Chapter 1: Wings of Freedom

Celestine Demonise, a young woman with a curious and innocent mind, lived a sheltered life on a vast and peaceful farm owned by her grandfather. The farm thrived with the help of numerous workers, but Celestine was kept isolated at home due to her strict parents. As Celestine grew older, her curiosity about the world beyond the farm's boundaries intensified. She yearned for the freedom to explore, learn, and connect with others, but her parents' fears held her back, trapping her within the farm's confines.

One day, as she wandered the farm's beautiful meadows, she encountered a young man named Ace, who visited their farmland. Unbeknownst to her, Ace had become consumed by an unhealthy obsession with the innocent and beautiful girl. From the shadows, he silently stalked her, studying her every move, and weaving an intricate web of fixation around her.

Celestine remained oblivious to Ace's watchful eyes, continuing to embrace life with her usual innocence and joy. Little did she know that her world was about to be entangled in the dangerous threads of Ace's infatuation.

As the story unfolds, the once carefree life of Celestine becomes fraught with tension and uncertainty. The veil of safety and freedom that once surrounded her begins to crack under the weight of Ace's sinister obsession.

With every step she takes, Ace lurks in the shadows, his obsession intensifying as he seeks to possess her completely. Celestine's world teeters on the edge of innocence and danger, and she must navigate through the darkness to find a way back to the light.

"Mom? Can I have a cupcake for dessert? I've been craving it since yesterday, but you weren't here. You were on vacation with dad, and you never let me come along," said 11-year-old Celestine with a longing voice. She had been reading, playing the piano, and cooking her own food was her doing since yesterday when her parents left for vacation. They had trained her to cook from a young age, so as she grew older, they said she could help herself and not depend on anyone.

Her mother smiled and affectionately pinched Celestine's nose. "Okay, honey, I'll just order it for you. I'm really tired and want to sleep," she said lovingly. "Where's dad, mom?" Celestine asked instantly. "Your dad went to France. We can call him if you miss him," her mother replied. "No, mom, it's okay. I understand that dad is busy," Celestine said, trying to hide her disappointment.

Despite missing her parents, Celestine had learned to be independent and strong. She knew that they worked hard to provide for her and that sometimes they had to be away for business or vacations. Her parents had taught her valuable skills, like cooking, to be self-reliant, and she appreciated their efforts to prepare her for the future.

As Celestine enjoyed her cupcake, she felt a mix of emotions – gratitude for her parents' love and the cupcake treat, but also a touch of loneliness. However, she understood that love sometimes meant being apart but still caring deeply for each other.

In the days that followed, Celestine immersed herself in her activities—reading, playing the piano, and even trying out new recipes. She missed her parents, but she knew they would return with stories and presents from their trip. She was excited to see them again and share her own experiences while they were away.

It was dusk, and Celestine found herself caught in a moment of boredom. She stood on the veranda of their three-story house, gazing out at the sprawling expanse of their farm. Sometimes, she longed to venture beyond the confines of the farm, but her mother restricted her interactions with the farm workers. The Mintavilla farm belonged to her grandfather, who had assured her that, in due time, she would inherit the family's properties. However, the strictness of her parents had always left her wondering why they were so cautious when it came to her.

Celestine felt a sense of detachment from the family's properties because her parents had kept her in the dark about their affairs. She yearned to understand more about her family's holdings, but her parents' restrictions had left her with little knowledge. They were adamant about sheltering her from the outside world, which often left her with her own thoughts and questions.

Occasionally, as she looked out from the veranda, Celestine would observe people outside enjoying their freedom. It puzzled her why her parents were unwilling to grant her the same level of freedom. Though she admired the carefree smiles and joyous expressions of those individuals, she couldn't shake off the fear of potential dangers lurking beyond the farm's boundaries.

Despite her curiosity about the world outside, Celestine couldn't deny the sense of protection her parents provided. Deep down, she understood that they were shielding her from the uncertainties and potential hazards that existed beyond their safe haven. Still, this did not stop her from yearning for a taste of freedom and a chance to explore life beyond the farm.

As dusk slowly faded into night, Celestine remained lost in her thoughts, pondering the reasons behind her parents' strictness and wondering what the future held for her. For now, she could only embrace the sheltered life she led and trust that her parents had her best interests at heart. The distant sounds of the farm workers going about their evening chores provided a comforting reminder of the world she knew, while the twinkling stars above offered a glimmer of hope for the adventures that might await her in the future.

Celestine walked down to the kitchen to get a drink of water when she noticed the library door slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist sneaking a peek inside. To her surprise, her parents were there, engaged in a conversation.

"We should let Celestine make her own decisions now," her dad said thoughtfully. "She's turning twelve in just a few weeks."

"But, hon, we're often occupied with work. I don't think we can allow her to go outside that much," her mom replied with concern. "You know how she can be naive and trusting. We don't want her to be taken advantage of by someone."

Celestine stood there, listening to her parents' conversation.

Feeling like she was intruding on a private conversation, Celestine decided not to eavesdrop any further. She recognized that her parents had always done their best to protect and guide her, making decisions they believed were in her best interest. Throughout her life, she had obediently followed their choices, trusting that they knew what was right for her.

With a determined resolve, Celestine understood that it was time for her to express her thoughts and opinions more assertively. As her twelfth birthday approached, she realized that growing up meant taking more responsibility for her own decisions.

The next day, Celestine gathered her courage and approached her parents.

"Mom? I overheard your conversation with dad last night. I really want to go out, explore the world, and learn more things beyond the farm. I can't imagine my life staying like this," Celestine began, her voice tinged with longing and curiosity.

"Haven't you remembered, Celestine? You were almost kidnapped when you were just a child. That's why we had to remove the nannies who worked with us, as one of them turned out to be a spy, trying to harm the Mintavilla family," her mother replied, her tone filled with frustration and concern.

Celestine's heart sank upon hearing this revelation. She was too young to remember the incident, but the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her. One of her nannies had betrayed their trust and tried to harm her when she was just two years old.

The knowledge of the past now cast a shadow on Celestine's desires for freedom and exploration. While she yearned to venture beyond the farm's boundaries, she understood her parents' fears and protective instincts. The memory of that traumatic event shaped their cautious approach to keeping her safe.

"Do you realize how difficult it will be when you're gone? You are our only child, the sole heir of Mintavilla, and you—," Celestine's mother began, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Let her learn on her own, Lisa," her grandfather interjected, walking in from the door with his trusted bodyguard, Mr. Megalon. "She's not getting any younger, and as the sole heir, she needs to experience life beyond these walls. How can she truly learn and grow if we continue to isolate her here?"

The room fell silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air. Celestine could feel the gravity of their concerns, the love and protection that surrounded her.

"I think I would agree with you, Dad," Celestine's father replied, his voice filled with understanding and consideration.

"Hon, it is okay. I know how you feel," he continued, addressing Celestine's mother. "But we can't keep isolating her here any longer. We have to decide what's best for her."

After a few moments of tense silence, Celestine's mother replied, her voice softened, "Okay," before walking to their room and closing the door behind her. In that poignant instant, the weight of their decision hung in the air, and emotions ran deep in each of their hearts.