Sierra's POV
I held on the steering wheel tighter, trying to calm my nerves. For years, I had not been here. Not even during the holidays while being married. I had forgotten about the possibility of the gossips that would spread around the village in seconds if they came to know of my arrival in the village. Willow Creek was really small. Whatever got in the ears of anyone would eventually get into the ears of every single person in it. Would they judge me for not visiting all this while? Would they make my son feel left out? I shook my head, trying to shove that thought to the side. “Mum, that's really huge,” Elvis commented with his eyes wide, staring at the ski resort we slowly passed by. I nodded. “It is” I stared at it briefly before taking my eyes back on the road. The ski resort, from what I could see, was mostly the same, with a little touch to it. And my village… Once we crossed the border, the adrenaline of home hit me like never before. Passing by the bakery with its fine scent, the local shops with customers I could recognize from my childhood, and the houses that are lined up and decorated in relation to the festive celebration. A few people stood outside, touching up their decorations and a few taking in the evening sun. Driving down the streets, their eyes were fully on us. They could not see us, but I could see the curiosity on their faces to know who was joining them this year for Christmas. There were other cars behind and before us, but I'm guessing they knew who those people were and not me. I haven't been here in a while, and so I did not blame them for it. Soon, my parents' house came into view. It was as magnificent as I remembered. My mother's flowers were scattered around the lawn mixed with the Christmas trees and decorations. The front door open at the sound of the car driving into the garage. My brother bore a wide smile at the sight of me. “Mum, Sierra is home!” he yelled. I got down and helped Elvis out of his seatbelt. Quickly, he ran to Jackson. “I missed you too, little man” he ruffled his hair. “Sierra?” my mother's soft voice reached my ears before she came to view. “Mum,” I called, rushing over and giving her a big hug. Her lavender scent hit my nostrils, and I sank in deeper into her shoulder. She smelt like home. My eyes stung for a moment, tears threatening to fall, but I held it back. “Rea” my father called. I hugged him, feeling his protection all over me. He placed a kiss on my forehead, sealing the calmness I felt soak into me. “Hey, Dad, what happened to Riri?” Jackson teased. We all chuckled. It was his little way of saying he didn't like the emotions rolling around. “She is grown, Jack. Riri would make her look six again,” Dad humoured him. “I don't mind,” I commented. I didn't need that much change. I might be twenty-six, but that name struck something inside of me. A part of me I had missed for a long time, and so I would take it. “Really? Okay” Dad said. “Grandma, Granddad” Elvis ran to them, hugging them the much he could. “Hey pumpkin,” Mum pinched his puffy cheeks and Dad ruffled his hair. “Come, come. I made some cookies for you,” she added, leading him into the house. “Come here, little sis,” Jackson said as he hugged me. I felt his lips on my head and I chuckled. “What happened to-” Before I could finish, he ruffled my hair, and I chuckled. “Should have seen that coming,” I commented. He shrugged. “I love you, but ruffles are a necessity,” he said, making me smile. “Come. I'll help with your bags later,” he added, leading into the house. Mum has just baked her favorite cookies. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla enveloped the room. Mum's cookies were so tasty that it became everyone's favorite. Elvis was already munching down the many cookies Mum served him. My parents stared in delight at their little grandchild. “And where is ours?” Jackson said. “Go get yourself some from the kitchen,” Mum waved him away. “Riri, here,” Dad said, bringing a cookie to my mouth. The taste exploded in my mouth. I could never hate this cookie, but it tasted a little different, though. “Changed your recipe?” I asked, taking the rest of the cookie from my dad. “Yes, I've been experimenting,” Mum replied. “Fortunately, she didn't kill us,” Jackson commented, stepping out of the kitchen with a plate of cookies. “When I said get yourself some, I didn't mean half of it,” Mum said. Jackson shrugged. “I eat on my own, I take half,” he said, and I could not help but laugh. Jackson and Mum always have their little banter when it came to food. “It's slowly turning dark. Jackson, help your sister with her bags,” Dad said. “I will take Elvis to his room,” Mum said with a smile. “Bye Mum,” Elvis waved at me as Mum led him away. I knew how excited he was being here. Since he was born, he had only come to know them through voice and video calls and never in person. He had always requested to visit during the holidays, but I always made up an excuse to prevent that. When I finally told him, we would come here for the holidays, he could not stop jumping around. For the first two nights of the information, he barely slept like we were going there soon. “I'll handle the boxes. You don't have to worry,” Jackson said, wiping his lips with a napkin. “Sure?” I asked. “I haven't seen my little sis in years. Of course, I will be more than okay to help her with her boxes,” he said, and I nodded. “Thank you,” I appreciated, then headed up the stairs, towards my old room. Stepping into the room, I was both shocked and thrilled to find that everything was still the same. From the posters and drawings, even my ice skates were still intact. I'm sure Mum must have tended to it a little more than other rooms. I walked over to the window. The moon was slowly peeking out. My only wish right now was a simple holiday with my family and my son. “Mum!” Elvis called out.Sierra’s POVEven after changing into a new outfit, I didn’t have the courage to go back downstairs. I had never met Arthur, but I could tell just by looking at the older man that he was Arthur’s father, with the woman beside him being his mother.I knew I could not remain up here. That would leave a horrible impression, but then haven’t I with the way I was dressed earlier? Eventually, I decided to step out of the room.I got to the living area and found both of them having tea. “Oh, you decided to join us,” Arthur’s mother said, but I did not fail to recognize the coldness in her tone.