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     Ｅａｒｌｙ morning of July, the state of the atmosphere was good– sunny, no indication of rain or nimbostratus clouds. The noisy, and busy street of New York were already bustling with people, some are going to their respective works, other are just loitering around, health enthusiasts are waltzing the pavement with their dogs, students with their ironed, and perfectly tailored uniform are filling the sidewalk with their playful banters, and laughters.

It's a great and lustrous day– indeed, for the 24 years old lady– an inspiring writer, an optimistic, and bright as the sun that lived at Houston St., apartment complex 0827, with her two companion every day and night.

One, her critic about the fantasy world she created using her wide imaginative mind that was saved up on her laptop, a man that changed its color every once in a while– like an X-men or something, a very dangerous if provoke— quiet but, deadly. The one, and only, her chameleon. She named it 'Sky', Sunshine name it after God's creation above because, she thought its an ancestor was derived from a breed of a dragon that soar the kingdom come hundred of years ago, and hopefully, her pet will grow some humongous wings too.

It never happened.

It's a pet she received as a gift during her 21st birthday from her older brother, the moment their eyes laid on each other's, they instantly clicked, and became best of friend until up this day or so, she thought to herself.

The second one is her longtime friend since freshman college. Her name is Bella, a Filipino-American 25 years old lady with a big kind heart– occasionally, sweet– not all the time, and loving like a mother to her child– not gonna happen. Anyway, the point is, Bella and Sunshine were like two peas in a pod, their combo became inseparable the moment they became seat-mate on their literature subject, and from then on, they were always together and even decided to apply at the same publishing company and got their apartment unit thereafter.

Sunshine woke up at the right side of the bed like usual, smiling brightly before arching her back to stretched her arms up over the side of her head and played the sunlight that peeked in the cracked between her window with her hands— feeling the warm, and glowing luminescent as the vague noise from outside, resounded on the four corner of her room. Her morning groove mostly starts with a steaming cup of coffee with cold fresh milk, and an egg sandwich to complete the meal that will fuel her energy for the rest of the day.

Sunshine always believe that, once you open your eyes after a long night of deep slumber, that was enough indication to move forward, and make your day as eventful, unforgettable and full of good vibes.

Humming along with the background music of her favorite artist Taylor Smith, Sunshine completed her shower routine with a squirt of a rose scented lotion with SPF 16 on her hand and spread it all over her creamy white, and blooming skin. She changed into her usual attire of jumper, beneath with a blue sweater, and paired with white converse afterwards. Her wavy light brown hair were styled in a braid that cascaded on her back and the bangs that were covering one fourth of her face were doing their jobs as it is– hiding the vastness of her forehead that could rival an airport.

Sunshine doesn't really know how to put make up on her face which mostly became a struggled and problems at hand since most of the time, she slept past midnight and the bags under her almond-shaped eyes are now getting bigger at a rapid pace. Even though, her round eyeglasses helped her to secrete it– still it doesn't enough and yesterday night, Sunshine thought about a countermeasure she must have to do in order to totally conceal the regrets, and bad decisions in a form of an eye bags to the rest of the world.

And her plan shall begin today.

'Good morning my one and only. The most handsome, and kaleidoscopic being in the entire world. Did you sleep well my love?' Sunshine greeted her chameleon pet with an over-enthusiastic voice that boomed throughout the place like she usually did every single day– without fail.

Sky only blink in a slow manner his big and round like a saucer eyes, and changed the color of his skin into green, tongue poking out of his mouth every once in a while before he goes back to his normal activity of climbing the thick log inside his transparent glass cage. She fed her pet with his favorite variation of insects, and green leaves before padding toward the kitchen to cook their breakfast.

'Tone down the volume will ya? It's too early to wake up the neighbors.' Sunshine peeked her head behind the door of the fridge and smiled to her best friend who were leaning her weight against the doorjamb, and scratching her belly while yawning. 'Good morning to you too Belladonna.' Her friend only rolled her eyes, and ruffled her already tousled bundle of black extremely curly hair and sat on the barstool of the marbled counter.

'I wonder why I agreed on living with you when I can get my own pad and have my peaceful and quiet time everyday.' Bella said, leaning her torso on the wide space in front of her, face was resting on the cold surface before closing her eyes again.
'Because you love me.' Sunshine replied. She heat the pan on the stove before beating the eggs on a bowl. Bella only hummed in answer, sleep is slowly crawling its way back in her foggy mind.

'And you can't take care of yourself.' Sunshine finished, she put some oil on the pan and cook the eggs later on. She readied the second batch for her best friend while waiting for the scrambled egg to cook. The timer of the toaster went off and Sunshine get it with a clamp before setting up on a plate. 'Touché' Bella responded after realizing that she could no longer tempt the sleep to come back, she stood up from her lax position, and walked to the fridge to get the box of fresh milk and poured it on a two empty glasses.

