People talk about pain but nothing hurts like death.
The joy it steals from you, the quietness it instills in you, the dark hole it locks you in, how much your own mind forces you to remember even when you wish to forget.
They say it hurts more to be left behind. There is no lie in it.
Family and friends gathered round all dressed in black. The weather was fair and the sky beautiful, one would say the heavens gained an angel.
Before the tomb with a bouquet of flowers in her hands stood a lady wearing a black laced dress. She wore dark shades to conceal her sore eyes doing her best to maintain composure.
There were no words to say. No feelings to express, She was just- frozen in her own space.
Being an only child without the presence of a mother could be tough but Leo Ortega had done his best being both parents for most of her life.
Mostly she felt rage and resentment for the creator. She had been fervent in prayers since the doctors scheduled the surgery.
Colon cancer was the diagnosis. Leo was more bothered with matters of finance believing he ate well enough to remain healthy.
She remembered how even he couldn't believe the diagnosis at first. He went for more and more scans to confirm but it didn't change the result.
The heartache it caused her watching her dad go from flesh to bones. How he had to be carried like a baby, how he could no longer smile, how his voice had gone from vibrant to less audible.
Her sixth sense did try to prepare her for the worse but her faith had pushed her to hold on and she held on for nothing.
She got the news of his death from her Aunt Amy at midnight. Oh she had never cried that much.
But this day was the day she was faced with reality- he wasn't coming back.
The reception hall was exotic. The flowers- pretty, the guests- hungry.
As she walked in, her eyes fell on everyone present. She felt disgusted.
The truth is, no one really matters, after death, everyone just wants to forget you.
Olivia could see their faces, tears at the cemetery, and laughter at the reception.
People wining and dining to their satisfaction only further threw light on the synopsis of life.
She couldn't wait for the day to end. She just wanted to sleep.
Knock-knock
Olivia heard on her room's door. She was still in her clothes and laid on the bed silent.
The door opened up, revealing the figure of Aunt Amy.
Amy was a fine woman in her forties. She had big blue eyes and a pronounced nose.
She wore heels and walked elegantly in them. She looked sober but once her eyes fell on Olivia, she fake a bright look.
She locked the door carefully and walked over to the bed. Sitting on it, she placed her hand softly on Olivia's leg.
"You haven't eaten anything all day." Amy said.
"I am not hungry." She replied.
"Dad never liked you skipping meals." Amy said.
"Well, he isn't here, is he?" Olivia responded.
Amy heaved a sigh.
"I need you to understand something. Nothing would make him happier than seeing you doing just fine." Amy assured her.
"I just want him back.." Olivia replied, tears rolling down her face.
"I assure you, the pain will get better." Amy told her. "Now, you eat." Amy sounded stern.
"I can't stand the guests." Olivia said.
Amy smiled.
"You are his only daughter. Believe me, there is a lot you are about to not like which is why you must be strong enough." Amy told her.
Olivia moved her eyes to rest on her.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"The lawyer called, the Will will be read tomorrow afternoon." Amy informed her.
"Did you hear that, José?" Camila whispered to her husband. She was dressed like a model, pretty and had a large black hat on crossing across her face.
They had been eavesdropping by the door.
"Why are they being secretive about it? I mean, we should be at that meeting, I am his only brother. No one more capable to handle his businesses than my humble self." José spoke both confidently and irritated.
"You never listened to me. Being a slave to your brother all these years and now clearly you have nothing to gain from him, how does that feel?" Camila whispered.
"What do you suggest we do?" José asked her worriedly.
"He will give it all to Olivia. Amy is too emotional to run a business so that leaves you being the next capable person.
Olivia is the threat, tonight, we must eliminate her or we don't stand a chance!" Camila warned her husband.
"I hate that you are such a softie. I should have married a drug lord or I don't know, maybe a mafia boss."
Camila said, while she walked into their room throwing her purse carelessly on the bed. They had arrived their apartment after a quiet drive.
She was upset and in every way she moved, it showed.
José followed behind her, shutting the door afterwards.
"She is blood." José acknowledged.
"And what are you to the family? Obviously an adopted brother." Camilla spoke harshly.
"You are so dumb, stupid. You keep letting them treat you like the idiot that you are." She added while taking off her jewelry.
"Eliminating her will be nearly impossible. The mansion is heavily guarded. With Leo gone, security will only boot up. I'm not going to jail for you." José said, loosening his tie.
"I will handle this myself and when it's all successful, I will be in charge while you can continue being what you are so good at - "the ceremonial figurehead." She said while taking off her heels.
10:00pm.
Olivia had just stepped out of the bathtub. It was a long one. She hoped to remain there till it was morning. To go down memory lane as the steam warmed up her body.
Who was she kidding? Nothing would bring him back. Maybe all she needed was sleep, she had been trying all day but the pain pounding in her chest wouldn't let her, which led to the idea of a warm bath.
Once she stood before the bathroom mirror, she could see a girl almost unrecognizable. Her joy was gone. It pricked her heart.
She wondered when it would all feel better , if it ever would but deep down she knew she had to live on.
She had wrapped her body in a towel and now wrapped her head with a smaller one.
The bathroom was massive, it was like a house on its own, so it took a while before she got to the door.
For some reason, she was reluctant. She had this feeling almost like a warning. It was as though the energy around had deteriorated into something dark.
She rolled her eyes from where she stood which was only a few inches from the door.
The bathroom door needed her print to activate, but then she stood before it just wondering why she was having the overwhelming feeling.
She walked back towards the window taking a look around the compound from the backyard but it was all clear.
It was at this point it all became clear to her she was only imagining things due to her messed up emotions.
