Chapter One

"Levi, I thought I told you to put those back." Amelia said, gesturing to the bags of potato chips the four-year-old boy was holding.

Amelia and Levi is in Byer's Buy, a local grocery store to buy some supplies for the shop and home. The boy looked in Amelia's eyes as if he's about to cry. "B-but..."

'Dear Lord, have mercy on me. How can I refuse this cute little angel in front of me?' she thought.

"But what?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face as she stoop down in Levi's level.

He sighed. "It's for Luke, mom."

'Such an angel.' Amelia commented.

Luke is his younger twin. He is currently at the pastry shop "helping" his Uncle Zeke. "Alright. But on one condition, you and Luke have to finish your veggies."

Levi smiled and hugs his mother. "Easy-peasy. I promise, mom."

"My baby's growing up too fast. Come on, let's pay for this and head back home."

She looked around the cashier section to see if the self-check out counter is open. She found one and pushed her cart there.

"Want to help me check out our groceries?" Amelia asked. Levi nodded enthusiastically.

They were on their last few items when someone greeted her.

"Oh, it's our dear Amy and little Luke or Levi? I can't seem to remember who's who." Mrs. Harrette Johnson said.

Amelia smiled back at the old lady. "I'm with Levi today, Mrs. Johnson. How are you?"

Mrs. Johnson is one of the elders in Haven. At 73, she is still fit and healthy. She's like the local Meryl Streep of their town. "I'm doing great! We're starting to plan the Midsummer Festival," the old woman answered.

"We're actually wondering if we can get you to bake our goodies again this year!"

Amelia thought for a second, having a flashback of all the hardwork she did on last year's Midsummer Festival which is all worth it.

"I would love to. What's this year's theme?" Amelia asked.

Mrs. Johnson sighed. "Well, that's the problem, we don't have one yet. We'll have a meeting in two days. It's so hard to top the previous one."

Last year, they had a fairytale theme festival. Every one in the town dressed up.

Luke and Levi wore a prince costume, complete with crowns and swords.

"Hope you come up with another brilliant theme this year, Mrs. Johnson."

"We'll do. Feel free to come by the pavilion by 3 o' clock that day. Have a great day, Amy."

"You, too."

They are about to exit when Amelia's phone rang.

📲 "Hello, Zeke. Is Luke giving you any trouble?"

📲 "Hey, Ames. Nope, Luke is an absolute angel."

📲 "Why did you call? We're about to head to the car."

📲 "There's a man here waiting for you."

📲 "Did he tell you who he is?"

📲 "Yeah. He said he's Leonard Storm."

📲 "Hmm... That name doesn't ring any bell."

📲 "He's not from here. Who in town will wear a three-piece suit anyway? He's hot though."

📲 "Well, let him wait. We'll be there in a few. Make sure he orders something."

Amelia ends the call and continued their way to the parking lot, pushing their cart while holding Levi.

'Leonard Storm?'

The drive was silent as Levi fell asleep in his seat. After twenty minutes, they arrived in the shop.

Amelia parked her car and noticed a luxury car parked in front of her shop.

'That car is so out of place,' she thought.

She opened the backseat and took the sleeping Levi out of the car. She then, made her way to the entrance.

"Zeke, do you mind getting the groceries in the car. I'll just put Levi in their room real quick."

"Sure, Ames. I just put Luke up there few minutes ago."

"Thanks, Zeke."

Amelia made her way upstairs, forgetting about the man waiting for her in the shop.

Opening her sons' room, she saw Luke sleeping in his bed, hugging Mr. Bear, his favorite toy.

She put Levi on the other bed and kissed their foreheads.

"Have a good nap, my angels. Mommy will be with you soon."

Amelia made her way back to the shop and proceeded to the counter.

Someone suddenly cleared his throat.

When Amelia raised her head, she saw a tall man with a charismatic green eyes.

"Uhh... May I help you?"

"Yes. I am Leonard Storm. I think your friend mentioned that over the phone."

"He did. Why do you want to talk to me?"

Leonard sighed and leaned over the counter. "I was sent here by your father. You have to go back to the Capital."

Amelia was dumbfounded. She took a deep breath to calm herself. 'How did they found me?'

Just when she was about to answer, the café bell rings indicating a customer coming in.

"I'll wait for your answer on my seat," the man said, making his way back to the table he was sitting in.

"Amy!" Mr. Jimmy Harolds, a town elder greeted her.

Amelia shifted her focus to the elder. "How's your day going, Jimmy?"

"Great! I just got back from therapy."

Jimmy had a minor accident last month that resulted to a leg injury. He was undergoing physical therapy.

She smiled at the elder. "How's the therapy?" she asked.

"The usual. Alice is a mad woman, she pushed my limits again today. I'm happy though. Two more sessions and I'm good to groove for the Midsummer," the elder proudly said.

"Well, what's your pick for today?" Amelia asked.

Jimmy looked at the menu. "I'll have a sugarless mixed berry smoothie and a slice of the best carrot cake in the universe."

Amelia liked Jimmy's attitude, he's not afraid to try new things in her shop. "Well, choose your seat, I'll just prepare your order.

While Amelia's busy with the order, Zeke finished arranging the groceries, the unfriendly visitor called for him.

"Excuse me, Zeke, right?"

"Yeah. Do you need anything?"

"Do you have any accomodations here?"

"Well, there's a hotel two towns away and a motel in the next town. We don't have those here but we have cabins you can rent."

Amelia served Jimmy's order and head over to Zeke who's talking to the visitor.

"If you want to stay here, I'll give the owner of the cabins a call." Zeke said.

Leonard looked at Amelia who pulled Zeke's forearm and whispered, "I'll just get the twins, I already saw that they're awake in the monitor."

"No problem, Ames."

With that, Amelia went ahead upstairs and went straight to the twin's room.

"Mommy!" both of the twins shouted, approaching her with a hug.

She smilled. "Did you get a good nap?"

"Yes!" the twins answered in unison.

Amelia ruffled their hair. "Alright, let's go downstairs and have some snacks."

The twins held hands with Levi holding Amelia with his left hand and Luke on his right. The younger twin was carrying Mr. Bear with his right hand.

The trio went downstairs. Zeke was on the phone at the moment.

📞 "Yeah, we'll see you in a bit. Thank you."

Zeke hung up and ruffled the twin's hair. "Hello, little angels. Had a nice nap time?"

"Hi, Uncle Zeke. Can we have some cookies we made?" Luke said, hiding his face behind Mr. Bear.

"Of course, I'll just go to that man," he said, pointing at Leonard who was busy with his laptop. "then, I'll prepare your snacks."

Amelia looked at the man.

'How did they found me? I've hidden myself and the twins for so long. Why now? I don't want to leave this place. This is our home.'

She was lost in her thoughts when the twins pulled on her cardigan.

"Mommy, let's have some snacks!" Levi exclaimed.

Writer's Note:

Hi, thank you for starting this journey with me, darlings! I will try my very best to update and be mindful with my spelling and grammar. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!

Hugs and kisses! 💜

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