BRIANN P.O.V
On my way out of the hospital,my gaze caught a broadcast and i saw a
video related to Mr Mason was issued from billboards to billboards,some displayed a lady who seemed to be so much like me and I got a flash of someone's voice.Gentle and familiar as I sat slumped in the back seat of the car,my body became tense with pain.
A dull,throbbing ache pulsed through my temples and a sharper,twisting sensation clenched in my stomach like a warning bell.The scenery outside the window blurred past,but i barely noticed,my eyes were distant, unfocused,fixed on something far beyond the highway.
Then,like flickers of lightning behind my eyes,pieces of memory began to return and a smell came like rain on pavement,mixed with smoke and a sudden flash of light.More pieces started flooding in.Laughter.Screaming.My chest tightened as the fragments pressed in,sharp and disorienting.The pain in my head intensified as if my mind was fighting to protect me from what it had forgotten.
I gripped the seatbelt across my lap,my knuckles white,trying to steady myself against the rush of sensations,both physical and emotional.I could hear names,faces with shattering sounds as my breathing hitched.It was all coming back,too fast,too jumbled.
Tears welled in my eyes,but i couldn't tell if they were from the pain or the memories clawing their way to the surface.Maybe both.I wasn't just hurting,i was remembering.And it was terrifying.
My body was aching in ways I couldn't quite explain and there was a dull pain throbbed behind my eyes, pulsing with every heartbeat which made me press my hand there like I could somehow hold myself together.The car moved too fast or maybe too slow.I couldn't tell.Everything outside the window was too blur,but inside my head,things were starting to come back.
It continued with the same voice. Soft,warm,familiar.I didn't know whose it was at first,but it hit something deep in my chest.I flinched,clutching at the seat while trying to catch my breath in my throat like the feeling of my hands on cold metal.Someone crying.Was it me?
My head hurt worse now,like something inside was cracking open and I didn't know if I wanted to remember,but I couldn't stop it.My chest felt tight like I couldn't get enough air.My fingers were shaking.I blinked back tears,trying to focus on anything on the car,the road, the present,but it was no use.
I wasn't just in pain.I was waking up to something I'd lost.And it scared the hell out of me.
YEARS BACK.
Sitting at the dinning with Sua,my mom and dad,we were served ommelettes with so much side dishes while i noticed a strange atmosphere as if something was going on.Dad took a spoonful before saying.
"Sua!! you shall get married to Massilo Mason in three months time and with that,the company can grow out of his great abundance"
"Why must i get engaged into the Mason family,I already told you that i have someone else in my heart and i can't just give up upon my love...." Her sudden yell instilled fear inside me as i focused my gaze on the food,trying not to draw any attention.
"I can't leave America and start a new life at Ontario with those Masons. Dad....why can't you just understand me for once! I want to do what i want and make my own future,you can't tell me who i am meant to be with"
"Money is everything and without that! no one would want to love you.Do you think the one in your heart would love you if you are just a nobody" Dad rose his voice at her,taking in a sharp deep breath and looked at me. "If you don't do as i said,all the inheritance shall go to your sister and that will be final"
"Dad!!" She screamed so loud with her clenched fist on the table.
"Honey! You can't do this" Mom chimed in,already saw the worries through her glance.
"Forget about some stupid love and make money.That's the most important thing in this life.If you ain't successful,your life is nothing"
"How could you even think of giving my inheritance to Briann,I'm older and I'm meant to have most of the shares."
"Marry into the Mason family and I shall satisfy your wants,"
"I hate you," There was frustration and a dominant revenge in her voice when she shot me the glare that said;
Why do I always lost for you to win.
She stomped out of the dinning room, made ways for a peaceful moment until I cleared my throat and uttered,
"Dad,why do you want me to give me all the inheritance?"
"I realized Sua won't be worthy to handle them well and I don't want my company to fall into the wrong hands" Dad responded reassuringly.
"So you never had the intention to give Sua any shares,but that would be hurtfully"
"Darling!! Don't be too hard on her,it won't be nice to give all inheritance to the younger one" Mom gave out a sigh.
"Sua marrying into the mason family will help the company so much and make us richer"
"It's just like selling your daughter out for money,i can't believe you could do this" I got angry and went away.As soon as i passed Sua's room door,i heard her weeping,she was crying her eyes out by the door which broke my heart more,hoping i could calm her,but that would only make us enemies.I just had to overlook this,because there's nothing i can do to help.I eventually saw Mrs Angeles knocking on Sua's door and i had to walk up to her,pulling her closer.
"Is Sua alright? can you please give her a letter?"
"I'm sorry,but i can't let anything hurt her feelings anymore.I might just be her assigned personal maid,but Sua is also like a sister to me,i do care about her" She replied rudely,about to walk away,but i pulled her with a quick tug and fell on my knees to beg for a chance which gave her disdain.
"Alright,i will"
"Thank you so much,I'd be back" I got up to rush to my room,going straight to the drawer by my bedside and I took a book that had been kept since I was twelve.
I and Sua had a tight relationship until we turned fifteen,it was a draft filled with our days together,lovely drawings and words to remember,so I handed the book out to Mrs Angeles.
"I would like you to give this to Sua,it might help her calm down,"
"I would try!" She snatched it from me before entering Sua's room and shut the door on my face.I hope she doesn't cry too much.
xxxxxxxx
I woke up feeling so tired with the sunlight beading through my blinds and then,I heard my name from somewhere at the entrance,the voice sounded so much like mom when my eyes opened and i found her by the windowside.She shut the curtain,leaving the dingy room with a traveling bag in her tight grip.I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease as I got up and approached her just to hold her by the hand.
