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Ivy
The light went dim the moment Caramel's voice got amplified by the microphone hanging on the stand, right in front of her. A dull maroon spotlight fell on her as she sang Just me and you by The dreamliners. At least they had good taste in music here. I was beginning to think they never snatched any good stuff from the outside.
The Hub was packed as usual, people silently talking, while some just drank and ate dinner, as they listened to Caramel's surprisingly angelic voice. I just watched her, my mind present but absent at the same time.
Quiet.
That's exactly how everything had been since the whole Michelle ordeal. No problems, no drama, and no word from Glory.
There was just... Nothing.
I was worried. Glory wasn't one to stay away from Ethan for so long... And even more so, now that he and I spent lesser time apart. All she had ever wanted was our separation, so why was she quiet now?
A sick feeling brewed within me, it felt like she was lurking around, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Ethan on the other hand, wasn't the slightest bit worried, and even if he was, he was doing a hell of a great job to keep it all in check.
Speaking of Ethan, my gaze broke from Caramel and sled over to my side to see him easily texting someone on his phone. Almost like he sensed me staring at him, he looked up from the device.
"What?" He asked, not bothering to hide the screen of his phone, maybe because the number he was texting wasn't saved on his phone... Or maybe it was something else. Honestly, I didn't really care about who he was texting because I knew if it was important he would most definitely have told me about it; then again, he didn't really have to.
I shook my head, silently answering a nothing.
His eyes searched mine before a frown and a smile took hold of his face at the same time. He tapped my forehead with his index finger, making me scrunch my nose and squint my eyes.
"You're thinking again." He brought to words, the obvious.
I narrowed my eyes at him "It's hard not to think, Ethan. I mean I can't believe you're not thinking about it right now? Don't you feel it? The last time everything went silent, it was a disaster, I feel like we should be doing something."
He sighed, dropping his phone on the table. "I know. But it's a good thing our guard isn't down. We're prepared for anything."
"Are we?" I asked, turning slightly so I could face him. "Okay, so maybe we are... But the Rebel-lions haven't received any major threat asides from the inc social media rants and drama, that's not making a move... Is it?"
"It's something. You know this is gonna take a lot of time, right?"
I let out a breath. "I know, but... I'm just so worried, I can't help but worry cause Glory hasn't-- Glory hasn't reacted to any of this... Neither has Dean."
"Dean isn't exactly in support of the Inc either."
"But-"
"Ivy," Ethan stopped me, placing his hand atop mine. "Stop thinking for a minute, and actually see the good we're doing here. The inc wasn't created in a day, it took years and years to bring this all to life. We can't bring it down in one day. The first step is spreading awareness, and that's exactly what we're doing."
"Yes we're doing it, but we're not getting the attention we ought to be getting."
"I'm working on that, and soon enough we will."
It took a moment for his words to register. I furrowed my brows. "What do mean?" I questioned.
He hesitated, his eyes moving around before falling back on mine, the look of worry and cautiousness dancing in them.
I gestured for him to let it out.
"Okay, the day we made Rebel-lions official, a video of your speech was made, as you know. We never posted it because we've been looking for a way to get it to everyone at once... And I kinda found a way. I was texting Roman and Ralph about it."
I raised my brows. "Okay? So uh... What's the way?"
He gulped. "There's a device, more like a server that's connected to the whole Inc... It has been used a few times to give out mass information to everyone at the sane time."
"Okay?"
"Well, Roman has a way of hacking into it to make the video go live through that device, but he needs the password."
I nodded slowly, taking everything in. "So, where's the password, how do we get it?"
He hesitated again before answering. "There's only one person who has that password. And there's only one place I can get it."
I raised a brow, my brain catching up to what he was implying, really slowly.
"Glory is the only one who has the password, and to find Glory, I have to go to her home.... Inside the Facility."
"N-" I began to object but he stopped me, his voice overlapping mine.
"Mind you, I used to live there, so it's totally fine-"
"Of course not," I replied indignantly. "It's the facility, whatever goes in there, stays in there-"
"Yes, and here I am... I mean, I'm not going to go into the main Facility where the offices are, just her home... It's not even close to the real Facility." He said like it was the most normal thing out there.
