LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 1: Like...you sold me?
I looked up at the photo of my grandma placed on the table and a small smile appeared on my face.
Although it's just been two months since she was buried, the pain of departure feels as if it was just yesterday. The ironic smile she had when dying, saying I should be happy, felt like a backstab to me because there was no way I'd be happy without her by my side.
She played the role of the mother I never had, unlike that of a grandma, and seeing the lengths she reached just to have an orphan like me in her custody I feel even more indebted to her, because she gave an orphan who had no hope of having a complete family hope again, well even if the family isn't complete as I always imagined and both her kids are always out there getting into one problem or the other.
"Young miss, your phone is ringing" I turned to find one of the maids pointing to the phone I was holding.
I gave a small smile and nodded before making my way towards my room.
"He..hello," I said after taking a deep breath several times, trying to prepare myself mentally for whatever the caller had installed.
"Carmela, please help me; I'm about to lose my mind!" I heard editor Damien say from the other end of the phone
"What..what happened? And how..how am I supposed to be of help to you editor Damian?" I managed to respond after taking a seat on my bed.
"You can be of help by completing what you started, I know it's not the right time to say this but I've placed your book on hold for two months and I fear if we don't pick up from where you stopped the readers are going to start a protest or something" I heard him complain which I could understand, but why, why can't they just understand my own opinion?
I never wanted to write that book, I just thought it could be a good idea for Grandma to incorporate it in her book but she turned it into a separate book making me the sole owner
"But I.."
"I know you depended on your grandma before now because of your situation, and she did explain everything to me before her passing, and I can promise you wouldn't have to face anyone; just send me your work, and I'll handle the rest, okay," he said and ended the call on me.
I wanted to scream and throw a tantrum but the only one who listens to them is no longer around. I sighed, looking at the photo we both took at my bedside and remembering good times brought a smile to my face.
She was one who always believed in me even when no one did, she did. I never got adopted because I was a selective mutism patient, but she never looked down on me or my condition. Instead, she kept saying she saw something that no one could.
Well, that may be because she's a writer and loves to think outside the box, but I don't think I can be as great and good as she is.
But what are the chances that I'd be able to survive in this house?
What are the chances that I wouldn't let her hope and trust in me be shattered?
What are the chances that I'd be able to fulfill the dreams she had for me with success?
And the chances that I'd completely recover from being mute and be able to have a proper conversation with others just like she wished?
I took a deep breath and took a step towards my study table where my writing materials were laid and picked up my pen and diary, hoping I could write something, but nothing came.
I took a look at my phone to find it was just a few minutes past eight and I sighed in relief. If I can pick up my pace, I can surely write an entire chapter before midnight and send it to editor Damian.
"This is for you, dearest grandma," I said inwardly, taking a look at the plain sheet In front of me but sighed, slamming myself on the table as I didn't know where to start or where exactly I was headed.
I picked up my phone, hoping to at least get some inspiration as I scrolled through the emails I had sent to the editor, but it seemed I'd have to start reading everything from the start.
…
"To be a perfect woman is to be the woman in Proverbs 31." I remembered the priest's words as I stared at the statue before me, wondering if I could truly be the person he spoke of..'The perfect woman' even with my inability
"Child, you've been seated here for long. What could your issue be?" I looked up to find the priest and hurriedly stood to my feet with a sigh of respect "My darling child you've been made to go through so much at such a young age but by his stripes we're healed.." he patted my head as I look at my feets "There would come a time when it seems there's no hope and it's the end of everything but if only you believe then I tell you that it is only the beginning" he smiled at me. I would be lying if I said I understood what he just said if it is a Bible verse or just a piece of advice as I've never read through the Bible or wanted to come to church, but I always had to come because Grandma always wanted to be here and I always wanted to be around her. And since she's gone I feel this is the only place I can feel her presence. My phone began vibrating in my bag and seeing the caller ID I answered on the third ring
"Carmela where are you..hurry up back home"
"I'm... I'm at the church" I manage to respond
"Hurry back now"
"I'm on my way Suzy, what is the hurry" I said excusing myself from the priest with a nod as I hurriedly picked up my back and made my way towards the exit where the cab I hired was waiting
"My mum has packed your bags and lined them up at the door, while uncle is speaking with some weird people"
"We..weird people? My..My..my bag? Suzy I'll ..I'll be there in the next 10 minutes" I ended the call and took to my heels but stumbled into someone who reflectively pushed me backward but I was in no state to explain myself nor apologize so I continued my race and could hear him mumble some words which I was less concerned about.
