It was the next morning. I got up, went to the bathroom to take a bath, and do my daily routine. I had to go to work. I worked at two places. It helped me pay my bills and afford basic necessities. One was the café called "A Cup of Joy". It was a small and cozy place. It was owned by a middle-aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They were really nice people who talked friendly to me. They were one of the few people in my life who didn't hate me or got disgusted by looking at me. I guess that's because they knew nothing about me except my name.

I went inside the café and was welcomed by the sweet aroma of coffee. I work here from 6 in the morning till 2 in the afternoon, then I had to go to my other place of work, a library named "The Booktique". A weird name though, but it suited the place and the owner, Mr. Hart. He is in his early sixties and wouldn't talk much. He'd always be busy reading books and wouldn't pay attention to anything else. I was kind of glad for that because I no longer have the ability to talk to people without making sarcastic comments or being a total bitch. Well as I said I was no longer the talkative, bubbly, and happy girl.

'People change.'

I somehow completed my shift at the coffee shop without having to talk to the couple. They always tried to make small talk with me but because of my lack of social skills, I use to end it with one word or one sentence answers. I really don't want them to have anything to do with my messed-up life. All I need is enough money for me to move on. I know I wouldn't be able to make my dreams come true. Hell, I am not even in a position to dream, all I get are nightmares. I just want to live a normal life.

It was finally 6 pm and I was on my way back home from the library. I reached my small apartment. It was all I could afford at this moment but I liked this place because it was the only thing that made me feel a little close to being safe. I was alone and lonely and I have been like this for a long time, 6 years to be precise. I am 23 right now.

I went to my bathroom and took a shower. I changed into an old, white baggy t-shirt and some shorts. As soon as I was about to go and make dinner, my phone rang. I frowned, it was an unknown number and nobody would call me except Mr, and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Hart wasn't a person who would call. He'd always leave a small message. Mr. and Mrs. Smith would only call me to tell me if the day was off or anything else regarding work and I already had their numbers saved on my phone. After wondering for a while and not getting any answer, I sighed and finally went to pick my phone up.

"Hello, who's this?"

"Alice, it's me, Jane"

What! I was dumbfounded. Is this true? Is this really happening? My sister just called me after 6 years. Why now? Why did she remember me after such a long time? Did she know something about me? How did she even get my number? Oh my god, what should I do? If she knows about me that would mean my whole family would know about me too. But why would they want to talk to me, when they should hate me instead, and why now?

"Umm... Hello? Alice are you there?" she spoke again, stopping my train of thoughts.

I gathered myself and cleared my throat. "Why are you calling me and how did you get my number?" my voice was harsh showing my disinterest, masking my real feelings.

"It was dad's agents who found your number. We've been searching for you for almost a month now. The agents found you in one of the CCTV camera footage through which we saw you getting into a café called 'A Cup of joy' and the owners of the café gave us your number" She paused and then spoke softly "How are you, Alice?"

"Why do you care? Just come to the point. Why did you call me all of a sudden?"

"I wanted to talk to you Alie" she replied.

"Did you guys forget about what I did?" It was evil of me to say that as if I was proud of my past actions but there was no point in talking to them sweetly. No matter what I do, they would still despise me.

All of a sudden her voice became harsh, it was like she remembered everything. "I called you because I was asked to call you. I am getting married and everyone is going to attend it. If my own little sister wouldn't come, people would start questioning and talking. Also, grandma wanted to meet you. She has wanted to see you for so long and we can't deny her anymore. She has started blackmailing us and saying that she'll die without seeing you"

I sighed. Grandma has always been dramatic but even she couldn't do anything 6 years ago.

"How selfish of you my dear sissy. You want me to attend your wedding just so that people wouldn't talk about you guys behind your back. Tsk tsk. How pathetic" I spit. I had to maintain my image so that they wouldn't be able to find out about my past and wouldn't show me pity. I hate that feeling, plus this is the best thing to do, to keep them away from evil.

She sighed "Look Alice, I am not going to beg you and even you know that you won't be getting all blessings and hugs when you'll come here. So if you want to come please do come. It would mean a lot to us. No matter how much we all despise you for what you did, we are still your family and we all care for you and want to see you, especially grandma."

She paused and waited for me to answer. When I didn't reply, she sighed and spoke again "So will you come?"

I didn't speak anything for a few seconds. She was about to hang and when I replied "okay"

"Okay? So you will come?" Her voice was filled with surprise.

"Yes," I replied. Stupid! Stupid Alice, why would you say that?

I miss them. My inner voice replied. I sighed again.

"Thank you" She replied.

"umm..."

"What is it now, Jane?" I sounded annoyed which was clearly the opposite of what I was feeling. I was on verge of tears after hearing my sister's voice.

"The groom"

"What?" I asked, clearly not getting where she was going with that.

"The groom, my soon-to-be husband is... It's Adriano"

I gasped. I couldn't hide my feelings. I was sure she heard me and so she replied wanting to clarify everything.

"A lot has changed after you left. You betrayed him and he hated you. So Mr. Angelo asked dad to let him marry me instead. We decided to date for two years and now we are finally going to get married" she replied.

I didn't realize I had tears running down my face.

Breathe Alice, breathe! Don't let her think that you care. I told myself.

"It's been 6 years Jane. It's the past. Don't worry I won't snatch him from you." I replied masking my real feelings. I was really good at it.

"You haven't changed at all" she sounded angry and hurt.

"Well, why would you even think of something like that? Now if you are done I would like to hang up"

"Okay. I'll send you the venue and everything. Bye, take care" she hung up.

I slide onto the wall I was leaning on, hugged my knees, and cried. Adriano Federico D'Angelo, the man I loved and betrayed. Well, I guess I deserve all of this. I am going to be hit by my Karma again, after all, I am just bad luck.