MARIANNA

"I'm sorry." I say in freight as I am dragged by my hair by my step mom AKA Nancy's mom AKA Charlotte. I nicknamed her harlot in my head. She should not hear that, else she will end my existence. I want to chuckle but the pain I feel in my scalp is enough to shut me up.

"You spoilt brat. You think you can misbehave the way you please. Good gracious your father is not around, you'll regret what you did today." She screams, dragging me even though I struggled to be break free.

For someone with a small body, this woman is so strong. I guess the strength comes with her age because there is no other explanation to it. At the far end of the room is Nancy wailing for what I had just done.

Let me give you all a brief. So, Nancy has been a bitch to me ever since her mom and her moved into this house after "harlot's" marriage to my dad, which was 6 years ago. We attend the same school because Dad thought it would be perfect for us to bond. Apparently, she thought it wise to bath me with raw eggs in the hallway today in school. The main reason is she hates the fact that I am bestfriends with her boyfriend, Lucas. Seeing us together annoys the hell out of her.

So my revenge to her was to destroy all the cosmetic items she owns.

I am not your regular meek girl in school and I don't give a damn about what she thinks of me. It's just respect for Dad that has made me keep mute to their antics when we are at home. These two could tell lies without as much as blinking their eye balls. Many times, dad gets angry and dissapointed at me when they twist the story to their favour, so I conduct my revenge whenever he travels for a long time.

"Do you know how much these things cost?" Harlot says, releasing my hair with force, almost resulting to me falling. I steady myself and glare back at the both of them.

"I don't see how that should be a bother to you. Afterall, it's my father's money that you spend." I shoot back at her.

One! Two! That's how my face sways in different directions as she gives me two hot slaps. I hold in the stinging pain in my cheeks while I watch Nancy's eyes widen in surprise.

"Mom!" She yells in protest. Well, this is the first time I have seen remorse in her eyes. She should keep it to herself. It does not change anything, anyways and I don't need it.

"Shush! I am doing this for us." Harlot replies her with a sickening smile.

"Do what you want to me. That still does not change the fact that I am my father's daughter and she is not!" I yell back at her, tears threatening to spill off my eyes. I hate this woman!

"What is happening here?" Dad's voice snaps my head to the door and I look in shock. He is not meant to be back unless in another three days. What changed his plans? Shit, wrong timing on my revenge.

"Welcome back, sweetie." The evil step mother moves pass her daughter and walks to my father whose face is still in shock. Yeah, I also give them a bonus cut by spilling some make up on Nancy's clothes. She gives him a kiss on the cheeks and entwines her hands in his.

"What happened here?" He asks her.

"Nothing much, just Marianna destroying Nancy's cosmetics and clothes and playing it off as her father's money." She had to add the last part. This evil witch!

He gives me a stink eye and says nothing to me.

"Let's go." He says, tugging her hands, eyes still focused on me till he walks pass me.

"Dad, please." I call after him in a plea. I love my dad and till this day, I still ponder on why he chose to marry her. What he even saw in her.

My response from him is silence. When dad is silent in situations like this, he is trying so hard to keep his anger in check. They always twist the story to suit their narrative and it is so sad that he believes his evil wife over me. He should at least hear me out. I slurp my shoulders in disappointment and turn to glare at Nancy.

"It seems daddy dearest is disappointed in his baby. Again." She says, before bursting into a shrill laugh, a sound siminlar to the evil step mother in cinderella. Like mother, like daughter. Both of them are just pure evil.

I lift my hand and fold all fingers in a fist except the middle one which I leave on purpose to indicate the 'fuck you' sign to her before dashing for my room.

Are you home?
-Me

I press send on my phone and drop it on my bed, going into the bathroom to wash my face.

I decide not to clean the water off my face. Instead, I turn off the air conditioner and turn on the standing fan. Putting my face in its direction, I enjoy its breeze cooling the water on my face.

"Ooooohhhhhh..." I say into the fan and chuckle when I hear the after effect it has on my voice sounds. Just then, my phone beeps.

Yeah, what's up?
-Lucas

Nothing. Can I come over?
-Me

Sure.
-Lucas

Alright. Be there in ten.
-Me

Finally, a break from this hell hole. Skipping downstairs in excitement, I am surprised to see Harlot downstairs mixing tea in dad's favorite mug. Is it not too late for tea? I mean, this is 2pm in the afternoon.

"Where are you going?" She asks me like she has eyes at the back of her head and can see me.

"Out!" I say, not waiting for her response. For all I care, she can keep it.

I put on my helmet and climb my bike. Yeah, I own one. It's more convenient for me than a bicycle.

In a few minutes, I arrive at Lucas' parent's mansion. Park my bike and get down, not forgetting to say a greeting to the gateman. As I finally arrive at the door, I ring the bell, patiently waiting while bouncing slightly on both feet and humming a song in a low voice.

"Hello, Mrs. Mancini." I say, smiling to his mom.

"Marianna, darling. Please come in." She says, opening the door widely.

"I am here to see Lucas." I say quietly.

"Of course, just Lucas. She never comes to see me." She pretends to talk to herself as she places her hands on her chin, looking upwards. I just chuckle at her playful side. One more reason why I love this woman.

"Let me get you a slice of cake then you can go join him in his room." She says, patting my back lovingly.

"Thank you." Another reason I enjoy coming here is because she makes the best cakes ever.

"Anything for you, sweetheart." She plays with my cheeks before disappearing into her kitchen.

"Hello, Kiddo." Lucas says when he opens the door to me, ruffling with my hair.

"Shut up, we are age mates." I say, glaring at him.

"No, we aren't." He says back and we both burst into laughter. He picks a pillow from his bed and throws it at me which I dodge. We soon engage in a pillow fight, laughing so hard and making me forget my predicament for a while.

Find out more in the book!