VALENTINA’S POINT OF VIEW
“I want to show you something.” Diego said suddenly during dinner, his fork going through his meal of spaghetti bolognese without actually picking any strand of spaghetti up.
I had asked what was wrong about two minutes ago but he insisted that everything was alright even if he continued picking through his food.
“It is something really personal to me, something I haven’t told or shown anyone before.” He added meeting my stare with a sad, haunted gaze.
I nodded, reached out to hold his hands in mine.
“I’ve got you, always and forever Diego.” I said and meant it. We have gotten closer just being alone together on this semi-deserted island. I have seen parts of him that I never thought I would see after the accident, parts of him that I thought had been buried with my father, burnt in the flames of our legendary family fued.
I wonder if he would still want me around if (when) he finds out about his brother (Dester’s) death and my sister’s involvement in it.
I wonder what he would do when he finds out that I was the one who pulled the trigger, that I was the one who released the bullet that caused his accident. The bullet that caused his memory loss.
I looked at him with a forkful of spaghetti that I had lost the appetite for as I wondered if our love would survive those information, if our love will survive the hate of five years ago.
I can still remember the look on his face when I pulled the trigger. It was surprise at first, then hatred. I remember the exact words he had said to me.
“You are my worse mistake and would never forgive you Valentina.” He had said this with a look of pure resentment in his face.
I had walked away, left him cold bruised and alone, I had walked into the arms of his twin brother Damian, into the comforting embrace of his brother Damian not even knowing even he (Diego) had survived the shooting.
I had to do it. I had to pull that trigger to save us, to save the love between Diego and I. He has always been my only love.
“I’m done.” I said, dropping my utensil down. I don’t feel like eating anymore,
“Okay, please come with me.” Diego said stretching his hand towards me. He took my palm into him and the stroll began.
“My childhood was not the most…normal.” He started, chuckling a bit in order to mask the tension in his voice. I know how uncomfortable this subject is for him because I know him.
“You see I had a father who was a literally beast.” Diego added as we walked into the elevator. I know where we are going and I know what happens in the East wings.
My palms started to feel clammy, my breath paced a lot. This is a part of my memory I never wanted to revisit, that was the place it happened. In the woods, very close to the dungeon.
YARA’S POINT OF VIEW
“They can be a little loud sometimes.” Audrey said to me in a whisper like we were best friends sharing a small giggly secret. We were seated for breakfast at the hotel, side by side, Walter was yet to come down from his suite.
“What?” I replied not getting her reference.
“Walter and Olivia. I mean the all moaning and grinding, it was a little hard to sleep through don’t you think or maybe you didn’t hear them but I definitely did.” She added with a smirk. Walter and Olivia?
As if on cue they both came in with their hairs looking all tousled and scattered, I did my best to hide my disgust.
“Oh there they are. Hi Liv, I missed you, Walter hasn’t been the same without, you know how much of a big teddy bear he is.” Audrey said and hugs Olivia Reverra after giving her two kisses on both cheeks.
I moved the cuffs of my sweater up to my finger tips and shifted a bit on the chair, I hoped I could disappear, I felt so out of place here.
Audrey; she is Walter’s best friend, they have been best friends since they were literally in diapers. They never miss the opportunity to tell me of how they were destined to be best friends since before they were even born because their moms were best friends.
Olivia; we apart from the fact that she is hotter than all of us in the room with her perfectly straight nose and beautiful smile, she was also Walter’s girlfriend. Was…Is I don’t know anymore and as if that is not enough she was also his first love, and allegedly she was the one that broke his virginity.
And there’s me; literally a nobody, not their best friend or lover, just a girl bought from the one night stand market.
“I’m sorry who are you again?” Olivia asked in a not so polite matter although she masked all the impoliteness which a cliche sort of ‘southern belle’ giggle.
“I’m…” I started trying to say my name.
“She’s is the girl that tried to steal your man.” Audrey said with the same fake giggle that tries but fails greatly at masking impoliteness.
“Audrey!” Walter said in a warning tone.
“It was a joke, can’t you take a joke, I thought we were all friends here, yikes.” Audrey said in the same way people talk when they try to brush off their micro-aggressive remarks.
She tapped on my arm ‘playfully’ but ouch that hurt but a smiled though because I was not sure of what else to do.
“Anyway nobody is taking my man now because we are back together, am I right baby?” Olivia said.
“Yes.” He replied before she leaned in an kissed him on the lips. He kissed her back.
I watched them, I shouldn’t feel anything, he is not mine but I do feel something, I feel somethings. Sad. Rage. Disappointment. Betrayal.
I felt my self starting to tear up.
“Sorry I’ve gotta go.” I said as I literally ran out of the dining hall as I looked for a place to cry privately.
“Yara! Baby!” I heard Walter yell after me but he did not chase after me, he stayed there all cuddled up with Olivia, his perfect, media approved bae.
I don’t fit in here, I don’t fit in anywhere, not with my family, not with Raphael, not with Walter not even with my race. Biracial, half white, half black, what is that really. I remember in high school how I never felt like king in any of the two races, the white kid thought I was too black, the black kid thought I was always acting ‘uppity’ too white.
I never felt accepted at St. Katherine’s and then we went to that private high school were Zara and I were the only black kid, let’s just say things took a turn for the worse but yet again maybe I’m being too sensitive.
“Yara, please. I…I am sorry. I love you, I want you not her.” I did not know when he got into the bathroom.
“Bullshit, if you lo…want me so much then why are you with her?” I asked genuinely confused. Why the fuck is he here?! He should go be with his hot superstar girl friend!
“Yara…” he said moving closer to me.
“Stay the fuck away from me!” I yelled even though I wasn’t sure I wanted him to do that, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted him here, he has a girlfriend for fuck sake. But Raphael had a whole ass wife Yara, yeah and see where that got me.
“I can’t be with you if you are with here, I’m not one to share.” I said with a straight face.
“I can’t break up with Olivia, Yara I’m sorry.” He said.
“Fine then, then go, leave me be with your girlfriend.” I said, my voice was starting to crack up with tears.
“I can’t, I love you. From the first time I set my eyes on you, I knew it wasn’t the most ideal situation but I love you Yara.” He said looking convinced like he had no doubt of what he was saying. Maybe it was something about his voice or how he said it but the next thing I know his lips are on mine and my fingers are in his hair pulling him closer in between my parted legs.
“What the fuck!” I opened my eyes to see Olivia there, her eyes wide open like she had seen a ghost. Two ghosts. Kissing.