Chapter 1

Chapter 1

LYKA’S POV

I let out a deep sigh as I stared at the ceiling.

“What could the guy I’ll be forced to marry possibly look like?” I muttered to myself.

I stayed there, lost in my thoughts, eyes locked on the ceiling—until something splashed! Ice-cold water hit my face.

“Ahh!” I screamed.

“That’s to wake you up! How many times do I have to tell you to wake up early? My kids need to go to school!”

Ugh. Here we go again with my ever-so-loving stepmother’s daily sermon. I groaned and got up, dripping wet. Good thing it was just a glass of water this time. If she had poured a whole bucket on me again, I’d have more laundry to deal with.

I shook my head. When will she ever change?

I quickly changed clothes, then rolled up my old mat. Yeah, I sleep on a mat on the floor. I’m not rich. I’m not the daughter of someone powerful or important. Just a regular girl trying to survive. I get to eat three meals a day—if I follow everything my stepmother says. Sad, right?

“Lyka! Why do you move so slow!” Aunt Meriam yelled.

I scratched my head. Same thing every day. Sometimes I find myself praying that my life would just magically turn around.

If only my mom hadn’t died giving birth to me, maybe my life would’ve been different. Things were fine—until Dad remarried. That’s when everything fell apart. And when Dad died of a heart attack when I was fifteen, it all just got worse. Aunt Meriam used to be kind when Dad was around. But I guess the saying is true—some people are only good at pretending.

I’ve thought about leaving. Many times. But I owe her for putting me through college. She let me finish Hotel and Restaurant Management, so yeah—I’m stuck. I’m twenty-one now and dying to be independent, to move out, start over. But every time she reminds me of how much she spent on me, I lose the courage to leave.

“Lyka! Where’s the dish you were cooking?!”

Crap! I ran to the kitchen.

“Stupid cat!” I whispered in panic. The food I cooked was gone—stolen.

“Yes, Aunt!” I yelled back, pretending I was in control. I scratched my head. What do I serve now?

One by one, they sat at the table—my stepmother and my two stepbrothers. My dad married a woman who already had kids. I objected, but obviously, I was powerless.

“This is what we’re eating?!” she screamed.

“There’s nothing else in the fridge,” I replied, trying not to laugh. I served—dried fish. It's only what we had, okay?

I quickly escaped to the room, took a shower, and changed. Today, I was determined to find a job. I needed out. Out of this house. Out of being glorified from being their servant.

“Lyka! Where are you going again!” she yelled.

“Outside,” I said flatly, stepping out before she could rant more.

“Hey, Lyka! Where do you think you’re going, girl!” she shouted after me. No shame, that woman. Didn’t care who heard her.

I covered my ears and walked faster.

Then—screech! A car stopped in front of me. The door swung open and out came… me?

Wait—what?!

We stared at each other.

“Ah! Kyla!”

“Ah! Lyka!”

We squealed and hugged tight. Meet my cousin, Kyla Willson. No, we’re not twins, but might as well be. She's my dad’s niece. We’re both half-British.

The reason why I froze it's because we look exactly alike—same height, same body type. Practically clones.

No surprise, really. Our dads are identical twins. Truth be told, my dad came from a wealthy family. But everything changed when he married Aunt Meriam. People say he was bewitched. I wouldn’t be surprised.

Kyla suddenly pulled me into the car.

“Girl, you look so haggard! Don’t tell me that witch has been abusing you again!” she snapped.

I laughed at her nickname for my stepmom.

“You already know the drill,” I replied.

“Why don’t you just leave that house?! Ugh! Bad vibes. Come on, let’s go to the mall. My treat. Time to glow up.”

I shook my head. “No need.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Ben, let's go to the mall,” she told the driver.

I sighed. This is what it’s like when you’re rich, huh? Shopping, makeup, fancy heels?

WE REACHED SM Ecoland and of course, Kyla went into full shopping mode.

“Kyla, this is too much!” I complained.

“That’s not even half of it.”

I sighed, catching clothes she tossed at me. She was the one trying them on—I was just her body double.

I studied her face. Something was up. She wasn’t usually this extra. She only visited once a week since she studied Culinary in Manila.

She noticed my look and frowned.

“Oh no. Don’t give me that face, Lyka.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you want this time?”

She flopped beside me.

“You’re so dramatic! I just wanted to spoil you, okay? You need a break from that witch!”

“Yeah, but you know I’m not into high heels and skimpy outfits. I’m more of a jeans-and-sneakers type.”

She hugged me like a clingy puppy.

“Duh, girl! I bought those clothes because I’m happy!”

I raised a brow. “And why are you so happy, huh?”

She beamed.

“I have a boyfriend!” she squealed.

My eyes widened. “Does Uncle know?!”

Her face fell.

I knew it. Uncle had strict rules—no boyfriends until she turned the "right age." We’re both twenty-one, but I was born a few months earlier.

“Please don’t tell Daddy. You know he only asks you when he wants to know what I’m up to.”

I sighed. I didn’t want to cover for her, but what choice did I have?

“Fine. But this is the last time. And don’t you dare give your precious gift to that boy! Or I swear I’ll scramble his eggs for real!”

“Yes, ma’am! You’re the best cousin ever!”

She hugged me tight. I love her too much to say no.

LATER that afternoon, I glanced at her watch.

“Oh no, Kyla—I have to go home!”

“I’ll deal with the witch! If she messes with you in front of me, I’ll slap her, silly!”

I laughed loudly.

“There it is! I got you to laugh!” she grinned.

I’m lucky to have her. I really am. She’s not just my cousin. She’s like the little sister I never had.