Hello my dear readers. Am sure that you may have noticed the change in the book content. I originally intended Emerging to be just twenty chapters but as I kept on writing, I discovered it was too long to put into twenty chapters. Hence, the former A, B sequence. But my cousin suggested sth to me. She said I should just make it chapter 1, 2,3 and so on. So am going with it. From this point in Emerging, I intend to go straight to the point, I've delayed the gist of the story for too long. All in all, Emerging should have about 37 chapters in total. I need your help to make this work. So, please vote and comment.Forgive my descriptive skills as well.

Phoebe's POV:

I plopped onto the four-poster bed in exhaustion. Lady Aria didn't lie when she said that the room provided for me was similar and even better than the one I had at home. The wall was painted white and all the furniture in the room was white as well. I loved that the bed was covered in pretty coral and gray bedding and it was so comfy.

There was a walk-in closet where Lady Aria had taken pleasure in organizing dresses for me, as well as shoes, jewellery, bags which I thought was a little excessive. The bathroom was to die for. A bathtub the size of a small pool and the entire sparkle of the bathroom was inviting. I felt I was in heaven. And the view from the window overlooked a private beach. Uh-huh, the Ellicotts owned a private beach. The mansion was huge and reeked of luxury. I couldn't wait to explore.

The Ellicotts were wonderful people, that much I had realized in my stay there. It still all felt surreal, I mean come on, I am in the frigging Ellicotts' residence. ELLICOTT. They are like the most supreme, most dominant Royals ever and am their guest. Even my wildest dreams wouldn't find me here. 

And then there was Zachary. So far, I commended myself for doing a splendid job around him. Every time he is around, I can't breathe and I am acutely aware of hie every move, which is disconcerting. The hold the guy had over me was that strong which left me wondering how 'd be able to survive living in the same house with him for two weeks with his room merely a door away from mine. I guess I have to forget about the second part or I'd really not survive here at all. I mean, the guy was not just sort of my personal bodyguard and trainer, he even fixed snacks for me. How could I not get reeled in?

And then, Elaine. With the awkward air between us, I am not sure how living with her would turn out like. I only can hope she doesn't chew me alive.

I turned on my side lost in thought when gradually, my eyelids began to shut. I had no idea when I drifted off to sleep but the next thing I remembered was being shaken awaken awake by very strong arms. My eyes fluttered open but the image of the person was so blurred it took a moment to come into focus.

"Zach?" I called. Why did he look worried? He heaved a sigh of relief and stepped away from me much to my dismay. Great, now am just being pathetic. I got to a sit-up position and rubbed my eyes.

"I thought you were having one of those dreams." Zach muttered.

 "I wasn't. Whatever your dad gave me yesterday works wonders." I assured him.

"That is good to know. Dad is waiting for you outside. In the garden by the warm springs. You'll find it easily. You have meditation class with him." his tone wasn't standoffish but he seemed like he wanted to bolt out of the room any second. Perhaps, I made him uncomfortable. That hurt.

"Alright. Thanks for letting me know. I'll get ready." I to. " ld him. He simply nodded and exited. I got ready in a few minutes and found my way downstairs. One of the house maids directed me to the garden and I thanked her.

There was a trail-like path leading up to the garden. The natural scent from the flowers arrested and I took a deep breath. How refreshing. I walked in to the garden and paused. It was beautiful. I watched around in amazement as I took note of every detail within sight. Suddenly, I sensed a movement behind me and I turned sharply but it was only Sir Adrain.

"Your Majesty," I genuflected.

"There will be no need for that if I am to be training you." he said. I nodded.  "So, we are here to meditate." He said striding to stand beside me. I noticed his appearance first. He was in a loose cotton wear and looked at ease unlike his stiffness when in suits.

"The first key to meditation is to find an environment devoid of the bustle and hustle of everyday life. A place to simply find release and calmness of mind." he said shutting his eyes and inhaling deeply. Sir Adrain, I observed was a very handsome man even at fifty-two years of age. He had strawberry blonde which was in a simple casual haircut making him look far younger than his age. His facial features were very defined and chiseled. He didn't only look like an older version of Zachary but he seemed very similar to him as well. And the strongest similarity the both of them shared to me at that moment was their familiarity. I couldn't shake the feeling that I've met the both of them before.

"Meditation is the medicine to the mind," he continued, "It has helped me focus on things that I ordinarily would have naturally overlooked. Meditation has helped decrease my anxiety on different occasions, it decreases my need for sleep," he glanced me but I made no movement and he continued.

"Naturally, meditation increases your perception of your environment, something I've observed you have no problem with. And it also increases your perception towards people around you and makes you more compassionate if need be. Meditation improves your memory and much more. Above all, constant meditation has made me a good leader. I won't tell you how much you need meditation given the power you possess but I know you know."

I nodded quietly. He found a spot and plopped down onto it, sitting cross-legged, I followed suit. He instructed me to shut my eyes and take a deep breath, to slowly and rhythmically breathe in and out. He instructed I let my thoughts flow and let all the junk out of my head. I soon got the hang of it and repeated it again.

