I couldn't stop the feeling of butter flies in my stomach. I took a long shower, using my favorite scented fruity body wash and shampoo. I wrapped myself in a towel and walked out of the bathroom to get ready. I giggled excited at my reflection and forced myself to get ready.
I brushed my long chocolate brown hair a trait I got from my mom. I decide to add some plaits and smile contentedly when it comes out perfectly.
I should ask mom for some mascara but my bright blue orbs are already standing out.
I put on my dress and shoes with a wide grin, applied some gloss and hurried downstairs.
"Here comes my princess!!", Dad said, watching me descend the stairs.
"You look good rose", Royce added with a playful snort..
"Thanks Royce." I replied with a smile.
Dad was dressed in one of his tailored tux and Mom wore a dress that glittered so brightly it was totally mesmerizing.
Royce also looked dashing in a black Blazer and a pair of jeans. We looked like the perfect family, Infact we were.The Jackson's.
We've always prided in our family name. Yes, we are rich and can afford an extravagant lifestyle but one thing dad and mom ensured was we never get to much privileges that we became brats.
The drive to the restaurant was a long one. One that was filled with so much laughter and music. Royce kept chattering excitedly about what he wants for his forth coming birthday. He kept listing off expensive stuffs for grown-ups sometimes I feel he's really not a kid anymore.
Dad kept stealing glances at mom occasionally and she'd turn a deep shade of red. I wanted the exact same love story as my parents, someone who was just like my dad in every sense. Even though they don't show it, I know they've been through a lot and they are still together. Sometimes it feels as if they just got married yesterday.
"Can you guys stop already, you're scarring me for life you know" Royce complained, using his hands to close his eyes.
Dad's deep laughter rang loudly in the car and mom ruffled his hair gently, earning an eye roll from Royce.
"At the right time kid, you'll find yourself a pretty girl and you'll treat her right just like I treat your mom yeah" he smiled.
Royce blew out his cheeks and rolled his eyes till it almost disappeared into the back of his head.
"I'm not going to fall in love dad, women are annoying and irritating"
I smiled at his childish bickering and prayed in my heart that everything was going to remain just like this; peaceful, beautiful and calm.
Like they say, good things don't last long and I was about to find out just how true that is.
The restaurant was all top notch. Very expensive and lavish. We were given a table in the VIP section and food of different varieties, from mouth watering steaks to deserts were served, but I kept looking over my shoulders, I couldn't help the feeling of dread that was settling in the pit of my stomach and spreading like a poison all over my body.
I wanted to go home. I felt strange, something was definitely amiss and I could sense it or maybe it was chills from the horror movie I stayed up late watching.
"Sweetheart are you ok?? Is there something wrong with the food??" My mom asked, taking in my flustered state.
My dad's eyebrows drew together in a tight knit as my mom passed him a worried look
"What's wrong princess??" he asked, with worry etching his handsome face.
Before I could voice out my thoughts I saw them. Those very horrible masks. It looked like something from a horror movie and the gun shots started almost immediately.
"Get under the table rose!! Royce!! Under the table now!!" Dad shouted.
Just then, a bullet flew past,hitting mom in the chest. I screamed as I watched her beautiful silver dress turn crimson red with a terrible look of horror in her eyes as she fell to the ground taking in ragged breaths. Dad let out a loud shriek as he watched the love of his life turn cold and life less on the floor.
I stood transfixed watching the scene unfold before my eyes.Dad held her limp hands and tried to assure her that everything would be fine but her face wasn't moving and she wasn't blinking either.The gun shots got closer and he turned away from mom.
"Royce, get your sister out of here!!"
"Look for the back exit and run!!" He shouted.
"No dad!! I'm not leaving you. I want you to come with us.", Royce replied.
"No you have to go now!! Royce look at me!!" He screamed at Royce and grabbed his face in his hand.
Royce dragged his gaze from Mom's lifeless body to Dad's face.
"Remember what we talked about. Keep her safe! Now run.", he instructed and immediately, understanding passed between the both of them.
"But you need to come with us dad. Please!!" He begged, with tears rolling down his eyes.
"I'll be right behind you, I just need to find help for your mom" he gestured towards mom's unmoving body.
Shouts and screams echoed loudly and blood splattered on the walls and floor. It was like a massacre.
Royce dragged my hand and started to pull me away towards the exit
Only...we weren't fast enough and those masked men were just about getting started.
