Blood and Roses.

Ava pushed open the door of her apartment and walked into the kitchen placing the bag of groceries on the kitchen cabinet.

Taking out the last pack of noodles, she placed it on the pot of boiling water.

"Ava, don't eat noodles, it's junk" She heard that kind and cheerful voice buried deep in her memories and a tear dropped into the pot. Cleaning her eyes with the back of her hand, she concentrated on cooking. After cooking, she served the noodles onto a plate and headed to the only couch in the house to eat.

The next morning, she was woken up by the ringing of her phone. Grunting, she picked up the phone and peered at the caller ID.

Dad. It read.

"Hello" She spoke into the phone once she picked up the call.

"You have to..."She heard his cold voice.

"Can you atleast ask about my well being, Mother is dead" Ava cut in.

"Oh" Came the off handed reply. "Sorry for your loss" He said his tone not giving off any emotions.

"Anyway, come home for dinner" He continued like her death meant nothing to him.

"In three days, I need to prepare for her funeral," Ava said, stressed.

"Will you be there?" She asked softly quietly hoping for a positive reply.

"No" Her hope was short-lived as he ruthlessly hung up the phone.

She dropped the phone on the table and hurried into the bathroom to prepare for work.

Ava heard the door of the motel push open - heels clicking on the floor announcing Janet entry.

Taking a deep breath, she continued cleaning the table.

"Why were you not at work yesterday?" Janet asked, nose puffed up with hands on her waist.

"I'm sorry" Ava muttered, she knew better than to explain.

"An apology won't do, your salary has been cut" Janet said.

"But..."Ava was saying.

"No but, do you know how hectic yesterday was?" Janet asked and just then a customer walked in and Ava had to attend to him.

"Ma, can I take a day off tomorrow?" Ava requested.

"Why?" Janet asked, arrogant as usual.

"For my mother's funeral" Ava whispered, the words cutting through her numb heart.

"Huh? Your mother is dead? Okay take tomorrow off but make sure to make it up" Janet instructed, her head held high as she walked out.

Ava sniffed as she packed up her things rushing to catch the next bus.

Ava dressed in black dropped the white lily on the grave of her mother.

"Goodbye mother, I will always miss you" She muttered. Looking around, there was practically no one with her, just a few of her mother's neighbors, heaving a sigh, she turned around walking out of the funeral home.

Her phone rang in her bag and she picked it up, the name flashing on the phone.

Dad.

"Hello," She said.

"I'm just reminding you that you are to come home for dinner today" His voice came through.

"I did not forget" She said, her voice cold and hung up.

Why was she needed suddenly? She will find out anyway.

She arrived at her apartment and took a shower, her heart already numb. She walked down the street and found herself in the park where she met Lora and her mother.

She looked round the park but no one was around so she sat on a bench just staring.

Her hand found her necklace and she tugged at it.

It was her Eighteen years birthday when her mother gifted her the necklace. Her eyes stung with unshed tears as memories of her mother came flooding in. She was now alone - in the whole world.

She stood up and flagged down a taxi giving him the address. Arriving at their family house, she raised her hand to knock on the door.

The door creaked open and her step mother appeared, Sara Martin.

"Oh, you are here, come in" She said with a smile that sent chills down Ava's spine.

Ava walked in not casting a second look at her and sat on the couch.

"I will go get your father" She said and left the sitting room.

Ava's eyes caught a picture of Clara hanging in a spot her childhood pictures once occupied but they were gone now - probably unaccounted for.

She could remember the night vividly the night her father returned with Sara and Clara, Clara who was two years older than her. She could remember how Sara's family forced her mother to sign a divorce so that their daughter would have an official status.

She remembered how her mother fought hard for her to get hold of Ava in court, she remembered...

"Aunt Kate, bring in the food" Her thoughts were cut off by this irritating voice. She looked up to see Ben Martin walking towards her.

"Ava, join us in the dining table" Sara said and Ava stood up, her eyes locked on Clara who acted like nothing was wrong even offering a fake smile.

"AVA" She heard her name being called. Turning around she saw Aunt Kate staring at her wide eyed.

"Aunt Kate" She called and hugged her tightly, making Clara roll her eyes.

"Child, I've missed you" Aunt Kate said. " Where's your mom?" she asked.

"She...she is dead" Ava stuttered.

"What?" Aunt Kate shrieked.

"We're hungry here" Clara grumbled and Aunt Kate quickly returned to serving the food.

Ava sat beside Clara, the food felt tasteless in her mouth even though Aunt Kate was known for her tasty food.

The silence slowly turned awkward with only the clicks of cutleries heard.

"Ava.." Her father started and she felt her heart tighten, she knew it was not a good thing but she had no other choice than to hear it out.

"You will be taken by Alessandro Moretti as payment for the debt I hold him, you were used as a collateral" He said voice devoid of emotions.

"What?" Ava shouted, her mouth hung open and eyes wide open.