"SIYA Iyyer?" A handsome young man in his early thirties forwarded steady steps towards her. He had a jovial charisma which was complementing his dark brown hair and ocean blue eyes.

Siya stood holding a confused stare in her eyes as he came closer and forwarded his hands.

"Jasper Borges. You have applied for the position of teacher in the Wilson Manor right?" He smilingly asked. Siya shook hands with him. "Hey Jasper. Nice to meet you" She re-adjusted the strap of her backpack.

"Is the position full time.." Siya fumbled, fidgeting her fingers "I mean.. I know it was mentioned in the Ad. But full time home tutor sounds...umm..strange". She adjusted her coat and slipped her hands in the denim pocket.

Jasper passed her a sly smile. "Yes. The position is full time, live in. And I know this sounds weird for the position of a home tutor. But you are also paid way more than a private tutor is, moreover your meals are free"

She smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. I mean. 35 thousand bucks for a home tutor.. Mr. Steve Wilson is a generous person indeed"

"You'll know.." He said gripping the handle of her trolley bag. "But how about we get into the car before resuming this introductory chit chat?"

Siya stared in amusement. She had been standing in the Inter state bus terminal of Guwahati to start for the journey to her new work place but in a way she was glad that Jasper was here to fetch her to the manor since she was pretty new in the north eastern arena. And as a inhabitant of a metropolitan like Chennai, she wasn't really used to this place.

"Don't worry I can" She carried the trolley bag herself and as she followed him the wheels rolled behind her.

Her eyes went to the black SUV parked on the roadside. Jasper opened the trunk of the car and kept her trolley bag inside. Then he motioned her to get inside, while he went to sit in the driver's seat.

Getting inside the car, Siya suddenly felt a shiver running down her spine. Just for a moment she felt that someone was sitting beside her. She snapped her head to her right side but saw no one. A look of confusion got spread over her face.

"Are you okay?" She heard Jasper asking. She turned to him and saw him looking at her through the rear view mirror.

"Yeah... I am fine." She replied, still unsure about what she just saw.

He twisted the ignition key, starting the car. Siya decided to look outside at the scenic view, trying to distract herself from what just happened. At first, she could see the cottages with painted roofs at some distance. But strangely the houses were located at a distance of five minutes walk from one another.

After sometime the only thing she could see was the mountains; Quite pointy, spectral, distant and tall with a veil of mist. On the other side, her eyes envisaged a deep and horridly black ditch, peering down from where she could see the miniature model of Guwahati she left behind.

"Enjoying the view?" Jasper asked eyeing her from the rear view mirror.

"It is good but not like Chennai. You know I grew up near the sea so mountains and hills are not my thing." She replied shrugging her shoulder.

"I grew up watching beaches too" He mouthed "Just like you, I am from a metropolitan as well"

"You aren't a local?" She asked.

"Nope." He replied taking a left turn "I am born and brought up in Mumbai."

"Mumbai?" Astonishment washed her face "Then what brings you here?"

"Love." He grinned foolishly. "My lady love belongs here."

On seeing her puzzled face he decided to go further and explain. "Eleanor is the first cousin of Mr. Steve Wilson. Since they are a joint family, they dwell in the manor together"

"How did you meet her then?" Siya felt her intrigue rising all of a sudden. She could barely control this curiosity of hers whenever she encountered a sugar coated real life story of love. Since she wasn't really used to it. Her parents were never in love. Nor was she. So her faith in this mythical existence of love is affirmed by such stories now.

"Eleanor came to Mumbai to study in the St. Xaviers college and our paths crossed there. We were in love and inseparable. She even got placed in a company but her brother wanted her in Shillong again. He offered her a full time position in their factory. I followed her here. And guess what, I have a work now."

Siya gave her head a delicate shake. "I can't believe that you left Mumbai to be here. Your parents are okay with it?"

"Of course they are." He mumbled. "And now north east in general and Shillong in particular has my heart. I love this place so much and have no freaking idea why people all over India are still ignorant of it's beauty"

Siya smiled at him. She couldn't deny his words she knew.

"Are the Wilsons local? I mean originally from Meghalaya?" She interrogated.

"Not really. They are descendants from Goa. In the mid 70s, two teenage brothers named Jason and Joseph ran away from their Goa home to set up their own enterprise." Jasper paused to breath. "They landed up in Shillong and years and years thereafter they had started their own cement manufacturing industry. They married local women and bought the manor. The two brothers had two children of their own. Eleanor is the daughter of Joseph Wilson and Steve is the son of Jason Wilson"

"What about the other Wilsons, I mean Eleanor and Steve's siblings?"