“Join us. Sarah!” she called out.Sarah stepped out into the room and bowed. “Get her some tea,” Arthur’s mother instructed.Sarah bowed and rushed in to that. I wanted to decline, but the look on her face told me I didn’t have the option to do that. I took a seat as Sarah served the tea. “What relationship do you have with my son?” Arthur’s father finally spoke, not bothering to look at me.He was ca
Sierra’s POVI held Arthur tighter as we rode through the streets of the village. I was so distracted with Maria and Yvonne; I did not pay attention to how fast we rode. When they were no longer in sight, my brain finally registered it.The buildings disappeared in seconds. I could see how much attention this brought to Arthur. I have seen him ride, and he has always been breathtaking. I looked up at his head, that was perfectly covered with the helmet he had on.I dropped my head, my cheeks burning red at the thought that filled my head. I held him close, loving the feel of having my arms around him. With my thoughts swirling around, the man that rode the bike, the speed at how we moved, seemed insignificant.With each mile we ran, I felt more and more comfortable. Slowly, I let go of his body. Arthur grabbed my hand just before it left his abdomen. “Careful, Sierra,” Arthur yelled due to the noise around us.However, that did not stop me. “I will,” I told him, taking off my helmet.
Sierra’s POVMaria and Yvonne stood side-by-side Arthur. At the other side was Neil, who looked amused by what was going on in front of him. I felt my chest tighten and my blood boiling as I watched the both women stare at me like they had won.My first thought was to run out of here, but no. I couldn’t. I didn’t stay still either. I took slow steps forward, just like in the movies. My head held high, my chest and shoulders evened out, a little exaggerated, but who cared?I stood before Arthur and took his hand. He didn’t object as I led him up the stairs. At the first room, I turned the knob and pushed him in, then slammed the door shut. I took in a deep breath before opening the door once again.Arthur was seated on the bed, calm, waiting as though he knew I would walk in. “I must confess I like this side of you,” he said as I walked over to him.“Why are they here?” I asked.“I have no idea. Neil ushered them in. I was just about to send them off when you arrived,” Arthur said.I b
Sierra’s POVMy legs were wobbly as I helped myself out of the boutique. My heart was racing and tremors filled my fingers. Once I stepped out, I released my breath, trying to calm my racing heart.I swallowed, holding my chest. “Where did that come from?” Eve asked beside me.I shook my head. “I have no idea. I just… did it,” I said.I wasn’t drunk or I would have blamed it on that. Why exactly did I even do that? Did I fall into a trap? I felt completely different. “That was awesome,” Eve said with a wide smile.“It wasn’t,” I said.“I’m telling you it is. You need to stand up for yourself. Even though you have nothing with Arthur, that doesn’t mean they can easily bully you when they see you. Don’t show them your weak side,” Eve said.“But I am weak. What if they retaliate?”“If they retaliate, I am right here with you. No one dares bully you,” Eve said, tapping my shoulder.I stared down at my fingers, that were still shaken up from the audacity I showed. It was fortunate I didn’t
Sierra’s POV“Sierra?” Arthur snapped his fingers in front of my eyes.I shook my head, pulling out of my imagination. I quickly pulled off the helmet. “I don’t think I’m cut out for riding today. Why don’t we postpone it to… tomorrow?” I quickly said, giving him a small smile.“What's wrong with today?” Arthur asked.I gave him a nervous smile as I thought of something to say. “You are not feeling too well. It’s not right you ride today. I’m sure tomorrow you’ll feel absolutely better,” I said.I didn’t let him think it through as I passed the helmet to him and rushed out. “Sierra,” he called out, but I quickly got out of there.I could not see myself getting on that bike after the very possibility of me falling off came to my mind. I hailed a cab and found my way home. Once home, I spotted Mum in the living room, knitting.I joined her, plopping at her side. “Why are you sweating so much? It’s cold out,” she said.I wiped the sweat off my face. I still could not get rid of the thoug
Sierra’s POV“I’ve just been assigned a task,”I relaxed upon hearing his words. “What task?” I asked.He raised his phone to my eye level and I read the text message. Uncle, please convince mommy to let me ride your bike.That son of mine. I shook my head, then folded my arms.“My son would not be getting on a motorbike. He is way too young for that,” I said, sounding just like my mother when I was young, but I didn’t care right now.Elvis could get himself injured. What if he flew off the bike? That thought made my heart drop. “He will be with me,” Arthur said, like that was convincing enough.“No,” I said bluntly.“So you don’t trust my riding skills?”I gulped, staring into his blue eyes that locked me in. Momentarily, I forgot what we were talking about. “I…” I snapped myself out of it. “I don’t trust my son on a motorbike. That’s dangerous. What if he gets hurt?”“He won’t. I can assure you of that.”“You’re not convincing me.” I stood my ground.He grabbed my chin, lightly lift