THE BELL sounded, signaling the end of the lesson.
Olivia, thirteen at the time, quickly stuffed her belongings into her school bag and dashed out the door. She nearly trips on the stairwell, but she regains footing and sprints back to the school gate.
She couldn't wait to meet her mother, who was waiting for her outside the school. On the last day of class, she received a text from her mother saying she would come to collect her to have supper together. Olivia has been giddy with excitement ever since.
Her mother is a flight attendant, and she has been busy with work for the previous few days. As a result, they rarely see each other.
Olivia adores her mother.
Her mother, Victoria Martin, took on the roles of both father and mother the moment she was born.
Olivia's biological father abandoned them before she was old enough to experience the world.
Olivia is baffled as to why her father abandoned them. Olivia was never interested in finding her biological father as she grew up. Olivia watched how her mother battled to raise her independently, not because Victoria wouldn't let her see her father. So Olivia had a hole in her heart that said, "I don't care who he is."
When Victoria sought to bring up her biological father, Olivia would divert the issue.
Olivia held her mother in high regard and was delighted to be with her.
When she noticed her mother's automobile parked close, Olivia approached the school gate. She accelerated and didn't seem to mind whether she bumped into someone.
She arrived at her mother's vehicle. When Victoria noticed her daughter, she lowered the passenger side door.
Olivia flashed a gummy smile and waved to her mother.
"Come on in, baby," Victoria said to her daughter, a smile on her face.
Victoria was delighted to see Olivia, so adorable every time she met her.
Olivia opened the car door, and Victoria kissed her daughter on the cheek as soon as she stepped inside.
"Mom... Mom... Stop," Olivia said, attempting to push her mother away. On the other hand, she enjoyed her mother's gestures and attention.
"Why?" Victoria teased her daughter. "Are you afraid your classmates will notice you?"
"Yeah! I'm a big girl now, and it'd be embarrassing if my classmates saw you treating me like a child," Olivia reasoned but lied.
"You are a child, Vi. You are my baby," Victoria said flatly. She teased and tickled her even more.
Olivia whimpered, but she couldn't stop laughing. Her mother is aware of her daughter's flaw. "Stooopppp!!!" she pleaded, unable to bear her mother's tickling.
"I'll stop if you stop acting like an adult around mommy and start saying, "I'm a baby."
"Mooommm!!!"
"Say it out loud."
"All right! I'm a baby!" Olivia exclaimed, pouting.
"That's my baby," Victoria said as she stopped tickling Olivia and kissed her on the cheek. Victoria can't stop smiling as she looks at her precious daughter. Before starting the engine, Victoria reminded her daughter, "Wear your seat belt, Vi."
Olivia complied, and her bright smile returned.
"I love you, baby," Victoria said as she kissed her daughter's tiny hands.
Olivia replied with a gummy smile, "I love you even more, mom."
Olivia always thought it was the best day of her life when she saw her mother healthy, happy, and unconditionally loving her. This was enough for her until her mother decided to marry.
~*~
OLIVIA
MY MOTHER will always take me to a nice restaurant and spoil me with delicious food. So it came as no surprise to me that she took me to one of the best restaurants in town today.
I was so used to it that I didn't consider a special occasion or event today.
Even though my fourteenth birthday is next week, I believe Mom has other plans for that day.
I, for one, have no idea.
Regardless, I am thrilled to see her today after a week apart.
That's why I adore her: she always made an effort to make amends with me after her hectic flight schedule. Although my mother was not always present, our neighbor, Aunt Vicky, always kept an eye on me. When Mom was officially accepted as a flight attendant, she was like my babysitter. I was five years old at the time.
My mother had me when she was twenty years old. Her parents did not support her because she was too young to become pregnant, and my grandparents were upset.
My mother's family was middle-class, so they were disappointed when she became pregnant with me at such a young age. My mother was a country girl who only went to the city because her desired course was only available there. She was almost finished with her advanced tourism course when she became pregnant with me.
My mother is astute. But, as she stated, she was once duped and blinded by love. Whatever that means, I have no idea what she was on about.
When I was three years old, my grandparents finally accepted us and helped my mother financially to continue her studies.
