From now on, you're Sky

005

∞

Being called upon a female is quite embarrassing enough but dressing as one is a whole new level of embarrassment. Well it's not like I'm complaining or anything, I don't have the rights since they're generous enough to take me in but seeing myself like this is... I don't know, I'm speechless.

"Look how wonderful you are, Sky."

Mom touches my now long metallic white hair as she started to braid it. I have to wear a fake hair to look like Elijah since we decided that I'll be his sister in papers. I don't really understand anything about adoption, I don't even know that it's possible either. Well not until now. I'm starting to develop a liking in twirling my new hair that I didn't notice my Mom eying me. My pale blue dress swishing softly as the cold air makes its way through my open window. It kinda reminds me of wearing dresses for my father. The thought of wearing a dress doesn't bother me at all, well it does knowing what will happened next, it's disgusting  since father usually dresses me up occasionally and it's sickening but wearing a dress in front of anybody else is quite bothersome and uncomfortable since it's them. I look at Mom, she looks so happy and somehow seeing her smiling like that makes my heart flutter. Unlike the one who shed tears beside me a few hours ago.

~

"Azure, I'll ask you again." She said in a more determined tone. "Are you willing to be my daughter?"

It's seems like the air became stagnant and for a few seconds the room is transfixed in a heavy atmosphere. Did I heard her wrong? Was she saying daughter? Instead of son? Wait why am I being handed like a lost child in the first place? I have a father even though I don't really have the slightest idea of what's going on, isn't this too much? Wait what's happening? I'm so confused.

"P-Pardon?"

"It's not like I wanted to force you." The woman said leaning against the table while looking at me straight in the eyes. "You see? You don't have a lot of choice either. I'm giving you the best course of action possible at this point."

"I-I... I don't understand."

"I expected as much."

She looks around the dining table before returning her gentle gaze into me. Seeing as no one's moving, I guess they don't have any idea as to what is going on either. I'm clueless about everything but this woman might know what's happening to me.

"Boys, will you excuse us for a second." She then started to make her way outside where Qen and the others entered a few minutes ago. "Azure, follow me."

We passed through hallways to hallways before we entered a room that looks like fathers quarter in my old house. I discovered that we are at the very top of a building, not as tall as what I'm used to but I can clearly see the sky up here. The woman sits at the couch while I'm busy reminiscing my old house. It's like the same balcony I once had but what I'm seeing is totally different. I always wonder if I'll fall if I even steps into it, but now I'm actually standing somewhere, nowhere near that cage.

"I know who you are, Azure Laviste or should I say Azure Mikhail?" I almost snap my neck when she said that name. She knows the Lavistes, but does that mean I'm  Azure Mikhail? I guessed as much but how does she knows that?

"Mikhail?"

"I guess you wouldn't know. Well I don't care about any formalities but with regards to your current situation," She held her had in front of me while sporting the most beautiful smile I ever seen.

"My name's Paradisè Accra Laviste. I'm your father's youngest sibling."

I looked at her dumbfounded, I'll be lying if I said I'm not shocked. Who would have thought that we're connected? Then is she a real family? Why didn't I know her? My father never really introduce me to anyone and I practically don't have any connection in the outside in the first place but... does that mean she knows? Does she know? The idea of this beautiful lady in front of me knowing what my father has done to me makes me nauseous.

"W-why?"

Almost like a plea, almost like a last call for help,I trembled uncontrollably. I wanted to shout at her but I couldn't find my voice to do so. Am I angry? Why am I feeling this? What's this feeling? Almost instantly a head shattering pain hit me, I held my head, almost pulling every hair I had out of me. I almost forgotten it , No! I did. But now that the medicine is gone and I can manage to think straight, I wanted to cry. What happened to me? What the hell am I remembering? What happened? I remember my questions when I was young and as if none of those are answered properly. I remembered asking my father about everything Nana teaches me but he became violent and that's where the medicines started to enter my body as if to make me dumb enough to stop asking stupid questions, to numb me completely into submission. My memories in the midst of everything came back like a tsunami. My pleading voice, the brushes and scars left unquestionably in my body, the nights I screamed for help and the many times I almost wanted to end everything. I wanted to shout. It's like all my scar are itching and every fabric of my body is burning. I've been humiliated and abused and I thought it's NORMAL!?

"T-then... w-why?" why? "Why n-now?" why? "Why?... WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME?!" I shouted so loud, terribly, to the point where I think my chords exploded.

"I'm sorry."

Is all she said. I looked at her questioningly, is that it? Is that all? Why are you saying sorry? Would it make everything okay? Would my scared and mentally unstable mind be fine? What would her apologies have done in the first place? Shouldn't you at least explain something?

My trembling knees gave up on me, I slumped on the floor as she hurriedly come to my side, calling someone in the phone as she hugged me as tight as she can manage. I can feel her trembling but I don't mind. For once, I wanted to push her away but I don't have any strength left and the heat emitting from her body is quite comforting. How funny that I seemed to always collapse everytime I needed not to.

"I'm sorry I was so late. I'm sorry that it took me so long to save you. I'm so sorry, Azure. I'm so sorry."

