Elizabeth could hear her phone ring right from where she laid but picking it up wasn't an option, she had been gone for the past 5 hours and she wasn't ready to talk to anyone just yet.
"She's calling again" Claudia voiced as she picked Elizabeth's phone in her hand, Claudia was Elizabeth's only friend, they happened to have met a few months prior to her parents divorce. Claudia was much older than Elizabeth and she was an orphan since she was 7.On hearing her words Elizabeth turned to the side as she could feel the fresh sting from the slap once again."Come on, just answer the phone, I'm sure she's very worried about you" she spoke trying to convince her."She isn't the slightest bit worried about me, she's only calling because of the court and my dad, they are going to be on her throat" she replied, she could feel a depression on the other end of the bed, indicating that Claudia was on the bed.Claudia laid down beside her, with her face to the ceilings."I understand how you feel trust me, my foster parents were also like this and I couldn't wait to leave their house, now I'm out and at peace but you can't leave yet, you have to go back home. The sooner you try to resolve your issues with her, the better things would get" she advised."Are you sure I can't just live here with you?" She asked turning towards Claudia. Being with Claudia made her wish she had a sibling, someone to share things with so they wouldn't be bottled up."You seem to want the court to charge me with kidnapping right?""No, but I prefer staying anywhere but not with my mother" she voiced.Claudia wrapped her arms around Elizabeth as she cried into her chest, after a while of consolation Elizabeth fell asleep and in a few hours time she was up as Claudia woke her. It was already late.Elizabeth called a cab and was on her way home, she wished she had the conscience to run away, far away. Where no one would find her but then she couldn't, there were a lot of news about human trafficking and she didn't want to fall a victim. The cab pulled up in front of her home and with a deep breathe she was out, walking through the front door."She isn't home yet and I haven't been able to reach her" Elizabeth could here Maria's voice from the door. She slowly opened the door walking in slowly."I will call you back babe she's here" she added before ending the call.Maria turned towards her daughter."Where the hell have you been and why did you not answer any of my calls?" She asked."That none of your business" she scoffed about to walk into her room when Maria held her by the arm,"Lizzy, why don't you understand that going out like that is dangerous. What is something had happened to you?""Wouldn't that be great for you, you'll be free and not have the burden of looking after me" she voiced removing her arm from her mother grip."We are moving to New Orleans in three days" she blurted outElizabeth couldn't wrap her head around her mother's audacity to keep things from her and expect it to be okay with her. She slowly turned towards her and with one glance Maria could tell that Elizabeth could strangle her in that spot."Mom, why don't you just give me to dad or better off an orphanage, it's only a matter of months and I'll be out of your hair than torturing me this way" she spoke."It's already been decided and that's it, by tomorrow I expect you to tidy up your room" she informed."You know what, I wanted to run away but I didn't because of dad, your nothing but a good for nothing mother and I can’t wait to turn 18 and leave your house" she added walking off."Well yeah, I hope it comes soon too" Maria voiced as she ran her hands through her hair, she didn't expect these words from her daughter, she wasn't expecting a hug but this was a bit beyond her expectations.Maria walked back towards the kitchen counter pulling out a glass and a bottle of champagne, she added ice to the cup before gulping it in one go.Parenting seemed to not be her strongest suit.Elizabeth fell on her bed, she was leaving this house. Her memories with her dad were here in this house and she wanted to take that away as well. She buried her face in her pillow and let out a loud scream with hope that the pain she was feeling inside would fade away.The vibration from her phone distracted her from her pain, she raised her head and a smile appeared on her face."Dad!" She voiced answering the phone."Lizzy bear, where were you? I was worried. I even booked ticket to come over" he spoke.Elizabeth chuckled, this was her dad. He worried about her even at the slightest inconvenience, he was broken when the court gave Elizabeth's custody to his wife."There's no need for you to come over, I'm fine." She replied as tears dropped from her eyes. She missed him so much."My bear where are you?""I'm home, had a fight with mom about her new husband" she voiced hiding her tears not to make him worried than he was."New husband?""Yes, your precious wife is getting married in a week time and she just told me about it. When I thought that was the worst part she then tells me that we're moving to New Orleans in 3 days" she explained."And she just told you?""Yes, dad I don't want to stay with mom anymore" she sobbed."Oh my Lizzy bear, don't cry. You know there is no way I can take you to live with me, your mom won. It's just a couple of months and I myself will come get you from her" he voiced.Elizabeth spoke to her dad for a while before falling asleep.