That's right. The comfort we get in our home couldn't be found anywhere else, no matter what. And, when we are outside our comfort zone, we realize the importance of those little things, our parents take care of. 

Janet Tyler couldn't sleep no matter how hard she tried. One was because of her uncle's snoring next room and second. . .  she couldn't understand. Being scared of dark or loneliness was not of her forte, she was habituated to it. Habituated with the scary nightmares, but still, she couldn't sleep. The nightmare haunted her. Whenever she felt her eyelids close, the hairs on the back of her neck rose in alarm and she got chills. . .

Every time she tried to close her eyes; two things kept continuously float in her mind.

Blood and roses...

The whole night went like that. . .

"Jane? Jane..."

A faint knocking sound was heard. Janet felt like someone was calling her in her dream, she herself didn't know when she fell asleep after the haunting of that nightmare, she didn't know the voice that was calling her continuously telling her to wake up... but she didn't want to. Then at once the telephone started ringing, she felt as if she woke up to pick it up but couldn't hear the voice of the call.

"Janet?" 

But her conscience told her that she wasn't dreaming. And then in a flash, she woke up. 

Four missed calls from Mom. One missed call from Dad.

Uncle Edwin was continuously knocking on the door.

"Oh my!" Janet mumbled under her breath. "I'm up Uncle Edwin!" And then she got off of the bed and rushed to brush her teeth, and combed her hair quickly because she didn't want her uncle to wait any longer. The moment Janet opened the door, Uncle Edwin stumbled inside the room.

"Janet! I was worried sick!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Janet put her hands above her head in defeat. "Actually, I didn't sleep well at night and didn't know when I fell asleep at dawn. I'm sorry."

"Ah! That's okay. I was worried if you were... you know, if you somehow passed out. Because the journey was long, and I know you don't have that habit─"

"I understand."

"Oh, come on now, I totally forgot. You have to go meet the chairman today too, so I'm making the appointment." Uncle Edwin reached out for his phone and typed a number, then as soon as the call was received, he moved to the other room. She also went for her mobile to call her mom back, because she knew her mom would get a heart attack if she doesn't call her now and say that she was fine. The moment she was about to call Uncle Edwin's loud voice was heard, "Breakfast is at table Jane! Ask Maria, if you need anything."

She sighed. Tapping the floor beneath her feet she dialed her mom's number, after assuring her that she wasn't eaten up by any dinosaur she kept the mobile aside and silently finished her breakfast.

⭑⁎꙳⭒☪︎⭒꙳⁎⭑

"I believe the name of the place was Cheveroux?"

"I know. That's 18km from here. And your meeting with Mr. William will be at 8 AM. That means we have half an hour. Easy... if there is less traffic we will be reaching there before time."

"How'd you know?"

Uncle Edwin stayed silent for a minute then answered, "Your father had told me, Jane. Or else how would I know?"

"Mr. William's the chairman?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Feels like I've heard this name."

"He's the chairman Jane. Of course, you had heard about him."

"No. Not in that way, but─"

"We should go now."

Janet narrowed her eyes and looked at her uncle who was wearing the wristwatch. There was definitely something that her uncle was hiding. Or... avoiding. 

But what's there to avoid? Or... I must say why does he want to avoid it?

"Janet, I'll be late today from work, so after you're done with the meeting just message me, and I'll send the car for you. And Maria will be there... in case you need anything."

"Okay..."

There was indeed a long traffic for which she was already going to be 5 minutes left, when the traffic ended Edwin tore through the street like a bullet, slamming the breaks right on time.

"Bye Uncle Edwin."

"Bye! Good luck!"

𝓡𝓲𝓮𝓸𝓶𝓫 𝓒𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓽, 𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓸𝓾𝔁 

PIN⤏𝟒𝟎𝟑𝟕𝟕𝟏,

𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Janet devoured everything through her eyes. The moment her eyes fell on the signboard of the famous court of France, her heart skipped a beat. She was truly lucky. She was having a hard time believing if really, she was standing in front of her dream court.

Janet went through the reception.

"How can I help you ma'am?" A sweet woman maybe in her 20s asked her.

"Uh... I had an appointment with Mr. William today. Kindly..." She trailed off not knowing what to say, she had heard her father do these things sometimes, but that was her first time, she flushed feeling embarrassed.

"Ah! Janet Tyler, yes?"

"Yes."

"This way ma'am."

She led her to the room and left. Janet's heartbeat quickened as she softly knocked on the door.

"Come in!" A deep and rough voice called her from inside.

Janet closed her door behind her gently and came forward, feeling nervousness taking control over her. The cool area with this calm, composed man gave her chills.

"Good morning, Mr. William. I'm Janet."

"Ah! Janet Tyler. I've heard about you." He smiled and brought his hand forward.

"How...?" Janet was confused.

"My number is on the official website and your father had called me last night. He told me how interested and dedicated you are." 

Janet looked down shyly.

"And we are here Janet Tyler..." He got up from his seat, "To take your talent to the best level."

"From the past few years, only one person had been in the first position. Arthur William. Is it possible for someone to win every single time?"

