"Exactly." Lisa agreed instantly. "Nathalia, how about going to ours for a short visit?"
"That will be great," Nathalia replied happily. She enjoyed their company a lot.
It was a house with one living room and two bedrooms, small but cozy and homely. Though Mrs. Watson wasn't wealthy, she did her best to give her daughter the best she could.
Sophie brought out some cookies, nuts, and all sorts of tasty snacks, while Mrs. Watson made tea for everyone.
Nathalia curled up on the sofa like a kitty cat, watching TV and snacking on cookies. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so relaxed and content.
Lisa smiled and thought, however much, she wanted to look tough and be independent, and she was still a teenage girl. Poor little thing. She suddenly remembered something and reminded Nathalia, "Nathalia, don't forget to call home and let your family know you are ok."
Nathalia shook her head slightly "It's ok. There's no need to call. No one cares if I'm dead or alive anyway. They actually wish I was dead." She said without even thinking.
She surprised herself by her own frankness. Never had she shown her real thoughts with anyone else so directly. Perhaps it was because she felt so relaxed with them that she could put her guard down.
"Nathalia! What do you…" Sophie was totally taken by surprise and didn't know what to say.
Nathalia was thinking of lying to them that she was only joking, but somehow, she changed her mind and voiced her real feelings "Sophie, you know, there isn't always love in every family. You are very lucky. You have your mum who loves you, dearly."
I don't have anything. I don't have anybody. All I have is betrayal, murder, and cruelty.
I couldn't even be myself in my own house. I had to be watchful and keep my eyes peeled all the time to stay alive.
Though calm and casual Nathalia seemed or tried to sound, Sophie felt a pain in her heart.
What have they done to her to make her feel this way? She��s so sad.
Lisa Watson was teary-eyed.
How much pain is there under cover of an innocent face? Only those that have seen the dark and survived could bury their pain so deep. And she was still so young.
"Nathalia, listen. If there's anything I can help, just let me know. Ok?" Lisa looked into Nathalia's eyes and said sincerely.
She saw herself in her. She saw pain. She saw darkness. She saw desperation. She wished she could take them away from her.
An idea just occurred to Nathalia, and she dwelled in it for a few seconds before she replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Watson. Perhaps there is something you can do for me in the near future."
It was about 23:00 and Nathalia knew she should leave, though she didn't want to. Mrs. Watson noticed that no one had ever called and asked about Nathalia while she was here with them. Don't the parents worry? Don't they care at all? She insisted on driving Nathalia home herself.
Nathalia asked Mrs. Watson to stop at the corner so that the Carter's could not see. As she got out of the car, Mrs. Watson said, "Nathalia, it's true that there are darkness and hate in the world, but it's also true that there are light and love."
For a while, Nathalia stood there, her back facing Mrs. Watson before she turned around with a bright smile and nodded, "Thank you."
She wanted to live, to revenge, to see them get what they deserved.
The more they wanted her dead and defeated, the more she wanted to live and thrive.
A chill greeted her as she opened the door. No one asked about where she had been. No one cared. This was "home" to her.
Standing in the dark hallway, she sneered. What a sweet home! Slowly, she walked up the stairs straight to her room, but as she passed by Evette's room, she paused and changed her mind. She pushed the door open. The room was spacious, bright lights on, music playing. Evette was lying on a bed, a facial mask on her face, a Vogue in her hands.
"Evette, you are home already. I've been sick worrying about you. I'm so glad you are ok." Nathalia grinned.
"Well…" Evette mumbled, "I, well, I was in a hurry to get some stuff done, and I came home straight away when I finished. How come you are so late? Did you stay at school all this time?"
Huh, I was hoping you were dead, or kidnapped, or robbed, or whatever terrible that could happen happened to you. Evette thought. I wasn't expecting to see your ugly face again. How irritating!
Nathalia hid her anger and kept her grin "Oh, good to hear that you got it sorted. It was stormy, and I was so worried about you. I tried to call you and call home, but I couldn't get through. It was weird. I was scared that something bad might have happened to you. Now, tell me. What was it about? What was so urgent that you couldn't even wait till the storm died down?"
It was obvious that it was merely an excuse Evette made up to punish Nathalia. What actually happened was Evette came home straight from school, enjoyed her dinner, had a cozy bath, and a chilled evening.
Evette wasn't prepared for this, and just as she was struggling to find another excuse, the door was pushed open and Mrs. Carter walked in.
"Nathalia, why are you questioning your sister like that? You sound like you don't believe her. Of course, she's telling the truth. I'm the one that asked her to help me get some stuff."
How dare you question my daughter!
"Mum, I didn't mean that. Of course, I believed Evette. I was just worried about her." Nathalia replied, looking puzzled and innocent.
Mrs. Carter was speechless. She managed to falter something and changed the topic.
"It's getting late. You girls have school tomorrow. Go get some rest now, Nathalia."
"Good night, mum. Good night, Evette." Nathalia smiled. She could feel their anger burning inside. She's pleased. She knew she would sleep well tonight.
As soon as Nathalia left, Evette smashed the glass on her bedside table to the floor. "Evil bitch! She really pisses me off."
Mrs. Carter sat down by Evette, looking sullen, "Come, come, don't worry. Mum knows what to do. She's in our control."
Evette's face turned hideously twisted. "Please, mum, get rid of her! As soon as possible! She pisses me off every time I see her ugly face. I'm better than her at everything, but she stole my show every time..."
Born with a pretty face, in a rich family, grown-up spoiled and willful, Evette couldn't bear anyone stealing the spotlight from her. She had to have the best and have it all.
But she didn't get any at the party. Those elderly ladies did not pay her a single compliment. It was Nathalia that impressed them.
That was why she had to punish her today, but it didn't work out as she expected. Nathalia came home safe and sound. And, she even teased her.
"There, there. Calm. Calm. We will get revenge. Don't you worry." Mrs. Carter gave Evette a cuddle and reassured her.
Eventually, Evette calmed down a bit, and they hatched a plot to revenge.