Chapter 002

Well, it turns out I had it all wrong.

The mere thought of sleeping the irksome feelings off further made me agitated.

I tossed and turned in my bed but I never went to sleep.

So finally I gave up after trying for four straight hours to sleep, and decided to grab something to eat from the fridge.

Presently, I am right outside my bedroom and I can, very clearly, hear Carla's loud moans coming from her bedroom, right opposite to mine. Well, seems like she's home early.

Not wanting to be in the same vicinity a minute longer, with a disgusted face, I sigh in vain and head towards the main door downstairs. Grabbing my favorite jacket and a skateboard off of the living room floor I head outside, not feeling hungry anymore.

Just like normal times, I cannot stay there and wait for what usually has to come. Jumping on the skateboard, I start moving towards the darker and secluded part of the town. I haven't been here long, but when I have a heated argument with Carla, I tend to run off and discover new places. This place is where I stumbled the other day as well, after having a dispute with Carla. Ever since then, this place has become my solace. It is the only place where I know my mind will clear up.

As im on my way, I cannot help but think of the last time my stepmother brought someone along from "work".

************

It was just another normal day when I came home from school and went upstairs to my bedroom. All that bullying and faking myself to death had me exhausted.

But like today, right before I could enter my room, the same moans were coming from my step mother's room which instantly made me nauseated. So reluctantly I decided to stay downstairs.

I laid down on the couch downstairs to get some rest when the door to Carla's room opened and out came an ugly fat man, downstairs, scruffily dressed.

Judging by the suit he wore and the expensive watch he owned, there was no mistaking the guy was some rich douche.

I watched them from the corner of my eye as the two proceeded towards the door acting like a couple in love since ages.

"You were a true gentleman tonight Adiago, I hope to see you soon?" Carla asked the fat guy with hopeful eyes.

To any other person, those would be the hopeful eyes of a lovestruck woman, already excited to meet the love of her life again. But I know better. Oh, I knoe her better. Those were the eyes of a love sick woman all right, but the longing was not for a man. Nope. Carla only loved one thing and she had her eyes for that only. and that was none other than money!

"Of course", he replied with a wink and left.

Carla kept staring at the  man's back from the door frame dreamily until he left the porch. She waited for five minutes, and once he was out of sight, she shut the door with a loud thud and turned around with the usual scowl on her face. The woman knew how to keep pretences. Spending all those years in training, I have learnt the art of almost everything. But looking at the art Carla, or Samantha for that matter, possess, I feel like I still need a lot to learn.

I was still lying on the couch with my arm over my eyes. I had been peeking at the whole scenario unfolding in the living room. When I heard the loud thud of the door, I removed my arm and regarded Carla with amusement evident on my face.

Carla is a nice lady. I never hate her guts. But the fact that Carla always has a scowl on her face and starving eyes for money everywhere she goes, only makes me want to leave her as quickly as possible.

"So I talked to a guy for you Melissa, he said he will get you a job. Most probably babysitting since you won't find working with me intriguing." She inquires exasperatedly out of nowhere, as soon as she turns around to face me.

"It's not you Carla, it's your JOB that I don't find 'intriguing'. And where do I need to babysit this time?" I ask, now completely annoyed at the mention of her job.

Carla is a very attractive woman, with a curvy body and curly bronze hair that reach her shoulders. She has brown eyes, and always wears a red lipstick. The kind of personality every guy falls for.

On top of all that, she has a Spanish accent. The way she talks, can make any man drool. And the most dangerous part is that Carla knows the effect she has on men. But really, I think the only reason why men like her so much, is because they probably think she is a stupid woman.

However, Carla is certainly not attractive enough on the inside. She is evil, except for the people she loves. For instance, if you cross the road while she is driving, and she does not know you, she will literally try driving on you. And if you call the police? She will just act dumb. Funny how she never gets caught. But then again, that is exactly what men think of her in the first place.

"First of all, its a very good job with great dignity. Just because I work in a strip club does not mean i throw away my clothes and fuck the moment I get a chance."

Slowly, very slowly and deliverately, I raise my right eyebrow at her and fold my arms, looking at Carla scrutinizingly.

"Secondly, I'm not so sure where you'll be going. At least not yet. The boy said he will look up to it and let me know."

"Seriously?" I ask making a weird annoyed face.

"Lady stop being a bitch. I'm here, working my ass off and for what? Your stupid tuition fee. And what do I get in return? A disrespecting ungrateful so-called-daughter. You should be happy. You should worship me. I have so many coworkers who have kicked their stepdaughters out of their houses and here am who's still giving you a chance..."

Not able to hear any more of her stupid rants, I go upstairs completely ignoring her. I wear my usual jacket and go downstairs where Carla is still babbling in the kitchen in her high pitched voice.

"You need to work to pay back my dept. And I'm doing the favor of even getting you stupid jobs on and off. But no, you still find problems in that. I'm tired of begging to people only to get you a fucking job, why did I even marry your good-for-nothing father, if only—"

But before she could finish that sentence, I strode towards her. Without blinking I pointed my finger accusingly at Carla and continued in the most perilous growl I could muster, " Don't. you. Fucking. Dare!"

I deliberately illustrated every single word. I can bear anything, but a single word against my father, and I will be ready to kill, not caring the least bit about the consequences. This made Carla shut up and gulp loudly.

"You and I both know... I don't owe you a penny. YOU are the one who needs to be thankful, Carla!" with as much venom as I could muster, I spat in her name and strode out the front door.

Before closing the door behind me, I said in a low voice, only for Carla to hear, "Remember that this was the last time Carla. Next time I won't just stride out of the room."