It isn't going gonna get better, because it has become normal to me. My situation is normal to me, and it's difficult for me to convince myself that I need help.

Vivian.

"

My father walks inside the hall, where the party is at, our arms laced together.

Annoyance is present on Dad's face and I am to blame; I took my sweet time getting ready, and now we're late.

I am always late to such events and I have to blame my mother; she taught me to look my best, even if I make myself late.

"Be fashionably late, love." She always says to me.

Speaking of Mom, I can see her in the crowds, a fake smile on her face as she talks to a group of her friends; I'm going to hear a lot of gossip tonight, I can feel it in my guts.

I wave her over when she turns in my direction. The fake smile slips off her face, getting replaced by a big grin.

Mom says something to her friends, walking towards Dad and I.

"Hi," She pecks Dad's lips, giving him a tight hug. I can tell she missed him.

"Hey, love," Dad replies, holding her close, but he still doesn't let go of my hand.

There are a lot of people here, I can't blame him. I have gotten lost in the past, and I don't think he wants to look for me again.

"I'm still here, guys," I murmur after clearing my throat, which makes my parents separate, smiles on both their faces.

"Baby," Mom says, her eyes getting teary. "I missed you so damn much." She adds, pulling me in her arms, holding me tightly.

"I missed you too, mommy," I reply, wrapping my arms around her.

My mother never spends time at home, and when she does, I'm off somewhere.

We do sometimes spend time together, but that's only when her head isn't stuck in a file.

Being a businesswoman has made her a bit distant, but she does make up for the times she has missed when we do manage to get together.

Dad on the other hand, is always right there. He is always there, even though he has many things to manage.

He used to carry me on his business trips, except the dangerous ones; I always spent time with my nanny when both he and mom weren't around.

Nevertheless, I love my parents and they love me; even though I'm a handful, in my twenties.

"How've you been?" Mom asks, finally letting go of me, her hands on my forearms, while her eyes inspect me, trying to see if I'm alright.

"I'm fine. Hungry, but fine." I answer with a big smile on my face.

Both my parents chuckle when they hear my words, my mother rolling her eyes.

"You're always hungry; I would think you were eating for ten if I didn't know any better." She comments, which makes me huff.

"You're being rude." I mutter, to which she pinches my arm.

Mom's mouth opens, ready to say something to me. But she is interrupted by a group of people, that come to greet all three of us.

Mom answers them cheerfully, while Dad nods at them, and I just smile.

The people begin a conversation with Mom, and Dad somehow ends up joining them.

I stand idol, contributing to the conversation when need arises and when I'm asked questions.

Finally, after ten minutes of standing, my parents and I move to our seats.

Dad pulls out chairs for both Mom and I, sitting down next to Mom afterwards.

The table has a total of ten people, and lucky me, the person sitting next to me is Serena, and her family is occupying the other seats.

"You look gorgeous," Serena mutters after we have all exchanged our greetings. "You sure know how to clean up fast," She sarcastically says, making me roll my eyes.

"I wanted to compliment you, too. But I won't; cause you look cow." I pout, which makes her mouth hang open in surprise.

I look at her with a smirk while she frowns. But our expressions change when we both end up laughing.

Serena knows she looks good, she always does. Plus, she did send me a pic of herself when she was done, and I told her that she looked beautiful.

"But, for real; you look so good. I always get surprised when I see you all dressed up; I'm so used to seeing you in shorts, sweats and t-shirts."

"And you will always be used to that; cause this clean up— " I pause, pointing to myself. "is just for the night. And every other event I will be forced to attend," I add, my eyes catching Dad's, who shakes his head at me.

He heard my words, and so did Mom But I know that they won't say anything, because they know I'm just joking.

I love accompanying my parents to such events. I am their only child, and because of their busy schedules, I have to take every little chance I have with them.

"You're lucky to have such parents," Serena says, seeing the smiles that come on my parents faces, their eyes on me as they whisper into each other's ears. "Mine would smack my head till I drop death; they value these events more than they value me." She adds, her voice low, so that only I can hear her.

Worry fills my body when I see this, which makes me feel more alert.

Serena's parents are very strict and sometimes abusive towards her. They always want her to be perfect, ignoring every good thing she does.

The two annoy me, but I have to pretend to like them everytime I see them.

Their attitude towards Selena has resulted into a lot of sleepovers, which always took place at my place.

I can't lie by saying that I don't enjoy spending time with Serena; the girl's my sister, and I got to look out for her.

"Do you wanna go out? Let's catch some fresh air outside; I can tell you need it." I whisper into her ear, and with a grateful smile, she nods.

I stand up, making everyone look at me. I clear my throat, plastering a smile on my face as I excuse both Serena and I.

My parents tell me to be safe before we leave, and my response is a small smile.

I love it when they treat me like a baby, sometimes.

Serena and I walk towards the big garden we always visit when we come to this particular event.

The event is like every other gala we have attended, but unlike the others, this one has a lot of dangerous people.

