After A Coma, My Twin Sister Returns For Revenge

Trying To Survive

Zoella POV

I woke up to the delightful melody of birds chirping just outside my window, and it made me smile. My nose picked up a delicious aroma wafting through the air—pasta! I couldn't help but follow my nose, so I jumped out of bed to check the time. To my surprise, it was exactly seven AM.

As I strolled into the kitchen, I was taken aback to find Eva there. "How did you get in?" I blurted out, still half-asleep. "I thought I locked the door!"

She chuckled, "Good morning, Zoe! You gave me a spare key last week, remember?"

I racked my brain but couldn't recall. "Oh wow, I really don't remember that," I admitted, scratching my messy hair. "But your pasta smells amazing!"

Eva wrinkled her nose playfully, "Ew, go brush your teeth! Your morning breath is something else."

I laughed, "Sorry about that!"

A few minutes later, I shuffled back into the kitchen, dressed in a wedge, a yellow skirt, and a white long sleeve top, my hair still a chaotic mess. "I really need to get going," I said, glancing at the clock.

Eva replied, "Hold on, no need to rush. At least grab a bite before you head out."

I shook my head, "I can't! I need to be at the Gutierrez mansion before nine."

She sighed, "Alright, but don't waste my food!"

I flashed a small smile and said, "I'll save it for later tonight when I get home, and just so you know, I'll be staying at the Gutierrez mansion starting tomorrow. Please keep this from Chloe and let her know I'll be checking in on her tomorrow."

She returned my smile and replied, "I will, and don't forget to go to church."

"I won't forget," I assured her, giving her a quick hug before stepping outside.

I arrived at the Gutierrez mansion just before nine-thirty, and the door was already ajar, suggesting that everyone was still catching some sleep. I made my way to the kitchen and slipped on an apron. Before I left last time, they had put together a menu that was stuck to the kitchen door, outlining what everyone would be eating each day, with a different dish for each day of the week. I took a deep breath, feeling nostalgia and determination. I started by dicing two boneless, skinless chicken breasts and sautéing them in olive oil. Next, I tossed in two cloves of garlic and half a cup of diced onion, letting the aroma fill the air. I then added four cans of condensed chicken broth along with some water, followed by tomatoes, hominy, and diced green chili peppers. To spice things up, I mixed in a teaspoon each of cumin, lime juice, and garlic powder, finishing it off with half a teaspoon of chili powder.

I brought the pot to a rolling boil and then let it simmer for a whole hour, filling the kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma. Once it was ready, I topped it off with some shredded Monterey Jack cheese and added a sprinkle of tortilla chips and fresh avocado slices for that perfect finishing touch. I served everything up in nice bowls, ready to impress. The smell was so inviting that I was sure it would rouse everyone from their slumber. It was Sunday, and I had to get ready for church, so I took off my apron and hung it up neatly.

I realized that if I just left without saying anything, Zavion might get a bit upset, so I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. As I climbed the stairs, I found myself knocking on a door, unsure if it belonged to Zavion or Ethan. I knocked again, and this time, the door swung open to reveal a familiar face. It was the guy that gave me the jacket from the bus station, and I remembered. He is a Gutierrez?—rumor had it there were only three of them. "Hey, it's you," he said with a smile, stepping out of his room shirtless, showing off an impressive six-pack.