Submission novel Chapter 19

Dinner that night was chaotic. After such a stressful day, one would want to feel relaxed at home, to take a soak in a bubble bath, to wear comfy clothes and watch some TV with hot chocolate in a mug. All that went out the window when Liza suddenly had one of her mood swings, demanding a food carnival.

The kitchen was totally cluttered with dishes and bowls here and there, specks of flour on the countertop, cabinet doors open, pans and pots on the stove, and two women singing and dancing to their old favorite song Downtown.

When you're alone

And life is making you lonely

You can always go

Downtown

When you've got worries

All the noise and the hurries seem to help I know

Downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city

Linger on the sidewalks where the neon lights are pretty

How can you lose

The lights so much brighter there

You can forget all your troubles

Forget all your cares

So go Downtown

Things will be great where you're in Downtown...

"Liza! What's burning?!" I pointed my wooden spoon towards a smoking pan on the stove.

"Nothing Rosie! The meatballs are just getting a tan!" She twirled like a ballerina and headed over to the pan.

The music system was on full blast, while the sizzles and stirs from the kitchen accompanied by the song to create noise pollution. Not to mention two women who can't sing at all, shouting and screaming at the top of their voices.

Good thing that we don't have neighbors.

The menu was not that hefty if you consider meatball spaghetti, beef Wellington and cheesecake as the menu.

I think I should join the gym sooner.

"Oops! Downtown emergency!" Liza shouted and made her way towards the bathroom.

I smiled and switched off the music system, happy to have such a friend like Liza who can make all my worries disappear with just a snap of her fingers.

I pulled out the cheesecake from the oven and put it on the counter. Suddenly my eyes caught a piece of envelope tucked in the corner of the kitchen window from the outside.

A frown made its way towards my forehead. What is this doing here? I opened the window and tried to spot someone who might have tucked it there but all I saw was darkness shrouding the whole surroundings in a pitch-black cover. Gusts of wind blew my hair and only the faint rustle of leaves was heard.

I closed the window and averted my attention towards the envelope. It was a little wet with small chunks of snow on it. I flipped it over only to find the other side simple and blank.

It was deadly silent when I opened the letter and read out the contents which chilled me to the bone. Cold sweat made its way out of my scalp and trickled down to my forehead like a slithering snake.

Dear Rosa,