ECHOES OF A DEADLY TRUTH

CHAPTER ONE The small apartment smelled of onions and spices as Leo stood by the stove, carefully stirring a pot of stew. The space was modest bare walls, simple furniture but it was warm, and for him, that was enough. “Is it ready yet?” a voice called from the next room. Leo smiled faintly. “Almost, isla ,Go finish your homework you I’ll be late for school .” His junior sister groaned. “Let me just have a taste please .” She said pouting childish Leo shook his head, amused. Ever since everything had changed, moments like this mattered more than anything. There was a time when their home had been full; full of laughter, their parents’ voices, the comfort of knowing everything was stable. But that night… the fire had taken all of it. The house, the memories, and the two people who held their world together. Now, it was just the two of them. Isla was 6 years then when everything began to turned around now she’ll turned 16 in few month now, ..10 years has passed ,10 years. He sighed Leo adjusted the heat and tasted the stew, nodding to himself. He had learned to cook out of necessity at first, but over time, it became something more a quiet promise that no matter what they lost, he would take care of his sister. Just as he reached for the plates, his phone rang. He frowned slightly, wiping his hands on a towel before picking it up. The number wasn’t saved, but something about it made his heart beat faster. “Hello?” he answered. “Good evening, is this Leo?” a calm voice asked. “Yes, speaking.” “This is from Sky Company. We’re calling regarding your application.” Leo froze. For months, he had been trying ..,sending applications, attending interviews, facing rejection after rejection. And this company… this was the one he wanted the most. He swallowed. “Yes… yes, I applied.” There was a brief pause that felt like forever. “We’re pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected for PA position .” For a moment, Leo couldn’t speak. “…I got it?” he said, almost in disbelief. “ what ! PA “ he screamed after realizing the title he just gotten. A ( P A ) to the CEO of sky company he couldn’t believed his ears “Yes. Congratulations. We’ll be sending the details shortly.” “Thank you. ; thank you so much,” he managed to say before the call ended. He slowly lowered the phone, staring at it as if the words might disappear. “Leo?” Isla called, stepping into the kitchen. “What happened?” He looked up at her, and this time, he couldn’t hold back the smile. “I got the job,” he said. Mia blinked. “The one you really wanted?” “ No ,the one higher than that “Are you for real “ “ yes cutie pie ….A personal assistant to the ceo of sky company “ Her face lit up instantly. “Are you serious?!” she shouted, rushing toward him. Leo laughed softly as she hugged him tightly. “Yeah… it’s real.” “You did it!” she said, her voice full of excitement. “I knew you would!” He held her for a moment, his eyes drifting slightly as emotion settled in. For the first time since the fire accident, something truly good had happened. Something that felt like a step forward not just for him, but for both of them. “Looks like things are finally changing,” Mia said, pulling back with a grin. Leo glanced at the pot on the stove, then back at her. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “They are.” “ISLA!!!!!! His loud voice echoed through the apartment only seconds later. “What?!” Isla shouted back. Leo checked the old wall clock and widened his eyes. “You’re late for school!” “I’ve decided,” she announced dramatically while dropping into a chair, “that education is not for me.” Leo stared at her. “Get up.” “I’m serious.” “You’re going to school.” Isla rested her head on the table. “But today is different.” “How?” “You got hired at Sky Company. This is clearly a family celebration day.” Leo almost laughed. “Nice excuse.” “It’s not an excuse. It’s emotional support.” “You can emotionally support me after school.” She groaned loudly. “Leo…” “No.” “Just one day.” “No.” “I’m tired.” “You’ve been sleeping since yesterday evening.” “That’s because school exhausts me mentally.” Leo shook his head while serving breakfast onto a plate. “Eat quickly.” Isla immediately sat up when she saw the food. “Now this is true brotherly love.” “It’s breakfast, not freedom.” She pouted while eating anyway. The tiny apartment became quiet for a moment except for the sound of spoons and the boiling pot on the stove. Leo watched his younger sister carefully. Ever since the fire accident, she had changed. Sometimes she smiled and joked around like nothing happened, but other times he noticed the sadness hiding underneath. That was one reason he pushed her so hard about school he wanted her future to be better despite everything they had lost. “Leo,” Isla suddenly said between bites, “when you start working at Sky Company, are we going to become rich?” He snorted softly. “Relax. It’s just a job.” “But a good job,” she corrected proudly. “My brother works at Sky Company now.” A faint smile appeared on his face again. Then he looked back at the clock. “ISLA!” She jumped. “What now?!” “You have five minutes left!” Her eyes widened instantly. “WAIT ,WHAT?” She hurriedly stuffed the rest of the bread into her mouth before grabbing her school bag. “I still think I should skip,” she mumbled. Leo opened the apartment door and pointed outside. “Go.” “You’re chasing me out?” “Yes.” “You’re heartless.” “You’ll thank me later.” “I highly doubt that.” Leo crossed his arms as she slowly dragged her feet toward the hallway. Isla suddenly turned back dramatically. “If I survive today, I expect chicken for dinner.” “You’ll get rice.” “This house knows no joy.” Leo laughed quietly for the first time in a long while. “Go before you miss the entire day.” She sighed heavily before finally running down the stairs. A few seconds later, her voice echoed from outside the building. “DON’T FORGET YOU’RE RICH NOW!” Leo shook his head with amusement before closing the door. The apartment became silent again. He glanced toward the old family photo resting on the shelf nearby, then quietly returned to washing the dishes. Outside, the day continued normally students rushing to school, buses crowding the streets, people hurrying to work. But inside that small apartment, life was slowly beginning to heal.