Chapter 1
“One day, the storm will pass, and the Sun will come.”
Words I forced myself to believe in for as long as I can remember. Ever since the first time my mother told them to me, after I locked myself in the closet because I got home from school and found my father beating her up for the first time.
And it wasn’t the last.
She’d told me then, “Whenever you feel trapped in a storm, just remember: one day, the storm will pass, and the sun will come. Nothing lasts forever.”
These words have been my mantra ever since. They got me through every painful tear life’s blade decided to leave on my soul, ever since I was a little girl.
I confess that there were times when I was this close to stop believing in them. But I never did.
And now, the sun has finally come for me.
I stare at my cellphone unable to believe the call I just received. Lincoln, Shield & Associates is one of the best law firms in England, and they just hired me as an intern.
“I got in!” I squeal, drawing attention from passersby.
Their internships are so competitive that their acceptance rate is below five percent, every law graduate wants to intern there. They do not only have the best lawyers in the country, but they are also well known for their ethics and inclusivity.
A paradise for someone who looks like me and is trying to make something of herself.
I take a deep breath to get my shit together and skip my way home, eager to tell my mom and brother the good news. They are going to be so thrilled!
The moment I enter our apartment I spot my mother and brother lounging on the couch in our tiny living room, watching something on TV. My mom immediately frowns upon seeing me.
“Did you win the lottery?” her question makes me laugh out loud as I go to give her a big hug and a huge sloppy kiss on the cheek. The sound of her laughter joins mine.
“Not really but as close to it as we can get. Which I think is even better.”
“Ah come on Viv, just spill!” Valentino, my brother, jumps in. He is probably annoyed that I’m interrupting his basketball game.
“Well… can’t you guys’ guess?”
My mom rolls her and reclines back on the couch, “Viviana my dear, if you keep this suspense up you will kill me before the cancer does.”
I sandwich myself between them and stretch my arms wide on their shoulders. “Well… you are sitting and talking to the newest intern at Lincoln, Shield & Associates.”
Both of them sit up so fast my mom winces from the pain of such a sudden movement, her hand immediately going to her chest.
Me and Valentino make an effort to pretend not to notice. Mom always hates it when we make a “big deal” of her condition. She hates to be babied.
Tino is so much better at it than I am.
“You’re kidding! Congrats sis, the smart and competent one in the family,” I run my fingers through his tight curls, my throat locking up as I think about everything we’ve been through.
Ever since my father kicked us out of his life when he married his current wife. He was "generous" enough to leave us with our belongings. According to him, we did not deserve it as we were not his family. His now wife convinced him then that he was not our father because me and my brother have lighter skin and curly instead of kinky hair. No amount of reasoning changed his mind and after the divorce, he simply cut all ties with us.
I was sixteen and Tino was twelve at the time.
My mother sold our jewelry and designer clothes and accessories so that we could have some money to start over at a new place. She refused to get a DNA test to force him to pay child support. She'd said that she had already been humiliated enough and that God was good and just, the truth would somehow come out someday.
I honestly could not blame her. I would do the same where I in the same situation.
Thankfully that will never be the case, as I will never put myself in a position where a man has total control of my life.
Never.
“She has always been way intelligent. I never doubted you for one second, my life, and I am so proud of the woman you have become.”
“Ah… you guys are making me cry,” I hug them both, overcome with emotion at my mother’s words. The only thing I ever wanted was to make her proud.
She has been through so much…
“Okay,” I say, pulling myself together, “No tears are allowed in this house tonight, only celebration. And to arrange just that, I’m going to text Justin because he owes me a bottle of wine.”
I immediately get up and head to the room I share with my mom. Pulling my phone out of my pocket I text Justin.
Me: You better bring me that bottle of wine you owe me tonight because we have reasons to celebrate😉
His reply came in immediately.
Justin: NO SHIT, YOU GOT IN!!! I knew it baby, congrats.
Me: If you knew then why’d you bet that I wouldn’t?
Justin: I never said you wouldn’t, I only said that it would not be THIS fast. Plus, I’d never lose an opportunity to get you wasted.
Me: I should tell my mom you are a terrible influence, maybe she would stop loving you so much.
Justin: Every woman loves me, especially moms. And most men too…😉
Me: Pervert.
Justin: You love my perversion…
Me: OMG! No, I do not. Anyway, be here at 6PM and don’t forget the wine. Bye, xoxo
Justin: Hahahaha you know you do. See you then. Xoxo
Putting my phone away I stare at the ceiling thinking that yes, the storm will pass, and the sun will come.
Nothing lasts forever…