Thoughts ran through my mind, most of it junk and irrelevant. A memory of some kind diffused into focus and I found myself drawn in. I was 12. There was a sort of crisis at home. Dad had quit his job and mom wasn't pleased at all. Dad assured her that he had done the right thing by quitting since his bosses were corrupt and were bound to be found out soon but mom had retorted by asking what happens then. Dad had faith he'd get another job but mom thought he was ridiculous since jobs were scarce especially for 'normals'. Things had turned sour at home as mom became the bread winner.

At that age, all I wanted was to comfort dad somehow and that somehow seemed to backfire as mom was mad at me as well. School was difficult. I had no friends, nobody to lean on and even my siblings had their own issues. To describe that point in my life would be quite difficult. I wasn't even let to be at school. I became a victim of bullying and there was no one there for me. I couldn't even tell dad because I didn't want him bothered more than he already was and had to pretend that my injuries were as a result of my clumsiness and without further prodding, they believed it. Not that I could blame them but I wanted them, needed them to pay more attention.

To alleviate my sufferings, I became subservient to a group of girls at school who wanted me for my brains in exchange of making everyone leave me alone. In honest, I had no choice but to accept. If I refused, heaven help me, those girls would have thoroughly destroyed me.

Though I accepted, I wasn't quite left alone. Most people now picked on me because I was the social climber, scheming, manipulative wench. In truth, it became worse and I often got in trouble with my teachers who never hesitated to call my parents and tell me what a bad apple I was turning. Mom was furious with me. I was mostly grounded and neither Lexi nor Dylan had anything to say to comfort me. They even avoided me for good measure.

One evening changed all that. We had just finished making dinner when mom asked me to take out the trash. I had obeyed. Just as I shut the trash bin, Dana one of the girls from school stood before me. I involuntarily jumped back. What was she doing there?

"Surprise!" she said her eyes glinting mischievously. I staggered backwards.

"What are you doing here?" I asked shakily.

"Well, I was just around the neighborhood and decided to see you. Why, aren't you pleased to see me?" She inquired feigning hurt. I gulped.

"I don't know what game you are playing at the moment but I suggest you leave right away. I have no business with you." I managed in as much as a confident tone as I could.

"Ouch! What nerve. You, the nobody daring to talk to me. You think Kim and her group can prevent me from having my way with you. Oh, you haven't seen anything yet." In a flash, she slapped me, hard. Before I could recover, she pushed me onto the ground and kicked me in the stomach. I curled further even as I willed myself not to show any signs of weakness but I couldn't fight back, I didn't have the guts and I was small in stature or so I thought, I just let her do what she wanted.

I was eventually dragged to a corner where the three other girls joined in. All had a specific reason for hitting me. I felt angry and helpless. And I hated those feelings. I've let them hurt me for as long as I could remember and I wanted it to stop, it had to stop. I wanted a life for myself. I recalled an entry I made in my journal where I wrote a date, today's date where things would eventually go the way they are meant to. I'd find a friend, a real friend, dad would get a really good job, mom would stop being upset all the time and we could finally be a happy family. It had to happen, I told myself, it simply had to. Life had been unfair to me for too long, just this once, things had to be right.

That's when he came in, my hero, an Akita of about 22 inches and 120 Ibs. He blew my mind. In a flash, he knocked off every single girl and snarled at any of them who dared to take a step toward me. They fled out of terror but when the dog turned to me, I wasn't afraid. For the first time in my life, I felt protected and the feeling was exhilarating.

Somehow, despite what the family faced at the time, I convinced them to let me keep the dog despite their protests. I wasn't one for big dogs but I fell in love with Killian on first sight. He became everything to me afterwards. My white Akita that everyone envied because he became my, our; the entire family's good luck charm. Killian's eyes were always so unique for a dog and I'd forever know those eyes anywhere.

I finally saw myself kiss Killian goodnight as I drifted off the bed with him by my side and my eyes fly open in the present. I exhaled. I noticed it was late in the evening and wondered what happened.

"You were out long. What happened?" Sir Adrian asked. He still was in position beside me with his eyes shut and jaw line set.

"I don't know." I admitted. He opened his eyes and stared at me, somehow urging me to speak and I did.

"I saw myself reliving a memory from my growing up years." I confessed. "It... it... felt so real. I was scared to be there again at first but the latter part of it was worth it. It reminded me of why I am who I am today. It has also led me to believe that even back then, I might have been able to write fate when I felt strongly convicted about something."

"This is amazing. Meditation works differently for different people but has similar end results. You are the first person I know on her first lesson has been able to delve into a fraction of her memory. Good job Phoebe." he said quietly. "It's about 7.00pm now, we should go in. Our next class will be in the morning at 6.30am after your morning jug."

I inwardly winced. There definitely was no playing around in this place. "Yes Sir." we both rose to our feet and walked back to the house in silence. My head was filled with diverse thoughts. Elaine would be home and I had to face her. I owed her an apology and a solid explanation. But first...

