42 Begin training

"So, why didn't you come visit?" Anna asked her brother.

Nathan sighed "It wasn't easy for me Anna. You're not allowed in here without consent from the general or Eve and well, the general strictly refused to let me see you...." Nathan said, he spent days, weeks continuously begging the general.

"So then....how are you all here now?" Anna asked, she was sure the general was really angry at her so he definitely wouldn't want her to be this happy.

"I know the answer to that" Dr Joon said sitting beside Anna.

"I asked an old patient for help" she said winking, Anna's heart skipped a beat when she thought of Bai Sheng's face. So he was the person who convinced the general.

"It wasn't for free though" Nathan said taking out a letter from his jacket and handing it over to Anna.

"Bai Sheng says to give this to you" Anna collected the letter with moist hands. Why was she so nervous? he was not even here.

Anna noticed everyone's stare and cleared her throat awkwardly "I'll read it when I go back to my room" They all looked like the paparazzi waiting for juicy gossip.

"So.....when did you start walking? Its really really fast progress" Shola said trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Anna smiled brightly, sometimes she forgot she was no longer on her wheel chair. "It's all thanks to my darling Kim here" Anna winked at Dr Joon. Dr Joon faked a blush and turned away.

"Aunty Anna, have you seen serious Chen?. I've been asking daddy but he just won't answer my question" Ella pouted.

Anna clenched her fists and looked down, thinking back to that horrible night and that cold body in front of her, Anna's eyes turned cold.

Shola noticing her change in expression sighed and looked at Ella "Serious Chen has gone far away honey, he isn't coming back"

Ella's eyes widened "Is he dead!?"

Shola nodded at the girl, she took a deep ready for the girl to throw a tantrum.

"Sorry Aunty Anna, I didn't mean to...."

Realizing that the girl was apologizing toher, Anna pulled the little girl in for a hug. "Don't apologize, its okay" Unexpectedly the girl had become more mature.

They spent the rest of the afternoon eating the cake Nathan brought and talking. Anna was smiling all through, having her family here made her feel like she was not alone anymore.

Nathan offered to take her along with him to City S but Anna refused. If it was a month ago she would have accepted without bagging an eyelid but now she realized, she had to. It had become a duty, an obligation and also.....she had to wear that red uniform.

"So....you're staying here because of the clothes?" Nathan smiled at his sister.

They were all walking in a slow pace heading for the plane.

"Not exactly though...." Anna shook her head. "But there's just something that comes with wearing that uniform...an unspoken authority and obligation" Anna said making Shola groan

"Now you're sounding like an old lady..." when they reached the plane Shola stooped walking and hugged Anna

"I guess we won't be able to see you for the next 2 years. By then....your new nice or nephew would be pretty old"

Anna raised her brows and stared at Shola's stomach.

"Are we having a baby?" she asked making Shola laugh happily.

"Yes....please, be the godmother. Ella's godmothers are...well, too competitive"

"It will be my pleasure" Anna curtsied.

Nathan hugged his sister tightly not wanting to let go "Please be safe and be strong for all of us"

"I promise big brother" Anna said hugging him back.

"I made this for you" Ella said, giving Anna a colorful bracelet made of threads. "Its beautiful" Anna said, she looked at her right wrist and realized Li Chen's bracelet was there so she put out her left hand to Ella.

Ella tied the bracelet happily before kissing Anna on her cheek.

"Take care.....dolly" Ella giggled before running away.

Anna shook her head, So Chen was a bad influence.

"Bye Anna" Shola said waving, reluctant to go.

"Take care.." Nathan said before dragging his wife along with him

"Take care of my nephew!" Anna yelled making Shola laugh happily, she looked at Nathan and smirked "Told you it would be a boy"

Nathan rolled his eyes "That proved nothing" he said, looking out the window he saw the petite figure of the girl still waving.

It was only for a few seconds before her smile faded and she turned around and walked away.

Staring at her lone figure Nathan sighed. "I keep failing her over and over" he whispered to himself.

...

Anna quickly turned around and walked away when she realized tears were falling from her eyes

She quickly wiped ber face and and took a deep breath. She couldn't afford to break down, tomorrow would be a really big day for her.

.....

"Ladies...and gentle ladies..." Eve said staring at the crowd of women in front of her.

"We are gathered here today to welcome the new trainees of Eve's barrettes. I am pleased to see so many of you here this year. Some of you have been here for a while now..." She said while looking at Anna who was sitting there quietly fiddling her thumbs

'Was she nervous?' Eve decided to ask her after the ceremony was over.

"And there are some of you who just got here. You're all welcome.

You should all know that not all of you will make it as an Eve's barrette after two years so I urge you all to work hard and listen to your instructors. Don't get carried away by foolish things and most especially. Respect each other....." Eve took a deep breath with pride in her eyes, year after year she never gets tired of doing this. She never gets tired of seeing that bright look on all of those girl's faces.

"Congratulations! You are all Eve's barrettes trainees! "

After her words, there was loud cheering from the crowd.

They applauded and applauded while Anna just sat there deep in thought. 'Do they take measurements for the uniforms?...'