Lucia's pov
I turned to see my little brother Sam, run towards me.
"Lucy, Lucy. You woke up late today again." He nagged.
" Yeah, sorry. It-"
" Wouldn't happen next time, yeah right. " He completed my sentence .
" Hahahaha 😂, you got me there. " I laughed.
Then he gave me a serious stare .
"Sis, does your face still hurt?" He asked.
Ah.... I was slapped
" I'm alright. Your sister is a strong girl. "
He nodded and we both walked hand in hand as we went home.
I didn't bother to ask about Leila...... She's the best daughter so
I shouldn't worry about her.
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IN THE BIG CITY OF LOS ANGELES
A handsome man stood with both hands in his pocket as he watched the city veiw from the floor to ceiling window in his office.
The man seemed to be in deep thought as his brow's creased and he twisted his lip.
He wore a navy blue custom suit that showed his strong muscle.
His brown hair mixed with white was the only sign that he was already a man in his fifties.
"Boss." A voice said and the man turned.
" What do they want. " He asked the man who spoke.
The man with dirty blonde hair and green eyes who gave a ' the boy next door' vibe with his glasses walked forward.
"The family said they want him behind bars." He said with a grim face.
The old man heaved a sigh and turned back to the window.
"Did you get the CCTV camera footage?" He asked
" Yes boss, It was clearly an accident. "He paused
" Young master was in a difficult position. He was defending himself. " He said.
The man turned again and walked to his sit and sat down.
"How is he fairing over there?"
"He has been admitted into school. So far, there's not been any problem." The blonde man replied.
" You did well Leon, inform the family I'll be meeting with them tomorrow. It's time too show them the strength of the Howard's family. " The man said
" Yes, Mr Howard. " Leon said and walked out of the large office.
Mr Howard sat on his chair and heaved a sigh .
Tomorrow would be a long day...
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Lucia's pov
I immediately went to my room when I got home .
Leila was watching a movie in the living room, mom was out of the house. Dad too.
So it was just Leila, Sam and me.
That's why I decided to stay in my room to avoid anything to do with Leila.
Well you might not understand.
Leila had been the sister I always wanted.
I doted on her alot. I was four years old when she was born.
I was so lonely until she came. Life was good and it became better when Sam came two years later.
But after Leila's eleven years birthday, she totally changed and became my worst nightmare.
She would want everything I said I wanted, took what was mine and easily put blame on me.
Mom was always on her side, so I decided that the best option for me is to stay away from her.
And it's been working well for me.
I put on my laptop and checked my insta account.
I had posted my my music rehearsal with Sonia yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised....
I got........
1 million likes and views??¿¿‽
Whoa...... (✷‿✷)(≧▽≦)
I nearly screamed in happiness.
I jumped
Ran
Danced.....
I've been posting our videos for a while and this was the first HIT!!!
I immediately went to change my clothes.
I had to show Sonia.
I wore my black pants and purple sleeves then I took my black jacket and I let my hair down.
I wore my white sneakers and took my white sling bag and ran down stairs.
I saw Sam writing his homework while Leila was still watching movies.
"Sam, tell dad I'm at Sonia's." I said and walked out.
" Okay Lucy. " I heard him mumble while I happily jugged along willow street .
Willows is a neighborhood that had a house on each side and lovely flower surrounding the area.
"Mama Mira, holla" I greeted the old lady that lived at three building after ours.
"Oh, holla Lucy, You look so happy. Did you win a lottery?" Mama Mira said with a smile.
I laughed
"Something like that mama Mira."
I ran an came at the cross road and took my left hand side and entered ledgers street.
"Holla Mr Barker." I said to the grocery store man.
" Holla, senorita. Visiting Sonia today? "
" Yeah, got good new for her. " Then I ran straight to yellow building with rose flower all around.
"Holla, Mrs Demarco." I called at the door step.
" Hey, is that you Lucy? " Sonia's mom called from inside the house.
"Yeah it's me."
Then the door opened and a woman with light brown hair and similar facial traits with Sonia walked out.
"Oh, my . Sonia just left to get honey for me at Mrs harpers place." She said with an apologetic gaze.
" Ok, where's Mrs harpers place? I came me her up there. " I said.
Then she smiled
" Thank goodness, I want you to relay a message to her. When you see her tell she should get a strawberry jam at the grocery store. She's at hansbay street."
I nodded and ran straight to hansbay street which was at the right hand side of the cross road.
I ran happily with the mindset of surprising Sonia with the news that I forget to look ahead and I tripped.
I was so ready to fall and hit my head on the ground so I close sed my eyes but.....
After a while, I still didn't feel a thing.
I opened one eye and saw my face a few meters from the ground then I felt someone pull me up.
That person helped me balance myself then I turned........
And my breath knocked out of me.......
What the......
Standing before me was a guy I had never seen before.
Thick curly black hair, red lips sharp jaw line and straight nose that gave him that kind of dangerous beauty.
His eyes were dark chocolate with a hint of gold.
Wait a minute..... His EYES !!!
"J... Jarrel....?" I said more like a question
He looked shocked then he left my hands that's when I realized we were holding hands all this while.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
But I couldn't answer
I knew he must be handsome when I looked at his eyes
But I didn't expect him to be THIS handsome.
"Lucy... Lucy." He called my name and I came out of my thoughts.
"Ah ..... Yes-.... I nhmmm." I ended up coughing.
Gosh..
I literally embarrassed myself in front of him.
I looked up at him cause, he was TALL.
I didn't realize it that much before but standing close to him like this now....
It was so obvious.
I suddenly felt so small.
"I'm sorry, I was shocked as I almost fell." I lied.
I was shocked not because I almost fell but because of his beauty.
"Oh, are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I didn't fall thanks to you."
I looked at and thought of something
What was he doing in hansbay street?
"I live here. That building over there painted in brown." He said as though he heard my thoughts.
"Ah, figures. I'm her to find Mrs harpers place, do you happen to know her?" I asked as I really didn't know her
He nodded.
"She sells honey. Go straight, you'll see a signboard with a honey discretion. That's her place. " He said and turned And continued walking.
"Jarrel, thank you for just now." I called to him.
He looked back at me" you're welcome. "
Then .... He smiled.
I instantly got a nosebleed.
Ahhh...
Does have to smile?
Ughh
"Lucy."
I turned and saw Sonia waving at me.
I immediately went to her.
"Why are you here?" She asked
"Your mom sent me."
" Huh? What'd she say? "
" Get a strawberry jam at the grocery store on your way back. "
" Ok. "
" And guess what? "
" What? Did you get a boyfriend? "
"Your crazy, it's better than a boy friend. We got a million likes and views on Instagram !!!." I finally broke the news
" What !!! Ahahhhhhh !!! " She screamed as she hugged me and we both started jumping
Forgetting we were still outside. We laughed and danced like crazy people all the way back to Sonia's house.
We told her mom and she was very happy for us.
Then she made a pie with strawberry jam filling and gave it to the both of us.
"It's good you girl are seeing the rewards of your hard work. So you should work harder." She encouraged us
And at that moment I really wished she was my mom
Or my mom could be as supporting as her........