Let Me Save You Then

Chapter 1

A BROKEN RECORD PLAYER

VERONICA's POV // Past.

It's already past midnight and Veronica is still outside her room's balcony, binge watching her favorite film on Netflix called, Hachiko. Not minding the cold wind air that is coating her whole being; giving her goosebumps, yet she still likes it. It kind of soothes her and calms her mind and there are a lot stars twinkling in the night sky too, so she doesn't mind.

The movie was already halfway 'til the end when Veronica thought of refilling her favorite Yorkshire tea. So she paused her show, climbed out of her chair, and went pass inside her room. When she was already outside her door, she heard half shouting voices coming from the left wing of their house where their other balcony is located, opposite to hers.

Thinking that maybe it was just one of her parents' having a call about business, she just shrugged it off and continued striding down the hallway of their second floor. She was almost at the stair when she noticed that one of the rooms was open. Her parents; especially her dad, strictly said to never open that room. Prohibiting everyone from entering there. That's why she was so shock to see it open, with lights dimly flickered on. Veronica plans to just ignore it, and to just continue going down the kitchen to get her tea and finish her unattended movie but, of course, curiosity got the best in her.

Turning left and right to see if anyone might caught her red handed, she walks slowly to the "forbidden" room - looking back one more time to see if the coast is clear, she took a peek on what's lurking behind the closed door of the said room.

At first glance she only saw white walls, as she was only peeking through the door's slightly opened gap, so she took the risk and stride in slowly on her tippy-toes as if just even a tiny squeak will result to her being caught in the act. Veronica quietly pushed the door open, looking sideways to see if there's any potential factor that would catch her snooping around.

She then averted her gaze on her front, while quietly entering the room. Making sure no one would find her there, she locked the door and went wandering around the whole room.

It's nice and cozy, that is what's Veronica's initial thought upon scanning the whole room. Though the room is huge, it is clearly not a bedroom - more like a stock room, to be honest. There are paintings hung on the walls, some picture frames on the cabinet stands, a bookshelf full of different kinds of books filed neatly and aside from that, nothing else is special inside the room. Well, except that the room was neat and smells good, like it had been kept clean despite not letting anyone enter it.

Veronica was about to head back and leave the room when something caught her attention. All the cabinet doors were closed, except for the one that is in the corner of the room. Looking back at the door, checking that no one is about to get inside, she walks close to it.

Seeing that it was indeed open, she took another peek inside the cabinet, and saw a medium sized box inside with full of papers, and envelopes. Veronica reluctantly got the box out of the cabinet and to her surprise, it was quite heavy. She doubts it's only the papers and envelopes weighing it, and she was right! Inside of the box is not only the papers and envelopes, it also has a much smaller box inside.

Minutes passed and Veronica found herself seated on the floor, opening and reading papers one by one. The first few papers she read were all about bills and some hospital receipts that she knows nothing about - not really paying serious attention to what it was for.

Afraid that someone might catch her if she stayed any longer, she finally decided to leave the room. She closed the cabinet door, gather every paper scattered on the floor; thinking twice if she would carry it or not, yet Veronica being Veronica, of course it was the former rather than the latter. So now, she is peeking outside the door, careful not to cause any attention. Slowly, she walks back into her room with the box clutched tightly on her chest.

As soon as she got back inside her room - thankful that no one had noticed her. She locked her door, put the box on her bed and went on her balcony to get her unattended laptop and then closed the veranda.

Once she was settled comfortably on her bed, she started rummaging through the box she found. She reads every piece of paper one by one; aside from the bills and hospital receipts, it also has some sweet love letters. Veronica unknowingly smiles while she reads every love letters, feeling all giddy, like the letter was meant for her.

But before she could even open the small box inside, a piece of folded paper - tucked between the two love letters, fell on her bed. Her eyes settled on it for a good second, before she picked it up and opened it.

Veronica's eyes grew wide upon unfolding the paper - or should she say, the picture. She suddenly felt light headed, eyes burning hot. She scrunched up her nose to stop herself from crying.

Pain, shock, confusion, bewilderment, it all dawned upon her all at once. She turned the picture to the other side, and as she reads the words, Veronica felt her world crumbled before her. All the overwhelming feeling she felt suddenly disappeared, and all was left was anger, and betrayal.

"my love,

happy holidays! the kids and I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with you again! we missed you so much. come home safe.

x,
Amirah"

Veronica can feel heat radiating from her body because of anger. Her hands shaking, tears cascading past down her face. She looked at the day it was written, and she couldn't help but chuckled sarcastically. Pain and bitterness visible.

12.24.13.

"Ha! On my fucking birthday. Really?" Veronica said bluntly. Curls falling down her face as she shakes her head in disbelief

this was just last year.
She wiped her unwanted tears away roughly. Heart clutching so painfully

"Stop falling down you fucking tears! They're not fucking worth it" Scolding her stubborn tears while still looking at the picture.

This picture really broke her heart. Her forehead creased as she stared at it. These kids, these kids are clearly not her nor her brother - and fuck sake, her mum's name is not even close to Amirah!

She felt betrayed. How can her dad do this to them? How can he cheat on them? On her mum? How long has he been doing this?! Is this the reason behind those "business trips" he always say to them whenever he's gone for a week or 2?!

Lots of questions are running and forming through her head and SHE WANTS AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER!

"Ha, so much for a perfect family" Veronica uttered, smiling bitterly. Eyes still fixed on the picture she's holding.