting point. They drifted along on inflatable tubes, letting the gentle current carry them past lush tropical foliage and playful waterfalls. Aella and Zephyr giggled as they bumped into each other, playfully splashing water as they went.
After the lazy river, it was time for the bigger thrills. Zephyr, ever the adventurous one, immediately beelined for the dragon slide, while Aella opted for the rainbow vortex. Shayera watched them go, a mixture of pride and slight apprehension swirling within her. The dragon slide looked particularly daunting – a steep drop followed by a series of twists and turns.
"Be careful!"
"Shayera!?" A woman said this was her older sister Emily. Shayera narrows her eyes and she crossed her arms before she smiled.
"What shocked I am not dead?" Shayera asked with coldness. Emily eyes flashed with coldness but only smiled.
"Sister how can you say that!? I missed you so much! Ah I don't know what to do without you!" Emily said Shayera laughed bitterly in her heart before she opened her eyes again and she clicked her tongue together.
"No need to worry about me Emily," Shayera said. Emily walked away she called her parents David and Josephine, and then called Lily. Emily knew how to scheme people and not get her hands dirty but how can this bitch be alive!?
Shayera's smile didn't reach her eyes. The encounter with Emily felt like a cold draft, a stark reminder of a past she desperately tried to bury. The forced warmth in Emily's voice grated on her nerves, the exaggerated concern feeling entirely disingenuous.
"You always were dramatic, Emily," Shayera replied, her voice laced with a subtle disdain.
"A little too eager to play the concerned sibling."
Emily's smile tightened, but she didn't falter.
"Don't be like that, Shayera. It's been years. We all missed you."
Shayera scoffed quietly.
"Missed me? Or missed having me under your thumb?" She knew Emily had always been the favored child—the obedient daughter who followed every rule and fulfilled every expectation.
"You! Sis how about coming home..? But you are…" Emily couldn't believe it she recalls an ugly fat sixteen year old but now what she is a beautiful woman no she looked far to beautiful. Shayera was a wearing a face mask and a black cap. Her eyes stared at Emily with indifferencez