**** **** ***** ***** **** **** ****The next morning Elizabeth was up, she stared at her room and had made up her mind to put up with her mother just for the next 9 months of her life, she started by getting boxes from the garage and slowly worked her way packing.She gently placed her precious item into the boxes, she didn't want to leave anything behind.Maria on the other hand worked in her room before going down to prepare breakfast, she was hesitant to go into Elizabeth's room but still did.Elizabeth lifted her head and there stood Maria, she didn't say a word but continued with her packing."Hun, let's have breakfast" she spoke as she walked in."I'm not hungry. I already had the leftovers pizza" she replied not even looking at Maria.Maria took a deep breath before speaking."Lizzy, I actually came here because I wanted to apologize to you. I know I should have told you everything from the very beginning but I was scared that things wouldn't work out, like it did with your dad" she explained.Elizabeth stopped in her tracks as her eyes went back to her mom."I'm sorry, the only reason I did this was so you could have a better life and future, I also want you to have a father figure in your life, I know what's it feels like not having your dad around and I don't want you to face that" she explained.Elizabeth didn’t utter a word, if she really wanted her to have a complete family, her dad would be home with them not getting some random guy as her dad."Elizabeth it hurts me that you hate me. I don't want you to hate me" she spoke with tears running down her cheeks.What exactly was the tears for, were they because she realized she was a terrible mother or that she was just selfish, either ways her questions couldn't be answered. She turned her eyes to her work.Maria slowly moved towards her but immediately Elizabeth stood to her feet and without a word left Maria who continued in her tears.Elizabeth stood in front of her house as her mom locked the door, it felt as though she was leaving behind her life she once knew, without saying a word she took a position in the front sit of the cab far from Maria. The ride to the airport was quick as there were no traffic, Elizabeth and her mom got checked in and within the next 30 minutes she was bidding farewell to her state. Her mother sat next to her but Elizabeth paid no attention to a word or anything her mother was saying, she wanted to change her sit but didn't want it to bring any issues as she didn't want to sit close to a stranger. Finding a solution to her problems immediately as she plugged in her earphones hoping that the flight could be over really quickly."Elizabeth!" She could hear her mother call out with a gentle nudge."Baby we are here" she whispered. Elizabeth opened her eyes and it wasn't a bad dream.New Orleans, the most talked place in Lizzy's high school, she was bombarded by stories of her friends and
Elizabeth was still celebrating her internal victory about her new discovery when Shakar took closer steps towards them both, his eyes seem to be everywhere around Maria’s body. His gaze made her feel uncomfortable and Lizzy could see it on Maria’s face, as she was confused and belittled.He let out a chuckle before turning towards his father.“Is this your new wife?” He asked“Shakar!” Mr. Louis voiced trying to get his son in order but from all indications Shakar didn’t give a fuck about anything his father was going to do to him.“What I’m trying to get acquainted with your new or should I say soon to be wife” he turned his attention to Maria once more.“So talk to me, are you his new replacement?”“Shakar, stop…..” “It’s alright babe” Maria spoke knowing Louis, he wouldn’t hesitate to put Shakar in line and she didn’t want any of that, she didn’t want to be the reason that Shakar and his father had a fight.“Yes Shakar, I am Maria, your new mother” she voiced with a smile, every
Elizabeth was a bit restless as she sat in her room, there were a lot of questions on her mind that her mother needed to answer but she had no idea where she could be in this huge mansion. As her mind ran through the possibilities of if she could remember exactly the way to Coco's room and if she did know she wasn't sure her mother was still there. There was a gentle knock on the door.Elizabeth didn't say a word as she waited."Lizzy? Hun? Are you in there?" Maria's voice rang through, Elizabeth couldn't help but be thankful for the miracle that had just occurred.She stood unto her feet and with one swift move she was already at the door, she opened it ushering her mother in. Maria was happy to she her daughter welcome her in such a matter."It's good to see you settling in pretty well" she voiced as she walked in while Lizzy closed the door behind."Yeah settling" she repeated, rolling her eyes."Do you love your new room? I made the decorations myself?" She asked with a smile as
