Truth Through the Lies

The Beginning

{Vera’s POV}

I have always been taught that if you expect good things, good things would come, and if you expect bad things, the outcome would be the same. Yet, even I, in my wildest imagination could never have expected what happened on my 26th Birthday.

So, to give some context, my life had always been different. I never understood why my father abandoned me so suddenly. Why my mother never told me anything, her lies stacked up so high, eventually they seemed to have blocked out the sun. But, I never once questioned it seriously, mostly because I was unsure of if I wanted to know the truth. If I wanted to have to take place in the fallout that I was so sure would come after finding out. Now, now I understand everything.. it all finally makes sense.

I supposed I should start with the day I learned the truth. The day I found out that my whole life up until this point was a lie, my 26th birthday.

That day was just like any other, I had gotten up early, gotten dressed, done my hair and makeup and went to work at the library, like I had every day for the past 10 years. My long dark auburn hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, with some pieces left on the sides of my face, framing it. I did a soft makeup look, to compliment my deep, emerald green eyes, and had on a pair of jeans, and a pale peach colored turtleneck. Tonight I was supposed to have dinner with my mother, and my older sister Angie. I was excited to see my sister, but most events with our mother ended in either screaming matches or tears. She’s not an easy person to get along with.

I groaned internally, thinking about the chaos tonight would bring. Mom was always comparing me to Angie, luckily my sister never tolerated it. She always set our mother straight, telling her that I’m my own person, with my own goals. My sister was popular, had lots of friends, while I stuck mostly to myself. We didn’t get along much as kids, but were closer now. She has a great paying job at a law firm, and I’m working in a library on the poorer side of town. I love my job, it’s peaceful, quiet, and it pays enough for my small two bedroom apartment. It’s enough for me, and for my daughter Zinnia.

Zinnia took after me, her eyes are the same emerald green as mine, and her hair a paler auburn. Her skin is pale, and she has the most adorable little freckles over her nose. She is my world, and without her I would truly be lost. I made my way to her room, and pulled out the outfit that we picked out for the day. “Zinny, sweetie, time to get up, you get to go to gramma’s house today!” I smiled softly, walking to her bed, and sitting down beside her.

She sat up, groggily rubbing her eyes. “That’s today? But I’m still sleepy, can’t I have five more minutes?” She asked, crawling into my lap.

I couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped out when she laid in my arms and already began dozing back off. “Well, I’ll make you a deal.. if you get up and get ready now, and do it really quick, we’ll go get in the car, you can bring your blankie, and I’ll get you a hot chocolate to go with your breakfast sandwich this morning to wake you up.” I said, a small smile forming across my lips.

If there was one thing that could wake this child up, it’s hot chocolate. She sat up quickly, looking up at me before turning to see her clothes already laid out. She rushed over, making sure to put her pj’s in the bin, and getting dressed. She smiled over at me when she was done, and brought me her hair brush and a ribbon. “Hurry mommy, fix it so we can go!”

I smiled, pulling her hair back into a high ponytail, and doing a bubble braid on it. “There, all ready to go!” I said, standing up and placing her brush back on her vanity. “Now come on, we’ll stop and get your hot chocolate on the way.”

Soon the two of us had our breakfast sandwiches, and I had a French vanilla latte, while she had her hot chocolate. We drove to my mother’s house, and I dropped her off like I did most mornings, either with my mother, or her nanny Siranna. I hurried to work, running a bit late as usual. When I walked in, carrying a tray of coffee and sandwiches my boss Lila smiled. “Good morning sleepy head!” She chuckled.

I walked over to my computer, clocking in before turning to her and handing her the coffee I had grabbed for her. “The sleepy head would be an eight year old that refused to get up without the promise of hot chocolate.” I giggled. “Got your favorite!” I smiled, sliding the sandwich bag over to her. “Go ahead and eat your breakfast, I’ll put up the books from the night deposit box!” I said, walking over and grabbing the box, lifting it and setting it on the counter. I carefully placed each book on the trolley, and set the box back down.

I walked around, making sure all of the books were put back up in their proper place, before looking over to Lila, who was now ogling a man who’d walked into the library. She has this fantasy about owning this place, and having the perfect meet cute here. I keep telling her that perfect is meant for the books we’re stacking, not for people like us. Soon the trolley was empty, all of the books back in their proper places, and as I turned I could see Lila waving me over.

I carefully stepped up, making my way to her side. “Yeah?” I asked her, smiling softly.

“This gentleman would like a private word with you.” She said. Little did I know, that this was only the beginning.