...
I arrived home to be met by three black limousines parked at the front of the house.
I slowed down my pace, seeing three men in black standing at the door with straight faces, but that wasn't my concern at the moment; my concern was my bags standing before me.
"Uncle, aunt..why are my luggages here?"
"Well it's a good thing that you're back, now off you go," she said not paying me a glance
"Off...I go? But where?" I questioned my voice barely visible
"You see, since my mother is dead, there's no way we can continue caring for you so those people over there are willing to take up your responsibility," she said with a smile but I doubt all she was saying was the truth
"Just be sincere with her, after all our mother did for her, this is the least she can do to repay us for all the unnecessary expenses she caused us.
I owe their boss some money and in exchange for that money you're being taken away" he said coldly
"Like..you sold me?" I spoke up
"You've always been a mute. At last, you've said something reasonable.
Yes little orphan you've been sold off"
I wanted to laugh and tell them to stop their cruel joke as it was no longer funny, but seeing their facial expressions and knowing how bad our relationship had been over the years I knew they weren't joking
I looked up to find Suzy trying to form some words with her mouth which I could understand after taking an intense look at her
'Run away' she said and I clenched my bag
Since destiny decided to play such a cruel game with me, I think it's high time I take my destiny into my own hands
"Ma'am, this way," one of the men in black came forward towards me, and taking my chance and calculating my move, I took to my heels.
"Catch her!" I could hear them scream but there was no way I was going to oblique.
The only problem I knew was going to be an obstacle to my escape plan was my panic attacks since I could barely keep up my race.
Feeling myself run out of breath, I stopped, trying to find a cab, but there was none, so I resumed my race, seeing the people in black catching up to me.
It felt like destiny was playing a game of cat and mice with me since I had no one to run to nor ask for help, except,
The orphanage and the church.
Remembering the orphanage, I was adopted from; I took a right turn that could lead me to the express road; even if the orphanage doesn't serve as a permanent hiding house, I could hide there temporarily until I think of something.
I snuggled my way into the crowd of people waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green before crossing the road and tried catching my breath.
My heart throbbed vigorously against my ribcage and my chest slowly closed up. I placed my hand on my chest, trying to calm my breath, but it didn't seem to be working. Instead, it felt as if my world had come to a sudden stop, and everything around me seemed hazy.
I fixed my glasses properly, blinking multiple times, trying to regain my sight, but it was of no use as my knees suddenly began to feel weak. I looked up to find everyone almost at the other end of the road while I was the only one still standing.
If I had read about this somewhere else and I wasn't in this situation, I would have said the person in my shoes lacked the determination to fight, but that wasn't the case for me as my entire body refused to oblique me.
Could this be what the priest meant by there would come a time when it seems there's no hope and it's the end of everything, but if only I believe, then.
M? taught were interrupted as I suddenly felt a huge hand taking mine in there's. I looked up but still couldn't tell who it was.
"Are you tired already? They are almost catching up to us" I heard him say and his voice sent sparks down my stomach
"Come on the pedestrian light is about to turn red," he said pulling me towards the road I felt like my guardian angel had finally appeared before me, ready to save me from my distress, and although I couldn't see his face, I could tell he was someone kind and caring for his voice
Stupid right?
But I don't care as long as I'm able to escape the hell I currently found myself In.
As he kept pulling me towards the road, I wanted to tell him I could no longer move nor take it anymore as a result of my body's weakness, but I didn't have the strength to. All I could see was me being pulled into a dark world and everything in it enclosing me.