My mother took advantage of the opportunity, studying while also caring for me full-time. Mom always says she has no regrets about having me. That was a blessing, and I helped shape her into the person she is today. I never really understood it, but the looks Mom gives me every time she says those words made me happy.
We live in a condo unit close to school, so it wasn't difficult for me if Mom wasn't there. I saw how my mother raised me on her own, and the last thing I wanted to do was annoy her.
So I made it a point to lessen her burden of raising me by being a good girl in school and keeping my grades up. I'm not as bright as my mother, but I work hard and study a lot.
I never realized it before, but when one of my classmates in grade school lost both of her parents in an accident, I realized that I was still blessed with a mother at a young age. I may never understand her anguish, but the thought of losing my mother in my life makes me wonder if I will survive.
Anyway, as we walked back to the restaurant, I held Mom's hand when we came across a handsome man with a cute little girl beside him.
I was about to ask Mom who the people in front of us were when she interrupted me.
"This is Zaldy and her daughter Zoey, and they will be our soon-to-be family," Victoria says.
I'm not sure if I heard correctly, but the man Mom addressed as Zaldy just said those words. I'm at a loss for words.
"Hello Olivia, my name is Zaldy, and I'm your soon-to-be father."
OLIVIA TIME flies by so quickly, and before I knew it, we were at Lewis' house in Clover City. Clover City was a long way from where we had been. My mother stated that she stayed and studied here during her senior year of high school and that she lived with relatives who migrated to Canada after she completed her senior year. I thought I knew my mother well for a long time, but lately, I've been surprised by what I've discovered about her. During her senior year of high school, Zaldy was her first love and boyfriend. My Mom and Uncle Zaldy, whom I still refer to as "Uncle Zaldy" because I am not used to addressing someone as "Dad," which he says is okay with him, reconnected last year when Mom ran into him at Changi Airport in Singapore.
OLIVIA AFTER TWO YEARS... "ONE MORE TIME!" exclaimed our cheer captain, Piper, as she asked us to perform our final routine. "Come on, guys, one more time, we just need to nail it," she added. Piper, a senior and the cheerleading squad's current captain, was a stickler for detail. We know she wants us to win the cheerleading competition next week, but I thought we did well earlier. And I was utterly exhausted. I can see that my coworkers are also exhausted. The last routine was incredibly taxing. Everything seemed too good to be true. And I'm convinced that this is only the beginning of my new happily ever after. Miss Peyton butted in, "Piper, that's all right." She serves as our cheerleading team's adviser and coach. She works as a teacher
OLIVIA "KIDS, we're home!" my mother exclaimed as the front door swung open. Uncle Zaldy was following my mother into the house. Zoey and I were cuddling on the couch, watching N*****x's All of Us Are Dead. It came naturally to us. There was no malice to be found. I also enjoy cuddling Zoey. Her warm embrace envelops me in comfort. Because it's the weekend, there will be no school or practice for the time being. "Mom! Uncle!" I ran up to them as if they were children, kissing them on the cheeks one by one. Zoey silently followed me and made the same gesture to our parents as I did to her. One of the reasons I enjoy being at home is that I can express myself freely. I am a clingy, childish, and whining child. Zoey, on the other hand, was a quiet and calm kid.
OLIVIA I WAS GETTING BUSY WITH CHEERING PRACTICE AS THE COMPETITION NEARED. Zoey and I didn't have much time to hang out either these days. I noticed she was also preoccupied because her childhood friend had returned to town and transferred to Clover City. It turned out to be the girl from the Oceanarium. I'm not sure what her name was, but she introduced herself as Nora or Neri. I'm not entirely sure. I wasn't interested at all, especially since she was sitting right next to Zoey's chair. Zoey and I were in the same class. It was difficult to conceal our actual relationship, but fortunately, we are very good at it. But Zoey's childhood friend will make things more difficult for us. What if she realizes Zoey is my stepsister?
