Have you ever woken up at four in the morning just to sit at the roof of your house and watch as the sun appears from behind the horizon? It's a beautiful experience if you ask me.

To watch the small pure orange-red colored orb slowly appear out of the clouds, filling the entire sky with colors and patterns our poor human eyes cannot even begin to decipher, it's magical and calming in its own little way.

It was a coping mechanism for me. Watching the sunrise every morning while sitting on the roof, sipping on a mug of coffee, and snuggling into a small fuzzy blanket was the only thing that helped me live through the entire day. Those twenty or so minutes of complete artistic bliss reminded me of the beauty of life and its creator. Deep? I know. But what else can you expect from a girl who writes songs for a living, eh?

The sun had now visibly risen above the horizon and I could hear the faint whispers of the city waking up all around me. Sighing peacefully, I stood up from my warm place and folded up the blanket. A cold breeze ran past me making the goosebumps at the back of my neck rise up. The winter was slowly setting in.

Making my way back to my room, I took a relaxing warm shower to soothe my slightly sore muscles, and then stepping out I tugged on a pair of skinny blue jeans and a light brown loosely knit sweater, letting my wet hair fall around my face naturally. A faint knock on the door drew my attention and I walked over to open it. " Good morning Miss Johnson. Breakfast is ready. Would you like to have it downstairs or here in your room? " Clara's sweet face welcomed me. I smiled at her, but before I could have said anything, an annoying voice interrupted me. "She'll be having breakfast downstairs, Clara, with all of us. " Clara nodded professionally and silently headed down the stairs.

"I don't remember when I gave you the permission to make decisions for me, Aunt Stella. " I said in a low voice with a sarcastic smile dancing on my lips. God, I hated this woman. " Oh sweetheart, I just wanted to eat breakfast with my favorite niece today. I know it's that day today, it must be-" I glared at her effectively shutting her up in the middle of her fake sympathy speech. " Don't you dare talk about that, " I growled lowly still throwing daggers at her. "Oh Evie, I was just trying to lessen your pain, sweetie, I know you miss them so much, " She cooed in her high-pitched voice irking my insides to the point where I was inches away from strangling her.

" Drop the act Stella, there aren't any cameras around here, " I grumbled and turned to walk down the stairs. " Oh Evie, it's not an act, dear, I care for you, after all, I'm the only family you have now, " She said, humor lacing her undertone. I was so done with her and her bitchy ways of always reminding me that I didn't have anyone to call family. Even when I was a little girl with no clue about why I didn't have parents like the rest of the kids in my class, she made sure to make me more miserable about it. " You're anything but family, Stella, " I said looking over my shoulder while walking down to the dining room.

I sat down silently at the ridiculously large table and served myself food. It never made sense to me to have such a large dining table when there were only two of us living here. The fact that we hadn't had one guest in this house ever since the death of my parents didnt help either.

After a few calm minutes, Stella entered the room and I lifted my head up to see a mischievous glint in her eyes. I cocked my head to the side a little, not understanding what her motives were. "Jenna darling, did you dust all the rooms as I asked you? " She called out to one of the maids. I furrowed my eyebrows trying to figure out where this was coming from. She never checked in with the maids' work until after she had her breakfast, so what was her intention right now?

" Y-yes I did, Madam Stella, " Jenna stuttered, lowering her eyes to the floor. I felt bad for the poor girl. Stella was always very rude to the workers of the mansion. " You did? Then why do I still see so much dust on this mantle, huh? " Stella drew out her sentence dramatically while walking towards the mantle and running her finger over its surface as if to collect some dust on it. My eyes widened in panic, as her hand skimmed dangerously close to the photo frame of my parents and I hastily got out of my seat to prevent anything from happening to it.

But I was too late.

She intentionally bumped the frame with the back of her hand and before I could have done anything, the loud sound of glass crashing on the floor echoed through the room.

The sound triggered memories.

Memories that I had tried to keep as buried under my soul as possible. Memories that gave me nightmares. I gasped at the sight, tears blurring my vision. I clenched my fists at my sides and slowly lifted my head to see the victorious smirk on her face. This was her payback for what I had said earlier. These were the bitch-ass ways that I was talking about.

Locking my jaw in place, I sauntered over to the short stout red-headed woman who had left no stone unturned to make my life a living hell. Towering over her with my 5'8 self, I whispered near her ear so the staff wouldn't hear, " One day you're gonna regret this Stella, you're gonna regret everything you ever did to me. " I glared into her eyes and saw her smirking back at me.

Yes, I fucking hated this woman.

She looked up at me with an evil smile on her face and shrugged casually, " Oh well, accidents happen, never mind. Let's go sit and see how many of your albums were sold today, shall we? It was the release day today, right! I've already called up Alex, he'll be here soon, " and with that, she waltzed out of the room like nothing had happened at all. As if she didn't just intentionally try to trigger my bad memories. As if she didn't just break the last photo frame I had of my parents in this house. My eyes brimmed with unshed tears and I ticked my jaw.

I was done. This was beyond my breaking point.

Stomping upstairs to my room, I quickly pulled a duffle bag out of my cupboard and threw some clothes and other necessities in it. Zipping it up I threw it over one shoulder and slung my guitar case over the other. I entered the password to the safe inside my wardrobe and stashed all the cash and my credit card from it inside my pockets.

A small slip of paper tucked in the corner of the safe caught my eye and I suddenly knew what I was supposed to do now. I took a photo of the slip in my phone, tore it to pieces so no one else would get to it, and then stormed out of the room. I quickly called up Rick, the head of my security and also my only friend, and asked him to get me a gun and meet me at the front door. One of the best things about Rick was that he never asked questions. Reaching the front door, I could hear the high-pitched voice of Stella laughing and celebrating the apparent success of the album.

My album. She was laughing and enjoying my success. That bitch!

Strengthening my resolve more, I snatched the keys to my car from the counter and grabbed the gun from Rick's hand. I hugged him in gratitude for everything that he had ever done for me and even after hearing his hushed requests to stay and not do this, I walked out of the door with an intention of never coming back.

Never.

********

• Author's note •

What do you think of the prologue, let me know in the comment section :)

QOTD:- What is one thing you like to start your day with?

I really like to start my day with a steaming cup of milk and probably a good song just to set the vibe. :)

Much love

M :)