Isabella found herself sitting on the side of the road still not that far from the shadow of the church, tears streamed down her cheek. She was crying so hard that she couldn't even open her mouth anymore, because her throat feels sore. She's too hurt on how Mateo reacted when he saw her. It's far from what she expects. But more than that, she feel betrayed of what Nerissa did, she didn't even think of what she's going to feel. She bowed her heard seeing how her tears fell from her chin to her chest, as she look back on everything from the past that made her think that she didn't deserve all of this...
~In the simple balcony of their home Isabella rushed through their living room when she heard her mother and father's voice calling her."Isabella? Darling, we are here!" When she reached the living room, she quickly jumped towards her parents and give them kiss on both of their cheeks and her mother hugged her for a while, as her father gently tapped her head. After a few seconds her eyes landed on the girl that she thought with the same age as her."Who is she, Mom, Dad?" she asked calmly while smiling at the girl who's looking around the house. She saw her father looking at her mother then nodded. Right after that her mother leaned closer to her."Darling, she's Nerissa. Your father and I adopted her, so she will be your sister." Isabella that time is already sixteen years old, she's already aware that her mother and father were planning to adopt someone since according to thedoctorr her mother can't get pregnant anymore."Isabella, I hope you treat her also like a real sister. You know that we've been planning this for a long time. Me and your Dad are getting older, and we don't want you to be alone when we already passed away.""Mom, don't say that. You and Dad will still live longer, we still have more time to spend together. And of course, with the new part of our family, Nerissa." She approached her and give Nerissa a hugged. Their parents both looked with each other. They are happy that Isabella understand what they want."Hi! I'm Isabella, by the way how old are you?" Isabella asked with a gentle smile. Nerissa stared at her, from feet to head which made her feel a little uncomfortable, but she still managed to smile at her and wait for her response."15," she said. Then also show a little smile on her lips."That's good! But despite the one year age gap between us, I'll be your older sister." She turned to her father."Dad, can we sleep at the same room and bed?" Her father gave her a light smile and nod."As you wish, Darling.""By the way, we are just going to arrange some things, Isabella. And while me and your Dad's busy fixing your room, can you guide Nerissa here at our home, so she can familiarize herself with it?""Sure, Mom! I would love to do it!" Isabella giggled."Nerissa, please don't be shy to Isabella, alright?" Isabella's Dad says, and Nerissa just nodded a little, before their parents walked upstairs.After Nerissa tiredly put down her bag, her eyes roamed around the surroundings, but she couldn't find any excitement. The house seemed dull and lifeless, lacking the warmth and love she had hoped for. She couldn't help but let out a whisper, her voice filled with disappointment and bitterness."Orphanage is even much better than this house," she muttered under her breath. It made Isabella finally look back at her again, even though she actually didn't hear what she said clearly."What did you say, Nerissa?" Isabella asked, she's just afraid that Nerissa is telling or asking something important to her but she failed to hear it rightly. Isabella was a naturally cheerful and kind-hearted person, always wearing her sweet smile, as her parents had taught her to be kind to everyone, regardless of how they treated her.Nerissa's eyes widened slightly, realizing that Isabella had heard her words. She quickly masked her true feelings and attitude behind a forced smile, not wanting to cause any kind of trouble or drama."Oh, it's nothing," Nerissa replied, her voice falsely cheery."I was just thinking out loud. This house is lovely, really, even though it's a bit plain and like an old house from a horror movie,"Isabella's smile faltered for a moment, she wants to set a side in her mind that Nerissa's not happy and comfortable in her new home.But Isabella knew better than to push, choosing instead to give Nerissa the space and time she needed to open up. She took a step closer, reaching out to gently touch Nerissa's arm."If there's anything bothering you, Nerissa, please know that you can always talk to me, okay? Please don't be shy! I am really looking forward to spend happy