"Then I'll leave now." Mika reached out to the door as she looked at Selena. "I'll look after Julien Cross. I just don't understand why this name clicks something in my head."
Selena sighed, "If you find anything, just let me know."
"Of course. I'll come here next week, till then take care and if anything seems off, just call me immediately." Mika pulled Selena into a light hug and left.
Selena locked the door and sat on the couch wondering what might be going on at her home in her absence.
"Finally! That bitch is gone." Helena Marchand sat down, a glass of wine on her hand. "But it was because of that old man. If that old fool hadn't made her the heir, she might've lived."
"Whatever mom, now it's all mine anyways." Isabelle chuckled, taking a sip of wine. "She was so fond of her dear Father's belongings that it broke my heart. So I sent her to him— gave them their happy ending." They laughed and raised their glasses as someone entered the room.
"You guys forgot about me to something?" He said, sitting beside Isabelle.
"How could that be, brother-in-law?" Isabelle wrapped her hands around his neck lightly. "Oh! I just forgot your fiancee passed away. I am so sorry for your loss."
He held her by her waist and pulled her closer, "So can I pursue my sister-in-law then?" Isabelle pushed him back and smirked, handing him a glass of wine.
"But you actually seemed so in love with your fiancee, I wonder you might never love anyone else in this lifetime." Helena whispered as she lit a cigarette.
He rolled his eyes and leaned back, "I was so fed up with that lovey-dovey act, but it did paid off at last. I just pity her a bit, she actually believed I was head-over-heels for her." They laughed however Helena's face dulled as she looked at the picture of Selena and her parents, hanging on the wall.
"But Lucas are you sure that she is dead?" Helena smoked out as she turned to him, "It's nothing like by any chance- you're getting me right?"
"Don't worry aunty, I am sure about it. That damned car burnt down in that accident. There's no chance of escape unless some miracle happen."
"She didn't know anything about this plan did she? If she knew, she might have escaped then?" An unknown fear creeped Helena's face as her hands trembled.
"Mom! What are you saying? You're just too worried, go take some rest first." Isabelle frowned. Helena threw the cigarette away and leaned back, closing her eyes.
Thunder rumbled outside as if the sky itself was listening to their sins. "According to the weather forecast, there will be heavy rain and storm tonight. Stay at home, stay safe."
Selena closed all the windows and locked the door before she went to bed. She put her phone aside and soon drifted to sleep. The room was quiet but the storm out side was loud enough.
Selena opened her eyes and found herself standing in a park. She looked around and saw a little girl and a boy playing in the swings. The sunshine blurred her vision as she tried to look closely at the kids. She slowly moved towards them and froze— it was her childhood. She and her cousins were playing on the swings and suddenly she falls down and hurt her hand. She cried out loudly as Selena rushed over but she couldn't help. Her cousin helped her up, wiping her tears and held her hand lightly.
"Don't cry, it'll be ok."
"It hurts." she cried.
He pulled out a candy from his pocket and handing it to her said, "eat this, you will feel good." She took the candy and stopped crying.
He sat down and wiped off the dust on her knees and said, "I am so sorry, I couldn't protect you. But don't cry, you know you're so strong. You're my sister, I must always protect you from now on." They both smiled and started playing again. Selena stood there, numb, watching those innocent little ones making promises that would shatter hearts one day.
Slowly everything vanished as she woke up and looked around, "it was a dream." she murmured, pulling herself back into reality. She sat up and wrapped herself into a hug as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I- I miss you brother." Selena cried out, her heart ached as she spoke out those words, "You promised- you said you'd always protect me but- you left me too. I am tired- of being strong. Please- please come back." The whole night she sat there, grieving over all that happened which messed up her entire life.
The next morning, the storm calmed and sunlight broke into her room. Her eyes wide opened, turned towards the window, staring at her own reflection. And it's again another day of being alive, she thought. I can't give up already, there is still a lot to be done. I won't stop until I snatch every last smile they stole. I'll ruin your peace the way you ruined my entire family, Helena marchand.