Chapter 3

Back in the days when life was simpler, I yearned for my mother's care, love, and affection. But instead of warmth, our home was shrouded in the icy grip of financial struggles and shattered dreams. It all started when our family faced hard times, and my father's once-promising career took a nosedive. He blamed himself for our predicament, haunted by the belief that if only he had held onto his good job, none of this would have happened.

The tension in our household was palpable, thick with unspoken resentment and simmering anger. My mother, drowning in the allure of gambling, lashed out at us with words sharp as knives. Each curse hurled in our direction felt like a dagger to the heart, leaving wounds that never seemed to heal.

I remember the day I tried to intervene, to stop her from going to the gambling bar that had become her second home. In a fit of rage, she pushed me aside, her words dripping with venom as she cursed me in ways that cut deeper than any physical blow ever could. That day, I was wounded not just in body, but in soul, the pain searing through me like a wildfire.

In the aftermath of that incident, my hatred for her burned bright, fueling fantasies of revenge so cruel and twisted they made my blood run cold. I imagined ways to torture her, to make her suffer for the pain she had inflicted upon our family. But deep down, I knew that giving in to such darkness would only serve to deepen the wounds that already scarred our fractured family.

Now, in the wake of my father's death, my mother is the one left to care for me, a role she seems to have begrudgingly taken on. Yet, even as she tends to my physical needs, I cannot forget the years of neglect and abuse that came before. There are moments when I find myself wishing it had been her instead of my father who met his untimely end that fateful day.

And yet, as I navigate this life we now find ourselves in, I cannot help but feel a sense of bitter irony. For it is only through the compensation provided by the government for my father's murder that we are able to scrape by, a grim reminder of the cruelty and injustice that has plagued us from the very beginning.

As Kiara stirred from her troubled slumber, she was suddenly jolted awake by the vivid nightmare that had gripped her subconscious. Gasping for breath, she sat up in the bean bag, her heart racing with adrenaline. "My God, Jesus, this is all just a nightmare," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and relief.

Blinking away the remnants of her dream, she glanced around the small hall where she had drifted off, the familiar surroundings offering a comforting anchor in the sea of her turbulent thoughts. Her phone lay open beside her, the glow of the screen illuminating the dimly lit room. With a start, Kiara realized she had fallen asleep while scrolling through the Instagram profile of Kristen's friends, lost in the allure of their seemingly perfect lives. But thankfully, Ronnie remained undisturbed in her bed, unaware of Kiara's nocturnal escapade.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Kiara took a moment to gather her thoughts, the memories of her past life still haunting her like ghostly whispers in the dark. No matter how hard she tried to escape the grasp of her past, it seemed determined to hold her in its clutches, a relentless specter that refused to be ignored.

But as she sat there in the quiet stillness of the early morning, Kiara made a silent vow to herself. She would not let her past define her, nor would she allow it to dictate her future. Instead, she would strive to make peace with the ghosts that haunted her, to find solace in the present moment and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

With renewed determination, Kiara rose from the bean bag and made her way to the kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. As she poured herself a cup, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of the day ahead. For no matter what trials may come her way, Kiara knew that she was strong enough to face them head-on, armed with the knowledge that she was the author of her own destiny.

After finishing my morning routine, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I sat down for breakfast. The familiar routine of preparing and enjoying my meal helped to ground me, reminding me that despite the chaos of my thoughts, some things remained constant. With my backpack packed and all my necessary belongings in tow, I headed out to catch the bus for the day's journey.

As I settled into my seat on the bus, I couldn't help but notice the absence of Kristen. It was strange not to see him after the previous night's events, but I pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the music playing through my Air Pods. I selected a song to lift my mood, hoping to drown out the echoes of my troubled dreams and start the day on a positive note.

"And I can't breathe without your love, your smile, your touch, your warmth, but I have to breathe without you."

