CHAPTER ONE
SAGE BROOK, 2025.
"So, you really don't want to go?" Ma asked, her hands moving in a practiced rhythm as she kneaded flour behind the counter. Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. The warm glow of the kitchen lights danced across her face, highlighting the dusting of flour on her cheeks and the vibrant colors of her floral apron.
As I walked across the kitchen, Ma's gaze followed me, her eyes never leaving mine. "I heard Ms. Galway got her job back," she said, her voice steady.
I pushed strands of hair behind my ear, my movements quiet as I approached the old, rusty fridge nestled beside the high-hanging cupboard. "He won't listen to me, Ma," I muttered under my breath. "It's going to be a total waste of time."
Ma's measured tone cut through my skepticism. "At least give it a try... you never know," she said, her low, persuasive voice lingering in the air. As I opened the fridge and retrieved a bottle of milk, her final word hung softly: "Please."
As I poured myself a glass of milk, my gaze drifted to the stained tiles, memories flooding back of countless attempts to scrub them spotless. "Amor?" Ma's soft voice called out, using the pet name only Dad ever used. The tenderness in her tone was like a delicate thread, fragile and easily snapped.
"The rent, we're running out of time," she added, her voice barely audible over the gentle thud of dough hitting the counter. I gritted my teeth, moving to the sink with my eyes fixed on the floor. "I'll get another job, Ma," I said curtly, the sound of running water masking the heavy silence that settled between us.
I'd lost count of the job applications I'd sent out, but rejection letters continued to pile up. Job hunting was far from a child's play, and the thought of begging Mr. Eugene to keep my job was unbearable. Yet, time was slipping away, and options were dwindling. The weight of uncertainty hung in the air, suffocating and real.
The silence was abruptly shattered by the soft crackle of the back door opening, followed by the faint hum of the old hinges as it swung wide. I caught a glimpse of Gabriela out of the corner of my eye, her figure silhouetted against the dim light of the backyard. She stood frozen, her eyes wide with surprise as she took in the kitchen's tense atmosphere. Her skimpy ebony black dress stopped mid-thigh, showcasing her boots adorned with intricate diamond cross patterns that sparkled under the kitchen lights. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and I couldn't help but notice how different she looked, almost like she was trying to blend into a world beyond our quiet neighborhood.
"Um... Ma? Amanda?" Gabriela's voice was laced with nervousness, her tone attempting to be casual but faltering as she assessed the mood in the room. "What's going on? Who died?" Her question hung in the air, met with Ma's stern expression. Ma's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she scrutinized Gabriela's attire and the time of her return.
"Where are you coming from at this time of night?" Ma's voice was firm, the softness from earlier vanishing instantly. The warmth in her tone was replaced by a no-nonsense attitude, her words clipped and authoritative. Gabriela took a step back, her hands rising defensively as she met Ma's intense stare.
"Nowhere, just at Han's house... no need for that!" Gabriela said quickly, her eyes darting toward the rolling pin Ma now gripped tightly in her hand. The rolling pin, once used to knead dough into perfect submission, now seemed like a tool of interrogation, its wooden handle clenched firmly in Ma's grasp.
Ma's hands rested firmly on her waist, her eyes blazing with a mix of concern and frustration. "I hope Han fed you," she snapped, her words firing off like rapid gunshots. "Why didn't you just spend the night there – since Han's house is now your second home?" Her feet tapped out a furious rhythm on the floor, matching the staccato beat of her words.
Gabriela took a step back, her eyes welling up with tears as she pressed herself against the kitchen wall. "No, Ma... please, Ma," she pleaded, but Ma's expression remained unyielding. "Save your tears, wait till I deal with you," Ma's voice was low and menacing, her words dripping with a stern warning. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Ma advanced towards Gabriela, her movements deliberate and controlled.
I watched the scene unfold with a sense of familiarity, having witnessed similar confrontations countless times before. It was a well-worn script, with Gabriela and Ma playing their parts like seasoned actors. Adam, my brother, was usually the other half of Ma's drama, but tonight it was Gabriela's turn to bear the brunt of Ma's frustration.
Shaking my head, I intervened with a nonchalant tone, trying to defuse the situation. "Ma, she told me before going out," I said, already making my way out of the kitchen. There were more pressing concerns to attend to – like the looming threat of eviction. The warm water had been cut off, and our rent needed to be renewed within the next few weeks. I let out a deep sigh, running my fingers through my unkempt hair as I thought about the mounting problems. "Oboy!" I muttered under my breath, the weight of our situation settling heavily on my shoulders.
