Saturday

Kingsley Estate – Front Entrance Hall

Late Morning

The large grandfather clock chimed ten times, its deep echo rolling through the opulent halls of the Kingsley Estate. Claudine, dressed in her usual understated elegance—charcoal-gray wool coat, gloves, and a neat bun—descended the marble staircase, her handbag tucked under one arm.

She looked tired. Grief lingered in her eyes like smoke—Theresa’s sudden illness had weighed heavily on her these past few weeks. As she adjusted her scarf and reached for the house keys near the entrance table, she heard the soft sound of footsteps.

She turned.

Standing just inside the foyer, clutching a book to her chest, was a girl—a stranger in this house.

Claudine blinked.

The child had long, dark waves, soft pale skin, and striking hazel eyes that held an eerie intelligence for someone her age. Her face was expressive—curious, slightly guarded. A quiet storm behind her lashes.

“Hello,” Claudine said gently, puzzled but polite. “You must be...”

The girl stepped forward, offering a polite smile.

“Alexa. Alexa Moore.”

Claudine’s breath caught faintly.

That name.

Moore.

Her gaze sharpened ever so slightly, though her expression remained smooth.

“Oh… I see.” Claudine looked toward the hallway leading to the drawing room. “You’re the special guest Mrs. Kingsley invited.”

Alexa nodded. “She said she wanted to talk to my mom about something. They’re still in the other room.”

Claudine gave a small, distracted nod. Her eyes lingered on the girl—her appearance, the way she held herself. There was something oddly familiar about her. A whisper of someone else. Isabel.

“You look like someone I know,” Claudine said quietly.

Alexa tilted her head. “Oh, I get that a lot, I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable?.”

Shaking her head, Claudine smiled faintly, though her thoughts were spinning. There was a kind of stillness in her gaze, the kind that comes from noticing something unsettling, yet saying nothing about it.

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Alexa. I’m Claudine—I help take care of Theresa. She’s Mrs. Kingsley’s daughter.”

Alexa’s eyes brightened with interest. “The girl in the photo upstairs? With the violin?”

“Yes,” Claudine replied softly. “That’s her. She’s very talented. You might like her.”

“Is she here?”

Claudine's smile dimmed slightly.

“She’s in the hospital at the moment. I’m actually going to visit her now.”

Alexa's face fell. “Oh… I hope she gets better.”

Claudine's heart stirred—there was such genuine kindness in the girl's voice.

“Thank you, sweetheart. That means a great deal.”

She paused, hesitating just a second longer, then leaned forward slightly and gently adjusted the collar on Alexa’s sweater like she would have done for Theresa.

“You have lovely manners. I can see why Mrs. Kingsley took an interest in you.”

Alexa blushed and looked away. “Mom says it’s because I do well in school.”

Claudine’s smile returned—gentle but deeper now. “Maybe. Or maybe it's something more.”

Before Alexa could ask what she meant, Claudine straightened and reached for the doorknob.

“If anyone asks where I’ve gone, just say I’ve gone to visit a very brave girl who’s trying hard to come home.”

With that, Claudine stepped outside, the wind catching her scarf as she headed toward the waiting car. But as she walked, her thoughts were no longer only on Theresa.

They were on that little girl in the hallway…

The one with Isabel’s eyes.

And David’s cheekbones.

And a name that seemed quite off.

She mumbled under her breath

“I wonder how Ma'am’s going to handle this”

Second Floor

A maid gently led Maria to the third room on the second floor. Her steps were quiet but brisk, revealing the experience she had gained from years of service.

Knock… knock.

After only two knocks, the maid pushed the door open without stepping inside. She gestured for Maria to enter, then closed the door behind her.

Inside the spacious room, a slender yet curvy woman stood near the far end, her back against the wall. She turned as Maria entered.

“Hello…?”

Maria announced her presence. The woman seemed alerted and turned fully to face her.

“Oh—welcome. Please, come sit.”

She gestured toward an elegant table by the window. They both took their seats, gazing briefly at the garden outside, its vibrant colors forming a calm and beautiful scene.

“You have a beautiful home,” Maria said, offering a compliment in hopes of easing the tension tightening in her chest.

“Thank you, Mrs. Moore.”

A brief silence followed.

“Okay… about the Foundation Mentorship Initiative,” Isabel began. “I would love for your daughter Alexa to be in the program.

Everything would be covered academically, and all she has to do is study?”

“Uhmm… yes, about the program,” Maria replied.

“Alexa and my husband were quite thrilled, but I find it a little unsettling. Please excuse my manners.”

Maria paused, then continued slowly, trying to read Isabel’s expression. Her eyes, however, remained indifferent—revealing nothing.

“Please continue, Mrs. Moore.”

With Isabel’s permission, Maria went on.

