Chapter 6 Maximilian and Seraphina Holland

Maximilian and Seraphina Holland, the twins with a lineage as intriguing as their appearance, made their way through the bustling campus of Boston University.

Maximilian, his face partially obscured by a cap, walked with a purposeful stride, his sister Seraphina matching his steps. "There's the administration office. Let's go," Maximilian directed, his voice low but clear. Seraphina, without a word, followed her brother, her presence as captivating as the mysteries their family name carried.

Upon entering the administration office, they were greeted by Principal Harold, who approached them with a welcoming smile. "Welcome to the Boston University family, Holland. Your grandfather Gered Holland has already informed me about your arrival," he said, extending a hand in greeting.

Maximilian acknowledged the gesture with a nod but remained silent, a move that left Harold momentarily taken aback by the twins' reserved demeanor.

Maximilian's response was a silent nod, an acknowledgment that carried an air of mystery, further intriguing Harold. The principal couldn't help but notice the striking presence of the twins, their appearance almost ethereal. Maximilian, with his athletic build, blue eyes, and blond hair, and Seraphina, with her long red hair and gray eyes, seemed to bring a touch of other worldliness to the traditional setting of the administration office.

As they followed Harold to his office, the principal found himself momentarily lost in thought, taken aback by the sheer magnetism of the Holland siblings. Once seated, Harold presented them with the necessary forms for enrollment, expecting the process to proceed without incident.

However, Maximilian's next request took Harold by surprise.

Sitting down, Harold presented them with the forms to fill out. Maximilian, taking the lead, requested a change that caught Harold by surprise. "Change my name. I am Maximilian Scott, not Maximilian Holland," he stated firmly. "I got two family names in my different passports. With my American passport, I will take my father's CIA family name."

Harold, caught off guard, could only muster a confused "Oh?" as he processed the request.

Maximilian clarified, "I got two family names in my different passports. With my American passport, I will take my father's CIA family name." The mention of the CIA and the deliberate choice of surname added layers to Maximilian's already intriguing persona.

Harold, intrigued by the revelation, ventured a question that perhaps crossed a boundary. "Did you also join the CIA, like your father?" The cold look that Maximilian returned was answer enough, a silent warning that some questions were better left unasked.

The cold look he received in response was enough to convey that he had ventured too far.

The principal quickly realized that some questions were better left unasked, especially when it came to students with backgrounds as complex and secretive as the Scott.

Understanding the unspoken boundary, Harold quickly shifted his focus, realizing that the Holland (or Scott) twins brought with them a story far beyond the ordinary.

As the twins completed their paperwork, the air in the office was filled with an unspoken acknowledgment of their unique heritage and the complex web of identities they navigated.

After their meeting with Principal Harold, Maximilian and Seraphina Holland stepped into the sunlight of Boston University's campus, embarking on their separate academic paths.

Maximilian, with a determined stride, declared his intention to head towards the Mechanical Engineering department, indicating the buildings sprawling in opposite directions. "I am going to the Mechanical Engineering department. It's a different building. And your BBA building is in the opposite direction," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

Seraphina, ever the confused twin, looked around, trying to orient herself amidst the vast expanse of Boston University's campus. Her bewilderment was apparent, prompting Maximilian to offer a rare moment of assistance. "Do you need my help?" he asked, to which Seraphina quickly nodded, grateful for any guidance in navigating the unfamiliar terrain.

However, Maximilian's offer came with a stern caveat. "I will show your class building only today, and from today on, I don't know you, and you don't know me. Do you get that?" His words were sharp, a reminder of the secret life that coursed beneath the surface of their outward appearances. Seraphina's confusion deepened, yet she chose not to challenge her brother's directive, aware, on some level, of the complexities of their family's covert connections.

Maximilian, internally lamenting his sister's apparent naivety, couldn't help but shake his head. As an undercover CIA agent, the necessity of distancing himself from familial ties in public was a fundamental rule, one that Seraphina seemed perpetually unable to grasp.

As they walked towards their respective buildings, Seraphina's day took a brighter turn when she bumped into Monika, a friend from her boarding school days in Switzerland. "Seraphina, did you arrive?" Monika greeted her with a warm smile.

