Rissa's pov

The dining table got so quiet and lonely that I could hear myself chewing down the pancakes.

I thought I had gotten used to the loneliness. Why does it seem to affect me so much this morning???

Oh! Now I get it. Mom and dad promised to join me for breakfast since it's the first day for the semester.

I should have known it was a promise that they weren't willing to keep.

I don't blame them either. They're the busiest human beings I've ever come in contact with since 16 good years of my life.

They get so busy that they couldn't even give me a sibling. Not one, not two, none at all!!!

At least, I have my two best friends - Zoe and Alex to comfort me in that sad reality.

Oh! And my dog as well.

Her name is Pineapple and she keeps me company whenever I get bored of my phone and laptop.

And during this summer vacation, we've gotten very close that she follows me everywhere.

Suddenly, storming footsteps emerged from the fleet of stairs and mom's voice arguing followed.

*He's your best friend's son for God's sake. Caleb has always been by your side till the day he died!*

I was a bit surprised to hear mom yelling. She's really sweet and rather smiles in silence than to argue.

But for the fact that she's sounding so defensive, it must be something important and she's definitely gonna persuade dad.

I got up from the seat and reached for my bag on the other seat.

Next, dad came down holding his briefcase while mom scuttled after him.

They were already dressed up for work in a blue matching suit.

I'd say adorable but I'm sure they're just wearing it to impress people.

"Good morning mom" I greeted as we half hugged.

"Morning dad" I muttered waving three fingers at him.

He smiled and settled down at the dinning table.

He picked up a short bell and shakes it. Immediately, one of the maids came rushing in.

"I'm sorry we didn't come down earlier to have breakfast" Mom said with her hand still on my shoulder.

I released a wry smile.

"It's alright. Maybe another time" I shrugged hopefully.

"Okay sweetheart and we can also go to the salon and have a mother and daughter time this weekend" She beamed.

"Yes, mom. That would be awesome" I chimed in.

"Alright ma'am. I'm going to school now" I said and she bids me off.

I got outside our huge house where the SUV that takes me to school every morning was waiting.

I was about to approach the car when something held me back, or should I say someone.

I turned to see my dog - pineapple clutching tightly onto my legs.

Aww, I knelt on the floor and rubbed it's fur.

"I'm gonna be back later, okay?" I cooed touching him all over.

My personal maid had arrived and she took the dog from me.

"Make sure you feed it and give it a long warm bath, alright?".

"I'll do just that, ma'am" She stated.

I smiled and entered the SUV. Pineapple kept barking as the car drives off. We were followed by another car filled escorts.

Dad's a politician so you could say we are pretty wealthy.

It's a short ride to school and the moment I see the tall sophisticating fences of the school, I quickly put a sunshade glasses on.

(Juvenile detention center)

Mykel's pov

I sat on the bare floor staring at the floor. I could hardly see it because of the darkness that engulfed me but I had already stitched the images to my mind.

I've been here in a juvenile detention center for three years and just yesterday, some lawyer told me I'll be released soon.

I scoffed. I thought I would stay here till I turned 18. I still have a year to go...

I wish I can close my eyes and open them back at the house in Korea. With my parents and best friend.

Things would have been better if my dad didn't die.

The cell door creaked and soon noises of keys dangling filled my ears.

I looked up blankly to see the jailer and 'that' lawyer standing behind the door.

"Get up Asian!" The jailer yelled opening the door. I stayed put with my eyes piercing into his. He knew very well that I wouldn't flinch.

He sighed and moved into the cell.

"Get up. It's time for you to go" He stated with his arms folded.

My eyes drifted to the lawyer who wore a big smile.

I stood up and followed them out of the cell. As we walked along the hallway, all eyes from the other juvenile inmates steeped on us.

The same question was written on their faces.

I could tell.

We got to the office where my things were first taken from me.

A fresh set of clean clothes and shoes were handed to me.

"Congratulations Mykel, you're free to go" The chief inspector said wearing a smile.

I stared at them for some seconds including the lawyer.

Then, I was able to find my voice again;

"Who had me released?" I asked calmly.

"Your late father's best friend. He's a politician - one of the wealthiest in America" He replied and I nodded perfunctorily.

"Once you're done dressing up, you'll be taking to his mansion where he lives with his family" The lawyer added and I couldn't help but cringe.

