First person's point of view
The sun shone brightly as Monica and Gael made their way into the Delfine Mansion. The grandeur of the house was evident from outside with lavish furniture. Monica couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as they stepped inside.
Mrs Stephen, Gael's mother, beamed with joy as she saw her son walk through the door. It had been years since he had last stepped foot in the family home. She had missed him dearly. She quickly made her way towards them, her arms wide open.
Gael, thinking his mother wanted to embrace him, also opened his arms wide as well. But to his surprise, she walked past him and straight to Monica's "Thank you, this really means a lot to me", she whispered into Monica's ear before turning to hug her son Gael.
" Welcome home, my son", she said, her eyes shining with tears of happiness.
Mr Delfin, Gael's father, stood up from his seat at the head of the table and embraced his son warmly, "welcome back son", he said, his voice full of emotions. As they sat down to eat, Mr Delfin turned to Monica and said "Monica, my dear, I am glad you are joining our family. I want to let you know that we will be having a family introduction next weekend, here at our house. It is a tradition we have whenever someone new wants to join the family. I want you to feel welcome and part of our family. I don't think I have to ask you anything else. We saw everything in the article and am sure Gael won't choose the wrong woman."
Monica smiled, feeling grateful for the kind gesture. " Thank you sir, I will make sure to inform my family, and we will be there."
Gael smiled, his eyes shinning with excitement. " Thank you Dad." he turned to Monica. "Yeah, it was a blast. You are going to love my family, Monica."
Monica laughed, feeling a sense of belonging.
As the evening drew to a close, Mrs Stephen turned to Monica and said "welcome once again Monica, I hope you like our home."
Monica smiled, taking in the opulent decorations and lavish furniture. "It's beautiful, ma", she said, her eyes wide with wonder.
As they prepared to leave, Gael's father placed his hand on Gael's shoulder. "Welcome back son, you have been missed a lot". He said with a tender voice.
Gael smiled, feeling a sense of homecoming he hadn't felt for years. "Thanks Dad", he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
As they drove away from the mansion, Monica turned to Gael and said "why isn't your brother there?".
Gael signed, his eyes fixed on the road. " He properly went out to avoid seeing me". Monica looked confused. Why, what is going on between you two?".
Gael told her "don't worry about my brother and I, okay". He smiled.
Monica nodded, she knew Gael's family was somehow complicated, and she was determined to help him every step of the way.
The next day, Monica made her way to her father's gallery, the smell of canvas and paint filling her nostrils. She knew her mother, Emily, wouldn't be able to do anything for a while, since her father was still recovering from his illness. So she made her way to the painting room eager to express her creativity.
As she began to paint, she lost herself in the color and strokes, her mind wandering to her upcoming visit to her grandfather. She knew there were still a lot of things he hadn't told her yet, and she was determined to uncover every secret, and she knew her mother was hunting a plan.
Just then Emily walked into the room, her eyes narrowed as she saw Monica painting, "are you keeping someone else painting again, Monica?" she asked, her voice dipping with disdain. Monica turned to her mother, a sly smile spreading across her face. " Mother, are you referring to yourself? Well, I wanted to come to the house this evening, but I guess there is no need since you are here. Gael's family has invited you and Dad for the family introduction next weekend. I hope my precious adoptive mother will be there,"
Emily's face darkened with anger, her eyes flashing with warning "I don't care about what that crazy grandpa of yours says to you, you can't use it against me without proof, dear adoptive daughter."
Monica's smile grew wider as she gathered her things and walked out of the room, leaving Emily seething with anger. "Don't worry my dear mother, once I have proof I will let dad know the kind of woman you are."
As Monica walked out of the gallery, Emily's face followed her with anger, her mind racing with ways to get rid of Monica. She was a constant thorn in her side, always poking her nose into things. Emily's eyes narrowed as she thought about what she was going to do to Monica.
With a determined look on her face, Emily walked out of the gallery, her eyes scanning everywhere in the gallery for any signs of trouble. She knew Monica was a clever girl, but she was also reckless and impulsive, and she always allowed her fear to get the better of her. And she was going to use that to her advantage.
As she walked out, Emily's mind raced with plans and schemes, her eyes fixed on the horizon. She would stop at nothing to keep her secret, save even if it meant getting rid of Monica for good.
Monica received a call from Mia to meet her at a restaurant close to their house. When Monica got there, she was surprised to see Mrs Stephen with Mia. The atmosphere looked tense and Monica could sense that Mia was up to something.
Mia offered Monica a cup of coffee. Mrs Stephen looked at Monica with discerning eyes, sensing that there was trouble. " So you two aren't close? " Mrs Stephen asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
Mia hesitated, "we are close but."
Monica burst in, "of course not, ma, we aren't close."
Mrs Stephen raised an eyebrow, "That is your family business and not mine, so Mia, why did you invite me out here?" Mia seemed nervous.
" I just wanted to get to know my sister's future mother-in-law and I wonder if you know that your upcoming daughter-in-law was once married, but she divorced her husband for no reason."
Mrs Stephen felt shocked. She turned to Monica, "is that true Monica?".
Monica's smile was sweet "ma, it is my husband who asked for a divorce first, and the reason I divorced him was that he has feelings for my sister Mia. They were having a secret relationship." Mrs Stephen's face was shocked, "That's bad, I mean Mia, how could you do that to your own sister?"
Mrs Stephen stood up, took her bag in her hand. "I don't have time for your sister's drama. I have to go."
As Mrs Stephen walked out, Monica stood up, her eyes fixed on Mia, "Aren't you ashamed? You wanted to embarrass me, but you end up being the bad guy."
With a smile, Monica leaves the restaurant, leaving Mia looking embarrassed and speechless.
Nicole, Miguel's younger sister, walked into Mia's house with anger all over her face. " Your sister is a psychopath! She exclaimed "I mean she was married to my brother. Now she is getting married to my brother's boss. Who does that?".
Mia put on a fake smile pretending to be nice, "Oh Nicole, I am so sorry to hear you feel that way, but maybe we can change my sister's mind. Why don't you and your mom go to her and have a talk with her? Maybe she will change her mind."
You think talking to her will change that psychopath's mind? She is far too gone."
Mia's fake smile grew wider. "Oh, I am sure we can persuade. After all, family is everything." Nicole scoffed, "You are just trying to manipulate me, I am not buying it".
Monica was about to leave her apartment when Mrs Grace, Miguel's mother, suddenly appeared in front of her.
" Monica, please reconsider, why are you leaving my son and marrying his boss so quickly?" Mrs Grace grabbed Monica's hand "do you even know how Miguel is feeling right now? What do you want him to do?".
Monica's expression was unyielding as she pulled her hand free. " Miguel must be relieved, Mrs Grace. And you are begging me now because you know I can clear your debt."
Mrs Grace's face fell, shock and anger flashing in her eyes. " How dare you, Monica, I'm only trying to protect my son's interests."
Protect your son's interests? You mean how you have been sucking him dry financially? If anyone is going to be drained dry, it should be your son and not me,"
Mrs Grace's mouth opened, but no words came out. She was taken aback by Monica's blunt words.
Monica continued, her tone unyielding, "listen Mrs Grace, I am warning you, stay out of my way. Don't try to contact me or interfere in my life again. I'm done with your family drama."
With that Monica turned and walked away, leaving Mrs Grace standing there her eyes wide in shock and disbelief.