Emerald's pov

There was this new feeling settling within me I guess they called it freedom, as the plane took off I was more than excited despite the fact that where I was going It wasn't likely that I would be accepted but as far as I left the clutches of Italy i would be fine.

Giving into slumber I felt my eyelids close tuning out all the clamoring and noises i felt at peace I wondered what would be happening back at the mansion.

*Hours later*

"Put on your seatbelts passengers we are about to land".

My not so friendly seat partner tapped me to wake up and follow the instructions I guess people still care.

I watched as everyone went about their way in the airport going to meet their families, partners, friends while others booked their rides and left I was lost a part of me wanted to run into the arms of my parents.

I still remembered the address it was engraved In my memory I remember packing my bags out of that very house I remember how they yelled at me to leave I remember a lot how i vowed to never return,  made a promise to go find my biological parents but here I am in the very doorstep of that house i was cast out from.

Home sweet home I mocked as I rang the doorbell hoping my cousin answers the door and not my uncle.

"Coming"

Recognizing the voice all too well a smile crept unto my face as I saw Lily standing at the door in all womanliness.

Gasping loudly "Meeeerrrrrrraaaaaaaa"

She screeched as she engulfed me in a bear hug

" Where have you been, you just left without saying goodbye we were worried sick about you"

She judged I looked at her my smile never leaving my face I was indeed Happy she has grown quite a lot.

Where's Mike? I asked her

"Oh Mike he went shopping for the wedding"

She replied, wedding? Who is getting married? I asked surprised.

"Come on in sis I will explain later we've got a lot to catch up on she said with a thrill in her voice I felt welcomed.

Settling into my old bedroom, nothing's changed they left it untouched it brought back memories Good and bad unshed tears welled up in my eyes sitting on the bed hugging my pillow I cried into it muffling the noise it was heart wrenching I needed to let it all out, and the four walls of this room was very comforting.

Waking up to noises downstairs I wondered as to when I fell asleep freshening up I went downstairs towards the noise it was coming out of the kitchen.

Walking up to the kitchen I smiled at the sight Lily and Mike fighting over who gets to take the bigger plate I guess It would be Mike he was the eldest.

He was my first crush, he welcomed me in so warmly when I first entered this family I felt so left out everyone was bonding and I just wasn't fitting it, he brought me into the club he stood up for me in school when others thought it was best to bully the newbie I had a massive crush on him then and deep down feelings still lingered.

"Oh my God Mera is that you?"

He said, finally getting their attention he walked up to me with long strides hand in pocket he was way taller than I am standing before me he brought me into a warm brotherly love I felt at peace tears welled up in my eyes once more threatening to fall.

Taking in his scent I sighed deeply enjoying the comfort of family

"Babe I didn't see the saucers in the storeroom could you perhaps help me........ Check?"

A blonde female said as she came into the kitchen interrupting our reunion confusion was written boldly on my face am I perhaps missing something.

Lily answered my unasked question.

"Emerald remember the wedding shopping I told you about earlier Mike's getting married''

She squealed the last part jumping happily disappointed washed over me is this what heartbreak feels like?

Feigning happiness, oh congratulations Mike I said to him hoping he couldn't see pass my facade with his detective eyes, he always knew when I was lying have when we were kids he always knew when I was hiding something from him he understood me to the core I once used our names when playing 'FLAMES' childhood infatuation i guess.

Who's the lucky bride I asked already putting the puzzle together figured it was Blondie over there, as Mike detached himself from me and went over to her.

"It's isabelle"

Blonde said as she walked up to me with open arms engaging me in a hug.

Congratulations Isabelle, congratulations Mike am really happy for you guys I managed to choke out jealousy eating me up from the inside it was indeed a feeling to stay clear off.

Mike scrutinizing gaze was pulling down my walls needing fresh air I excused myself from their midst sitting on the swing at the backyard I reminisce on my childhood in this house damn it was full of events.

"Remember when you always begged me to push you on the swing saying daddy was to busy to"

The voice of the one I wanted to escape from said to me.

I did do and say a lot of embarrassing things back in the day I said as we laughed together.

" How have you been"

He asked well I didn't have a specific answer to that lying to Mike Is just a waste of time he knows when you do so, sometimes wonder why he didn't study psychology instead he went for engineering it's actually paying off now.

I don't know things has not been pleasant and easy I twisted the truth instead of lying that, he cannot decipher learnt how to go around him over the years.

" Hmmm that's how life is sometimes it does not always come easy to us we just have to keep pushing giving up is never an option and the the bright side  you've always been an optimistic type".

Yeah optimistic much, anyways enough about me dammmn Mike marriage you commitment I am blown out of my mind.

"Lower your voice don't let her hear you unless I would be getting an earful, and to be precise that life is behind me am a changed person now okay"

He said getting all giddy, changed person indeed anyways am really happy for you and she's so pretty make sure you take good care of her okay and you guys should make pretty babies that would call me aunt.

"Thanks Mera your support and love is really comforting I really appreciate it"

Yeah yeah sweet talking doesn't fit you at all come push me please it's been awhile.

We both laughed as he pushed me on the swing sometimes he'd push me too high and I'd scream with excitement and fear, am back home.

"He reported me to the manager saying I was a rude sales person imagine that I almost lost my job" Isabelle narrated to us in the dinning table her first meeting with Mike.

"And that was the best decision I'd ever made in my life, since then I believed in love at first sight" Mike concluded Isabelle's story

You always get a first impression when it comes to Mike so what about you Lily let's talk about boys, who's new in town.