moments with you!" Nerissa's eyes landed on Isabella's hand, she actually not into this kind of scene, she hate dramatic moment. She believes that no one can actually treat her genuinely, that no person can able to feel her love, like what her unknown parents made her feel."Don't worry to much, Isabella. I'm fine, maybe I'm just trying to cope with what's happening in my life now. I mean... for the past years someone decided to adopted me.""But you know, coming here won't change the fact that you are not really my real family."Isabella's heart ached as she listened to Nerissa's words, so this time, she wrapped her arms around Nerissa to embrace her, unbeknownst to Isabella, Nerissa actually want to push her away. If they only know, Nerissa actually want to stay at the orphanage knowing that those person who adopted will just failed to give the wealthy and easy life she's always dreaming of."I know it's hard, Nerissa. But trust me, you're not alone anymore. We're family now, and I promise you, we'll make this house feel like your real home, okay?" As Isabella let go from her embrace to her, she give Nerissa a smile again, but didn't get anything returned, but a bored stare. She just think, that maybe Nerissa just need more time to process everything. So, she tried her best to forget the idea that Nerissa doesn't like her.Isabella's parents gathered around her, wishing her a happy birthday. Although the celebration was simple, with only a few dishes on the table, Isabella appreciated the effort her parents had put into making her day special."Thank you, Mom and Dad! Come on, let's all eat, for sure all of the food are delicious!" Isabella exclaimed with excitement as she grabbed a plate and offered it to her parents."No, you go ahead, Isabella. And Nerissa, why don't you join us too?" her mother suggested gently, Isabella's reaching out to hand Nerissa a plate.But Nerissa seemed disinterested, she then averted her gazed from them. "No thanks, I'm still full. If only Dad hadn't woken me up to surprise you, I wouldn't be so sleepy right now."Isabella's mother approached Nerissa, concern is now showing on her face. She couldn't help but wonder if Nerissa's lack of enthusiasm stemmed from the memory of her own birthday just a month ago, when there had been no special food or celebration due to their f
Since that day happened Isabella tried her best to make things mostly in favor with Nerissa, so she can't think to leave again. She mostly the one to do the house work, while Nerissa would rest inside her room doing what makes her happy. Isabella did everything that might not let Nerissa feel too neglected and unhappy, because she doesn't want her parents' also to worried more for Nerissa. She can't just afford to see her parents hurting when Nerissa leave them, and she herself also get attached to Nerissa, so she wants to avoid that from happening."Nerissa?" She put the plastic bags of freshly cooked spaghetti in the kitchen cupboard and walked upstairs. She just came at the store to buy it."I'm at our room, Isabella!" She heard Nerissa answered in the distance. She peeked through the gap at her sister, who is lying comfortably on the bed, taking some selfie. "Here, I bought it. Let's eat!" Nerissa immediately put down her phone and sat upright. "Wow! It's that spaghetti? Oh, I l
The aroma of Isabella's mother freshly cooked rice hung in the table, with the savory scent of of their favorite dish, as Isabella decided to finally tell what's in her mind this past few days. "Mom, Dad... I just thought, what if I help you with your work?" Isabella said."After all, I believe that I am old enough already, so I can do a lot of things instead of just staying at home. And besides, it would also help with Nerissa's education". Her mother's hand, previously moving rhythmically as she chewed her rice, paused mid-air. It was already evening, and now they were facing each other at the dining table."You better to that," Nerissa whispered but not too loud to made that audible. Her mother looked up from her plate, surprise. Across the table, her father had also stopped eating, his gaze now locked on Isabella. "Help us with our work?" Her father said, and Isabella quickly nodded."Yes, Dad! I've been thinking about this for the past few days. I hope that you will consider my
