Mirabella

As I sat on the roof of my run down house, I gazed at the sea of stars twinkling at me..The cold air made the open bruises numb with pain..The intrusive thoughts about jumping down a three story house never left my mind but one voice stopped it..

"Mira? that's dangerous... "

The voice was faint and I looked to my window to see a 7 year old barely able to stand.. I tiptoed and jumped in my room..

"I am fine Puto.. Why are you still up? "

He shrugged and spoke.

"I came to see if you were asleep.. " (Translation:I came to see if you're still alive.. )

I nodded and he walked back to his room.. I stood until I saw his beanie disappear.. I signed and sat on the mattress on the floor.. If I'm surviving then that's because of him.. He is my half brother from mom, Good name is Peter but I called him Puto as a nickname.. He was only 3 when diagnosed with rare leukemia.. All the chemotherapy and medicine made him bald and only the beanie made him a bit confident..

Mom died when Puto was a year old.. She was my biological mother who gave birth to me.. I don't know if my mom was blind to not see the toxic man he was.. But I can't really blame her cause he acted saint to her only.. I was only 7 when she met him and he was a regular face in the house by one month.. I didn't like him much.. At first I thought he was my actual father but mom made it clear that he wasn't.. Not even 3 months passed and he permanently moved to our house which is this one.. Mom was a superwoman to do 3 works a day to buy this house for permanent shelter for me and provided everything that was in her reach.. But things changed when he came into the scene.. He was too sweet at first to mom and me that we both were on the path of diabetes.. But he remained the same to her but treated me coldly in her absence.. cold treatment to scolds to grounding to hitting me physically in her absence which he addressed as discipline.. At first I thought that he was doing right until I learned that it was not.. But too late cause mom trusted me to him and would leave for days with that man.. From hitting me with hands, he went even far for using knife and slashed my back.. I was 9 and he threatened to kill mom if I spoke about that.. I remained calm but he started doing it in front of mom as well.. And one day she was suddenly pregnant and Puto was born.. That man was over the moon to have a son but mom made it clear that she won't be providing for Puto much if he doesn't work.. They had fights all the time until he really got a jod of toilet cleaner..

I still remember the day I returned from school and saw red and blue light flashing in front of our house.. A felt the horror creeping in me thinking that he really did what he threatened me with.. I imagined mom being carried out and that's exactly what happened but the reason was different.. She actually died due to tumor in her head and collapsed when the neighbor auntie came to talk.. My brother was still cradling by her...

That disgusting man didn't return home until with a woman, claiming to be his wife of 3 years... He wanted to kick me out but the lawyer my mom hired showed up.. And actually this house is in my name and all her assets are in my possession.. She left a hefty money for Puto but only as a medical expenses so we don't die with sickness.. Maybe she knew that he would do anything to obtain the money .. All those wealth couldn't be used until I turn 18..

I'll be turning 18 in 4 months.. They knew I'll die then giving them so they kept me in their hand.. Puto is my lifeline and their pawn to keep me.. Puto knows and wishes to die before I turn 18 which obviously hurts me..

I just layed back and wished mom didn't die and I could tell her everything.. I now realize why she always forbidden me to call him dad.. I wish I knew my actual dad.. But what's the guarante that he is good? Maybe that's why she kept me away from him..

I closed my eyes blocking away pain from the hits from few hours ago.. I had to go to work tomorrow anyway..

Next day..

I woke up feeling too sore to walk but I had to get up for Puto.. I have insomnia after having to wake up in few hours in night to check on him.. I got up slowly and hissed in pain.. Grabbing on of my 3 office pants and a shirt, I walked in the bathroom to shower.. I put the coldest temperature and stood under the water.. I could see a bit blood dripping and I knew my bruises were open after the beating that psycho woman give me..

Damon, my step father wasn't enough that this woman adds up.. I got out of the shower and dressed up before going to Puto and giving him his medicine before cooking the breakfast.. I left after feeding Puto before they wake up.. I walked in a company that's not much small but not much big.. It was under another big company.. I was lucky to get in despite being underage.. The authority here is blind to rules and only demanded quality work.. And I just fit in after years of freelancing..

Today one of the future ceo of the bigger company in gonna be visiting and I, being the most trustworthy, the ceo of this company told me to guide him.. I waited until a luxurious car, screaming rich stopped.. I straighten up my coat and put on a smile though I felt like crying because of the pain.. The door was opened by a man in black suit and I saw a black boot before a sight of light brown hair and then an perfect honey skinned man getting out.. His eyes were brown like chocolate and trust my soul, I never gawked at a man like that..

"Hello sir! I'm Mirabella Alexander Russo.. I'm here as in a guide as we tour the company.. "

He looked at me and I saw shock flashed in his eyes before being cold again..

"Your... name?! "

That's a weird question on first meeting and I already told him..

"Mirabella Alexander Russo.. "

I said politely to which he stayed quite before nodding and I lead the way...

We walked to sectors and I explained in details till we were heading towards the CEO room for overall review..

"You know Alexander Russo? "

He suddenly asked,

"You mean my father? “

I joked cause Alexander in a girls name is weird unless that's my father's name.. My mom's name was Mirael and I go as Mirabella.. The other part logically seemed my father's.. I stopped when I felt him not beside me anymore.. I turned around to see him staring at me dead in the eyes..

" I am sorry sir but people assume that that's my father's name so I joked.. I am sorry for my behavior.. "

Alex Romano was not someone I want to mess with.. It's just a matter of seconds before I'm out of this company and banned from every other..

"Do you know any Alexander Russo? Do you have any idea how similar you look like him? "