Without a moment's hesitation, Maximilian turned and walked away, leaving Seraphina and Monika surprised by his sudden departure. Maximilian's actions were guided by his training and the need for secrecy, something that made navigating normal college life and relationships particularly challenging for him. Meanwhile, Seraphina was left to catch up with her old friend, a brief respite in an otherwise confusing day.

Maximilian couldn't hide his frustration, thinking about how Seraphina still hadn't grasped the complexity of their situation. As an undercover CIA agent, he had to keep a low profile, including distancing himself from his own sister in public, a concept Seraphina seemed to struggle with.

As Armin Rodríguez and Navin walked across the Boston University campus, Armin's world momentarily stood still when he caught sight of Seraphina. She was the one he had never forgotten, the one who had always held a special place in his heart. Seeing her there, laughing and talking to her friend Monika, Armin was transported back to a time when things were simpler, yet equally complicated.

Navin, noticing the sudden change in Armin's demeanor, was puzzled to see his friend so captivated by Seraphina. He had never seen Armin look at anyone like that before.

However, the moment Seraphina's eyes met Armin's, a wave of fear washed over her. The memories of their past, of being torn apart by her grandfather in Geneva, and the painful day Armin's mother was taken by the CIA, flooded back, reigniting the old wounds and the sense of betrayal that had lingered between them.

Armin's gaze, intense and filled with a mix of emotions, seemed to pierce through Seraphina. Monika, unaware of the deep history between them, greeted Armin with a smile, trying to bridge the awkward silence. "Hey Armin, good to see you," she said, hoping to lighten the mood.

But Armin was lost in the storm of his feelings, his eyes fixed on Seraphina, who was now visibly shaken. Unable to withstand the intensity of the moment, Seraphina turned and fled toward the bathroom, seeking refuge from the overwhelming emotions.

Monika, frustrated by the turn of events, confronted Armin. "Why are you always making her so much scared, Armin?" she asked, her irritation evident.

Armin, his jaw clenched, responded with a bitterness that surprised even himself. "Because she's a Scott, and she deserves it," he said, the words reflecting the depth of his unresolved anger and pain.

As Seraphina disappeared from view, Armin was left to grapple with the flood of emotions her presence had stirred. Navin, witnessing this exchange, realized the complexity of the situation, understanding that the history between Armin and Seraphina was far from resolved.

At that moment, the Boston University campus became more than just a place of academic pursuit for Armin; it was a battleground of the heart, where old wounds were reopened, and the scars of the past were laid bare for all to see.

Monika, trying to make sense of the animosity, corrected Armin with a hint of frustration. "She is Seraphina Holland. Not Scott. And why do you hate her so much?" she questioned, seeking to understand the root of Armin's deep-seated anger.

Armin's response was swift and filled with bitterness. "Doesn't matter if she's Scott or Holland, I hate her entire family. We are blood enemies," he declared, his voice heavy with resentment.

Monika, undeterred, pressed on. "Armin, Seraphina was only 4 years old when her grandfather came and took her away. Do you even think she understood anything at that time?" she asked, trying to highlight the innocence of Seraphina's position in the longstanding feud.

But Armin was unyielding, his pain and anger resurfacing with the mention of his mother's abduction. "But her father, CIA agent Neil Scott, took my mother away right in front of my eyes," he countered, his anger palpable.

"Neil Scott was just doing his duty. What could Seraphina do in such a case?" Monika argued, attempting to separate Seraphina from the actions of her family members.

"Do you understand the gravity of his actions? My brother Bjorn and I were raised alone without a mother," Armin shot back, his frustration at the situation evident in his tone.

Monika, realizing the conversation was going nowhere, decided to change the subject. "Seraphina and I are in the BBA section. Which subject did you choose?" she inquired, looking for common ground?

Navin, seizing the opportunity to steer the conversation away from the heated exchange, chimed in with enthusiasm. "We are in the Law department. Both together," he said, his smile broad and welcoming.

Monika, taken aback by the abrupt shift in the conversation and Navin's cheerful demeanor, felt a mix of confusion and urgency. She quickly said goodbye and hurried off to find Seraphina, leaving Armin and Navin behind.

As Monika disappeared searching for her friend, the complex web of past grievances and misunderstandings hung heavily in the air.

The encounter laid bare the deep wounds inflicted by family legacies and the struggles of moving forward from a past marked by betrayal and loss.