As I walked away from the kitchen, the sounds of Ma's scolding and Gabriela's defensive replies faded into the background, replaced by the sound of my own worries and concerns. The dimly lit hallway seemed to stretch out before me like a gauntlet, a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
I collapsed onto the only sofa in my room like a dead weight, the worn cushions groaning softly beneath me. My eyes drifted shut, and I let out a deep sigh, the tension of the day slowly seeping out of my muscles. The small oath table before me was a mess of scattered papers, my working materials sprawled out in a chaotic yet familiar pattern. My laptop, a metallic monolith, sat at the center of the table, its screen glowing softly in the dim light of the room. My glasses, notepad, and pen were clustered at one end, while my phone sat at the other, its screen dark and uninviting.
Just as I was about to pick up my laptop and resume work, the power suddenly went out, plunging the apartment into an inky blackness. I blurted out a curse, my eyes snapping open as I turned towards the kitchen, my brow furrowed in frustration. "What the...?" I muttered, my voice trailing off as I strained to see through the darkness. The sudden loss of light was disorienting, and I felt my way through the darkness, trying to get my bearings.
"What happened?" Ma's voice cut through the darkness, her tone laced with concern and frustration. I could tell she was making her way towards my room, the sound of her voice growing louder with each step. "Ma?" I called out, my eyes straining to pierce the darkness, but I could only make out vague silhouettes.
"Thought Adam... What happened to the light?" Ma's voice was now closer, and I could sense her standing in the doorway of my room. "Gabriel?!" she called out, her voice rising in urgency, knowing how close and sneaky those two could be. If our power had been cut, Gabriela should know about it.
Gabriela's response came from the kitchen, her words spilling out in a rapid, anxious stream. "Don't know, Adam didn't tell me anything, I dropped the money with him this morning before leaving for school... I even told him you asked for a receipt." I imagined her hands raised in a defensive gesture as she spoke, and from the distance of her voice, I could tell she was still in the kitchen, probably close to the back door.
Ma's voice thundered through the darkness, "Where is your brother? What did he do with my money?" Her tone was thick with anger, and I could sense the tension building. Gabriela's response was quiet, her words spoken in a hushed, anxious tone from the kitchen. "I don't know... he said he would be at Joan's place." The darkness seemed to amplify their voices, making every word feel heavier and more urgent.
"Oh, Adam!" Ma's voice was laced with frustration and exasperation, her sigh heavy with the weight of her concerns. "Ma..." I began to respond, but my attention was hijacked by the sudden vibration of my phone on the table. The screen flickered to life, casting a pale blue glow over my face as messages from Lovie began to pop up.
I picked up the phone, the screen's illumination highlighting my features in the darkness. As I read Lovie's messages, my mind began to wander. The text read: "Sup Mandy, wot u up to... I'm coming to pick you up... let's go to the event together... He disappointed." The message ended with a sad and disappointed emoji, and I could almost feel Lovie's enthusiasm and expectation through the words.
I sat there, frozen in indecision, my thumb hovering over the screen as I weighed my options. The prospect of facing my former colleagues and superiors was daunting, especially considering the circumstances of my departure. Mr. Eugene's reaction was unpredictable, and the thought of seeing him again after being let go just a few months ago made my stomach twist with anxiety. Yet, a part of me found the idea almost... tempting.
The darkness of the room seemed to amplify my doubts, and there I was, caught between the fear of facing the past and the thrill of possibly proving myself. My thumb hovered over the screen, hesitant to respond, as I wrestled with the conflicting emotions swirling inside me.
The knock on the door was sudden, yet familiar, followed by Lovie's cheerful voice calling out, "Hey, Mandy! I'm here!" I opened the door, and she breezed in, her bright smile illuminating the dimly lit hallway like a ray of sunshine. It had taken her less than 30 minutes to arrive, a testament to her punctuality and eagerness. The clock on my nightstand read 8 PM, and the power outage from earlier had left the house in a cozy, candlelight ambiance, casting warm, golden shadows on the walls.
As we entered my small, cramped room, Lovie plopped down on the bed, surrounded by piles of clothes and books that seemed to overflow from every corner. The single window was covered with a faded curtain, filtering the moonlight that cast a silver glow on the room, imbuing it with a soft, ethereal quality. I rummaged through my closet, searching for the perfect outfit for the party, while Lovie's presence seemed to electrify the space.
