Hello everyone!

Here is a new chapter!

Enjoy!

********************

"It is the last lap. You will get ten minutes to rest after." Ethan tried to encourage his trainees who were barely keeping up except Hunter and Nicholas who were maintaining a steady pace and running without any difficulties.

Ethan can't blame them. They were running non-stop for about three hours. All he can do for now is convincing Jasper to show some mercy and stop using his cane.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief when Jasper blew his whistle announcing the end of this torture. Anna collapsed on the ground and accepted the bottle of water Brad handed to her as he took a seat beside her.

"Are you okay?" Brad asked gently as Anna was trying very hard to catch her breath.

Anna gave him a reassuring smile, and she nodded her head wordlessly. She didn't have any energy, she was drained.

"The break is up. Now, we will do some warm-up exercises, then it's the hill climbing." Damien spoke.

"Like before, we will make three groups. Aiden, Matt, Anna, and Diana you are with me. Nicholas, Hunter, Brad, and Cain

are with Jasper. Camille, Tatiana, Carl, and Eric are with Father." Ethan gave the instructions.

Every group went with his designed trainer. Ethan didn't tire them much and tried to ease their muscles for what was coming next. Jasper was his usual self and pushed them to their limits, but his group was a bunch of competitive teenagers, so it wasn't hard for him to make them show their best. Damien used the same tactic as his son and made the exercises were as relaxing as it was possible.

Twenty minutes later, Jasper blew his whistle once again. Another 5 minutes of rest, then Damien led the way to a new clearing where a high hill was dominating the area. Damien stopped walking and turned to his trainees.

"This is the hill you will be climbing next. This exercise is a killer for your legs, lower back, and lungs. To succeed in this, you need to breathe, never forget breathing, because if you do, you will be done. Go."

One hour later, Anna sat on the ground helplessly. She didn't understand the key to climbing this damned hill. Every time she neared the top, she came crashing down to the ground. Diana joined her moments later.

"I can't keep going on like this. Climbing this hill is next to impossible. Well, I can't say it is completely impossible because my blokes of cousins and brothers did it. They struggled a little, but they made it." Diana sighed.

"The only reason I am not crying yet is the fact that Tatiana is also on the ground." Anna giggled evilly.

"What is the reason you hate her so much?" Diana asked curiously.

"She has the eyes for my man. The moment she stops flirting with Hunter so openly, I will try and stop hating her." Anna said gesturing to Tatiana who was holding Hunter's arm and whispering something in his ear.

Diana laughed softly and shook her head. She really can't understand the dynamics of love relationships, but she tried to console her friend.

"You know that Hunter likes you not her, so don't let her cheap moves bother you."

"Ladies, I think it's enough chit-chat and maybe it's time you try and complete this exercise, so we can wrap this day and have our lunch and rest." Ethan interrupted them arching his eyebrow, and waiting for their response.

"Yeah, yeah, we will try and complete this impossible exercise. And if Uncle Damien was serious about the - no lunch until everyone climbs the hill- rule, I think we will have our lunches next week." Diana deadpanned.

"You have a smart mouth, girl," Ethan commented and ruffled her long brown hair as she bypassed him.

Diana mock glared at him and stuck her tongue out in a childish manner.

**********

Damien was standing with Jasper and watching his trainees trying to complete the assigned exercise.

"What's the meaning of this exercise, Damien? I don't think that climbing this hill once will do them any good. To gain strength from it, they need to do it at least a dozen times." Jasper rationalized.

"My purpose isn't strength. This week, I want them to learn the importance of working together and helping each other in completing challenges."

"Really? Those kids are selfish Damien. They don't think about others. In their worlds, weak people don't exist. Do you really think they will help each other willingly?" Jasper scoffed at his brother's outrageous idea.

"Who said they will do it willingly?" Damien smirked.

"What do you mean?" jasper asked, puzzled with his brother's reasoning.

"Give them another hour and you will see. They won't stay here all day and wait for the others to continue. They will lose patience."

