Chapter 129 - Orita's Love

It was another ordinary day for the lady of the house. Orita woke up in an empty bed as usual and got up to enjoy the gentle morning sun. Her husband was working hard today as usual and the house was unusually silent, indicating that her children had followed her husband to work.

Jenna brought breakfast up to Orita's room like a clockwork. The daily paper was on her bed and the lady butler waited for her lady to come out of the bathroom. After serving her for so many years, Jenna knew exactly what Orita wanted.

The heiress exited the bathroom looking fresh and regal.

"Good morning," she greeted Jenna who bowed in return.

"Good morning, milady. Today's breakfast is butter croissant and Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The weather is clear with a hint of passing showers in the late afternoon and Claire reports that all the children went to bed at the time they were meant to last night."

Orita smiled. Ever since the Wilde household adopted Scarlet, it had become a custom for her to hear the reports received from Claire by Jenna. Even if they were now living under the same roof, Orita could never go back to not listening about the progress of her children. These kids simply grew up too quickly. Sometimes, Orita wished that they weren't so smart because it felt as if they would quickly fly from the nest with how fast their way of thinking matured.

Alex was her baby and for the longest time, the girl was content with simply living in the mansion and getting home-schooled. Her happiest days used to be spent with her mother in the garden and shopping with some of Orita's friends. After Scarlet was adopted into the family, even Jasper had started changing. The usually disinterested boy was now inspired and working very hard to pursue dreams of his own. Alex has also started to have opinions of her own and started taking interest in something she'd like to work on.

They were only ten but Orita felt as if they would very soon leave the nest ever since the entertainment contract came. Orita was no fool. As someone within the circle of entertainment, she knew how fame could change a person's life. Once her children were making their own money and enjoying the wave of fame from the band, they might no longer want to be with her or her husband.

Speaking of her husband, Orita sighed.

"What's wrong?" Jenna asked. Orita didn't touch her breakfast much and that loud sigh was certainly something unusual. Nothing much fazed Orita Wilde, much less troubled her.

The lady shook her head. "Do you think life would be easier for us as parents if our children weren't so smart? It feels like I'm going to lose them to the world anytime soon. Ever since Scarlet joined the family, Alex and Jasper have started to take flight. As a mother, I couldn't be prouder for such wonderful children but at the same time, I don't want them growing up so quickly. They're only ten but already they know so much about the world..."

Jenna didn't say anything. As the butler who watched over the family through good and bad times, she knew. When Alex was younger, the Wilde Empire was still struggling to get back on its feet. Wilmer wasn't around very often and Orita had always been with the girl from the day she was born. Jasper grew up with Alex and Orita knew almost everything there was to know about these two children even if Jasper didn't always live with them.

When Orita took Scarlet in, her husband was in the middle of smoking out the rat in the company. Benjamin suggested taking in the Lius' daughter initially because it would not only give the girl a better chance at life but also because Orita needed another ally who could protect Alex. Scarlet was smart, smarter than anyone gave her credit for. Orita felt slightly guilty that they didn't have pure intentions when they first accepted Scarlet into the family. However, Scarlet had proven to be more than just an ally. She was also the reason for Alex and Jasper's motivation to better themselves. For that, Orita could only feel grateful for having her adopted daughter in her life. Even if Wilmer and herself somehow succ.u.mbed to Anastasia, she knew that if all three of her children stuck together, they would still be able to escape and survive.

"Milady, I think it is a good thing that they are growing up quickly. Even if it would be nice to see them act like children for a little longer, I don't think the situation permits it. The stronger and more independent they can become, the better it is for them when the time comes. Anastasia has become more ruthless in his methods ever since the children helped to weed out Collins."

Orita put down her coffee cup, her appetite was gone when she was reminded of how dire the situation was. Claire had to increase the security around Wilmer and some board directors who were close to her husband lately. There had been more 'accidents' and a few close shaves. Everyone tried to act normal around the children but Elfie might have noticed it already. Orita was only thankful that the ethical hacker didn't tell the rest yet. Elfie grew up with Danny and such threats were considered a norm to him.

"You're' right," she told her butler. "For now, please help to support the interest of all my children. Right now, they need to grow stronger as quickly as they can. However, don't push them too hard. I heard that Claire hasn't been merciful with her self-defence classes. Elfie complained that he couldn't move a muscle after a mere fifteen minutes of sparring?"

Jenna laughed. Indeed, the programmer wasn't a very fit boy. All three other children were considered normally active for their age but in comparison, Elfie was like an old man.

"Milady, you don't have to worry. Scarlet and Jasper are more physically active even if Scarlet is still recovering from her injury. Alex has been doing well ever since she was required to play the guitar. Some physical activities from time to time might be good for all of them. On the other hand, Elfie is really lacking in exercise. I cannot imagine sitting in front of a screen from the moment he wakes up till the time he goes to bed can be any good. If anything, I would say Elfie is in dire need of some movement to liven up his joints!"

Orita laughed. Jenna had a point. While it was important to support the children in what they wanted to do, it is also the job of a.d.u.l.ts to guide them along the path when they stray too far.

"Of course. I will leave the education of the children to you. I heard Scarlet is writing another book at last?"

The butler smiled and reported what she heard from Debbie. Orita laughed when she heard about Scarlet's insecurities at not being able to publish a book better than the last. How silly! Every book is different and for Orita, she is happy to know that Scarlet hasn't given up on her chosen path even though she has been dabbling into music and marketing more. On the other hand, Jasper was spread very thinly.

"We tried to shift some of his priorities around but Jasper refuses to drop anything at this point," Jenna explained. "He says that he needs to do everything to build a stable foundation for his future plans. From what Elfie revealed, the kid wants to make a company that creates games. The scale of that company should rival the Wilde Empire according to Alex and all four children are working on the master plan."

Orita nodded. "And where does the capital for starting such a business come from?"

Jenna tried not to smile. "Jasper said he has savings."

For a moment, both ladies stared at each other before bursting out into laughter. When they finally calmed down, Orita wiped the side of her eyes where tears had acc.u.mulated after she laughed too hard.

"Jenna, call for our old friend to teach the boy about investments. I think he'd need to multiply those savings to have a capital for that dream company of his. Let's start with the easiest level, shall we? I think forex is still manageable for a boy of his age if he can understand politics and economy. Is Jasper actually good at Math?"

The lady butler smiled. "Not as good as some of his classmates in the special class but definitely above average. He is two years ahead of his syllabus, maybe more. Would you like to hire a private tutor to home-school him instead?"

Orita thought about it. "For their sake, I'm actually thinking of pulling them out of Joyville but I heard that they've made friends? Some of their friends are currently interning with them. What do you think?"

The butler agreed. "Pulling them out to protect their privacy away from the eyes like Anastasia would be the best solution. However, it would be a shame to do so because it wasn't easy for any of them to make friends. Claire did a background check on the boys of the E.C. Class as they call it. While most of them are delinquents, they aren't bad influences."

Orita sighed. As a mother, she wanted to make the best decision for her children but what was the best decision in this case? Jenna understood her mistress' worries and remained silent. She couldn't say anything as a butler as these children weren't hers. However, if she had an opinion to express, Jenna would rather let the children do as they've been doing so far.

"Don't worry too much," she consoled her long-time friend and employer. "We should have more faith in the children, they're usually stronger than we think they are."

Orita nodded and quickly finished her breakfast before asking for her day's agenda. Jenna didn't miss a beat and fell into step once her lady got dressed. While her husband and children were at work, Orita had a different battle to prepare for. If her children wanted a barbecue party by the beach, they would only deserve the best that Singapore has to offer.