First person's point of view
Gael and I sat together in my apartment room sipping our drinks. Monica's eyes dropped, her words slurring as she spoke, "Am I a bad daughter, a bad sister? I mean I am seeking revenge against my own family, the mother who adopted and raised me."
Gael's smile at her, his voice soft, "Are you backing out now? Do you think if your mother had the chance she wouldn't have gotten rid of you? I mean she tried to, but she just didn't succeed. She is not a mother to you. From the way I see things, ever since I knew your family, your mother doesn't love you."
Monica's eyes welled up with tears, her gaze flattering. Gael moved closer, his voice filled with empathy. "I don't want you feeling guilty, Monica, you are just trying to get what's yours, you deserve justice and am here to help you get it."
Monica's words tumbled out, a mix of sadness and anger, "but why did she adopt me if she doesn't want me? Why did she treat me so badly?".
Gael's expression turned grim. "Some people just want to hurt others, Monica, your mother's actions aren't a reflection of your worth. You are an amazing person, and you deserve love and respect."
Monica's tears spilled over, and Gael poured her into a warm embrace, "you are not alone in this Monica. I'm here for you, and together we will get through this."
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, Monica felt a sense of comfort she'd never known before. Gael's words soothed her soul, for the first time she felt she was not alone in her quest for Vengeance.
Monica pushed Gael away and said, "we don't have to act romantic, it's just a fake marriage after all."
Geal was surprised by her tone. What if I wanted a real marriage? What would you do, Monica?"
Monica's heart skipped a bit. "What do you mean?".
Gael's gaze intensified "you know what I mean, when a man talks to a woman like this...." Monica's eyes met his, her voice barely a whisper, "it can't be real Gael."
Gael's eyes fell, his eyes clouding, "why".
Monica hesitated, her words barely audibly, "please respect the boundary between us."
The tension between them was palpable, until Gael finally stood up and left. Monica's phone rang, breaking the silence. It was Fredo, Gael's older brother.
" Hey Monica, I am sorry I couldn't make it to the introduction, this is Fredo, Gael's brother. I'd like to meet you tomorrow. Do you have time?"
Monica agreed, and they set a time for nine pm. Fredo's parting words sent a shiver down her spine. " I hope Gael doesn't know about this".
Meanwhile, Gael sat alone at a bar, nursing a drink. Mia walked in, her eyes looked into his, "Oh my I didn't think I would run into you like that. Is this a coincidence or destiny?"
His voice was cold, "just a coincidence, Mia".
Mia sat beside him, her smile seductive, "you always come here when you want to drink alone. I know a lot about you, Gael."
Gael's eyes flashed with annoyance, "you seem to know a lot about me indeed."
Mia's hand brushes against his, her voice husky, "I also know a lot about men. More than my sister at least."
He stood up, his eyes flashing with anger, "I think I know why you are so obsessed with me now. You don't want to lose to Monica. She may be a poor orphan with nothing, but she shines brighter than you, and you can't handle that. Can you?"
Mia's face changed, her eyes welling with anger. Gael walked away, leaving her alone in the bar. The web of deceit and obsession was thickening and Monica was caught in the middle.
Mrs Emily rushed out of her room, her heart racing as she saw the maid carrying water to Mia's room. She quickly followed, her heart filled with worry. As she entered Mia's room, she saw a scene that made her blood run cold. Mia lay on the bed, her eyes closed, a bottle of sleeping pills on the bedside.
The water in the maid's hand fell to the floor as Emily rushed to her daughter's side, calling her name with desperation, "Mia, Mia, Mia, oh God please wake up." But Mia didn't respond. Without hesitation, Mrs Emily scooped up her daughter and rushed her to the hospital, her mind filled with fears of the worst.
At the hospital, the doctor and nurses quickly took over, working to retrieve Mia.
Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Mia's eyes flickered open. Mrs Emily was by her side. Tears were streaming down her face. "Mia, how could you do such a thing? Is this how i raised you? I have given you the best of everything. Everyone was jealous of you, Mia's gaze was void, her voice laced with bitterness. "If you raised me diligently you must be disappointed I turned out this way" she laughed, a harsh mocking sound, " Gael told me I am not as good as Monica, that it's ugly to see me so desperate to beat her. You said I am your real child and Monica is just fake. So why do I have to hear those things?".
Mrs Emily's face was red with anger, "how dare Gael say such things, that Bastard I'll ... .l'l .." But Mia interrupted her, I'm sick of this mom. I mean you can't do anything, it's all just talk. You can't even control the daughter you adopted and raised." With that she ripped out the IV in her hand and stood up, her eyes flashing with defiance, "I am leaving."
She walked out of the hospital room, leaving her mother and medical staff in shock.
Mrs Emily was left alone, her mind reeling with the consequences of her own actions.
She has always played favorites, siding with her own daughter. And now it seems her daughter is paying the price.
Fredo sent the address to Monica, and she arrived promptly, her phone battery dwindling. She called Fredo, her voice urgent. " I'm here, but my phone is about to die".
Fredo reassured her, "don't worry, you will recognize me once you get here".
He hung up and immediately dialed Gael's number. Gael answered and Fredo said, "How was work today? Hope you got home safe."
Gael's tone was laced with sarcasm. "When did we start caring about each other's well-being?" Gael's response was curt, "What do you want, Fredo?"
" I just wanted to find out what kind of person Monica is. How will she react when she finds out who you really are?" Fredo's eyes locked on Monica's, who was approaching from a distance. Gael's voice was wary, "what are you scheming at?".
Fredo chuckled " I wonder what she like when she got angry".
Gael quickly knew what he was trying to do. His patience wore thin, , "where are you Fredo?"
Fredo revealed his location and Gael set off to meet them. Monica arrived at the designated spot searching for Fredo, "He said I would recognize him once I see him, so where is he?" She whispered to herself.
Gael arrived, his eyes searching the area for Monica. As he spotted her, his body began to tremble as he stepped on a bridge which had water flowing under it.
He took a step back, memories flooding his mind. He recalled his childhood, screaming for help as his brother fell into the sea. Monica saw him and called out his name, "Gael", his eyes looking at hers. He tried to move closer but froze, his gaze fixed on the water nearby. Monica noticed his distress and approved of him.
" Gael, are you okay? You are shaking."
Gael stammered, "N_no... I am just feeling dizzy".
With that, he collapsed onto the ground, Monica rushed to his side, calling his name as Fredo watched from the building above, a calculating glint in his eyes.
" Gael wake up, what's wrong?" Monica's voice was laced with concern.
Gael's eyes flickered open, his voice weak, "it's not fair..... you told me to respect the boundary between us but... but you just crossed the line."
His eyes closed, and he fell unconscious, leaving Monica bewildered and worried. Fredo's smile grew wider as he observed the scene unfolding below.
Monica rushed Gael to the hospital, her voice echoing through the corridor as she urged the doctors to attend to him quickly. She dashed off to call the doctor ,but when she returned Gael was nowhere to be found. Panic set in as she frantically searched for him, finally stumbling upon him as he was walking out of the hospital.
" Gael, what are you doing? You can't just leave like that!" Monica exclaimed, relief washing over her.
Gael's expression was calm, his eyes reassuring "I'm okay Monica. I know about my illness, there is nothing the emergency room can do for me."
He took her hand, his touch was warming and comforting, "Let's go to my house, I need to rest." Monica nodded, following him to his home. As they entered, Gael gestured for her to stay in the visitors' room while he retreated to his bedroom.
Monica's eyes drop, exhaustion catching up with her, and she soon falls asleep.
The next morning, Monica woke up to the aroma of breakfast rafting from the kitchen. She entered to find Gael already up and with his eyes sparkling with determination.
" Monica, don't pay attention to what happened yesterday and Fredo, it's an important time for us. Let's focus on one thing, that's making our wedding happen," Gael said, his voice filled with conviction.
Monica nodded, a small smile playing on her lips, " okay let's do that."
And with that they began their preparations, their minds fixed on the future.