Chapter 1: A Promise To Herself
Location: US, at Midnight Bar
Time: 10pm
Min Ju drunk a whole lot of liquor to ease the pain in her heart. Because this is the worst day of her entire 18th year of existence.
She got a message that her parents got divorce. Her mother and father actually have another family behind their back. What about her and her brother? Who will be their leaning pillars?
Today, she felt very betrayed!
Also, she found out that her 2 year boyfriend cheated on her with another girl and it's frustrates her. He dumped their 2 years relationship in the trash!
What's worse, she got a call that her twin brother got on a plane crash. There's a little possibility that he survive! They are still searching for survivors and should not keep her hopes up.
"Miss, your Grandfather wants you to go back to Beijing . He's worried about you." Her driver said, looking so worried about her.
He was with her when she caught her boyfriend cheating. He was with her when she found out about the divorce. He was with her when she got a call about her brother.
He was with her since she was still a kid. He was with her when her grandparents split.
This child had experience so much since she was five. But this child is so talented and was been working hard here abroad trying her best to hold onto something little she believes in.
Now, she looks so...broken. All the negative things just keeps pouring down on her. Breaking her to the point of depression.
"Uncle He, why did my life became like this? I had a good life when I was still a kid. When I was still a child, I wish to grow up quickly, but now I just wish time would go back when everything was okay." The poor girl covered her face with her left hand, looking so devastated.
"What had gone wrong?" She continued as she drank another glass of vodka.
"And you know what? Grandma actually pampered my stepsisters more than me. She don't want me. Everytime I visit her home in China, she'll ignore me. Well, I'm not complaining though since grandpa is with us. It's just that, grandma is living a happy life while grandpa is not. He gave up everything for her. Even his wealth. Now, he had so little. Uncle He, I really appreciate for staying with us even though we're already living a hard life for these past 2 years. Thank you so much."
"Serving your Grandfather was my pleasure, Miss. He save me and my daughter. It's my gratitude to work under him." The driver had a look of deep gratitude. Min Ju watch him as the dim lights shone upon his old face.
"If it weren't for him, we would still be in the streets and my Rue'er would have died."
"Please don't cry, Uncle He. It was all in the past now. She's alive so make the present and the future filled with happiness." Min Ju smiles brightly. She was still beautiful despite her swollen eyes.
"And I wish you happiness too, Min Ju."
"Thank you. Let's go, Uncle He. We're going back to China tomorrow. Grandfather must have been worried sick thinking about me here. When I came back, I promise that Grandfather will live his life with happiness."
"I promise that."
"I'll let those who left us, regret!"
###
"Mrs. Jackson, I'm sorry that I did not inform you instantly. I'll have to return to China today. I was so devastated yesterday that I forgot to call you." Min Ju apologizes. Her face are completely clear with makeup. Her lips pale and eyes is a little bit swollen probably from crying overnight.
Mrs. Jackson shook her head and had an expression of understanding.
"You don't have to apologize, Min Ju. I understand. You had help me a lot in my garden, even running errands to deliver my flowers whenever you had time. You should live well and I wish you happiness." The woman said as she held Min Ju's hand.
"I would be glad to visit you in China someday. Call me when you need my help, okay?"
Min Ju's heart swelled with warmth. This was the woman who had help her get through all these years. She was like a mother. The person who taught her how to play musical instruments and had help her find a job after completing the 10th grade.
"Thank you, Mrs. Jackson."
"I had treated you as my child, so please call me Aunt." The woman said as she tuck a strands of Min Ju's hair behind her ears.
"Here. Take this money with you." Mrs. Jackson take out a fat white envelope and gave it to Min Ju but she refuse.
"Aunt Megan, that is your money. I can't take it. You should save it for yourself. I won't feel good if I take it." Min Ju waved her hand. Although her bank account only have 15,000 dollars it was still a good sum of money for her.
Slowly, she will make it into millions! It doesn't hurt to dream right?
"Silly child. I know you like music. I've been hearing you sang in the past, remember? I taught you things that I learn in my prime. Your voice is like a stream of water that completely sooth one's soul. I would like you to try the Music Industry but, watching you for the past years, it seemed like you weren't interested." Mrs. Jackson put the enveloped in her hands.
"I wish you success, Min Ju. This money is nothing else but a gift to you."
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Mrs. Jackson." Min Ju thank her with a deep gratitude. She will always remember her. The person who pull her when her feet was already deep in the ground.
After her parents left them here in US when she was still five. She can't believe that as the years go by, they stop sending them money. Leaving them to fed for themselves. Confuse and scared, she doesn't know what to do.
Her brother got a job in another country when he turn 15. Living alone made her anxious. She tried to call their parents living in China but they didn't even respond. 3 years latershe finally got a message that her parents weren't together anymore. She also found out that while on their marriage, her parents actually get back to their old lovers where they started to build their own family. For all these years they haven't even develop feelings for each other.
And the most pitiful ones were Min Ju and her brother who was deeply left in the dark.
...
Uncle He and Min Ju are already boarding their plane. It was a good thing that Uncle He is right there to keep her company. She had known him and her daughter while they are still wet behind the ears.
She and her parents flew to US after a careful considerations to let her and Min Jun studied there. Later on, a year later. Uncle He was sent after them to become their driver and send them to school since her parents are going back to China. She never knew that day would be the last day she will ever meet them.
Little by little, the 10-year-old her and her twin notice that their maids are slowly leaving one by one.
5 years later, she steps on the age of 15. Her parents did not even greeted them happy birthday and well wishes every year. This is the time that her parents were not sending them money anymore. She complain, why? However Min Ju didn't get any response, again. The money she's been using for school came from her Grandpa and Uncle He, so she and her twin brother decided to find a job. That's when she met Mrs. Jackson and her brother got a job to another country.
She became a cashier or a delivery girl of Mrs. Jackson's flowershop. When she was 16, she find a job in an internet Cafe as an assistant. She had learn a lot watching those noisy game players for a whole year. At 17, she entered a job in an office company and after 1 year of working there, she needed to resign so she could go back to China today.
It was a miracle that she completed 10th grade despite the absences. Fortunately, Min Ju is smart and talented. She always involved herself in school activities—outdoor or indoor. Even competing in sports festival and academic competition. Win or lose, she still still feel the taste of satisfaction.
It was one of the most memorable moments of her life. However, she also had her bad memories in there. She gain a lot of friends, but all of them didn't actually see her as a friend. They actually didn't like her at all.
They smile at her while she's facing them. And when she turn her back to them, they'll stab her in the back. Tss.
If one could burn plastic, she should have done it in the first place. However, Min Ju realized that it's bad for the earth so she just let them be. She hope that their personality get recycled.
