Chapter 2

HANA

FINALLY, MY FAMILY IS COMPLETE! The scenario that I'm seeing right now has my heart racing. I'm thrilled that my big sister is here with us, and I mentally promise that I'll do everything in my power to keep her here permanently. When Dad marries Averi, we will be a completely happy family. I can't help but smile.

Angel or Jazmin preferred to call her by her middle name, and we were stepsisters.

When he was sixteen, her mother was my father's girlfriend, and he impregnated her without knowing it. My grandparents threatened her, so she didn't tell him. Jazmin's mother was impoverished, and my grandparents believe she is only after my father's money. So they give her a small sum of money to keep her away from my Dad. Jazmin's mother had no choice but to obey them for the sake of the child in her womb.

That's what Jazmin told us.

I frowned as I remembered her stories because I remembered how poor they were before Dad found her. Her mother died when she graduated from high school due to heart failure and exhaustion. Her mother overworked herself to support Jazmin's studies and their daily needs. I cried all night when I found out from Manay Barbara that Jazmin had left for New York.

I didn't readily accept Jazmin into the family; I made her life miserable when Dad first brought her here, but Jazmin also knew how to fight, so we ended up trying to kill each other.

That's what I'm working on right now, figuring out how to get her out of my life, out of our lives. I'm not sure what my strategy should be. Should I kill her with mercy or without mercy at all?

No, I was joking. I adore Jazmin. When I learned about Jazmin's hardships, I grew to love her as my sister. She became one of my motivations, which is why I'm working my tail off at school. You could say I did well because I am the number one, or top, a student in my class. I'm also well-liked because I am known as "the queen bee" at our school.

I can't help but think about the past as I watch Jazmin talk with Dad. That day is still fresh in my mind. I'll never forget the moment we almost killed each other.

~*~

SEVEN YEARS AGO...

"I WILL KILL YOU, BITCH!" I yelled at the sixteen-year-old girl, whom they claimed was my sister; I can't believe Dad has a bastard daughter.

"Try harder, psycho," she advised calmly.

That's one of the reasons why my rage has erupted more towards her because she's just so cool about everything! But for me, I have this temper but only towards her.

Who wouldn't have? I was the only princess in this mansion, but when she arrived, and my Dad's attention was drawn to her, I was envious, completely envious.

I have no one but Dad, and this jerk is diverting his attention away from me. Mom died of breast cancer a year ago, so I'm left with only Dad in my life right now.

I clench my teeth and punch her in the face. She could see it coming and easily avoided it.

"That's all you got, psycho?" she asked mockingly in her calm voice and poker face. How does she do it? Ugh! And now I'm even angrier.

And what about me? Well, I can tell you that my face is so red that, if it were possible, you could see smoke coming from my nose and ears as a result of my rage, just like in the cartoons.

"Of course not!" I said as I kicked her in the stomach. She's now curled up in agony.

Even though I am seven years younger than she, our height did not differ significantly. She's 5'4," and I'm 5' flat; I don't know why I'm tall at such a young age; perhaps it's in our genes.

Our figures don't differ much either; the girl was skinny, and I'm healthier than her because I'm an athlete, so it's all fair and square.

We're currently in the hallway because I grabbed her there. I was so envious when I heard Dad would buy her a car for her seventeenth birthday, which is in two months. It's not right!

I also heard her decline my Dad's offer, but damn, I know she's just faking it so that my Dad will insist on giving her everything she wants. What a gold digger!

"That's it!" she exclaimed, staring at me.

When I saw those deep chocolate brown eyes transform into piercing ones, I was held back. If appearances could kill, I'd be in a coffin right now. Uh-oh! This was the first time I'd seen her like this in two months.

She punched me in the face and knocked me out before I could react. I could feel blood dripping from my nose. Shit! My lovely nose appears to be broken. I had no idea she had this kind of strength. My vision became blurred, and I couldn't see clearly.

I'm pretty athletic and know my limits, but this girl? I have absolutely no idea. She punches me this time! It stings! And I'm unable to speak because I believe I swallowed my tongue. No, not literally. I'm just at a loss for words and in pain. I could only see stars circling me. Now I understand what others have said about these stars when you're knocked off. Shame!

"Even if you're seven years younger than me, that doesn't give you the right to bitch around me; I respected you even if you irritated me because you're still my so-called father's child, but if you touch me ever again..." she raged in her low voice. "I won't hesitate to rip you apart; what else do you know about me? I'm from the slum, remember? So I can kill anybody that easily whenever I want and leave no evidence." She glared at me again and walked away.

Was she threatening me? That's all! She irritates me even more! I'm not going to let her go so quickly.

I quickly grabbed a nearby flower vase.

I called her before she could leave. "Hey, bitch!" he exclaimed, hurling the flower vase in her face. It was a slam dunk!

Yeah! Knocked out! I swear I heard the boxing referee announce my victory! Wooh!

