"First and foremost, this is a work of fiction, and no correlation should be made with living people or incidents. The author doesn't support any of the ideology or the relationship— friendship or romantic— being presented in this story. This was merely written for entertainment sake, not to be followed and used as an ideal. There are many things that are wrong in this novel morally, and therefore, don't let this novel influence you."
At the young age of six, Sylvia White had lost her father, and her mother turned to depression then, constantly drowning herself in alcoholism. After that, probably in order to get over her father, her mother, Lydia, engaged in relationships with various men.
None of those lasted for more than a year. They were quick yet fleeting relationships, and it resulted in Sylvia changing houses very often to the point she had given up thinking her life could be otherwise.
All of this made Sylvia to grow up faster than her peers and be more responsible. She had learn to give up her desires, and the only thing she looked forward to was her eighteenth birthday.
After that, she would finally be able to separate herself from her mother.
Today was another one of those dinners with her mother’s boyfriend. Albeit the zeal in her mother’s eyes, Sylvia couldn’t bring herself to feel the same way. After all, she can easily foresee the future.
Seeing Sylvia’s drooping shoulder, Lydia stared at her daughter in displeasure and expressed, “Stand up straight, Sylvia. Do not bring any embarrassment to me.”
Sylvia scrunched up her nose at her mother’s words. Nonetheless, she followed, perfecting her posture to reflect elegance.
Soon enough, they reached the private room led by the waiter. Once the waiter opened the door, her mother wore on one of her flawless smiles and stepped inside. Lydia followed after and was in awe at her mother’s current boyfriend.
He reeked with power and money. The hint of dominance was obvious on the air around him, urging Sylvia to almost immediately bow her head. A strict and nonchalant expression sat on his face.
The signs of his age could be seen on his face but that didn’t deduct anything from his attractive index. In fact, it added on a certain type of charm. He was neatly dressed in a suit, and a watch which at least cost eight figures sat on his hand.
Her mother caught a good one this time!
Sylvia stared at her mother from top to bottom, trying t understand what was it about the woman that attracted such a high class man. Her mother was indeed beautiful for her age, but she had a past that came with her like a baggage.
He should easily find someone more attractive and classier than her mother.
Is this what people call love?
“I haven’t been keeping you waiting for long, right, Liam? I apologize for being late. The traffic was terrible,” Lydia voiced out, tucking her hair under her ears shyly.
Sylvia felt disgusted yet again at the rate her mother changed her faces in front of her lovers. In front of Sylvia, she was always a demoness.
“Not too long. Take a seat.”
The man’s tone was commanding, and Lydia sat opposite to him. Sylvia took the seat beside her mother, and the atmosphere felt too formal and pressurizing for her taste. Her mother must have really good endurance to keep on smiling.
Sylvia stared at the man, wondering whether or not should she introduce herself to him. He gave her the impression of the school’s principal from her previous school who gave the students nightmares.
Nonetheless, she received a clear signal from her mother pinching on her thigh.
“Hello, I am Sylvia. It is pleasant meeting you. Do take good care of my mother in the future,” Sylvia smilingly yet cautiously said.
He nodded.
This was indeed awkward. All of her mother’s suitors previously had more enthusiastic side. That’s why, she wondered what led to her mother suddenly changing her type.
“Order as you like,” he directed at her.
“Yes, Sir,” she responded almost immediately. Then, feeling her mother pinch her thighs again, she corrected, “I mean, Mr. Knight.”
“Call me Liam.”
“Noted.”
Sylvia made no effort to engage in the conversation nor did they take the initiative to include her. Her mother did the talking for the most part while Liam gave occasional responses.Concentrating on her pasta, Sylvia assessed the man, really feeling Lydia got involved with someone noteworthy this time. Earlier, she had seen the prices at this restaurant, and to call them astronomical would be an understatement.The plate of pasta in front of her cost more than two months worth of her monthly expenses, and that was one of the cheapest dish on the menu. Neither the taste nor the quantity was worth the price in Sylvia’s opinion.She could totally whip up something better!The high class society was something she very much felt separated from, and she felt angry at her mother for getting with such a man. Couldn’t she have chosen someone normal?Sylvia’s inner thoughts were put on a pause when the door was slammed open, and she turned her head towards the noise. Her breath was stuck due
Making an effort to look excited, Sylvia clapped her hands together as she saw Lydia and Liam kiss.The wedding was held in a lavish garden. A canopy was set up decorated by foliage and various complementing flowers. Red roses, her mother’s favorite flower, was in abundance. Majestic and elegant floral accents beautified the venue.In a white gorgeous dress, coupled with that hours long make up routine, her mother appeared youthful and stunning. Opposite to her was Liam standing in a black suit, appearing regal and charismatic.Sylvia was at awe, thinking about the amount spent behind it.However, seeing how this was a wedding out of her mother’s dream, it seemed that Liam genuinely cared for Lydia— at least that’s the impression she got.What was off putting for Sylvia happened to be the number of bodyguards. Dressed in black suits, they were assigned all over the venue and on a look out. This did imply whether Liam was paranoid or his life needed constant protection.Sylvia believed
