1 Mirror, Mirror (1/2)
Plink!
A soft sound resounded as a drop of water detached from the ceiling. Gracefully falling, it's descent was forcefully interrupted as a swirling river directly underneath devoured the drop, completely ravaging and assimilating it without another trace.
The next moment, tranquility had returned, the river's soft gurgle the only reminder of the drop of water's presence. Above, the ceiling strained to give more, another drop gradually coalescing on the underside of the concrete surface.
Suddenly, slow, quiet footsteps echoed, accompanied by light pants. There beside the water channel, limped a young girl dressed in a pair of jeans and a simple cotton shirt, appearing no more than eighteen years old.
Pressing her hand on the wall to support her fatigued body, she walked for a few steps more, slumping against the cold concrete surface as she panted for breath. Shrugging her shoulders and allowing the small bag slung around her body to fall onto the ground, she rummaged through to extract a plastic bottle of water.
Popping the cap with trembling fingers, she achingly raised the bottle to her lips. However, she allowed no more than a few sips before setting it back down once more. Massaging her chest to ease her breathing, the girl packed the bottle, holstering the bag before limping once more.
Once again, the soft chuckle of the river harmonized with the gradually ragged breathing of the young girl. Eventually, she could take no more, her legs giving out from the fatigue.
Her body collapsing and embracing the cold concrete once more, the girl lightly groaned when the rough surface brushed across her sensitive skin, yet did nothing more than pull herself into a sitting position.
”I didn't think you would run this far, and for so long. Truly impressive!”
The soft sound of clapping and a man's appraising voice entered her ears, triggering forth a wave of disgust, hatred, and apprehension within the girl. Leaning her head towards its source, she discovered a man's outline observing her from the edge of the water channel, slowly approaching.
When he had come to a distance close enough for her to view his features, she almost couldn't contain her emotions, struggling to maintain an indifferent facial expression.
Short, black hair that presented a sharp, formal demeanor. Rectangular-rimmed glasses, hazel eyes that only presented amusement towards the world. The consistent formal attire of a black suit and tie, that arrogant yet reserved self.
She remembered it all, his actions, his words, his expressions, everything.
That middle-aged man before her looking no older than someone in his thirties, one that would appear before the world each day as a prestigious, deity-like businessman.
”…I see you've been well, Father.” The girl spat out, her countenance morphing into one of disdain and exhaustion.
”Mhm, I've indeed been well,” the man replied. ”Rather, life couldn't be any better. Securing two multi-billion-dollar business deals within an hour's time, who wouldn't be happy?”
Crouching down, the man reached out to gently pat the girl's head, to which her hatred aggravated and accumulated even further.
”Don't touch me.” She snarled, flinging her right hand towards his arm, attempting to strike his hand off of her head. Unfortunately, her arm merely twitched once, and the man continued to pet her hair, the searing heat of his palm continuing to engrave itself onto her body.
”Why can't I touch you?” the man asked playfully, gently poking the girl's forehead with his index finger. ”You're my daughter! Even if I had been a little rough to you, I can't just callously toss you away, no?”
”Isn't that exactly what you did?” she glared at him, her body trembling with rage.
How she wished to tear him apart! This hypocrite, one who claimed benevolence, how she wished she could rip open his chest to see if he even had a heart!
”Hmm…that matter can't be determined by a single perspective, you see.” Sitting next to her, the man looked towards the river, wistfully sighing as he spoke.
”I had no choice back then. The Chen Family's influence was rather powerful at the time, and it was only recently that I've managed to suppress them.”
Glancing at the girl, he sighed before standing. Stretching his waist and loosening the tension in his muscles, the man released a pent-up breath before turning to the girl.