Foxlove Manager

one

7:00 am | Charme City | La Vanguardia Manor

October 28, 2022

My family and I stood outside the manor gates while uncle Haiden and the house help pour my baggages inside the car. It was only for a month trip but my ma packed me for a year.

"This number of luggage is still ridiculous to me Ma, I'm only gone for a month, why did you pack me so much stuff?" I gingerly asked.

"Oh you say that now, but later on, you'd have every belonging in your room shipped to South City," she defended.

They laughed. However, when the reality of their last child, who had been living with them for all her life, was set to leave and won't be coming home for the next thirty days finally cracked the bubble tank of tears they had been bottling these last few weeks.

Ma threw herself at me and embraced me tightly. I swore I could've heard my spine and ribs crack at the impact but she's sobbing and holding me for dear life and if I break the moment she might literally drag me back inside the house, lock the door, make me a homely meal and cancel my flight. To be fair, I would've loved that.

The last thing my single life needs is an arranged engagement.

But tides have changed and the winds have already set a new course.

I returned her affectionate embrace and heard the boot of the car from behind shut close. It was already time to go.

I patted my Ma's back gently and kissed her forehead, "I'll be back before you know it, Ma," I whispered softly in her ear.

I felt another hug from behind and it was from my Pa, he sobbed uncontrollably and I grimaced, "Haven't you cried for the last weeks? You still have more to shed?" I asked jokingly. He cried louder.

Was it like this at all when Morgan and Jules moved out of the house?

"Okay, I saw you guys send Jules off when she went away for college . . . and you were not this dramatic," I commented.

"Yes well, Morgan and Jules moved out when they reached their twenties, but you're twenty-five now and still living with us . . . " she sobbed and sniffed. "I didn't think you'd ever leave us," she whined.

"It's only for thirty days," I sighed.

Grandpa, surprisingly added to the hugging game and took my right side.

I groaned, "Seriously, you guys . . . "

"Me too," uncle Haiden jumped in and I just gave up.

"If you didn't want me to leave in the first place, shouldn't we just cancel the engagement?" I implied and in a blink of an eye they were suddenly off my back, front and sides.

I scoffed, "Unbelievable," I muttered.

Grandpa grinned sheepishly and parked a hand on my shoulder, "We both know that's not an option," he said lowly. "Get to know him, Sol. It's just a courting engagement, if it works, then fantastic, if not . . . " he paused and gave me a stern look.

I knew that look.

I gave him a slight nod and a wee smile.

"Oh honey, I'm going to miss you," sobbed Ma, and for the last time gifted me another hug and a bonus kiss on the cheeks.

"I'll miss you too, I'll call you guys a soon as I get there," I informed and then turned to Pa, whose eyes were all puffy. It terrified me a bit, it looked like a hundred bees had stung him all at once.

I reached for him, because he was close to a giant, standing at six foot tall, and I was only five-five, and hugged him for the last time, "I'll miss you Pops," I whispered and kissed his cheek. He patted my head and pecked me there.

I turned to uncle Haiden and we locked in a tight embrace, "I'll see you in thirty days," I said and I felt him nod.

I waved goodbye to my family and the rest of the household, I was sure going to miss our cooks, and slid inside the service car. I greeted the driver politely and exchanged basic details since we are going to be official accomplices once we leave the estate.

Like I've said, the tides have changed, I am manning the ship, and the wind is beneath me.