The mansion was silent now, except for the low hiss of flames and the metabolic tang of blood in the air. Smoked curled through shattered windows, moonlight casting pale light over the aftermath of the massacre.
Bodies lay scattered across the marble floor, Fernando's men and Mina's men alike, the war leaving nothing but stillness.
Naarah lies on the floor with her pistol rolled over. She scanned the place with her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. Only a handful of their guards survived. They were bruised, battered, clutching weapons as if they might collapse at any moment.
Naarah lay sprawled on the floor near the grand staircase, her chest heaving as if every breath was a battle.
" So he was with you all this while?" She asked Kendrick, who had rested his head on the stairs.
"Hmm." He replied.
Naarah scoffed and looked at him;
" And you said nothing? You piece of shit. You both made us think he was dead."
" Mind your words when talking to me, Williams."
She scoffed and raised herself up.
" Or else what? You're also going to make me pretend I died?"
" Touché, Naarah. Touché. " He said with a mocking tone.
She stood up looking for her friend. Not far from the hallway, she spotted her cousin. Getting closer to him, she rolled her eyes.
"Pathetic." She murmured under her breath.
When she got closer to him, she crossed her arms against her chest.
"Good to see you , cousin."
Aaron turned to look at her. He could see hatred I'm her eyes.
"Naarah. Good to see you too." He responded.
He sneaked his hands into his pockets, eying his cousin.
" Thank you for looking after them. I-"
She lifted her hand to silence him.
" I didn't do it because of you, Aaron. I did it because I love her. And I was true to her. At least I didn't show up unannounced to scare the shit out of her."
After saying that, she twisted the doorknob and entered the guest room.
He sucked in the air greedily. Was coming back a bad idea? He could deal with his cousin, but Mina, his princess, he couldn't stomach the fact that he had hurt her. Countless times. He's always messing up. He brushed his hand through his hair out of frustration.
*******
" Hey baby" Naarah said
Mina smiled at her.
" Is he gone?" She asked
Naarah sat near her on the bed, and she held Mina's hand which was lying beside her. With a gentle squeeze, she shook her head.
" You don't need to forgive him, just because he showed up. You were fine without him and you have me."
"I know, but-" she snuffled back the tears.
Naarah caressed Mina's hand.
" I needed him, and he decided to disappear. I can't leave like this Naarah. I want peace for once."
"And you would get it. Just know I'm here for you, girl."