She was wearing an ankle-length dress made of golden silk fabric, the long, flowing garment hugging her curves perfectly. The neckline of the dress was a small 'U' shape, adorned with layered fabric that added a touch of decoration, catching the faint candlelight and shimmering subtly. The dress seemed to glow with an inner radiance, complementing her warm, sun-kissed skin. She smelled of fresh flowers, a subtle yet intoxicating scent that wafted through the room.
Lovie bounced up and down on the bed, her excitement radiating from her like palpable energy. "So, what's the plan? Are you ready to take on the night?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief, her voice bubbling over with anticipation. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, despite my earlier reservations.
I chuckled, "Nothing too exciting." I held up a red dress, examining it critically, the fabric rustling softly. Lovie's grin grew wider as she walked up to my dressing mirror, which stood opposite my bed, its surface adorned with sticky notes and faded photographs. She struck several poses in front of the mirror, her golden silk dress shimmering with each movement, like the gentle lapping of waves on a summer shore.
"Oh, come on, Mandy! You know what I'm talking about. King! Can you imagine running into him at the party?" Her voice took on a conspiratorial tone, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, hanging the red dress back in the closet and pulling out a sleek black one. The fabric felt cool and smooth to the touch, a stark contrast to the vibrant red of the previous dress. "How certain are you of his presence?" I questioned.
Lovie's cheeks flushed a deep pink as she replied, "He is expected to come, and who knows, maybe something will happen." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her eyes gazed off into the distance, lost in a daydream. I sighed, trying to focus on getting ready while Lovie's mind wandered. The soft glow of the candles cast flickering shadows on her face, accentuating her features.
"Lovie, focus," I said, trying to bring her back to reality. "I'm only attending the party because I have to see Mr. Eugene – I really need my job back. Let's not get ahead of ourselves." My voice was firm, but Lovie's enthusiasm was undeterred, and she continued to chat excitedly, her words flowing like a gentle stream.
Lovie's gaze snapped back to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, that's right! Heard Ms. Galway got her job back... I pray things work out for you too." She turned to the mirror again, picking up a lipstick and applying it with a delicate touch. As I slipped into a dress, Lovie's conversation flowed effortlessly, her words tumbling out in a joyful cascade. She talked endlessly about the possibility of "clicking" with King, her voice filled with a dreamy quality.
Our conversation flowed easily, and Lovie's enthusiasm was infectious. I found myself getting caught up in her excitement, my imagination wandering to the possibility of running into King Balistar at the party. As I finished getting ready, Lovie's eyes widened in admiration. "Oh, Mandy, if angels aren't real, seeing you tonight makes me believe there's a possibility of their existence," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes sparkled as she gasped softly, her gaze roaming over me.
I waved her off with a shy smile, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. "It's you who looks like a full package runway model," I said, trying to deflect the attention. Lovie brushed off an imaginary dust speck from her rectangular shoulders, her cheeks burning with pleasure. "No doubt about that," she said, mimicking Gigi Hadid's confident tone.
"But you!" she cried out, taking a step back to get a full view of me. "You're a fine piece of work, crafted by a skillful craftsman." She smiled, her eyes shining with genuine admiration. I laughed, feeling a surge of gratitude toward my friend. "Let's do this," I said, stressing out my hands and giving her a light hug.
As we headed downstairs, the soft glow of candles and lanterns lit our way, casting warm shadows on the walls. My mom was waiting for us in the living room, a look of relief on her face. "I was starting to worry you'd changed your mind," she said, smiling. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "There's no harm in trying, like you said," I replied.
Lovie chuckled, her voice bubbling over with amusement. "There's no harm in looking beautiful and attending a party you weren't invited to," she said, giving me a playful nudge. "Let's get going before you change your mind." My mom handed me a small shawl, her eyes filled with concern. "Take this, it's a bit chilly outside."
I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders, feeling the soft fabric envelop me in warmth. Lovie and I said our goodbyes, and as we stepped out into the night, the cool breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. Lovie linked her arm through mine, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready to paint the town red?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
I smiled, feeling a sense of freedom wash over me. "Let's do it," I replied, my voice filled with determination. Together, we walked down the driveway, the darkness of the night punctuated only by the occasional streetlight. The party awaited, full of unknown possibilities.
As we reached the gate, I turned back to wave at my mom, who stood in the doorway, a warm smile on her face. Lovie and I stepped out into the night, ready to face whatever lay ahead. With that, we disappeared into the darkness, the sound of our laughter carrying into the night, a joyful echo that lingered long after we were gone.