"The moon looks beautiful," Selena whispers, looking at the sky. "And look at the stars, they are so close together... I don't know why, but I feel like those two represent the both of us; they are so close together, just like us." She adds, a tear falling from her eye as she releases a deep breath.

Sadness fills my heart when I see this, which makes me rub her arm.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask, to which she nods.

"They called me names again. Apparently, I look like a hooker in this dress, and I will be calling a lot of attention in this attire of me." She says, sadness present in her eyes.

I huff in disgust, feeling disbelief.

"If they think you look like a hooker, then I must look like a Jezebel with nothing but a g-string on." I mutter, frowning afterwards.

"You need to leave that house." I state, tired of the way Serena is treated.

"I can't. You know the rules." She murmurs, her voice holding fear, a clear sign that she doesn't want anyone to hear us.

To the outside world, both Serena and I are spoiled little brats; which is true when it comes to material stuff.

But, unlike myself, Serena is a broken girl that is treated like an outcast, just because she was born through infidelity.

An affair that her father had, resulted in her being born, and even though he took full responsibility, he sure as hell treats her like a doll.

In our world, a man is suppose to take care of all his children, but he has to treat them differently.

The males are treated like kings, and the females are to be trained for their future husbands.

Males are suppose to be pampered, sweet talked and most importantly, they have to be trained to be the next ruler.

Females are to be showered in jewelry and money, but that's because they have to look good when they stand next to their parents or spouses.

Sadly, when the male cheats he has to be forgiven, and anything that comes out of his infidelity has to be accepted. And sadly, if a female cheats, she has to be killed.

The rules clearly forget that females also have hearts. Jewelry and money won't make one's life merry, and it sure as hell won't make the ridiculous rules normal.

Girls, women, and everyone born with a vagina suffers when it comes to the expectations of society.

A sigh escapes Serena's lips, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Viv," She says, turning to look into my eyes. "Forget about it. Just be happy you have parents like Uncle Shawn and Aunty Miranda; those two are your heaven sent, and sometimes they are mine too... I was unfortunate to be born in such a family, but I'm so happy to have met you. You, my sweetheart, are my sister and badass best friend. And I know you gonna be there to protect me; if not from the monsters I live with, then from the demons of this fucked up world." She adds, reassurance in her voice.

"Alright." I sigh, feeling defeated. "But I promise you, that when I get the chance, I'm gonna beat every member of your family." I smile, my white pearls shinning for the world to see.

"I'll bet on that... I'll even throw in a punch or two," She winks, which makes us both laugh.

Serena and I chat for a bit more and I invite her over for a sleepover, which she agrees to.

"Shall we go back inside?" I ask, finally looking at the time. We have been out of the event for an hour. My parents must be worried.

"Yeah, the food must be served by now."

At the mention of food, I stand up, walking towards the doors Serena and I came from.

I can hear Serena's voice behind me, which makes me chuckle, the sound of her jogging, making the situation more funny.

I pause when I reach the door, waiting for Serena to catch up. And when she does, I end up smirking at how breathless she is.

"Life ain't fair," She murmurs, placing a hand on her chest. "You eat more than me, but you are more fit. It's annoying," She adds.

"I told you we should be going to the gym together," I smirk, loving that I was right.

"Nah, I'm gonna die anyways. And, plus, I do push ups... I don't have a six pack, but I am still very much healthy. I've also burnt some calories by running. I'm good." She explains, standing up straight.

Serena hates the gym. She had followed me there for a week, and then she stopped.

"I'm too healthy for the gym." She said, and since then she hasn't stepped foot there.

"Alright." I sigh, giving up. "Let's just go in—" I stop speaking when the door opens, anger boiling through my veins when I see someone I hate with my whole being step out.

I look at him as he walks passed me, his attention on his cellphone, his bodyguards following right behind him.

"Don't say anything," I mutter when I feel Serena's presence near me. "No one passed here, and we will not talk about this." I add, giving her the side eye.

Serena swallows when she sees my reaction, nodding her head at me. I force a smile on my face, placing my hand in hers, pulling her inside the hall.

We both sit in our previous seats, my parents smiling brightly when they see me.

I can tell that they were worried, and that's why I send them a reassuring smile.

On the other hand, Serena's parents have scowls on their face, their eyes showing venom.

I can tell that evil thoughts are passing through their heads.

"Dad, I asked Serena to come over. Can she?" I ask, plead in my voice.

Dad knowing what's going on, nods, giving his approval. I don't ask her parents, though.

My parents have more power, and I know that they, Serena's parents, won't say anything to upset my father.

They need my parents to like them, and saying no to them will be bad for them.

And I plan on taking advantage of this. I'm going to protect my loved ones till the day I die.

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

Vivian's mother is alive and well, and Vivian said that she and her father only have each other because her mother is never around. And when she is, the two don't spend a lot of time together; unless the mother isn't busy.

Nevertheless, the three love each other. And Vivian is cool with her mother.

How was the chapter? Do you like the story?

I'll see you next week:-)

Be safe and happy ❤️❤️