OLIVIA "ARE YOU ready, guys? We're going to be the next performer," our cheer captain said. "Yes, captain!" we said. It's the day of the cheering competition. I haven't had the opportunity to speak with Zoey again because I've been swamped over the last few days. Even though I was so busy, she took care of me when our parents were not present. She prepares breakfast and handles all of the housework. And if I have some spare time, I'll just help her out a little bit at a time. Zoey never complains. Instead of assisting her around the house, she will simply smile and encourage her to get more rest. Isn't she the sweetest person you've ever met? Unfortunately, Camila and the girls do not recognize the Zoey I know. Anyway, it's t
OLIVIA MY HEAD IS EXTREMELY ACHING. I felt the excruciating pain inside my head when I woke up earlier. I was drunk last night, according to Zoey. Mom was upset, but I insisted on not drinking. That is to say; I did not consume any alcoholic beverages. We fought for a while, but Zoey's expression changed when she heard something from my mother. Then mom was tending to me like a baby again. Wow. Zoey's ability was incredible. I'm curious about what she said to my mother to change her mood instantly. Anyway, it's a good thing the "drinking" incident occurred on a Friday night because we don't have school today. But I still have to go to school because our coach, Miss Peyton, said we would have a quick meeting, and it couldn't w
ZOEY I USED TO BELIEVE MY FAMILY WAS PERFECT WHEN I WAS A CHILD. My father is attractive, dependable, and our breadwinner. And then there's my mother, the lovely and wonderful stay-at-home mom. Things were going smoothly. We are happy. My loved ones adore me. Mom and Dad had me at the age of twenty. My parents were too young, and their lives began, but my father was a man of his words. So, when my mother announced that she was pregnant with me, Dad did not flee but instead assumed responsibility for my mother and me. He was a wonderful, devoted father. Dad and mom's family helped them raise me, so it wasn't difficult for them. I admit that I was exposed to almost everything growing up. My parents come from wealthy families. Nonetheless, my parents instilled in me the imp
ZOEY "WELCOME HOME. You look so tired. You must be starving," I said to Olivia, who appeared in the kitchen next to the door. Her head and shoulders are bowed. She appears to have used up all of her energy today. "Sit down," I told her. She wouldn't budge, so I approached her and drew her to the nearest chair at the kitchen counter. "Eat first, then rest," I said, about to leave because I was going to prepare her food, but she drew me closer and hugged me from behind. I can feel her head resting on my back. There's that tingly sensation all over again. Ha! I like what Olivia is doing, but I'm also feeling guilty. "I'm so tired, Zola," she's the only one who addresses me as such. She said it was a combination of my first and last names. Olivia desired to stand out from the
"LEWIS," the teacher called Zoey's last name.Camila looked behind her and saw that Zoey was not in her seat.Aubrey was admiring Nova's beauty. She had no idea Zoey was missing."Lewis?" the teacher inquired once more. Everyone in the room is now staring at Zoey's seat. It was deserted. "Scott, did you see your best friend? Where has she gone?""I'm not sure, teacher. Perhaps she's in the restroom. You know, answering nature's call," Nova tried to laugh, but she was getting nervous. She has a bad feeling about Zoey's absence."Perhaps," the teacher replied. "Okay, let's go back to our previous lesson. Lewis can catch up later."The teacher continued the lecture,
"YOU ARE GOING TO STUDY IN SEOUL AFTER GRADE SCHOOL," Dad said. We're having dinner quietly right now, and then he comes in with this kind of news. "Dad? Seriously?" With a sour tone, I said. I stopped cutting the steak on my plate. "I'm serious, Con. You are not taking your studies seriously. You keep slacking. It would help if you were with your grandparents. Maybe they can tame you there," He added without looking at me. He kept eating casually. He had no idea his words were piercing my veins. It's as if someone is slowly and painfully cutting me. "Please, Dad... Mom. I will put in a lot of effort. I'm going to study very hard. I promise," I begged them. I looked at Mom, pleading for help. Mom shook h
ZOEY STARING at my reflection on the whole body mirror, I sighed with satisfaction at what I was seeing. I was wearing a black casual dress, above the knee, no sleeves, and slightly showing the top of her chest. My shoulder-length black hair formed in beach wavy curls. My beautiful partner nicely did my make-up. I paired the dress I was wearing with my 2 inches heels, pearls, and crystal black bow kitten. It was a new gift from my stepmother. This is the second time I will wear this kind of clothes. The first time was when my father remarried four years ago to a wonderful woman who brought the gorgeous person I have ever known in my life. Anyway, it's my graduation day today, and I was excited. Two years have quickly passed, and here we are now. I am graduating as a valedictorian despite the hardships I encountered du
ZOEY "AS THE SCRIPTURE SAID IN ROMANS 8:38-39 - For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," said the parish father. He conducts Olivia's father's eulogy before being buried on the ground. Yes, we are here for Olivia's father's funeral at the cemetery. "Kenneth, our beloved brother, is now at our father's side. There will be no pain. There will be no illness there. Dear Lord, I cry for those of us who have been left behind, for the lonely ones who have hollows in our hearts. I pray You to comfort us, give, restore hope, and lavish us with family and belonging. Meet us in the depths of our grief with Yourself. I pray for everyone's safety. We have complete faith in your methods. Amen."
