Ariana stood behind the closed door for a long moment, motionless. The faint smile that once lingered on her lips had completely vanished, leaving behind a blank expression. Her eyes stared into nothingness, distant and hollow.
Slowly, she walked toward her bed — a small one, barely enough for two people and sat down gently.
Reaching for the family photograph resting on the table beside her, she picked it up with trembling hands. Dust had gathered on its surface, and she absentmindedly wiped it off with the hem of her damp coat.
Her fingers traced the familiar faces of her parents.
Tears slipped quietly down her cheeks as a fragile smile formed on her lips — a smile filled with both love and sorrow.
"I hope you both are in a better place… far away from this cruel world," she whispered softly.
Her voice trembled.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up as something came to mind.
"Oh…!"
Still clutching the frame, she hastily emptied the contents of her bag onto the bed, searching through the scattered items with urgency.
"Oh, I found it!"
Her face brightened with excitement as she pulled out an envelope. Using her teeth, she tore it open, revealing the money inside. Her eyes sparkled with pride. Carefully, she brought the money closer to the photograph.
"Mom… Dad… this is what I earned today from working extra hours," she said, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction. "It isn't much… but I'm trying."
For a moment, she paused as
though expecting a response–perhaps a gentle hand ruffling her hair, or a soft voice telling her she had done well.
"Just wait… I'll earn so much money someday," she continued, her eyes now burning with determination. "I'll become rich. I'll take Adrian and me out of here… to a better place."
She stared at the money for a while, smiling softly, before placing the photograph back on the table. Leaning forward, she kissed the image of her parents.
After counting the money once more, she carefully returned it to the envelope and tucked it safely inside her bag.
After a warm bath, Ariana stepped out of the bathroom dressed in her nightwear. She stood in front of the mirror, gently blow-drying her long hair.
When she was done, she paused.
Her reflection stared back at her.
Her face was slightly flushed from the heat of the bath, giving her a soft glow. Her long, jet-black hair framed her small, delicate face perfectly. Her brows were neatly shaped, and a distinct mole rested on the side of her right eye, adding to her unique beauty. Her plump pink lips curved subtly, while her icy blue eyes — filled with quiet strength, gazed deeply at her reflection.
"Today is over… tomorrow is another day," she murmured.
A small, proud smile appeared.
"I'm proud of you, Ari."
She gathered her hair, tying it loosely.
Then, as if remembering something important, her expression shifted.
"Wait… I haven't heard from Jayden in two days."
She walked toward the bed, picked up her phone from her bag, and unlocked it. Her eyes scanned the screen quickly.
No messages.
No missed calls.
Nothing.
Yet he had been online recently.
Her brows furrowed, and a trace of sadness crept into her eyes.
"He's even ignoring my calls… and his mom won't let me speak to him whenever I visit," she thought. "But why?"
A sigh escaped her lips.
"I'll just visit him at his new workplace tomorrow… I hope he's okay."
With that, she lay down, exhaustion pulling her into sleep.
Morning came quickly.
Ariana was already awake, moving briskly around the room — from the dressing table to the bed, then to the bathroom — preparing for the day ahead.
Soon, she stood in front of the mirror, fully dressed.
She wore a worn-out black baggy jeans that hugged her slim waist perfectly, paired with a white chiffon crop top dotted with subtle black patterns. After applying her lip balm, she tied her hair neatly at her back, folding it up, revealing the small mole at the side of her neck.
Finally, she reached for her glasses and put them on.
Her look was complete.
"Gosh, Ari… you're so beautiful,"
she said, gasping lightly at her reflection.
Then her expression softened into determination.
"Now go out there and make those who believe in you proud. No matter the situation, remember — there's always an opportunity hidden within it. Just be ready to grab it."
She sprayed her perfume, then looked around.
"Where are my shoes…?"
A second later–
"Found you!"
She slipped them on quickly and blew a playful kiss at her reflection before heading downstairs.
The aroma of freshly toasted bread filled the air.
"Adrian!" she called out as she walked into the kitchen.
"I'm here," came his calm reply.
"I knew it," she said with a smile.
Adrian handed her a plate of toast and a cup of milk.
"Eat before you leave for work."
Ariana waved him off, already grabbing a slice.
