VALENTINA’S POINT OF VIEW
“If I help you remember you have to promise me that you would give me back my daughter.” I said and then paused a bit.
“Regardless of what you remember… regardless of if what you remember makes you hate me more than you probably already do.” I added.
Diego frowned at me, he thought about it for a while before sighing and finally giving in.
“Your daughter would be yours again once I remember my past.” He sad, he looked a bit sad like he was sad to let go of something.
I have to make this pact with him because I need to get my daughter back and I am not sure he would be willing to give her back if he knew some of the things I did five years ago.
There are parts of the past I would like to remain hidden, parts I hope he never remembers, part of the past I still regret till this day.
I wish he can only remember the parts were I was his girl, the parts were we used to be happy, went everything was going smoothly the parts before he returned from the ranch, the part before I totally fucked up and ruined everything, the parts before I became a psychopath who destroyed everyone’s life.
I looked at him, how much do I tell him? How much time do I have before he wants me dead… again? Do I really want to do this? Do I really want to turn him against me… again like I had done five years ago, that did not end well, I don’t think this would either…
“My mother got the job to work at your family’s estate when I was maybe six and Sydney was eight.” I started with the happy part, I smiled as I remembered just how happy we all were, mom, Syd and I. It was just the three of us, It was the time after dad had left us, the time when we were really struggling.
It felt like a miracle that mom was finally going to get a job! And it was going to be at the famous Fernandez’s estate, the estate that we only got to see on the television or the magazine, they were one of the richest families, every little girl in town had a crush on the Fernandez’s boys; Dester, Diego and Damian, I was more excited about seeing and living at the house though.
Syd and I imagined the estate to be a real life castle, a castle that we were going to be living at because Mr. Raphael Fernandez was nice enough to allow all of us to live together at the maid’s quarters.
“The first day I saw you I wondered why you were so withdrawn.” I smiled to myself at the memory. Lady Stephanie Fernandez had insisted that my we be around all day to serve while the artist drew the family’s potriat that was to be hung at the main living room.
Other family would normally have their family pictures taken by a photographer but Lady Stephanie had insisted on them being drawn by an artist, she was obsessed with being Divinci’s Monalisa and at that time Sir Raphael Fernandez was obsessed with making his wife happy, those were the times when he truly loved his wife and she loved him too, then bad things started to happen and their love couldn’t hold.
Lady Stephanie never really cared about her children, she saw them more as an obstacle if anything as one more thing to take her husband’s love and attention away from her. The only child she cared a bit about was Dester Fernandez who ironically wasn’t even hers.
That day of the family portrait was the first time mama let me go to the main house with her other times she just left Sydney and I at the maid’s quarters under the supervision of Esther my mother’s friend’s daughter.
I was so happy to be in the main house, my job was just to hold up some fruits in a bowl so Lady Stephanie can reach into the bowl, I was supposed to stand there holding the bowl until the portrait was over. I was exhausted but still happy that I got to go to my mama’s job with her.
“You looked like you hated being there.” I added. His expression grew darker like he was remembering something he would much rather forget.
“I hated being around my family, especially my parents. I’m glad I never have to see them again ” He said and then said nothing else.
DIEGO’S POINT OF VIEW
“I missed you so much!” Ava yelled as she ran to hug me. She is so so adorable, when she got sick it reminded me that I would give anything for her to be healthy and happy, I had to see her every day to assure myself that she is alright so I pulled her out of the boarding school she had been going to at another country and enrolled her into a private day school, she has to have a trusted bodyguard around her every time she is outside the house because I don’t trust anyone when it comes to my Ava.
The thought that I would have to give her back to Valentina after all this is done is unbearable.
I remember when she feel sick, she looked so small and fragile, I remember the look in her eyes when she asked me to stay with her, I knew that day that I will never leave her that I would always protect her and now I would eventually have to give her back to Valentina? I don’t know if I can.
“Where did you go Diego?” Ava asked, her baby face twisted up in a puzzled look.
“I had to go see an old friend.” I answered. An old friend that’s an apt way to describe Valentina Sanchez.
“Can I see your friend too.” Ava asked.
“Maybe sometime later but not now.” I replied.
“Not fair.” Ava pouted. I wonder if she would hate me if she finds out that this ‘old friend’ is in fact her mother, I hope she doesn’t hate me, I don’t know what I would do if she does.
“Oooh I drew a picture of me, you and my mama, wanna see?” Ava asked enthusiastically, she did not even want for my response but instead pulled me by my hand to the kitchen, the drawing was hung on the kitchen.
“Waow it looks so beautiful.” I said even though my head was a lot more bigger than the rest of my body.
“See I told you.” Ava said to her nanny who was tagging along.
I smiled at her, she is such a child and I mean that in the best way possible, I never want her to grow up…