It's been a month since the accident happened. Flores' home suddenly feels an empty place now. Isabella can't still totally move on from the fact that her parents died, yet another big problem added to her pile. After the burial of her parents', she needs to set aside her grieving so she can find a way to find a solution to their problem. There's no even a little money that's left over by her parents' except the savings that she managed to keep, but it's not even enough to sustain someone's life in a year. Beside that she tried her best to find a job, she even begged to some business persons to accept her no matter how small the salary is, to support Nerissa's education and also for them to survive on their own, since they doesn't have any relatives to help them at all. But there are none that will take a person without any qualifications."Oh my gosh, Isabella! We don't have anything to eat again?" "What should we do now? Look, I am studying. I am walking kilometres away here beca
Isabella slowly opened her eyes, her sight blurry. She looked around to try to clear her vision, but it's unfamiliar, until she heard Nerissa's voice. "N-Nerissa, where are we?" Isabella slowly blinked her eyes a few times to regain her focus. "We are at the hospital, you passed out a while ago. According to doctors it's because of dehydration and starvation," Nerissa explained. Isabella quickly sat up despite feeling weak. "We should go now, we doesn't have anything to pay here!" she stated urgently. "But Isabella —""Listen to me, Nerissa. If we stay here more, we can't afford the bills and for sure if we failed to pay this hospital we will put in jail!" "Isabella, we don't need to—" Isabella still ignored Nerissa's words and started to remove the IV needle from her arm, but before she could get out from bed totally a woman appeared in front of her."Dear, you shouldn't move! Your body needs proper rest," the woman spoke softly. "Madam, I told her that, but Isabella's really s
"Welcome to Villanueva's mansion, Isabella and Nerissa," Ms. Cynthia said, smiling sweetly. "Come in," Mateo gestured towards the mansion. Isabella nodded. She's actually really hesitated to accept the suggestion of Mateo. She's really ashamed, but she knows that they will need every kind of help now. "Isabella? Why are you still standing there? Come on! It's the start of our new life, I am so excited!" Nerissa grabbed Isabella's hand. "Nerissa, we are going to work here as maid. We shouldn't take advantage of their kindness." But Nerissa wasn't listening at all, instead she also followed inside without even helping Isabella to carry their luggage."Wow! That's really huge!" The mansion was enormous; it looked like a palace. The floors were shiny white marble, the stairs curved up with intricate designs carved into them, and the chandeliers seemed endless. Before the grand staircase, there are two people wearing maid's uniform."Good morning, Ma'am and Sir!" They greeted politely.
"It's all you fault, Isabella. I shouldn't cleaning here now if only you didn't push your idea to Mateo's mother to be one of their maids," Nerissa sighed as she swept the floor in the kitchen, while Isabella is preparing herself to do some of the work at the mansion's garden. "I can't avoid thinking now, if you really want me to suffer from the life that we have." Isabella feel guilty. "Nerissa, I am sorry. But we can't just live here like a princess. We owe Villanueva family big time. Besides, I still want to continue finding a job, so soon enough we can also stand by our own feet.""And until when before someone hire you, knowing that you didn't even graduate at any degree?" No matter what Isabella said, it was impossible for her sister not to think that way. "If you already feel tired you can just leave that work there and I will just do it later, okay?" "Really?!" A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Well, as you wish! Then, I'll just familiarize myself more in this m
"Hey, Isabella…" His soft and husky voice made her blush even harder. She could only stare at him, as she tried to control her heartbeat and breathing."Sorry, Mateo." She turned her gazed at something. She really doesn't expect that as the door he will see him still not putting any clothes on the top of his body. She feel so embarrassed now, that it feels like she wants to be swallowed by the ground. "But Aunt Cynthia just asked me to check on you. She says that I should also remind you about the meetings in your company. She also goes first. She thinks that you might be sleeping until now because you seems exhausted the other night." Isabella's heart skipped a beat."Oh, yeah. Well I'm sorry for taking up all your time, Isabella. But thanks for informing me." Isabella's now at the kitchen, helping Rose and Dalia to fix some things there, while Nerissa's watching a television at the living room, while her hand's lazily wiping the top of the table in front of her. "You seems quite,