Maria left Lizzy’s room with a heavy heart, She regretted raising her hand to her daughter. Lizzy was her baby, her daughter, yet it was as though they were strangers and Maria was beginning to get tired, they have never gotten into a reasonable conversation ever since the divorce and Maria wasn’t happy about it.She stared at her hands as she took a seat on the bed, was bringing Lizzy along with her a wrong move? She asked herself trying to get the clear picture or was she really a terrible mother. At the same time she felt bad for thinking the way she did but Lizzy wasn’t giving her much of a choice with her behaviour.“Mum!” A cute tiny voice spoke, Maria wasn’t aware of her presence until she spoke.“My love” she voiced gesturing for the little girl to come into her arms, which she did.“What’s the matter?” Maria asked“May I sleep with you and daddy tonight, I’m scared” “ Oh my princess there is no need to be scared” she encouraged hugging her tightly against her chest. Maria
Later that same evening, the house again sounded so lively as everyone had gotten back from their various business. Elizabeth stood in front of her window, her thoughts lingering on what had happened today, she thought long and hard and could blame no one but her mother.Elizabeth had already taken care of her wounds. She didn’t want to create a scene not after what happened between her and her mother.There was a knock on her door, Lizzy didn’t want to let anyone in, let alone see anyone but the second knock was followed by a tiny voice.She opened the door and there stood Coco with a bright smile, she found it hard to believe that she shared the same blood with Shakar. “Hey sweetie” Lizzy spoke politely returning her smile. “Mum asked me to fetch you, we went shopping why didn’t you come?” she asked observing her sister to be.“Well, I wasn’t feeling too good and I wanted to rest” she lied.“Are you sick? Y
12 November 2023 at exactly 12pm, Maria had her wedding gown in the mansion, it was the day she had been waiting for, she looked at herself in the mirror and a smile crept on her face, the gown fitted her just perfectly, it was from her favorite designer.“You look beautiful ma” the makeup artist spoke with a smile, indeed Maria was glowing.“Money can get you the very best but love brings out the glow and beauty” she replied still with her eyes on mirror.Meanwhile in Lizzy’s room, she was thinking of ways to escape the ceremony, she didn’t want to be part of it in any way. A knock on the door distracted her from her thoughts, she opened her door to see Coco standing in front of her in a beautiful pitch gown.“I couldn’t fix this” she spoke handing over her tiara to Elizabeth.“Oh come in let me see if I could fix it up” she replied with a smile to the sad child.“Mom bought that for me and I ruined it” she voiced as sadness took over her. “She’s going to be mad isn’t she?” she asked
Elizabeth stood with Shakar right in her face, she looked into his eyes and could see the angry written all over his expression.She didn’t want to start any form of argument, she wasn’t in the mood. Elizabeth slow backed away from him wanting to leave before a scene happened.“Your mother is nothing but a gold digger, looking for money like a cheap whore. That’s the only reason she wants to get married to my father isn’t it? Oh let’s not forget about the fame and power that comes with being a Manga, tempting” he spoke not minding what his words would do to Elizabeth.She couldn’t defend her mother either, she had no reason why she would quit her job and move all the way here just to get married, she would have said love but her mother was incapable of loving anyone but herself.“You know Mr. Louis, my father is nothing but a fucking cheat, he was the sole reason his wife, my mother died. You want to know why?” he asked turning away from her and walkin
Elizabeth finally closed her eyes letting the water take her.“Elizabeth” Coco screamed as she rushed towards the pool, she stood at the edge of the pool and could see her sister drowning….“Elizabeth!” she called out one more time as she saw her sinking, she immediately ran back to the party, Maria was busy as she was being introduced to the guest in at the party.“Mom!” she shouted running and out of breathe, Maria and Louis rushed towards her.“Honey, what’s wrong? calm down” Louis spoke holding her and letting her breathe before talking..“Elizabeth…… is…. In ….. The…. Pool” she voiced breathlessly “What? Why would she be in the pool? She can’t swim, it’s impossible” Maria spoke thinking Coco was joking, Elizabeth had tried her best to stay away from pools ever since she was young but why on earth was she in the pool? she asked herself.“She can’t swim?” Louis immediately stood to his feet and racing towards the pool as he realized what was going on, he dived in and grabbed Lizzy