She walked back to the door and placed her thumb on the scanner.
Slowly the door opened up for her to see that there was no one present in her room.
She walked in and moved towards her dressing table. While she sat on the dressing stool and brought her face to look in the seemirror, it was then she realized she wasn't alone.
In the mirror was the reflection of a masked man. Slender and tall. He was dressed in black leather outfit. His hands were hidden in black gloves and his ambience- dangerous.
She froze. He looked like death waiting to rip her soul. He was standing just beside the bathroom's door so quietly.
What should she do? Why would anyone want to hurt her?
She got up swiftly and turned towards him.
"Who are you and what do you want!" She inquired frightfully.
He approached her in silence and slowly. The way he moved showed he was confident his mission would be accomplished no matter what.
She kept moving away the closer he got. She knew a scream for help would only be futile.
Today was the best opportunity for anyone to catch them off guard.
Closer and closer she came. Shivers went down her spine. She was as cold as can be, that's how anyone knows it is time.
She tried her best to get to the door. But before she could, his right hand already wrapped her neck in a tight grip, squeezing harder and harder as he watched her struggle to breathe with her back against the door.
Her eyes were nearly popping out, her mouth forced open as she hit on his chest with both hands repeatedly.
It was then the idea struck- he was a man.
She kicked him in the balls and it hurt him well enough. She fell to the ground but soon got back up weakly while trying to turn the knob.
He got really pissed now and grabbed her by the hair.
"Help!! Somebody help me!" She screamed. It hurt for her throat now felt sore.
He dragged her towards the opened window from which he had gained access to her room.
She struggled with every strength left in her but he was too determined for her to die.
He looked downwards and saw the scene was clear. It was a long way down.
She saw it too.
"NO. NO! NO!!" She screamed as her body obeyed the law of gravity.
The push was quick. In his hands she was as light as a feather thus easily he gave her to the wind.
Even as she fell, she struggled. She could see him watch her to confirm his kill.
Memories faded before her terrified eyes.
'Why?' was the last thought before she hit the ground.
She was only twenty.
____
'Something's not right'
She thought, running through the woods as fast as she could.
It was a dark night. The howling of wolves that followed behind her was as frightening as a horror movie.
It was too dark to tell what she looked like, only her glowing blue eyes shone bright.
'Don't let her escape!'
She could hear them telepathically. The tall grass kept getting in her way.
Splash!
She felt her feet get wet. Looking around she saw she was surrounded.
On the trees their figures could be seen. They were not monkeys, not humans but beasts in the form of men.
The moon began to reveal itself, brightening the night.
It was a full moon.
The young woman stood in the shallow waters. She was clothes in a white dress that had tears all over.
It seemed she had been in a tough fight. Her shoulder length hair was let free on her head and her fists only tightened more.
"Oh give up already, witch wolf!" A voice broke out from the shadows.
His figure was soon revealed as he slowly walked towards her.
"Help isn't coming. Tonight is when you die but I wonder, where is he now? Your savior. Oh that's right, he is no-where-to-be-found." He added, stepping into the light.
"Why are you doing this? We are supposed to be family! " She said, almost breaking down in tears.
"Mother may have raised you as one of us but we know the truth. You are of enemy blood.
Your people killed my father and almost wiped us out of existence!
I don't know how she was able to forget but I won't.
As if you hadn't done enough you choose to be a mate to the same enemy! To sell us away!" The man spoke angrily.
"I did not wish for any of this. Who am I to control destiny?" She asked.
"Let's just make this quick shall we? Mother is waiting." He said with a grin.
"No..what have you done?" The lady whispered.
"What I should have done long ago." He replied.
"Darius don't!" She pleaded.
She was too weak to fight on and those were the last words she would ever get to say, she knew this once his claws pierced her belly.
He was the fastest and meanest but she never saw this part of him until that moment.
Betrayal feels like a bad heartburn but when it's the last feeling you get when you're dying, it's like a serpent's venom rushing through your veins.
She could see his eyes glow with glee, how long he must have planned the moment. Her death was an accomplishment for him.
She fell on her knees.
Death wasn't being quick with her. He didn't mind, he left her there knowing then that the child in her womb was bleeding out, she wouldn't wish to go on living.
Alone she laid on her back. Bleeding out into the shallow water, her eyes could only see the stars and glowing moon.
"All I ever did was love you." She muttered weakly.
-
They say some people die to complete someone else's story. It is true for these two.
Olivia stood, seeing her body lay on the floor. She looked at her hands and they were glowing white.
She had died.
She could see aunt Amy and others in tears.
"Poor girl couldn't be without her daddy." Camila sobbed.
"This is just too much for me to bear. First a brother, now my niece" José sobbed as well.
When one is out of the human flesh, nothing remains hidden. You could see everyone for who they truly are.
Somehow, death is a gift.
She could hear their thoughts. See their hearts, everyone's true intentions.
'Thank goodness she is gone, now I get to keep what's rightfully mine.' José thought.
'At long last. My dreams are about to come true.' Camila thought.
"Uncle José?' Olivia couldn't believe it. He was her godfather. She had loved him all her life,
'Why?' She thought to herself but no answers came and none ever would.
Her spirit was immediately drawn up the clouds like it was called.
It began traveling so fast in a specific direction. Even she had no control of the speed.
Miles and miles away from the mansion she went until she arrived at the shallow waters.
Swiftly she went into the body of the bleeding lady. It felt like home, a different home.
All remained still, the body unconscious.
Several minutes had gone by before the lady's eyes opened up.
"She is alive." A feminine voice said joyfully.
.