Chapter 1

Kelly Smith

Stretching as I struggle to stop the annoying alarm that won't let me sleep, "Why is this alarm clock so damn loud" still trying to reach for the alarm clock then an ideal pop to my head, I switch sides and used using my two legs to reach and grab or probably kick it off.

A victory Smile appeared on my face as the alarm clock fell on the floor and stopped beeping. Well, I knew a normal person would stand up and turn off the alarm clock but I had it in mind to destroy the alarm since I won't be needing it anytime soon. Everyone knows If I promised I was going to wake up early that would be a fat lie I just don't have it in and also what makes Nana come to my room to wake me up, she is like the second alarm which won't let me sleep without a fight.

"And here comes the second alarm," I said and aimlessly puffed air from my mouth trying to remove the hair covering my face

Immediately the door flew open" Kelly you need to wake up and stop acting like a child" " Nana scolded and pulled my bed covers that were tangled around my warm body. "Kelly!!!! Your dad will be upset if you don't show up at your grandma's house as promised, Kelly you need to start acting mature, In a few days you will be a proper adult" she speaks in frustration as she knew I was still 19, as I frown my face towards her remarks quickly getting up with.

"And yes Nana you are right, I will start acting responsibly when Dad starts treating me like one," I said smiling and holding her cheeks with my two hands then walking to my bathroom to get my toothbrush She held me and looked serious.

"Kelly I know you and your dad don't get along so well but I know he is doing all this to keep you safe" " Nana says

"Yeah by isolating me in this house for the past 19 years of my life being homeschooled, only the good thing he did was let me go to art classes out of this four-wall of this houses".I said smiling cheekily.

" But look on the bright side in a few days I'll be as free as a bird," I said cheerfully and she smiled at me.

"Yes dear, alright go and have your bath before your dad skins us alive," Nana said patting my head as I chuckled at her remarks. " And quickly come down for breakfast", Nana says loudly before reaching the door.

At a young age, Kelly lost her mother Not only did she lose her mom but lost the spirit of a happy child during her childhood. Her mother was the joy of the family, as Kelly wasn't close to her dad due to his work and travels that drifted them apart, Kelly didn't mind since her mom was there for her. Family Week in the Smiths' house was one of Kelly's favourite moments, They would watch movies, bake, paint since Kelly loved drawing like her mom, dance and do all the fun stuff together as a family before.

Until the tragic day when Kelly's mother was proclaimed dead, the spark that brought the family together also died. Nothing interested Kelly anymore, Even though she tried convincing herself everything was going to be alright deep down she knew nothing would ever be the same again.

Kelly has always blamed her dad for her mom's death, she was shot at a shopping mall by her dad's enemies. That was all the information she knew as the cause of death was clear. She was okay with her not knowing what led to her mother's death as she couldn't come to terms with accepting the truth.

It was no new news to Kelly that her dad was a businessman and also involved in dirty dealings, at night she would have her dad and mom argue over his work. It did hurt when Kelly's dad hardly showed up for her school events cause it was always working before her. She could tell her dad's hand was not clean but she never dared to confront her dad about her mom's death nor open up to him, rather she kept her feelings to herself as they consumed her. As Kelly grows the more she departs from her father, any time she is home the feeling is awkward between them nothing more than a formal conversation.

Things became complicated when James Smith decided to home-school Kelly for her safety. Despite the fact she nerve like it she had no say. Kelly's dad was conscious of her movement surrounding the house with guards to ensure she was safe when he was away.

She lived a sad and miserable life filled with loneliness not until Nana an elderly woman in her mid-40s, was the housekeeper employed to watch over her and the house came. Kelly loved Nana her mother cause she reminded her of her mother and Nana didn't hesitate to shower Kelly with motherly love after learning about the sad story about Kelly.

Through the years Kelly loses up a bit around Nana, She becomes happy and starts smiling a bit more but not as she did with her mother. Her dad was never around even on her birthday he would seed her a gift to apologize for not being there, Kelly never wanted the expensive gifts her dad gave her all she wanted was his love to be there with her. She hated the fact that her dad became paranoid about protecting her after the death of her mother, one of the reasons she was home-school When Kelly clocked 18 years of age she wanted to be independent and move out from her imprisoned life but her dad refused to grant her that till she turns 20 years old before being on her own, insisting he was a well-known businessman with enemies every, he needs to keep her safe. She wanted to scream shout and cry but there was no use since he wasn't going to listen to her anyway. Of course, Kelly thought of running away but she couldn't act irresponsibly and not think of Nana who her action may hurt. She loves Nana and does not want to act selfishly.