'If only you're not as loud like someone who swallowed a whole megaphone, then I could live my life peacefully and placidly.'

Sunshine get the coffee on the machine and poured it in her glass before mixing the liquid with a spoon. 'Hmm... Even if you don't admit it, you can't live without me Belladonna.' She placed the cooked eggs on top of the crispy loaf breads before adding some cherry tomatoes, and mayo– spreading it evenly and finishing it with a pinch of salt, and pepper. 'I told ya to stop calling me that, I'm not a poisonous plant, and no. I can certainly live without you. Maybe you are' Bella immediately munched her share of food and sat on her previous position. Chugging the fresh milk to cleared the lumped of bread that stuck in her throat.

'Whatever you say Belladonna.' Sunshine just did the same and eat her breakfast silently, and happily. 'Where are you going anyway? It's too early for scavenging ya know.' Sunshine huffed in response to her friend's teasing. 'I'm not a garbage collector. I'm hunting for my savior.' Bella looked at her weirdly, and gulped down the food first. 'I don't really understand how your brain works but, care to elaborate.'

'Well, I told you about it last night but, since it was obvious that you didn't listen.' She sighed. 'I'm buying some makeups today.' Sunshine said rather proudly considering she doesn't have any idea what make up were before, and only seen it a couple of times whenever Bella put it on her face. It's a challenge she wanted to accomplish before the end of the day. She pushed the eyeglass with her pinky finger back on the bridge of her nose, and chewed her foods languidly with a wide smile on her face.

'Am I suppose to be proud at you? I heard a hint of smugness in your voice. Girl you're like a hermit, living all her life inside her shell. Do you even know what to buy and where?' Bella asked. Eyes formed into slit and lips pressed into thin line– looking at Sunshine with an expectant expression. 'Hmm.' Sunshine pinched her chin with her index, and thumb fingers, head titled upward, seeming to think about the answer thoroughly.

'Like those stuff you put on your face? Well, I can just look for it at the makeup store.' She answered hesitantly, avoiding Bella's unimpressed face with one raised brow. 'How the hell you survive this long on this chaotic world.' Bella muttered to herself before standing up, and putting her plate on the sink. She leaned her back on it afterwards and crossed her arms over her chest, looking at Sunshine with a beaming eyes, and determined face. 'Look. I don't think you'll be able to do it on your own and I'm sure you don't even know where the makeup stores located. So, I'm coming with ya alright?'

'But, you have work today remember?' Sunshine replied, she spun her upper body to face Bella. 'So? Then I'm calling for a sick leave.' Her friend responded in a sassy voice.' Sunshine wanted to answer 'you're just too lazy to go work' but, decided against it instead, she just sighed and nodded her head, Sunshine know so well that Bella is one hell of a stubborn, hard-headed gal. When she set her mind into something, she won't and ever back down. 'Wait for me then, I'm just gonna take a quick shower.' Bella padded to exit the kitchen and went straight to her bedroom.

Sunshine pouts her lower lip and stood up to wash the dishes. The quick shower that Bella mentioned earlier would surely take at least two hours minimum so, sunshine thought might as well clean their place while waiting.

She switched the television on first to watch some news, and the weather forecast before started tidying up.

Their big apartment is located at the second floor of the building and can accommodate a family with four members, with two master's bedrooms– each equipped with bathroom, and walked-in closet, one guest room, a big and modern kitchen, a living room and a balcony that oversee the always busy street of their neighborhood.

When they just started working at Pluma, a publishing company, they immediately looked for a unit to sheltered them because, Bella lived at Charleston, South Carolina while Sunshine at Beaufort. It's really a wonder how they ended up living, and working at the over populated, and noisy place like New York.

Bella doesn't really have specific plan in her life as she was most likely let the flow of nature do its job, and just tagged along with her college bff when she applied at their current workplace. While sunshine always dreamed about of becoming a novel writer, she inspire to be a famous author who publish her books worldwide. Sunshine like writing, and ever since she was a kid, her wide, and creative imagination became her stepping stone for achieving her dreams– she always believe that someday she can use the fantasy world inside her head to reach the pinnacle of the best amongst the best. Her very own older brother that published million of copies of his masterpiece became the sole inspiration that forged her desire to reach her goal even more.

Even if that wishful thoughts are still hard as diamond to obtain, Sunshine's objective never falter and every day her yearn for it swelled up whenever she read a good stories or her brother's creation. The only problems were, Sunshine might be as bright, lively, and sunny as her name outside but, on the inside she's just like a puddle of a wallflower. As mush as she wants to become as strong-minded and straightforward like her best friend, Sunshine always has a fright for rejection.
She's afraid that her skills won't be enough to at least make her as a nominee of possible amateur writer.

Sunshine doesn't want to admit it to herself or anyone but, she's always hiding behind the shadow of her brother. The achievements and successes he gained makes Sunshine feel even more inferior. When she applied at the company, the first thing the interviewers asked her when they noticed her name was– her relation with the famous author as they have the same last name, when they found out that she was indeed the younger sister of it, their view towards her instantly changed into something agreeable. . . someone with ulterior motives.

