~Florence (Gunther's mother)~The past does indeed repeat itself. I never imagined that my worst dread would return to haunt me again. In this instance, it was that woman with cerulean eyes, flowing red hair, and a grating aura. She was a bête noire. The bane in my son's existence. It was still fresh in my memory, the day Gunther had brought her to this mansion for the first time, four years ago. Back then, that woman was so young.She was just fifteen. Gunther was twenty-three. They were eight years apart in age, a tremendous gap making their relationship forbidden in my eyes. I didn't like her from the start, for this, among other reasons. Not to mention that she was from a poor background, and hailed from a low-income family. She wears clothing that resembles rags, smells like cheap perfume, and lacks grace and finesse. No matter what she does, she could never match our level.So, I loathed what they had. Detested and cursed her to death for stealing my son away from me.
~Agathe~ I am not a mother, nor have I given birth to a child. But, why do I feel like the moment I saw Carlyle falling from the stairs, my heart was instantly shredded into pieces? I could feel it being ripped apart. I was not imagining it. It was not because I hated seeing other people get hurt. It was something else, something unexplainable. It beats me how that little girl and his father were able to stir up so much emotion in me ever since I met them. Gunther reached his daughter's side. He got down on his knees and gathered Carlyle's unconscious body into his arms. "Hey, baby. Wake up. Come on. Carlyle. ." For the first time, I noticed Gunther shedding a tear. Though, he was quick to wipe it away. That scene made me numb. All of a sudden, I felt a strong feeling of anger and resentment toward Gunther's mother. How could she do that to a child, to her granddaughter for that matter? I wanted to run toward Carlyle, too. To check her condition as well. I am aware, h
~Agathe~ I felt incredibly hot and weary as soon as I opened my eyes. I was feeling woozy, my vision was somewhat dark. Took me a few seconds to adjust it, and when it did, I met Gunther's dark-amber eyes. His face was only a few inches apart from mine. "What happened?" I asked softly, noticing that I was curled up on a cushy couch. My body was covered with his black suit. It was quite cozy and smelled just like him. "You fainted, sleepyhead." He responded, and his large, calloused hands were warm against mine as he assisted me in sitting up. "I fainted?" Surprised, I ransacked my head to remember how it happened, but to no avail. How come I can't recall it? "For how long?" "Two hours." "Two hours? Really?" I couldn't believe it! Perhaps, it was the lack of sleep and rest talking since yesterday morning. "Here, drink this first." He handed me a glass of water, as he kneeled in front of me. I accepted it and drank. It instantaneously made me feel a lot better. "How
~Agathe~We arrived at Gunther's house with Carlyle falling asleep in my arms. She wouldn't let go despite Gunther's efforts to pry her away from me. "Mommy. ."Carlyle murmured and went back to sleep again. God, how could I possibly resist that cuteness? My heart constricted in pain. I didn't tell Carlyle anything about her proposal from the hospital. Yet, here she is. Wholly accepting me as her new mother. It was so unlooked-for, never in my wildest dreams would I imagine myself being smitten with someone's daughter. I bit my lower lip and stared at Gunther apologetically, fighting the urge to shed a tear. "You know, I didn't tell her to call me that. It was her who-"Gunther cut me off. "I know, love. I overheard your conversation with her."My mouth parted. "What? You eavesdropped on us?" "Yeah." He looked away for a second, probably wanting me to drop the topic. "Here. Give her to me."Gunther opened his arms one more time.I transferred Carlyle into his lap as gently as p
~Gunther~I wanted her to get jealous. I wanted her to snatch my heart away. I wanted her to help me heal. I want her to want me, to own me. Yet, she chose to wipe away her tears and raise an eyebrow at me instead.Did I see the hurt in her eyes, or was it merely a figment of my imagination?"How can you say you're in love with her, if you're sleeping with other women? Hmm?" For a while, I was unable to speak. I have to confess, she had me there.Though, she made a mistake by believing that lie. That cock and bull story of mine. "Did you honestly fall for that lie, love? The only woman I slept with was you." The look on her face when I said the last part was priceless, I nearly cackled. "Well, almost. I almost slept with you." I took the initiative to correct myself. She scoffed, trying to process what I said. "So, I. . I cheated with you?" My head tipped to one side, leaving a crease across my forehead. "What?" "We cheated on Carlyle's mother, didn't we?" She appeared to be
~Agathe~It has been so long since I had a good night's sleep. I was accustomed to staying up late and getting up early back in Snowflake Village, in an effort to make ends meet.I was adamant to work and make money so I could pay for my mother's surgery. Now was the only time I had gone to bed at seven in the evening and woken up when the sun had already risen. I groaned in contentment, opened my eyes, and saw myself lying beside Carlyle and Gunther.They were still sound asleep. I smiled, happiness flooding my heart.I could swear, they are the most lovely thing to see in the morning.Three days ago, they were complete strangers to me. Beats me how quickly they were able to take a piece of my heart.All of a sudden, Carlyle unconsciously hugged my body, murmuring something. "Mommy. ." God. What did I do to deserve this sweet, little girl? I returned Carlyle's embrace and decided to let myself drift off to sleep again, relishing the moment of being able to hold her in my arms.