I turned to Sir Adrian and genuflected as confidently as I could muster. "Thank you sir. For having me here and teaching me. Thank you for protecting me once again" The first protection had been from Killian.

"You are welcome. Now, those issues causing you restlessness, go fix them. Have your dinner first."
He smiled warmly.

"Thank you sir." I returned gratefully.

Unfortunately, I met Elaine at dinner but I was grateful that it was just me and her. For some reason, Zachary had eaten earlier and retired early. She didn't seem fazed to see me. Her expression was neutral, unlike anything that I have ever seen of her. I gulped but managed to take a seat opposite her. Say grace quietly and start to eat. Elaine never acknowledged my presence, she merely acted as though I wasn't even there and it hurt. I put down my fork and stared at her. She ignored me still and I cleared my throat.

"Would you stop it?" Elaine snapped.

"She speaks." I exclaimed trying to be cheerful  but Elaine went back to acting aloof. I sighed and slumped into my seat. "Am sorry." I said. She ignored me still. "Elaine, please talk to me. Am sorry for acting like I did. I behaved badly and I feel ashamed of myself right now for everything I've done."

She set her fork down and stared at me straight into the eye. I flinched and turned away from her cold stare. "What exactly are your crimes?" she asked.

"I was an ingrate, totally did not deserve you, don't still but I want to try this time."

"Why? Because you are staying in my house at the moment, is that it?" she sounded hurt. "You want to get on my good side while you are here and then after you are gone, you'll end up ignoring me again."

"I never ignored you. I just didn't mix well with you." I said quietly.

"Is that so? You didn't mix well in what aspect? Tell me right now, I need to know."

"Elaine, you are someone who deserves better than a mere normal who just wants to get through Pris Tine because of it's influence in my future path. I don't want to use you or anyone for that matter, I've been used and I don't ever want anyone to experience that ." I said.

"Have you also experienced that feeling of being exposed to the world as though all of your person is displayed on a canvas for the world to see and they make a mockery of you without even stopping to think for a second how it must feel being in your shoes? I felt that way when I reached out to you Phoebe, and you just reached out making me feel hopeful and then completely withdrawing, shattering me." Elaine said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Am so sorry. I didn't intend that you should feel that way. I thought it was best if I kept my distance given your history and reputation." I whispered but she heard anyway.

"Stop with that talk on reputation and history. It's crap. I have history, so what. Am a Royal and Zach is my brother, so what? Am me. No matter what life throws at me, am Elaine Naomi Ellicott. Always and forever. I'd still trust blindly, love and give with all of my might even though I know I'd get hurt but I don't care. I just want to live my life. Am not ice, I feel things I don't want to but then again, I guess that is where fate is messing with me. Am strong physically and fear nothing but emotionally, am in shambles. What to do?" she shrugged as the tears streamed down her lovely face. "I'll live. I'll survive and I'll keep on fighting until an happy. I can't give up."

I felt truly horrible. I didn't know what to say. I messed up big time. "Elaine, please let me make it up to you somehow. I didn't know better so please give me a chance to right my wrongs." I said. The croak in my throat alerted me that I was crying as well.

Elaine furiously wiped her tears away. "No." she said regaining composure.

"No?" Was all hope really lost for me and Elaine. "El..."

"No." she met my gaze but they weren't cold anymore. In fact, there was a spark to them "You don't have to make it up to me. I forgive you. You'll be staying for two weeks, I heard. Let's see what will become of us within this duration." her voice was calm and held no malice or condescension in it. I wanted to do a victory dance but it wasn't quite over and if I must say, I did like where we were at that point.

Morning jog was with Elaine and Zachary within the estate. Those two were so fit and had enviable endurance. I always thought I ran fine but compared to those two, I was a snail.

I spoke with the family the previous night on the phone informing them that I had arrived safely in Europe and it was going to be a blast. They were so excited and asked I take as much pictures as I could. I honestly missed them but what I was there for was also very important.

"Phoebe, you will need to jog twice everyday to work on your stamina and your speed." Zach said after the forty-five minutes run that left me panting. They couldn't be serious. "After your meditation with class, you have a class with another trainer who wouldn't be me. So, be ready." he said and walked back to house so casually without as much as glancing back. What was his problem? I can't seriously be crushing on someone that cold? It's just because he had Killian's eyes. Killian's eyes! That's it! That's why I like him. It's just it and it 'll pass.

"Ignore him." Elaine said. "He is strict, true but he is a real sweet heart. He'll come around." she gave me an apologetic smile. "I have to go get ready for school. See you later." she waved me and sauntered back into the house. I waved back.  At least I still had Elaine or just got her back.

Meditation with Sir Adrian was peaceful and quite relaxing. He taught me a few new things which I learnt graciously. I was curious to see my trainer for the day as I headed back to the training room.

I stopped in my tracks when a most familiar face turned.

"Alvina?"

"Hello, baby girl." she said grinning. What the hell was I into?