Chapter 1

Ginaaaaaaaa! where is that stupid girl?" I heard the woman I used to call mom yell my name

Such a nuisance, I'm sure she's somewhere lazing around" Selena added

I'm coming maa......" I had to yell back so they could hear my voice since I'm currently washing the car downstairs.

You heard me, Yvonne and her husband are millionaires obviously they can afford to pay someone to get that done but no, they're just hell bent on breaking me.

I desperately want to punch that fool in the face. Lazing around...... seriously?

If laziness was a person, it'd definitely would be Selena Ross.

After running up the stairs, I went to the lounge breathing heavily. Don't blame me, I could never get used it. There's an elevator in this house, but I'm not allowed to use it.

In the lounge I saw two of the three devils in my life.

You call........." I was not able to finish my statement, when a resounding slap landed on my right cheek. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who it was

Why did you take so long to get here?" Selena yelled in my face

I'm sorry ma'am Selena" I apologized definitely wasn't sincere about it.

Oh no you are never sorry, dimwit" Yvonne supported her child as always. One would think that she's not my biological mother

Kneel down" Selena barked. Feeling the regular anger surging through my veins, I did as commanded

Calm down damsel, you wouldn't want to get stressed. Remember you have a shoot scheduled for tomorrow" Yvonne said in an unbelievably calm voice. Not like I'm surprised, she only uses that voice for her husband and daughter.

True mum, she just wants to annoy me because she's jealous of my beauty" she said smiling

Sorry? what? beauty? who? Selena beautiful? she's just delusional again.

Get the hell out of here, go to my room and prepare the things I'll be needing for my shoot. Make sure you take your bath, wash and sanitize your hands before entering my room and touching my stuffs" Selena ordered

Yes, ma'am" don't be surprised, even though she's just one year older than me, I call her ma'am.

How did Yvonne do it? I don't know. I'll just tell you the story another time. For now, I have some packing to do.

I hurriedly took my bath and I went to her room to start packing. As usual I was mesmerized by the room decor, all the luxurious clothes and accessories.

Even though she's not that beautiful, she's a top model.

I could only admire her things but never dream of trying them on.

After I was done, I went back down stairs finished cleaning the cars and head back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Mr. Ross will soon be back. I have to hurry up. I boiled water and set it aside.

Ginaaaaaaa" what now again. Soon Selena came rushing into the kitchen

How dare you?" she barked angrily

What did I do ma?" I asked politely

How dare you pollute my room?"

I was confused because I had no idea what she was talking about.

The air in my room stench" she concluded

Before I could open my mouth to speak, she took the hot water I had set aside for her father's tea and poured it on my hands, thankfully I covered my face because right now my face would have been ruined.

I yelled in pain, crying profusely. Yvonne came out from her room with a grin on her face

Better get up and finish preparing dinner, stupid" with that she left together with her daughter.

Why me? Why does my life have to be so miserable? What have I done wrong?

I'm tired of this unending pain, have I not suffered enough? It's been more than 20 years.

I miss my papa, he was my best friend, the best dad in the whole world. After all the pain Yvonne has caused me, I came to the realization that anybody could be a mother but not everyone can be a mom.

After crying, I had to get up and continue making dinner because if Mr. Ross comes back and he's food is not ready yet, that means today will be my last day on earth.

I had to boil another water and I finished cooking after an hour. Few minutes after I finished cooking, Mr. Ross came in, thank goodness.

Good evening sir" I greeted respectfully

What is good about evening? Definitely not about seeing your face" he spat.

His eyes drifted to my hands but said nothing

Soon his wife and daughter came down to greet him.

I quietly left their presence and started serving the food. When I was done I informed them, after which they are. I cleared up everywhere, ate the leftover Mr. Ross left. Yvonne and her daughter didn't leave any, because they want me to starve to death.

I retired to the tiny space, I call room. It's actually a very small store where we keep unnecessary stuffs.

I applied ointment to the burns after which I did my regular night routine and went to sleep. I laid on the old tiny mattress thinking about my life.

All the bad memories but the happy memories and my love brought a smile to my face. With that I dozed off.

It's another beautiful day and for some reason Gina is happy. She was already up and going about her usual routine.

Yesterday was horrible but she could somehow feel that today would be different. Currently she's preparing breakfast for those evil people.

Right, there are basically three reasons why Gina feels elated. The admission list for Western Aves University would be released, her boyfriend will be back from his business trip soon most importantly Selena is going to another country for a shoot.

Don't be confused, Yvonne and husband are not kind enough to sponsor her education. Selena has always been lazy when it came to education, so Gina had to secretly read her books, for the laptop that Gina is currently using, it belongs to Selena. Don't blame her, Selena was not using it, in fact she disposed it saying she didn't like the color.

Seeing that her masters won't help her, she attended online classes and has been under scholarship since high school.

“Baby, this love

I'll never let it die

Can't be touched by no one

I'd like to see 'em try........."

Gina was singing happily that she didn't know when Selena walked in

Why are you singing?" Selena asked with a scornful look

I just felt like singing" Gina casually replied. She wasn't ready for anyone to ruin her mood

To even think that it’s a romantic song. Listen no man in his right senses will settle for something like you not even a beggar" Selena smirked

Time will tell" Gina mumbled

What did you say?"

Nothing. Do you want something?"

As if you are capable of giving me anything, nonsense."

Okay" Gina was not gonna let this witch take away her joy. Though her body still hurts she didn't want to be sad.

Make me banana split "

I thought you said I'm not capable of giving you anything"

Shut the hell up and do as you're told" with that she walked out, swaying her non-existent hips

Such a rude brat"

Yvonne really did a poor job raising her daughter not only is she ugly, she's mannerless.

Later in the day, Selena left for Italy, Yvonne went shopping and Mr. Ross went to the company.

Gina was home alone, it was time for her to check the admission list. She was confident up until few minutes ago. Though she was hopeful, she didn't want to get disappointed.

Though she wasn’t entirely discouraged, she was very anxious because she had checked the university’s recent news and had seen a new update which didn’t look very encouraging. What surprised her the most is that, someone very close to her played a role in the new development and the worst part is that Gina didn’t know what the person is up to.

Please God, help me get admitted into Western Aves University" she silently prayed after which she logged in to the school's website and inputted her password.