C14 A Fake Paradise

To Cassandra, who was listening to classical music while Richard read the official newspaper. The dictatorship was becoming unbearable. But that didn't matter. An unexpected call rang persistently. A number Cassandra never wanted to hear calling again... Richard left for the library. Cassandra's pallor was evident.

"Hello? You shouldn't be calling me anymore! After years, we agreed never to contact each other again! Never. We wouldn't cause any more trouble. But no, everything went wrong! They're together... Friends and happy, the girl survived!

"The tables have turned, Cassandra. Our efforts were in vain. Sabrina has recovered and wants to remember.

"Don't allow that!

"The game is up. "The person hung up. Cassandra then felt cornered. It would be another burden.

Arthur and Mayara staying at Arthur´s room. every new face are explored by the two.

Arthur couldn't stop kissing Mayara for a single second; she felt loved in those brief moments and very happy.

"Okay, okay, I give up. Looks like I'll have a jealous boyfriend for a while. "She laughed and nestled closer in his arms. "Arthur, something has been bothering me for a long time. And I've decided, it's... to try to understand what happened.

"Speak. "He kissed her forehead. "What is it?

"It's your business, but it's something dark and scary... You... Do you know what happened to your uncle and your mother?”

"I'll tell you what I know, my angel. If you want to investigate for me, feel free, I don't care about it anymore.”

"Arthur! I know it's painful, but it's your mother, part of your history, your identity! You need to care, even if it's just a little bit.”

"I was about five or six years old when it all happened. My father and mother never really liked each other, indeed. It was an arranged marriage; my mother's name was Mikaela and my uncle's, Sebastian. My father began to suspect that they were having a secret love affair and doubted that I was really his son. Strange things were happening, and my father's and my lives were in danger. My uncle wanted to kill us and take power, or make me like him and my grandfather, and of course, marry my mother. Then one day my father said he caught them red-handed and said he would divorce and banish them for high treason "Arthur paused, emphasizing the word 'treason' in a chilling way for Mayara "but they argued fiercely, and my uncle and my mother fled to the south of the country. But the plane malfunctioned and went off course. No one ever knew what really happened to them, but my father did a DNA test, and it came back positive. Since then, he has never liked another woman and raised me his way. Despite being very strict, he's a good father. When I turned 20, I was sent to Santa Helena, and I met you, Makeda, the girl I like.”

"Wow! Arthur. That's very sad. Strange. There's a lot that doesn't fit.

"I know. I'd like to know the truth, but my father refuses to talk about it. Speaking of which, today is Family Day, show up casually so I can introduce you as a friend... Hehehehe... You know, keep up appearances.”

"Arthur, you're quite mischievous…”

"Mischievous! It's different. And I really enjoy being around interesting women; I'm a free and radical man. You're the hottest girl I've ever had by my side. Unfortunately, royal duties call me, my sunshine. "he said, stretching slowly "oh, I'm so sleepy! "he yawned "I think we better get ready for the day. Your sister will surely want to do girly things.

"Oh, Arthur! You silly! I have to go!”

"Make sure you don't do anything silly, okay! Go, my love." They exchanged a peck. And Mayara hurriedly left, very happy. Arthur remained lying, pensive. The song that reminded him of Mayara came to his mind. She would have surprises.

Mayara chose a blue dress, with a highlighted belt at the waist and stiletto heels to spend the day today, while her sister also dressed up with care and attention, talking non-stop. Celina opted for a sophisticated blouse and jeans, complemented with golden heels. It was a beautiful sunny day, and families were settling in the green area of San Martín. Influential and dangerous people were entering the school for secret meetings. Rich and influential, even Arthur's family was there. Present.

The Startling Appearance of the Elite "Part 01: Meeting Enemies

Paul Vischtich was the most celebrated of the guests. Richard greeted the old friend and Arthur's father, Sir Rafael. Willian changed his appearance and was very happy, hugging his two daughters. Everyone was happy until some unexpected guests appeared. The governor. Diego Lee! William's former friend was there, cold, recovered, standing, and more vengeful than ever. Madalenah, Victor, and Sabrina, accompanied by their family. She was a bit pale, but she was elegant dressed like a princess, in a typical blue dress. Celina already knew Princess Sabrina. Her mother, Queen Amara Mirela, looked at her daughter. She was silent. Makeda looked at them, curious, and then looked away. That was her mother. No one told her anything. But judging by Guilherme's discomforted face, who wouldn't let go of Madalenah, that damn woman had returned... What did Sabrina want this time? Celina was holding onto Makeda and both looked at the elegant woman who seemed curious. But the most extremely irritating thing was Mayara! The damn governor, the tyrannosaurus, was there! She felt her blood boiling. Diego could harm her father.

