HIRED TO KILL THE BILLIONAIRE

EPISODE 1 - THE BEST PART OF SUMMER

VIERRA'S POV

17 years earlier...

I am eight and my favorite season is summer. Not because no school. I don't care about school. Summer is my favorite because I get to see my sister Vivienne.

Me and Vivienne don't live in the same house. So I don't see her a lot. But when it's summer, I get to stay with her.

This morning I was in Christopher's car, my dad. I had my bag with me. Small bag but I put a lot inside. I was wearing my seatbelt for like one hour already. My legs were bouncing.

I looked at the bracelet in my hand. I made it for Vivienne. It's not that pretty. One bead is big and the other beads are small. The string is loose. I tried to fix it two times. It's still ugly, but I hope she likes it.

I kept looking outside the window. I know this road.

Dad looked at me in the mirror. He said, "You keep looking outside."

I asked, "Are we almost there?"

He nodded.

Then I saw it! The big gate! It opened. Crrrreeeeeaaakkkkk.

Same house. Same rocks on the ground. Same plants. But I felt so excited because Vivienne is inside.

I looked in the driveway. And I saw her. She was standing by the door!

The car stopped and I opened the door so fast.

"Wait —" Dad said.

"I'll get my bag later!" I shouted. I ran so fast.

Vivienne shouted, "Sis!" and she opened her arms.

I ran and hugged her so hard. We almost fell. We were laughing.

"You finally came," she said.

"I told you I will come!"

"You took so long," she said.

I looked at her. "You are taller now."

She laughed. "You are bigger too."

"I'm not a baby anymore. I'm eight!"

"You're still little," she said.

"No I'm not!"

We were laughing in the driveway.

Grace came out of the house when she heard us.

"Look who's finally here."

"Hi, Grace!"

She smiled and gave me a hug.

"You've grown again."

"I'm eight now!"

"I know. You told me that last summer."

I laughed.

Grace looked at my bag. "Did you bring your whole room with you?"

"No! Just my important things."

She laughed. "Then I guess we better make space for all those important things."

I held Vivienne's hand tighter.

I was really happy to be here.

Then dad came with my bag. "Your bag—"

"I can carry it!" I said. I took it. I like carrying my own bag because I'm not a baby.

We went inside holding hands. Her house is big. I went to her room right away. Nothing changed! And my rabbit is still there! She gave me that rabbit before. It's on the shelf.

"You kept it!" I said.

"Of course," she said.

Later I unpacked on the floor. So messy. I brought clothes and books and my drawing notebook and pencils and hair clips. And the bracelet!

"Sis! Look!" Vivienne sat on the floor with me. I put the bracelet on her hand.

"Did you make this?"

"Yes. Me only!"

"Really?"

"Mostly," I said. I was a little shy.

She said, "It's pretty."

"Really??"

She nodded with a genuine smile.

I was so happy. Whole afternoon we played. We went to the garden. We went to our tree. We looked at her books. We ate snacks in the kitchen. I saw an old picture and I asked who is that and who is that.

Grace came into the kitchen while we were eating.

"Slow down, Vierra."

"I'm not eating fast."

She looked at my empty plate.

"You already finished."

I looked at it.

"Oh."

Vivienne laughed.

Grace put another snack on my plate.

"Here. But this time, eat slowly."

I nodded.

Then I ate another one.

"You have so many questions."

"But you answer them."

"Because you're my sister."

At night we sat on the grass. The sky was orange and purple. I was so tired. I put my head on her shoulder.

I wish summer never ends.

---

Vierra woke up early the next day.

For a second she was like, where am I? Then she remembered. Right. Dad's house.

She smiled and got out of bed so fast. She changed into the clothes she picked last night.

When she got to the dining room Vivienne was already there.

"You woke up early."

"I wanted to see you," Vierra said. She pulled out a chair. So loud.

"You saw me yesterday though."

"Yeah but that was yesterday."

Dad was there too. "Someone's energetic today huh."

"We're going out," Vierra said.

"We are?" Vivienne said.

"You said we will do something."

"I said we will THINK about doing something."

"That's not the same," Vierra frowned.

"Fine. After breakfast," Vivienne said.

After breakfast Vierra followed Vivienne everywhere. Like literally everywhere.

"Where are we going?"

"Secret."

"How long?"

"Secret."

"Can we get ice cream?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe means yes?"

"It means wait, Vierra."

She hates waiting. But she waited.

Then finally they went out. Garden was so bright. Hot already. Vierra ran ahead.

"You'll get tired," Vivienne said.

"I'm not tired!"

Vivienne laughed.

They were outside the whole morning before they actually left. Vivienne brought her to that small bookstore. The one they went to last summer too.

Vierra was gone right away. Getting book after book.

"You already have books at home," Vivienne said.

"I know."

"Then why you looking for more?"

"Because I don't have THIS one."

Then she found a drawing book. She hugged it. "Sis! I want this!"

"You really need it?"

"Yes. Very much."

"Okay we'll get it."

She hugged the book super tight. It wasn't even about the book.

After bookstore they got ice cream. Vierra picked a flavor she never tried before. She took a bite then made a face.

Vivienne laughed. "You don't like it."

"I do! It was just cold!"

"It's ice cream of course it's cold."

Second bite. "Okay okay it's good now."

They walked and ate. Vierra talked and talked. About a drawing, about a book, about a cat, about school. She talks so much.

Vivienne just listened.

When they got home it was already afternoon. Vierra saw the bracelet. It's still there.

"You still have it," Vierra said.

"Of course I have it."

"You didn't take it off?"

"No."

"Even when you sleep?"

"I took it off when I sleep so it won't break."

Vierra touched one bead. She made that for like 3 days. It's ugly but Vivienne still wears it.

Later they went to the old tree. Same tree as before. They sat under it. Vierra opened her new book and started drawing.

"What are you drawing?"

"You."

"That doesn't look like me."

"It does!"

"You're a terrible artist," Vivienne said laughing.

Vierra closed the book hard. "Then I won't show you anymore!"

"Wait wait sorry. I said you're still learning! Different."

"Same."

"No it's not. Come on, draw more."

Later Vierra opened Vivienne's drawer. She saw a small photo.

"Who's this?"

"My family."

Vierra asked who is this, when was this taken, how old was Vivienne. So many questions.

"You have too many questions."

"You always answer anyway."

"Because you're my sister."

That night they stayed in Vivienne's room late. Supposed to sleep already but they were talking.

"Next summer, it'll be the same, right?"

"It'll be the same."

"And we can travel? Just us two?"

"Sure."

"And rooms next to each other?"

"Why?"

"So I can visit you anytime."

"You already visit me anytime."

"Then I'll keep visiting!"

"I will," Vierra said. She believed it so much. Because she was only eight. She thought summer would always come back.

Later Vierra fell asleep beside her. Vivienne was still awake. She looked at the bracelet on her wrist. She pulled the blanket over Vierra and turned off the lamp.

Quiet now. Summer night outside.