CHAPTER ONE

It was summer. Or at least it was how she remembered it to be. The light breeze warmed her skin and the glow of the afternoon sun reflected on it. She tentatively looked up the sky to find it tinged in shades of yellow and crimson and amalgamating in some areas, making the sky look like as if an artist has splayed his watercolors on it. She smiled and looked ahead of her. She had some distance to go.

She clutched the package against her chest. It was wrapped in brown paper and secured with packaging tape. She was bringing it to her father's friend who lived a little off from town. She loved doing chores for him, it made her feel accomplished, needed, and every time she finishes a task for him, his returning smile would be worth every step she took.

The houses on each side of the street became more distant from each other as she went on, tall trees were also denser on this side of the town, the road less frequented, and from time to time, a wild animal could be sighted but nothing that made Caroline scared.

She hummed to herself as she secured her arms over the pack, her small body looked as if it was unable to hold it but it was lighter than it looks. It would be a lie if she said that it never made her curious what her Daddy made her bring to his friends but her mother would always remind her never to poke her nose where it doesn't belong. So she keeps her pretty little nose to herself.

Caroline adjusted the thing careful not to let it drop or she would never hear the end of it from her dad. She was already walking through the wide driveway that led to the grandiose foyer where she was to make her delivery. She had always admired this home, no, mansion, it was more fit to call it a mansion because it was so vast and little Caroline Forbes could fit her entire house in there five more times. Or six. And then put them on top of each other four times.

As she reached the bottom of the stone staircase that led to their front door, she paused to watch in awe the delicate features of the house, it was as if an ancient Greek sculptor went down from the heavens to carve vivid details on the surfaces of the structure. She would have traced the flowers and leaves that intertwined along the balusters but her hands were tight around the package and that reminded her that she has a task to be done. That propelled her forward, up the stairs. There would be time to admire later, or next time.

Cautiously, she placed the package near her feet and tried to reach the door bell on the right hand side of the broad double doors. She lifted her arm and stood on her tiptoes but she was too small and her endeavor was futile. So she took a deep breath, fisted her tiny hand and knocked on the door instead. Her knocks made a dull, echoing inside the house which made her think that it probably might be empty. She knocked again.

"Hello?" Caroline called out but her voice seemed drowned by the vastness of the area and the soundlessness of the surroundings. "Anyone?" She knocked again a few times before sighing to herself and picked up the package as carefully as she placed it down.

She gave the door one last resigned look before she turned around, descended the steps and went left to go around the house and try the back door. This was what she remembered her father telling her to do if no one comes for her on the front door. He said that his friend had given him permission to go round the house and look for their housekeep Mrs. S. and leave the deliveries to her.

Caroline trudged on the cemented foot walk, still humming a tune to herself and bouncing slightly on her feet. Just then a door opened and out came a woman. She was in her late fifties, she had her hair, which were streaked with silver, placed in a bun over her head, she had eyes the color of warm cocoa, the edges of which would crinkle delightfully with a broad smile whenever Caroline comes.

"Oh there she is!" she would squeal as the little girl comes near to her. He wiped her hands on the apron that was tied around her waist and gave Caroline an excited wave.

She would have waved enthusiastically back but she settled for a bright grin and followed through a door that led directly to the kitchen, "Hello Mrs. S.!"

As soon as she entered the room, she was enveloped with a warm and mouthwatering smell of freshly baked cake. "Red velvets?" Caroline was practically jumping on her toes as the gentle lady relieved her of the package. She made a bee line towards the oven and peeked through the glass. Her eyes widened with pleasure as she watched the cupcakes rise from their cups.

"Careful. They won't be ready for a few more minutes." Mrs. S. warned her as she cleaned the counter from all the mess she made as she prepared to bake.

Caroline was kept fascinated in front of the oven as she gave the lady a nod, "I won't touch it, I promise." From the corner of her eye, she saw Mrs. S. picking up the package she brought and went to a door where Caroline has never been to before. Whenever she comes here, she was only allowed on the front porch or inside the kitchen. Taking her eyes off the little cakes, she followed with her gaze where the lady disappeared to.

"Remember Caroline, never poke your nose where it doesn't belong." She whispered to herself as she took a few anxious steps. As she reached the threshold, she gripped her skirt tightly and looked around her, waiting for someone to pounce on her for being a sneaky little one. Pushing her mother's advise away, she took one little step in front of her and then another, then another, until she reached a room that was dimly lit with a few lamps on the walls.