~ Taylor Swift, "Back to December" from the album "Speak Now"

As the bus rumbled along the road, I let the lyrics wash over me, allowing the melody to transport me to a place free from worry and regret. But as the ride progressed, my thoughts inevitably turned to Kristen's friends. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to them than met the eye, and I found myself mentally dissecting every detail I had learned about them the night before.

1. Ethan Sinclair - Kristen's friends

- Travel and Adventure Enthusiast

- Thrives on exploration

- Wanderlust drives him forward

- Ethnic Explore

- Own Brand

- Immerses himself in diverse cultures

- Travel Luxuries

- Prefers comfort during travels

- Enjoys indulging in luxury experiences

- Travel Vlogger

- Charismatic persona online

- Shares adventures with captivated audience

"Ethan Sinclair... He's got this adventurous vibe about him, like he lives for travel and discovering new places. His whole thing with ethnic exploration shows how much he's into really immersing himself in different cultures. And don't even get me started on the luxuries he enjoys during his travels! It's like comfort and extravagance are his best friends. Plus, his life as a travel vlogger adds this whole other dimension to him. Oh, and I remember reading somewhere that he recently married Ava Hamilton-they're this young, super popular couple who seem to have it all."

2. Ava Hamilton - Kristen's friends

- Beauty and Care Enthusiast

- Shows a keen interest in beauty products and skincare routines.

- Demonstrates a commitment to self-care and well-being.

- Glam Hilton

- Owns a beauty brand named Glam Hilton.

- Likely focuses on luxury beauty products and treatments.

- Beauty and Care Luxury

- Indulges in high-end beauty treatments and products.

- Appreciates the finer aspects of self-pampering.

- Influencer

- Active presence as an influencer on social media platforms.

- Likely shares beauty tips, product recommendations, and lifestyle content with her followers.

"Ava Hamilton, she's got this aura of elegance and sophistication. You can tell she's all about beauty and self-care, like it's a priority for her. Oh, and did you know she owns her own beauty brand? It's called Glam Hilton, which just screams luxury. I can only imagine the kind of lavish beauty treatments she indulges in.

But it's not just about appearances with Ava. She's got this influence, you know? She's all over social media, sharing her beauty secrets and lifestyle tips with her followers. It's like she's carved out this glamorous online persona for herself.

And get this-she's married to Ethan Sinclair. I mean, talk about a power couple. Two influential people, both with a love for luxury and beauty, joining forces. It's like they're living this fairy tale life, and I can't help but wonder what it's really like behind the scenes."

3. Lily Sebastian - Kristen's Friends

- Lilac Couture

- Founder of Lilac Couture, indicating a significant presence in the fashion industry.

- The brand likely reflects Lily's taste for elegance and sophistication.

- Fashion Designer

- Actively involved in designing, shaping trends, and creating unique styles.

- Lily's designs may showcase a blend of classic elements with modern flair.

- Fashion Influencer

- Beyond her own brand, Lily's influence extends to a wider audience as a fashion influencer.

- She likely shares fashion tips, style inspirations, and trend forecasts with her followers.

- Luxury Fashion Stuffs

- Shows a preference for luxury fashion items, from designer clothing to accessories.

- Lily's affinity for high-end fashion is evident in her personal style and professional endeavors.

"Lily Sebastian, she's quite the fashion icon, and get this-she's actually the younger sister of Noah Sebastian. It seems talent runs in the family! Lily's the mastermind behind Lilac Couture, a brand that's making waves in the fashion world. You can just feel her passion for elegance and sophistication in every piece.

And let's not forget, Lily's not just a businesswoman-she's a designer too. She's the creative genius behind those jaw-dropping designs, blending classic styles with a modern twist. It's no wonder she's such a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.

But that's not where her influence ends. Lily's also a fashion influencer, sharing her style secrets with her followers and shaping trends left and right. And when it comes to fashion, luxury is her middle name. From designer clothes to accessories, she's all about living the high life in style."

4. Noah Sebastian: Kristen's Friend

- Norway Art Exhibitory

- Noah is associated with the prestigious Norway Art Exhibitory.

