She's mine.

*Mia's POV*

"Mia, come over here and help out in the kitchen" my mom screamed from the kitchen.

"Coming mom," I screamed back from my room. Without wasting time, I stood up from my bed and ran straight to the kitchen to help Mom out.

It was Christmas Eve. Mom was preparing roasted turkey and white rice seasoned with garlic. I was so excited, Christmas was my favorite season of the year.

"Mom, where's Maya?" I asked.

"I don't know where she went," mom replied.

"Dodging from house chores, huh huh?" I teased.

"Just let her be and help me out. My God! you talk a lot" mom chided me.

Maya was my twin sister, we were identical twins, we looked so alike that people found it hard to differentiate us. Maya was a very lazy girl, a fashion freak, and a Spoilt brat, but then she was mom's favorite. Mom treated her with special care, attention and love that made me feel unwanted, unloved and neglected. Most times, I suffer from Mom's favoritism.

"Okay Mom" I replied and helped her in cooking.

An hour later, Maya walked into the house.

"Mom," she called gleefully.

"My precious daughter. I'm in here, in the kitchen" mom called out from the kitchen.

Maya ran over to the kitchen.

"How do I look?" She asked, turning around to show Mom her new outfit.

"Beautiful as always" Mom complimented.

"I see you've gotten a new dress," Mom added.

"Yes Mom. I'm so happy, thanks for giving me money to get a new dress for Christmas" Maya said.

"What mom? You gave Maya money for a new dress?" I asked.

I had asked Mom for money but she told me she didn't have any. But then she went ahead to give Maya money?

"Maya needs it more than you. She's way prettier" mom replied, shocking me.

"Mom, have you forgotten? We're identical. If Maya is pretty, so am I" I replied bitterly.

"What I meant was that you lack fashion sense Mia. Maya has more fashion sense and a nicer shape than you. She's worth spending my money on her" Mom replied harshly.

I swallowed hard. I was on the verge of tears. I was used to it already but each time mom supported and praised Maya over me, it brought fresh pains to my heart.

"Mom is right, Mia," Maya said and winked at me.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I blurted out. I knew I shouldn't have said that when I saw the expression on Mom's face, but I couldn't hold back anymore.

"I came into the world before Maya. You saw me first, held me first, so why love her so much and hate me?" I asked.

"Mia, shut up" mom said, it was a warning tone.

"I'm tired of always trying to please you. For the past twenty years of my life, I've been living my life just to please you. But yet, nothing. Maya does nothing, nothing at all but you're always at her Beck and call. Tell me what else should I do? I'm so tired, I'm tired" I screamed and ran out of the house wiping the tears rolling down my cheeks as I ran.

"Mia, Mia" I heard Maya call, but I didn't turn back. I kept running, running to my safe place.

We live in the poorest part of the village as we could barely survive. I've found comfort in a garden filled with different flowers, fragrance and sizes. And that was where I was running to.

I got to the garden, then fell to the grass and cried my eyes out. Mom just ruined today for me. I stayed there lamenting over my poor life till I started hearing screams of the villagers.

"Merry Christmas!!" I heard.

I stood up with a start, it's Christmas already! My favorite season! I can't let mom ruin it for me!

I must make sure I enjoy it to the fullest. I stood up, wiped my tears with the Hem of my dress and started to walk out from the garden.

Then I froze! A male figure was standing in front of me!

*Mia's POV*

I froze. A male figure was standing in front of me!

I recognized him instantly. He was Maya's crush. She was head over heels in love with him.

What was he doing here?

How did he find me here?

"Nicholas, what are you doing here?" I asked.

He started walking closer to me. I held my hand up to stop him.

"Stop, Don't come close." I said. I sensed something bad was about to happen.

He stopped.

"What are you doing here? Why are you here and not celebrating Christmas with your loved ones?" I asked.

"I'm here because I wanted to talk to you," he replied.

*Nicholas POV*

I had seen Mia run out from the house in tears and I decided to follow her. I've loved Mia since I was little, but she kept avoiding me. She never paid attention to me. I've tried talking to her so many times but she kept shunning me.

I was aware of the fact that her twin sister, Maya likes me a lot but I don't like her. And I'm pretty sure Mia is avoiding me because of Maya!

When I saw her leave her house, I took the opportunity to follow her and have a talk with her. I got there when she was about to leave.

*Mia's POV*

"Talk to me about what?" I asked.

He started walking towards me again.

"I said you shouldn't come close" I repeated sternly but this time, he didn't pay heed to me. He came close to me and held my arm.

I winced in fear and looked around. There was no one in sight, just me and Nicholas.

"Let me go," I said coldly.

"Mia, I really need to talk to you" he said.

"I don't want to hear anything from you," I replied. I was afraid of what Maya's going to do if she sees us like this.

"But you need to know. I love you Mia, I've loved you since we were little" he blurted out.

Shock registered on my face.

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

"I love you so much Mia, I really do. I met you when I was ten, now I'm twenty four and I'm still in love with you. Give me a chance" he pleaded.

