Everyone was running around frantically trying their best to make sure everything would be ready in time for the upcoming event.I nervously bit my bottom lip as all of them were preoccupied with last minute tasks when suddenly, the make-up artist caught me off guard and started talking to me.“Madam, I need you to lift your gaze.”I took a deep breath, steeling myself before finally raising my eyes to meet those of the make up artist. She gestured for me to look higher, so I complied without hesitation. We had been at this for two hours already.Though I wouldn't say I'm complaining, my bottom is already becoming quite numb sitting in the same spot for such a long time. It's understandable that they have to do their jobs, but my need to stand up and move around has become ever more urgent.“It’s almost done, Madame.”I had nodded my head in agreement but the hair stylist gently restrained my head, keeping me still as she attended to every strand of my hair.I was not accustomed to be
I was running, desperately trying to escape the clutches of whatever danger was chasing me. I refused to turn back and look because of my fear, but could always feel the presence just behind me.My heart raced as I continued on, not knowing what would happen if they caught up. The sound of metal hitting the ground with each footstep only made matters worst as the chaser closed in on me. Desperate for a way out, I frantically searched around for a solution to escape.“You can’t escape from me!”My heart leapt when I heard her voice coming closer and I panicked, running away from the source. Just as I was about to turn around the corner, out of sight, my foot got tangled up on something on the ground causing me to trip and fall harshly onto the ground.A sharp pain shot up my leg that caused me to cry out in agony. The noise of me falling had surely alerted her of my presence.“I have warned you a thousand times already...”I slowly glanced back over my shoulder and felt my jaw drop in
"Why did I even let a child like you come to this world?!" Those words were enough to leave a damage in my chest. It made my heart sink to the bottomless pit. However, I chose to smile and greet her like any normal daughter who had just got home from school. What can I do? I am used to this treatment from her. Getting treated like trash is not new to me."Good day, Mom. I hope you're doing well." I could sense she was watching my every move and then started to bombast how her day went. Her voice faded when I saw the corners of the house. Disastrous. That's the only word that came to my mind. It reeks of alcohol, sweat, and a mountain of her dumps is centralized throughout the house. I stop, thinking that cleaning this whole place drains me. I shrugged off the tremendous feeling weighing on my heart and then commenced cleaning the house.She carried me for nine months. I was born into this world because of her. I have to serve her because, honestly? Even if I dare to run away, I do
“LANI!” I jumped in surprise when my mother called me again. This time, her voice thundered all over the corner. I gulped, then hurriedly made my way toward the lounge, only to find out how messy the whole place was.It’s on weekends. I don’t have school to attend or a job. I merely work on Monday and Wednesday. Sometimes Tuesday, when I don’t have much on my plate. “I notice you’re hiding something from me.” My whole world went ballistic, and my breathing became shallow. “W-what do you mean?” I tried to smile my way through but it was useless.“A mailman always wanders outside the streets. It’s not like you often see one unless there’s a letter to be delivered.” I bit my tongue and shrugged my shoulders casually. If I say anything, I know she would just cause havoc. I turned around, deciding to ignore her. I was about to walk away when I felt something solidly hit the back of my head—a loud shattering of glass rings in my ear simultaneously. Drip. Drip. Drip. Something was le
I almost dropped the letter when I almost lose my balance. The rain was hollering that it’s deafening my ears. My wounds are still swelling but I couldn’t care about it. I gripped the letter in my hand tightly while running through the heavy rain.“P-please…be there…” I mumbled, hoping that he’s still in our meeting place waiting for me.My tears didn’t stop from streaming down. My emotions are going along with the weather today. Good thing that no one is around or no cars are passing by to see how miserable I look today. I have no umbrella with me.My mother thought I don’t have the strength anymore to move. Unfortunately for her I found my reason to live my life.I just hope she wouldn’t notice that I was missing in the yard. I just hope she’s thinking that I am just inside my room, minding my own business.I wiped off my face so I could see clearly since my tears are burying my vision. I continued and advanced without giving up. After hours of running I finally managed to reached m
“Babe, who is she?”The woman glanced at us back and forth. She looks at me disgustingly when she get to realized I was covered with bruises, wounds, and scars.“I-I don’t know her, babe. She’s asking for my help and-”“Don’t talk to her! She’s filthy!”I slowly stood up from the ground, backing away. All my life I have been familiar with pain and aches but this time as if something had stabbed me right in the heart because I couldn’t breath properly.“Babe! Don’t say something like that!”While the two are busy arguing, I left the place in an instant.“Miss! Wait!”It was still raining when I reached the highway. I glanced from my shoulder and saw Adam was following me. There was a hint of concern in his eyes. He was raising his hand, trying to reach out for me but I vanished from his vision when a car drove passed between us.I run away while tears are streaming down my cheeks. I was a fool! My heart is still heavy and loaded with void I have to shake it away to focus myself on the
