V a l e r i e.

Valerie Kayne. 

A twenty two year old IT professional just graduating from the University of Kepps , Los Vegas.  A  5',4" tall fair lady with brown hair and eyes. Maybe not beautiful but the perfect definition of  good looking.

After serving 7 years at the Vegas college, she was moving back to her home town back in Los Angeles.

Really excited and apprehensive to go back home to her parents after so many years studying. A new experience in an unknown territory,  well maybe not an unknown territory but a place she had left behind years back.

It felt good to be going back home again.

" Keisha, I'm going  back home tomorrow." Valerie proclaimed over the phone, while packing her bags.

"I'm gonna miss you, Val." A cute, adorable voice said over the phone.

" I'm gonna miss you too, bestie." Valerie replied as she got off the phone, to wipe the tears pouring down her eye dusts.

As Valerie sat down on one corner of the bed, going through the photo album that was laying on her book shelve earlier on.

Flipping through the pages, tears start to fall out of Valerie's eyes as memories began resonating through her mind.

Valerie had remembered the first time she had arrived at the school's campus. Just like now, she was shy, timid and unsociable. She had no friends mostly because everyone had referred to her as a nerd due to the fact that she had worn glasses.

When she finally met with Keisha, she felt relieved to finally feel accepted and be around someone other than her parents.

Their friendship had brewed from being lab partners to becoming full blown friends like an insperable pea in a pod. They got through all the struggles, hardship, love and heartbreaks together. Now it was time for them to part ways.

I guess it's all part of being grown ups.
Been together to grow apart. With maturity comes responsibility.

It wasn't going to be easy but at least they got each other covered promising to call one another daily.

With this, Valerie took the last flight back to Los Angeles, on her way to her parents apartment.

It was meant to be a surprise so Valerie got off the flight and with the  help of the Google earth app, she was able to locate the home that had awaited her  for years.

"How things have changed ? " She muttered under the cold chilly breathe. 

It was still Winter. With the rooftops, cars and roadwalks  still covered in frigments of melting snow, the scenery was so beautiful and romantic.

" How much I have missed this city ?"

Valerie had made plans for the entire month. She planned on making up for all the years she had lost. All the birthdays, Christmas and new years Eve, the Valentine's day party, she wanted to celebrate them all.

The driver pulled over at point. Eventually coming to a stop in front of a bright yellow apartment. Nothing seemed like it used to be.

The painting was now old and messy. The bushes were unkept. All the structures and even the pattern of arrangement had changed.

"We are here, miss." The cab driver, a middle aged man said.

" Are you sure ? I don't think we are in the right place. " She said taking another glance.

"Ma'am, this is the place. Your fee will be five dollars please." He replied with a friendly smile.

"Take this." She offered him the fare, walking into the porch while still glancing around taking in a view of   everything in sight.

Walking into the front door which was already open. She took quick glances at the surrounding to ensure there wasn't any form of fore play. Grabbing her bags in one hand and a pen knife in the other, she works in.

On the couch was her father. He was in the middle of a tensed heated session with an undeniable beautiful woman. She was dressed in a bikini with her thighs perfectly cupped in her father's arms, while her hips was making circular motions on his lap.

The sight was quite overwhelming. Valerie felt like pucking and all at the same time, plucking her  eyes out.

The lady didn't seem like her mum. Or maybe she had changed over a couple of years.

Or was her father cheating on her mother.

Questions ran freely through her mind, for about a couple minutes.

She had been in the room for nearly five minutes and they still hadn't noticed she was in the room. At that the door was wide open.

It was too clear to be called day dreaming and also too real to make her scream in awe. She wanted to speak but the words won't just come out.

Taking one step backwards, unable to take her eyes off the drama unfolding right before her eyes, she continues making motion backwards . Then all of a sudden, she bumps into something. It was her mother's favourite flower pot.

Just like her heart, the once beautiful pot was now shattered in broken pieces all over the marble floor making a mess.