Staring at her with unadulterated ridicule, he turned away and was about to leave when Sylvia grabbed his wrist. At that, he faced her with those unfriendly cold eyes.Sylvia froze. She didn’t understand what gave her the courage to stop him.Her throat felt dry as she voiced out, “Explain. Did you set the fire.”He shook off her hand and looked at her as though she was something filthy prior to scowling and uttering, “Don’t touch me.”Then, he stepped closer to her. His breath that fell on her face caused her heart to beat rapidly, and he said, “This is merely the beginning.”His threat made her blood go cold, knowing he meant each of those words. Sylvia didn’t have the desire to deal with the fire and decided to not move in at Liam’s place. Her mother can deal with this on her own.Reaching into a conclusion, she nodded her head and then smiled at him.“I will stay out of your way. You can have my Mom if you want,” she honestly vocalized, not exactly worried about the women.He snee
Sylvia woke up in cold sweats after dreaming of being shot at by Blake. Immediately sitting up on the bed following that, she patted on her chest to calm her rapidly beating heart.This was the first time she had seen a gun in action in real life, and the target had been her as well. It was scary to think of what could have happened if the trajectory of bullet had been different.Then, she heard the knocks, leading her to collect herself and get down from the bed before going over to open the door. Stood before her was a woman in her mid forties, dressed in an uniform. She was most probably a maid here.“Ms. Sylvia, you have been called for breakfast downstairs,” she enunciated.The formal tone caused the corner of her lips to twitch, and she voiced out, “Just stick with Sylvia. Give me five minutes. I will wash up.”°°°Walking into the dining room, she saw her mother feeding Liam, and seeing how the man complied along with it caused Sylvia to feel disgusted at them for not acting th
Her shift was over. After closing up, Sylvia looked forward to having a comfortable night’s sleep without feeling terrorized.Grabbing the trash bag, she dragged it out when she was met with a shock. A gasp escaped from her lips as she took a step back at the dark silhouette. On a careful inspection, she recognized him to be brooding teenager she wanted to seriously avoid.What was he doing here?“Get on,” he ordered. Sylvia noticed his bike that was parked in the alleyway.Confusion and speechless crossed over her face. Did he seriously think she would get on because he said so?His tone wasn’t even friendly neither did she know him well. Moreover, the way he treated her previously was enough of a reason for her to stay cautious.The corner of her lips twitched.She wanted to ask whether or not he had gone nuts but held back her tongue. She didn’t want to unnecessarily add more to her overflowing plate.“I have to clean up inside,” Sylvia responded. Placing the trash bag inside, she
Right now, Sylvia believed that it would have been better if he had left her behind with those raucous and unruly youngsters.Although they didn’t look safe, at least Sylvia would have been able to think of a way to get to her safety.But now, sitting beside Blake while holding tightly on to her seatbelt, she hardly saw the lights of safety. She prayed desperately that a hint of mercy would emerge in Blake’s heart, and he would let her go.However, until now, there was no signs of it. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the terror on her face as he wildly drove through the roads, barely caring about the rules.What was worse that she could smell the alcohol on him.One of the last thing Sylvia saw herself participating in was street racing. As someone who paid atmosphere care to the preservation of her life, why would she even think of taking part in something dangerous?She wasn’t nuts to risk her life for a moment of thrill.However, the teenage boy next to her didn’t share thoughts o
As much as Sylvia wanted to hold on her pride and walk away from the scene, that domineering voice made her instantly halt, making her curse inside. She hated for being this intimidated.But then again, she couldn’t be blamed. If Blake could casually carry around a gun, who knew what his father, who appeared at least ten times more intimidating, could do?Sylvia turned back to flash the man a forced smile.“Is there anything you needed, Liam?” she asked.“Get in the car,” he ordered.Sylvia knew it would be best for her to nor argue, but being thrashed around like a rag doll made her feel annoyed.“No, thank you,” she responded.Of course, it was crazy for her to go back from this area. It was dangerous, and she couldn’t trust a cab at here. Even if she got murdered here, finding evidences would be difficult.But right then, she didn’t care.She would manage just like she always did.His eyes narrowed on her, having a bone-chilling effect on her.“I wasn’t asking. Get in unless you wa
The second those words left her mouth, she found the tension in the car thicken further. From the corner of her eyes, she spotted the faint amusement that crossed Blake’s eyes.“No.”His tone left no space for argument.“You can't—”Before she could continue, he interrupted, “I am your guardian until you’re eighteen.”She gaped at that.Her mother was supposed to be her guardian. She transferred or shared the rights with Liam? Was that even legal? They weren’t related, and she didn’t obviously agree to this.Her eyes fell on his intense ones in the rearview mirror, and this kept her mouth shut.She will deal with her mother on this. The woman was to be blamed.°°°“Mom,” she called after Liam left for work the next morning.She spotted the woman in garden, talking with the housekeeper. Her glaring eyes caused her mother to stop the conversation and dismiss the housekeeper. Huffing, Sylvia stomped over to the woman.She knew that if she wasn’t serious and angry enough, the word wouldn’