"Nah, bro… I'm late."
"Ari." His voice was firm this time.
"I'm eating, aren't I?" she replied with a pout. "I just don't have time to sit down—that's all."
Adrian sighed softly. Wheeling himself toward the cabinet, he took a container, neatly packed the toast inside, and handed it to her.
"Take this instead. You can eat properly when you get to work."
Ariana stared at him, her eyes filled with affection.
"I know you're hungry," he added gently. "And walking around while eating isn't good. This way, you can settle down and eat properly."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have a brother like you, bro… I love you so much, baby bro," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Adrian immediately cringed.
"Don't call me that. Especially in public."
She laughed lightly.
"Come on, I'm your elder. I came into this world before you."
"That doesn't count," he shot back. "We were born the same day."
"Oh my God — I'm late!"
She rushed forward, kissed him on the cheek, ruffled his hair, and dashed out of the house.
Ariana worked multiple part-time jobs. She was a waitress at two different restaurants, a cashier at a ministore, and twice a week, she worked as a lesson tutor for children.
By the time she finished her final shift that night, it was already eight o'clock.
Since she didn't have tutoring that Tuesday, she decided to visit Jayden at his new workplace.
Standing in front of the massive building labeled L&W ENTERTAINMENT, she hesitated.
Her heart battled within her.
Should she go in… or turn back?
After a long internal struggle, she finally gathered the courage to step forward — only to be stopped by a security officer who refused to let her in, despite her repeated explanations.
Frustration built within her.
Then suddenly–
Her eyes caught a familiar figure.
Jayden.
But he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood a woman — tall, slim, flawless. Her skin glowed under the lights, and her long, wavy black hair cascaded elegantly down her back.
Ariana froze.
She watched as Jayden gently held the woman's waist while walking. He carried her bag, treating her with a level of care Ariana had never experienced from him.
Her chest tightened.
He had never treated her that way.
He had always told her to work harder… said her dedication was what he liked most about her.
"Ma'am?" the security officer called, waving a hand in front of her face.
She snapped back to reality.
Without thinking, she ran toward them.
"Jayden! Jayden!"
He stiffened.
It was too late to ignore her now.
"Ariana…, what are you doing here?" he asked coldly.
"Jayden, what's going on? Why have you been ignoring me?" she asked, breathless.
The woman beside him frowned.
"Babe… who is this?" she asked, eyeing Ariana with disdain.
Jayden scoffed.
"Relax, baby. She's just an ex who can't move on. The one I told you about? The church rat trying to leech off me… yeah, that's her."
The words struck Ariana like a slap.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Jayden… What are you saying? It's me… your Ari…"
Tears filled her eyes.
"Listen," the woman cut in sharply, "we don't have time for your nonsense."
She turned to Jayden.
"Jay, take me away from here. The air feels polluted."
Jayden nodded, preparing to leave.
In a moment of desperation, Ariana lunged forward and hugged him tightly.
The sudden force caused the woman — Diane, to stumble and fall.
"Ahhh!"
"Guards!" Diane screamed. "Throw this mad woman out!"
Before Ariana could react, the guards grabbed her roughly.
Then–
Slap!
The sound echoed.
Her glasses fell, shattering against the ground. Blood appeared at the corner of her lip.
She froze.
Everything around her seemed to stop.
"What makes you think I could ever love someone like you?" Jayden spat coldly. "You're just a cheap girl men use to pass time."
His eyes were filled with disgust.
"Look at yourself… and look at me. Do we even belong in the same world? You're not my type. I don't date trash."
Each word cut deeper.
"Forget me — and go back to your miserable life."
Without another glance, he helped Diane up, got into his car, and drove away.
Ariana stood there, broken.
Her hand clutched her chest as though trying to hold herself together.
"Why…?" she whispered repeatedly. "Why me…?"
Hours later, she found herself drowning her pain in alcohol.
By midnight, she stumbled out, barely conscious, deciding to head home before Adrian began to worry.
Without her glasses, her vision was blurred.
The world around her spun.
As she stepped onto the road, she didn't notice the traffic light had already turned green.
And then–
Thud!
Her body was thrown into the air before crashing violently onto the ground.
Darkness followed.