“How did you know my daughter? Why did you pick her? And I especially want to know why you insisted on seeing me personally. Everyone knows the Kingsleys don’t just invite anyone to their estate.”

She took a breath.

“I know my daughter does well in school, but there are other children looking for this opportunity. Yet you gave it to a little girl who isn’t even up to ten years old.”

Isabel smiled faintly.

“I must commend you, Mrs. Moore, for being quick-witted.

The truth is, I’ve been watching your daughter for quite some time.”

She paused, noticing the alertness on Maria’s face.

“Please let me finish. My own daughter doesn’t do very well in school. I believed that if she had a friend her age, it might encourage her to do better. That is why I wanted to meet you personally.”

She tilted her head slightly. “If you don’t have a problem with it.”

Maria was speechless for a moment.

“Oh… if that’s the case, then of course you have my permission,” she said, blushing with embarrassment.

“Here are her pictures, by the way,” Isabel added, sliding them across the table.

“She had an accident the day before—that’s why you don’t see her running around.”

Maria picked up the photo as Isabel watched her reaction closely. Seeing no sign of recognition, Isabel inwardly sighed in relief, though doubt still lingered.

Suddenly, Isabel’s chest tightened. She reached into her purse, excusing herself as she gently inhaled from her inhaler.

“If Mrs. Kingsley doesn’t mind,” Maria asked softly after quietly watching her, “may I ask where I can get an inhaler like that?”

“Is Mrs. Moore asthmatic?” Isabel asked.

“No, but my daughter is. It flares up constantly, and the doctor recommended this brand. Unfortunately, it’s not available on the market, and the hospital that sells it requires a letter of recommendation.”

She hesitated. “I know this is shameless of me, but could you please write one for me?”

Guilt flickered across Isabel’s face as she watched Maria’s flushed expression.

“I understand how painful asthma can be,” Isabel said gently. “Don’t worry about the cost—it’s expensive. I’ll simply give you an extra one I keep at home.”

Almost immediately, a maid entered the room holding another inhaler. Isabel took it and handed it to Maria.

Maria accepted it with a smile—while Isabel’s eyes, instead, were filled with gratitude.

Chapter 9

“What genotype is Alexa?”

Isabel suddenly asked out of the blue as if hinting at something.

“Oh…I haven't checked yet, apart from the constant asthmatic attacks, she's been quite healthy so I didn't bother to check”

“That's not good Mrs Moore, You should at least confirm from a medical center” Isabel said calmly though concern was laced in her tone.

“Her father and I are both AS but we didn't consider having a second child so she should be fine” Maria explained.

“Please don't misunderstand me Mrs Moore, but she might be your first but are you certain of your husband?”

Maria froze at Isabel's words deep in thought, she quickly regained her composure. Smiling stiffly at Isabel.

“Don't worry Mrs Kingsley I'll get the Report done”.

“Oh…It's getting late, Alexa must be bored to death, I'll be leaving now if there's nothing else” Maria quickly apologized picking up her purse as she made her way towards the door.

Weeks later

Alexa's school

*****************

“I hope now no one has any complaints and that child Alexa…?” Mrs Yvonne asked staring at every teacher in the meeting room.

“Of course not…The child even managed to get recognized by the Kingsley's, who would dare have a problem with her?”

Miss Sarah another teacher chimed in.

“But” She continued.

“Recently it troubles me that the class she is in don't have all the necessary equipment to teach someone like her”

“What do you mean by that?” Miss Bell asked coldly.

“Oh don't get me wrong Bella but just that your classroom, is not as equipped as mine, everyone knows that all the students in my class are geniuses, and I would like for the child to be treated as one”

“Go straight to the point Sarah”

“Well, I want Alexa to be transferred to my classroom”

“Excuse you…that student is doing just fine with me” Miss Bell responded coldly.

“She is doing well with you but I assure you she would do better with me” Sarah said with confidence.

“She's right, every child in her class is considered a genius, why don't you let the Moore girl be transferred there, she's in the Kingsley's scholarship program so all her academic needs are covered” Leonard chimed into the conversation.

“Are you guys serious? Everyone wanted her expelled because of a DNA result that wasn't her fault and now she is recognized by a wealthy family, everyone wants her, why don't we ask her first before the transfer, because it's not fair to make a decision for her concerning this” Miss Bell scolded.

“She's just a child…”

“That is not an excuse Sarah…”

“But I didn't interfere in the debate about her DNA result…?”

“That's even worse, because saying nothing is just as good as you being against her, now she's protected by the program you want to be her teacher so you can take part of the program money as a bonus salary!”

The entire hall became quiet after the unspoken rule was revealed.

If a child enters an academic program, the teacher in charge of the class would be paid a percentage as a bonus fee, for teaching the child well.