"Stop emerald you're making me feel embarrassed"
She said feigning embarrassment she was quite the actress.

Oh my apologies Missy I guess I was in the wrong.

"Accepted, anyways he's name is George"

Uhmmm continue we laughed and talked all night learnt that the wedding was taking place neat weekend will definitely have to look for a job to get the newly Weds a gift cause am darn broque.

Walking up to my room I was stopped halfway by Mike.

"Have a good night princess"
He said before running over to his fiancee.

"Princess" an endearment I have so gotten used to shaking off the feeling I rushed into my bedroom falling into the bed and just like that everywhere went dark.

* She can't stay here I forbid her staying here

"Father she's staying at least till after the wedding she has nowhere else to go, do not be so mean."

"Don't speak to your father in such manner because of that orphan who even open the doors for her"

"Mum  how can you call her that she's our sister."

I woke up to this conversation going on downstairs knowing this day would come eventually what I didn't know that it would be so soon.

Coming down the stairs I watched as Mike and Lily defended me in front of their parents love swelled in my heart.

Silence was loud in the air as I stepped into their midst I guess their plan wasn't to wake me up I mocked myself.

Morning Uncle Ben, Morning aunt Maureen they ignored my greetings that never gets old.

There's no need to fight over the matter I would be out if your hair soon once I find a place to stay

Uncle B: I want you out of this house by Sunday after the wedding that's the least I can do for a wench like you.

His words sliced through my heart it always did putting up a bold front.

"I really appreciate you accommodation"

I said, with that I went back to my room not sparing them another glance tears pricked at my eyes I felt weak I felt so much emotions I couldn't put them into words taking a quick bath I need to get a job so I can rent an apartment for myself.

Cladded my self with an old baggy Jean and a white Polo top keeping my hair down since it been a while the wind blew it all-over my face.

I thrust into the city of Los-angeles on a job hunt I went into different cafes and malls searching for vacancy they were all full not needing workers I was getting frustrated tying my hair into a bun I walk over to the ice cream truck kids were everywhere I bought a cone chocolate flavored.

I have missed this all this it's so good to be home.

Finally getting home I was so exhausted combed half of the city no vacancy what am I going to do am I going to be homeless already would it have been best if I stayed in Italy ughhhhh no I said shaking off the thought.

I'll definitely find a job soon I can feel it I mustn't give up so soon.

" Mera"

I heard my name from a distance moving towards the direction I got a closer view of the person calling me.

OH lilian what are you guys doing seeing both Lily and Isabelle sitted on a picnic mat under the guava tree in the garden.

I:"Just some girly stuff care to join" Isabelle replied

Erm I don't know am really tired would love to freshen up and rest would have loved to join this little chatter

L:"No problem Mera but you can't refuse our girls night out tomorrow night you must accompany us."

I: "yes Mera it would be my last night out as a spinster and Mike must definitely not know about where we will be going.

Oh this wouldn't be good I thought to myself and where are you guys planning to crash

L: we'll be going to a night club down town

She practically squealed into my ear.

I: we are going to get drunk and dance all our worries away, Lily I just thought of the perfect dress.

L: yes I just thought of mine too, what about you mera

She Said as She looked at me

Um yeah I have the perfect dress too and we'd crash it together yippee, I faked happiness so that they won't feel bad that I was not at all interested.

I: if Mike asks you about our outing I hope you wouldn't snitch on us right

Yeah Definitely not my lips are sealed I mimicked sealing my lips with my hand we all laughed it off and I excused myself from their midst.

Going into the house I bumped into Mike sorry my apologies I wasn't looking I started apologizing like crazy

" Hey hey hey calm down Mera i understand you are sorry I am also sorry we both weren't looking there's no need to apologise so much"

Oh erm okay I guess

M: are you okay pumpkin?

He asked me calling me with that nickname he gave me when I was little saying I was chubby had a round face and cute just like a pumpkin I always hated when he called me that, but that didn't stop him instead made him do it more to spite me.

I choke down the tears that was threatening to fall, oh yes I am okay just tired from the job hunt I covered up my lies with a bit of truth.

"M: oh i see any luck with it."

He asked, not exactly but I'll try again next tomorrow I will definitely get a job.

"M: pumpkin you know you can stay as long as you want mum and dad will be leaving immediately after the wedding so they wouldn't be on your neck no one is sending you out of your parents house."

Indeed I thought to myself, I'll think about it Mike thanks alot for the support I replied while going up the stairs.

"M: errr Emerald please wait"

Coming to a stop I turned facing him, yes Mike!.

"M: sorry do you perhaps have any idea of where you guys are going for the girls night, Isabelle wouldn't tell me and I want you guys to be safe."

Shit why is he asking me now, oh no Mike she said it was a surprise but don't worry it's safe and we'll be back before midnight you go enjoy yourself, you will soon become a married committed man enjoy bachelorhood before it's gets too late.

"M: awwwn my pumpkin is all grown up I'll listen to your advice and enjoy it while I still can, okay go freshen I can see tiredness all-over your face."

Leaving him with a smile plastered on my face I walked into my bedroom firstly hitting the shower.

Now I smell like a human being thought I was a burnt offering earlier crashing into my bedroom bid the cruel world and went straight into dream Land, where I get to be the person of my choice, where memories of Vincenzo hunts my sleep where I wander searching for happiness for a short while cause when I wake up I would all be a dream.