It was clear to say the noise snapped them both out of their act.

" What was that ? " The lady asked unable to see what had shattered from the angle she sat.

" Wait Honey. Let me take a look." Her father ordered as his voice sounded louder with every step he took.

Valerie knew she wanted to leave before she could be seen but the fact that her brain wasn't ready to give into  her command was embarrassing. Her body felt paralyzed, numb but her heart was in pain.

" Valerie ? " Her father mouthed the moment he spots her. Surprised seeing her, he moves closer to hug her  and just then he sights her hand.

She was holding her own knife tighter than ever, causing her to bleed.

" What have you done, sweetheart ?" Her mother said rushing downstairs while her father's girlfriend rushes to the kitchen to grab a first aid box.

Valerie's hand was dressed and bandaged.

" Why'd you all lie to me ?" Valerie blurted after an hour of silence.

" Valerie dear. We have never lied to you." Her mum replies.

" Then why didn't you tell me about dad and ..." Valerie mutters throwing a glare at her father's new found girlfriend.

" Her name's Mirabella." Her father voiced out.

" And we thought we'd talk in person once you came home." Her mum replies.

" So you all lied to me ?" Valerie nods as she pops the question.

" Ok Val. First and foremost, nobody lied to you. We just didn't tell you...." Her mum says dropping her cutlery, making a sharp noise at the table.

" Still lying !" Valerie rudely interrupts.

" Look little angel. Your mother and I still really do love you. We will always do. " Her dad continues, placing his hand on her shoulder which she rudely shrugged off.

" Sure you do." Valerie mumbles.

" Its just we don't live each other as we used to. We found love else where." Her mother said, as sharply as she did, every word hurting her deepest soul.

" True, you obviously care more for this slut here." She said referring to Mirabella.

Mr and Mrs Kayne used to be the perfect couple. Living a fairytale fantasy, from crushing on each other in school to falling in love and dating in college, then moving on to getting married and having a family. It was all going good except the only thing they couldn't perfect was staying in love.

How is it ever possible to love someone all your life and when you are finally meant to live your life time as one, you end up falling for someone else ? Maybe It was never love at all.

" You manners, Val." Her mother interrupts.

" How can that be ?" Valerie says, already tearing up.

" You always told me you loved me. How can I believe you now, when you couldn't even make it work. "

Her parents bowing their heads in shame and dismay. " We tried to." They echoed in unison.

" It just didn't work out."

" And I guess now you'd say am a big mistake as well." Valerie said grabbing her jacket and leaving the room.

All this while, Mirabella is still glued to her seat. Probably speechless. Feeling guilty. For falling in love. Breaking up a wonderful family. And drying up the fountain of hope, young Valerie had built up in her heart.

********

** Ding dong. Ding **

The doorbell rings reluctantly.

" Hey auntie." Valerie's face lightens up to the beautiful face of ever beautiful uncle's heartrob, Penelope.

" My precious little darling." Penelope jumping in for a tight hug, looking excited.

" How'd you know the road to our place ? And also when did you arrive ?" She said flooding her with questions.

" You could atleast welcome me in after decades. And also it's freezing out here." Valerie said clutching onto her furry coat.

" Oh come on in, darling. I have got hot Coco and gingerbread cookies. Your favourites. " Penelope ushers in her favourite niece.

" Your uncle is out. He'd be back in a couple secs."

* Sways her imaginary long hair to the back *

I thought to brew up something special for my favourite people. 200 plus reads, wasn't easy but I really do love you guys. So excited for all the Christmas cheers, probably an Xmas tree, dresses and a good old Santa Claus. Counting down the days till Christmas and new year,hope y'all are excited.

* Coughs*

Chokes with laughter. Licks ice cream with waffles and cookies😋

Dear Santa,
If you are reading this, it's to tell you I hope to reach 1000 reads before Christmas morning. Just a wish cos I have been a pretty good girl this year.🥰