Jasper made no verbal response, just kept driving in silence. Yet he could sense that Siya was still expecting an answer.

"Ermm.. You'll know.." He replied. The diplomacy and ambiguity in his words irked her. She didn't push him further too. She sat with her legs up on the seat and buckled beside her. As the car pulled inside the state of Meghalaya, her body trembled with the expanding fruity, despite the presence of her coat.

At one instant it felt like the fluffy clouds in the sky were thinner now and moving around her, almost as though she could touch them. Maybe that was how the state got it's name that meant the "The abode of the clouds".

Siya was partly sleepy because of the journey. A yawn escaped from her mouth and Jasper noticed it. "We will reach at our destination is 15-20 minutes. You can sleep till then if you want." He said.

Sitting up straight, she replied. "It's fine. So why do they need the teacher to stay there? I mean why not sending the children to a normal school?"

"Rebecca Wilson, their mother was really protective of her husband and children. She decided to get her kids homeschooled, to save them from the outer world and Steve did as she said." He explained it to her while she kept listening to him carefully. "Steve and Rebecca were deeply in love. He seemed like a lost puppy around her. I remember how whipped he was. Like he was completely a different person when she was alive and now it's like he doesn't even know how to smile."

Jasper stopped speaking, like remembering something from the past. She waited impatiently for him to continue the story but when she realised that he was not going to speak, she asked. "Why didn't they choose a local as their teacher?"

He sighed and then said. "Rebecca was disciplined and strict. She always wanted the best for her children and it was hard for the teachers to match her expectations. Many teacher came and they left after a few months. After she died, it is now Steve who behaves like Rebecca. Living up to his expectation is difficult. Only Jessica was the one who stayed here for a long time until she died, a few months after Rebecca."

"I am sorry if I'm being a little nosy but how did she die?" She asked, curiousity filled in her voice.

"She died because of love." He whispered after thinking something for a minute.

That was not the answer Siya was expecting. She expected a proper answer and not something which would increase her doubts. Before she could ask what he meant she realised that Jasper had stopped the car.

"We are here." He said getting out of the car and going back to get her luggage. She decided to ask him about Jessica later and got out of the car and was instantly met with a mesmerising view.

She found herself standing in the driveway. A driveway larger than her old house. They could build another house here if they wanted to. She could see the manor in front of her; a huge three-storied ancestrial manor which looked gloomy and depressing at that moment because of it's grey colour. But at the same time the manor was alluring too because of it's gothic architecture.

Roaming her eyes, she saw the security guard sitting near the gate. Outside the gate, she could see the pine trees at some distance. The garden at both side of the manor was pleasing. She could see different types of flowers and plants there. All of them were manicured and trimmed.

Her eyes then went to the cliff at the far end of the garden. That was the moment she realised that they were on top of a hill. The only thing she could see around the manor was hills and forest. It was the only house in this remote area. She realised that this manor was completely isolated from the outer world. And just by thinking about it, she got chills.

Unknowingly her eyes went to the cliff again. It felt like the cliff was pulling her to that direction. She took a step to go there when she heard Jasper calling her.

"Let's get you inside." He declared and helped her with the luggage. As she inched closer to the manor, the minute details of the place pulled her deeply into it. The intricate structure of the glass windows and French doors made it evident that the manor was constructed at least a hundred years ago. She wondered who stayed here before Steve and Eleanor's respective father's bought it.

Her jaws dropped wide open as he walked her into a foyer. He dropped the car keys in a bowl and gave her the time to scrutinise the minute bits of the palace. A large golden chandelier hung from the high ceiling thereby casting a royal aura to the already magnificent foyer.

She followed him upstairs as he led her into a living room. Siya noticed that the common characteristic of all the foyer and the living room was it's Victorian style castes by shades of vintage grey or beige. Jasper came to a halt seeing a man facing a large portrait of a lady.

"She is here" Jasper spoke. The man turned to him. He was tall and well built. His bearded cheeks complimented his intrinsically sculpted jawline and eyes were in the darkest shade of brown.

"Mr. Steve Wilson?" Siya approached smilingly "Siya Iyyer" She forwarded her hand as a formal ettiquete for handshake.

He cocked his head to the right and sardonically stared at her hand. He sighed and faced Jasper.

"I suppose you have spilled everything to her in the journey" He remarked ignoring her existence. Jasper hung his head low.

