London:
Jay's pov:
As we landed at Heathrow, the grey skies couldn't dampen our spirits. We were buzzing, ready to dive into our business training once again. Our hotel was in the heart of the city. Phones were confiscated. Julian joined us just then. We were allotted rooms. We met Melody and Daniel.
Daniel: Same rules as you were in singapore. No changes.
Melody: also your stay in London is going to be extended
Damien groaned
Juliette: why?
Julian: Apparently, we have to attend the Watson's party as they are making keifer watson as the head and ceo....
Maria: oh..... do I have to go?
Melody and Daniel: Yes!
Daniel: Look Maria, I know you don't want to see him bcoz of what he did. But anyways you both would have ended up getting hurt. As an Anderson you have many responsibilities. And do you think the Andersons, Reyes and Archer will accept him? He needs to prove himself for that. You know the clans will do anything to separate you both.
Melody: Yes, Our marriage wasn't easy you know abt it. I had to prove myself. The 3 clans accepted you bcoz.... you proved yourself when you were 14. It took you 4yrs to make the clan accept you. Now..... is not the right time for you and him. Maybe once you become the head.....
Daniel: Also there will be many business people around the world. This is a good way for us to introduce you. And helps you to get along.
Maria: Dan.... pls.. I really love keifer.
Melody: we know you do.....
Daniel: The old man of the Anderson's won't agree won't agree. Jay your hard work. 4yrs. Now the old man finally cares for you like your his great- granddaughter finally.
Damien: you have the guts to call your grandfather old man.
Daniel: well. he is old!
Melody: He wants what's best for you. Do you think he would have agreed to cancel the engagement between you and that Hanamitchi. He thinks that, That guy is not worth it. Moreover we have tradition.
I mumbled: he is right though
Daniel: Maria....
Melody: Well..... keifer has to prove himself in front of your grandfather.
Juliette: Exactly grandpa has already chosen 5 fiances for when you were 12 remember? you have to choose one of them when you get crowned as head.
Lucas: Keifer has to prove to grandpa that he is better than the 5 fiances
Juliette: you do realise my brother is one of them right.....
Julian: Grandpa has been annoying me to be the chosen one for maria... this is a headache. I'm helping you maria to make grandpa accept him. Only if keifer begs for forgiveness to you.
Ivy: don't forgive him easily!
Maria: Agreed. and won't.
Melody: Now sleep!
Monday to Friday were a blur of lectures, grabbing lunch at quirky cafes along the way. The afternoons were filled with case studies and group projects. Evenings were fighting and combat. The project loomed over us like a dark cloud, its weight suffocating. Every task led to another, every solution had more questions.
Deadlines pressed in, expectations mounted, and progress seemed like a mirage – always just out of reach. fear of failure was a constant hum in the back of our mind. we talked to our family sometimes. London training was worse than Singapore. We were sleepless. We finally finished our projects and submitted. and slept after 4 restless nights. Julian looked worse than me he and I both are sleep deprived people. We didn't take pills for 4 days. We didn't want to miss skipping huge project. Finally on 4th day the pills took a deep effect on us. Everyone went to sleep me and julian fell flat on bed once we had entered the room. Exhaustion took over us like death than it did to the others.
Saturday was our London day! We strolled along the London Eye, Buckingham Palace. We got lost in Covent Garden, sampling street food and street art. And, of course, we had to squeeze in some shopping on Streets.
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End of chapter!
note:
Anderson's tradition:
Every clan has a head that makes the rule for the clan. But Anderson's are different as they follow generations of tradition. Even though Anderson's have a head of the clan to make decisions, the person who is the oldest among in Reyes, Anderson or Archer. the oldest is called grandmaster. Before the head of the clan makes a decision they have to ask the grandmaster for approval. Reyes and Archer are the walls of Anderson's. They are family of Anderson's but still considered as 2 different clans.