"Karina!" Mrs. Friedemann screamed.
"Coming, Mom," Karina grumbled as she got up from bed. Hope it's not to do more chores, she thought, her back aching from yesterday's tasks. Of all her siblings, she was the only one without a personal maid, and to make matters worse, she worked alongside the maids. According to her parents, she was being "prepared for the future." She was asked to do inhumane things like washing the roof... the freaking roof!
"This teaches endurance," Mrs. Friedemann had said.
"More like child abuse, if you ask me," Karina huffed once she was out of earshot.
---
"You haven't gotten ready yet?" Mrs. Friedemann yelled again.
"It's still very early," Karina yawned.
"It's 6:00 a.m., and you're calling that early? A girl shouldn't sleep that long, you know."
Karina stared blankly at Mrs. Friedemann. She sounded like a sexist. Sometimes, Karina really wondered if this woman was truly her mother.
"I'll go get ready now," Karina said and turned to leave.
"Don't you dare walk away when I haven't addressed you!"
Karina turned back, her face clearly saying, What do you want from me?
"Don't forget to do all your chores this morning before leaving for school. After school, you'll head straight to Emmason's Jewelry Company to complete the contract for being their brand ambassador."
Karina nodded slowly and left. This was her life. Other kids focused on school and joined the workforce much later. But her parents disagreed with such ideas. Somehow, she still managed to ace her papers, though not always completely.
---
As much as Karina hated makeup, she had no say in how to live her life. She lived exactly how her parents instructed, clinging to the hope that one day they'd remember she was still human.
Later that morning, Mr. and Mrs. Friedemann called her in for what they called a talk of "advice."
"Sit down, Karina. What we are about to say is very important," Mr. Friedemann instructed.
"This new school you're going to will expose you to new people and opportunities, but you're not there to make friends. You are there strictly for business. These are the people you should associate with," he said, handing her a list.
"The most important is Brianna Connor," Mrs. Friedemann added. "We've been trying to get Mr. Connor to sign a deal and invest in our company. He hasn't done so yet. It's up to you now, Karina. Don't fail us."
Karina's heart sank. What do they mean, strictly for business? Why am I always treated like a tool? Albrecht had been attending that school since Grade 7. Why wasn't he given this task? At times like this, she truly questioned whether she was even their real child.
"Karina! Are you even listening?" Mr. Friedemann barked.
Karina nodded silently and forced herself to keep listening.
---
"In every circumstance, I'm always used for business. It's like I'm one of his hired workers. It would've been better if they actually paid me. But of course, they use the money to 'take care of me,'" Karina muttered. Annelise gently patted her back.
"I'm not complaining… okay, I am complaining. Why do I feel like an outsider in my own parents' house?"
"We all love you," Annelise managed to say.
"I can't say that about our parents. And Albrecht? Never. He hates me, and I'm not stupid, I see it. But thanks for always being here, little sis. I love you. Bye." Karina smiled weakly and left as she heard her name being called.
---
[At Park View High School]
The school hall buzzed with noise as Karina entered. She spotted Albrecht across the room, laughing with his friends. He glanced at her and quickly looked away. It was clear - In school, we don't know each other.
Karina ignored him and approached the principal, who handed her a locker key and showed her to her assigned class. Due to her impressive academic record, Karina was placed in 12th grade, the same class as Albrecht. She was just 16, while most of the others were 17 or 18.
As she strolled through the hallway, she noticed a mix of wealthy and scholarship students. It didn't take long to spot Brianna who was currently yelling at a girl who had stepped on her shoes. So this is the girl I'm supposed to befriend? Karina thought. She already knew she didn't like her.
---
[During Lunch]
"Hi, um… Brianna? Can I sit here?" Karina asked timidly. She had decided to obey her parents, knowing Annelise would be disappointed if she didn't.
Brianna glared at her and said nothing.
"Yes, of course," the girl beside Brianna replied warmly.
"I'm Drea, Brianna's cousin," she said.
"I'm Karina Friedemann," Karina replied.
Brianna silently watched them. She knew why Karina was here- to charm her into helping close a business deal. Normally, Brianna would have jumped at the opportunity to have someone so poised under her control. But this time… she was jealous. Karina was beautiful, smart, innocent... seemingly flawless. A threat.
One day, she might be crowned queen of the school, Brianna feared- a title Brianna had worked too hard to earn.
"Brianna, what about you? Are you going?" Drea asked between giggles, snapping her cousin out of her thoughts.
"Going where?" Brianna almost asked, then stopped herself, that would be too revealing- her hate for Karina
"Yeah, sure," she said casually.
Karina's eyes lit up. She had invited them to lunch at the Friedemann mansion. Her heart swelled with hope, imagining the pride on her parents' faces when they saw Brianna at their table.
---
Mr. Friedemann wasn't home when Karina returned from school, but Mrs. Friedemann was. She greeted Brianna warmly, chatting and agreeing with everything she said. During lunch, it was clear only Brianna mattered. Drea was ignored like she didn't exist.
After the girls left, Mrs. Friedemann pulled Karina aside.
"I noticed you and Brianna barely spoke at lunch. Don't forget why she was here," she reminded her coldly.
"Remember your mission."