Chapter 1 Released

• Rissa's pov
• The dining table got so quiet and lonely that I could hear myself chewing down the pancakes.
• I thought I had gotten used to the loneliness. Why does it seem to affect me so much this morning???
• Oh! Now I get it. Mom and dad promised to join me for breakfast since it's the first day for the semester.
• I should have known it was a promise that they weren't willing to keep.
• I don't blame them either. They're the busiest human beings I've ever come in contact with since 16 good years of my life.
• They get so busy that they couldn't even give me a sibling. Not one, not two, none at all!!!
• At least, I have my two best friends - Zoe and Alex to comfort me in that sad reality.
• Oh! And my dog as well.
• Her name is Pineapple and she keeps me company whenever I get bored of my phone and laptop.
• And during this summer vacation, we've gotten very close that she follows me everywhere.
• Suddenly, storming footsteps emerged from the fleet of stairs and mom's voice arguing followed.
• *He's your best friend's son for God's sake. Caleb has always been by your side till the day he died!*
• I was a bit surprised to hear mom yelling. She's really sweet and rather smiles in silence than to argue.
• But for the fact that she's sounding so defensive, it must be something important and she's definitely gonna persuade dad.
• I got up from the seat and reached for my bag on the other seat.
• Next, dad came down holding his briefcase while mom scuttled after him.
• They were already dressed up for work in a blue matching suit.
• I'd say adorable but I'm sure they're just wearing it to impress people.
• "Good morning mom" I greeted as we half hugged.
• "Morning dad" I muttered waving three fingers at him.
• He smiled and settled down at the dinning table.
• He picked up a short bell and shakes it. Immediately, one of the maids came rushing in.
• "I'm sorry we didn't come down earlier to have breakfast" Mom said with her hand still on my shoulder.
• I released a wry smile.
• "It's alright. Maybe another time" I shrugged hopefully.
• "Okay sweetheart and we can also go to the salon and have a mother and daughter time this weekend" She beamed.
• "Yes, mom. That would be awesome" I chimed in.
• "Alright ma'am. I'm going to school now" I said and she bids me off.
• I got outside our huge house where the SUV that takes me to school every morning was waiting.
• I was about to approach the car when something held me back, or should I say someone.
• I turned to see my dog - pineapple clutching tightly onto my legs.
• Aww, I knelt on the floor and rubbed it's fur.
• "I'm gonna be back later, okay?" I cooed touching him all over.
• My personal maid had arrived and she took the dog from me.
• "Make sure you feed it and give it a long warm bath, alright?".
• "I'll do just that, ma'am" She stated.
• I smiled and entered the SUV. Pineapple kept barking as the car drives off. We were followed by another car filled escorts.
• Dad's a politician so you could say we are pretty wealthy.
• It's a short ride to school and the moment I see the tall sophisticating fences of the school, I quickly put a sunshade glasses on.
• (Juvenile detention center)
• Mykel's pov
• I sat on the bare floor staring at the floor. I could hardly see it because of the darkness that engulfed me but I had already stitched the images to my mind.
• I've been here in a juvenile detention center for three years and just yesterday, some lawyer told me I'll be released soon.
• I scoffed. I thought I would stay here till I turned 18. I still have a year to go...
• I wish I can close my eyes and open them back at the house in Korea. With my parents and best friend.
• Things would have been better if my dad didn't die.
• The cell door creaked and soon noises of keys dangling filled my ears.
• I looked up blankly to see the jailer and 'that' lawyer standing behind the door.
• "Get up Asian!" The jailer yelled opening the door. I stayed put with my eyes piercing into his. He knew very well that I wouldn't flinch.
• He sighed and moved into the cell.
• "Get up. It's time for you to go" He stated with his arms folded.
• My eyes drifted to the lawyer who wore a big smile.
• I stood up and followed them out of the cell. As we walked along the hallway, all eyes from the other juvenile inmates steeped on us.
• The same question was written on their faces.
• I could tell.
• We got to the office where my things were first taken from me.
• A fresh set of clean clothes and shoes were handed to me.
• "Congratulations Mykel, you're free to go" The chief inspector said wearing a smile.
• I stared at them for some seconds including the lawyer.
• Then, I was able to find my voice again;
• "Who had me released?" I asked calmly.
• "Your late father's best friend. He's a politician - one of the wealthiest in America" He replied and I nodded perfunctorily.
• "Once you're done dressing up, you'll be taking to his mansion where he lives with his family" The lawyer added and I couldn't help but cringe.
• Why would he release me after three f***king years? After he left my father to die? What's his deal anyway?!
• I'll just keep the anger aside.
• First, I need to leave this place.
• *