Chapter 44

CHAPTER 45

LENA.

No one had been home as usual. It was just me and an empty house. After having lasagna for lunch, I went straight to my room. That had been my sanctuary since my mother's death.

If she had been alive, maybe I'd have stayed a bit longer in the kitchen or living room before going up to my room. She would have served me her favorite hot, green, matcha, infused with heart-shaped ice cubes and then we would dissect the monthly aesthetic magazine filled with jewelry, kitchen utensils and home essentials.

My mother was an angel. She was also my best friend. She was patient and tolerant, listening to all of my daily complaints with keen eyes and a straight back.

My father had told me that she used to be a model before she gave birth to me. I had seen it in her. She was so tall, slender with tan skin that made me believe she was a Latina or the sorts. I had the features too but only darker.

I had been in my room for the whole of the afternoon, poring over a n