Distance Between Us

CHAPTER ONE

“It’s mine “ Ariel yelled loud enough to attract the attention of her mother .

“No , it’s mine “ Gianni couldn’t take it anymore so she starts crying and yelling .

“What’s wrong Ariel” her mother asked , bending down to carry her into her bosom .

“Mommy , Ariel wants my toy when she has hers “ Gianni said but janet ;their mother paid no attention to her but instead took the little doll and gave it to Ariel .

“Come on now baby don’t cry anymore okay ?” She cooed at Ariel with noting but love in her eyes.

“But mommy it’s mine “ Gianni cried out .

“Shut up you little wench , don’t you know you are older ? You should make sacrifices for your little sister and not take from her “. With that , she took Ariel inside and left Gianni outside.

She stood outside watching the woman she called mom turn her back on her and she wished that she could experience just a little love .

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10Years passed and Janet’s attitude didn’t change towards Gianni. She was stripped off her right as the first daughter of the Jellal family , with each passing day ; all she wished for was a little love . It’s her birthday today and the only person who remembers is her Nanny .

“Happy birthday to you , happy birthday dear Gia , happy birthday to you “ she sang joyfully to her room with a little cupcake . It had always been a little tradition since she was a little girl .

“Thank you nanny “ she smiled as soon as the door opened to her nanny holding a little cupcake on her left hand and a gift bag on her right ; she’d always given her presents to mark each year . This year for her eighteenth birthday she got her necklace with a little locket pendant and inside the pendant was their family portrait and a picture of her beloved nanny . Gianni smiled as she opened her present she couldn’t help but cry ;”thank you nanny “ she hugged her .

“Oh dear child , it’s your birthday you don’t have to cry okay ? Now make a wish and blow out your candle “ she replied.

Gianni nodded and proceeded to make a wish , she wished she found happiness. She’d stopped wishing for her parents love a long time ago , she finally accepted her fate . She blew out her candle and her nanny clapped and danced with her .

“I have to leave now my dear , and remember don’t ever take off your necklace okay ? “

“Yes nanny I won’t “

“Okay then see you at breakfast “ she hurriedly left the room .

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“Gia “ she heard her mom calling but refused to answer .

“Gia” the door opened and her mom walked in .” I’ve been calling you , didn’t you hear me ?” She asked .

“Sorry mom I didn’t hear you , what do you want me to do for you ?” She answered nonchalantly.

“It’s your sisters graduation today , and we are having a party to celebrate her , so I need you to run some errands “

“But mom , it’s....”

“No buts missy , the list is on the dresser, the chauffeur will take you to the mall , and I want you to get everything on that list understood ?” She left before she could get an answer .

“It’s my birthday” she said with a sad face .

She took a deep breath, got dressed and left for the mall with a smile on her face , it’s her day and she wasn’t gonna let anything ruin it .

“Happy birthday ma’am “ the chauffeur greeted with his head bowed

“ thank you , shall we ?” She replied with a smile .

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“Honey , what color dress do you want “

“I want a black dress “ Ariel replied . Her mom was helping her choose a dress for her party .

“Honey , don’t you think pink is better ? It matches your skin tone”

“Okay mom” she replied. She wasn’t happy about the choice but she had to be a good girl if she wanted to have everything to her self . - just a few more years - she thought to herself and smiled .

Just then Gianni walked into the room .

“Mom I’m back from the mall “ she said and then turned to her sister to compliment her beauty .

“You look amazing Ariel” she said with all smiles .

“Thank you sis “

“Congrats , I’m so happy for you , have a wonderful party okay ?”

“Okay “ she smiled .

Gia turned to leave when she heard her sister call out to her .

“Happy birthday sister”. Ariel said .

-she remembers- she couldn’t help but smile as she said “thank you sis “ she gave a slight bow to her mother before leaving . She still had her sisters love and that was enough for her .

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It was time for the party , the dining area was filled to the brim with people from her fathers company and friends from school . Gia looked at the crowd and wondered when she’d get this kind of party .

