Chapter 2: "Welcome Home"
Home seemed different to Jess. Not only because she had been away for so long, but because now, home was all hers. The cab that had picked her up at the airport made its way down a long paved drive. Finally the cab stopped in front of a huge red brick mansion. Jess climbed out, gathered her things from the trunk and paid the cab driver. As the cab began to drive away, an elderly butler rushed down the steps of the mansion to Jess."
"Welcome back Mistress Tern! It's been so long!" Said the butler.
"NILES! You're a sight for sore eyes!" Jess said as she embraced him in a hug. Niles had been Jess's first friend. She hated to leave him behind as she went to "school", but she knew one day she would return home and they would be reunited. Jess broke away from Niles and looked up at the Mansion.
"If the Mistress would be so kind," Niles said eyeing her stare at the mansion, "to follow me inside, we can get you situated for your stay."
"That'd be nice," she said still eyeing the mansion. She reached for he bags, but Niles stopped her.
While you are home, you will be treated like you once were when you were a little girl, Mistress," he said as he reached for the bags. Jess was a little taken back. For one, she wasn't used to being called 'Mistress' all the time, and two, she was accustom to getting her own things, rather than having someone get them for her. To her, it didn't seem right. But she didn't want to fight with Niles, so she let it go and followed him up the steps. For an old man, Niles did very well with carrying her heavy potion filled luggage up the steps and into the house.
Once inside, jess began to explore her old home with Niles. She met up with old friends, and workers, and met the new comers. Once she was done exploring, she then made her way outside into the gardens and stables. Just as she had remembered, the gardens were the most peaceful of the grounds. For this reason, Jess loved this place more than anywhere else. She sat down on a bench close to the middle of the garden. Niles sat down next to her. Jess was happy to be home. There were many happy memories here, but also there were horrible ones.
"So," Jess said, interrupting the silence, "What's new around here?"
"Well," started Niles, "you remember Mr.Gozaburo Kaiba don't you?" That name hit Jess like a kick in the gut. She hated that man with a passion!
"Ya, I remember him. Why do you ask?"
"Well," said Niles, "He adopted two boys a year after you left for school. Both of the boy's were brothers before were adopted by Mr. Kaiba. Anyway, after 7 years, the older of the two boys took over Kaiba-Corp. I think his name is Seto, But after that, Gozaburo disappeared! No one's heard from him since, so he was presumed dead. And that's about it."
"Wow!" said Jess shocked. She couldn't see Gozaburo adopting two boys. But she was glad that one of the boys had over ruled him. But she still felt bad for them, for having to put up with such a foul man. Niles chuckled to himself. Jess caught him doing so and gave him and glance of confusion.
"What?" she asked him.
"Nothing. I just remembered when you were little. You would run around these gardens. Your mother would chase you around. You were so happy." He paused. Jess saw a tear fall from his eyes. She understood. Sometimes the happiest of memories, could be the most painful. She knew that too well.
"But Niles, you know that their still here though. Their in the plant's, the air, the house, they're everywhere! Even though they seem far away, their really not." Niles looked at Jess with astonishment.
"You remind me of your father. He always knew what to say and when to say it. He was an amazing man, and you're just as amazing as him." Jess smiled at his compliment. Niles looked at his watch. "Well, I better get back to work," he chuckled. "Dinner will be served at 5 O' clock sharp! I will see you then," he said and hurried off, leaving Jess alone in the garden.