A Love Story

15 Years Ago... Regina was sitting on the bench in the park with her eyes all wet in tears. She was scared because she was alone and she was angry about being scolded by her father. It was not entirely her fault that his precious contract for the deal in his business got soaked up. It was her evil-halfsister's plan to secretly push her so that the glass of juice she sweetly prepared for her father fell on his documents. She can clearly remember how enraged her father was at her. "REGINA!!!", he shouted. "You are a little disaster. How many times do I have to tell you to be careful? And if you cannot, I told you to stay away, just away!" He was glaring at her, as if he wanted to eat her alive. "But daddy, I just want to give you a glass of juice because I know you're tired." Regina said while clasping her fingers in fear. "Well, I don't need your juice!" Her father was at the verge of yelling at her and she thought for the moment that he will hurt her. "Look at what you've done REGINA! This contract has just been signed. What am I supposed to do right now, huh, tell me, do you want me to fly to the City Ace again and travel a long way just to have it signed again?" His father deliberately slapped the soaked documents on the table. "I-I'm so sorry daddy" Regina's tears fell on her cheeks, she tried to touch her father's hand but he pushed her away. She fell on the floor and thought that her father might help her stand up, but instead he left without looking at her. She was left in the living room with her stepsister, Leah, whose evil smiles were painted on her face. "You", Regina got up and pointed at her halfsister, "You did it on purpose!". Leah walked closer to her and said, "What if I did, Regina? What will you do now? You're so little you can't hurt me". Regina's face turned red in anger. It was just a year ago since her daddy took her stepsister home, confessing to her mother about the child he had, before she met her. He did not tell her about the child and just continued supporting Leah and her mother in secret. But unfortunately, Leah's mother died, and she was just 14, so he cannot leave her alone to tend to herself. That left him no choice but to confess to Regina's mother. Rachel, Regina's mother, did not accept Tom's confession well and so they fight about Leah's presence in their home. Her mother left the next day, and until now, a year had passed and her mother was still not home. She missed her so much. They were once very happy. His father was a good man and never ever had to yell at her, even if sometimes she got careless. But now Leah's presence in their home had ruined her family and had ruined her relationship with her father. "Yes, I maybe small and cannot fight with you right now Leah, but there will come a time that you will pay for all the misery you have caused me", Regina said with conviction. Leah laughed at her words. "I'll surely wait for that little Regina. Now go and find your mommy." She said mockingly. Oooppss, sorry I forgot that your mommy's not around anymore and will never come back. "No!My mommy is coming back", Regina shouted. Leah laughed and said "Go girl, I will leave you to your dreams." She walked away and left her alone. Regina's thoughts were lost on what had transpired that afternoon. At a young age, she never would have thought of experiencing such great pain from her father's actions towards her. How she wished her mother had been there. "I missed you mommy. Please come home. Life is better with you and daddy will be happy if you're here. Please mommy!" Regina's tears came falling on her cheeks again. She hugged herself as the feeling of longingness bit into her body. At a distant corner of the park a young man, Carl, was also seated on a bench intently observing the girl who looked so lost and crying alone in this unsafe area of the city. Many scoundrels frequent this area and the girl who's left alone and unguarded might be a victim of those hateful souls. He stopped himself from approaching the girl since he did not want to get involved with her. He didn't know her anyway, Carl thought. Deep inside, he battles about heading home or staying a while longer to see to it that the girl will be safe. Finally, he decided to stay for a while hoping that she would take her leave and head home. But, eternity seemed to have passed, the girl continued to sit on the bench, unmoved and unaware that dusk was approaching. Carl decided not to wait any longer since his mom and dad were waiting for him at home. He went to the park to try his new bicycle, but now he was just pinned on this bench watching this miserable girl. "Time to go home, Carl" he thought. Carl stood and got his bicycle into motion. He glanced at the girl one last time before setting off. On his way out of the park, he bumped into three guys who do not look decent enough to be good guys. He continued on his pedal, but the thoughts about the girl having to be alone with those guys occurred to him. He suddenly stopped and turned around. He decided to tell the girl to go home that instant. "No matter what she says about me, she needs to go home, foolish girl to even come running in this secluded place", Carl thought. Suddenly, he heard a scream. He is perfectly sure that the girl is in trouble and he is in trouble as well.