“Gia honey” her nanny called from behind her .

“Yes nanny “

“Don’t feel bad okay ? It’s your birthday after all , so it’s also your party “ she said with a smile .

“Yes nanny “ she smiled back and snuggled her nanny for a hug .

“Thank you “ she said still in her nannies embrace .

“For what dear “

“For being my mother , I’ll never forget you nanny , never “ she smiled through the tears in her eyes .

“Oh my dear child , I’ll never forget you too “ they Both laughed .

“Come on now , nanny got some work to do , take care of yourself and enjoy the party okay ?”

“Okay nanny “ she smiled and went downstairs while her nanny watched -such a lovely child , wish she was mine - .

“Attention everyone “ the mic boomed as mr Jellal raised his glass to make a toast .

“Let us toast to my beautiful daughter ; Ariel Jellal who just graduated from high school today , congrats sweetie and I know you’ll keep making us proud , cheers “ he smiled and everyone cheered as she walked down the stairs to welcome her guests .

Gia stood at the far end of the hall with a sketch pad and a pen , she’d always had a thing for art and fashion; she stood there drawing her sister in a long beautiful pink dress walking down the stairs .-I’m going to Frame this for her sixteenth birthday- she thought as she drew with smiles .

“There she is “ she heard a familiar voice from behind her .

“What are you doing standing there young lady ?” She seemed visibly angry .

“Sorry mother was there anywhere I’m supposed to be ?” She asked a little bit confused .

“Yes , you are supposed to be serving the guests and not mopping around doing nothing “ she blared .

“But mom the servants are already serving the drinks “

“How dare you give me excuses?” She raised her hand and released a slap on her face .

Gia stood there in shock .

“Mother..” she called her voice breaking .

“Don’t just stand there start serving the guests , if I come back to meet you here , you won’t like my next line of action “ she walked away leaving a shocked Gia behind .

“I’m sorry ma’am “ the servants apologized .

“It’s fine , just get me an apron will you” she tried to hide her pain and tears from the servants .

The servants brought the apron and a tray of drinks to her and she immediately got to work . She couldn’t even eat or drink anything from the party .

The party ended and soon all the guests had left ; she was made to join the servants to clean up before going to bed . She crawled up to her bed and allowed the tears fall -how am I always treated differently? Could it be that I am an impostor in this home ? I need to leave . But what about nanny ; surely she’ll miss me but what can I do ? I guess I’ll just have to tell her about my plan .

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It was morning and she could barely move , she felt pain all over her body, she was sick .

“Oh dear , Gia are you okay honey?”

“Nanny ?” She could barely open her eyes .

“Yes darling , you are burning up , hold on let me get a towel “ she rushed out of the room and came back with a bowl of water and a towel .

“Nanny , can I tell you something ?” She asked .

“Of course baby , what is it ?”

“I want to run away , I can’t stay here anymore “

“Honey , but where will you go ? How will you survive ?”

“I’ll survive just pray for me okay ?”

“It seems you’ve made up your mind, but please wait till you recover ,”

“Okay nanny”.

“Rest a little , I’ll get you something to eat okay ?”

She left the room to get her food after which she put her to sleep .

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“Gia !!” Mrs Janet called again .

She heard her calling but she quickly faced the wall and pretended to be asleep .

“Gia ?” She walked into the room .”didn’t you hear me calling ? Wake up “

No response

“Okay “ she walked out . Gia didn’t budge but closed her eyes to sleep .

Splash!!! Splash !! ??

In a split second her clothes and bed were drenched in water .

“Mom” she yelled “didn’t you notice I’m sick ?”

“That does not stop you from carrying out your duties , young lady “

“Duties ?? Since when did I have duties “ she retorted , which was the first of its kind . She had never yelled nor talked back at her mother but she crossed the line today .

“I do not have the time to banter words with you , missy , get up , get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast your father is waiting , after which I’ll assign you to your duties today , five minutes “ she stormed out of her room . Gia just sat there in silence . — I’ve got to leave this house — she thought to her self .