Anissa's POV
I remembered when I was 18 years old, and it was the first time I saw Clyde. I had met him coincidentally at a charity event, and I had fallen deeply in love with him. He was charming, handsome, and had a heart of gold. I was swept off my feet, and I couldn't believe my luck.
"Hi, I'm Clyde," he said, smiling at me. "I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. You look stunning tonight."
"Thank you," I replied, feeling my heart flutter. "I'm Anissa. It's nice to meet you."
We talked for a while, exchanging stories and laughter. I was captivated by his warm smile and his kind eyes. I couldn't believe that I had met someone like him.
But as the night wore on, I started to feel a pang of disappointment. Clyde didn't seem to be interested in me romantically. He was friendly and charming, but he didn't seem to be flirting with me.
"I had a great time talking to you tonight, Anissa," he said, as we said our goodbyes. "Maybe we can do it again sometime?"
"Definitely," I replied, trying to sound casual. "I'd like that."
But as I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. I had fallen deeply in love with him, but it seemed like he didn't feel the same way.
I tried to brush it off, telling myself that I was just being silly. But deep down, I knew that I was right. I had fallen deeply in love with Clyde, and I couldn't imagine living without him.
Over the next few weeks, I tried to attract his attention, to no avail. I would see him at charity events and parties, but he would just smile and wave, without really noticing me.
"Hey, Amara...or is it Tamia??," he would say, as we exchanged pleasantries. "How's it going?"
"It's going great, thanks...my name is actually Anissa..," I would reply, trying to sound casual. "How about you?"
But despite my best efforts, I just couldn't seem to get his attention. It was like I was invisible to him.
And yet, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. I would see him with other women, laughing and smiling, and I would feel a pang of jealousy.
Why couldn't he see me? Why couldn't he love me? Oh..if only I knew his heart was already captured by my sister.
I didn't know the answers to those questions, but I was determined to find out.
....
I remembered when I returned home after being away for eight years. I was 26 years old at the time.
As I stepped out of the car and onto the driveway, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I had returned home after being away for eight years, and I wasn't sure what to expect.
My sister Dahlia came running out of the house, a huge smile on her face. "Anissa! Oh my god, it's so great to see you!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me.
I hugged her back, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over me. We had been close growing up, despite our aunt Sophie's attempts to drive us apart.
"I've missed you so much," Dahlia said, pulling back to look at me. "How was your trip?"
"It was good," I replied, smiling. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately."
We chatted for a while, catching up on each other's lives. But as we talked, I couldn't help but notice that aunt Sophie was ignoring me. She was sitting in her favorite armchair, watching us with a cold, calculating gaze.
I tried to brush it off, telling myself that I was just being paranoid. But as the days went by, I realized that aunt Sophie's behavior towards me hadn't changed. She still treated me with disdain, still made me feel like I was an unwelcome guest in my own home.
One day, as we were sitting in the living room, Dahlia turned to aunt Sophie and said, "Mom, can I have some money? I want to go shopping with my friends."
Aunt Sophie smiled and handed Dahlia a wad of cash. "Of course, dear," she said. "You deserve to treat yourself."
I felt a pang of hurt as I watched the exchange. It was as if I was an outsider, looking in on a family that wasn't mine.
"Dahlia, you're so lucky to have aunt Sophie's love," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "She's always been so supportive of you."
Dahlia turned to me, a look of surprise on her face. "Yeah, I guess I am lucky," she said. "Aunt Sophie has always been there for me."
I smiled and nodded, trying to hide the hurt that I was feeling. But as the days went by, I couldn't help but feel like an intruder in my own home.
Dahlia was excited to see me, gushing about her latest adventures, she didn't seem to notice anything weird. We chatted for a while, catching up on each other's lives while aunt Sophie was ignoring me, as usual.
I had long since given up trying to win her approval. I knew she blamed me for our parents' death, and that she would never forgive me. But it still hurt, knowing that she had always favored Dahlia over me.
Some days ago, I had been out for a walk when I saw an elderly man in danger. He had just been shot, and was lying on the ground, bleeding. Without hesitation, I rushed over to him and started applying pressure to his wounds. I was worried and scared, but I knew I had to act fast.
"Help is on the way," I told him, trying to keep my voice calm. "Just hang in there."
The man looked up at me, a look of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for saving my life."
I smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction. I had helped someone in need, and it felt amazing.
As I sat in the hospital waiting room, waiting for the man's family to arrive, I couldn't help but think about my own life. I had been so focused on my career and my own personal goals that I had neglected my relationships with the people around me, it was time to start a family with someone and hopefully the person will treasure me.
I looked around the waiting room, I saw families laughing and talking together. I saw children playing with their parents, and couples holding hands.
And I realized that I wanted that. I wanted to have a family of my own, to have people who loved and supported me.
But as I thought about it, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. I had tried to have a relationship with aunt Sophie, but she had never been interested. And now, it seemed like Dahlia was the only one who got to experience her love and support.
I sighed and stood up, deciding to take a walk around the hospital. As I walked, I couldn't help but think about my life and the choices I had made.
I had always tried to do the right thing, to be a good person. But as I looked back on my life, I realized that I had been hurt and taken advantage of by the people around me.
And I knew that I deserved better. I deserved to be loved and respected, to have people who cared about me and supported me.