-Veronne-
"Veronne! The laundry is waiting for you! Who do you think will do the laundry? Me? Chontel? Hell no! Hurry up and wash it all!"I woke up again from my aunt's loud scream so I went up and immediately fixed my bed."You're living like a princess in a golden castle, Veronne! The chickens have been awake so early but here you are, still sleeping! Don't be lazy and do your job!""S-sorry, Aunt Milie," I apologized.I was just a child when my parents left me. Daddy died because of a car accident. As for mommy, I don't know where she went, my mommy definitely went with another man. I hadn't heard about her since I was in grade school.Life was hard. It was hard to live alone but I had no choice but to fight because that was the only thing left I could do.I am now living with my aunt who was full of bad character. She shouldn't be disobeyed when she gives orders. You should always be in a hurry. Lazy people were not allowed in her house. Sometimes, I couldn't say I am their relative because I was more than a helper in this house.I stood up straight and immediately stretched. It's ten o'clock but I haven't washed my mouth and face since my aunt woke me up. It was hard when you lived with people who didn't know respect and love. I don't seem to be doing anything right for the people I live with.I looked up at the sky. It was blue and the sun's rays were dazzling. The breeze was kissing my face.I took the last blanket to hang it. When I hung it, my eyes widened."That man is handsome," I whispered in the air when I saw the man wearing all black clothes. I'm sure he's a businessman because of his clothes and his demeanor.He stopped in front of me, which was why my heart beat faster. He was wearing black shades so I couldn't tell if he was staring at me or not. I only know one thing for sure. He is the prince charming who will save me from the cruelty of my aunt and cousin. He is my hero in this cruel world.Even though there was a gate in the middle of us and we were quite distanced, it was as if we were close to each other."Ouch!" I shouted and faced my back.I saw Chontel with her arms crossed and her one eyebrow raised looking at me. Did she bathe me with dirty water? God, this woman was a total evil. Chontel's behavior is really bad. He didn't even think that I would be ashamed of what he did because there were people who saw it. That handsome man might have seen me bathed in dirt."What are you looking at? Don't be lazy, Veronne! You were just staring for so long," she said flatly.I just blew violent air."Am I really the lazy one? Who among us is always lying around?"She pushed me so hard that I fell down. She sat me on my stomach and slapped me many times. My eyes hurt because of the soapy water that she bathed me in, so I couldn't fight back."That's what you deserve, Veronne! Remember who you are! Don't pretend that we owe you something. You got it? Mommy and I are not the ones who live with you! So if I am you, don't fight back because you're useless and you owe your life to us!"She stood up. I coughed because she sat on my stomach. She stomped on my stomach. I was holding my stomach because it was writhing in pain."T-That's enough, Chontel! P-Please, Chontel!""Hurry up there. Get up and I need you on the way! Take a shower too because you look like a rag!"She was not satisfied with what she did to humiliate me. She even spat on me before she entered the house.I was left with dirt and in tears. I just sighed heavily. Irose from the ground. I looked where I saw the man earlier but he was gone. Even his car was gone already. I was so ashamed of what Chontel did. That handsome man might be laughing at me.I headed inside the house. My aunt was smoking and staring at me angrily. As if that I was the one who hurt her ill-mannered child."That's your problem, Veronne. When we talk to you, you just stare at the air and think that no one is around. It's good that Chontel is the one disciplining you. I don't know if I'm the one disciplining you. Maybe it's just your tongue that won't have a bruise!"I ignored her. I just went straight to the bathroom and immediately turned on the shower. The water slowly poured over my skin. I looked up and tears came from my eyes.I hugged myself and immediately burst into tears. They mistreated me too much in this house. I will put myself below them because I have nowhere to go. I will endure all the pain and all the bad words they throw at me because I have nowhere to run to. I don't have anyone to go to.After I finished taking a shower, I immediately got dressed. I was wearing old pants and an old oversized shirt. My hair was messy and I haven't combed it yet, but I immediately went to Chontel's room because she was screaming my name upstairs.I held my breath when I entered Chontel's room. The inside of the room smelled of cigarettes and it was messy