Chapter 1

Concentrating. Incredibly careful I held my brush. Making sure the paint is brushed in the right places. Sticking my tongue out to help me. I picked up my brush one last time and... finished. My ten nails had a beautiful pastel pink color.

I was quite proud of myself. I had made no mistake while painting my nails. I wanted to share my accomplishment with someone.

I made my way down to the kitchen. Maybe Mary was on her brake. I entered the spacious room in the hope to see the woman who always kept me company when I felt lonely. "Mary?" I heard a thud and then the old lady made her appearance from behind the kitchen island.

"Yes, dear?"

"Did you hurt yourself right now, I heard a thud. I'm sorry I did not mean to scare you." I said guiltily.

"It's alright dear. What is it you wanted to tell me?" She asked with the infamous friendly smile she had always shown me, no matter what.

"Look," I held my fingers up, "I painted my nails." I showed her my hands.

"That looks lovely dear." She said tiredly. "But if you don't mind me, Ava, I have to finish this within the next hour."

I was disappointed, but I understood very well. Mary was here to do her job, which was cleaning, not keeping me company. That was one of the many extra's whenever she had the time. "I'm sorry I did not mean to disturb you," I said with hunched shoulders.

"Ava, I did not mean to-"

"It's alright Mary, maybe father has some time for me." I made my way out of the kitchen and headed to my father's office. I had to climb multiple stairs until I stood in front of the big wooden doors of my father's workplace.

I knocked three times and waited until I got permission to enter the room. "Come in" I heard a low voice saying.

The room was quite spacious. It faced the back garden, giving you a lovely view from up here. On the left and right walls were two big bookcases, holding over a dozen books. From time to time father would give me permission to lend some of the books. 

"Father?" I said while stepping into his office.

"Ava? What are you doing here?" He asked with a confused face. Father was sitting behind his huge desk. It was well over three meters long. 

"I wanted to see how you were doing and... showing you my nails," I said hesitantly. 

"Your nails?" Again, his confused expression made an appearance on his face.

"Yes, look, I painted them," I said with a smile.

My father did not look confused anymore, but rather angry now. "Painting your nails? Ava, there are more important matters than that nonsense. How about your schoolwork? And your piano lessons?"

"I have finished my work and I'm already done with practicing the piano," I said in a low voice. "But I see you are busy; I will leave you to it." My father only nodded at that and went back to work as I exited the room.

I sighed. I wanted to talk to somebody, but who? Then an idea popped up in my head. My brother Xavier. I quickly made my way to the living room where the house phone was. I sat down on the couch and dialed his number. "Hello, father?"

"No, it's me, your younger sister," I said excitedly.

I heard him sighing. "Hello Ava, is there something urgent you have to talk about?"

"No, not really, I just wanted to talk to you. How are you doing? When will you come to visit us again? It has been ages since you have been here."

"Look Ava, I really want to talk, but I'm busy. We will talk later, I promise." And with that, he had hung up before I could say goodbye. 'We will talk later', yeah right. He always said that, but never lived up to that stupid promise.

I pouted. I graved for some social contact, but I had no family or friends to talk to. We also did not have any pets. I had asked multiple times for a cat or dog, but my father always disagreed. He said it was not ladylike, owning a pet.

I looked through the window, the garden looked really inviting. Only I had to ask my father for permission to go outside and he was already in a sour mood. So maybe it was better to not disturb him again.

But if I am quick, he won't even notice as he is still in his office. A smile crept on my face; it had been a while since I have been outside. I got my shoes and coat.

As I stepped outside, I took a deep breath of the clean air. It was nice outside. The sun was shining high in the sky and there was no trace of any clouds hovering in the blue sea of air. I made my way to the rose garden and smelled the beautiful flowers. This was my favorite place on our land. It was peaceful here, which always made me happy, no matter how sour my mood was.

I walked through the garden until I was stopped by someone grabbing my arm. I looked up to see to whom this arm belonged; it was my father. He looked truly angry. "What are you doing here?" He hissed.

Before I could answer he was already dragging me inside. Once inside he asked me again. "What were you doing in the garden without my permission?" His hand was still tightly around my arm.

I gulped. "I-I just wanted to get some fresh air, f-father" His face still did not look pleased. His grip on my arm tightened. "You know better than to do that. As a punishment, you can't go outside for two weeks, that better teach you to go behind my back. Now go to your room!" He roared.

Upon entering my room, I let myself fall on the bed. I cried. Going outside was always my last resort to make myself happy. With no friends nor family to spend my time with, I considered nature my friend as it never let me down. But even now that could not cheer me up anymore, at least for the next two weeks.