~Yesenia~"Yesenia Daenerys."Thump thump. Thump thump. Cripes! That deep voice startled me out of nowhere, causing me to stop in my tracks. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, its booming was furious and incessant.My knees suddenly shook, it was starting to feel a little bit wobbly.I am aware that it was him, the man who had been the subject of my fantasies for years. He rarely speaks to me unless it was something significant about our work. So, I was guessing it was either about the young master or perhaps the young lady. However, I was not in the best mood to talk to him right now.For crying out loud, he just caught me sneaking a glimpse at him while he was sparring with the young master.I have done this before and this was the first time he had caught me in the act, something I couldn't brush off. I pretended not to hear anything and continued to make my way up the stairs to the theater room's exit.Once I was outside, I exhaled a loud sigh of relief. "Phew. I barel
~Agathe~I know I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't have challenged him. I might be the sore loser at the end. How can I risk my heart at someone like Gunther who told me that he is still in love with Carlyle's mother? Besides, Gunther is way too out of my league. Like my usual mantra, 'Stinking rich people are only for stinking rich people'. Though, I am dying to know how to be loved by someone like him.For Gunther to cherish Carlyle's mother in his heart, even after four years of not seeing her again, is somehow fascinating. It speaks volumes, a man like that is rare to find. Suddenly, I could feel my heart harboring resentment toward that woman. How did she manage to capture Gunther's heart? I am effin curious about her. I want to know everything there is to know about her. "Having second thoughts, love?" Gunther asked, he was busy strapping the boxing hand wraps on my semi-clenched fists.He told me it was necessary before putting the actual boxing gloves on. "I. . u
~Agathe~“Baby, can you forgive me too?” Gunther asked our daughter when she had calmed down a little. “I’m so sorry for failing to be your father for the past four years. I’m so sorry that I tried to push you away and rejected you so many times that I lost count.”“I understand, Daddy. Yennie would always tell me that you were just hurting because of Mommy's disappearance.” We were both silent after that, but Carlyle went on.“I love you so much, mommy. I love you so much, daddy. I forgive both of you.” Carlyle told us, intertwining her hands with mine and Gunther's. “Please, mommy, don't ever leave us again. Don't ever leave me and Daddy again. Daddy and I need you here. We need you.” I nodded at her.I know it will take her a lifetime to truly forgive me, but I am still willing to do anything just to make up for the time I spent without her and Gunther.“I love you so much, too, my sweetheart.” When Gunther's gaze met mine, I whispered to him as well. “I love you so much, too, Gunt
~Agathe~[Present Time]I opened my eyes in haste and furrowed my eyebrows when I heard something inside the house. The flashbacks playing in my mind had stopped but I couldn't care less since I suddenly got worried.The sound seemed to be a commotion, and the only people left inside the house were Graziella and Thaddeus.I quickly stood up and ran towards the house, not looking back at my parents’ graves. I opened the kitchen’s backdoor and entered the house, desperately searching for Graziella and Thaddeus.What if Gunther had followed us and hurt Grazie and Thad because he couldn't find me inside the house? “Grazie? Thad?”I gasped and felt as if my soul had been ripped away from my body when I noticed Gunther and Thaddeus brawling on the floor. My heart tightened in pain when I also noticed Gunther's handsome face was covered in bruises and scratches.“Where is my wife, Thaddeus!” Gunther punched Thaddeus in the face, sending him flying into the wooden coffee table.The coffee tab
~Agathe~I remembered growing up with a lot of hatred engraved in my heart.Despite being surrounded by good people, I never forgot the promise I made to myself when I was five years old.[Flashback, five years ago]“You're late again, Miss Capucine.” Our English teacher said as soon as I entered the classroom.“I'm sorry, Miss Kim.” I apologized and went to my seat. I opened my literature book to page fifty three as instructed on the board.As expected, my classmates began whispering about me. “Goodness. I cannot stand her. She is so pitiful. She makes our village look cheap with her cheap clothes.”“Her beauty means nothing if his father is already dead. Who dies in an avalanche anyway?” Then everyone laughed, and Miss Kim did nothing to stop them.“Everyone knows you have a sick mother and work in a restaurant. But, do you really have to be late to my class every day, Miss Capucine?” Miss Kim replied angrily to me, her nostrils flaring.“I'm sorry.” That was all I could say again.
