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Far from My Reality

"Hey, I remember you from that snack shop. Pleasant seeing you here," said the same glasses boy, his warm smile contagious, and it creeps its way to my lips as well.

"I remember you as well," I say, mustering a polite tone, but my snarky side-eye towards the grumpy sloth reveals my lingering annoyance from our previous encounter. "Bet the circumstances were not so pleasant back then for you as well."

The grumpy sloth scoffs, his expression twisting with disdain as he glares at me in challenge. I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. The tension between us is palpable, and it's clear that neither of us is willing to let go of our animosity.

In the middle of this brewing conflict, the poor glasses guy appears visibly nervous, caught in the middle of our spat. Trying to de-escalate the situation, he reaches his hand forward in an attempt to mediate.

"By the way, my name's Ethan, Ethan Collins," he says nervously, which makes me feel a pang of sympathy for him. I decide to ease his discomfort by extending my hand and shaking his, introducing myself with a polite smile.

"My name is Lila," I begin, but I hesitate for a moment, contemplating whether to disclose my full name. They seem like residents of this prestigious colony, and I don't want to cause any unnecessary trouble for my grandmother. However, before I can make a decision, Ethan seems to have already figured it out.

"You're Genie Grandma's granddaughter, right?" Ethan asks, and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "Genie Grandma?" I repeat in surprise, not understanding the reference. And to top it off, they even seem to know about me being her granddaughter, which only adds to my bewilderment.

Ethan must have reckoned my confusion as he chuckled, scratching his head. "Genie Grandma has been our absolute favorite. She is literally like a Genie, she can do anything, and even her name is Genevieve, which makes it make more sense."

Well, that answers one of my questions at least. "But how do you know that--" I was interrupted by the grumpy sloth once again, and I clenched my fist while closing my eyes as I pursed my lips to control the hiss that threatened to roll out of my mouth.

"You continue this useless conversation, I will get going," he says with a dismissive tone, ready to walk away. But I can't let his disrespectful behavior slide without a response.

"Yes, go ahead. No one wants you here anyway," I snap back, unable to hold back my frustration. He turns his head to look at me again, his eyes questioning my audacity, and I roll my eyes in exasperation.

"I can't believe this, now people like this be living among us," he mumbles to himself, making it clear that he wants me to hear his derogatory remark.

"What do you mean by people like this!" I demand, but he simply continues walking away, as if he didn't just insult me. My blood boils with anger, and I swear I could have taught him a lesson by now, but last time, it was Dad who held me back, and this time, it's Ethan that holds my hand, getting my attention back to him.

I look at his hand holding my wrist, then at his face, and then back at my wrist again. My intense gaze must have made him flustered, as he instantly withdraws his hand and once again scratches his head. It must be his habit to scratch his head when he's nervous. To be honest, I find it kind of adorable.

"I-- I am sorry on his behalf. This is his go-to mood," he stammers while giving excuses for his friend's behavior. Before I could say anything in response, he continues, "You should get going, Genie Grandma has been too excited for your arrival. She even declared your arrival during the last clubhouse meeting."

His words add to my confusion, but I suppose he is right. I should go and announce my arrival to my grandmother.

...

Grandma welcomed me warmly, and though it was heartwarming, it felt a bit overwhelming when all the servants in the house were gathered in one place to greet me. With their respectful gazes and polite smiles, it was a little awkward to be the center of this kind of attention.

Now, as I settle into my new room, I can't help but be in awe of its grandeur. The room speaks of luxury and elegance, adorned with beautiful furnishings and delicate decorations.

The entire house is nothing short of majestic, with chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings and intricate artwork adorning the walls. Being surrounded by such opulence, I can't help but wonder if this is the life I'm meant for or if it's just too far from the simplicity I've always known.

A part of me is excited to live with my grandmother and to get to know each other better for we are the only remaining family we have.

Yet, there's a lingering fear inside me, reminding me of my grandmother's words about how much my father detested this lifestyle. I can't help but wonder if, like him, I'll feel suffocated and yearn for the familiar simplicity that once defined my life.

As I lay on the plush bed, I feel a mixture of emotions surging through me. I miss my father terribly, and the grandeur of Celestial Villa reminds me of the divide between us. While I'm grateful to my grandmother, I fear losing touch with who I truly am and the values my father instilled in me.

Shaking my head, I set aside my thoughts and got up from the bed. I decided to organize my clothes, so I made my way to the walk-in closet, where a stunning array of expensive dresses, beautiful shoes, exquisite jewelry, and luxurious purses already awaited me.

As I carefully hung my clothes, organizing them by color after taking them out of my luggage, a soft knock on my bedroom door drew my attention.

"Come in," I called out, and the door creaked open, revealing Mr. Adams standing there. From the closet's vantage point, I could see him clearly as he entered the room.

"Greetings, young miss," he politely greets me, and I nervously chuckle, not liking that title even in the slightest.

"Mr. Adams, you can call me Lila," I say as I continue to hang my clothes while keeping my attention on Mr. Adams. His expression suggests that he does not approve of my request.

"Forgive me, young miss, but it is how other servants and I must address you. It is compulsory," he says firmly, not allowing me to interrupt and insist on being called by my name. "And why are you hanging your own clothes? I will send a maid to your room later, but right now, you should go to the dining room. Mrs. Whitaker is waiting for you."

I reluctantly nod and make my way to the dining room, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the formality.

I enter the grand dining hall and take in the lavish interior. The hall is adorned such that it creates an atmosphere fit for royalty. As I glance at the grand table, I am reminded of the hotel's conference room, although not so grand as the hotel one.

My grandmother sits on the main chair and her warm smile welcomes me, and I return it as I take my seat beside her.

The servants swiftly serve a splendid feast, displaying the finest culinary delights on the table. Despite the luxurious spread, I notice my grandmother's eyes gleaming with anticipation, as if she has something important to discuss.

After exchanging greetings, I am about to delve into the delicious meal when she surprises me with an unexpected question. "Lila, what do you think about a debutante event?"

I almost choke on air, my eyes widen, and for a moment, I'm taken aback. A debutante event? What am I, a princess or a noble lady of the seventeenth century!

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