"We're talking about Glory, Ethan. You can't just waltz into her home asking for the password of a device capable of sending a mass message to the whole freaking dimension!" I whisper yelled.
He chuckled. "I'm not just gonna ask her... I'm gonna warm my way in. There's a file she keeps in her study room, that's where most important stuff are laid out, I'm positive the password to each of her accounts are there, because well, she keeps a record of everything to be on the safer side."
"I don't like this." I stated.
"I'm just gonna walk in and walk out, trust me, she'll be extremely happy to see me." He chuckled.
"Can't I come with?"
He shook his head. "No, I don't want you anywhere near Glory."
"I don't want you anywhere near her either." I injected immediately.
He frowned, looking a bit taken aback. "You know she's not gonna hurt me right?"
"I know that... That's not the case, she is-" I stopped myself immediately, sighing and rubbing my eyes with my free hand. "I- I just don't trust her." I finally let out, my eyes meeting his confused gaze.
"I don't trust her too, Ivy. And I don't want to see her, but I have to, in order to get the password."
My head was all over the place. The last thing I wanted was for Ethan and Glory to meet up, not when Ethan is still oblivious to the fact that she's his mother, legally. And the fact that she was responsible for the fire at his home... All this in place, I'm not forgetting the fact that she may or may not have something to do with our connection, seeing as she was a nurse assigned to take care of us and the other babies.
I looked down at our joined hands.
What if she told him? What if somehow she figured out Roman and I figured everything together? What if she told him I knew?
I shook my head, looking up at his scrutinizing gaze. "No... No... We'll find another way, I can't let you meet Glory."
Confusion blessed his brows. "Why? I assure you that you have nothing to worry about, I-"
"It's not that Ethan," I snapped. "I just don't-- I don't think it's the best idea."
He went quiet, his eyes studying me like he was trying to read my mind.
After a full blown minute, he asked. "Is there something I should know?" He asked with a brow raised, his eyes watching my every movement.
My heart skipped a beat at his question, as I gulped, shaking my head. "N-no... There's- There's nothing."
He didn't look convinced, no one would look convinced, considering the guilt I could feel staining my whole face. But he didn't say anything about it.
"I just want you where it's safe. I won't be at peace knowing you're with her... I-"
He cupped my face. "I'll be fine." Was all he said, before placing a short kiss on my lips. "I promise I'll be fine, and afterwards, we'll meet back at my place, and I'll explain how it all went, okay?"
I swallowed. "Okay."
A notification sound made the screen on his phone turn back on. "I guess that's my cue." He said, grabbing his phone from the table, his eyes going through the text he received. "She's home now." he announced.
I didn't like this, not one bit, but regardless all, I nodded. I was sure he already knew I was hiding something from him. And the fact that he was waiting for me to tell him at my own time, pulled something deep within me. He trusted me not to hurt him, and I would make sure I didn't break that trust, ever again.
Ethan
Memories from when I was young, hit me the moment I stepped into the large but warm house. Everything was still as I remembered it. The placement of the furnitures, the vases carrying beautiful flowers that still looked like they stood in one time phase, never growing older, nor younger. Just like Glory herself.
My eyes couldn't help but roam around, stopping the moment I saw it.
I gulped down, the rhythm of my heart changing when my eyes caught a frame hanging on the wall, it was a picture of me, Lacy and Glory at the Purest sector carnival, it was the night I confessed my feelings to Lacy, the night that started all of Glory's acts till now. She had seen the whole thing, and she had hated it. Deeming Lacy the reason why I couldn't find my potential.
I resisted the urge to scoff loudly at how stupid that sounded.
"You're here."
I froze, my gaze detaching from the frame to find Glory, who stood elegantly, her whole attire was as always, professional. The only thing odd about it was the apron she had over it.
She noticed me staring, causing her to give a soft laugh. "Oh, when you texted me earlier today, I thought I could make us dinner? Like old times?"
I remained quiet.
Old times? Old times when she used to be good? When she used to be the person I looked up to? The person I called a mother? Old times when I would have laid down my own life for her? Old times when she manipulated me constantly? Brainwashed me into thinking I could have a proper life?