"Then I suppose Miss Siya Iyyer has no problem as such with the terms and conditions of the work. And you'll not displease me like the other teachers did" He remarked now shifting his gaze to Siya.

"Terms and Conditions?" She asked in confusion.

He huffed. "You will teach them from 9 in the morning to the lunch hour except on Sunday. Children learn better when they learn at the same time. And Miss Iyyer you are expected to be in your room after your dinner and no matter what, you shouldn't step out"

"But Mr. Wilson. It's my first day, I know there are extremists loitering outside but can I roam inside the manor and the garden to know the place better" Siya urged with puppy eyes as though it would effect him in someway.

"I think I stated the rules now" He spoke with gritted teeth.

"Please Mr. Wilson. At least for my first day. I will be obedient after my classes start from tomorrow I promise" She whined.

He stepped closer. "Miss Iyyer I said what I said. Don't argue with me. No one should even dare to" He pointed his fingers at her. She shuddered at the death glare he gave.

"Steve you are scaring her.." A girl spoke from behind as she came up and held Siya's hands.

"El she must know the rules" Steve uttered.

"You and your rules" She mockingly rolled her eyes. Steve walked off.

"Siya Iyyer. I am Eleanor Wilson, don't mind my stupid cousin, he is a control freak" She displayed a toothy smile. She was as jovial as Jasper was. Her light brown curly hair let loose as it reached down her shoulders. A beige cardigan hugged her petite body and she had the same pair of blue eyes as Jasper had.

"Missed me?" Jasper walked up-to her and pecked her cheek.

"You were out for three hours only Jas." She squinted and then ended up pulling him in a side hug. Siya watched them adorably and shipping them to the core. Jasper and Eleanor were truly the picture of that kind of love she wanted. Her eyes landed on the portrait that Steve was looking at.

A lady in an elegant red velvet Saree stood facing the camera from her left. Her luscious black hair was tied into a bun. Her skin looked satin smooth and dark black layer of kohl added elegance and dignity in her coffee brown eyes. Eleanor saw her inspecting the portrait.

"That's Rebecca.." She whispered. "Steve's late wife"

"She is so beautiful" Siya mumbled in awe.

"She indeed was" Jasper sighed. "And Steve loved her so much"

"He still does" Eleanor commented. "Why else do you think he spends half of his time in the living room standing here in front of the potrait"

That was another kind of love. The incomplete and the tragic one. Siya felt bad for him. Her eyes shifted to the adjacent frame. It was Rebecca and Steve in a Christian Wedding outfit. He lifted her up in a bridal style. Both of their faces looked lovestruck and giddy. Steve there in no way resembled with now. In the black suit,he looked younger,clean shaven,jolly and happy. Rebecca looked stunning in the strapless white gown. One by one she kept on eyeing each of the photographs. The next one was that of the children. And then it  was of Rebecca and Steve with their children. Jasper and Eleanor was next.

Her eyes then landed on another photo. Supposedly a family photo. She could recognise almost everyone in the frame except two men. She looked curiously at Eleanor as she stepped near the photo.

"That was clicked three years ago. The Wilsons. And the guy you are pointing at is Ethan, Steve's brother" She pointed with her chin.

"And who's that?" She pointed her finger at a guy standing next to Eleanor and Jasper. He was taller than Steve, tanned and had intricate features.

Eleanor's face turned pale, she shifted her eyes away. Jasper made a soft squeeze in her shoulder. Siya looked confused. Had she asked something she should not?

"That's Joey" She heard a male voice from behind. Another guy who was dressed in a kitchen apron came forward. "Joey and Eleanor are siblings." Siya could sense the discomfort in both Eleanor and Jasper's voice.

She tried to resolve this awkwardness with a confused smile. "Hey.." She approached the other man. He was equally tall,had a masculine built and his fair skin went hand in hand with his light brown hair.

"You must be the cook?" She asked.

"Kabir Mallick and I am from Chennai as well" He forwarded his hands giving her a soft shake.

"Well he prefers the title of 'chef' than a cook" Eleanor participated smilingly. The smile curled up in Kabir's face as well. The look of admiration in his face on seeing Eleanor didn't go unnoticed by Siya.

"He used to be a chef in Taj Vivanta Guwahati but he was made to join here by offering double wage" Jasper winked at Eleanor and wrapped an arm around her. The look of admiration in Kabir's face now changed into a sad one.

"How about you take me to the children's room for some chitchat leaving these two lovebirds alone?" She asked to Kabir. A sad smile lingering on his lips. Eleanor rested her head on Jasper's shoulder and he planted a soft peck on the top of her head.