Why would he release me after three f***king years? After he left my father to die? What's his deal anyway?!

I'll just keep the anger aside.

First, I need to leave this place.

*

Rissa

The attention I received from the other students was one I couldn't prevent.

I would have been such a lonely scholar if not for Zoe and Alex. They got closer and met the real me.

The fun and crazy me.

Our friendship became official last year and since then, we've become inseparable.

We even celebrated our sweet sixteen party together.

And so, my two besties were hanging around the parking lot right next to where the driver had parked.

I quickly jumped out of the car and we engaged in a tight and cozy hug.

"You smell so good, Rissa!" Zoe beamed as her cheeks grew red hot.

She wore an outrageous makeup on her face and it definitely wasn't the typical look Zoe used to have.

"Why's that on your face?" I asked as we skim across the parking lot to the school building.

"My sister's back from Canada and she's dying to practice her makeover skills on someone so I volunteered my innocent and pure face" She answered with a shrug.

Alex bursted out laughing.

"I can barely see your dimples".

Zoe and I shared an amused look.

"So, I heard your parents are back, Rissa" Alex said but it sounded more like a question.

"Yeah...they came back few days ago but we barely got to talk. If only I can order myself a pair of mom and dad that'd spend time with me more often. Its getting quite depressing" I peeved feeling a bit down.

She placed her hand on my shoulder and just as she was about to say something, loud noises of car engines dashing into the compound erupted.

Students clustered and we looked back to watch the upcoming scenario.

It was guards on uniform holding armed weapons. Then three blue Ferrari cars drove smoothly into the premises and parked at the empty spots the same time.

"Is that?----"

"The president's children" I completed Zoe's statement and she gasped.

"Sweet cars. I would do anything to ride one of those!" Alex breaks in excitedly.

"But your dad got you a Lamborghini last month" Zoe pointed out.

"Its outdated!" She rasps and we all giggled.

"And as for you, Rissa. You promised to come to school in your new buggati once school starts" Zoe blurted and I scoffed.

"Everyone's going to think I'm a show off. Why the heck would I bring It to school??" I groused rubbing my forehead.

We resumed to staring at the president's kids and realized they had just stepped down from their rides.

They were three kids, Madison, Diana and the first son, Lucas.

Lucas Is the hottest and wealthiest guy In the whole school.

He's practically every girl's first dream guy in this part of the world, then the next were celebrities, singers and actors.

I would admit that I would date him if I had the chance but I don't put much mind to that cause mom won't let me.

We kept staring at them as they walked gracefully to the school building.

Their entrance never gets boring!

÷

÷

During lunch hours, Alex and I made our way to gym hall where we had gymnastics rehearsals.

We were both into gymnastic while Zoe preferred swimming.

As we approached our corner, we realized we were late already and other gymnasts had arrived.

The girls surrounded someone who was on a mat doing a very difficult pose. Her legs were barely touching the floor!

Gosh!!! This has to be a film trick.

How on earth could she do that?!

I looked closely to see who the girl was and lo and behold - its Diana!

Yeah...the president's first child.

As in, Lucas's elder sister.

Our eyes met and she smirked.

She's my competition. We both despise each other and that's because she feels like she's good at everything.

They're people of high class and everything but I wonder why she's stooped so low to bully me!

I mean, it could be a really bad thing that she hates me.

I totally forgot about this issue thinking it had ended last semester but here we are again, with the hating...

÷

÷

I got home and headed straight for the house. Pineapple was running around the place the moment she saw me.

She's so furry and extremely cute. I ambled into the house with it following closely behind me.

The house was dead quiet as it has always been but everywhere was spotless and glittered.

There's no doubt the maids has tidied up the whole mansion.

I went upstairs clutching onto the light schoolbag. All it contained was a notepad and my cellphones.

I walked past a room next to mine which was surprisingly open. Its been ages since the room was touched.

What's going on?...

I went into the room and met three maids cleaning it up.

Am I getting a sibling??

I heard footsteps behind me and I quickly turned to take a look.

It was mom speaking to someone on her phone.

I can't believe she's at home. I thought she would be busy at the office.

"What's going on mom? Why are you getting the room cleaned?" I asked obviously aware that she's the one who asked for the room to be fixed.

She let out a nervous chuckle.

"Please, go to your room and freshen up first. Then you come to your father's library so we can talk, alright?" She said softly and I nodded.

