Somehow Connected

Chapter 5

Seventeen years have passed, and Skylar Hailey is now seventeen years old. When she was abandoned, you could say she was "lucky" enough to be secretly adopted and raised by her uncle. Aside from the beauty that she got from Hazel, she had grown to become a promising student and a bright child just like her.

Growing up as the only daughter of a rich family, her parents gave her everything she wanted which led her to become a bit of a spoiled brat. But despite that, many people admired her, and of course, some hated her for the same reason.

But for most people, Skylar was nothing short of amazing. And she savored every bit of her almost perfect life. But behind all of that, she was not who everyone thought she was.

"Bye, Ate Skylar! Please come visit us again!" The child waved her goodbye.

"I will! You should go finish eating your breakfast now!" Skylar also waved at them.

It was eight o'clock in the morning and she came to visit an orphanage half an hour away from her home, all because she liked children, and for some reason, she always had the desire to help those in need. So it was a routine every morning during the weekends to visit them.

She would usually spend the whole day there, but today, she thought it would be nice to spend it with her family. So she went home early. When she arrived, she proceeded to find her parents to ask them out.

"Skylar, you're back early. Are you not going to spend this beautiful day there at the orphanage?" Her father asked. He looked busy and just finished tying his tie.

"That's what I also thought, Daddy. And as much as I would love to spend the day with the children, I thought it also is lovely to spend it with you and Mommy. What do you think, Daddy?" Skylar asked, acting cute.

"I'm sorry, Sky. I didn't think you would want to spend the day with us because you usually spend the weekends at the orphanage. Had I known about it, I would have moved my work to another day. Mom had also just left for work. We're sorry, Sky. We'll make it up to you on your birthday, promise."

He kissed her forehead, then left for work. If it was any other child, they would have been down in the dumps by now- like she was back then. But ever since she can remember, it has always been like this. So she was just nonchalant about it by now. But she still can't help but feel a little sad.

Ever since she was a kid, her parents were always away for work or on business trips. And when they would arrive, they would shower her with tons of gifts, and it seemed to work for her. But eventually, she got tired of it. She realized that it was only their way of making up for their absence. And she was grateful that her nanny, Priscilla, was always there for her when she was lonely. Priscilla knew everything about her, almost like she was her daughter.

"Skylar, why don't we visit your aunt? It would be nice to spend the weekend there." She said, comforting her. Her Aunt is her Father's cousin. Her Aunt and her son are very close to her.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. Why did I even dare to ask them? It was just that this day was uselessly beautiful. But it would be a waste to spend it here sulking. I also don't want to visit the orphanage when I'm being like this."

"Oh, don't say that. You are their daughter, they love you and they definitely would love to spend time with you. It's just that they are busy with work because they value your future. They are working hard for you." She said, still trying to comfort her.

"What's the sense of having a bright future if you're living in a dark present? They strive for me to seize the light when really, they left me in the dark." When she left, her nanny couldn't do anything but feel sad for her. If only she could tell her, she thought.

---

Another weekend at her aunt's. It's the same all over again. But still, she felt glad and grateful to have other people be there for her whenever she was having a tough time. For Skylar, they were more like a family to her.

When she reached the door, she hesitated about knocking or just leave, but then remembered that it has been a while since she last visited. So she chose to knock instead.

When the door opened, a beautiful woman welcomed her. "Skylar, you're here!" She then hugged her.

"Y-yes, Auntie. It has been a while, b-but your hug is too tight, hehe."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Sky. I guess I missed you. Come inside now." Then they proceeded to go inside Hazel's house.

"I'm sorry, Sky. I didn't know you would visit because from what I heard, you have been busy with school lately. Time sure flies by so fast, you're going to college soon. So I didn't get to prepare, and you must be hungry. Please wait while I prepare food for you."

"It's okay, Auntie. I'll help you!"

---

Skylar and her aunt finished cooking. While doing so, they also took the time to catch up. How she missed spending time with her aunt. While preparing the dining table, someone opened the door.

"I'm home!"

"Kuya!" She then rushed to welcome him.

It was her cousin.