Life in this castle isn't exactly what fairy tales promised, but trust me—I wouldn't trade it for anything. My name is Kimberly Coker, and this is me.
I grew up in a big white mansion that I like to call my little world. It's a bit noisy, with a thousand hidden circuits and blinking lights—but the only device I can't control is my own heart. I get way too excited about new inventions because, well, I'm Kimberly Coker: self-proclaimed tech wizard in training… and slightly chaotic.
From the roof to the library, everywhere screamed genius—my dad's genius, that is. I loved it so much that I couldn't resist sneaking into his lab whenever he and his partners, especially Mr. Parker (my role model after Dad), were busy. Every gadget in my little world gets tested first, and after approval, I get to be the first to use it. How cool is that?🤭🤭
But it hasn't always been this way. I grew up in an orphanage, and on my seventh birthday, I was adopted into this tech-filled castle. My new mum had already died before I arrived, and her mysterious death led to drastic security changes in the house. Dad promised I'd understand one day, so I've been patient.
I've lived here for twelve years, yet there's one invention that still doesn't feel right. Dad refuses to talk about it, but I have a feeling I'll figure it out someday.
This particular morning was buzzing more than usual. Alarms beeped softly, doors automatically locked and unlocked, and lights followed my movements like obedient little robots. I zipped down the staircase two steps at a time, eager to check the newest gadget Dad had been hinting at for the past week.
"Kim! Breakfast!" Dad's voice boomed from the kitchen, echoing through the mansion. I rushed in, nearly tripping over a hovering drone that was delivering my orange juice.
"On it, Dad!" I called back, grabbing my juice mid-air. Honestly, living in a house like this made ordinary things—like breakfast—feel like missions in a video game.
I was halfway through my juice when my cousin Alex barged in. "Kim! You won't believe it—there's a guest coming today!" he said, eyes sparkling with mischief.
I raised an eyebrow. "A guest? Here? In the middle of a thousand gadgets and security alerts? Who?"
Alex smirked. "His name's Jayden. Dad invited him over… something about collaboration, tech stuff. But trust me, he's not boring."
My heart skipped a beat. Not because I was expecting him—no, I don't even know him yet—but because something about Alex's grin screamed trouble. The kind of trouble that makes life exciting… and slightly chaotic.
I grabbed my tablet and tried to focus on my gadgets, but I couldn't stop glancing toward the front door. Whatever this Jayden guy was, I had a feeling he was about to shake up my perfectly engineered little world.
And, honestly, I didn't know if I was ready for that kind of chaos.
The front door chimed. I froze, heart racing. The security cameras showed a tall figure stepping inside. He looked confident, smart… and somehow like he already knew secrets he wasn't telling me.
Jayden had arrived.