There was a wide and tall window to her right and a heavy curtain of velvet and silk was draped on each side, the remaining afternoon glow of the setting sun, illuminating the room in shades of orange and yellow. There was a long table in the center which was made of polished wood and tall chairs rimmed it. There were doors on each corner of the room and she idly wondered to which door Mrs. S. went to.

Nevertheless, she set it upon herself which one to open. She knew she was disobeying a lot of her parents' rules right now, she knew that if they learn of what she did she'll never be allowed to come back again nor will she ever be able to bring packages for anyone ever again. So she pushed herself forward, crossed the room, selected a door, wrapped her hand around the knob and twisted it ever so gently, careful not to make a noise.

The door squeaked in protest and her heart hammered in her chest, she looked around, her curly, blonde ponytails, whipping across her face, and her blue eyes wide with wonder and fear. She moved her arm to open the door wider, just enough for her small frame to fit and as she stepped into another room she closed it behind her and released a huge amount of air.

The room she was now in was more brightly lit. From the huge chandelier which was adorned with crystals of various shapes and sizes, hanging on the ceiling, the lamps on the deep crimson walls similar to those she has seen in the dining room, and the lit fireplace to her right, it was homey and welcoming, for a moment she forgot that she was snooping around.

And then she heard it.

A grunt, an oomph, a stifled moan as if someone was in pain but did not want anyone to find out. She swept her eyes across the room to find the source of the noise, she walked silently, thankful for the carpeted floors that muffled her steps.

There was a door next to a bookshelf that was left slightly ajar. She neared the shelf, careful not to startle anyone who might see her from the other side. She poked her head just a little bit for her eyes to see who or what was in that room. And she was the one who was taken aback by the sight.

She remembered blue eyes staring back at her. A boy was kneeling in front of a man. His nose was bleeding and so did his lips. He had a bruise forming on his left cheek, his white shirt was stained with dirt, his hands fisted on his sides, his legs were trembling but he was keeping an effort to keep himself straight, or else the man in front of him would reward him with another whiplash.

She wanted to know why he was being beaten, and so badly, the man was screaming at him but everything that came out of his mouth became a huge blurb to Caroline because all that her senses can register were the boy's little sounds of pain that he was trying desperately to keep from escaping his lips, and his eyes, his eyes that never left her own. It was saying a thousand things at the same time but all she could do was grip the shelf in her hands so tightly she could feel the edges digging into her skin.

Whip by whip, she could feel her ears ringing from each of it as the boy endured and kept his lips shut in a thin line, the wound there bleeding red and thick over his chin. Caroline remained unmoving, her legs seemed frozen and numb, her eyes boring into the boy's blue ones as if telling him something, anything, she didn't know what.

And then a hand came over her mouth and the terror that gripped her washed over her like a bucket of ice, she tried to scream, she thrashed her arms and legs against her captor but it kept a vise grip on her and she was dragged away from the door. Dragged away from the boy.

X

X

X

The stupid alarm blared against her ears. She was exhausted. She slept the recommended eight hours of sleep and she was exhausted. Groggily, she opened one eye after the other and stretched her tired limbs leisurely. Her legs felt as if she ran a marathon instead of resting on her bed.

With a sigh Caroline sat up and reached for her alarm clock and turned off the offending item and almost threw it back on her bedside table. She ran her hands through her messy curls and bent her head from side to side. Today was another long day for her. It always was.

Ever since her father named her in charge of the charity foundations that belonged to their company, she has split her time for college and for foundation related events and projects. It was no easy feat, not even for Caroline who prided herself as a prime organizer and planner.

But Caroline always had a humongous reserve for optimism and it served her enough for when she needs a boost. So she gets herself up with a renewed spirit and she trotted across her room to get ready for the day. A hot shower with her favorite scented body gel and aromatic shampoo will do her some good to be completely prepped for a long day ahead of her.

Dressed in her brand new dress in a pretty pink salmon shade, she made her way downstairs while smiling and greeting their staff with a bright 'Good Morning!'

About thirteen years ago, Caroline and her parents left Mystic Falls and started a new life in a flourishing city located in the coasts of California. Deeplake City used to be a wide county full of industrial factories and thriving and emerging businesses. As time passed, more and more investors came to the area, people migrated and built their residences there, establishments like malls, hotels, resorts, and entrepreneurs in small scale businesses made it so progressive that it advanced to becoming a city in just a few decades.