Siya followed Kabir's footsteps and ascended up the stairwell leading her towards the main room.

"Where is Ethan and Joey..?" She asked.

"Ethan is outside at his friend's place and no one really knows about Joey.." He sighed.

"Why..Is he too..?" She wanted to utter dead but something in her vocal chord obstructed her to do so.

"Steve hates him and it pains Eleanor so much. They had a great bond, just like Steve's kids Lewis and Lisa." He said.

"Lewis and Lisa, nice name" She muttered under her breath.

"Rebecca was very choosy about her babies name ever since her pregnancy" He said taking a left turn as he left the master bedroom.

"Steve loved her a lot right?" She asked in a thoughtful tone.

"He still does." Kabir replied sighing and he came to a halt. Siya noticed the door of the children's room was ajar. The decor was so different from a usual children's room.

The floor was wooden tiled, the walls painted cinnamon brown. Two single beds next to each other and nightstands accompanying them. Two study table at their opposite side. Adjacent to one bed was a small vanity set and a large doll house. Adjoining the next was a small varnished shelves filled with children's classics and grandmother tales.

She saw a little boy with spectacles holding a hard bound spine of The Women in black with his little hands. She wanted to step in but her eyes happened to land on the boy's twin.

Standing in front of the mirror. A blank gaze complementing her hollow face. As though she saw something which was enough to make her petrified.

"Mommy you are here" She whispered running her hand over the glass.

Siya gasped and turned to Kabir with a confused look on her face, but his face had no such expression, like it was completely normal.

"There is no one here Lisa." Lewis said, keeping the book aside and pushing his spectacle up. Siya noticed Lewis looked a little confused like her.

"Mommy is here." Lisa said pointing at the mirror but the only thing Siya could see was Lisa's reflection staring back.

"But daddy says that mommy is dead." Lewis' voice cracked while speaking. He looked scared of Lisa at that moment.

"They all say you are dead mommy. But you are here." Ignoring what her brother said, Lisa turned to the mirror and mumbled. Siya spun her head towards Lisa again, giving her whole attention to what she was saying.

"I miss you mommy. You won't leave us again right?" Lisa's voice held so much of sadness that Siya would have hugged her at that exact moment if she was not confused and freaking out watching this little girl.

"The new teacher, Siya, will be here anytime. The teachers are not nice mommy. I hate them." She frowned looking at the mirror. The thing which creeped Siya the most was that Lisa would wait for sometime, like giving her mommy the chance to speak. She was having a whole conversation with the mirror and no one seemed concerned about this.

"You are doing this again. I am scared. I am going to tell Dad about this." Lewis jumped from his bed and his eyes went on Siya and Kabir, standing at the door. He stopped at his place, not moving for a minute then smiled a little.

"Miss Siya?" Lewis asked making Lisa turn her head towards the entrance too.

Composing herself, Siya entered the room. She knelt down to look at Lewis. "Hey Lewis." She greeted with a nervous smile on her face. He gave her a toothy smile, adjusting his glasses once again as it kept slipping. He had dark brown hair and coffee brown eyes. His two teeth were missing making him look cute.

Siya then turned to Lisa, greeting her too but Lisa didn't say anything back. She stared at Siya with her similar coffee brown eyes for a minute and then turned her head back at the mirror. She had black hair. Lisa reminded her of Rebecca's portrait. She looked like a child version of Rebecca.

"She is a little shy." Siya heard Lewis explaining in his baby voice and Siya nodded, now giving him a warm smile.

"Lewis and Lisa, she is your new teacher. Treat her nicely as your mommy and daddy taught you. She will start taking your classes from tomorrow." Lewis nodded while Lisa kept muttering something at the mirror.

"Lisa you hello to you teacher." Kabir ordered her and she turned to her, anger clearly visible on her face.

"I will not!" She said glaring at Siya.

"It's fine Kabir. Let her take some time." Siya spoke.

Kabir then looked at Siya and said. "Let me take you to your room then, I have to make the dinner too."

"Bye Lewis, bye Lisa." While Lewis bidded her goodbye, Lisa kept ignoring her. She stood there for a moment looking at the kids and then went out with Kabir.

Hello guys!

So here is the first chapter of Hilltop Manor, giving you a little introduction of Wilson family.

Hope you all liked it. Please do vote, comment and share this story among your friends.

We both are waiting for your feedback.

With love,
Anushka and Mahi