Shuffle Playlist: Big Girls Cry by Sia.
Luna Estates-Beverly Hills.
Sabrina was applying her facial cream when the words of Vincent came to mind. She sighed and mumbled.
''How can I tell you the truth? How can I tell you that I am using you to prolong my life?'' Sabrina looked at the timer in her hand.
''These past few days, he has helped me prolong my life. Just been in the same space with him gave me three months' worth of time added to my total years. I shouldn't be too greedy. Is obvious he finds me disgusting. There is no need trying to cling to him.''
Sabrina stood up and went to lay on her bed. She covered her body with the quilt and closed her eyes to sleep.
….
Ground Pavilion Mansions.
The Maraj mansion, that same night.
Inside the mansion, at the dining table.
''Ce, eat more. You have grown skinny.'' Mrs. Ethel Maraj said as she placed more meat inside Celia's plate. She cared for Celia like she would her own daughter.
''Thank you, aunt.'' Celia smiled happily and ate the food. She had grown up in this household and was familiar with Mrs. Maraj.
''Vincent, Ce left her work and came back to support you. She is interested in the female lead. Ce is a very good actress, why don't you let her have the role?'' Mrs. Maraj asked.
''Mum, the role will only go to the one who do well during the audition. I can't show favoritism in my workplace. Since Celia has attended the audition, the role will naturally go to her if she qualifies for it.'' Vincent was strict when it came to work and he didn't like getting his family involved.
''Aunt, it's alright. I have confidence in myself.'' Celia said shyly.
''Vincent, when do you plan to get engaged? Celia has been busy touring, but she is back now. You should start thinking of settling down. You are not getting any younger.'' Mr. Ben Maraj spoke.
Vincent placed his fork at the side and looked at his parents. ''Is this why I was invited to this dinner?'' He chuckled. ''I was wondering why the sudden invitation to have dinner when we hardly communicate.''
''Vincent, calm down.'' Mrs. Maraj tried to intervene. Vincent didn't have the best relationship with his father due to past events.
''Mum, Dad, I am not going to get engaged to Celia. I have always seen her as my little sister.'' Vincent stated.
Celia's face distorted. She clenched the fork in her hand tightly and bit her lips.
''Nonsense! Celia is not your sister. You and her grew up together. No one knows you better than she does. She cares about you and has been waiting for you. Don't tell me you are still grieving that woman?'' Mr. Maraj banged his palm on the table as he spoke.
''Ben…'' Mrs. Maraj held her husband's hand.
''Uncle, calm down. Vincent, uncle is just looking out for you. You don't have to be angry.'' Celia spoke.
''In any case, I will never get engaged to Celia. She is a sister to me and that will never change. But if you want me to get engaged that badly, I don't mind bringing a woman to meet you.'' Vincent picked his phone from the side and walked out.
'Stop there!'' Mr. Ben Maraj shouted but Vincent continued to strode out.
''Vincent… Celia, go after him.'' Mrs. Maraj said and Celia stood up. She ran after Vincent and caught up with him outside the house.
''Vincent, wait…'' Celia called.
''What is it?'' Vincent turned to face Celia.
''Vincent, do you really see me as your sister?'' Celia asked.
''Haven't I made that clear enough?''
''But I've never taken you as my brother. Vincent, I really love you.'' Celia attempted to hold Vincent's hand and he stepped away.
''That's enough, Celia. I don't want to hear it. Stop letting my parents influence you. It is impossible between us.''
''Then, the woman you want to bring to aunt and uncle, is she… is she that woman?'' Celia clasped her hands anxiously as she asked.
''That is my business. You don't need to get involved in it.'' Vincent replied and got into his car and drove away.
Celia clenched her fists tightly. She had a feeling that there was something between Vincent and Sabrina. Even though she didn't have the evidence, but the scandal between them was enough for her to suspect their relationship.
She recalled how lenient Vincent was and prevented Sabrina from apologizing to her. His words were also misleading.
....
Luna Estates-Beverly Hills.
Sabrina woke up very early to take a run around the neighborhood. It was her daily routine to exercise by running around the neighborhood. She would usually come out around 4AM, when others are still asleep.
Sabrina was running with her earpieces plucked on. She was listening to music from her playlist which included songs from Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Tate McRae, Billie Eilish and Lauren Spencer Smith. She had carefully curated this list with all her favorite songs from the artistes and enjoyed working out with the songs playing in the background.
Sabrina slowed down when she saw light from one of the buildings. This was the first time she was seeing light or the existence of a human being in the building. Since moving into her villa with Tia and Bia three years ago, she hadn't seen the owner of the villa.
Even though everyone in the estates minded their own business, it was not rare to bump into a neighbor once in a while but it was strange that she hadn't met the owner of the villa.
The villa was a bit different from the rest of the villas. The beige colored walls of the outside and the flower beds were different. All the villas had similar flower beds and plants but the plants and flowers in this particular villa was purple allium.
Now that she was thinking about it, that person had placed purple allium on the gravestone that day.
Sabrina shook her head. ''Sabrina, what are you thinking of?''
Sabrina ran past the villa and continued her exercise. As soon as she left, Vincent walked out of the said villa and began his running exercise.
...…..
''Darling, when did you wake up to prepare all these?'' Tia asked when she came out of her bedroom and saw the table full with food.
Sabrina wiped her hands with the napkin after washing them. She smiled and pulled out one of the chairs for Tia.
''Darling, you've worked hard these past few days. I just wanted to surprise you with breakfast. See, did I miss something?'' Sabrina asked.
Tia sat down and chuckled. ''No, you didn't miss anything.''
''Eat!''
''What about the girls?'' Tia turned and looked at Bia's room. Last night, Lucia had slept in Bia's room.
''They've gone shopping. Lucia said she is taking Bia out for some fresh air. They will be back later in the day.''
''I see.'' Tia picked up her cutlery to eat.
''Darling, I saw light from the villa this morning. It seems the owner is back.'' Sabrina started a little chat with Tia.
''Which villa?'' Tia was a little confused.
''Purple Allium.''
''Really? Is the owner a man or a woman?''
They began to gossip.
''I don't know. I didn't see them. I only saw the light from one of the bedrooms.''
''Let me tell you a secret. I heard from the neighbors that a lady used to live there but she passed away a long time ago. Since then, the villa has remained unoccupied. The only people that enter the villa are either cleaners or housekeepers. They do regular repairs too.'' Tia had curiously asked a few neighbors about the owner of the villa.
''That sounds a bit chilling. I am going to stop using that route. Whoever is staying in that villa, I don't want to know or meet them.'' Sabrina shook her head.
''Have you heard from Tyme Magazine concerning the audition outcome?'' Tia asked.
''Not yet. The audition was just yesterday. It might take a while before we hear anything of it.''
''I saw you brought the dress back. When do you plan to return it to Mr. Maraj?''
''I'm not returning it. Vincent found out I am trying to get closer to him for a reason. He said if I can't be honest with him, then, I should stay away from him.''
''Then, be honest with him.''
''How? You want me to tell him I have an invisible timer on my wrist and once it runs out, I am going to die but his presence prolongs my life? Do you think he will believe me?'' Sabrina shook her head.
''That's true. I took me five years and the death of your brother to make me believe in that invisible timer.''
''That's right! You have been friends with me for a long time but when I first mentioned the timer, you thought I was crazy. How can I tell him that I am cursed to die before my 30th birthday and only him can save me?''
Tia sighed and picked up a glass of juice to sip. ''What about yesterday? Did you notice any changes since being with him the whole day?''