Episode 1

LUNA

From before I was five years old, I asked my mother Jessica to send me to a boarding school abroad where genius children attended. Initially, as a child, everything seemed normal—or so I thought. Before attending the boarding school, I recall feeling off whenever other people hugged me or sought eye contact, but I didn't consider it significant, as I was more focused on studying than on people. The only person who constantly sought contact with me was my mother. Others always respected my space. My grandfather, too, would draw near me, but not overly so. At the boarding school, loud noises increasingly bothered me. I didn't know why, but I started using earplugs. Once, when my mother Jessica came to visit so we could scatter the ashes of the woman who gave us life into the sea, I felt uncomfortable in her embrace. I didn't push her away or distance myself, but since she liked falling asleep while hugging me, I'd wait until she was asleep, then gently disentangle myself and sleep as far away as possible. She never noticed, nor did I ever mention it to her.

One day, I mentioned these feelings to the boarding school's psychologist, and after reviewing the symptoms, she diagnosed me with mild autism. I researched to understand why other people's touch and loud noises bothered me. The psychologist suggested it had likely gone unnoticed because no strangers had been in my life until then. Upon returning home from boarding school for my mother's wedding to her great love, Cristobal, Jesse, Daniel, his mother, and later Janna—the granddaughter of my grandfather and Ines—and my mother had triplets, I was overwhelmed and didn't want to go back. During visits, I always wore my headphones playing soft and soothing music, which everyone respected apart from Daniel.

From the time I met Daniel at five years old and danced with him, he constantly clung to me, wanting to hold my hand. I'd push him away and he felt I despised him, but that wasn't the case; I didn't know how to express it otherwise. He said he'd wait for me to finish boarding school, but I couldn't return. My grandfather and mother traveled for my graduation, but I won a scholarship in London. My mother initially refused, raising her voice until my grandfather calmed her down, and they both ended up supporting me.

I couldn't go back. Whenever I called home, the noise in the background from the triplets, Sofia's dance rehearsals, and Carter playing drums and studying late made it clear I wouldn't ever sleep for even five minutes in that noisy mansion, so in London at sixteen, I finished university and became the director of a robotics company, planning to stay for two years before starting my own. Some may wonder how someone with mild autism can achieve all this and lead a robotics company. The answer is simple: Marc Rivas. He shared the boarding school with me and is familiar with my condition; his brother has a more severe form of autism. Marc is my assistant. I make the decisions, and he communicates them. He understands me perfectly; I need not exert myself to speak, as he knows my gestures and understands my wishes without explicit explanation.

He ensures a quiet office environment and keeps people at bay, understanding my need for space. Some perceive me as arrogant, but I don't know how to explain why I keep my distance. It's a pity I can't bring Marc home to help; he's engaged and getting married in two months. His fiancee knows of my condition and is supportive.

Daniel, the son of my step-grandmother Jackson's wife, joined the military by obtaining early emancipation. I've hacked into the military base's system a few times. I haven't seen him for a while, but I know he's thriving in the military; little remains of the boy who always followed me and wanted to hold my hand.

Today, I've reached the age of majority and will return in the morning, feeling somewhat anxious. For my farewell gift, Marc presented me with items to help me relax and gave me the contact of his friend who can assist in managing the company I plan to launch, as she specializes in supporting people like me.

"Happy birthday, little genius," Marc's fiancee Lizz placed a cake in front of me.

"Thank you," I replied, blowing out the candles while they refrained from loud clapping. We ate cake, and they had some drinks; I don't care for alcohol.

"Your 2-in-1 must be thrilled," Marc commented, referring to my mother, who is both a mother and sister to me.

"Yes, she is," I answered.

"Everything will be alright, Luna, you'll see," Lizz reassured me.

"I hope so," I replied.

"Seeing that you're a bit uncomfortable, we'll leave you to rest, and since we won't see each other for a long time, you'll have to tolerate a few hugs," they both hugged me quickly.

"I'll see you at your wedding," I said, and with smiles, they departed. I needed to rest, as my grandfather's private plane would arrive at dawn to take us.

I'm not a heavy sleeper, often waking in the middle of the night, struggling to fall back asleep. Upon my return, I'll live with my grandfather, his wife, and Janna. Since Daniel is in the military and seldom home, I should be fine. You may wonder why I'm not moving into my mother Jessica's house. The answer is simple: the triplets are noisy, Sofia still lives there with a dance studio in the mansion, always bustling with people. Carter is chased by girls who constantly want to study at the house, Jesse is always around, and my mother is very clingy. Though her hugs I can tolerate, and they might even provide some sense of security, living in that mansion would be torture for anyone on the autism spectrum. Cristobal is always working, so he doesn't contribute to the noise.

At dawn, I grabbed my suitcase, computer, and belongings, hailed a taxi, and directed it to the airport. Upon arrival, I went straight to my grandfather's private plane, greeted the pilot politely, boarded, fastened my seatbelt, and put on my headphones for the journey. After many hours, I arrived as the sun set, surprising everyone by returning two weeks early, avoiding any surprise parties. The plane came for me in secret, as I'd requested the pilot, so I could surprise my grandfather—a request he honored.

Landing, I took a taxi to the Smith mansion. As the taxi stopped, I retrieved my luggage and approached the front door. Just as I was about to knock, the door swung open, and I found myself face to face with the least expected person. I looked down, feeling uncomfortable.

"LUNA?" my grandfather spoke from behind him, approaching with a smile.

"Hello, Grandfather," I greeted nervously, fidgeting with the bracelets on my hand.

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