OLIVIA PRACTICE WAS COMPLETED, and as Zoey had promised, she watched us practice. I was eager to be with her after it was finished, so I showered quickly. Unfortunately, Camila beat me to it, even though I quickly fixed myself. She was now in the hallway with Zoey. They were talking, and I'm not sure if it was funny, but Camila kept laughing while occasionally touching Zoey's arms. Camila is getting ahead of me. And, despite Camila's confession to Zoey, they appear to be getting closer. Does this imply that they are now dating? "Hello there, Oli. You appear to have intended to murder someone," Naomi stated the obvious. I didn't notice she was walking with me towards Zoey and Camila, who were flirting at the time. "What? No!"
OLIVIA "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" I asked Zoey, who was still lying in the hospital bed. The bill was paid, but we are still waiting for the doctor's final opinion on Zoey's results and medication. "You heard me, Vi," she said firmly. "No! I'm afraid I must disagree. I'm not going down without a fight!" I was enraged by Zoey's calm demeanor in this situation. "Please, Uncle Zal, take action against those who abused Zoey. Don't let the police back down on the investigation." I was furious. I'm furious at those who have harmed Zoey. How dare they! Uncle Zaldy was deafeningly silent. He just gave me that sorry look. I looked to my mother for support, but she just shook her head as if to te
OLIVIA I DID NOT GET A LOT OF SLEEP LAST NIGHT, but I awoke early and asked Mom to drive me to the hospital, even if that was not the case. Early in the morning, we received a text message from Uncle Zaldy confirming that Zoey had awoken and was fine. I was relieved, but I needed to see if she was okay with my own eyes to calm my worried mind. We leave for the hospital as soon as Mom finishes cooking and preparing the food we'll bring to the hospital. We were in the car when I heard my mother speak. "Zoey will be fine, Vi. She's a brave young lady," she stated. I cast a glance her way. My mother was concentrating on driving, and her gaze was fixed on the road. She gave me a glance and a smile. In response, I nodded.
OLIVIAI WAS not with myself; even the paramedics came and took the lifeless Zoey to the ambulance. I was with her in the ambulance. Nova was with me as well. I held Zoey's hand, and Nova was patting my back slightly. The liquid coming from my eyes was not stopping.The paramedic had given Zoey the first aid the first time they got there, and when they said that Zoey was still alive, I was relieved. But she is still unconscious, so my anxiety grows again."Zo, please fight. You can do it. You are stronger than me, remember? S-so p-please," I felt that my words were choking me. I couldn't finish my words and started crying again."She'll be okay. Zoey will be okay," Nova said. Not a single tear will be seen in her eyes, but I know she's worried sick about Zoey, too. "Right? Sh
OLIVIA"ARE YOU going to confess to Zo-Zoey now, Camila?" I asked Camila directly because I had the opportunity.We're doing retouches in the Student Council's comfort room because the afternoon class starts soon. Naomi was also present. Stella, the walk-out queen, was nowhere to be found. But, as Naomi stated, we're leaving her alone for the time being because she needs time to process what Camila has just revealed to them.Stella should join the drama club instead, in my opinion. Why couldn't she stand by Camila?Anyway, back to where we are: we use this comfort room after lunch because the regular comfort rooms are full."I'm not sure. We've only recently re-established our friendship. And what if Zoey rejects me? That will be