Jasper shook his head not convinced with Damien's theory, but he decided to wait and see the results.

As always, Damien was right. Two hours later, the ones who succeed in climbing the hill were helping others struggling with the task. At 14:00, everyone was at the top after four hours under the summer sun.

The three instructors joined them at the top and looked at the exhausted teenagers.

"This is all for today. You can freshen up and eat your lunch. Tomorrow, we will resume training." Damien spoke and then took his leave along with Jasper and Ethan.

********************

"Wow! This food is amazing." Anna exclaimed.

"We work to please Anna. Our family doesn't stand for anything but perfection." Diana said proudly.

"Yes, we are aware of that," Brad said sarcastically.

"Remained me again, why are you sitting with us?" Diana shot back.

Before Brad came with his retort, Aiden cut them.

"Can you excuse me, children, I need to talk with my sister," Aiden spoke his command as a question.

Brad sighed and took his leave after biding Anna a short goodbye. He wasn't about to start a fight with Aiden about something insignificant. He was rude and crazy, but at the same time, he was smart enough to choose his battles carefully. Even if Aiden wasn't a Salviatti and doesn't have the same power as the Saliviatti's, but he was close and it wasn't wise to mess with him when his friends were there.

Diana wasn't as cooperating as Brad. She got in Aiden's face and spoke threateningly.

"If you are here just to scold her more, then I suggest you leave Aiden," Diana said menacingly.

"Don't worry Diana. I am not here to cause trouble. I am just trying to make peace." Aiden said while lifting his hands in mock surrender.

Diana rolled her eyes and made sure to brush his shoulder when she passed him.

"I see you made allies. First Lillian and now Diana, with these two on your side, you will fear nothing." Aiden smiled as he took a seat facing Anna.

Anna gave him a soft smile and nodded her head in agreement. He was right, Lillian and Diana were strong and don't back off from anything. But what was more surprising, they were loyal to her even though she was new in their group. They knew her for two months but to her, it seemed like she knew them her whole life.

"I am sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to snap at you and talk to you harshly." Aiden said sincerely, entering the topic without delay.

Anna shook her head and smiled at him once again.

"I am the one who should be apologising. I didn't know that my actions will trigger painful memories. I'm sorry about your sister."

"It is okay. It was a long time ago. Maybe you were sent to us so we can create new memories with a new sister."

"How can you accept me this easily in your family, Aiden?" Anna asked the question that was on her mind for the past two months. Aiden and Matt were treating her like a real sister. Helping her and trying very hard to make her feel at ease.

"I won't lie to you, Anna. When my mother called us and told us about you, I was angry. How can she replace Jasmine with another girl? Why was she so excited about some stranger? The first day of camp and I saw you, I thought you were some weak girl who needed shelter and protection. A girl father saw as a charity case and decided to satisfy mom and bring her a girl so she can forget my late sister.

Then, I saw Brad approaching you and knowing him, I was sure he was bothering you. I was about to come and tell him to back off, but Hunter beat me to it and announced you as his girl. How? And why? I don't know the answers, but I felt relief and knew you were untouchable."

Aiden paused and gave Anna the chance to comment on his words, but when she didn't say anything, he resumed his speech.

"Mom was calling every day asking about you and how were you doing? My answer and Matt's was always the same. "We don't know, but we think she is okay." One day, she got pissed off and believe me, you don't want to see an angry Karen."

Anna chuckled and shook her head.

"I don't think Karen is scary. Your father is the scary one."

"You don't know anything about our household yet, Anna. Even my father is under my mother's spell. There is no one, and I mean no one who can change Jacob's black mind but my mother. You know she gave us an ultimatum. If we don't put any effort into talking with you and getting to know you, she will make sure we pay the price." Aiden shivered visibly at the memory. "Then the day came when she called matt demanding to talk with you. And from that moment, we started making the effort to build a relationship with you. Believe me, Anna, it was the only time I was grateful mother pushed me to do something. Knowing you is one of the best things I did."