Emotions I had buried deep inside me for years, fought to claw their way back out, but I wasn't having any of that. I swallowed and took in a deep breath. "Is my room still- still intact?"
She smiled warmly. "Of course... I didn't have the heart to touch anything. But it's all there. This is your home Ethan, you're always welcome here."
I nodded. "Yeah."
I didn't know what else to say... She wasn't my favourite person right now, and pretending to actually stand her was harder than I thought it would be. "I'll just have a look around."
She smiled, her eyes not leaving mine as she took a few steps closer to me. I couldn't help but feel tense.
The last thing I wanted was for her to touch me.
I hated it.
I just hated the fact that I want to hate this woman but I just-- I just can't.
We had a really strong bond before she started ruining my life little by little. I trusted her, looked up to her, and everything I did, or before I made a decision I would ask myself, What Would Glory Do? There had been something about her from the start, something familiar.
The bond I had with Glory was more than the bond I shared with my real mother.
Glory was my family... My father, and my mother... She made sure to occupy those roles, and she did it very well.
When she started acting differently, it hurt because I just wanted to really hate her for everything, but it was impossible. I just couldn't stand her presence because each time I was near her, I wanted an explanation from her, an explanation I knew she wouldn't give. A good reason why she always tried to ruin my life, something aside from the potential rubbish, because each time I heard it, it just made me feel like all I meant to her, was an experiment gone wrong. It made me feel like she didn't really see me as the son she once called me.
She raised her hand and placed it tendly on my arm. "You can lie to everyone, but you can't lie to me Ethan. I know why you're really here. And it doesn't really matter, all that matters is that you're here and I really appreciate the fact that you didn't just sneak in and out. I really did want to see you."
My heart dropped so low in my stomach.
I shouldn't have been surprised... Glory knows just about... Well, everything.
"What's the password?" I asked.
She took her hand from my arm. "Anthony?" She spoke out softly to her personal AI.
"At your service miss Curt." Its voice resounded around the whole house.
"Kindly transfer the admin rights to the broadcast server over my son please?"
"Right away."
Immediately, my phone beeped, a new notification popping up.
"I just needed the password." I cleared up.
"Hacking into the server would get Mr. Huxley in trouble, trouble I have no control over. I'd rather it remains a mystery as to how the video went on air. Saves the kid the trouble."
Something isn't right.
"Why are you doing this? Last I recall, this goes against everything you believe in." I stated.
A small smile graced her face, her eyes softening. "Let's talk about that over dinner?"
I was filled with curiosity, so I didn't object.
Minutes into Dinner, I spoke up. "You still owe me an explanation."
"I know, how are you enjoying your food?"
"It's good. The explanation?" I injected immediately, wanting to leave this place as soon as possible.
She sighed, picking up her wine glass and taking a small sip before clearing her thoat and pinning her gaze on me.
I had long neglected the food on the table, not having the appetite to continue.
"I know how much this whole Rebel-lions thing means to Ivy. And I know how much Ivy means to you."
"Go on." I urged.
She looked nervous all of a sudden.
"Listen Ethan, I know I've messed up with you, a lot. And that day you returned to the ID, you said something about me seeing you as an experiment gone wrong. I did not mean to make you think that, and you could never be more wrong about your assumption. I have never seen you as an experiment gone wrong, I see you as a son, and I have spent years trying to make you understand that."
This should have been my cue to leave, cause as hard as I tried to convince myself that her words meant nothing to me. The more I held on to them.
"I know I've wronged you, countless times... First with Lacy, over to Fiona, To Ralph, and then to Ivy's Parents. I've- I've made mistakes..."
Her eyes were sincere, a look I had only seen her give to me whenever she tried to convince me that she was only trying to protect me.
"I just wanted you to be happy, and I just realized all those times that- that I thought I was helping you, I was- I was actually doing the opposite. The last thing I want is your hate, and-- and that's too late, I already ruined everything. I made a mistake, and as much as I hate to admit it..." She paused, took a deep breath and continued. "...I'm still human after all."
That took me by surprise. This was something Glory would have never admitted even if there was a grenade to her feet.