Mr. William smiled, "I don't know. I guess he just plays well."

"Are you sure, his parents aren't taking advantage of this institute?"

But she stopped.

How the hell did I tell him that? How??? Am I dumb or something? How could talk to my chairman that way?

"It's okay Janet. I've heard it too. But, I guess you don't always have to believe what they say, right?"

"Right, Mr. William. I'm sorry... I just heard some rumors."

"It's okay Janet. Focus on your aim and career. Here, you'll get space, the best coach and self-practice rooms. Only you have to focus, learn, get ready, and go!"

"Thanks, Mr. William, and uh... about the hostel room."

"Oh right! I'm giving you my number, message me for a reminder, you know I forget sometimes, because of all these works."

"Okay, sir! Thank you!"

"Also, you may get a roommate, because all the single rooms have been already booked. Are you comfortable?"

"I... I actually don't have the habit of sharing a bed, but I'll adjust. Thank you."

"Good Janet! I like your nature, you're always into learning something new."

"Thank you, sir..." Janet blushed looking down.

"Goodluck. You may go now, and call or message me if you get any problem."

"Sure, sir!"

Janet liked the nature of the man. Full of positivity.

After that, Janet came out. Her nervousness was gone, as the words given by Mr. William made her confident. 

I can do it. Why can't I? 

The street was mostly empty. There weren't many people at that time, because of the office hours she assumed.

Message

                                                                                                                                                                                               Me:                                                                                                                        💬Uncle Edwin, the meeting is done.

    Mr. William is a very nice person. 

Going to tell you everything, once we reach home. 

What are you doing? 08:31 AM

Uncle Edwin:

💬Nice champion! 

I'm sending you the car.

And to answer your next question, I'm 

carrying a huge file that I have to submit before 

evening.

Life sucks :( 08:33 AM

Me:

💬Lol. Righttt! And thanks! :) 08:33 AM

⭑⁎꙳⭒☪︎⭒꙳⁎⭑

Janet reached home quicker than she expected. As expected, Maria was there cleaning the house. She smiled as Janet entered. Janet smiled back.

"Do you need something?" Maria asked cleaning the tea table, where Janet kept her bag, and laid down on the sofa.

"Coffee, please. And, are you done with your work?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Please call me Jane. And, make yourself one too. Let's chit-chat for a while!" Janet chirped.

"But─"

"No buts. I really like you, and want to know about you more!"

Maria blushed.

"Okay, ma─Janet. Oh god! It feels so awkward."

"Hearing myself as ma'am sounds more awkward."

Janet went from door to door and then stopped at one.

Mini Library

"Maria, it's really a mini library?" Janet shouted from there.

"Yes!" Came a faint sound from the kitchen. Maria was making coffee she assumed. 

She tried to open the door, but it didn't open, it wasn't locked either, I mean... it didn't look like it. She shook the door more vigorously; it looked like an antique door that's what attracted her towards it. When Maria came with the tray, Janet asked her, "I can't open the door. Do you have the key to this room?"

"I don't have access to every room, so no I don't have it. It's his personal room, I guess."

"What books does this room have?"

"I don't know, I'm new here."

"Oh! That makes sense. But I really want to open it. You try please?"

Maria twisted the handle then uplifted it a little, and the door opened with a creak.

"I don't know, how I did that." Maria looked pale because after that it'll be normal to suspect her every time anything gets stolen. But Janet wasn't in the mood to think about all those then.

"You're a genius!" She exclaimed as she hurried through the door, looking at all the books.

"Shouldn't you take permission from him? I mean... he doesn't let anybody enter this room."

"He'll let me. But still, if you insist, I'll tell him later. Now, that I'm here, there's no point in asking him."

"Fine."

As there was a couch, Janet sat down on it and took out a book. 'The murder in the last bus.'

"You really love reading mystery books, don't you? And, here's your coffee, it'll go cold." Maria spoke as she took a sip from her cup. Janet smiled.

"Yes."

"Me too!"

"What? You love reading books?"

"Of course, just because I'm working here, doesn't mean I don't love reading books."

Janet laughed, "Then we will be a perfect match, in here. Though, I don't know for how many days I'll be staying here."

Maria didn't answer as her eyes were glued to the first page; Janet had opened. And together, they started reading although none of them had a habit of reading in front of anyone, both required a lonely and calm environment... but they stuck together for the story.

During dinner, Janet informed him about everything and also apologized for entering his room without his permission, although Edwin didn't seem to mind as they finished dinner together.

Janet succumbed to sleep just before reading a message, which popped into her mobile after dinner.

Mr. William:

💬Janet Tyler,

This is to inform you that, your room is ready now, 

you can join whenever you want. But it'll be good

if you join early because the practices will start

 tomorrow. Also, I forwarded you the coach's

number. Call him for other details. 

Wishing you good luck!

Regards,

Mr. William. 12:30 AM

Me:

💬 Thank you for the information, sir. 12:31 AM

Well yeah... updating after so many days!!

Any thoughts?

Thank you for reading! ♡