Markris's eyes went from his father's piercing gaze to Ariana hurled behind him, shivering. This image transported him back to a time he had thought he would never have to remember again. The last time he saw his mother or the idea of the mother, he had it in his head because he had forgotten what she looked like. No, he pretended he didn't remember what she looked like. It's why his looks were a blessing and a curse. It's why his father was so harsh on him. He looked like the woman that broke his heart.He remembered that day like it was yesterday. His little six-year-old self heard raised voices in a heated argument from the living room. He remembered hiding behind the curtains, watching his father boil in anger. The look on his mum's face was like Ariana's now—fear mixed with uncertainty about the future. The only thing his little brain could piece together, judging from their words, was that someone had cheated. He didn't know what that meant. All he knew was that he woke up t
Her day started the same way every other day did. Her mother looked down on her with her unique smile, which deepened her dimples. Her hazel eyes reflected love. Her soft hands stroked her hair gently. Her sonorous voice hums a song repeatedly. On that day, something was slightly different. Her mother's voice had sadness to it. She was only a child, so how could she have sensed it? But looking back through the lens of an adult's eye, she could tell. You can almost guess the exact period even the strongest person you know gives up. It could be the way their eyes shine brighter than usual. It could be them telling joke after joke. The way their mood switches when they think they're alone. Everyone has a breaking point, and that day was her mother's.She lost the only parental love that came from a real place, and not because of greed that day. She would never know what it felt like to embrace the womb your life sprung from again. The day her mother died was the day Lorena Cicero's desti
In the middle of Lorena and Verona's closing remarks to their mother, Archie woke up with a cry."Hey, baby! You're awake," Lorena smiled, looking down at him. "I think he's hungry." She said and handed him over to Verona."Just in time to say hi to Mama," She rocked him gently. His cries began to subside as she drew him closer to her mother's grave. "Say something to Grandma Arch." He instantly began to smile, and then it turned into a giggle. Verona and Lorena's eyes teared up again as they watched him make baby sounds. It looked like he was communicating with her. He went from giggling to smiling at intervals. It went on for some more minutes until he finally yawned."Yeah, they're done now, and he needs to feed," Verona said, breaking the silence between herself and her sister."Goodbye, mum," Lorena muttered, finally gaining clarity. She knew the repercussions of each possible decision she could take. What she didn't know yet was what the final decision would be.She sighed and b
"Oh my!" Lorena clutched her chest with both hands and inhaled audibly. Verona stood beside her with eyes wide open and a raised brow. Archie, on the other hand, was still adjusting to the sudden bright light until he caught sight of Francesca and began to struggle out of his mother's grip."What is it, Arch?" Verona's forehead creased in worry as she cuddled her baby deeper in her chest."What is going on here?" Lorena asked, looking around. The living room was decorated with disco balls and heavy lighting. Roselina. Her vision turned to the food, and they were so many delicacies. A giant cake was at the center of the table, surrounded by her favorite chocolates. Then there was wine, a whole lot of wine."Don't get mad, my lady, but we wanted to celebrate your bachelorette," Roselina said, quickly coming forward."I understand that, Rose, but why?" She asked, the effect of the initial surprise finally wearing off."Because we love you and want you to be happy." Maria suddenly appeare
TEN HOURS BEFORE THE WEDDINGLorena sat at the edge of her bed, her hands resting against her face, as she sobbed quietly. Her phone sat beside her on the bed, a video playing in a loop. Her lip quivered, and her head throbbed the more she cried. Not even the voices in her head could push through her distraught state. There was a stillness in her being as if the world had paused at that moment, safe for her and her trickling tears."Lorena? Why are your lights still on by this time?" Verona pushed open the door to Lorena's room and stepped in. She glanced at the time on her phone and saw it was a little past midnight. "You won't believe Arch just made me feed him again by this time. Anyway, he is finally asleep in Francesca's arm, and..." She suddenly paused her rant when she caught sight of her sister in a head-bent position. Her heart skipped a bit when she heard the silent sobs coming from Lorena.In two quick steps, she was sitting by her side."What is it, Sorella?" She asked, rub
FIVE HOURS BEFORE THE WEDDINGA loud thud on the door woke Makris up. Immediately his eyes pushed open. They squinted to adjust to the stream of lights going past the windows. He tried to turn, but his neck felt stiff. It was like the blood circulation around his body had ceased. He took a deep breath and pushed himself up slowly.At last, he could raise the upper part of his body. His hands went straight to his head when the vibration hit him. It was like a rave in there, with the bass at a maximum.Another loud bang sounded on the door, and a loud groan escaped from Markris."Fuck me!" He cussed, struggling to move out of the bed. Soon as his feet touched the ground, he exhaled a sigh of relief. He straightened himself up and looked around the room. There were empty bottles scattered all over. Female underwear was littered all over too. His brow raised as he took a quick look at himself.He was completely covered. His face contorted some more as he tried his best to remember what t
ONE HOUR TO THE WEDDING"How much do you remember now?" Jorginho asked as he helped Markris with the knotting of his tie.Markris shrugged. "The last memory of last night is following Ariana outside.""Hmmm. So what did she tell you?"Markris moved his mouth to speak but quickly shut it. "I can't remember." He lied through his teeth and promptly turned around to pick up his suit jacket from the bed.Jorginho didn't believe him for a moment, but he wouldn't push it if Markris did not feel like confiding in him."Just to fill in the blanks, when you came in, you ordered a whole barrel of drinks. You got so drunk you couldn't move, so we had to take you to a hotel." Jorginho explained, styling his hair."Huh? That's how I got to the hotel. What about the drinks and lingeries on the floor?" His brow raised, interest piqued."Two words, Bruce and Steve.""Oh." Markris nodded. Oddly, he felt a knot lifting off his chest. He had been too disgusted even to imagine himself going wild with girl
"The Giardini la mortella?" Markris scrunched his face when the driver turned to the famous garden."Yep." Jorginho nodded beside him."So an outdoor wedding then." He said, stroking his chin."With lots of people," Jorginho squinted his eyes to see through the tinted glass. "I presume." He added.Markris scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Of course. It would have been much more surprising if many people were not invited.""Just take a deep breath, and let's get it over with. Okay?" Jorginho grabbed his friend's knee, starting to feel sorry for him. It must be a challenging position to be in. He couldn't imagine being forced to do anything. Especially not marriage. His parents had given up on him in that sense."Fine." He said through his teeth."Go straight behind. We're not going straight to the garden." Jorginho ordered their driver. He couldn't see through the tinted car, but with the little he could, it was about to be a packed wedding.The News stations were ready with their cameras.