Emma's POV

I walked out of the hospital, walking down the road. I found a coffee shop.

I felt exhausted and decided to go in. A waiter came to me.

"Good day, Miss. What can I offer you ?" she asked smiling.

A good day

Nah, this was no good. I felt like telling her.

"I don't need anything. I'm waiting for someone" I said instead

"Okay then", she said and walked away.

I sat there and cried my eyes out until tears no longer came out.

When two people came asking what was wrong, I decided to leave.

It was better to leave than telling them my problems and earning their pity which I have always hated.

I sluggishly walked back to the hospital.

I opened the door to my sister's ward. She was sleeping already and there were traces of tears on her face.

Kelvin had left and we were now alone.

I sat down on the chair beside her and rested my head on the bed. It was late already and I felt sleepy.

*****

"Emma" I heard Lucia's voice in my sleep and I raised my head.

"Lucia, you're awake. How are you feeling ?" I asked her, touching get face

"I feel so weak. I'm hungry" she said and that was when I remembered that we haven't eaten since yesterday.

"I'll go get something for you to eat okay ? I'll be right back, I said

I opened the bag I had managed to carry along with me yesterday.

I took out my credit card. Thank goodness I had taken it along with me.

I went out to get something for both of us to eat and also a few things which included toiletries.

I needed to go to the station. Where was my sister going to live when we leave the hospital.

******

"You're back. Please tell us we're going back home " Lucia said when I came back from where it had gone

I went to the station and also to see dad's friend and lawyer who had called me.

They told me that we can't go back to the house.

Dad's lawyer said we can't go back either.

We'll only get to have possession of it and the other properties when I turn eighteen.

So there was absolutely nothing I could do about that.

It's a good thing I still have some money in my account.

"How did it go ?" Lucia asked

"We aren't allowed to return to the house. We can only go back there when I turn eighteen" I replied her

"Then where are we gonna stay if Jane ain't accommodates us How are we gonna survive ?" Lucia asked, hurt.

"Don't worry about that Lucia. We'll get through this. I promise.

I promise I'm also going to avenge our parents' death. I'm going to make the murderer pay for it.

"Emma ?" Lucia called inquisitively

"Don't worry about anything. Leave everything for me. Just rest and get back on your feet " I assured her and she nodded.

*******

Three years later

I waved at Lucia at the school gate before heading to the restaurant where I worked.

I had to enroll Lucia in a cheaper school.

Trying to feed Lucia and I'm paying for the apartment and all hasn't been easy.

I managed to get us an apartment in the urban slum.

When we first moved in there, we fell ill because we weren't used to the kind of environment in the slum but that was the only place I could afford whole being able to feed and pay Lucia's school bills.

I managed to round off my high school in a public school while getting yo so some part-time jobs to keep up with the expenses.

Many a time, Lucia had pleaded with me for us to go seek assistance from the Calvin's or father's family but that was the last thing I'll ever do...begging anyone. I don't need pity.

I continued my walk after Lucia entered the school. I continued my walk to work.

I just got a job at another cafeteria. I decided to go for this one because the pay was higher than the former win which I was working and we needed more money right now.

This is a full-time job and since I just ended high school it was perfect for me.

Last week was my prom night but I had missed it.

I lost interest in everything that looked like fun after parents death.

Before then, I was having plans for my prom night but will that faded away.

I'm almost eighteen.

I got to the cafeteria and went inside. I was directed to the manager's office.

I was earlier told about the rule guiding place when I was accepted for the job.

I was to begin work immediately.

"Hey, you're the new girl right ? a girl who looked a bit older than me said when I entered the kitchen.

"Yes" I simply replied

"you're welcome", a guy said too

"Hope you ain't the lazy type. If you are, you had better get your lazy ass outta here or I do that for you " a red-haired girl said, looking at me scornfully.

I was instantly irritated by her remark. I hard girls like her.

" I would have done the same to you, kicking your ass out but you've got none " I replied, and everyone...I mean worker in there burst out laughing.

She glared at me flushed with embarrassment and walked out with a tray of food.

I know girls like her.

You've got to give it back to them. If not, they'll continue stepping on your toe especially when they know you're a newbie.

"Hey, I'm Jenny. I love what you just did. She deserves that " another girl came to me.

"Whatever" I replied rudely with an eye roll and brushed past her.

She was also embarrassed but I didn't care

I stopped caring about people's feelings three years ago.

Well, except my younger sister, Lucia.

I wasn't here to make any friends.

Friends are fake. They are bitches and I don't fucking need any.

I began work, attending to customers.

I had to fake a smile at customers and that alone was exhausting.

*****

It was getting late and there were only a few customers.

I noticed a group of guys three of them actually and I went to meet them, to attend to them.

"Good day. How may I help you ?" I asked them

"I want chicken casserole" the first guy and I got it down on my notepad

" The same thing, the other said

"Noted. You ?" I asked the last one who kept staring at meant licking his lower lips which I found irritating.

"I want you " he answered and I arched my brow at him

"Pardon ?" I said and the next second, I felt his hand on my ass.

Before I could stop myself, I already slapped him across the face, attracting attention.

He was shocked, including his friends.

"You're crazy" I spat. He stood up, making an advance towards me and I kicked him in his groin.

He hissed in pain.

"Don't fucking come near me " I said and walked away. I wasn't scared a bit even by their looks.

****

"The manager wants to see you the red-haired girl said to me immediately I entered the kitchen, after changing my uniform ready to go home.

I entered the office and he looked up at me with a stern look.

"You're fired " was the only thing he said.

"Here", he said dropping some dollar notes on the table.

"That's for your service today. Never return here. Now, leave my office" he said.

I sighed loudly as I collected the dollar notes.

I know he did it because he was probably told about what I did.

I walked out of his office as he had instructed without saying a word.

"Calm down, Emma" I muttered to myself.

******

When I got out, the jerks were gone.

I started my journey back to home. It was dark too.

Soon, I felt someone following me behind.

I looked back but there was nobody.

I continued but then, I heard footsteps and before I could turn again, I was dragged away.

Before I knew what was happening, I was struggling on the floor.

I recognized the guys to be the three jerks earlier.

They were trying to take advantage of me.

"You thought I was gonna let you go just like that ?" One said

I got infuriated and I gave him a blow. I struggled to get out of their grip, fighting them with all the strength I had. And I started running.

My legs were hurting and before I know it, hit my feet against a stone and I fell with my head hitting something very hard.

I couldn't move and then I knew that the jerks were going to get me.

I couldn't keep my eyes open and soon darkness enveloped me