The Forgotten Heiress

August, 2019. I can’t breathe. Well technically, I can since I am running as fast as my legs can carry me, but I can’t breathe. There is a ghost chasing me, or someone. I can’t tell, I only hear the sound of footsteps thumping behind me. I can’t see clearly or perhaps my eyes no longer function, all I see is a fog in an empty space. I hear the faint whisper of a lady’s voice calling out to me, a voice I am not familiar with. I stop running, and turn around to the direction of the voice. It sounds pressing, like she is in a dire need of my help. Suddenly, the fog starts to clear or my eyes by some miracle now function. All I can see is a lean lady that looks utterly dejected. I can’t quite see her face but she has her hands stretched out to me. Her voice brings me out of my reverie. Despite my fear, I summon the courage to walk up to her and just as I am about to touch her, she disappears into thin air. Now I am left all alone, the fog clears and only then do I take a moment to take note of the environment I am in. I am in an empty, desolate space that is eerily quiet. My voice is hoarse, barely audible as I try to call out to whomsoever that lady was. The only response I get is a frog croaking. ... The sound of my phone ringing wakes me up from my wonderful sleep, drenched in sweat yet again, my heart beating fast. For some weird reason, I just thought I will be able to escape the nightmare that has been bugging me for as long I can remember, if I slept in the afternoon while everyone is awake and the city is busy. I let the call end making a mental note to call Sam back later. I don’t trust myself to be able to talk right now. I just lay on my king sized bed staring at the ceiling. The room is darkly lit because I shut the curtains close before I went to sleep. To set the mood for my beauty afternoon sleep, I turn off all lights – both big and small. Shut the curtains, and then light some candles. I always watch the candle burn, and I let it burn for as long as it takes me to finish a cup of chamomile tea. I’ve lost track of time but it should be a little over an hour since I woke up, I haven’t moved an inch. Sighing, I get out of bed and walk to my window to open the curtains. From my room’s window, I get a clear view of Kuntsevo, my neighbourhood in Moscow, Russia. The cool breeze slaps my face causing my wavy hair to fly. Looking down the street, I catch sight of a lady who looks like she’s in her early 40s taking a stroll with her dogs, as she types away in her phone. There is a boy that looks like he is in his early teenage years riding a bicycle, with headphones plugged to his head no doubt listening to either a music or a podcast, most likely the former. Ms Sylvia, a lady down the street that owns a flower shop just escorted a customer out of her shop, a beautiful smile etched on her face as she waves her goodbye, thanking the customer once again for her patronage. These three humans I paid attention to looks like they have no problem in this world, no monsters bugging their peace of mind and happiness. They are just living life happily, in pure bliss. Then there is me, Lily, a girl whose life is filled with darkness, sadness, difficulties, and monsters. I am certain I don’t deserve all of this, but perhaps I am paying for the mistakes of my ancestors. Even at that, I think life is unfair. Why choose me, a young girl who is a literal angel? A young girl who never wishes bad for any one? A young girl who just wants to be focused on herself, and her never-ending dreams? A young girl who doesn’t mind staying indoors all day, in the safety of my room, reading books or knitting like a grandma? Sighing, I walk back into my room and change to a towel. Dumping my just removed clothes into the laundry basket, I walk to my vanity that has only scented candles from numerous brands. I light my favourite candle, put my hair into a messy bun before walking into the bathroom. My room is massive. My bed sits pretty in the middle of room directly opposite my large window. There is a couch by the window were I absolutely enjoy sitting on to do my assignments, study, or read novels, completely ignoring my work station that is just beside my vanity table. The small vanity table holds all of my candles. I guess I have over 20 of them. While the bigger vanity has a large mirror, my perfumes, body lotions, some jewellery, my makeup stuffs, and the book I started reading this morning. I take time to slather my body with my lotion that has a sweet vanilla and creamy coconut fragrance generously all over my skin. Gently massaging my body calms my mind with each stroke, I feel the tension melt away, immediately replaced by a deep sense of relaxation. I can’t help but let out a contented sigh. I am currently in my closet trying to decide on a casual dress to wear. I am finding it hard to choose between the plain sky blue sundress, and the pastel shade dress with flowered patterns. A million hours later, I am wearing the pastel dress, my hair still in a bun, with sunshades on, and black hermes flats. I am walking down the street to Blooms’. It is a cafe that doubles, or triples as a flower shop and a little book store. It is one of my favourite places to be at, my escape. I often go there to clear my head. Taking tea is therapy, reading a book is therapy, sniffing flowers is therapy, arranging flowers into a bouquet is therapy. I do help Sharon make bouquets when she is in need of assistance, and when her boss is not around. I waltz to my usual spot, and the waitress walks to me almost immediately. “Good afternoon ma’am.” How is that the first thing she says to me? “I always tell you to keep the formality aside dearest Sharon.” She looks around the cafe before bending a little to my ear level as she whispers, “I don’t want to get fired. My boss is around.” I nod my head in understanding. They have a really strict boss. I kid you not when I say just his voice makes the hair on my neck and back stand. I never look forward to bumping into him whenever I am at the cafe. “Do you want the regular or something different today?” she asks. “I will have the regular, thank you.” I tell her with a smile. Call it a toxic trait but I never look forward to change. As much as I enjoy the idea of exploring, I am not entirely open to trying new things. “At your service ma’am,” She dramatically salutes with a smile on her face as she walks away. I will never fathom how these people always have the energy to be bubbly, always. Just three rings in, Sam picks my call. “Hey, what’s up?” Her cheerful voice fills the phone. She is always happy. “I am at Blooms’, want to join me?” “You know that is a very tempting offer. I will be with you in 10.” “Alright, safe.” Sam is my closest friend, though her brother Aaron knows my dark secrets that I am only comfortable sharing with him. I’ve known them all my life. We live in the same neighbourhood, attend the same school, and go to the same church. Our parents are also close friends which made it almost impossible for us - the kids, not to be close. I am scrolling through social media when I hear girls squealing. I look up to see them gawking with saucer eyes at a man who looks like he is in the middle of a shoot at the book section of Blooms’.