CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE *The mystery birthday present*"Jordan! It was supposed to be a secret you loose mouth!" she hissed, poking him playfully at his side. She cleared her throat loudly, smiling awkwardly at Janice. "Don't mind your father. Now get some rest. Your big day is here. Love you bye!" She blew her kisses and nudged Jordan out of Janice's bedroom and closed the door behind him. Janice sighed deeply, wondering what her parents got her this time. She eased herself into the bed, resting her body lazily on it and kept pondering on what they could possibly have bought for her this time. There's nothing they cannot get her. So long as the money is available, they are more than willing to splurge on her. What is the ideal present for an eighteen years old girl though? Designer clothes, shoes and bags? Certainly not because she already got tons of them. A car? Nope. Mum had insisted it was still early for her. So what could it be? Exasperated she sighed deeply. I

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE *The Big Reveal! *She walked toward the artfully carved sculptor of herself slowly. The crowd suddenly grew quiet as they watched her draw closer to the statute. Gingerly, she traced her finger across the nape of the statute. It was oddly her other self eerily staring back at her. The statue was herself dressed like a Princess in classical times. She looked like a Greek princess. She marvelled at the sight of the statue with dewy eyes. She whipped around with a glum look on her face. "I don't love this." she declared. The audience gasped in shock. Her parents were not spared. In fact, they looked like they have seen a ghost. She swallowed. "Instead, I freaking love it!!!!" she gushed, giggling loudly. The crowd was stunned at first but gasped in delight at her sudden change of mood. They all cheered. Her parents puffed out a deep breath, the tension visibly leaving their stiffened shoulders. They were relieved as they lurched towards her with outst

CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE *A letter to my late Grandmother*"Hailey..." Her grandmother, Claire Jordan sat on the balcony in her house when they came for a visit. Janice was obediently seated at her feet as she listened to her Grandmother's stories. The sun had completely receded and the spectrum of light was spread so the violet wavelengths filtered through all of the moisture and turned the sky to purple.Janice was barely six. Her grandfather, Walter Jordan had died when she was barely six months at age 105. He lived fucking long. While her Grandmother did not leave long to make it for her seventh birthday. Traditionally, her parents visit her house twice a year. The beautiful countryside of Edinburgh. Her Grandmother was an avid storyteller and she feds her with a lot of intriguing bedtime stories. Most times, she ends up awake almost all through the night instead of falling asleep. so it was one of those occasions that she had called this familiar name, Hailey. But this time

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE *The Ritual is yet to be completed! *His words made no sense instead, his words drove her to the brink of trepidation. She forced a lump down her throat, grimacing. She turned to face her mother again but to her surprise, she remained composed. Her equanimity infuriated her. Dejected, she bit her lower lip in defeat. I don't care! Whatever they planned out to surprise her or scare her is absolutely none of her business. Even though, today is her birthday but who gives a damn? Certainly not her, the celebrant. To their alarm, she chuckled wryly. She tipped her head challengingly at her father with folded arms across her narrow chest. "Let's hear it Dad!" she demanded. Good! At least she managed pretty well to hold her welling fear at bay. Now, what her father would say next will determine how well she can still manage to put up her mask of confidence. Hopefully, her pretense will not snap. She can't beat causing a scene on the day of her birthday. Bec

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN *Everyone is watching us? *She swallowed thickly, bracing herself for what was to come. She resigned to her fate. Let's get this over and done with already. She drew in several deep breaths and let them all out. Meanwhile, the crowd continued to cheer her massively. Charles mounted his stallion gracefully beside her. He wore khaki pants and a body-hugged ash-coloured T-shirt with buckled straps fastened around his upper body. "Relax Janice and listen attentively. For first-timers, we will take it slow, Alright?" he said nicely, cocking his head at her. She gulped and nodded slowly. The fuck understands a damn thing! She just want to go back to her room and pretend this day never existed! She forced an elegant smile at him. "Aye," she said faintly. He nodded. "Good. Now we take a stroll with the Filly. You must be gentle with her because apparently she's still very young and it's kind of her first time too. Do you understand?" She nodded. "How do