CHAPTER ONE

"Wake up. Gigi, you will be late,"

    "I said wake up this minute, you are going to be late,"

I groaned in my sleep when my stepmother called me from downstairs. I ignored her and pulled the pillow over my ears to mute her voice. I had a great and tiring day in an instant yesterday because it was my 21st birthday and my best friend Laura made me enjoy every bit of it. After all, it was my first birthday after we graduated from college. It was a lot of fun, I had many shots of tequila and some weird drink Laura gave me yesterday.

I heard my stepmother call me twice before she bashed into my room with a spatula in her hand demanding me to get up from the mattress 

"I swear to God, Gianna Diane Harrison, if you do not get your ass off this bed right now, may God so help me that I don't deep-fry you this morning,"

I lazily shot my eyes open at her angry voice and lifted the soft pillow from my head because whenever my stepmother calls us by our full names then it means she will soon turn into She-Hulk.

Letting out an irritated groan, I got up from the bed, standing up I felt a bit woozy and nauseous I rushed to the bathroom to throw all my guts out, I guess that's what they call sober up. Urgh I hate throwing up, I don't usually throw up unless I am seriously sick.

I felt my head spinning as if it was going to split into two. I walked out of the bathroom and bent over to the cupboard beside my bed. I took two painkillers with the water in the jug on top of the cupboard. I love putting water there because I am always fond of feeling thirsty in the middle of the night. It was my stepmom's advice to do so which I am grateful for.

My mother passed away while giving birth to me, my dad was the one who single-handedly raised me. I was six years old when he brought a good-looking woman home, saying she was his girlfriend and I was baffled at first because he always said my mother was the only woman who has always had his attention and heart. I mean, who wouldn't be angry? 

I hated Leslie my stepmom at first because most of my friends always told me that stepmothers are the only creatures closer to the devil, but after she gave birth to my younger brother Oliver, I grew fond of her and I became attached to her because she never treated me like I was her stepdaughter. She was sometimes even the one who would help me to convince my dad whenever I needed anything. She was nothing like other stepmoms, she is not just a mother figure to me but a mother herself and I love her so much. I wondered why her name wasn't Angela or Angelina because she is like an Angel in a human form, she is the Angel herself.

I went back to the bathroom. After a quick hot shower, I chose to wear a simple armless navy blue dress. It reached my knees and flowed.

I always preferred simple and light outfits. I didn't have an enchanting figure to show off so I never thought about what to wear.

I applied just a hint of makeup. I looked at myself and smiled. The dress and the make-up did look good on me. I went downstairs.

As soon as I came downstairs, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and pancakes coming from the kitchen filled my nostrils and then my stomach growled in hunger.

"Good morning Mom!" I greeted her as soon as I came inside the kitchen. I kissed her cheeks and sat down at the dining table.

"Good morning, sweetie," she responded, smiling. 

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"He was called for an important meeting early this morning," she answered.

"And Oli?" I asked again.

"I asked him to drop him off at school on his way."

"Hurry up with the food dear, Laura will be here soon."

"You're right," I said, giggling.

"That reminds me mom, I'm going to be late tonight. Mr. Ross wants me to stay up at work. It seems that there is going to be some birthday or anniversary party."

She thought about it for a moment and nodded. "It's cool baby, just don't be too late, you know what the world's turning into now." She reminds me. I nodded and smiled.

I was almost done with my breakfast when I saw Laura's message pop up on my phone.

                     I am outside.

"Mom, Laura's here. I have to go now. Bye, I love you!" I said, kissing her forehead.

"Bye sweetie, be careful and stay out of trouble." 

I closed the door behind me and walked out. I grinned at my childhood best friend who looked amazing as always.

"Hey, good morning," I greeted her as I got into the car.

She was smiling and scrolling through her phone. I waved my hand to snap her out of whatever she was imagining.

One thing about my best friend is that she loves imagining things which are way greater than her and the funniest thing is that the things she imagines don't even exist.

She blinked her eyes numerous times coming back to her senses, she looked at me and then smiled, "Sup Gigi. You're ready to go?"

"Yeah, I am. But what's up with you? You look happy. What's the good news?" I asked her, smiling and wiggling my eyebrows.

"What? Is being happy now a sin?" she said.

"Nope, but come on, I know there's something else that's making you smile. Share the news with me please" I pout.

"Okay, fine, so there's this cute handsome hunk guy that I served at the restaurant the other day during my shift. He was so handsome that I just couldn't help but stare at him. And guess what? He was staring at me too. And when he stood up to leave, he gave me a tip and paper which had his number. I was stunned and so happy." She told me.

"Wow, that's great. So if I hadn't asked you about it, you wouldn't have told me right?" I asked.

"No, it's not like that. It's just that we're still on the talking level. He hasn't even asked me on a date yet. And I'm still waiting for that. You know that I would never hide secrets from you." She explained.

"It's okay, I believe you."

I was very happy for her. At least for the first in her life she's met a real life handsome hunk and not an imaginary one. And to think of it he might have fallen in love with her at first sight.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't even realize that she had already parked the car and was waiting for me to head out.

"Sorry, I just zoned out a little." I said apologetically.

"Hey, is everything okay?I am always there for you anytime something is bothering you, okay?" Laura said with concern.

I smiled "yeah, babe. I know that very well. And I'm fine, okay? I was just thinking about you, you know." 

"Awwwn, that's so sweet of you bestie" she said.

We headed towards the restaurant.

The day went by as usual and it was time for what we were told to extend our shifts for. 

'The Anniversary party.'

Mr. Ross was absolutely right. Today the restaurant was indeed very busy. The anniversary party was for an old couple. Wow, even after so many years they looked like Cinderella and her prince charming. I enjoyed watching them stealing glances at each other and staring at each other lovingly. I never saw that kind of love in my family because my parents were always on each other's neck arguing about one thing or the other. I just hoped that I will also marry my own prince charming and he will love me. And just like the old couple, I hope my love will grow old in the arms of my lover.

My shift ended by midnight. That was pretty late than I expected. Laura and I were the only ones left at the restaurant. After making sure that everything was in place, I rolled down the windows and locked up the door of the restaurant and headed towards Laura's car with her behind me.

After dropping me off at home, she drove home. I'm so tired right now.

I went inside and I saw my dad watching the news on TV, gosh, this man and TV are really twins. He snapped his gaze at me, he rushed to me in rage and said "Where are you coming from in the middle of the night?"

"Relax dad, I was at work with Laura, our boss asked us to stay a little longer today because of an anniversary held for an old couple." I said.

"So of all his employees he would have asked to stay behind, he chose the females? Doesn't he know what happens to girls that roam around the street in late hours? On top of that he chose my daughter to stay back?" he yelled.

I sighed "Dad, you don't have to worry about anything okay? I've got Laura with me every now and then. And besides, I came back home in Laura's car."

"Aaron, what's going on down here? Oh hey, baby, you're back. God are you alright?" my stepmom said coming downstairs to hug me.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit tired. Didn't you tell dad that I was gonna be late tonight?" I asked her.

"I did, but you know your dad, so over protective over his kids" she said smiling at my dad while he glared at the both of us.

"Now, go upstairs and freshen up, and then come downstairs for your dinner."

"No, I already had enough food at the restaurant, so don't worry. Good night guys." I said and went upstairs to my room. God, I am so exhausted that I didn't even have the strength to take a shower. I just want to sleep and I really missed my lovely comfy bed.