Aiden stopped talking and waited patiently for Anna to speak. He saw her eyes shine with tears. He panicked and wondered what he did wrong to upset her to the point of crying.

"I am sorry Anna ........"

Anna stopped him mid-sentence and shook her head hard.

"You misunderstood me Aiden, I am so happy with the words you said. They really touched my heart. I was always an only child even before my parents passed away." Anna stopped and took a deep breath. It was the first time she talked about her parents to anyone. But it felt right to mention them in front of Aiden. "I am so glad you accepted me in your family. You, Matt and Karen, are dear to my heart."

Aiden gave her a wide smile and stood up from his seat. He crouched in front of her and made sure they maintained eye contact.

"We are your family now, Anna. You can depend on us as much as you need. We have your back." He leaned over and kissed her forehead in a brotherly manner.

"You are having a family moment without me!" Matt exclaimed with a fake hurt look on his face.

"Way to ruin the moment brother, thank you so much." Aiden rolled his eyes at his brother's childish moves.

Anna laughed at them especially the adorable pout on Matt's face.

"So, what did I miss?" Matt asked.

"You missed nothing mister. I was just making things right with Anna." Aiden said while pushing Matt away from Anna's table. "We are leaving now, I can't afford it if this dumb here disturbed your peace."

Anna watched them leaving with a smile on her lips. She doesn't know how these two goofballs were Jacob's son. The man was always pissed off at the world, and it was hard to believe his sons have a cheerful side. Maybe they inherited it from Karen. It was the only explanation Anna can think of.

But the smile didn't last long when she saw Hunter shouting orders at whoever was on the other side of the phone. He even passed her table without a single glance her way. He didn't even notice her. She didn't understand what was happening. He said he forgave her, but he didn't talk to her since their trip in the car.

Anna heaved a sigh and took her dish to dump it in the dustpan. Then she headed to her tent to get some rest. Her muscles were screaming for some relaxation and lying down.

*********************

Four days later, nothing changed. Anna got accustomed to their training routine. They would always run for hours around the campgrounds then do some warm-ups exercises, and to complete their day, they would climb the damned hill.

Anna won't deny that climbing the hill got easier and easier every day. At first, it took all of them four hours to reach the top, but today it was just one hour and all of them were standing at the top looking for further instructions from Damien.

"Good job everyone. Finally, you got the meaning of this exercise. I didn't make you climb this hill for strength or building muscles because to do so, you need to stay here for months and climb this hill several times every single day. But I made you do this exercise to know the meaning of working together. When the ones who mastered climbing the hill helped the ones who still struggling, you finished without any trouble and in a short time. Remember that in our world we are alone against the other world. That's all for today, you can have the rest of the day to yourselves."

Anna looked longingly at Hunter who passed by her once again without a word. The past days, she tried talking with him, but he always brushed her off and told her he was tired and didn't want to talk. Apart from the occasional "keep going, you can do It." when he helped her climb the hill, or "don't worry, I will never let you fall," when he catches her if her foot slipped.

She tried to give him time to rest and collect himself, but now, she was hurting and wanted just to know why he was giving her the cold shoulder

That afternoon, they spent their time talking and playing different games from chess, basketball to some other stupid games. Anna laughed wholeheartedly at the boys' antics especially Matt who made sure to goof around. She didn't expect to enjoy her journey like this. But sometimes, life gives you happy surprises.

When night came, they made a circle around the fire with marshmallows and popcorn. It was like a campfire, they exchanged horror stories they read in books, embarrassing stories that happened to them when they were younger or get caught doing unallowed things by their parents.

Anna smiled genuinely at their stories, but her heart still aching since the only person she wanted hearing his voice was sitting silently beside Nicholas. She looked at him and tried to get his attention, but to no avail as he avoided her at all costs.

By midnight, everyone was fighting sleep and they decided it was time they go to their tents since the morning will start early for them.