- His involvement suggests a high level of recognition and esteem in the art world.

- Painting and Artwork Exhibits for VIPs

- Noah specializes in creating artwork for exclusive exhibits catering to VIP clientele.

- His talent and craftsmanship likely attract discerning art collectors.

- International/Popular

- His reputation extends beyond local boundaries, reaching an international audience.

- Noah's popularity speaks to the universal appeal of his artistic vision and creativity.

- Brass and Tea

- Known by the signature artist name "Brass and Tea" in the art community.

- His influencer profile under this name likely showcases his portfolio and artistic journey.

"Noah Sebastian... he's actually the owner of the Norway Art Exhibitory! Can you believe it? That's like owning a piece of the art world itself. It's clear he's a major player in the industry, with his influence reaching far and wide.

And get this, Noah's also the elder brother of Lily Sebastian. It seems talent truly runs in their family. While Lily shines in the fashion world, Noah's making waves in the art scene. It's incredible how they both excel in their respective fields.

Noah's international acclaim is no surprise considering his position. His exhibits for VIPs must be absolutely stunning. And he's known by the name 'Brass and Tea' in the art community. I bet his influencer profile under that name is filled with breathtaking artwork and glimpses into his artistic journey."

5. Lucas Harrington: Kristen's Friend

- Fitness and Sports: Lucas Harrington is deeply involved in the world of fitness and sports, showing a strong passion for physical activity and athletic endeavors.

- Illusion (Fitness and Sports Academy Owner): As the owner of Illusion, a prominent fitness and sports academy, Lucas holds a significant role in the industry. Illusion is recognized for its top-quality facilities and training programs.

- Popular Sports Academy: Illusion enjoys widespread popularity and acclaim within the fitness and sports community, owing much to Lucas's leadership and vision.

- Creates Sports Idols: Through Illusion Academy, Lucas Harrington nurtures aspiring athletes, transforming them into sports icons. His dedication and expertise produce success stories, as athletes trained under his guidance rise to prominence, inspiring audiences worldwide.

- Celeb Fitness: Given Illusion's reputation, Lucas may attract celebrity clients seeking fitness services. His expertise in the field makes him a sought-after trainer for those aiming for peak physical condition.

"Lucas Harrington... He's all about fitness and sports, like he lives and breathes it. But get this-he owns Illusion, that super famous fitness academy. It's like the holy grail for athletes. I've heard stories about how he turns regular folks into sports stars. It's pretty impressive, to be honest.

But here's the thing about Lucas-he's not just known for his academy. He's also this popular, rich playboy type. You know, the kind who's always surrounded by a crowd, living this glamorous lifestyle. I guess being successful in business and having a killer physique attracts a certain kind of attention. It's like he's living in a whole other world compared to the rest of us."

6. Kristen Theodore Jade:

- Popular, rich guy

- Very good-looking

- Owns a family-owned school for the super-privileged

- All his friends attend the same school

- Leads a lavish lifestyle, partying and socializing

- Never had to worry about his future due to family wealth

- Not interested in business or earning

- Into luxury items like sports cars and expensive purchases

- Casual relationships with girls, prefers one-night stands

- Close bond with his friends since childhood

- Suspected by Kiara to be the key to her father's murder

"Kristen Theodore Jade... He's like the epitome of wealth and popularity, effortlessly charming and good-looking. His family owns a prestigious school for the super-privileged, attended by his close-knit group of friends.

He leads this lavish lifestyle, always seen partying and socializing, never having to worry about his future due to his family's wealth. But there's a sense of unease about him. He's never shown any interest in business or earning, content to indulge in luxury items like sports cars and expensive purchases. His relationships with girls are fleeting, preferring one-night stands over anything more meaningful.

Moreover, I still can't shake the feeling that there's more to Kristen than meets the eye. I suspect him to be the key to uncovering the truth about my father's murder, but it's a notion filled with doubt and uncertainty."

Author's Note:

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