Despite being weak, still, Sabrina, aided by her mother and Diego, approaches Guilherme's table.

"You are not welcome here, ma'am. "Celina said coldly.

"That's not how you talk to a princess. Especially when that princess is related to you. Blood ties.

"Blood ties? "Celina asked, surprised. "Don't be ridiculous, princess. You never cared about us.

"Show some respect, Celina. She is a princess!

"This is a trap, Mayara! I don't know how she found us here. All I know is that I don't want any contact with this woman who abandoned her daughters to their fate! Look at your story, sister! You grew up an orphan without a father and mother. You had no support, no love, and care. And now, she conveniently appears? I won't buy this story.

"Celina, I agree with you, but this isn't how it gets resolved! We need to talk in a private place, and this is not the time, princess. "Mayara looks Sabrina directly in the eyes. Cassandra laughed coldly, while Celina looked at Mayara with hatred. Celina was beyond furious! Cassandra gave a secretive smile. Sabrina sensed that something was wrong. After Celina's clumsy exit, all the guests of the Family Day festival gathered in a secret room. Paul leads the meeting, the subject: Santiago Diaz and his missing fortune.

Mayara managed to calm her sister down and gave her a strong sedative, putting her to sleep with a lullaby song in the softest cadence she could manage. Celina now slept peacefully, recovered from the nervous breakdown. Mayara covered her with a pink sheet and left. In her dress, she chose to wear the school uniform. Something told her that something very sinister was happening, and she saw Arthur from afar, with an indecipherable expression, walking through the cemetery behind the green area. She followed him hidden, carrying a small flashlight, as the place was somewhat eerie and dark. A damp and foul-smelling corridor hid behind the old statues and the evergreen, antiquated foliage. Arthur kept walking. It seemed that the path was a secret passage. A wide staircase came after a foul-smelling trapdoor.

Arthur looked back twice, suspicious, and kept walking. Then he continued laughing. But Makeda ended up going another way; a dimly lit corridor stretched for miles. Apparently, there were several underground passages in San Martin, just like at Santa Helena. Arthur laughed. Someone who wasn't from there was following him. Two things could happen. The girl didn't know where she was getting into; the acrid smell of the place was too much. Finally, she stopped. From the upper floor, she heard voices and a door being opened. They were all cursing and arguing. The same subject: where could... Makeda stopped to listen. Everyone present was nervous and arguing, settled in the director's medieval room.

"You know the risk we are taking! Guilherme, your daughter is out of control. If it weren't for that other girl, she would have made everyone hear our conversation and ruined everything.

"She doesn't know anything, I guarantee it.

"William, you didn't know how to raise Celina " Sabrina reprimanded, "and I see that it was a mistake to leave my daughters behind!

"Daughters... "said Paul "these girls are lovely.”

"They are twins. Celina and Mayara are twins. Maya is more reserved. She doesn't like events much. " William gave a pleading look: "Please don't tell her, Paul!" to Paul.

"Oh yes. It's been a long time since I've seen Mayara. Was she really in Spain?”

Sabrina raised an eyebrow, suspicious, and looked at William.” How?”

"Let's move on to the subject of the meeting?”

"Of course! Of course! We are all gathered here with our newest honored guest. Welcome to the group, Your Majesty. We still need to discuss another matter.”

Makeda listened horrified to everything they discussed and still didn't know who Santiago was. She climbed a little higher, and the false door led to underneath the table where everyone was gathered!

"Santiago harmed a lot of people. And we know he left an heir. The question is: who is this heir? Who?" Paul said. Paul was a dark-skinned man, slightly graying, with bright blue eyes, extremely charming and handsome. A powerful Latin boss, resembling Richard in that aspect. He wore a brown pinstripe suit and a light hat. Makeda felt an instantaneous attraction to him and blushed at the thought of him running, speaking, and whispering Spanish phrases in her ear with that smooth, hoarse voice. All the women were looking directly at him, even Cassandra, dreamy-eyed. There were several people. Ruan, Paul's young assistant, Victor, the mysterious and equally seductive school director, his father, Princess Sabrina, her grandparents, and Arthur's father, Lord Rafael. That's when she went crazy. Rafael might be in his thirties, but his beauty was impressive: tall, strong, elegant, a handsome black man with dreadlocks and golden eyes like those of a black panther, ready to strike.

