As Allah Almighty says in the Muslims' holy book, the Qur'an, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 54:
"And they schemed, and Allah schemed, and Allah is the best of schemers."
But what does this verse have to do with Georgia and those around her?
Was it because of Mido's faith?
No… in truth, everyone had gathered to play a game of hide-and-seek, where the last survivor would claim a great fortune. That was Georgia's plan—her cunning scheme built on deception and manipulation.
Yet she forgot that God sees everything, and His will prevails over every plot. Her game collapsed; her pawn, Jack, lay dead, and Mido, the one she had wagered on, was left drained of strength, now lying helpless upon the bed.
And Georgia—the alluring temptress, once irresistible to men—had lost her charm. Her heart, weary and battered, could no longer endure… and it longed once more for its first love.
So, will she continue her damned game and pursue her old plan?
Or will she weave a new one—plunging into a fierce struggle with Serena for Mido's heart?
The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the walls.
Mido lay still on the bed, his breathing calm, as if battling another world within his dreams.
Serena rested beside him, her head on his shoulder, her fingers entwined with his, whispering softly:
Serena (whispering):
"Please… wake up. You're the only one who can stand against that witch."
On the couch sat Sarah, Christina, and Julia, their eyes fixed on Mido's fragile state.
But James… he sat apart, staring at an invisible mirror of his own making, a smug smile curling his lips. Slowly, he began to speak aloud, basking in his own reflection:
James (narcissistically):
"Look at me… the great James. Every woman longs for a single glance from me. My hair? Perfect, silk-like. My eyes? They shine with the fire of kings. Ah… even my shadow adores me!"
He laughed manically before answering himself in a deeper, darker tone, as if another voice lived inside him:
James (in a grave voice):
"Don't fool yourself, James… They despise you. They laugh behind your back. And Mido? If he wakes up… he'll erase you in an instant."
James's expression twisted. He struck his chest with his hand and shouted into the void:
James (madly):
"I'm better than him! I'm James… the star that never fades!"
The tension snapped.
Sarah suddenly rose, yelling at him:
Sarah:
"Enough, James! Sit down—your madness is driving us insane!"
Christina (sharply):
"We're here for Mido, not for your cheap theater."
Julia (bitterly):
"Shut up for once, James… Do you realize every word from you feels like a dagger while we're waiting for a miracle?"
Silence fell heavy again, broken only by their ragged breaths.
Serena said nothing… she just fixed her gaze on James, her eyes burning with restrained fury, a silent curse that seemed powerful enough to silence him forever.
The air grew tense as James raised his voice, swaying unsteadily:
James:
"I won't stay silent. I'm the man of this house now! With Mido out of the picture, I'm in charge."
Sarah snapped at him:
"You're drunk, James! I told you not to drown yourself in tequila."
James smirked lazily, eyes half-shut:
James:
"I'm not drunk… just enlightened. Just enough to reach illumination."
Julia scoffed, her tone sharp with contempt:
"Illumination? You're nothing but a coward. You can't even defend yourself—how could you stand against Georgia, or protect any of us?"
James raised a trembling finger, grinning:
James:
"I can… oh, I will! I'll kill her—or…" he chuckled darkly, "…finish what she and I started in bed."
Then he burst into manic laughter, the sound echoing wildly through the room, betraying how deep he had fallen into drunkenness.
Christina, furious, grabbed a pillow from the couch and hurled it at him. It hit his shoulder, and he staggered even more, nearly collapsing.
Christina (snapping):
"Shut your mouth, James! Or I'll have Serena beat the arrogance out of you!"
James tried to steady himself but turned toward the wall instead, raising his fists as if facing an invisible army:
James (shouting):
"You want to face me?! Come on then! I'll take you all down! Muhammad Ali is here!"
Christina shot Serena at a desperate glance:
Christina:
"Please… deal with him. Just… avoid his face—he's still my man."
Serena rose slowly. She leaned down to press a gentle kiss on Mido's forehead and whispered:
Serena (softly):
"I'll be right back, my love…"
Then, with quick determined steps, she moved toward James. In one swift motion, she threw him to the floor. Each time he tried to rise, she slammed him back down with precise judo moves, until she pinned him beneath her.
James (screaming hysterically):
"Let me go! I'm the champion here! No one defeats me!"
But his cries dissolved into pitiful laughter… and then silence.
Serena pinned James to the ground with all her strength, pressing hard on his shoulders until he could no longer move. She leaned down and whispered in a cold, threatening tone:
Serena:
"Shut your mouth… before I tell everyone, especially Christina, that you still suck your thumb when you sleep… and cuddle a Teddy bear."
James froze, his voice rising in panic:
James:
"Listen! Leave Teddy out of this!"
The room erupted with laughter, loud and uncontrollable. But the laughter froze into silence the moment the door opened.
Alfonzo entered, his face expressionless, carrying Georgia in his arms as if she were a sleeping child. He didn't look at anyone, didn't care about the chaos in the room. He walked straight to Mido's bed, gently laid Georgia down beside him, placed her hand over Mido's chest, tucked the blanket around her, and bent down to kiss her forehead.
Alfonzo (softly):
"Good night… my lady."
That was the breaking point. Rage that had been burning in silence exploded in Serena's heart. Her eyes ignited with a dark hatred, and the timid, shy features she was known for vanished, replaced by the face of a predator.
With a sudden movement, she pulled out a medium-sized sword hidden beneath her shirt and screamed:
Serena:
"I'll kill you, bastard!"
The room fell into a deadly silence. Eyes widened in disbelief.
Where did she get that sword?! Where was Serena who always blushed and lowered her gaze?
That Serena was gone. In her place stood a ruthless beast, an avenger.
Alfonzo turned slowly, his eyes steady, his hand sliding to his side to draw a broad, gleaming sword. He gave a faint, cold smile and stepped forward.
Alfonzo:
"So… the time for the truth has come."
The clash was instant. Steel struck steel with thunderous force, sparks flying, the air thick with the sound of metal grinding against metal.
Serena fought like someone possessed, her strikes furious, eyes locked on only one goal: to kill Alfonzo.
He parried her blows with calm precision, almost as if he were toying with her, testing her wrath before unleashing his own.
Blades rose and fell in a deadly dance. Sarah covered her mouth to stifle a scream, while Julia clutched Christina's arm as though the roof might collapse over them.
Then, with a swift feint, Serena dodged a near-fatal strike, spun behind Alfonzo, and drove her sword deep into his shoulder, forcing him against the wall.
She pressed harder, lifting him slightly with one hand pinning him, while the other stabbed through his shirt, the blade trapping him against the wall.
Her breaths were ragged, her eyes burning embers.
Serena (coldly):
" die… or do you want to say the truth?"
Blood dripped from his wound, but Alfonzo smiled defiantly.
Alfonzo:
"I'd rather know the truth."
Serena tilted her head, a dark smile curving her lips.
Serena:
"I'd rather kill you."
In an instant, she pulled out several throwing knives and hurled them at him, one after another. The blades pierced the wall around him, embedding themselves in the wood, caging him in steel.
But not one struck him.
Finally, a knife flew straight toward his face, stopping just inches from his eye.
The entire room gasped in terror. The air itself seemed to freeze.