**************

A loud voice like a fire alarm blurred through the camp and woke up all the residents. Most of them came running from the tents in their night attire to be greeted with Ethan who was standing with a smirk on his face.

"What's wrong with you people? We just went to sleep." Camille whined while trying to make her messy hair presentable.

"Follow me," Ethan ordered and started walking.

He led them to a small building that was hidden in the middle of thick bushes. He opened a metal door, and they climbed a large staircase. When they arrived at the top, there was a long hallway with a double oak door at the end of it. Ethan opened it to reveal a room that was styled like a classroom with tables, chairs, and a blackboard dominating the whole wall.

Damien was sitting behind a large wooden desk sipping from a mug of hot coffee and reading a book. When he heard the door open, he lifted his head and looked at his students.

"You can go now, Ethan. Goodnight."

"Goodnight sir," Ethan said and took his leave.

Damien turned his attention to the confused teenagers and spoke.

"Okay, I want each one of you to take a seat."

They complied and everyone chose his seat. Anna was going to sit beside Diana, but she felt a hand on her wrist. She looked up into Hunter's eyes questioningly.

"You will sit next to me." He simply said.

Anna arched an eyebrow in a challenging manner.

-"it's not the time to question me Anna. You will sit next to me and that's final." Hunter's voice was full of determination.

"Is there a problem here, Miss Sanders, Hunter? " Damien's question interrupted Anna's next argument.

Anna shook her head negatively and muttered.

"No Sir, there is no problem."

"Good, so I suggest you two take your seats so we can start."

With heavy footsteps, Anna obliged and did as instructed.

Hunter took the back seat that was situated next to the wall and Anna took the one to his left.

"As you can see in front of you there is a book, a notebook, and a pen. All I want from you is to rewrite the first chapter of this book. I don't want to hear any word from anyone of you. Start working."

Damien grabbed his cup and left the room.

"What on earth? The first chapter is sixty pages. Does he really expect us to write to them all?" Eric protested.

"It will be in your best interest to start writing and shut up because......" Nicholas trailed in his words and pointed with his finger to a camera in the corner.

After that incident, everyone kept their silence and start writing. The only sound heard in the room was the scarping of pens on papers.

"Stop writing," Hunter ordered Anna while keeping his eyes on the book in front of him.

Anna paused mid-sentence and looked at him like he grew a second head or something.

"Are you nut? I am just doing what your father ordered. And if it's okay for you to get in trouble, you are free, but I want to continue this camp without any problems." Anna whispered yelled.

Hunter rolled his eyes and whispered back.

"Keep your eyes on the book. Don't look at me directly. Do you really think my father is interested in our handwriting? His purpose from this is to know who can resist the most. So if you want to read the book and get some knowledge, do it, if not just draw or write something else."

"What do you mean?" Anna asked confused while trying to keep her stare on the words in front of her.

"Look, I know my father, and I know his way of thinking. He made us write in silence to feel boredom especially since most of us are half sleeping. So he can see who can cope with similar situations in the future. Sometimes, you will be obliged to stay all night doing nothing but watching cameras or writing reports. Today is a mental test."

Anna nodded her head and turned to her writing. It was better than doing nothing. Moments later, she saw a piece of paper landing on her book.

"Are you mad at me?"

She can't resist looking at Hunter with a raised eyebrow this time, and then she took a piece of paper to start writing her response.

"Why should I be mad at someone who ignores me and doesn't see me at all."

"Anna, I really have my reasons. I didn't mean it to come as ignorance or something," came Hunter's reply.

"Did you really forgive me Hunter, or are you still punishing me?"

Anna watched as Hunter started writing something then changed his mind and took another paper to restart. Three attempts later, a piece of paper was on Anna's book.

"Anna if I was punishing you, you would have known. When I said I forgave you, I meant it. It's a clean slate for me, Anna. I won't deny it; I ignored you these past days. But I really have a valid reason and before you demand an explanation, I promise I will give you one when the right time comes. Do you trust me?"