I go to the restaurant even though I still have 1 more day left from my rest day, not because I want overtime on my rest day, but to see how everyone is doing. When I first enter the door, some people recognize me from yesterday. They can’t help themselves but go after me and take selfies and autographs. Honestly, I am surprised. I used to have this kind of feeling before. I became well-known in this town, then became ordinary, and now it is all coming back. I still haven’t made a decision yet to go back to dancing, but I just appreciate that people are still supporting me even when I am now a nobody. I entertain them and immediately go to the kitchen just to sigh.
My co-workers are surprised and feel happy when they see me. Even our chefs are very generous to give me some gifts. I am so overwhelmed by what is going on.
“Marlee, I can’t believe that you are so strong. How did you do the lifting part without someone to lift you up? You’re like a magician!” Arthur exclaimed. His words are full of confusion.
“Nahh, just a normal workout at the gym. Try it next time,” I replied.
“Seriously, we forgot how famous you are! My bad for forgetting you,” Shina added.
I have no words to say right now. I am both shy and surprised. A question suddenly clicks in my mind:
“How did you know all of this? Have you been in school yesterday?” I asked.
“What school? Your sister, Audrey, uploaded your video and it went viral. Look!” Shina explained.
Honestly, I have no idea that my sister recorded me yesterday. I don’t want to come back on stage anymore. This kind of feeling makes me feel so awkward, and I feel like my head becomes huge with all of the compliments.
After we talked, I immediately stalk my sister and notice that the video where Cedrick and I had a showdown hits over a million likes and more than 6 thousand comments. Some are positive, and I have also seen negative ones.
“She is no better than the King. I’m sure he will devour her,” one commenter said.
“I have never seen her moves among all the dancers in the world, but we all know that the King is King. No one can beat him,” another one said in the comments.
I am confused about what “King” they are talking about, but I just leave it and begin saying goodbye to my co-workers.
While walking, I passed by the hallway where I remember Lino. That spot was our eating place during my lunch break. I noticed a man that is not familiar to me. I quietly walk slowly and glance sideways to see who this man is.
Only then did I realize that he is Mr. Henry. “Oh my! What are you doing here, Mr. Henry?” I asked.
He looked up without blinking. His mind before I called him seemed blank, as if he had many problems in the world.
“Is everything okay? You look so sad,” I added.
“Well, things didn’t go as planned,” he replied.
“What do you mean? The hearing will be next week, right? We have the evidence. We can fight for your children’s rights, Mr. Henry,” I fully supported him.
“Yeah, I know. It’s just… I miss my kids…and—” he paused and said without hesitation, “I miss my wife…” His eyes turned red, and the tears he was holding back suddenly burst. I can’t help myself but cry as well, but I immediately wiped it away. I sat beside him and told him a story about how grateful I was when I had a complete family, but everything changed when my mom died and my dad found a new home. Mr. Henry listened and realized we have the same situation, just different versions.
“You know, Mr. Henry, you are a good person, and all good people have a place in this world. God is watching you. Even if you are not asking for help right now, God sees your pain, and He wants you to overcome it. Pray and ask for His help.”
He paused for a while and wiped his tears.
“Thank you, Marlee, for being here. You’re like my daughter. She also says a lot of wonderful things that soften my heart. I am just sad because I really miss my wife and my kids. If there is a time that my wife will beg and ask for my forgiveness, I would still choose to forgive her,” he replied.
In that moment, I realized that I still haven’t forgiven my dad. It still hurts me when memories flash back. I cannot forgive him.
“Forgiveness is so hard to give, Mr. Henry. But it will depend. Just be careful next time. I’ve gotta go. Please take care and see you tomorrow.”
“Take care,” he replied.
I walk away without looking back. I felt hurt a little after I left. Why do kind people always suffer? What did they do to deserve this kind of pain? Why are kind people always the ones hurting while others are laughing? Can the process really be trusted?
As I walked toward my apartment, I saw a lot of teenagers aged 16 to maybe 19 doing acrobatic stunts. There were students practicing their school dance. In the distance, I saw the girl from my apartment before—the new neighbor I greeted. Her hair is blonde and her eyes are blue, like my father’s eyes. I quickly looked away when she saw me staring. She called my name.
Why does she know my name?
I turned around and saw her waving at me. I looked around, thinking I might be mistaken. When I realized she was waving at me, I slowly walked toward her and she greeted me warmly.
“Marlee, right? I’m just guessing I might have called the wrong person,” she said, smiling.
“Ye-yeah, you’re not mistaken. How did you know my name?” I asked.
“My dad told me,” she replied.
I’m confused.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you. My name is Nyssa Snare. Your dad and my dad are the same. So, we are siblings,” she explained.
That’s when I realized she looks exactly like my father… or rather, our father. Dad has blonde hair and blue eyes because he is a white American. My mom is brown. Maybe my mom’s genes are stronger because I was born brown with braided hair, while Audrey is white. So, it’s like 50/50.
“Hey, are you okay?” she snapped her fingers, making me realize I had been spacing out.
“Ye-yeah. Ah-ahm. Why did you—”
“Move out? Oh yeah, that’s a good question. My dad wants me to look after you and my sister Audrey. Just don’t mind the half-sister thing. That’s not a thing. We are siblings!” she exclaimed.