“Be plain Bella” Sarah responded

“You don't like that child in particular, even when she was just transferred to this grade you particularly refused to teach her, that's why she ended up in my classroom, but still she should be treated as a genius, are you hearing yourself?”

The winner of the debate was already decided but Mrs Yvonne's next words shocked everyone.

“This is the board's decision, Alexa would transfer to Sarah's class by tomorrow, no more words would be said on this matter” Yvonne finally interfered.

“Yes” Everyone replied in unison, but the dissatisfaction could still clearly be seen on Miss Bell's face while Sarah wore a smug smile.

The meeting was dismissed, and everyone returned to their various classrooms, but Miss Bell had to find out a way to tell Alexa she had been transferred to another class despite knowing the girl would be hurt by the news.

End of class

**************

“Before everyone goes home today, I have something to announce” everyone paused and looked at Miss Bell who continued.

“Alexa Moore!”

“Yes Miss Bell”

“Congratulations, you are going to be transferred to Miss Sarah's class starting tomorrow”

“Wow…Congratulations Alexa, Miss Sarah's class is full of geniuses, you're so lucky” Her classmates congratulated her but Alexa instead gave Miss Bell a puzzled , hurtful look.

“I wish I could go to Miss Sarah's class” another student chimed in.

“That's enough, everyone should go home now” She dismissed everyone but Alexa didn't go.

“Miss Bell, did I do something wrong?”

“Of course not my dear, it's just that…”

“I don't want to go to Miss Sarah's class, I want to stay with you. Why are you sending me away?”

“No my dear I'm not sending you away, this is the board's decision, I can't go against it okay…I'm sorry” She apologized to Alexa who began walking out of the classroom with her head down.

At home

***********

“Oh Yes, everything has been sorted out, thank you for your help, I'm grateful for the attention you put in my daughter” Maria's cheerful voice filled the room.

Suddenly, a sulking Alexa opened the front door and entered the house.

“Sweetie what is the matter?” Maria quickly became distracted by Alexa's expression and forgot she was on the phone, leaving the call hanging, she picked up the sulking Alexa who began sobbing in her arms.

“Sweetie what happened, did someone bully you?”

“No mom…it's the school, they are transferring me to another classroom”

“Why…don't you want to go to another classroom?”

“No…I want Miss Bell to be my homeroom teacher”

“Sweetie, you know we don't have a say in this matter…Let's just do as the school says okay?”

“Okay” the still sobbing Alexa walked upstairs to her room. Just then Maria remembered she was still on the phone with Isabel and quickly rushed to pick up the phone again.

“I'm really really sorry Madam, I didn't mean to do that, it's just that my daughter returned home crying so…” Maria tried to explain but Isabel's panicked voice cut her off before she could even finish.

“What happened to Alexa, did she get bullied?”

Maria froze for a second at Isabel's outburst, “Oh Madam it's nothing like that, she just didn't want to change homeroom teacher, but the school has already assigned her a new class”.

“Okay…if that's the problem then it's fine, she'll get used to it” Isabel calmed down.

“Yes she would…she's quick to adapt, I'm positive she would love her new homeroom teacher just like she does her current one”. Maria affirmed as they chatted a few more minutes before disconnecting the call.

Maria then went up to Alexa who just freshened up and held her hand.

“Look here Alexa, not everyone is destined to always get what they want, so please be grateful for what you have…okay, don't sulk anymore I know how much you like Miss Bell but, she won't be your teacher forever, before you finish school you'll meet a whole lot of teachers, both good and bad so don't cry just because you are being transferred to a new classroom” Maria tried to reason with her.

“I understand Mom…” Alexa softly smiled, and adjusted herself to hug Maria, but Maria suddenly stood up, accidentally pushing her away.

“Oh Alexa are you okay…” She asked but made no attempt to help her up, but Alexa just shook her head, and got up, cleaning herself.

“I'm fine Mom”

“Sorry” Maria said walking out of the room.

Alexa just stared at the door, a hurtful expression on her face. The distance she felt from her mother was growing.

Next day

At School

************

Alexa arrived early as usual, ready to move to her new class, but no one came to take her.

“Miss Bell?” She stared at the woman who came out to meet her.

“Alexa, do you want to change classrooms?”

Miss Bell asked.

Alexa, thinking of what her mother said last night replied humbly “it actually doesn't matter if I change classrooms as long as I'm getting the same treatment as other students I'm content”.

Tears almost welled up in Miss Bell's eyes but she still asked firmly “No Alexa, I'm giving you the privilege to give me your honest opinion”

“No, I don't want to change classrooms,” Alexa responded honestly.

“Then I have good news”

Stared at by the curious Alexa she decided not to keep the cute girl in suspense anymore.

“The board changed their minds yesterday, and let you stay in my class, but you must study harder okay!”

“Okay!” Alexa smiled warmly as she walked with Miss Bell into the classroom to reintroduce herself to her classmates.