บรรณาการเย้ารัก

Isabella Monroe 

“My parents died in that fire. Sometimes I think a part of me died with them.”

Smoke burned my lungs before I even opened my eyes.

Firefighters barely pulled me out while flames swallowed my room whole.

Even now, every time I close my eyes, I still see my parents disappearing through the fire.

I haven’t been the same since that night.

Professor Johnson’s sharp voice cut through the lecture hall.

"Miss Monroe, are you with us or somewhere else?"

My eyes lifted to her. "Sorry, ma’am. Wasn’t listening."

Her lips twisted instantly. "Fourth time I’ve warned you. Keep acting like this and you’ll fail."

A vein pulsed in her neck while her glasses shifted slightly on her nose.

"Get out."

Fear?

Yeah. Didn’t exist.

"No need to get so angry, Professor Johnson. I’ll leave before your glasses crack."

A few whispers spread around the room while I grabbed my bag.

Right before I reached the door, her voice stopped me again.

"Having someone like you in this university is embarrassing. You respect nobody."

A smile pulled at my lips.

"And your existence won’t be much of a loss either."

Gasps followed me outside.

God.

People here act like scared little robots.

The smell of coffee filled the café while lecture notes sat spread across the table. My black coffee stayed untouched beside them.

Sophia’s hand landed on my shoulder.

"That bitch kicked you out again?"

A small smile escaped me.

No matter what happened, Sophia stayed beside me.

We met years ago when she used to visit the orphanage with her father, Mr. Sebastian. Somewhere between stupid conversations and childish games, she became family.

After my parents died, my relatives threw me away like extra baggage nobody wanted. Mr. Sebastian handled everything after that. School. Food. Tuition.

Everything.

Still, after I turned seventeen, he stopped visiting.

Now I’m twenty-two, studying psychiatry at the National Medical College.

The coffee cup spun slowly between my fingers.

"That old woman lives to embarrass me."

Across from me, Sophia fixed her collar with an annoyed look.

"I’ll tell Dad about her. Seriously, this isn’t the first time she’s thrown you out."

A quick shake of my head stopped her.

"No. Your dad’s already done enough for me."

Her expression changed immediately.

"Oh, by the way, Dad’s traveling today to inspect the new hospital construction."

Yeah.

That tone meant trouble.

"And what exactly are you planning?"

A grin spread across her face.

"We’re going back to our holy place."

God.

A groan left me. "Sophia, I don’t wanna smoke again."

"You won’t. Promise. Just say yes."

Silence stretched for a second.

Then the defeat was won.

"Fine. I can never refuse you."

Excitement practically threw her out of the chair.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

"Relax. We’re gonna get kicked out too."

She pushed her short hair behind her ear dramatically.

"Nobody would dare because I’m…"

Eyes closed for effect.

"The daughter of Doctor Sebastian."

That sent both of us into laughter.

Not long later, we were driving toward my apartment.

"I’m still underage," Sophia complained. "My mother acts like breathing should be illegal."

"Mrs. Cassandra is strict, yeah, but she wants what’s best for you. And smoking sucks. Tried it. Hated it."

An annoyed sound came from her.

"You don’t get it, Isabella. Her controlling behavior ruined everything. That’s why Dad left her."

For a second, my mind drifted.

Five years ago.

Sophia was crying so hard over the phone that I could barely understand her while she told me her parents were divorcing.

She was seventeen back then.

"Doesn’t matter anymore," her voice pulled me back. "I’m leaving that house soon anyway."

Apartment keys clicked softly in my hand.

"Nine months left."

A grin spread across her face instantly.

"And then I’m finally free. I swear, I’m entering every nightclub I see."

By evening, we headed to our usual place.

Every Thursday night, that hidden club became our escape.

Teenagers. College students. Loud music. Alcohol everywhere.

Sophia still had a few months before turning twenty-two.

Unlike me.

Mine passed two months ago.

The tight dress hugging my body looked nothing like the cold quiet image people had of me.

Funny, honestly.

People only see what you let them see.

Pink lipstick finished the look while Sophia pulled on her long leather boots.

"Damn… how are you this hot?"

Laughter mixed with perfume while I helped button her dress.

"If I were a guy, you’d be in trouble."

The back of her head earned a quick smack.

"God, you’re disgusting."

Her car stopped outside the nightclub later that night.

From outside, the place looked harmless. Just another small café in a rich neighborhood.

Inside?

Different world.

Music blasted through the walls. Smoke filled the air. Drunk people stumbled everywhere.

The craving hit immediately.

God.

"Sophia… do you have my lighter?"

Shock crossed her face.

"Seriously? This morning you said you were quitting."

Frustration tightened my jaw.

"Fine. I won’t smoke."

Wine poured into her glass while sarcasm filled her voice.

"If my mother saw us now, we’d both die."

That familiar sentence echoed in my head instantly.

"Didn’t I warn you about that girl?"

Sophia laughed loudly.

"You’re my favorite kind of trouble."

Less than an hour later, she could barely stand.

One arm wrapped around my shoulders while I dragged her outside.

Cold air hit my face hard enough to clear my head a little.

"Are we going back to your apartment?"

Her head shook violently.

"No. Home. Mom and Dad are coming back tomorrow, and if they don’t find me there, I’m dead."

A tired sigh stayed trapped in my chest while I changed direction toward the Sebastian mansion.

Almost two years.

That’s how long it had been since my last visit.

Tonight, maybe I’d finally see Mr. Sebastian again.

The only man who ever treated me like I mattered.