Winter's POV"I won! I won!" Elisse continue screaming as soon as the game we were playing ended being her the winner.I frowned as I tossed the game console to the floor. "Why are you so good at it? It looks like you've been playing this all your life.""Brother taught me," she said while playing."Oh, really? Don't worry, I will practice more and I'll make sure to defeat both of you one day!""That sounds fun, Miss Winter!"It's been a month now since the scandals about me leaked all over the internet. After that incident, I decided to rest from the industry to cool things down. I am planning to do this at least for a year, or maybe I won't come back anymore. All of my endorsements were taken away from me, and all of the projects that were once offered to me canceled our agreement. Aside from that, even Haley, my manager who I trusted the most let go of me and became Bridgette's manager."Brother!!"As soon as Elisse heard the door open, she rushed towards it and gave Matthew a hug.
Winter's POV"We're already home!" Elisse and I yelled as we stepped inside the house.We both got surprised when we saw Matthew sitting on the couch with his arms crossed while looking at us like a father who has been waiting for his kids to arrive."Didn't you tell me you're going home at ten? Do you know what time is it already?" he asked us without any emotion on his face.Elisse and I looked at each other. Elisse was about to speak, but Matthew immediately cut her off. "Elisse, go to your room now."With a smile on her face, Elisse started walking toward her room while I follow her. "Winter."Slowly, I looked at Matthew. "H-Huh?""Stay here.""But--He gave me his usual cold gaze which immediately caused me to feel nervous. I gulped, then I sat down on the couch across from him. "M-Matthew, the only reason why we weren't able to go home at a much earlier time is that we lost track of time while playing video games...""That's right. That is also why you weren't even able to hea
Themis' POV"Uncle Ian!"I turned my head to the door as soon as I heard Elisse call that name. "Where's Winter?" "She's in her room, Uncle Ian.""Oh, is that so? By the way, I brought you pretzels!""Wow! Pretzels!"Upon seeing me, Ian's smile faded and became serious. "Y-You're here.""Yeah.""Ian?"We both looked at the stairway as soon as we heard Winter's voice. She was wearing a yellow dress and her hair was down. She even put on a sunflower hairpin to make herself look adorable. I thought they were just going to a company. Why does she have to dress like they are going on a date?"Oh, you really prepared for it, huh? Are you really that excited to see me?" Ian suddenly teased her.I cleared my throat, which made Winter and him look at me."Just call me when you're finally going home.""Okay.""You don't have to, I'll be driving you here, though." Ian blurted.I looked at him. "You don't have to, I will just fetch her and we'll go home here together. Just make sure it won't t
Themis' POV"M-Miss Winter--"Sssh.. I'll just bring her to her room," I said to the maids when they saw me carrying Winter in my arms.They nodded their heads and smiled at each other as I continue walking upstairs going to Winter's room. I gently placed Winter on her bed as soon as I reached her room. I'm actually planning on reprimanding her, but then she's already asleep, so I guess I'll just do it tomorrow. After all, she looks so tired and I don't think she would be able to sleep again if I ever disturb her. She'll just get mad at me if that happens.That man. For sure, he's the one who has a bad plan against Winter. He keeps on visiting here to get Elisse's favor too, for sure he still likes her. And today, I don't even know where they went for them to take so long outside. Winter also seems to be so tired.I already told her to call or text me so I could fetch her, but just like she always does, she never called or texted me. Probably because she was having fun with that ma
Themis' POV After taking Elisse to her classroom, Belle and I decided to go to her office. She had to look around first, before looking at me again. "Oh my God, Themis! I can't believe you're really here!" "Me either. I never expected to see you here." "Well, when I got back here, a friend suggested that I apply here, and so I did. Wait, can I hug you?" she suddenly asked. I was surprised, but then I just smiled and nodded my head. "Of course, you can." With no hesitation, Belle lunged at me and hugged me tightly. "I missed you so much, Themis... My teddy.." Belle used to call me Teddy before, it's because whenever she cries or having a bad time, she always runs to me to cry or express her anger. And although I don't talk much, I always listen to everything that she says. "I missed you too, Belle." When we finally moved away from each other, I saw tears filling her eyes, so I quickly wiped them off using my fingers. "You're still such a crybaby even though many years have al
Winter's POV"Matthew, I'll be the one to drive Elisse to their school. I also have to go somewhere."Matthew wiped his mouth using the napkin before looking at me. "It's alright. I'll be the one to drive her there.""Huh? But I---"It's alright. You can go straight to where you need to go."I slowly nodded my head while looking at him. He immediately stood up and later on, he and Elisse already decided to leave. Actually, I've been suspicious of Matthew lately. He is always the one who drives Elisse to her school, but these past few days, he seems to be so excited to go there. And even if he still has too much work to do, he still volunteers to be the one to go there as if he has someone he likes to see."I'll find out the reason why he keeps going there," I mumbled to myself.After changing my clothes, I immediately got into my car and drove off to Elisse's school. "Miss Winter!" I got surprised when Elisse saw me while I was walking past their classroom."Elisse, why are you stil
Belle's POV"Mommy...Daddy..."I kept on crying while hugging my knees. I was hiding in a corner, trying my best not to cause any noise that might get the attention of the armed men walking around. I've heard gunshots and each of them makes my heart beat so fast because of fright."There's a child here!"I was shocked when a man suddenly appeared in front of me. I was just looking up at him with widened eyes."N-No, please don't kill me!" I yelled."No, we're not going to hurt you. Come with us. We're going to escape from here."I blinked a few times with tears filling my eyes. If I didn't remember my mom telling me not to go with strangers, I would've gone with that man immediately. "I won't go with you! Go away!" I shouted.The man kept looking around as if someone would catch him anytime. He looked at me again. "Come on, we're going to save you. The bad guys are going to catch you if you don't come with us.""No! I won't go with you!"Tears continue streaming down my face. Then a
WINTER'S POV"Winter, do you want to go modeling? I can refer you to my agency." Ian asked me while we were having coffee. I shook my head. "I already told you I am not interested in any profession that has something to do with cameras, right?""I know, but you are born to be in the spotlight and to be the star. Even if you keep running away from it, for sure it will keep on following you. Besides, you're just going to be a model, not a celebrity.""But that's what comes next to that.""Your name has been cleared already, Winter. We were able to track down every people who leaked those false rumors and scandals about you, so why are you still afraid to come back as a celebrity?"I heaved a deep sigh. "I don't want to put Matthew and Elisse's life in danger. I want to live as privately as much as possible now. You know what? I actually realized that living peacefully is what I have been craving. Right now, I feel like I am free.""Looks like I can't change your mind now, huh?""I'm so