"I thought you like Maya?" I blurted out.

"Maya?" He repeated and gave a short laugh.

"What Maya? You're the one I love" he replied.

"Why me? Maya's perfect, she's prettier than me, she's smarter than me, so why me?" I asked. I was still finding it hard that he chose me over Maya.

Like who would choose me over Maya?

Was he out of his senses?

"Why nothing? You're the one I love not Maya" he replied and tightened his hold on my arm.

"Let go of my arm," I said. He didn't pay heed, instead he tightened it more and I winced in pain.

"Tell me you love me. Tell me you are going to be mine, Mia" he said, he was getting possessive.

"You're hurting me," I said.

"I'm sorry Mia, but I'll do anything just to have you by my side" he said and tried to pull me into his arms.

I pulled myself back with force and pushed him hard on his chest, causing him to step back a little.

"What are you trying to do? What are you thinking?" I asked with fear.

"Mia, I love you" he said and pulled me close to him again. Then he bent his head and tried to kiss me forcefully.

I slapped him hard on his face and made to run but he held me back. I struggled to be free but it was fruitless, he was way stronger than me.

"Stop Nicholas, don't do this" I pleaded as new tears threatened to fall.

But he didn't listen, he forcefully placed his lips on mine, claiming it hungrily. The more I opened my mouth to protest and struggle, the more he deepened the kiss. He held my hands firm that I wasn't able to move away.

"Please stop. I'm begging you" I mumbled.

"God, you're driving me crazy!" He said into my mouth.

His hands started fumbling the top of my dress, and then got hold of my breasts in his hands. I froze in shock.

What was happening?

I started struggling to free myself, this time with much force. When he let go of my mouth to suckle on my already exposed breasts, I took the opportunity to scream.

It was useless. No one was in sight. This garden was far from the villagers.

Who asked me to run away from home?

This was all mom's fault! If she hadn't provoked me, I wouldn't have left home.

"This is no time to blame," my inner voice said.

And with that, I kept on screaming on the top of my lungs.

"Shut the fuck up"Nicholas screamed and held my mouth tight to stop me from screaming.

I think my screams made him angrier as he became aggressive. He pushed me to the grass, and laid on top of me. I was helpless under him, he was bigger than me and stronger than me.

"Please, don't do this. I'm begging you" I cried.

"Why can't you love me Mia? Why make things hard for us?" Nicholas asked as he unbuckled his belt on his trousers. My eyes widened in shock as the realization of what was about to happen dawned on me. I was about to get raped!

I started kicking into the air.

"You can't get away from me," he said.

He pulled his trousers down and raised the hem of my gown. My laps came into view. He raised it higher till he was able to see my panties. Then he used a hand to hold me back, the other he used to shift my panties, and without hesitating, he slid his manhood into my v****a.

I screamed loud, the pain was unbearable. Tears rolled freely down my cheeks. But he didn't seem to mind, he kept on thrusting in and out in pleasure while I laid under him crying my eyes out and watching helplessly as I was been raped.

My worst Christmas ever!

*Nicholas POV*

I got off from Mia after I had released inside her. Then my eyes widened in shock, realization dawned on me.

What have I done??

God, what was I thinking?

Mia still laid on the grass, sobbing.

How could I hurt the girl I claimed to love?

"Bloody hell" I screamed and raked my fingers through my hair. Then I went closer to Mia.

"Mia, I'm sorry. God, I didn't know what I was thinking" I said and made to touch her. But she slapped my hand away and flinched in fear.

"Don't touch me!" She said in a very deadly tone.

She sat up holding her dress to her chest. I looked down and saw bloodstains on the grass.

She was a virgin?

I was the first?

What a cruel way to take her virginity!

"I'm so sorry Mia, I didn't know what I was thinking. God, what have I done?"I exclaimed. I was tearing up too.

"I hate you" she said in a low deadly tone.

"I hate you," she said again. This time she screamed loudly.

"I hate you so much. I regret ever knowing you, I regret ever meeting you, you're such a monster and you shouldn't have been born" she spat out in pain and I flinched.

"I'm so sorry, hit me, kick me, pass your anger on me" I said. I was crying now.

Slowly, she stood up from the grass. Twice, she staggered and made to fall, I leaped up to help her but the cold and deadly look she gave me stopped me.

"I. Said. Don't. Touch.Me" she repeated, putting emphasis on each word.

Then with that, she staggered away from me and out of the garden.

I was at a loss, I didn't know what to do. I had caused so much pain to the woman I love so much.

Why did I lose control of myself?

Will she ever forgive me?

"I'm so sorry Mia" I whispered.

*Mia's POV*

I staggered all the way through the village till I got to my house. The villagers were in merriment, as they were all celebrating Christmas, and so no one noticed me staggering and crying on the road.

I opened the door and staggered in. Mom was about to pop a champagne, a champagne she's been saving since for Christmas.

Looks like they didn't miss me seeing the mood they're in.

Maya noticed how battered I looked first.