"And when I saw how close you were getting to Ivy, I- I just couldn't bear the thought of you getting close to a human, because all they ever do is hurt you. And I wanted to protect you from that. I didn't want you to go through what I went through. Humans they- they would throw you aside with just a little mistake from you, they would ruin your life without a second thought.... I was scared for you, that's why- that's why I did everything in my power to seperate the both of you. But that was a mistake, I shouldn't have gone that far, and for that, I'm sorry."
My walls broke, I didn't even feel it breaking, but it did. Because I searched, I searched for a reason to turn my back against this woman, but I found none. Here she was, doing everything I'd expected her to do from the start, everything I had hoped and pray for her to do.
"I'm so sorry for hurting you Ethan, if I could- If I could take back everything I did, I would. You have to believe me, I would." A lone tear fell down her left cheek.
"All these years, I didn't see the error of my ways, I just wanted you away from all dangers. Just like a mother would. I wanted to protect you, but I went about it the wrong way." She sniffed, wiping her tears. Smiling softly. "I've been watching Ivy. She really does care about you. She really does love you. And if you want to be with her, who am I to stop you? You both are great for each other, and I promise, I won't ever interfere." She assured me. "I think that's enough of that." She smiled. "I really do hope one day you would- you would forgive me for everything. Even if it takes years."
I was speechless, not knowing exactly what to say. I believed her, but I wasn't going to let her see that, and I wasn't going to let this go easily. "So what? You're okay with the Rebel-lions?"
She sighed. "You know better than anyone that this is a lost cause Ethan... It's all gonna blow up one day... I know it'll be useless to stop Ethan and Ivy." She chuckled. "So I'm gonna give you a chance to talk her out of it... Because a lot of people are gonna get hurt, Ethan. You know that going against the dimension is fatal, you've seen the outcomes."
"This would be nothing like those."
She only smiled and shrugged. "If you believe so." She picked up her wine, her composed smile back to her face. "Dinner's getting cold."
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Vote and Comment!
If you follow me on Instagram, you'd have seen my announcement about finishing this book this year, but the way things are going in the OUTSIDE world for me, that's impossible. But let's see how it goes?
Bless me with you comments so I can update faster!
What did you think about Glory in this chapter? Sincere of insincere? State your reason;-)
Ivy needs to tell Ethan about everything she knows before Glory spills, do you agree?
According to Ivy, it has been really quiet? What do you say we turn up the heat and give them some noise?
Speaking of noise... Why do you think the Inc Lords have been so silent?
I made an official accout for the series on Instagram. Very soon, it'll be designed and I'll start posting teasers, spoilers and Fanarts! You'll find the full cast link on the account, and you can even suggest yours, so head on to (theroboticseries) on Instagram, give my babies a follow and hang in there!
A/N and Announcement.
Let's talk a little bit about the Fan arts!
I planned on doing this after the first book is completed, but then I decided that it was better to start now!
I want us to be all involved in this journey, and I don't just want it to be about reading and stuff, I want us all to participate, and build a lovely family from this.
If you're here, reading this in 2022 or whenever you stumble across this... You can still participate.
Here are examples of some fanarts you can submit to me.
⢠book cover designs
⢠drawing of how you think the Rebel-lions logo looks like, drawings of how you imagine the characters, drawings of how you think the sectors look like... Anything else that comes to your mind.
⢠a design of any kind, maybe it's just you writing the word "Rebel-lions" with a cool font, lol... It'll be featured either way.
⢠your favourite quote from the book!
⢠any design or anything that comes to your mind.
You can send this to me via my email address, you'll find it on my bio here on wattpad.
I have a little something something in mind when the first book is completed... Clue: (if you are a writer, or have ever dreamed of writing a scene from this book you want to read so bad! Get your gears ready *smirk*
Please tell me what you think about this announcement! Are you excited and ready to participate, or you don't really care, lol. I hope it's the first one.
Please comment your thoughts... *cries and begs for your beautiful fingers to start commenting* lol
Please do recommend this book to your friends if you really enjoy it!
See you guys in the next update! Which hopefully, will be soon!
Keep away from the cold!
Nora xx