SECRETS

SECRETS (ON HOLD)

PROLOGUE: DADDY.

Hi, my name is Mia. Short for Cassandra Amelia Meyor. A 16-year old girl. An ordinary high-school student. A teenager with many friends. An optimistic kid. But amidst all the optimism, life still throws a great deal of problems for me to face. Everybody has problems, and unfortunately, I AM one of everybody. In here, you will meet me. I will deliberately share my life with you. Its ups and downs, twists and turns..

It all started last January 1, 2013. New Years day. I celebrated New Year's eve in the hospital. My dad was admitted for a brain tumor. My mom didn't want to watch over him. I was forced to stay. After 10 years of separation, they STILL werent on talking terms. I was actually the one who looked for my dad. After he left us for another woman 10 years ago, I realized that I needed a father somehow, so I took the opportunity of being inside the police headquarters (he is a retired colonel) to search for his records. It took me a lot of  courage to do this. In truth, I was bitter. I was too hurt by what he did to us. But I became mature and I taught myself how to forgive and forget. I still remember the day I saw him again..

- -

"I can do this. Breathe Mia. Breathe."

I whispered quietly as I approached the green gate. It was 9 am. November 7,2011. At 176 Immaculate Street. I hesitated on the stoned way. Under my arms was an envelope. Inside it were the only files I could use as evidence that I was really his daughter. It felt like my whole world was spinning. I was too nervous. Ever so slowly, I rang the doorbell..

I heard loud footsteps. I heard my own heartbeats. The gate creaked open..

"Yes?" A lady in a blue dress opened the gate. She looked like she was my age.

"Uhm, hello. Is this Mr.Carinio's residence?" I forced a smile as I talked.

"Yes, Who are you?" She eyed me up and down.

"I am.." I said quietly.. I decided not to tell her the truth right away. I didn't want to make a scene.  "I'm her neice. My name's Mia. My father passed away. Mr.Joseph Carinio is my uncle. I never met him. He is my father's cousin. Papa wanted to give something to him before he died. --I held the envelope up just to add a little effect-- Im here for that." 

She seemed convince. "Could you wait for a second? I'll call him. What's your name again?"

"Mia. Amelia Meyor." I said.

"Wait for a minute. I'll call him." The girl said. She seemed snobbish. One eyebrow was raised the whole time we spoke. Maybe she was my sister.. Maybe she was daddy's new girlfriend.. I shuddered at that thought. I sat on the doorstep and sighed. I thought about what I was going to do the next day.. Wake up at 5 in the morning, go jogging, eat bacons for breakfast, go to the mall and watch a movie, drink milk tea.... My train of thought was destroyed when I heard the same creaking sound of  the gate I heard just a few minutes ago.

I knew that in that moment that my life was going to change. I heard his voice. Daddy's voice. Something I recognize. Something I will never forget. Something that sang me to sleep 10 years ago. Something I loved.

"Yes?" He said. Sharp as ever.

"Hello.." I realized that tears were welling up my eyes. I wiped them away quickly.

"Hello daddy. I'm Mia. Do you still remember me?" I stared at him, completely blank. He was still the same daddy I remembered, only now, he had grayish hair and a few wrinkles on his forehead. My heart was beating fast. I wanted to hug him, but I didnt want to scare him away. So I waited for his answer..

"Mia." And there it was.. Tears. Tears I saw 10 years ago when he and mom fighted over something I didn't understand back then. Suprisingly, He hugged me, too tightly that I thought I couldn't breathe. But then, I realized that he was my father. And that after 10 years, he was here. In my arms..

- -

Things havent changed much since that day, dad and me meet every weekend. I was introduced to his new family. The lady in blue dress was actually nicer than I thought. She's my half-sister, Olivia. I have two half-brothers. James and John. Olivia is a junior just like me. James just graduated and John is just 12. Their mother, Elizabeth, passed away 5 years ago because of a terrible car accident, Olivia was the one who told me that story, but all in all, everything seems fine for them.

A month after the whole reunion thing, daddy was diagnosed for a small brain tumor, he had an operation for it, and luckily, eveything is fine now. We all had our shifts at the hospital. He stayed in  for one week. He went out on New Years day. Unfortunately, mom was still in the province with my grandmother, so I asked James - my halfbrother - to drop me off at my bestfriends house, and THAT was when it all started...