Chapter 1
Do you know what I hate the most?
Not being able to do what I want, whenever I want.
That thought hit me as I stood soaking wet in my bathtub.
The damn repairman promised there was nothing wrong with the water drain.
Anyway, I'll keep my cool for now. I'll only unleash my anger to their damn faces.
I got out of the bathroom, threw on some clothes, and got in my car. Today is important. I will take that damn shower, even if it costs someone else their life. Right now, the best place to make that happen is probably the gym.
Still seething, my not-so-intelligent father called and started talking before I could say anything.
"Didn't we fool everyone at the family gathering? That was hilarious, right?"
That damn man thought it was a great time to brag about how good he was at cheating on my mother, with my help. But obviously, I didn't have time to care.
"YOU TOLD ME THIS WAS THE BEST GATED COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK! AND THAT YOU KNEW THE LANDLORD SO THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY PROBLEMS!"
"Yes, sweetheart, what's the problem?" he said gently, like that would help.
"I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS DAMN WATER DRAIN FOR A WEEK. TELL YOUR FRIEND THAT IF HE CAN'T FIX THAT HOUSE OF MINE, HE WON'T HAVE A HOUSE EITHER."
And I hung up.
You might think I'm being heartless toward a caring father. You'd be wrong. The only person he cares about is himself.
Yes, my father is cheating on my mother but my mother is doing the same.
They act unaware, just to maintain their 'perfect' relationship.
Because when you're rich, appearances are everything.
They're both parasites and hosts.
They consume each other's bodies, souls, and lives; then patch the empty holes with plastic surgery.
One day, they'll leave each other too hollow to even pretend to love. They'll just be empty shells.
My mother is filthy rich. Her parents -my grand grandparents- are insanely rich. So she married a workaholic, poor man and trapped him in a brutal contract. He could only live under her roof, by her rules.
But don't feel sorry for him. He didn't hesitate a second to sign that damn contract. That's how desperate he was.
My grandparents didn't care. They knew they had the power to mold him into a puppet.
Those crazy parasites... Every relationship in their world is transactional. And I hate them all.
Thankfully, I just started university, so I won't have to see them for a while. Not that they care.
I barely exist to them anyway.
But today...
Today is mine.
I won't let anything ruin it.
After the gym, I smelled better than I ever had. I had bought new shampoo, new body wash; everything for today.
I was more than ready.
I didn't want to go back home, but I forgot my enormous purse in the chaos earlier.
When I pulled up, all the repairmen were still there, 'acting' like they were fixing things.
And, of course, my father's friend -the landlord- was waiting for them for dramatic effect. Just to look like he cared.
He asked, "You're living alone here? Why do you have so many cardboard boxes?"
"Ask my father," I said blankly.
He flinched.
"Oh my god! We're going to live in the same community and this is how you treat me on day one?"
It didn't click for him that I was standing on business. That I was a freshman who couldn't be late to the freshman party.
"Ask my father," I repeated.
And before he could come up with a comeback, I took my purse and left.
I don't think he's useless. I just don't care.
And he keeps trying to matter.
***
After getting in my car, I knew exactly where I was headed.
There's only one person who can turn a mess like me into a goddess: Tara.
She was already waiting at the front door when I arrived. Without a word, she grabbed my purse, inspected my clothes, and raised an eyebrow.
"What was I expecting, it's all black."
"Black is the only color in this world," I said.
She didn't flinch. "You're wearing red. Or else."
"Only if it's dark red."
"You don't get to choose. I'll do everything. You shut up."
Guess I wasn't negotiating after all.
A while later, I looked in the mirror and saw a woman I didn't recognize.
Was Tara a makeup witch or something? She was too good.
I took my new face and got in the car.
Excitement started creeping in but I tried to play it cool.
I told myself I didn't care. I tried to slow my heartbeat.
***
The club was packed. I would never go to a place this crowded unless it was for him.
I scanned the room for that one face I couldn't forget.
Just as I gave up, a voice called out to me.
"Erica?"