One of those businesses that was built and grew in the booming city was the Forbes Prime Cargo International. It started with William Forbes being a simple, small town messenger, until he was employed in a courier services company, and eventually by some streak of luck, a good friend of his helped him establish his own business which started from making deliveries across the county then it expanded state wide until more investors and partners helped it to gain international clients.

Caroline loved her father so much, she's his little princess, his Care Bear, how could she not? And her dear mother, Elizabeth Forbes, who those closest to her call her Liz, couldn't just let go of her duty as protector of the law, went from being a Sheriff for Mystic Falls to being the head of the Crime and Investigation Unit of the Deeplake City Police Department. Caroline loved her all the same.

She emerged in their home's breakfast patio with a wide smile and went straight to her Daddy who was reading the morning paper with a cup of his usual coffee. He returned an equally amused grin as he sees his daughter practically bouncing towards him and it widened as she bent down to kiss his cheek with a tinkling 'Good morning, Daddy!'

Caroline rounded the table and gave her Mom the same enthusiastic greeting which made the matriarch beam in response. "Morning, honey." She sipped from her coffee cup before placing it back on the porcelain saucer and watched Caroline as she sat down and piled her plate with breakfast. "It looks like your charity event today's going to gain a lot of guests."

"I know" she nodded while she sprinkled sugar over her waffles, "more guests mean more donations. The center will definitely benefit from it, I was thinking it'll go to their medical expenses, since last month the grants went to the physical repairs of the center." She proceeded to munch on her food but when she flicked her eyes towards her dad, she immediately dropped her fork on her plate and sighed.

"I know that look." Caroline shook her head and stared at her parents with narrowed eyes. With her father's nonchalant shrug she continued, "That's the look you make when you're about to tell me something you're not sure I'm going to like."

Liz and Bill shared a glance that made Caroline more curious, and a curious Caroline is never good. Especially when you leave her hanging in suspense.

Bill carefully folded the paper he was reading and placed it in front of him, a serious expression was on his face and this is the time Caroline knew he was schooling his features when he wants to be in his business mode. This usually means negotiating with him was far from possible.

"Remember when you were just a little girl and I asked you to make deliveries for me?" her father asked, as if he wasn't trying to tell her something very important.

"Yes…" she replied unsure where he's taking the conversation.

Bill folded his hands in front of him, looking intermittently between Caroline and her mother. "You see, one of the clients I used to work for back in Mystic Falls will be arriving in the country in a few days. I hope you remember the Mikaelsons?"

Of course. How could she forget. She remembers the wide driveway, the stone staircase, the wide double doors, she could vaguely remember the kitchen, the cakes, Mrs. S. And somewhere in her memory she remembers deep crimson walls, a lit fireplace, a book shelf, a door, and a pair of blue eyes. She unconsciously rubbed her palm across her other arm as goose bumps started to form.

"Caroline?" Liz called out to her and she gave a slightly startled jump from her seat as she came back from her hazy dream. "You do remember them right?"

She shook her head to rid it of intrusive thoughts as she tried to keep her attention on her parents, "I was five. But yes, I think so. I mean, I have a fuzzy recollection of their family, but they left a year after I started making deliveries to their house and they were quite a huge family. I don't think I've had more than a few encounters with the kids."

Her mom let out a small chuckle as she played with the food on her plate, Caroline watched this with intrigue, her mom was nervous and Liz rarely gets nervous. "They're not exactly kids anymore, some of them are successful businessmen now. Isn't that right, Bill?"

Bill nodded with a small, almost hesitant smile, "Yes, they left for London that time. Just like us, they started rebuilding their life outside Mystic Falls and they're currently big in the real estate industry. Which brings me back to an urgent matter. They're expanding here in the US and as you know our city offers real time opportunities for businesses to grow, so what better place to start than here?"

Caroline let the information sink in, still oblivious to what really her parents are trying to tell her. "So…they're coming, to Deeplake City." She nodded to herself with her eyebrows furrowed together, "I don't understand, are you trying to tell me that I'm in charge of the preparations for their welcome party or something?"

"Caroline," Bill breathed in deeply and looked her in the eye, "We're trying to tell you that when they come, they're going to stay here. For an indefinite amount of time."

She raised her eyebrows at them, "Stay here? You mean they're going to be in the city, indefinitely."