I know she's crying and I know I'm crying too. I remembered the day I first got here. When I faint at the bar, I felt the same warmth, the same hands holding me tightly, the same feeling of assurance and safety comforting me the whole time of my attack. So the one holding me is her, huh? I thought it's William but I'm not surprised.

I'm starting to feel numb again. I don't know what I'm feeling and my thoughts are totally messed up. I'm starting to lose my consciousness when Canary's head came into view. I heard a few familiar voice and I wanted to look around but the darkness is starting to make its way in my mind. I just wanted to rest but the same thing happened twice now. I don't want to bother them anymore but I can't seem to win, how stupid.

I opened my eyes once again. In the same room with the same ceiling to look at. I tried to look around but seems like I don't have to look for her, Paradisè. She smiles at me while she gently caress my hair out of the way. I have a lot of question now that I'm calm but my voice is strained and my head is aching terribly.

"Azure." She started "I wanted to adopt you. Being your guardian is the only way I can think of to protect you... Is that-"

"Protect me? Why?" I silently asked. I have an idea as to what she's pertaining to but I don't really understand. I looked at her once again as I manage a single word "Father?"

She smiled "You really are exceptional, Azure." Her breathing deepens as if readying herself.

"Your father, Luciano Arcon  Laviste is one dangerous and powerful man. I know what he's been doing to you and I honestly wanted to kill him myself if I could. But we don't have the power to do so, well not yet. Your father, he owns a lot of trading companies and chains of businesses in the surface but he's a lion in his den as Leon Signum ruled the world of illegal organizations in the area."

"How bad?" I asked, I'm very much aware that my father is dangerous but even if her words are jargons to me and I don't know anything about what she's saying I still know how powerful my father is.

"Your father monopolize the city where you came from. I was part of Leon Signum before, it was my father who built it. But I never ever wanted to be a part of that world, not even a slightest bit. Obviously I run away, so up until recently I didn't know I have a nephew. William and Cecilia already planned to bail you out but unfortunately..."

"Nana." Is that why Nana never came back? Is she... is she? "I don't know, Azure." Her eyes never met mine for minutes, I'm starting to feel nauseous again.

"William?"

"He's safe."

The moment I heard the word I felt like a bolder inside me lifted a little but the heavy feeling is still messing me out.

"Where? W-what... h- happened?"

"There's happened to be a trouble at the Port where...well in short someone double cross and sell your father out. The documents and cargo on child trafficking that your father run as an Auction got bombed. William seized that opportunity to help you escape. The moment I knew about you I offered to hide you. I thought he'll drop you directly to me but he never showed up so I thought something bad happened. Turned out you were followed so he drops you off nearby, fortunately you found your way down the 13th Street on your own. He's covering your tracks as of the moment."

So that's why he was not with me. I was still worried but I know William. He's the most reliable and clever person I know off, well... kinda.

"So, Azure. I have to cover your tracks from here on out. I'll adopt you as a member of 13th Street."

She turns around looking at Elijah who just entered the room. I looked at him and he smiled at me. He walks towards the couch across my bed and hand Paradisè some papers.

"I'm sorry. I was eavesdropping to your conversations."

"And what is this?" Paradisè asked while looking through the papers.

"I have a sister. She died without  certification. You can use her papers as she was still a missing person."

"Elijah that's-"

"I want to help." He looked at Paradisè seriously as if trying to explain something. If I keep on looking a bit more into his eyes I think I'll know what that is but I'm afraid of knowing that certain part of him. Maybe it's just not the right time and I know he doesn't want me to know either.

"I know William, and if he's this desperate to save Azure from Lord Laviste then I'm willing to lend some help. Not to mention he found that damn lamppost." Elijah stands up and then looked at me. "I owe William a lot, though the reason why I'm helping you is another matter."

"Thank you, Elijah." Paradisè said wholeheartedly then looked at me once again. "I'll be easier to hide you this way. I hope you'll understand."

I looked at them both as I slowly process the conversation. So I have to hide from my father? Will it be okay? What if because of me they'll end up like Nana? What if because of me... Wait, is it really okay? To be part of them?

"Azure." Elijah said patting my head with adoration in his eyes. I always see those kind of eyes from my father but the way his looking at me without other worldly lustfulness that seeks to hurts me drives me to tears. "From now on you are my sister. I promise I'll protect you."

He kissed my forehead before smiling handsomely. He then winked at me teasingly causing me and Paradisè to laugh. What happened to the prim and proper Elijah?

"Azure, no... Sky! From now on you are Sky. I'll protect you from everyone who wishes to hurt you. I would never abandon you, not again, not anymore. Sky, The daughter of the 13th Street Mistress. You'll be my daughter."

~

"I'm sorry that you need to dress like this." Mom said in a soft alluring voice, almost saddening to the heart as she looks at me through the mirror.

"It's okay, I don't really mind. But..." I hesitated for a minute. I don't know if this is alright though, I'm not against the idea since this is the first time that I'm actually given a choice but "I'm actually thinking of the others."

"I'm quite used in wearing dresses but I don't know if it's normal. My Nana said that it's quite unacceptable in the outside if I wear a dress." I looked at Mom while slowly twirling my hair strands. "What if... What if the boys find it's disgusting?"

"Well... I think otherwise."

We laughed together as if no one can hear. I was so happy and I wish the boys will be able to accept me.

🙃