~Agathe~“You should take a shower first, Agathe, and change into clean clothes.” Graziella reminded me as we finally entered the house.I gasped, and tears nearly welled up in my eyes again. Everything inside my house was immaculately clean and organized.Graziella patted my back. “I come back here every day to clean and water your plants, hoping that one day you will return home. I know you were only gone for a few weeks, but the thought of not seeing you again tormented me.”Graziella quickly put some shoes on my feet. “I figured you would want to visit your mother and father first, so you should wear these. God, your feet are so cold.”She wiped away the tears that had fallen down her cheeks and stood up again. She guided me to the kitchen, where the backyard door is located.Thaddeus was quietly following behind us as we opened the door to the backyard, and my mouth opened wide in amazement once more.“How on earth. .” That was all I could say as I stared at everything in front o
~Agathe~This definitely changes everything.How am I going to look at Carlyle now that I have killed her own grandparents?I was shocked when Graziella snatched the papers from my hand and threw them back on Thaddeus’ lap.“She is not going back to that mansion. Drive us straight to Snowflake Village, Silvestri. I'm going to hide her so that no one can hurt Agathe again.”A tear fell from my eye until I could no longer stop it. I suddenly burst into tears and broke down.How is this possible? How did Carlyle become my daughter?How did someone so cute and adorable come out of me?How will she forgive me now that there's a possibility she saw me unaliving her own grandparents?“Grazie. Carlyle is my daughter.” I said with a hint of happiness in my voice. But, I know they can sense the utter devastation deep inside me as well.Graziella adjusted her body to stare at me from the passenger’s seat, and her eyes welled up with tears as she spoke to me.“I know, pookie. And, I am really sor
~Agathe~I was astonished when Yesenia gave me a weird look. Her eyes reflected a faint hint of disappointment.My heart fell when she gave me that look.I expected her to be the first person to understand that I did not intend for any of this to happen.I thought she would defend me and assure me that everything would be fine.“Arghhh. .” I heard someone groan behind me and when I glanced, I saw Calixto slowly sitting up.His eyes remained closed as he gently held the back of his head, even though it was still bleeding a bit. I wanted so badly to show how grateful I was that he woke up and even wanted to ask him if he was feeling alright.However, as I turned my attention back to Gunther, I noticed that his gaze never wavered. He continued to look at me with the same, even colder eyes.I felt like my whole world had turned upside down. I do not want to live any longer after everything I am experiencing right now.My eyes widened when he tried to take a step toward me while still hold
~Agathe~I felt Gunther straighten his body after seeing the gun being pointed at me. He dropped my arm that was holding him and shielded me with his body.“You have the audacity to point a gun at my wife, father? Seriously, where is all of this confidence coming from?”“You are full of debts, your life is hanging by a thread, and the only thing keeping you alive is me. And, yet you have the audacity to point a gun at my wife!”I tried to look at Gunther's father, but Gunther would not let me. He held me in place by placing his arm in front of me.“You caused me to be in so much debt, you fucking piece of shit!”“And, whose fault is that, father? You are the one who gambled away all of your money! You weren't forced to do that! I only set the trap for you! It was still your decision to do such a thing!”Before anyone could say anything else, I noticed how quickly Calixto walked towards Gunther's father and snatched the gun from the devil’s hand.Then he kicked Gunther's father in the
~Agathe~I scoffed when Gunther ignored my question as if I was not there. He didn't even flinch, and kept doing whatever the hell he was doing.The nerve of this guy. Am I a joke to him?He bent down a little to sign some documents on the coffee table, holding a pen in his hand. When he was finished, he stood up and casually slipped his hands into his pockets.Afterward, I saw Atty. Schneider gathered the papers and carefully placed them inside his attaché case. Then, he stood up as well and casually shook Gunther's hand as if I had not just threatened his client.“Congratulations, Gunther. You are now the rightful owner to all of Madame Hester's three hundred fifty billion dollars worth of wealth, assets and properties.”Atty. Schneider was smiling from ear to ear. He seemed genuinely happy for Gunther.“Thank you very much for all of your help, Attorney Schneider. I owe it all to you. Without your assistance, I would be unable to claim what is rightfully mine.” Gunther said in his
~Agathe~[Present Time]I could hear faint voices talking around me. I looked around the darkness that surrounded me but saw no one.I felt like I was floating, but my feet remained on the ground. I felt hopeless.I want to go back to my mother because she still needs me. My father just died, and I am the only one she has left.“Her finger moved, Doctor Wright!” I heard someone say something beside me, but when I looked to my side, I saw no one.“Hello? Who are you? Where exactly am I? Where is my mother?" I asked in a loud voice, without even opening my mouth.“She's regaining consciousness. Quickly, call Gunther.”“But, Doctor. He is downstairs, discussing something important with his family. What are we supposed to do?”“Check her pulse. Check everything.” Before I could respond, I felt something powerful catapult me through the air.“Arghhhhhhhhh!”Before I knew it, I opened my eyes again to see a bright light aimed directly at my eyes. “She is awake! The patient is awake, doctor!