"My God Mia, what happened to you?" She asked as she walked to meet me.

Mom looked up, then she stood up and came to meet me too.

I collapsed on a couch as fresh tears came rolling down my cheeks. If crying was to be a profession, I would have been a billionaire by now. I've cried a lot!

"What happened to you?"came the concerned voice of my sister, Maya.

Maya was a Spoilt lazy brat, yes! But she's also sweet and caring.

I couldn't say a thing. I kept on crying.

"Talk Mia, what's wrong?" Mom asked.

"I was raped" I blurted out.

"Raped?" Mom and Maya chorused.

"Raped? Mia, you were raped?" Maya asked in disbelief. I nodded.

"Jesus Christ" she screamed.

"By whom??" Mom asked, with concern in her voice.

I couldn't say anything, I kept on crying.

"Talk Mia" mom commanded.

"Nicholas" I finally said.

"What!!" Maya exclaimed and moved back in shock.

"Nicholas? You mean Nicholas Walker?" Mom asked. I nodded.

"The fuck..." mom started to swear but stopped Midway.

"You mean Nicholas raped you? My own Nicholas?" Maya asked, she was still finding it hard to believe.

"Yes," I replied.

"How did it happen and where?" Mom screamed. She was really angry and it made me wonder if her concern was real.

I explained everything that happened to them.

"That's not true!" Maya exclaimed when I was done explaining.

"Nicholas told you he's in love with you?" Maya asked. I didn't answer.

"Answer me!" She screamed. I nodded my head.

"That's a lie. Nicholas loves me, how can he love you? Who would choose you over me?" Maya said and my heart broke. I looked at mom but she just stood watching, watching Maya say those hurtful words to me. I needed someone to console me not this!

"Tell me, you seduced him right? You seduced him and here you are claiming he raped you. You seduced him!" Maya screamed and my heart shattered into pieces.

"I didn't, I swear. I didn't seduce him, he raped me" I cried, defending myself.

"Not true, you seduced him. Nicholas can never rape you, he's too good for that" Maya said.

"You should believe me Maya, I'm your sister, your twin sister, your blood" I screamed.

"Shut up. I don't believe you, Nicholas can never love you, he doesn't find girls like you attractive. You seduced him, you snake. You knew I liked him so much yet you went ahead to seduce him. You've always wanted what was mine, you've been jealous of me. And now you have the guts to seduce my man?" Maya asked bitterly. She was crying now.

"That's not true. I didn't do anything, I had nothing to do with Nicholas" I defended, crying bitterly.

"Liar! Liar!!" Maya screamed.

"I hate you!" She said and ran out of the house.

"Maya, Maya" mom called and made to go after her. I held her back.

"Mom, believe me, I didn't do anything, I didn't seduce Nicholas" I said to her. She stared at me hard, freed herself from my grip and ran after Maya.

I was left alone with no one to stand by me. Mom and Maya didn't believe me! My family didn't believe me!

God why me?

"Why me???" I screamed.

****

The noise Maya and mom made when they came in woke me up. I didn't know I had fallen asleep on the couch after I had cried my eyes out.

"Maya, Mom" I called weakly.

"Not a word from you!" Maya commanded. Then she walked to our room, a room we both shared.

"Go get cleaned up" Mom said to me and left for her room. I was left alone once again.

This Christmas wasn't good at all. And then I ruined Mom and Maya's Christmas too.

I forced myself to get up from the couch, then walked slowly to the room, dreading to face Maya again.

When I got into the room, I saw Maya lying on the bed with her face buried in her pillow. She was sobbing, I didn't know how to comfort her. I needed to comfort myself too.

I walked into the bathroom to take my bath, after removing all my clothes, I started to bathe. When I got to my private part, I stopped. It still hurts like hell. My teachers had told me in secondary school that having sex for the first time hurts, they didn't tell me it was this painful. I washed down there carefully, not wanting to increase the pain. Because I did everything slowly, I wasted a lot of time in the bathroom.

When I was finally done bathing, I came out of the bathroom with my towel tied on my breasts. I glanced towards the bed, Maya wasn't there.

Where was she?

I walked to the wardrobe and pulled out my pajamas and wore them. I was returning a cloth to the wardrobe when I noticed it was looking empty. In fact, it was only my clothes that remained hanging in the wardrobe. Maya's clothes were gone!

I looked around and saw that her big bag was missing.

"Maya, Maya" I called aloud.

No response.

"Maya" I shouted.

No response!

Then a note on the bed caught my attention. I picked it up and saw Maya's handwriting. I read the contents of the note aloud.

"Left home. Don't look for me!"

Maya left home?

"Mom, mom" I called and ran out of the room to Mom's room breathing hard.

"What's wrong?" Mom asked after I had opened the door hurriedly without knocking.

"It's Maya" I replied, panting hard.

She sat up with full force. She had been lying down when I came in.

"What happened to Maya?" Mom asked.

"She's gone. She left home" I replied and mom's eyes widened in shock.