“Okay, but do you know that Dad and I are not okay, right? I mean… I haven’t fully forgiven him,” I explained.
She paused, and I noticed her smile faded. I felt guilty for what I said.
“Oh no! That’s not what you think. I mean from our side. I’m not blaming you for anything,” I added.
Suddenly, her smile came back again.
“Okay, got it! Where are you going now?” she asked.
“I’m heading to the apartment. Have you seen Audrey earlier?” I asked as well.
“Oh yeah. She said it’s shorten time, so she went home early,” she replied.
“Oh, wow! You two get along.”
“Nah, I just can’t help but feel overwhelmed. By the way, I will cook dinner tonight. You can come to my apartment downstairs! Please! I am just excited to get along with my two sisters!” she happily said.
Honestly, I felt a bit shy and awkward, but I don’t want her to feel bad, so I immediately said okay.
She hugged me tightly and said goodbye as she had something important to do. I nodded and began walking toward my apartment.
It’s still 12 p.m. today, so I decided to get some snacks from my favorite bakery. This bakery was built in 1992. My mom said this is her favorite bakery because this was where she met my dad.
-FLASHBACK-
“Help! Help me!” my mom screamed as her bag was snatched by a man wearing a black mask.
It happened back on December 14, 1992, when everyone was preparing for Christmas. My mom decided to buy bread from her favorite bakery. She loved the aroma and taste of each bread, plus the seller was very generous and always gave her free bread.
That day, my mom felt so sad after being robbed. She called for help as the robbers ran away. She felt hopeless because that money was her salary, and she planned to give part of it to her parents.
But then my dad, wearing a leather jacket, helmet, and riding a motorcycle, chased the robbers. My mom watched everything.
At first, she thought he was one of them, but she was wrong. My dad punched and kicked the two robbers and left them injured. He retrieved my mom’s bag and returned it with a smile.
“Be careful next time,” he said, then smirked.
My mom was confused and couldn’t process what she just witnessed. My dad left with a note: “Call this number.”
The bakery seller was amused and smiling. My mom didn’t care much at first, but she was thankful her bag was returned.
That night, she called the number just to say thank you. But she didn’t expect that my dad already knew her name.
“Yes, Margarette?” my dad’s voice said.
“How did you know my name, jerk? Are you a stalker?” my mom angrily asked.
“Haha, you’re funny. I’m just admiring you. What’s wrong with people not admiring you?” he replied.
“Are you saying this just so I’ll say thank you? Fine, thank you for saving my bag. Goodbye,” my mom said.
“W-wait!” my dad paused. “I am your biggest fan. I went to all your battles. India, Texas, New York, Korea—”
“And?” my mom interrupted.
“Thinking about your dance makes my heart beat faster. You are the most talented woman I know,” he said.
My mom smiled slightly.
After that, they met and eventually fell in love. My dad was her number one fan.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
I am now in front of our apartment door when I notice it is unlocked. Nyssa said Audrey already came home, so she should be here. But the lock is still outside.
I grab my keys and unlock the door. I am shocked to see everything messy. Papers are everywhere. Audrey’s school papers are scattered, including my clothes. My heart beats fast, and I immediately go to Audrey’s room.
She is not there, but her belongings are scattered.
I immediately call her, but her phone is unreachable. Panic begins to rise, and I ask her classmates. I remember she logged into her account on my laptop, so I open it to check where she is.
That hits me with panic.
I read a message from a girl.
From: Abby
“Loser, Audrey! You are just an honor student because you sneaked into our adviser’s house and did something just to boost your grades.”
Audrey’s reply: “God knows how evil you are for saying things without evidence. I am not a slut like you, Abby!”
At the end of the conversation, there is a video sent to her account.
I play it, and I realize Audrey has been kidnapped by these bullies.
“Hello, I know you are opening Audrey’s account, and I just want you to know that your time has ended. Audrey will no longer be alive as soon as I end this video. Right, Audrey?”
I see Audrey’s face being beaten, covered with bruises, and her hair being cut. I cannot breathe, but I have to do something. I call 911 and ask for help. I also save the video. These kids are not thinking right. The evidence is clear, yet they didn’t care. I will avenge my sister.
It took 2 hours before Audrey was rescued and the kids were arrested. One of them was a minor, so she may get probation.
I want to slap them, but I don’t. Even though I am in pain seeing my sister like that, I won’t do it to others.
We rush to the hospital. Doctors check her. I cry so much.
When the doctor comes out, she says Audrey survived, but one of her fingers was cut.
I feel tense. I cannot process everything. I feel guilty.
The doctor tells me to stay strong for her.
After an hour, I go inside. Audrey sees me and cries.
“Marlee!”
I hug her tightly.
“I am so sorry. This is my fault.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I’m just glad you came on time,” she says weakly.
We hug again.
Suddenly, the door opens.
It’s our dad…and Nyssa.
My dad hugs Audrey immediately.
I stand still, holding back tears.
I leave the room.
Outside, I feel confused. I miss him, but I also hate him.
This day is so tragic. I cannot believe what my sister went through. If I was not on time, I might have lost her.
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.