1 Chapter 1 - The Very First Wish
I've always wanted more to life. I've always imagined having a more adventurous and somewhat fulfilling life. I've never been able to have fun or do anything normal. My parents always tell me that being rich is life's purpose.
I feel like there's more to life. I feel like there's more to me. I wish I had a friend to talk to or something but I've never made any of those; my parents send me to a private school with other rich kids and they're all snobby.
I know there's more to me than being the daughter of "The Great Joseph Mandela. Owner of the largest hotel chain on the Caribbean." and "The Astute Dianna Mandela. Countess of England". There has to be more. Or is there?
~~~~~~~
One day while at home, I was watching my number one most favorite series of all time, Real Housewives of Atlanta. Topped off with my favorite dish, syrup soaked blueberry pancakes, prepared by my family's butler, Christoph.
Just when I was convinced that this day couldn't get any better, the sound of the television began being drowned out by a loud earsplitting sound. I promptly turned off the television and ran into the backyard.
My parents were just coming back from their week-long trip to Great Britain. I ran with joy and spark to greet them.
My parents were walking out of their class 5 private jet, Christoph seemed overwhelmed with their suitcases.
"Mom! Dad!" I shouted, going to hug my mother
Wrapping my arms around her I felt her body grow tense as she pushed me off.
"What do you think you're doing?" She accused
"Well..I haven't seen you in a long time so I was just glad to see you" I murmured
"No touching. Especially without your gloves." She said
I couldn't pick my head up and look her in the eyes. I decided that it was best to move on and try my dad.
"Don't even think about it." He said, "I don't have time to waste with you child. We have to prepare to leave in the morning."
"Wait..." I whispered, "You're leaving again?"
"Yes Kleo dear." My mother said, "You didn't think we'd stay here forever did you? We just came back to pick up a few things."
"Mom..." I muttered, still not able to look her in the eyes, "My name is Kloe."
She seemed to just dismiss what I said and they moved on.
"Christoph," she called, "put away all the gifts from cousin Layla would you?"
"Right away madam. And what will you do with the heirloom she gave you?"
"What's that?"
"It appears to be a dusty lamp, an 'antique' she called it."
"Give it to the girl. Kids like that kind of stuff."
My eyes was twitching and I had just about had enough of this. It's been like this since my childhood and my parents have never shown an interest in me, ever.
"No Mom, kids don't like that kind of stuff. And you would've known that if you spent any time with me!" I burst
When storming off, I heard my mom ask the other two,
"What's her problem?"
And she just sounded so oblivious like she didn't even understand what just happened. And that she doesn't even realize that you're supposed to at least care about your child.
~~~~~~~
Lying in my bed, I heard an soft knock on the door. I ran to open the door, foolishly think that it was my mother.
"Oh.." I whispered, "Christoph.."
I whimpered back to my bed and threw myself in.
"I regret bothering you Mí Lady, but I have the precious antique that your mother said to give to you."
"Thanks..and I've told you already that you can just call me Kloe."
"Well whether or not you say so Mí lady I am still obligated to respect you. Would you like me to dust off the artifact?"
"No no, it's fine; you already do a lot by having to deal with my parents. Just put it down somewhere."
"As you wish Mí lady."
I groaned as he called me that. I hate that title. I thought friends were supposed to call each other by their names. Or maybe Christoph doesn't think of me as a friend...
When I felt in the mood to get up and go see the "precious artifact" or whatever it was already night time. I picked up the dusting cloth, graciously placed by Christoph, and the rather dirty lamp.
I sat down on my bed and slowly dusted it off. When I stopped it was so shiny I was able to see my reflection in it.
Tears started making their way out of my eyes and I felt like my heart was being stabbed. Whimpers escaped me as I fantasized about a better life.
"I just wish my parents loved me." I whispered
Without realizing it, a tear fell from my eye onto the lamp. The lamp then started shining, radiating the whole room. I heard a female voice of presumably my age say gently,
"Your wish is my command."
~~~~~~~
I don't know what happened but the farthest I could remember is hearing that weird female voice before everything turned white.
I went on with my morning routine, thinking about last night the whole time. When I went downstairs I was greeted by a heart striking surprise.
My parents were cuddling in the couch, watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
"What are you two doing here?" I confronted them, still in my pajamas
"What's the problem Kleo?"
"Kloe." I gritted my teeth
"Nonsense dear. Joseph and I agreed on only naming a child so if it were an accident."
I groaned and belted at them, "Just tell me why you're here! Aren't you supposed to be at Britain by now?"
"Oh..." she said, as her and my father straightened up
"Dianna was stripped of her noble role in England." My father said
"And Joseph here lost the title to the company to his associate, Timothy." My mother added
"What..?" I paused
"I'm just as lost as you, it all just happened...overnight." my mother said
After a short while of connecting the dots I ran upstairs to my room and was sure to lock the door behind me.
I went over to my bedside table and picked up the lamp. I didn't get to see it properly last night but now that it was daytime I got to see it in all it's beauty. Mostly purple, with a lot of great patterns.
I held the lamp closer to my face and let my accusatory paranoia run wild.
"You did this didn't you? I don't know how you did it but you did. Last night, with the glowy stuff and the fancy light show. You're to blame."
"Are you not satisfied with your wish?" The voice spoke again
Startled, I threw down the lamp.
"I am so sorry." I said,
"It's ok. I feel no pain in this form." It said
"What...?"
"I feel no physical pain when in this form."
"Ok whatever let's get back to how you screwed up my life please."
"What do you mean Owner?"
"My parents; they're acting weird and they lost all that they had. And please don't call me that."
"Your wish was to make them love you Owner"
"So you're telling me that the only way they could love me is if they had nothing?"
"Correct."
"But, magical talking lamp, without their jobs and titles we're going to go poor in no time."
"Is that an issue Owner?"
"Uh, yes. And I said stop calling me that."
"Would you like to reverse your wish then Owner?"
"Yes please."
"Your wish is my command."
The lamp started shining brightly again for about ten seconds. As soon as I could see I bolted downstairs to see if it worked. My parents were dressed in their fancy clothes again and looked like they were ready to leave.
"Hey.." I said, "You guys going now?"
"Ugh, Kleo, we're already late. I don't know what came over us, sitting down and watching that putrid trash."
I groaned and thought to myself that I'm better off without them. I went back upstairs and locked the door again.
"It worked" I said in disbelief, "how did you do that?"
"Do what Owner?"
"Reverse the thing that you did before!"
"Simple." She said, before the lamp started glowing again,
When the light began to fade I saw the body of a girl standing in my room, and the lamp was gone.
"I am a magical genie." She said, gracefully
"A wha..?"
"A genie."
"Like a magical genie?"
"That's what I said. I grant thirteen wishes to each owner that summons me. You have already used two."
"Ok..but isn't it usually 3 wishes? And what happened to the lamp?"
"That was my un-awoken state. This is my physical form."
"Ok well...uhh.. I don't know what to say."
"Take your time." She said
"I already know what I want."
"Your wish will be my command."
"Ok then. In that case, I wish..."
