The past

After school time had ended, Lilliana was tired of the school activities and excited to go home. Her best friend, Erica followed her out to the parking lot where Lilliana got into her car, offering Erica a ride.

"Why don't you come over today? Auntie Sarah said something about birthday party, so I think we are to celebrate it." Lilliana said excitedly.

Erica nodded enthusiastically, calling her mom to let her know she won't be home early. Erica's mom was barely home herself, always throwing herself with work. Since her dad divorce her mom, she forgot she had a child, barely showing up to be in touch with her daughter. Guess she was busying herself with work to keep her mind off her ex husband and focus on work.

Lilliana often felt sorry for Erica, she noticed that she tried to act nonchalant bottling up her sadness... not wanting to reveal her vulnerability, making Lilliana feel pity for her. But she kept mute since her best friend doesn't want to talk about it.

The two girls jammed to their favourite songs the entire ride. Lilliana laughed as Erica rapped to Nikki Minaj's 'MEGATRON'

Once they were inside the house, auntie Sarah greeted both girls and Lilliana noticed her aunt's anxiety when she was told that Erica would be joining the birthday celebration tonight.

"Really?" Auntie Sarah smile faltered a bit at the news.

"It's no problem, I can come sometime other time if tonight is family only." Erica forced a smile, realising that maybe she wasn't welcome.

"Don't be silly, Erica. What family are you talking about?,we don't have family remember?" Lilliana said jauntily. "Isn't that so aunt Sarah?"

Lilliana face fell when she noticed the guilty look on her aunt's face.

"Right?" Lilliana asked in a shaky voice, trying to get a reply.

"Now Lil honey...I think we need to talk..." She looked over to Erica and smiled apologetically "Erica... I'm sorry, you're always welcome but tonight... tonight I need to speak with Lilliana regarding her parents.

Erica nodded in understanding casting a worried look towards her best friend. "Okay, don't worry ma! I'll leave before the guest arrive. Let me hang out for some minutes and....save me a piece of cake" Erica said with a big smile.

"I'll send a piece with Lilliana for you tomorrow" aunt Sarah assured.

After, the two girls had spent a great deal of time in Lilliana's room wondering what was going to happen tonight.

* * *

While Lilliana drove Erica home, she tried to cheer Lilliana up "maybe... maybe it's your parent's lawyer with a will telling you, you're really a millionaire"

Lilliana smiled sideways at Erica as she turned into the residential area and parked at the front of her best friend's building.

"Maybe,' Lilliana said skeptically as Erica got out and wave her friend 'goodluck'.

Erica has been a wonderful friend to her. There were times when Erica would simply tell her she needed to stay over and Lilliana always understood that it meant Erica's mom was in one of her 'moods'

No question, no judgement. Erica knew she would always count on Lilliana and aunt Sarah to welcome her with open arms and extra bed.

Therefore, Erica didn't mind at all when she was asked to be excused, understanding that tonight must be something really important for Lilliana.

As Lilliana drove back home, she preoccupied her mind with thoughts of who could the mysterious guest be that were coming over for a birthday dinner tonight.

Pulling into the driveway, Lilliana noted the black Bentley already parked beside the garden.

The cool September's night air made Lilliana dig her hands into the pocket of her white jacket as her boot clapped against the staircase leading to the main door.

Inhaling the familiar homely scent of the house she had ever known. Not knowing that after tonight, her world would turn upside down.

Casually walking into the living room, the first person Lilliana noticed was a young man with wavy blond hair and muscular build was sitting on her favourite sofa chair. His warm brown eyes gave her a scan from head to toe before he looked away towards... towards...

Lilliana stood still, like she was electrocuted.

The man sitting on the sofa was an exact replica of the picture of her dad she had in her room.

"What?... what is going on?" Lilliana asked confusedly. The man, who looked like her father, stood up, coming over to give her a bear hug.

"My baby...my dear Lilliana..." he squeezed her hard making her breathless.

"D...dad?" Lilliana stuttered, unable to believe it.

"I...I thought you were...dead?" She trailed off blankly, her mind still not registering the reality so clearly staring front of her.

"No child, I'm alive and healthy her dad said with a smily face.

His dark hazel eyes an exact replica of hers. "But...but..." She whispered confusedly, trying to figure out how the story her aunt told is true.

Was aunt Sarah really that cruel to lie to her about her parents? Or was this all some big misunderstanding?

"Lilliana honey" auntie Sarah finally spoke up from behind Lilliana's dad on the couch. She looked as pale as a ghost, her hands were clasped together tightly.

"Calm down dear...I...I think I need to explain... tell you everything from the beginning,"

Lilliana stared at her accusingly. Had she been lied to? However, right now the curiosity bubbled up inside her made her stay silent waiting for her aunt to start talking.

And so, in response to Lilliana's silence, auntie Sarah started her story...

Flashing back...........

"AHHHHH!!!" Farrah screamed as she gave one final push and the room was filled with the shriek of an infant.

"It's a girl" the nurse smiled warmly.

"A girl!" Her husband, Thomson, proclaimed proudly caressing his wife arm as he was filled with emotion.

"I love you, Farrah! Thank you... thank you for birthing our child," he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Is she fine?" Farrah asked weakly, holding her arms for the crying baby.

"She's beautiful!" The nurse exclaimed, handing over the baby.

""Lilliana..." She whispered smiling weakly, she looked up at her husband "Thomson I want to name her Lilliana"

"Lilliana it is!" Thomson exclaimed and gently carried her and gave her to the nurse to clean.

"I don't feel too good, Thomson" Farrah whispered weakly closing her eyes.

Suddenly there was commotion outside as the nurse hurried back excited with the baby.

"She bares the mark of the future Luna!" The nurse proclaimed.