I started going to the room with pineapple trailing after me.

÷

Rissa's p.o.v

I entered the library holding my phone and laptop. I decided to watch some gymnastic videos after having 'the talk' with mom.

I'm trying not to get worried about the room being cleaned. Maybe there's something she wants to store in there.

Anxiety was eating me alive!.

She sat by the other side of the desk where dad normally sits.

She was in the middle of a phone call but quickly concluded with it on spotting me.

I dropped on the leather seat and dropped the things I was holding.

"So, mom....what's going on?" I asked curiously.

She leaned down and brought out something from the desk before passing It to me across the table.

It's a photograph.

"Do you remember him?" She asked drumming one hand on the other.

I gazed into the picture. It's a baby picture of me next to some boy!

His hair is d**n curly and thick black. It even looked better than mine though he is a boy.

We stood really close like we were siblings or something.

Wait a minute! Could It be I have a brother somewhere out there??

I glanced at mom suddenly exuberant.

"Is he my brother?" I asked with my brows raised.

She cracked.

"What on earth! How could you think that?? You are our only child, there's no one else" She pointed out looking astonished.

I rubbed the back of my head nervously.

"Then, who is he?".

"He was your childhood friend. Both of you were really close back then. He's Caleb's son - a Korean".

I bit my lower lip. Why can't I remember him? And why would mom be asking me about him??

"What does he have to do with the room being cleaned upstairs?" I asked plonking on the chair.

She took a deep sigh before starting.

"The boy in the picture is Mykel, Caleb's son. He has been in a juvenile detention center for three years--"

"He has been in prison?!" I gawped.

She chuckled and nodded.

"Yes, if that's what you want to call it but he has been released and has nowhere to go since his parents are late and their wealth has been seized by the authorities. He's going to be living with us for the mean time---"

"What?!!!" I interpolated.

"You want to bring a prisoner to our house?? A criminal?..."

"He's not a criminal. He's innocent, I'm sure about that" She chimed wearing a soothing smile.

"Did he tell you that he's innocent?" I asked with a scoff.

"He didn't but when I looked into his eyes, I saw a helpless boy who has been tortured for doing nothing wrong" She replied calmly.

Oh butters! Mom must be going nuts!..

"Why can't you take him to another house where he'd stay for 'that meantime'?".

"No, he's still under eighteen and who knows if those bad guys that killed his father are out there searching for him. We are all that he has" She answered with a hint of agitation.

"I don't want him here mom..." I muttered irritated.

"And why's that?".

"He's a criminal. He can be capable of killing us all while we sleep. Please reconsider---"

"I have important matters to attend to right now so I don't have time to argue over this. I watched this boy grow - he won't harm us. And besides, you always wanted a brother or a sister. God has finally answered your prayers, alright??".

I remained stiff like a statue staring at her.

"He will arrive tomorrow. please make him feel at home then later, I'll have him enrolled in your school. He was also taking classes at the juvenile detention center so he would just have to write an exam that'll promote him to your class" She added wearing a big smile.

The fact that she's my mother, eluded me from screaming down the walls.

What sort of curse is this?!

How could she let someone from the filthy prison join us in this house? And I can't believe dad agreed to this.

I'm not going to school tomorrow. I'm going to be here when the criminal comes.

I'll make sure he doesn't do anything crazy to hurt us. Especially pineapple.

÷

÷

(Next morning)

I struggled to keep my eyes open as the sound of the alarm ringing filled my ears. I can't believe I spent the whole night watching different dance moves.

I have to perfect my steps and defeat Madison. I have to beat her at free styling.

I succeeded in taking a bath and getting dressed for the day. I had already informed Alex and Zoe that I wouldn't come to school today.

There was no sign of mom or dad and I settled down for a lonely breakfast with pineapple.

I'm glad I didn't have a nightmare concerning the ex convict that would be coming to live with us today.

He must be rough and dirty.

God! I just can't imagine how disgusting he would be.

I'm gonna create boundaries around the house. There's no way he's permitted to touch things around here. And I would never let him touch me.

Suddenly, there was sound of cars driving into the compound. I stopped eating and got up from the seat.

I ambled to the window to see who it was. Pineapple kept barking excitedly.

*The guest is here!* Amber, the maid said running towards the door.

I tightened my fist as I watched the cars park accordingly.

The criminal's here.

÷

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