Star

The next day…

Katherine was walking down the streets, today she was really happy because today she will open her own bank account with her savings. 

She saw an old lady trying to cross the road. But she was unable to because it had the red light. But the old lady seemed to be in a hurry. "Grandma, wait, it's the red light, where are you going? " Katherine asked, caressing that old grandma's shoulder. 

"Oh, dear, I can't see that clearly with my eyes, all these life experiences have reduced my eye power. Also I'm in a hurry because my grandson is waiting for me. That poor soul doesn't have anyone in this world" She said and looked at the ground. 

"Guess not everyone leaves a child on their own. Guess not everyone is heartless" Katherine thought and gave a big smile looking at the old granny. "Come grandma, I'll help you cross the road. And promise me you will go and see an eye doctor" Katherine requested. 

"Dear, I don't have that much money," She said, smiling. 

Katherine then thought for a sec and said, "But I have, so don't worry" She said and started taking out money, "No, dear, how can I take money from you, no, no, take it back" That old lady said. 

"Aw, grandma, think of me as your own daughter okay, and I'm not pitying you, but I'm just helping my own grandma okay? And I won't take for a no! You have to take it. You are my grandma and I'm your daughter, okay?" Katherine said, smiling. 

"Guess the world still has good people," The old woman said. 

"Now let's go, let me help you with crossing the road." Katherine said. And helped that old grandma crossing that road. 

From the other side of the road, 

"Helping someone without any ulterior motive?" He laughed hard and again said, "Who does that in today's time! Haha! She's interesting" That man said, sitting inside his Bugatti Chiron. 

He observed that girl's actions precisely. "Hm… Interesting." He said. He just didn't notice her actions but also from her head to toe. "Is she pretending to be nice or is she really nice?" He thought to himself. He laughed out what he thought for a second. "Nice? Haha! Nobody is nice in this world. But I really liked what I saw. I want her! " He said with lust lingering in his eyes, which held care only for a few seconds. Now only lust can be seen and nothing else. 

"Charles!" Neil called for his secretary who was half asleep, sitting in front beside the driver seat. He almost jumped off and said, "Yes, sir?" 

"Look at that girl, I need all the information about her and her family!" He said in a stern voice. He added, "And if you can't find out by tomorrow then you are finished!" 

Charles gulped his own saliva and said, "Yes,sir!" In a determined voice. 

…

…….

Katherine..

"Here you go grandma, take care, I'll go now…" Katherine said, while hugging that old woman. 

"My child, my house is down this street, please visit my grandson also, he would love to meet a sweet soul like you…" The grandma said. "I would love to, grandma but I have important work to do, some other time, okay? Down the street right?" She asked to be sure. "Yess! Tell anyone that you want to meet Alayna, and they will show you my house" She said smiling. "Sure grandma. And don't forget to see a doctor, alright?" She asked, making a strict face. 

The grandma laughed and then said good and left. And Katherine went towards the bank. 

..

….

After some time Katherine came back. 

Ashley saw Katherine entering the house. "Come, come, come, my highness. Tell me what can I do for you?!" Ashley said with a taunt filled in her voice and bowed down before Katherine.

For a moment she was dumbfounded at what her stepmother was doing. But then she realized that it's time to get scolded and she was already ready for that because she didn't tell her stepmom that she's going outside. And now she knows the consequences. 

"Tell me my highness, where have you been, leaving all your work behind? Do we have a maid, who will do your work or have you taken me as your maid!!!!!" Ashley said the last sentence shouting. 

Katherine flinched, she clenched her fists tight that her nails dug into her skin.

"Answer me!!!" Ashley shouted again. 

Katherine flinched again, and answered, I had gone to buy some Vegetables. There are no Vegetables in the house, ``she said, showing a bag full of vegetables. 

Ashley looked at the bag and then said, "Alright, but who will cook it, huh? Obviously not me! Go and get to work! " She shouted again, not feeling any guilt for Katherine for shouting at her without any reason. Actually she doesn't have any soul, that's why she never feels guilty. 

Katherine clenched her fists and started taking deep breaths, "Don't be angry, control yourself Katherine, control yourself she said to herself, while going into the kitchen and started cooking. "It's nothing, she's crazy, but you're smart, don't let stubbornness control you!" She said to herself in mind. 

Later at night…

Katherine came to her room after finishing all the work of the house. Katherine's room is a small room, with damp walls. Though their house is not big at all, it's a small house but in this small house her room is smaller. She only has a pair of clothes with her and some things of necessity. She doesn't buy anything because all these years she has been saving up to get out of this hell. 

Tears started forming on Katherine's eyes, this time, she didn't try to hold back her tears. She let them flow. 

"Why? Why is my luck like this? Mom, I miss you so much! I miss you each and every day! Please come back."

She said, looking at the star in the sky, outside the window. After some time she lied on the floor. 

Whenever Katherine is sad, she lies or sits on the floor, the coldness of the floor, sometimes gives her peace. 

Soon she drifted to sleep. 

"Katherine, mom's always there for you! Sorry I had to leave you, but mom's proud of you, you have turned into a great girl. I love you, my dear." A woman in her early thirties said to Katherine with a big smile. She almost looked like Katherine. The two of them have similar features. 

Katherine smiled warmly in her sleep and said ``I love you too mom!" 

she was walking with her mom in the forest, birds were chirping, there were flowers and trees, both were very happy, but soon her mom disappeared in the fog. "Mom… mom! Mom, where are you?! She screamed. She started breathing heavily. She got up panting heavily, she looked around and saw she was right there, in that damp room, not in the forest, not with her mom. 

She sighed. "I wish you were with me" She thought and looked at the time in her phone, it was six in the morning. She got out of the room, freshened up and started making breakfast.