1 01

Elisha hurried out of the classroom because of the repeated threats she read on her cell phone from her parents. It is already the time of her last subject when she read the message on her cellphone. She already knew what would happen when her stepmom got angry with her, especially her real father.

While running in the corridor her phone suddenly rang. She immediately took her phone out of her bag and nervously answered her father's call. The moment she put her phone on the left side of her ear, she was almost stunned by the loud shout echoing on her phone.

"Where the hell are you? Did you not receive your mom's call? You need to be here before lunch!" His father's ranging voice echoed.

"Y-yes father--" She did not manage to finish her words when his father dropped the call. Elisha groaned because of her Dad's attitude. She never likes her dad nor her family and until now she was not used to getting along with them.

Elisha heaved a sigh. She wonders what her family wants, especially since his father was so eager for her to come back home. Maybe it is so important they tried to call her during class. Usually, her parents would not bother talking nor looking at her when she was at home. They will only talk to her when they need something or if she was asked to do something. They treat her as their maid and not like their own family because she is an illegitimate child of her father.

"Oops! s-sorry..." she suddenly bumped into someone while running because she was not looking the way. She just bowed her head and turned around. she did not bother to look at the man. She has no time talking and waiting for the person she bumped with because she was in a hurry.

The man looks at her back coldly and looks down on the wallet she dropped when they collided.

Elisha called a cab and went home. When she was about to prepare her payment for the ride, she noticed and realized that she lost her wallet. She suddenly felt nervous because she did not have any money left inside the pocket of her pants and bag. Then, an image of her best friend named Jane pops up to her mind. She dialed Jane's number and called her.

"Where are you? The class is about to start. Did you suddenly hit your head and realized that studying is not a fun thing to do?" Jane bombarded Elisha with a question the moment she answered Elisha's call.

"My parents called. They asked me to go home before lunch. Jane, I have a favor to ask. Please send me an e-cash to my account because I lost my wallet. I will pay you tomorrow, I promise. Please, Jane..." Elisha pleaded to her best friend. Jane is the only friend she has because only Jane treats her like a real family, unlike her father.

"Fine... but promise me that you will never forget to tell me what happened after your talk with your family," Jane said.

"I promise," Elisha smiled because she can feel that Jane was worried about her. She felt that there is still someone scared for her safety.

When Elisha arrived at home, the mansion's guard and maids greeted her. She only smiles at them and glances at the main door of the mansion where her stepmother named Matilda, who was glaring at her, was waiting. Elisha looked down to avoid her stepmom's glance. She does not want to look at her not because she is afraid of Matilda but because she hates how her stepmom looked at her. Matilda looked at her with disgust.

"Your father is waiting in the living room. Hurry up and change your clothes for something nicer than you are currently wearing today. You should not give shame to our family" Matilda said when Elisha arrived in front of her.

Wear something nicer than what she is wearing today? All of her clothes were nice and good. Only her family does not like what she is wearing because her sisters and stepmom were wearing designer and expensive clothes, unlike her clothes that are cheaper than one dollar.

"Yes, mother" She answered and headed straight to her room.

When Elisha opened the door and lights inside her room. A small room with a dull ambiance greeted Elisha. The windows were cracked, and her bed created a creaking sound when she sat over. She was about to open her cabinet to look for some nicer clothes when she saw a navy-blue dress lying on her bed. She was surprised by what she saw. This is the dress of Elaine, one of her stepsisters. Why is it here? Did her stepmom want her to wear her daughter's clothes?

"Elisha, from now on that dress is yours. Head down quickly and do not let father wait any longer. Father and the other visitor want to meet you. I still cannot believe that I let you wear my clothes. Never mind, that only cost a hundred dollar. I can still buy something more expensive than that" Elaine suddenly entered her room without her permission.

Elaine looked around and creeped out at the sight of her room. She doesn't like to be inside Elisha's room because for her the sight is awful, dirty, and dull, unlike her room. It is elegant and all the things inside her room are expensive.

"Thanks," Elisha said.

Elisha wears the Navy-blue dress and applies light make up that makes her look gorgeous and classy. The color of the dress compliments her white and smooth skin. The dress hugs her body that showcases her outer beauty. She ties her hair into a messy bun and wears the diamond necklace that was left to her by her mother. When she looked at the mirror, she was astounded by her looks because she resembles her dead mother.

She is so beautiful, and this is the first time she praised herself.

While Elaine was watching Elisha, she cannot admit that Elisha only wears a simple dress and makeup, yet she has so much beauty than her. Elaine does not like it because deep inside her heart, she envies Elisha.