"Not so fast dear. You don't want to miss out on all the fun do you?", The big masked man said in an ugly gruff voice. His companions began to gather around him. They were five in number and their faces were covered in the same mask. Judging from the way they gathered around the big man he seemed like their leader. He pulled out his gun and stalked slowly towards our direction. Dad rushed towards us and shielded us with his body and the big man guffawed at the scene unfolding in front of him. "Please don't hurt my dad!! I'm begging you" I screamed, wiping my eyes with my hands. "Roselle!! Royce!! Get the hell out of here! Now!! Go, daddy's gonna be just fine", Dad ordered with an angry expression The big man gave a loud hearty laugh and his companions joined him. "Isn't this a very interesting family drama", he said with an unmistakable note of sarc
I ran faster and harder. Fatigue settled hard on my muscles and I could barely breathe but I kept going. My pretty dress was ripped in multiple places and blood and dirt decorated the once flawless fabric. My ankles were sore and red from the exercise and pebbles rolled under my feet, causing the joint to twist in an uncomfortable manner. Pain shot upwards from my sprained ankle to my whole body. I grew light-headed, weaker and tired with every single step. My shoulders felt as if I was carrying a concrete wall, an invisible chain tugged at my calves and my loafers threatening to bring me down to my knees. I pushed myself, recalling my father's pleading eyes when he asked me to run and determination set in. I limped forward. The days event kept flashing inside my head. How did we move from being so happy a few hours ago to being...... Bile rose at the back of my throat and for the first time since I started run
Time seemed to move with speed. It's been seven years since my arrival at the foster care and I can still remember the day I arrived like it was yesterday. I stand up from my bed, get my toiletries and head for the bathroom. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I'll say I look exceptional for a fifteen year old. The splitting image of my mom or at least what she looked like when she was around my age. The prominent dark circles around my big blue doe eyes signified lack of sleep. I brushed my teeth and took a hurried bath. It was a general bathroom and I had to wake up early so I could get some privacy. Hurrying down the hallway, I slipped into my room, threw on some clothes and began to arrange whatever little possession I had.Today, my adoption process will be completed and I'll be moving into a new home. I must admit, I'll miss this place a lot even though I have no friends or even acquaintances. I clutched my locket on my neck
Adjusting to my new routine wasn't difficult. It turned out the Smith's were not as decent and respectable as they posed . I did everything a help would do and even more. The chores seemed never ending and Richard was a bigger pain in the butt. He tried forcing himself on me twice but I turned him down and that seemed to put me on his bad side.I would be beaten up, starved and made to clean up after their mess time and again. It was like reliving another nightmare. This time my body had a lot of purple and blue bruises to show for it.I was positive the Smith's were involved in a shady business. I had seen files with a weird logoof a monochrome skull in a bandana and two daggers placed in an opposite angle beneath the skull while cleaning Richard's room on countless occasions. At first I thought it was a research work project or something, until I noticed what a bloody creep he is.He was hardly at home and whenever he returned, he was m
RICHARD'S POV.I've never trusted that damn maid. She was adopted and the name 'Smith' was attached to her name by my father. I Know it's a cruel joke on his part or a smart attempt to keep our identity undercover. My real name is Richard Vladimir and myfather; Adam Vladimir has been looking for the Jackson girl for years now.About eight years back, my uncle Dimitri Vladimir, head of the Vladimir clan and boss of the most notorious and feared Russian syndicate entrusted a job to my dad. It was nothing new, just an order to wipe out the Jackson's for treason. That night, our men had handled everything as expected but the girl managed to slip away. Since then,we've been searching for the Jackson girl but she seemed to have disappeared completely and all our efforts were futile.
RICHARD'SPOV.The drive from my house to Dimitri's was a long one and throughout the drive, my thoughts were fixated on our most recent consignment. It was long past due for arrival and Dimitri was already running out of patience. The damn old man was too smart and unforgiving and the only reason he let papa get away with his many mistakes was because we were family."Boss? There's a call for you",one of my men said and handed me the phone."
RICHARD'SPOV.The anger of how things went down at Dimitri's was still fresh in my veins. That sick old disgusting bastard knew damn well how to rile me up, I needed to get things under my control soon and right now, I was so stressed out and couldn't focus on anything.I arrived home shortly and headed straight for the study, my personal haven. Finding the door to the study open again didn't go unnoticed. That maid was too stupid and very foolish. How could she think, she would sneak in and I wouldn't find out. She was definitely calling for trouble and this this time, I would certainly know if she took the bait because I had installed cameras two days ago and watching the footages seemed like a good way to lighten my mood after that bastard Dimitri ruined it.I scanned the top of the desk, the shelves and pulled out the drawers, everything was in place; exactly how I had left it. I put on my laptop and o
RICHARD'SPOV.The conversation turned out better than I had hoped. She was a good liar and an excellent actress. Too good for a seventeen year old and if I hadn't seen those footages, I would have believed the bloody bitch!!"Boss?"Nikolai my most trusted and loyal man interrupted."Высделалито,чтояпросилавассделать?",I asked.{Have you done what I asked you to?}"Да,сэр.Камерывидеонаблюдения