Her father shook his head and in a stern tone said, "No. They're going to stay here. And I mean here at home." Caroline opened her mouth, ready to shoot him with a tirade of protests but one firm look from him made her put her lips in a tight line but her eyes were still glaring at him. "Don't look at me like that. We're going to be gracious hosts and provide them the necessities they will need while they are here. It's only temporary and I trust that you'd be a darling and make their stay here as warm as possible."

Caroline planted her fists on her lap, keeping herself from unleashing a tantrum on her parents, she took a deep breath with her eyes closed before training her eyes on them, "Why here? I thought they're huge business tycoons now, why do they need to move in and invade our home? I'm sure they can afford even the most affluent hotel for months and never go bankrupt." Her tone rose to a volume that was disagreeable to both her parents and Liz reprimanded her with a firm glare.

Silence reigned for a few moments, giving everyone a small amount of space to compose themselves before Bill changed his tone to a more fatherly way, appealing for his daughter to understand, "Mikael and I go way back. He's a very good friend to me and has helped me through a few rough patches in my life. Letting his family stay here is a little way to pay him back. A little sacrifice on my part, considering how much he has lent a hand to me when I needed it the most. I hope you'd allow me this privilege, Caroline, by helping me make sure they're taken cared of while they're here."

Unwarranted thoughts invaded her mind again, flashes of deep orange sunrays into a cold dining room, the chandelier that hung above her, making a certain memory brighter, a bookshelf, a slightly opened door, blue eyes, stifled grunts of pain, a man yelling, a hand over her mouth, and she felt like she was being dragged again, wailing against a hand clamped over her face.

"Caroline?" her mother's soothing voice woke her up from her horrifying reverie. She knew there and then that, the Mikaelsons coming to their home could not be a good thing. She never told her parents what she saw that day. Her mother never knew why she kept herself in her room for weeks and refused her father to make deliveries for him.

But just like fifteen years ago, she didn't allow her fears to consume her, she was able to get past that and bounced back to doing tasks for her dad again. If she was going to let them inside her home, into her life, she's going to have to prepare, steel herself, clad her spirits in iron, she's not a little girl anymore and she's not going to allow anyone to make her feel helpless and powerless ever again.

"I'll make sure the west wing is in pristine condition." A determined expression was on her face and her parents exhaled in relief. "But I have to go, the guests in the charity gala won't be too happy with me if I'm late." With that she stood and left her parents who shared another troubled look between them and watched their daughter walk out. They hoped her strength never wanes for all that is coming to them.

X

X

X

The event was a success. More pledges poured for the Forbes charity foundation and every time someone approaches Caroline, either to congratulate her or offer their praises for her accomplishments, she would give them her patented smile intended for the public. She was able to keep her composure during the whole time, masking her apprehensions with a calm and calculated attitude.

Sometimes it astounds her how much effort she puts on looking as immaculate as she was expected to be. Fancy clothes, an expertise on applying makeup, keeping her golden locks in its glory, a practiced and deliberate public rapport that could capture someone's attention, makes Caroline Forbes one of the most influential women of her age in the city.

But people, human as we are, have breaking points. But that day was not the day for her to finally reach it. She worked so hard to be where she is right now. Her parents worked so hard to be where they are right now. And a family from her past, a past that has marred her memory, won't be the catalyst to bring her failure. Not when she can prevent it.

A light drizzle was rendering the windows of her sleek, black Lexus a bit blurry. She had her face propped on the palm of her hand as she watched the fuzzy figures of people flitting in and out of the shops that rimmed one of the busy blocks in the heart of Deeplake City.

"Wait." She started abruptly, "Joe, can you please pull over?" she asked her driver from where she sat in the backseat.

The driver swerved the car gently to the side and looked at Caroline from the rear view mirror. "Petites Douceurs again, Miss Caroline?" he gave her a warm smile that she returned just as much.

"You know they're my favorite, they serve everything I love." She gathered her purse and opened the door to step out into the street. "I'll be a while."

"No problems, Miss. I'll be right here."

Caroline gave him one more grateful smile before strolling towards the quaint café that she had been frequenting ever since they opened four years ago.

As soon as she opened the glass door, the charms above her head tinkled, a few customers were enjoying a cup of coffee paired with a house specialty of either a bagel or a slice of rich chocolate cake, the brick walls were painted with white, little chandeliers made of colored glass hung on the ceiling, a variety of bottles with an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes were placed artistically on the shelves that were bolted to the walls along with silver and glass gilded mirrors, giving the entire interior a rustic but chic atmosphere.

