VEIL

VEIL

The rays of sunlight filtered softly through the blinds scattering across Celeste's room, like a hundred tiny golden fingers trying to coax her awake.

Celeste laid still for a moment, listening to the muted hum of the city outside.

‎Cars horned along the street, the distant wail of a siren punctuated the morning rhythm and the occasional chirps of the birds reminded Celeste that life moved whether she was ready or not.

‎She didn't move immediately…

‎She let the quiet settle over her as it often did in the mornings before the weight of the day pressed heavily in her chest.

‎The mantra repeated silently in her mind, a rhythm she clung to like a lifeline.

‎It had been Celeste's anchor as long as she could remember— through the sleepless nights, suffocating haze of longing lingering quietly, causing a heavy weight on her.

‎And the small, quiet battles no one ever noticed.

‎She had learned that the world demanded careful navigation, that a misstep could lead to a disaster.

‎Not physical danger, necessarily, but the kind of emotional peril that lingered for years.

"Princess Celeste, you're being summoned to arrive downstairs in the next 30 minutes."

Celeste scoffed.

"Seraphina, for sure." Celeste muttered.

"Prepare a hot bath!"

"Yes, princess!" The maid nodded, and rushed off.

"Still the same as before, that longing still lingers right? Creating a nuisance of yourself, Princess Celeste?" Seraphina mocked.

"I'm sure you have nothing better to do with your life, but please don't use your stupidity to disturb me. Find someone else, I'm can't waste my precious time on snakes like you." Celeste calmly said, checking her nails.

Seraphina clenched her fists.

"That pride has gotten into your head, hasn't it? Well, watch your back." Seraphina smiled and left.

Celeste slammed the desk with rage.

"So much for the youngest sister."

"Princess Celeste, your bathtub has been prepared. Please, proceed to the bathroom."

Celeste walked to her bathroom.

🥀 DOWNSTAIRS🥀

Celeste footsteps echoed, with each of her step she took.

School uniform, high heels, black bag, dark lipstick, accessories, and her hair packed up into a ponytail.

She fell in love with black from day one, some people even mistaked her for Wednesday in the movie.

But that wasn't her concern.

"My princess! Where have you been? You kept us waiting." Theodore said.

Celeste scoffed.

"Don't Princess me." Celeste replied coldly.

"Sorry."

"Did I fall down?"

Theodore bit his lip, she always had the best comebacks in the house, never missing the words.

He stopped talking completely.

Celeste pulled out a chair.

Beside, Seraphina.

"Just my luck."

The dining became quiet, that was how everyday was.

The same silence, as if they had committed a big offense that could cost them their family.

Like they were hiding something..

But as long as it wasn't about Celeste, her mind was at rest.

"Celeste..."

"What?" Celeste glanced at Eveline cold in the eye, that instantly made her to shut up.

"Nevermind."

Celeste frowned.

There was something really wrong with this family.

"I'm leaving."

Celeste walked out, before anyone could reply.

Theodore sighed.

"When do we tell her?"

"You know we can't say it now, let's just still keep it a secret." Eveline replied.

"We can't keep hiding it!"

"Do you want to lose your daughter in a go?" Eveline said.

He sighed again.

🥀 SILVERCREST ACADEMY🥀

The sound of an engine roaring, sounded heavily across the school.

Celeste Blackwood.

Soon, many students passing by stood watching the scene with admiration filling their eyes.

Who else wouldn't admire the Celeste Blackwood?

Heiress to the Blackwood company.

If you had money and fame, your life was set in that school.

It was made for only elites.

But some people who had knowledge got inside by chance, through scholarships.

It is almost impossible, to enter Silvercrest high unless you have deep connections, or friends with the people closest to the principal.

Or even through having s****l relationships with them, could land you straight into the school.

That was why some mothers even forced their own children, to have s****l relationships with them.

Getting into Silvercrest high was a blessing from the heavens to some people.

While some thought it was just a school, but that was where the lies and secrets began to start and be uncovered.

"Celeste! Celeste! Celeste!" The chanting of the fans, made Celeste smile darkly.

She had her hands behind her ear, to make it seem she couldn't hear them well.

"Shout!!" Another obsessed fan demanded.

"Celeste!!!"

Satisfied, Celeste walked into the school hallway.

"Back to class!" Mrs Nelda shouted at those outside the school premises.

They squirmed, running.

Mess with Mrs Nelda, and see another side of her.

Seraphina squeezed her can of juice, she was drinking so hard that the content spilled all over her minion.

"b***h!" Seraphina muttered, before leaving.

"Seraphina, wait up!" They called after her, desperately. Using their hands, trying to wipe off the stain.

🥀HISTORY CLASS🥀

Celeste walked quietly towards her seat, not minding the gazes lingered on her especially the teacher.

"Mrs Celeste, can you give us a explanation or a reasonable answer about why you came late to class?" Mrs Nelda asked.

Celeste checked her nails.

"That your stupid habit of yours, checking your nails while someone aske you to reply to their question, that nonsense must stop today!"

Celeste scoffed.

"Make me!" That reply alone, made the whole class gasp with whispers spreading across the class.

Mrs Nelda gritted her teeth.

"Class, don't get distracted."

The students froze.

They knew Mrs Nelda as a woman who never gave up, her motto was always 'Life has it's ups and downs'.

Celeste smirked.

"She finally shut up, and accepted her defeat for once."

"You said what?!" Mrs Nelda snapped her chalk in her left hand.

"Mrs Celeste, I'll ask you for the last time what did you just say." Mrs Nelda said, trying to force a little smile at her.