as always.I stared at the sandals and undergarments scattered on the floor. It seems that the owner of this room was not a woman.Chontel got up from her bed with the bedsheet crumpled and spilled wine. She took her book and her paper. She also handed me the pen."Do my assignments! You should be doing well in answering my assignments, Veronne. If something goes wrong with my assignments, you'll really see what I will do to you. I can kick you out when I'm tired of you, Veronne. Got it?" she said defiantly.I didn't answer. Even on Saturday, I couldn't rest. It's like the word rest is just my imagination and that's my only dream right now. I want to rest from the mistreatment of my aunt and my cousin. I want to rest from the pains that the world has given me. I'm tired of this life.I came to my senses when she pushed my shoulder. I looked at her. She was wearing a yellow and sexy dress. I'm sure he'll be partying again. That's her life during Saturday nights. She goes to party while I was left fixing her mess and doing her homeworks."Veronne, listen! When I get back, you should have all my things in order! My room shouldn't be messy anymore. Okay? Stay aside and I might be late for where I'm going!"She was about to leave but she managed to criticize my clothes."God, what you're wearing suits someone like you. You really look like a rag that's useless! The only thing you are useful to is to clean the dirt and spilled liquids. Those rags suit a rag like you. It suits you well, Veronne!"She laughed before leaving. When I heard her closed the door, tears flowed from my eyes. She didn't even consider me as her cousin. She didn't respect me and she always humiliated me.They often call me rag. I also often feel that they treat me more as a helper and not as family.I stretched because of my back pain. I finished answering Chontel's homework and I also finished cleaning her room. I stood up and stretched. I was holding the end of the desk because I was dizzy. I just realized that I haven't eaten all day. I got down and immediately went to the kitchen. I looked for food. I gasped when I saw what food was left. Small rice and fish head. I ate that little bit of food and just drank a lot of water. After I finished eating, I thought of throwing our garbage outside. I'm already outside. It's night. I'm feeling tired, so I sat next to the stored garbage. "Life, why are you tough on me?" I asked sadly and just lay down on a big garbage bag. I looked up at the sky full of stars. When I was young they said, when a person dies it will become a star in the sky. It was said to guide you and protect you from people who do not treat you well. "Dad, where are you among those stars? Why didn't you protect me from your evil sister and your niece?! They kep
I looked in the mirror and immediately took the powder from my old bag. I put some powder on my face and immediately put red lipstick on my lips. I smiled. You can't be ugly when you die. If my body is ever found I should still be beautiful. I put the broken glass next to me. I looked up at our family picture. Mommy and daddy were smiling while I was looking on the side. "Daddy, I want you to pick me up when I'm there in the afterlife. We're going to be together, daddy," I whispered. I focused my glance on mommy. "Wherever you are now, I hope you are always happy. Thank you, even though you are like that, you brought me out of this world to see the beauty of the environment. Mommy, daddy, I don't have any problems in the world, it's just that there are people who mistreat other people so badly that life becomes ugly. Even though you left me, I still love you both," I added. I touched my cheek and immediately wiped away my tears. I stood up and looked for a small knife. When I pul
I was about to speak but suddenly someone knocked on the door of my room. I ended the call and threw my phone on the bed while covering it with my blanket. I stand. Before I got to the opposite door, I closed my eyes tightly. I released a breath because I didn't want the people outside my door to think that I was actually talking to someone on my phone. "What the hell? I've been here for a long while and you opened the door just now?""Why, Chontel? What are you going to make me do?" I don't feel like asking. It was late at night but it seemed like my cousin was going to order something again. She looked at me evilly before rolling her eyes. "Are you planning to run away?" she asked me with a full accusation in her voice."Ch-Chontel, I have no plan to do that."She pushed me so I eventually sat on the floor. She searched for something inside my room. "Where are your things? You didn't bring a suitcase so you wouldn't be caught running away?"She pulled me upright. My clothes w