Excitedly, she approached the array of freshly made delicacies displayed inside the shop. She let her eyes roam over the selection of cupcakes, macarons, cheesecakes, cookies, tarts, different types of bread, and on the side, a freezer containing assorted flavors of gelato made her stomach rumble.

"Hello Danny!" she beamed to the barista that usually serves her. "One white choco..."

"-late and raspberry milk tea. Tall." He chuckled after completing her order. "Coming right up!" he turned around to prepare her drink and Caroline gave him a grin.

With him busy preparing her order, she bent to look at their food selections again, wondering whether to get macarons or to try their chocolate chip and oat cookies instead.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone stand beside her, his hands were placed inside the pockets of his leather jacket. Caroline straightened up and in that moment forgetting her manners, she stared at the guy who donned a pair of sunglasses. She knew him from somewhere but couldn't quite put her finger on it. His characteristic blonde hair that was perpetually gelled in place, his chiseled jaw…

"Stefan?" she muttered quietly.

The guy in question turned towards her with a stoic expression that slowly morphed into a pleasant one, his lips turning upwards as he took in the girl beside him. Before Caroline could ask further, she was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug, the man's arms wounding around her and heaving her slightly off the ground.

"Caroline!" Stefan loosened his hold on her and removed his glasses, revealing green, friendly eyes. "Look at you, looking all so grown up."

She punched him teasingly on the shoulder and he feigned a hurt face to which she giggled. "Look at you all handsome and mysterious. Seriously, you've been gone for what, four years? And then you show up looking like you don't want anybody to know. Afraid Elena will come for you with a pitchfork?" Caroline narrowed her eyes on him mirthfully and Stefan shook his head with a broad smile on his face.

"I haven't thought of Elena in years."

She brought her hand to her chest and mustered the most painful face she can pull off, "Ouch. Way to go, heartbreaker." Just then, Danny came up to them and offered Caroline her drink which she received delightfully and she gave him the amount she owed. "And a cappuccino for the stranger here, please."

With her drink in one hand, Caroline dragged her friend with the other to a table near the window, overlooking the semi crowded street, a few street lamps already lit as the sky turned a darker shade of blue. "So..." she started a bit hesitantly as she placed her tea in front of her. "Where have you been? I tried contacting you but it all went to voicemail. I even went as far as calling your brother, which let me tell you was no fun. At all." There was a small, cheerless smile on Stefan's face and it was similarly present on Caroline's.

"You never called back. Elena was so devastated, she thought you hated her so much that you'd really pack up and leave without telling a soul where you're off to. Not that I care much about Elena since we were never really great friends because us being mere acquaintances was because of you and… you're my friend Stefan, still are, and I was so worried about you. But I didn't know where to start looking for you…" she rambled on and Stefan dropped his head in shame and sadness so he cleared his throat to catch her attention and took the opportunity to speak as she paused mid rant.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled in a small voice. Caroline opened her mouth to speak but one determined look from him made her seal her lips in a line and she nodded for him to continue. He folded his hands in front of him and let his eyes wander to the people, shops and cars outside the little café before returning his gaze on her, his heart clenched at the disappointment in her eyes, others may not have seen it but Stefan knew Caroline well, she could not conceal her feelings from one of her closest friends.

"I was miserable, and young, and reckless." She opened her mouth again but he gestured with his hand to let him speak so she just suppressed a grin and allowed him to do so. "And I was so in love. That might've sounded a lot cheesier than I intended it to but it doesn't make it any less true. You know how much I loved her, Care, and I was so devastated when she left me for my brother. So I took the easy way out and wasted nights, weeks and months drunk in the streets of Milan, then Paris, until before I knew it, I was in Amsterdam."

Caroline's eyes widened in astonishment, "You went trekking through Europe, wasted and alone, you could have called me!" She shook her head and was about to add more reprimand when Danny came to serve a steaming cup of fresh coffee in front of Stefan. "Thanks." Was her short, curt reply to him before she turned her attention back to her friend. "Stefan…"

He traced his finger on the cup's handle, his eyes following its movement, as if in some memory tucked away that Caroline couldn't reach. "I know." He said after a while, "I told you I was miserable, I didn't know what to do with my life, it felt like the biggest betrayal done to me by anyone and I tried to find ways to numb it."

