POV: Miguel
“Oh, I can help! What’s her name?” she asked excitedly. Her enthusiasm was infectious. I couldn’t help smiling along with her. Looking closely, I don’t think she is the same age as me. She is younger than me, way younger than me. Just that she is looking so unkempt and hungry, I wonder if he is starving her on purpose.
“Marisol,” I replied, the name bittersweet on my lips. The smile disappeared on my face as I mentioned her name. I can’t believe I’d wasted my time to come here, she is obviously not the one I’m looking for. Although if I must admit, she is quite cute and cheerful.
She has the same round face as Marisol, the same dark, curly hair, and cute dimples. I’d used pictures of her that were sent to me to recreate her picture as a baby. She looked so much like my sister as a baby, it’s hard to imagine that I’m making a mistake again. As I looked at her, I tried to see if I could find any similarities between us, no matter how little.
But there was none…
Mom had said that my sister and I were very identical as babies. The only difference between us was that I was a boy and she was a girl. Apart from our gender, it was practically impossible to tell us apart as kids. In my heart, I knew I would recognize her if I saw her, sometimes I imagined that I would meet her on the street one of these days.
When I’m alone, I always wonder if she is even aware that her family is searching for her. Is she searching for me like I’m searching for her, is she eager to meet me like I am eager to meet her?
“Marisol! I’ll remember that name because it’s such a beautiful name. What does she look like?
She must be so beautiful because you are such a handsome man. Where is she now, do you have a clue?” she asked me curiously, trying so hard to be of help to me. I felt so sad in my heart. I hesitated a little, my heart squeezing painfully at the memory I have of Marisol.
“She has curly hair like yours. And she laughs a lot, just like you do. She makes everyone around her to smile always. I have no idea where she could be, I have no clue how to locate her, none at all.” I confessed sadly. The girl pondered this for a moment, her face looking confused. She obviously finds it strange that I do not even know so much about the said sister.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone like that. But I’ll keep an eye out! You know, if you find her, we can have a big party! I’ll bring the cupcakes! They’re my favorite,” she said, her excitement bubbling over. I chuckled at her words despite the weight pressing down on me.
“Cupcakes sound good. I’d like that.” I told her honestly. You know, cupcakes are one of my favorite snacks and I’ve always wanted to share cupcakes with my sister. I’ve dreamt of a day when we would just chill out and have cupcakes and coffee together. It seems quite weird that she would mention my favorite snacks.
If I wasn’t standing right next to her right now, and if she wasn’t younger than me, I would have said that we might actually be sisters. I mean, what are the odds that we have so many similarities and share the same humor. She could pass for a female version of me if only she had my deep blue eyes and pointed nose which is a trademark of our family.
“My name is Miguel Myers. Tell me, What is your name, and How old are you?
Do you know anything about your family?” I asked like a fucking moron, earning a funny look from her. I’m not supposed to ask all this, but I can already tell that she is younger than I am, I can see her eyes and nose are a bit different from ours too. But I just couldn’t help it, I just couldn’t over the little similarities between us, I had to clarify this and put it to rest before moving on to another caller.
“My name is Claire, I’m eighteen years old, Mister Miguel, and I lived with my mom and my big sister Victoria. Our dad is Austin Kendall and he has a new wife and a third daughter. Is that all you wish to know about me?” she asked me, smiling so beautifully. I felt my eyes tearing up once more and I had to blink suddenly before my tears spilled down my cheeks.
“Yes, Clair. That is all I want to know. I should never have bothered you, I’m sorry I did,” I told her sadly as I just realized that my intel was wrong again. I was told that she has no family and she looks just like me. But it turns out that she knows everything about her family including the extended family.
The question still remains that if she has a family and if she truly knows everything about her family like she claims, then what the hell is she doing in Dominic’s house, and why does she look like a common slave or prisoner in his house?
I turned the other way to his my tears and sadness, but after I regained my composure, I turned back to her and smiled sadly as I explained to her that it seemed the information I got while I was at home was wrong after all. She smiled and leaned in closer, a conspiratorial whisper escaping her lips.
“I know you love and miss your sister, but you have to be careful, okay?
This city is full of tricksters who pretend to be nice. I’m guessing that they just want to take advantage of this situation and make money from you, right?” she asked, shaking her head sadly. A twinge of pain shot through me as she said the exact words that are troubling me right now. How had this little girl, so wrapped in innocence, caught a glimpse of something I feared so much, how was she so beautiful as wise at the same time?
“You’re right. I have to be careful.” I responded with a sad smile playing on my lips. Now I feel guilty for wanting to turn back and leave her in the same terrible condition that I just found her. That would have been very selfish and wicked.
“I’m going to be careful from now on, Claire. I would try not to make silly mistakes again. How about you, will you take your own advice and stop making stupid mistakes?” I asked her with concern written all over my face.
“Of course, I will. I have decided to change my ways and start listening better. Just like I always tell my big sister ” she said earnestly, before her expression shifted to one of concern. Her words suddenly stopped, it’s as though she is a robot that was suddenly switched off with a remote.
“Are you okay?” I asked with concern, pulling her down to sit by my side on the sidewalk. She hesitated a little, but she caved in after much convincing and appeal. With that simple question and kind gesture, the dam that had held back the tumult of her emotions threatened to burst.