I slowly back away while shaking my head in fear.This can’t be. H-how is this possible? Am I talking with the wrong person this whole time? Just when I thought my life would be completely okay because of him sudden turns of events surprised me.I have a lot of question in my mind. How did this letter got here? It’s obvious that this is his hand writing. Could it be that my mother brought this letter here in my room? I shake my head. But that’s impossible since my good for nothing mother teared the letter right in front of me.So, it’s hopeless for her to let me see this. Unless…My eyes widened and I suddenly drop the letter on the ground. I scoop away from it while thinking of horrible things that could happen.He escaped from prison…and he’s on his way here. If this letter came here inside my room. Does that mean-Suddenly, the door burst open in my room causing me to jump in surprise. I glanced at the door, thinking it was Adam. My heart beat quickened at the thought as I was curi
It was cold, unbearable even. The darkness that surrounded me seemed to solidify the cold, and I couldn't feel my feet anymore.For what felt like hours, I had been confined in this solitary room with no way out. Panic set in as I tried to find a way out of this eternal gloom. But try as hard as I could, there didn’t seem any hope at all. My heart sank in despair and desperation kept building up inside me.I've had enough, a part of me is screaming to give in and accept whatever comes next. But still, something inside me remains determined to soldier on. Every time I consider surrendering, these incredible events continue to occur. It's almost as if the universe is conspiring against my hopelessness and despair; trying it's best to remind me that there's still beauty and joy amidst all the darkness that life throws my way. I want to close my eyes and step away from all this pain but no matter how hard I tried to run away.I had always been hesitant to take any action from this point,
I was running, desperately trying to escape the clutches of whatever danger was chasing me. I refused to turn back and look because of my fear, but could always feel the presence just behind me.My heart raced as I continued on, not knowing what would happen if they caught up. The sound of metal hitting the ground with each footstep only made matters worst as the chaser closed in on me. Desperate for a way out, I frantically searched around for a solution to escape.“You can’t escape from me!”My heart leapt when I heard her voice coming closer and I panicked, running away from the source. Just as I was about to turn around the corner, out of sight, my foot got tangled up on something on the ground causing me to trip and fall harshly onto the ground.A sharp pain shot up my leg that caused me to cry out in agony. The noise of me falling had surely alerted her of my presence.“I have warned you a thousand times already...”I slowly glanced back over my shoulder and felt my jaw drop in
Everyone was running around frantically trying their best to make sure everything would be ready in time for the upcoming event.I nervously bit my bottom lip as all of them were preoccupied with last minute tasks when suddenly, the make-up artist caught me off guard and started talking to me.“Madam, I need you to lift your gaze.”I took a deep breath, steeling myself before finally raising my eyes to meet those of the make up artist. She gestured for me to look higher, so I complied without hesitation. We had been at this for two hours already.Though I wouldn't say I'm complaining, my bottom is already becoming quite numb sitting in the same spot for such a long time. It's understandable that they have to do their jobs, but my need to stand up and move around has become ever more urgent.“It’s almost done, Madame.”I had nodded my head in agreement but the hair stylist gently restrained my head, keeping me still as she attended to every strand of my hair.I was not accustomed to be
The emergency services and police had come in order to locate my mother's remains.I found myself alone at the back of the ambulance, with a blanket draped around my shoulders to keep me warm. The paramedics had already attended to some of my injury, but it was decided that I should be taken to the hospital for a further examination, they wanted to make sure there were no internal injuries that may have gone unnoticed. As I lay there, thoughts raced through my head.I have been feeling a little lost ever since the news of my mother’s passing arrived. I take one look at the cup of coffee in my hands, but can't bring myself to take a sip. At this moment, I feel like a hollowed-out shell on the inside, completely devoid of any emotion. The realization is slowly sinking in, she's gone and nothing can be done to change that fact.The thought on my mind lingers…have I finally attained freedom? Now that she’s gone?“Darling…”I shook my head to clear the fog of my thoughts when I heard Aiden