Sunshine hates that day for the rest of her life but, she swallowed her pride and just pretended to be interested on their chatter about how good, and genius her brother was, her interview was long forgotten and the only thing that she wished to happened that time was for the floor to ate her whole or the hands of the clock to moved faster just for the excruciating moment in her life to finally end

Thereafter, she was hired but, that acceptance was just a slapped to her face how she'll always remain on the shade of someone else's life while being a rejected one.

'Babe! have you seen my sneakers? The black one!' Bella's boisterous voice pulled Sunshine back to the present, it even muffled the background noise from the open television. She set aside the rag in her hands on the counter and headed toward the entryway where she saw the shoes situated.

Her friend has this mannerism of leaving her things up wherever she wants to. It could be in the living room, the balcony, kitchen– everywhere that sometimes it makes Bella's short-temper to shortened even more whenever she was having a hard time to locate her missing stuff which her fault in the first place whilst Sunshine, as the clean-freak that she is, the one, and only that can descry the objects so, like most of the time were, Bella without delay seek for her help.

'I told you to put this on the shoe rack.' Sunshine handed the shoes over to Bella's awaiting hand who only gave her a grateful smile before sitting on the couch and placed her foot on the coffee table to put her sneakers on. 'Sorry Babe. I forgot.' She just puffed an air inside her cheeks and released it in a long sigh. 'Yeah Yeah. Like always and I told you also so many times. Don't put your foot on the coffee table, and I'm waiting for almost three hours now.' Sunshine said impatiently before she occupied the seat beside her best friend who only chuckle at her and moved her hands that were tying the shoelace lazily. 'Chillax Babe. The store won't leave its place.'

'The said artist is still nowhere to be found and many speculations resurface about the sudden disappearance of him. Some eye-witness saw him leaving his condo unit at an early hour on the 30th of February but, after that he never returned to his place that was confirmed by the management of the establishment. The CCTV footage at the parking lot of the building are the only last proof that the missing person was indeed vacates the place at six AM on that day. Asides from that, no one has ever seen his face again. Rumors has it says that the said famous painter decided to leave the urban area and moved at the countryside or somewhere in abroad. His followers and fellow artists are waiting for his safe comeback but, the true questions are. Where is he now? Why did he suddenly vanished? And what will gonna happen to his scheduled upcoming events this month? Stay updated and for more info– visit our website at qwerty.news.com. This is Sarah M live reporting at 57t Street New York for QWERTY news.'

The noise from the device caught Sunshine's attention. Her eyes set on the live video in front, she subconsciously chewed her bottom lip while watching the scene.

'Man that news are still on huh. It was almost six months already. Why can't they just move on with their lives. I bet that artist guy was just fed up and leave this shitty place because of how people could never live their lives without gossiping other's.' Bella commented all of a sudden, eyes were focus on the flat-screen television that are flashing the huge and tall tower of the condominium where the said missing person lived before it changed into the CCTV footage at the underground parking lot.

A tall man with a slightly muscular body walked out of the elevator and headed toward a parked black Ferrari. The video didn't captured the man's face as it was hidden beneath the hoodie he was wearing, and his back was facing on the camera.

Sunshine knew about the grave news before because, it was all over the place to any form of communication outlet, be it on every social medias, news network, pamphlets, tabloids and newspaper– everywhere that it sometime irritates her but, never once she paid attention before as she had already enough problems, and duties on her plate so, why would she spend her free time joining the bandwagons.

Right now though after watching the news, Sunshine's opinions and thought about it suddenly changed into something curiosity. She feels like the artist didn't really vanished on the face of the earth, rather. He is there, somewhere– waiting for someone to find him, and to save him. Sunshine's beaming aura earlier diminished considerably just by thinking about the current situation of the artist. It could be good or something worse.

The foreign feeling that suddenly lightened up inside her are something, Sunshine never felt before. It's strange and vexing.

'Let's go! Let's mold your mind about fashions and swag!' Bella chimed in excitedly, standing up to her full height and pumped her fist up on the air with a determined looked whilst Sunshine jumped on her seat slightly because of the sudden intrusion in her occupied mind. She collects and composed herself first and stood up to follow Bella's withdrawing back toward the front door after switching off the T.V.

Why would he disappear all of a sudden anyway? Where did he go?

Sunshine immediately shook her head to clear it from unwanted thoughts. Why would she think about it anyway? It has nothing to do with her life and it's not like she knew the guy personally. Sooner or later he will eventually come out from his hiding place, and the world would finally stop evolving around his open-book like life. Well, it's not like it will gonna happen anyway since he was famous and all but, Sunshine thought that– the painter should just face the problems he created and let the misery of the people that idolize him come to an end.

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Thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Stay safe and love lots <3