Chương 1: There's no point in collecting a diploma
Esmeria greeted the dawn with a sleepy yawn, stretching its quaint streets as the first light of day caressed the cobblestones. The small town, nestled in a gentle valley, was a tapestry of old-world charm and whispered histories, where every brick seemed to hold a story.
The air was sweet with the scent of blooming flowers from the gardens that adorned every home, and the distant mountains stood as silent guardians, their peaks kissed by the morning mist. In the heart of this serene landscape stood the Caldwell mansion, a testament to the family's wealth and influence.
Its grandeur was unmatched, with sprawling gardens and fountains that sparkled like diamonds under the sun's gaze. The townsfolk often spoke of the Caldwells in hushed tones, a mix of reverence and curiosity, for the family was as enigmatic as they were affluent.
Today, however, the town's usual tranquility was punctuated by a sense of anticipation. Graduation day had arrived, and with it, the promise of celebration and new beginnings. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and the local bakery's ovens worked overtime, filling the air with the aroma of freshly baked pastries.
Yet, amidst all this bustle, there was one who remained oblivious to the day's significance. Eileen Caldwell, heiress to the Caldwell fortune, was still adrift in the land of dreams, her bed a sanctuary from the expectations that awaited her. The softness of her pillows was a stark contrast to the structured life she was expected to lead, and she clung to them with a child's stubbornness.
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window, their melodies a stark contrast to the silence of my room. Today was supposed to be special, the day of my graduation, but the warmth of my bed held me captive, refusing to release me into the world of caps and gowns.
Esmeria was already awake, the small town buzzing with the excitement of the ceremony, yet here I was, nestled under the covers, debating if the diploma was worth leaving my cocoon of blankets.
The door creaked open, and in came the matriarch of the Caldwell family, my mother, her presence as grand as the estate we lived in.
"Eileen, darling, it's time to rise," she sang, her voice carrying the same tune as the birds outside.
"I think the bed disagrees, Mom," I mumbled, turning away from her. The Caldwell estate might have been filled with priceless antiques and the latest luxuries, but none could compare to the comfort of my bed.
With a chuckle, she strode over to the curtains, flinging them open to let the morning light flood the room. "The sun seems to think otherwise. And even if your rank is very bad you graduate and people will be waiting."
"They can wait a bit longer," I said, pulling the covers over my head. "Or graduate without me. I give them my blessing."
"Eileen Caldwell!" she exclaimed, her tone shifting from amusement to mock exasperation. "You will not be the only graduate in Esmeria's history to miss her own ceremony!"
"Why not? I'll be remembered forever then," I quipped, a smirk forming on my lips. Mom sighed, and I could hear her footsteps as she approached my bed.
"You know, for a family with such a reputation, we are remarkably bad at being conventional," she said, her hands finding the edge of my blanket.
"And that's why we're the talk of the town," I replied, just as she yanked the covers away, exposing me to the chill of the room.
I let out a yelp, more from surprise than cold, and sat up to face her. She stood there, hands on hips, a smile playing on her lips. "There, that wasn't so hard, was it?" I couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing off the high ceilings of my bedroom.
"You win, Mom. But I'm only going for the cake."
"That's my girl," she said, her laughter mingling with mine. "Now, let's get you ready. We can't have the heiress to the Caldwell fortune looking like she rolled out of a haystack."
As I stood, the reality of the day began to sink in. I was graduating, albeit at the bottom of my class.
But that didn't matter to my family. We Caldwells had a knack for finding the silver lining in any situation, and today, it was the fact that I was graduating at all. The rest of the morning was a blur of activity.
Mother helped me into my gown, fussing over every detail, while I stood there, feeling like a doll being dressed for a show. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, the black fabric contrasting sharply with my pale skin and the dark hair that fell in waves down my back.
"You look beautiful, Eileen," Mom said, her eyes misty with pride. I met her gaze in the reflection and smiled.
"Thanks, Mother. but I think that there's no point in collecting my diploma." And with that, we descended the grand staircase of the Caldwell mansion, my family's wealth and status on full display.
As I followed Mother down the grand staircase, the morning light played through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the marble floor.
We stepped outside, and I was greeted by the sight of our chauffeur holding the door open to our gleaming Mercedes. Its sleek silver body reflected the vibrant gardens around us, and the iconic emblem stood proudly on the hood, a symbol of the luxury that had become so commonplace in my life.
The car's interior was a sanctuary of opulence, with cream leather seats that felt like clouds and a dashboard that boasted the latest technology. I sank into the comfort, the soft hum of the engine promising a smooth ride to Esmeria High.
I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message to Elise: "Are you already at school?"
Almost immediately, her response popped up: "Yes! Can't wait to see you walk the stage 😊."
"Eileen, darling, put the phone away," Mother chided gently.
"You'll miss the beauty of Esmeria." I sighed but complied, sliding the device into my purse.
As we drove, I couldn't help but be captivated by the view outside. The town was alive with the spirit of graduation day. Streets were lined with banners in the school's colors, and the townspeople moved with a spring in their step, their faces bright with smiles and congratulations for any graduate they passed.
We arrived at the school, and the car rolled to a stop at the front gates. The campus was transformed; white chairs were neatly arranged in rows on the lush green lawn, each one adorned with a blue ribbon.
A stage stood at the front, draped in garlands of flowers that matched those in every garden in town. The podium bore the school's crest, and behind it, a banner read, "Congratulations on graduating !" Mother and I made our way to the reserved seating area, passing by the familiar faces of teachers and students.
They offered nods and polite applause, which I returned with a practiced smile. The air was filled with the scent of roses and the soft murmur of the gathering crowd. As we took our seats, I glanced around, taking in the decorations.
Balloons danced in the breeze, and streamers hung from every possible perch. The meticulous attention to detail was a testament to the efforts of the planning committee. The principal stepped up to the microphone, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and graduates," he began, his voice echoing across the grounds. "It's time to start the graduation ceremony." A hush fell over the crowd, and I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach.
This was it, the moment that marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I straightened my gown and took a deep breath. I'm ready to go on stage.
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