“Leilani! Where the hell are you going?!”I didn't give Aiden a second thought when his voice cracked with frustration as he called my name. Good thing the door beside me wasn't yet locked and I was able to hurl myself from the car, sprinting in the direction of Adam where I can save him!I can’t believe Aiden! Adam gave up everything for us, placing his life on the line selflessly in order to help us out of a difficult situation.And yet, Aiden isn't willing to do the same and put their differences aside in order to save another person's life. I understand that he hold a grudge against Adam, but surely this isn't an appropriate response?We are talking about someone's life here!I heard Aiden’s shouts echoing off behind me, ordering me to turn around and come back but I refused to do so.“Mother! Stop!”When I finally laid eyes on Adam and mother, it felt like time had stopped. I had to pause for a moment to catch my breath, and when I looked at mother her gaze seemed almost venomous
It was too late.Everything came to a standstill in my mind, as if time had suddenly stopped moving and the clock had stopped ticking when I finally understood what was happening.My mother had pushed me far off of the cliff.My eyes widened, a feeling of helplessness consuming me as I stretched my arm out before me, despite knowing that there was no one who could rescue me from this situation. I felt my heart thumping so hard against my chest, memories of the events leading up to this moment all too vivid in my mind.A single tear escaped from my eye as I prayed under my breath. It was not at all what I had expected, this would end up being the way I would die. In my mind, I pictured myself alive and running away from my mother, starting a new life and living the kind of life that was meant for me - but it all turned out to be nothing more than another dream.Is this where it's all going to end? What did I possibly do to deserve such a cruel fate? Am I okay with my life ending in suc
The cold air blew in like a wild animal, biting at my delicate skin and making me shiver.Despite this, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her face, we stood so close as if no distance could separate us from each other- neither space nor time. The cliff we were standing on overlooked the city below us, its lights glowing in darkness like thousands of distant stars that had found their way home to us.I've always been aware of the fact that my mother has never had a very high opinion of me. From the moment I was born, she seemed to have a contempt for me that grew over time. Not only was I constantly being criticized by her, but she would often blame me for things even when it wasn't my fault. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried or how much effort I put into pleasing her, she would always find something to be disappointed in.I was aware of this all along, but why did I get so hurt when I heard those words come out of her mouth? When I looked into her eyes, there was no sign of regre
It was an icy night, the darkness so oppressive it felt like I could taste it.I had no idea where I was going but I knew one thing, whatever lay ahead of me had to be better than living in fear of the demons that continued to haunt my footsteps. As I ran, my breath foggy plumes visible against the moonlight, a single thought kept me going - freedom. Freedom from this nightmare that followed me wherever I went.“Leilani! You can’t live without me!”Her voice had an eerily chilling effect on me. I felt my entire body tense up, my spine becoming rigid with fear.Goosebumps rose on my skin and I trembled, feeling powerless in her presence. Refusing to turn around and face her, to risk seeing the knife she brandished threateningly in her hand, I valiantly did all that was in my power to keep my cowardice contained.I glance up from the sky, “I-i'm begging you, please help me find a way to escape from her. I need somewhere that is safe, where I can go and forget this nightmare that she has
I felt a deep, primal anger bubbling up from within me as the word cursed spilled out of my mouth. My mind struggled to contend with what I had just heard, and my eyes widened in utter disbelief.I can’t f*cking believe that f*cker. I can hardly restrain my anger, feeling the urge to throw my phone across the room. But I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down and think straight.I quickly dialed my assistant’s number to uncover what Adam was really doing. I had a suspicion he knew where Leilani was and that he was trying to keep her whereabouts hidden. I could feel my anger rising, a burning sensation in the pit of my stomach as it became more evident that something fishy was going on.“Sir Villarreal, how may I be of assistance to you today?”“I want you to locate Adam Hallowes! He needs to be located as soon as possible and explore every place and lead as quickly as you can! Once he has been tracked down, contact me immediately and let me know his whereabouts!”I ended
“A-alicia, how could you?”I slowly shake my head in disbelief, studying her face for any hint of guilt or regret. It's hard to believe that someone as kind and gentle as her could be capable of such a thing…Alicia was speechless as she looked at me, unsure of what to do. Her eyes widened in fear and shock by my sudden presence. I slowly glanced down at the phone that she dropped on the floor, remembering everything that had been said during her conversation with Leilani’s mother.All of her words were clear in my mind…“How could you?”Taking a deep breath in, I slowly made my way towards her and grabbed her shoulders. As I gazed at her, she avoided my gaze and refused to look me in the eye. My heart started to race as my mind was filled with different questions.I don't want to give attention to these ideas, but the words were loud and clear enough for me to directly accuse her. It's difficult for me to accept this. This is an uncomfortable sensation - like tiny needles prodding at