Rosia lay upright, thinking about what her life had turned out to be and how hard it had been since the death of her parents. She asked questions without getting any answers.
"Why am I this unlucky? Why is life treating me this way?"
She took her phone to call Blender but recalled Blender's words to her. Feeling demoralized, she decided to fight her problems alone.
"No one understands me or my predicament, so I'd rather keep it all to myself," she muttered as she turned to the other side of the bed, turned off the lights, and dozed off.
She heard a knock at the door. She jumped up from the bed, checked the time, and, lo and behold, it was 7 a.m. already.
"Oh my gosh, I overslept."
She heard the knock again, this time louder.
"Who could that be?"
She opened the door, and her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe who was standing in the doorway. To her deepest surprise, it was that bastard, Raymond Christio. Her blood boiled at the sight of him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I am your unwanted guest," he replied.
"Don't you know how to welcome your guests properly? Or weren't you taught how to do so?"
"You are not welcome here, Mr. Raymond Christio, so get your butt out of my house!"
"No matter how hard you play, I will surely get you to moan while screaming my name with tears in your eyes."
With that, she couldn't take it anymore. Before she knew it, she had landed another slap across his face.
"Get out of my house! Over my dead body will I do that! Just so you know, you are building castles in the air," she roared and slammed the door in his face.
"I hope that jerk doesn't return here again. Else, things are not going to turn out well."
She felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Sister Rosia, good morning."
"Oh, good morning, darling. How was your night?"
"It was good. Sister, are you okay?"
"Yes, dear, everything is fine."
"Then why are there tears in your eyes?"
"It's nothing. Something flew into my eye, that's all."
"But I thought I heard you talking to someone a moment ago."
"I said it's fine, Tonia. Please do not choke me with your series of questions this morning. I have a lot to do."
"I was just on the phone with your Aunt Blender. Now go get ready for school and stop being inquisitive."
"To school?! It's Saturday, remember?"
"Oh yeah, that totally escaped me."
She left the room to avoid further questioning because Tonia was a very curious person and would never stop until she got all the answers she wanted, which Rosia didn't have the time to provide. She tried hard to cover her tears so Tonia wouldn't suspect anything.
"Oh God, please don't let that bastard return here, or else Tonia might find out the secret I have been keeping from her all these years. That is something I never wish to happen."
"What are you hiding from me, Sister Rosia?"
"Hmm, the thing is... I mean, I have a surprise for you."
"Wow! Tell me what the surprise is about!"
"It won't be a surprise if I tell you what it is."
"So when are you going to tell me? Because I can't wait!"
"I will tell you, but..."
"But what, Sister?"
"Only if you finish your chores and complete your assignment."
"Okay, Sister! Don't forget you promised to take me out for ice cream!"
She watched as Tonia zoomed off in excitement, and that kept her smiling.
•••••••••
RAY'S MANSION
Raymond had refused to get over Rosia and the incident that had occurred between them.
"Listen, pal, I don't know why you are so obsessed with this particular woman like she's the only beautiful lady in this city—moreover, in the world," Kenz said, puzzled.
"No, Kenz, I can't just let go of that lady so easily. She drives me absolutely nuts. I can't think straight anymore, so I won't rest until I get her in my bed, making her moan my name in tears."
"Come on, man! There are many girls out there dying just to be with you. Why can't you just forget about that lady and move on?"
"I know, but I can't let her off the hook so easily. I have to clip her wings. She has to know that no one messes with Raymond Christio"—he beat his chest in affirmation—"and goes unpunished. I get whichever person I wish, so she'd better be ready."
"Hmm, fine, I give up. You can really be annoyingly stubborn at times."
Kenz was about to leave but remembered something.
"Yes, lest I forget, there's a chick who is so crazy about you, and she's ready to do anything just to see you. I guess you should chill with her to calm your nerves about this Rosia girl."
"Thanks, buddy. You always got my back. When is she coming?"
"She should be here by tomorrow."
"That's good to know. But she'd better be here before 5 p.m. tomorrow. You know I hate it when someone is late."
"Okay, I will inform her. See you tomorrow. Bye."
★★★★★★
It was a Sunday morning. Rosia sat on the couch, thinking about her miserable life, when she heard the doorbell ring. Tonia had gone to church earlier that morning.
"I think Tonia is back."
"Hey, Sister! Today's service was superb and so educative. I loved it a lot!"
"Wow! What were you taught in church today?"
"Sister, we were taught about patience and tolerance. The priest said that no matter how hard life gives you 10,000 reasons to sorrow, you should show life that you have a million-dollar reason to smile and be happy because no condition is permanent. Sister, he also said that sorrow comes in the night, while joy, happiness, and smiles come in the morning," she said and continued. "He also added that if we are facing problems and going through a difficult phase in life, it may seem like there is no God, but we don't know that He is planning something bigger for us. The sermon was just so wonderful! I wish you were there—you would have enjoyed it even more."
With that, Rosia knew she was going through a rough phase in life, now with the added problem of that bastard, Raymond Christio.
"Wow! That was great, and you really learned a lot today. Now go change into something simple, then join me in the sitting room, okay?"
"Alright, Sister! Just give me a second, and I'll be back."
As Rosia went back to her seat, she heard the doorbell ring again. This time, her heart skipped a beat.
"I pray it's not him again."
She went to the door sluggishly, counting her steps.
"Hi, ma'am. Are you Rosia Angelis?" a young, handsome man in his mid-twenties asked.
"Yes, I am. And how may I help you?"
"I'm just a messenger. I was sent specially to deliver this package to you. Please sign here."
"Okay, hand it over. Thanks."
"I wonder who could have sent me this package with a beautiful bouquet of flowers."
"What's this? A small note? From who?"
FROM YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE,
RAYMOND CHRISTIO,
MUCH LOVE & HATE ✓
She opened the package, only to see a doll dressed in a revealing, short, tight gown. She became so furious that she tore the note immediately and threw the flowers on the floor, making a slight noise.
"Sister, is everything okay?"
"Yes, dear. Everything is fine. It's just a vase that dropped."
"Okay! I'm almost done. You can set the table if you want to."
"Okay, darling. I will."