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Chapter One
Lea
The rich, earthy smell of paint from the brush in my hands fills my lungs as I roll it in steady strokes across the wall.
I watch the wall absorb the cream color like a sponge, drinking in its hue and texture.
My mind wanders as I work, and I think about the memories of this house. Memories of my grandparents, who once called this place their home.
Grandpa died when I turned nine, and Grandma when I was sixteen. They had loved each other so much, and even we were surprised at how long Grandma had coped without her soulmate.
My mom grew up in this house. I could still see old pictures of herself and her siblings in their rooms.
It was bittersweet to be here, refurbishing the house they had once loved, putting in new furniture, and giving it a whole renovation. It was also a way of honoring their memory and keeping their spirit alive in this place.
As I cover up the old walls, I know their memories will always remain here, like an invisible ink beneath the fresh coat of lacquer that no one could ever erase.
I can almost hear the echoes of laughter and conversations that once filled these rooms and feel the warmth in the eyes of their owners as I work.
I envision myself running across the room with my brother and cousins while our parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents watched on with giggles filling the air. They smiled with an uncontainable joy from within their hearts.
We used to be one big, happy family, but death had snatched the best of us away.
It was true; quite a lot had changed since the last time I was here about four years ago when I was just fresh out of college.
The yard was overgrown and unkempt, and the neighboring house had become a derelict eyesore.
But now, I can’t help but notice the transformation everywhere, and I know Kelvin has to see it for himself.
There was a sense of newness and calmness to it all, and it was just exactly what I needed for a fresh start from the whole court drama with my parents’ estate.
The grass was now lush, and the flowerbeds bloomed with vibrant colors. Even the house next door looked completely different, all gleaming glass and modern lines. The owner must be taking great care of the whole yard.
I shook off my thoughts and tried to concentrate; my overalls were already covered like a canvas, and I still hadn’t gone halfway.
It was times like this that I missed having my brother here with me.
If he were here, he would have grabbed a brush and painted away with me while we chatted about the silliest things. He would not miss teasing me about my height and the inability of my hands to get to the top part of the walls.
But I was here alone and had to brace myself for this new life; after all, I had promised him I would be alright by myself, and couldn’t go back on those words.
I got a job in Selware Incorporation as an executive assistant and would do my best not to sabotage it. Kelvin was excited when I told him about my new job, but he had to rush over to Laurel, who had an emergency in court.
My brother and his fiancée are the sweetest couple I know, after my parents. Their wedding should have been two weeks after the incident occurred.
It saddens my heart that our parents would not be able to see my brother and me get married to our significant others.
Halfway into the painting, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway stops me on the track of my deep thoughts. I guessed it was the same black sports car I’d seen last night while standing by my window.
My neighbor.
I consider going over to get familiar but re-examine my steps as my feet are covered in paint, and my hair looks like a bird’s nest.
The car is in front of the house, and the lights are on inside. My neighbor must have been busy to have driven out that early on a Sunday morning.
I make a mental note to go over later in the day.
As I resume painting, there is a knock at the door. Who could that be? I haven’t been here long and all my friends who used to live around here have moved to other cities.