"Where are you going?" I asked curiously.
"You are also coming along" Her response wasn't satisfying enough,so I raised a brow in confusion before she spoke. "We are all setting off for Ontario today.Get your belongings ready and I won't be downstairs"
"But why?? It's too soon" I dragged my feet back into my room,recalling how Sua cried last night.After gathering most of the things I would definitely need over there,I rushed into the bathroom to freshen up and came out to dress into a smart casual wear which was a blue jeans trousers with a V-neck oversized shirt while I put on black sunglasses that suit the sneakers on me.My belongings were already crammed into a bag and was taken away by some maids.
I left for the lounge,already seeing everyone ready to leave.But the look on Sua's face could tell how sad she was while dad was busy trying to look his best for the trip.The journey to the airport was so boring like we were moaning over someone, no one said a word till the car arrived at the airport garage.I kept trying to speak to Sua while she avoided me.
"Sua!!"
She fastened her steps,staying six feet away. "What exactly do you want from me? it was your fault. I lost everything, what else do you want to take away from me!"
"I'm sorry!" I apologised,running to catch up with her.
"Fuck ya!" She went away.
AT ONTARIO
My first time at ontario was like a dream come true,the Mason's cars were parked at the garage and I sighted Mr Mason alighting from one of the most expensive Bugatti,his appearance hits the
wealthiest I've ever met that which would definitely make you bow.Approaching where he waited patiently,I realized how much he stinked of money,there was no single flaw about him as he came to meet us amd stretched his hand forward for an handshake with dad.
"It's so nice to meet you again,long time no see" His husky voice captured my gaze,almost got drawn by his handsomeness,but I had to look away even if it hurt my adulthood. "You must be pretty exhausted from the long trip to ontario.Don't you worry,I'm sure Massilo would be so happy to see his wife-to-be"
"I can't wait" Dad shot us the look that said;
Go in.
And we all entered our chosen car, leaving dad and Mr Mason behind as we were driven to the Mansion of the Mason and we got there at night.I had to take a moment to relax my body from the long trip by walking around the house while the rest went into the apartment,letting the maids to take out the bags from each cars before Mr Mason and dad arrived.They were busy chit-chatting with rumbled laughter and came to a stop when they noticed my presence.
"Why aren't you inside yet? Is anything wrong" Mr Mason asked,walking up to me out of concern.
"I only stayed out here for fresh air,I'm a bit exhausted,so relaxing my brain outside could be way much better" I responded, about to bow for farewell, but dad interrupted in a hasty. "Go in for dinner this instant! won't you greet your in-laws?"
"It's okay,she can take all the time she wants, just don't stay out too late" He was generous and charming,his words melted my heart,almost smiling to every words he said,hiding the urge to find his weakness and i realized he would be a good father-in-law. "Forget about what your father said to you.He's only worried about your safety"
"I'm so much honoured" I bowed my head so low,avoiding eye-contact with my dad.Mr Mason left to go into the house,leaving dad behind and I was pulled by the ear when he moved closer just to whisper to me. "Don't even try to cause any trouble or else...you shall live in regret forever"
"I didn't want to be here,but you forced us all" I slapped his hand away and walked away,into the house just as the door shut on his face.Everyone were seated at the dinning including the Mason family.I could hear laughter and chatty conversations among them which gave me the courage to approach the dinning room,going to sit next to Massilo who said nothing,order than being a good listener to all they said and leering at Sua until mom spoke. "Massilo should get along with Sua before the wedding day,i would like him to be my son-in-law and give me a grandchild"
Silence filled the room,seeing the anxiety written all over him just as he laughed nervously,trying to stop avoid looking right into Sua's eyes and i responded. "There shouldn't be haste in the wedding preparation, they should spend some time together and get to know each other"
"That's right!" Mrs Mason reply could tell how she strongly disapproved the decision,but still had to put up with everything by smiling to every words mom said which was so much about Massilo and Sua,making dinner the worst for everyone.
"Massilo seemed to be a good man that would be able to take good care of my daughter"
"mom,we know that!!" I tried to shut her up when Mrs Mason grinned,already feeling uncomfortable and stuck few strands of hair behind her ears,stealing a glance of Sua's face as there was an awkward sense between both of them.I had to focus on my food,taking a spoonful of rice.
"Why don't we talk less and eat before our meals get cold"
"True" Mom continued the discussion, already made most of us tired except Mrs Mason who had a suspicious look, while she responded to mom so genuinely with grin from ear to ear as if there was a hidden secret,but i just decided to ignore,bringing up a different discussion.
The dinning room buzzed with the sounds of laughter,clinking glasses and overlapping conversations.Plates of roasted vegetables,wine glasses half-full, and flickering candles set the stage for a warm gathering,but for Sua,she was lust as if everything else blurred into the background and then my eyes found Mrs Mason smiling at Sua like there was something more between them.
Sua was seated diagonally across the table,her expression was calm,but her gaze held a quiet fire that only Mrs Mason could recognize.It was subtle.
They had not shared any moments alone nor had any brief encounter.
Now,under the warm glow of fairy lights and conversation,their secret hummed like a second language only they spoke.Mrs Mason tried to focus on mom's story about how she got to know the Mason family,but I could feel the heat of her gaze. Steady,knowing,dangerous in its softness.
When dessert was served,Sua excused herself to the bathroom.A minute later, Mrs Mason followed.
The dinning became quiet and I decided to trail them.