I could hardly step into a fancy restaurant where I was going to meet Marcov. I was nervous for some unknown reason. There were lots of place but he really chose this one where we would be seeing each other. "Hi, beautiful!" greeted a familiar voice from behind me. I turned to him and I was mesmerized with his looks. More than forty years old is old compared to my age which is just over twenty. But, looking at him, I can't stop being amazed by his aura. What is he eating? What is his soap, why is his skin so smooth and white? He looks younger than his age. "Miss Sterling? I said let's go inside. Didn't you hear that?" he asked me. How can I hear what he said? I was deaf when I saw him. I hate this feeling. I felt the same way when I saw my prince charming across the house. I shook my head several times to bring myself back to reality. I lose myself because of the old man's looks. He's handsome."Ah! S-Sure," I said and just smiled. I let out a deep breath. I calm myself as we wa
The music played and my heart meant to dance with it. Somehow the shame I felt has disappeared. I thought that was all Marcov had ordered. But I was wrong because he also included cake for our dessert."I won't ask the price of this cake anymore. I might choke again if I know it," I told him. "You better not. We don't have water here, we only have wine, and then my saliva," said Marcov. I immediately looked at him. He was smiling at me, while his eyes were serious. I never mind him, as I thought he was just kidding."What do I do with your saliva?" I shook my head after my words.The music that was being played by the musicians around us was making the atmosphere romantic. I might be delusional but I think what happened to us was like a date. For a moment I thought of asking Marcov. I want to know why he brought me here. "Marcov," I called him, trying to get his attention.I don't want to admit it but Marcov was sexy when he removed the spread icing on the side of his lips."Yes, V
I can't say a word. I went with him without thinking anymore. I don't care where he takes me. I was shivering, in need of shelter, and still wet from the rain. Marcov's car entered a compound with a large gate. Is this a house? It feels like more than that. Para itong mall!"M-Marcov, you live here?"He nodded. There are statues outside his house. In the middle of the garden there is a fountain with various lights. Because of the rays of those lights, it's as if the water has a variety of colors, looking fantastic in the eyes.He held me, assisting me to step out from his car. My bones lost strength. I feel like I'm going to fall anytime because of the cold that almost froze me. My voice also seems to be gone. Marcov adjusted the drape of his tuxedo on my shoulders. "Let's go in," he told me. His hands rested on my shoulders as we entered together. When the big doors of his house opened, I couldn't help but be amazed. The design of his house was like a castle. The gold glitters i
The maids took me to Marcov's room. Its interior is like a VIP room in a world-famous hotel. The design is very brilliant. I'm only wearing a bathrobe now. I wasn't wearing any underwear so I was a little nervous but trying to be fine with it. I remembered what he said that he likes me. I was not comfortable thinking about that. I sat in a chair facing a large mirror. Also maybe this mirror is worth millions, its beautiful and clear, it is also thick. I saw his reflection in the mirror. I stood up and immediately faced him. He is already dressed but because of his meticulousness he always seems to be going out based on his clothes and the way he moves. He looks so expensive, no matter how many times I repeat those words I will not hesitate because that is the truth. "M-Marcov, sorry, I sat down because I was tired," I said to him, I immediately looked down. "Veronne, don't be sorry. No matter what you do in this room, I will not scold you. You are a guest here."I slowly lifted m
I have no words to respond to him. I just stared at him as tears rolled down my cheeks. I could only shake my head when he shook me twice. I think it is the end of my life. He looks like the death that would be taking me away from this life."Kalvis! Calvis, what are you doing? Stop that!"We both looked at Lita who ran in our direction. She was full of worry. "Why, Lita? Do you know this woman?! What's her right to enter in this house without my permission?!" he asked Lita. Lita snatched me from his tight grip. Only then did I feel that I was not in his arms again when Lita was slightly hugging me to give me protection."Kalvis, and when did you learn to hurt women? I didn't raise you like that! You are taught to respect women!"He was pointing at me at this moment, I looked at the floor. My vision is blurry because of the tears blocking my eyes. "That's not the point here! Why are you just letting anyone enter in this house? She's still even my mommy's favorite dress! Who is thi