The vase hit her forehead pretty hard because she was knocked out, and luckily, one of the guards caught her before she fell to the floor. The maids, Manay Barbara, and Dad then arrived.

What perfect timing, right? I'm so dead!

"What the hell did you do, Hana?!" That was the first time I heard Dad curse. Yes, my father does not curse. Just now! Yay! Someone is irritated. But before I could respond, the darkness engulfed me, and the next thing I remember was waking up in a hospital room.

I never saw Jazmin again after the incident. Dad was so angry with me at the time that he kept scowling at me. He knows I started the 'fight' because he said Jazmin isn't the type of person who starts fights.

Yes, he chose to believe her! He'd only known her for two months! Yes, I don't have a good personality. I'm spoiled, and I get everything I want. You could call her a b*tch.

Only because he hasn't had time to spend on us since he took over the Angel Food Industry, then my mother died, but he was always busy. I don't recall Dad crying when Mom died. I despise him to no end. And now he's found his bastard daughter and lavished more affection on her than on me, which isn't fair at all.

Dad made certain that Jazmin and I didn't cross paths. He even stationed security guards at Jazmin's doors. Wow! I'm in a lot of pain right now. Right now, I have the feeling I'm a serial killer.

We are not permitted to eat together, even when we are hungry. I'm not even permitted to enter Jazmin's room!

They made sure that we would never see each other again, or they made sure that I would never see Jazmin. Great!

Dad is no longer speaking to me; only Manay Barbara and my best friend Margo speak to me and assure me that everything will be fine. I'm at a loss for what to do if the two, especially Margo, aren't there to console me on those days. I'm incredibly fortunate to have her in my life. At the very least, she is still present. She is the sweetest thing that has ever happened to me.

I'm crying again in the greenhouse on the rooftop right now because I'm sorry for what I did to Jazmin. Manay Barbara has explained everything about Jazmin's past situations and why Dad is always on her side.

Now I understand why Dad always wanted to be with Jazmin; he's making up for the time they've spent apart. I misinterpreted everything because my jealousy blinded me to what I should have seen. Manay Barbara also explained how hard Dad worked for our better future.

"It's okay, Han," Margo reassured me. It's the name of my pet. She's the only person I let call me that. I'm sobbing right now, burying my face in the crook of her neck. "Everything will be fine," she said as she rubbed my back with her tender small hands.

She's about five inches shorter than I am, and anyone who sees us for the first time will probably laugh at the situation because a big bully girl is comforted by a more petite girl. Although the scenery was unappealing, I felt secure in her arms. Anyway, she's my best friend.

"Ssshhhh, all is well, all is well," I said as I stopped crying but continued to sniff. Margo's shirt was soaked in tears.

I nodded. "Everything is fine," I said, smiling. For the first time since the incident with Jazmin, I felt compelled to smile. Thanks to Amir Khan's famous line. I repeated our favorite line from the Indian film "Three Idiots," "All is well, all is well!" and we burst out laughing. Then we began to sing the movie's OST. We were both fans of Indian films.

Following that, we ate chocolate moist cake, a sundae, and carob seeds ice cream! Sweeetsss!

End of flashback…

~*~

AFTER REMINISCING, I'M SMILING LIKE CRAZY AGAIN. Awe! Marg. That lovely lady!

Anyway, when Aunt Bella decided to see Dad and tell him about her situation, Dad was in New York because he was attending college there at the time. During his senior year of college, he met and fell in love with my mother. My father proposed to her, and they eventually married.

My grandparents quickly approved of her because my mother came from a wealthy family. We lived in New York until I was five years old, but when my grandparents died in a car accident, Dad moved back here and took over the company that I'm sure he wanted Jazmin to run.

In any case, why would Dad send Jazmin to New York to study business and chocolate? It's because she's grooming her to be his heir in the future.

I'm sure she couldn't say no to her father. Besides, I know Jazmin is deserving of the position. She's a chocolate and sweets expert! Believe me when I say that I'm not exaggerating. I'm sure that's the first reason she'll decide to stay here permanently. And we will remain a complete and happy family. Yaaaa! I did a mental happy dance.

"Hana Anika?" Dad exclaimed. I awoke from my daydreaming. How long have I been sleeping? Nya!

"Please don't call me that name again, Dad," I moaned. I despise my middle name.

"Dad calls you a thousand times, but your attention seems to be somewhere else, and you're frowning and smiling at yourself. Don't tell me you're on drugs? Oh my God! My sister is a drug addict!" Jazmin exclaimed, putting her right hand in her chest in shock and disbelief.

"What?" they both exclaim. I laugh because Jazmin's voice is exaggerated, and their joy is contagious.

"Good evening, I'm sorry for being late," said the lovely brunette standing at the entrance to the dining room with a genuine smile. The newcomer's presence drew our attention.

I thought to myself, "Now we're finished," and smiled at her.