She took his free hand in between both of hers, "I could've been there for you. You know that, right?" Stefan returned the gesture with a gentle squeeze but freed his hand from her grasp, looking uncomfortable about rehashing long buried memories.

"Anyway, I did find some sort of reprieve, I met people who picked me up from the void I was falling into." A nostalgic beam was on his face as he recalled the lighter parts of his disappearance. "They taught me to soldier up and face the world again."

"Were they from a convent, a congregation, missionaries maybe?" she teased him but she was really glad that Stefan was able to put himself back together and silently thanked these people who found him. Whoever they may be.

He laughed lightly with her and took the cup of warm cappuccino, brought it to his lips, took a few sips before placing it back on the dainty china. "No, they are anything but the one's you've just mentioned. Not the kind you meet every day but nevertheless they were kind to me, still are."

Caroline sipped from her tall cup too and jokingly narrowed her eyes on him, "I'm half expecting you to say next that they're the ones who made you the man that you are now."

Stefan chuckled and she laughed with him too, for a while it felt like high school all over again. "Well, if you put it like that, in a way, yes."

They spent a few more minutes reminiscing on what Stefan has missed in the city he left years ago and him supplying Caroline with all the adventures he experienced during his time in Europe. It was warm, familiar, something she missed so much and hoped they could have for a longer time than her friend intended.

"Not to put a damper on this little reunion but, I have to ask…" on her statement Stefan raised his eyebrows at her as if saying 'of course you do' to which Caroline just rolled her eyes and went on, "How long are you going to be here? Are you just passing by, came to visit someone, or are you here dragged against your will, waiting for the opportune moment to escape?"

He grinned at her amusedly, he admittedly missed this Caroline, "If you're thinking that I hate bumping into you today, you could never be more wrong." He playfully pinched her cheek and she swatted his hand away. "I'll be here indefinitely. I have some business here."

Indefinitely. There was that word again, she felt like she was transported to the eventful breakfast she had with her parents earlier, what seemed so distant just a while ago seemed more real yet again. "Good. That means I'll be seeing more of you." She forced a smile on her face. "Business, huh? What are you into?"

At her question, Stefan immediately stilled imperceptibly before he composed himself, "Nah, I don't think my business will interest you. What are you taking up in college anyway?"

"I'm a drama major but I'm taking up a few business courses and you're changing the subject." She retorted adding a sing song tone to her voice at the end of her statement. Stefan tried to form a reply but he was saved from answering when Caroline's phone chimed. She took it out of her purse and read the messages that were now piled in her inbox, "Ugh, nine from my Mom, four from my Dad, and one from Joe."

She picked up her purse and stood from her chair while Stefan did the same, "I'm really sorry but I have to go, there's this really important…thing, that my Dad wants me to do."

He waved a reassuring hand with a nod and a smile, "Please, I know exactly how your dad gets, besides I believe I'm running late myself." He checked his watch with a frown.

"Right, that business you think won't interest me." She grabbed his arm and pulled him in for a hug. "I'm really glad you're here, Stef. It's really good to see you again."

He reciprocated the embrace and kissed the top of her head before they parted, "It's really good to see you too, Care. It's been too long."

"Come by my house if you have time, won't you?" She requested with pleading eyes but at his silence she added with a pout, "Please?"

He grinned broadly before taking her hand and walked her to her car, "I will. I promise." He opened the door for her and Caroline stepped in, with a genuine, happy look on her face. "Hey Joe." He nodded towards her driver.

"Mr. Salvatore." He returned with a slight salute.

Stefan gave Caroline one more farewell wave before closing the passenger door.

As soon as the car started moving, Caroline felt a tumultuous amount of emotions playing in her chest. Unexpected glee from her friend's return and a restless, anxious sensation she couldn't quite contain. But nevertheless, she was never made to cower, she wasn't frail, she's not as delicate or fragile as people ought her to be. A handful of people to welcome into her home won't really tip her balance, right?

TBC

A/N: Hello everyone and welcome to my new story, to my former readers, glad to have you guys back and to the new readers, thank you for giving this a chance. Drop me a review if you wish! Until the next chapter!

P.S.: the title was inspired by a playlist I bumped into in 8tracks, if you love epic movie scores and music to fill your soul with an all consuming emotion, just search for the playlist with the same title. It has inspired me so much while writing this. Have fun!