13: 8 Messy Years Later.

Eve

Seven-year-olds have a knack for asking questions that can undo you, I swear. Tell me why these little munchkins won't stop harassing me with questions like: Where are you from? What did you do before coming to St. Paul? What's with the glasses, are you blind? Are you even qualified to teach us? Can you pronounce the word "Floccinaucinihilipilification"?

In the end, I just heaved a sigh, flashing them a warm smile that didn't do any good to stop the unofficial interview.

This was my second week as a teacher at St. Paul, the school Grace attends. 

My little boy is now a 2nd grader... oh, the luck I have to watch him grow... eight years and counting.

When I turned to the board, ready to mark down our topic of the day, I shivered as nostalgia kicked in.

Just in time, I shifted to the side the same moment a book clashed with the marker board.

Yeah, I should be surprised, I should be annoyed but I guess eight years is all it takes to change someone. I scanned the room that had now gone quiet.

 None of them made eye contact, none except Leo who raised his hand... I just knew he was about to rat out the bully. I chuckled, waving for him to lower his hand.

"Grace, do you need anything?"

Yes, did I forget to mention how bold this little guy has gotten? He was a big bully and a meanie... that was why the previous class teachers resigned.

 And with the way things are going at home... I'm not sure I'll last here either.

Grace saw me as his mother's friend or rather his distant cousin. Things are going well the way they are, but not so much could be said the same back at the island.

Mother was just about to be put to bed with a son, my brother, and it so turns out that daddy who had been hiding in the Netherlands for far too long has Lupus. He has returned to the island for treatment, neitherless, his health was deteriorating by the day.

As of recent, after the announcement of Andrew —yes the child is already named by me, of course— the Elders’ Court held a meeting to withdraw me from the direct line of succession. But at the end of the day, the court was divided, while some weren't betting on the new heir, they weren't voting for me either... Like it or not, it takes majority over minority. I won the majority... for now.

However, if that child is born, then I may just be his mentor.

Everything was a hot mess. Meanwhile, Flavian is still out there... somewhere... anywhere but amongst the chaos brewing. 

"Ms. Eve, if you keep staring at me like that, I'll pluck out your eyes."

My vision sharpened on the cold pair of eyes staring down at me condescendingly.

Oh, he was so cute when he looked serious. I had to laugh it out.

"After you've plucked my eyes out, will you keep them as a souvenir, hmm?" I uttered.

These words brought back nostalgia that twisted my stomach.

"Even better... I'll feed them to some stray dogs."

This kid... Why was his attitude so familiar yet irritating?

"Not sure you'd survive stray dogs that feast on human eyes... they'll eat you too and bury your bones."

By the time I was done speaking, I realized my words when the whole class gasped.

Oh! Yeahhh, children!

"Ms. Eve... I know who you are."

I paused at those words...

Maybe with anticipation, maybe with hope... He was smart... more intelligent than I give him credit... maybe that's why a part of me desperately wanted him to put the random puzzles together and finally, finally realize who I am. His mother.

"A bloody mobs—"

Ring.

Ring.

The ringing of my phone cut him in.

Why did I feel so relieved when my phone rang?

"Be right back, kids. Excuse me." I stepped into a far corner that was quiet enough to pick up the call.

When I checked, my heart quaked. My dad was calling... These days his calls come in so seldomly... So it felt like a blessing when he actually made a call since I usually did it.

"Hi, daddy."

"Don't 'hi' me, you little rascal."

"Rascal? Oh, daddy, I'm not fifteen, I'm Twenty-five. Twenty six in two months"

The chuckling in his voice caught me by surprise. He was happy? Great!

All was well then... I was gonna think—

"Eve, I don't know where you are or what you're doing, but if I don't see you by noon. Consider yourself dead."

The switch-up in his voice was smooth yet menacing.

"Huh? Dad? Ah, what's with the threats?"

"Get your ass back here, Eve Waldorf. We're welcoming Andrew to the world today."

The phone almost slipped out of my grip as my eyes narrowed towards Grace, distracted, watching his back as he mingled with his peers, equally adding to the noise... I forced the smile back to my lips. "Dad, how's mom?"

"She's not fine at all. Ever since she went into labour 50 minutes ago, she keeps calling for you. She doesn't even want me anywhere near her..." He sighed heavily.

I subconsciously nodded. "I'll be there for her. Expect me by 11 a.m."

"She's refused to have the child at the city hospital, so you can just return to the estate."

St. Paul school was in London. It'd take 1hour 30 minutes of flight to reach the island.

He hung up the phone after uttering some words my brain couldn't retain. As the call ended, thoughts became chaotic and my body jittery, but why...

Why was my stomach churning with insecurity... there's this bad feeling and-

*Ring*

I picked up quickly.

"Eve, where are you!!! Your mother needs you right now!!!" Danielle's voice echoed with worry and desperate panic.

This sudden suspense was eating my mind up.

"What's going on!!!"

How come she became mom's midwife?...

Hearing the agonizing screams that penetrated the cellphone and attacked my ears, I jolted...

My mother... her cries broke something in me.