Trouble.

It was a bright and beautiful morning, soft and radiant rays spilling through windows as the sun rose above the city, the sky showed off it's beautiful colors of blue and violet and this served as an inspiration to Vanessa as she perched by the small window of her bedroom with her sketchbook in hand.

Nature had it's way of drawing out the art in her and sending her mind spinning with incredible designs. She always felt fresh and full with brilliant ideas on beautiful mornings such as this.

With a pencil seated between her fingers Vanessa tried to grapple unto one of the designs that flashed through her mind. She'd make good use of the morning before getting herself ready for work, or so she thought till trouble came looking for her.

Vanessa hadn't expected trouble, but no matter how she wasn't inclined to being its guest, it did come in the form of a portly middle aged man with apple pink cheeks, gruffy eyes and a displeased look on his not so handsome face.

Her heart skipped at the sight of the man as she peeked through the peep-hole of the door. At the third knock, she braced herself and creaked the door open, a nervous smile edging the side of her lips.

"Good morning, sir." She politely greeted, but the displeased look framing the man's face sent her smile running.

The man shot her a dirty look, his eyes revealing the unconcealed dislike as his gaze swept over her from head to toe. He stretched out his hand and Vanessa took note of the white envelope lying between his fingers.

There'd be no need to tear through the envelope to know the content lying within it.

"One week." He bit out and turned around, letting go of the envelope before Vanessa could lay proper hold of it. Her hands reached for it mid-air just before it could hit the ground, and she hurried after the man who was striding as fast as his legs could take him.

"Excuse me, sir." She called, halting the man on his heels. He turned over his shoulders and Vanessa scooted over. She pulled her hand to a plea but before a word could roll off of her lips, he held a hand up and shook his head, sending back whatever she had to say down her throat.

"Two years, Vanessa. I've been patient for two years. Why? Because you are a nice girl and I see how you work hard, and even when your father didn't deserve my kindness I still showed it. I gave you time to grieve your loss and I'm sure you have, but no more. You have one week to pay up what you owe me or move out of my property." He firmly told her, his eyes putting life to his words before walking away, not giving her the opportunity to say as much as a word.

Vanessa knew there was no need going after him, as there was no chance he'd listen, again. She couldn't fault the man, if anything he has been more than generous towards them and was long due to be paid what he was owed. But where could they go in a week's time? Paying a two years rent in such a limited time was totally impossible.

Vanessa hissed.

She wasn't one to dwell on blames as they never changed one's circumstances, but this was another of her father's doing. This was one of the many poor decisions he had made before sleeping into his blasted eternity.

If only he hadn't taken up habits that were statistically known for wrecking families and burying them in pits of debts and shame. If only he hadn't gambled away the rents and drank whatever was left of it over the counters of pubs.

But she was just to be blamed for this as he was. Damn her for trusting him to pay the rents and taking his words for it, because each time she wanted to believe he'd do the right thing— not just for himself but for the family he had left with him, but damn her for believing his heart warming speech of repentance and utter nonsense.

He lost several months of her blood and sweat to the tables of Casino's and pubs, knowing how hard she worked for them simply to keep the roof over their head. But now he wouldn't be suffering the consequences of his decision, because he — or whatever was remaining of him, was currently sheltered away in a wooden box buried under grits of sand, while she and her sister lived with the bloody aftermath.

Vanessa's hand subconsciously clenched, her hand fiercely crumbling the envelope so much she didn't feel the pain until a pair of soft hands wrapped around hers. She lowered her head and saw Sophia's dainty hand delicately holding her.

"It's okay, Van. Everything will be alright." Sophia softly spoke, her arm going around her sister's shoulder and gently squeezing it, giving her whatever comfort she could offer. She could feel the anger in her and she could tell it was exhausting.

Vanessa sighed in resignation as she pulled Sophia closer and returned the same comfort the girl was offering. This wasn't a time to sulk or let her anger overwhelm her, especially not over a man who'd never know the damage he had left in the land of the living. It was time for her to think.

She had to think on ways to keep the roof over their head, because she couldn't have Sophia homeless and on the street. She'd have to do something about this so the girl could atleast have one less thing to worry about. She'd want to give her an easy life, and this wasn't the world's standard of an easy life for a teenager.

Vanessa let go of the storm brooding inside her and turned to Sophia, "It's okay." She said, a faint smile hinting on her face. "Come on, you'll be late for school." She added and steered them back to the house.

Whatever inspiration Vanessa had before that visit was gone, and they both went about preparing for the day in silence.

"You're not wearing that are you?" Sophia asked as peered at Vanessa through the mirror. Vanessa raised a quizzical brow at her, naturally waiting for her to continue.

"You wore that three days ago." Sophia pointed out when Vanessa continued with the clueless look on her face.

She looked down at the all too familiar Navy-blue pant which she believed she had worn a few times since the short period she has been working at Moore Apparel. She paired it with different shirts and whatever accessories she could manage, and today, she had it paired with a collarless sky blue shirt and a little red scarf tied around her neck and red three inches plum.

Vanessa looked herself on the mirror. "Four days ago. And it was just the pant." She curtly corrected.

"And the shirt and shoe?" Sophia raised a brow. "You wore that last Monday." She stated.

Vanessa furrowed her brows as she turned to Sophia. "You're not keeping tabs on what I wear, are you?" Vanessa raised a suspicious brow at her. "You don't have a register or something where you jot down my outfit for each day, do you?" She suspiciously asked as her sister wasn't above such stunt, but Sophia shook her head.

"I'm sorry to disappoint but I'm not keeping tabs." She told her, but seeing the faint line of suspicion still lingering in Vanessa's eyes she knew she didn't believe her. "I'm serious. But believe me this is too frequent, and if I noticed the frequency, then someone else at your office will and that wouldn't be good for you. You don't want to be a subject of mockery and topic for small talks over lunch tables. Believe me it's not a fine experience." She said, muttering her last words more to herself, but Vanessa had taken note of it. A frown angled between her brows as she took closer steps to Sophia, her gaze intently perusing her.

"Are people laughing at you in school?" Vanessa asked with an interrogative tone, while Sophia shook her head as she lowered her gaze.

Vanessa tipped her chin up so she could look her straight in the eye. "Tell me the truth, Sophia. Are you being bullied?" She acridly demanded.

Sophia sighed and looked at her. She knew that tone all too well. If she didn't give an answer, Vanessa might just decide to make a quick stop at her school and start interrogating everyone till she got her answer. She was that protective of her and she loved her for it.

"It's nothing I can't handle. Just a few privileged kids throwing their weight around, but seriously I'm good." She assured Vanessa who seemed like she wasn't buying her lousy explanation and needed more assurance which she quickly rendered. "Van, I'm okay. Really."

Vanessa shot her a skeptical look before she sighed. "If anyone troubles you, talk to your principal, and if he does nothing about it talk to me, do you understand?"

"Yes." Sophia echoed. She inwardly sighed when she watched Vanessa nod and turn back to the mirror. "But you're still wearing that, aren't you?" She asked, going back to the subject matter before the little drift.

Vanessa paid herself one last look on the mirror, before locking gaze with Sophia. "If anyone has any problem with my outfit, then they can take it up with me. I'd like to actually see someone try." She said with daring eyes as she fixed whatever was remaining of her appearance.