"Why did the queen abandon him?" Mayara thought. So many handsome, charming, and wonderful men gathered in the same room. Then she tried to concentrate on listening to what they were discussing. It was hard to take her eyes off Rafael and Victor, the most beautiful ones... She imagined being kissed. Arthur's family case was complicated, strange. But this meeting away from everyone was even more sinister. Running away from there, tripping and falling to the ground, disgusted by what she saw and heard.

Makeda watches her sister sleep peacefully. Would these fits of rage be constant? Her family hid many secrets. What was going on? She left Celina's room and ran into Ruan.

"Sorry. I didn't see where I was going."

"No problem."

"I hope you feel calm, Mayara. I won't tell anyone anything - joked Ruan. - as long as you're okay. You're Richard Halley's granddaughter, right? Your mother, Princess Sabrina, is waiting for you."

"Thanks again, Ruan..." Mayara thanked.

Mayara was distressed by what was happening. How could those people be her family, be part of her story? Most of the time, they were full of mystery.

"You remembered my name?" the surprised boy exclaimed.

"Yeah, I have a good memory," she said, embarrassed.

"It shows... By the way, you're Richard Halley's granddaughter, right? Is your name really Mayara?"

"Yes."

"Your mother wants to talk to you out in the courtyard."

"My mother?"

"Lady Princess Sabrina. She's your mother."

"Of course, my mother. I'm not very good at talking to relatives, you know?"

"Okay," he said, suspiciously. "You'd better go. It's not good to keep your mother waiting. Your sister is as nervous as she is."

"Thanks, Ruan. You're handsome and friendly. Bye-bye."

Sabrina walks back and forth, arguing with Guilherme. Makeda watches them both from afar and runs to hug her father without any ceremony.

"Where's your sister?" he said.

"Celina reluctantly calmed down and fell asleep with my method."

"How did you manage?"

"I can't tell you. It loses its charm and appeal - she joked. - Ruan said he wanted to talk to me."

"Ruan? He didn't flirt with you, did he?"

"Calm down, Dad! What did you want with me?"

"Well... your mother had already talked to Celina some time ago without me knowing, and Celina constantly rejects her. She... would like to... talk to you, dear."

"Celina has good reasons, Dad, and I don't disagree, but it's not polite to raise your voice to a duchess."

"I'm a princess, Makeda." Mayara froze. Only those who knew her intimately knew that this was the nickname/name by which she was known both in the elite and in the underworld where she had grown up. A name that commanded respect among people. How had she found out? How could she know?

"Only close ones call me that, princess." Makeda assumed a serious and rigid posture and crossed her arms. "But that's the name, uh, I'm known by."

"You don't look like Celina, nor do you seem as nervous as she or I are. All the women in our family are stubborn."

"No, I'm not stubborn or nervous. I just don't like to argue, princess. I don't get upset easily."

"Hmm..." Sabrina thinks. "There's something about you that reminds me of Cassandra and William. You're so different from what I imagined... how old are you?"

Mayara looked tense at her but responded with utmost politeness and great care.

“ i turned at 18, princess”

“ oh” Sabrina looked surprised with that.The surprise in Sabrina's expression was significant. The daughters were identical yet different at the same time. The meeting between William, Sabrina, and Mayara was tense and uncomfortable.

Mayara found herself torn between the tension of her encounter with Sabrina and the coldness of Celina, fueled by shadows of the past. While Celina spewed hatred, nourished by the seeds of resentment planted by Cassandra, Sabrina endeavored to establish a connection, with Mayara respecting Sabrina's princess title and acknowledging the complexity of the situation. Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Sabrina's kind and reassuring words enveloped Mayara like a comforting embrace, while Celina's disdainful gaze echoed like a dark shadow, reminding her of the scars of the past. It was a foreshadowing of the already tense future to come.

Mayara glanced at the princess from head to toe. Nothing had changed from the photos she had seen. However, her presence was making her life worse. She agreed to embrace her mother and left her contact information, promising to talk and calm Celina down. Mayara was a pacifist and needed as few problems as possible while trying to investigate what happened to Mikaela, the queen of Mauana.

Many possibilities were unfolding simultaneously in their lives. After stepping away from the strange encounter with her parents, Mayara chuckled at her mother's look. It was too funny. Didn't she?

Mayara took a deep breath and faced the princess. She looked elegant in her typical 19th-century dress, made of pure silk and lace gloves, navy blue in color. Her hair was styled in an elaborate bun, elegantly pinned up, the dress barely touching the ground due to the soft blue stiletto heels she wore. So different from her, she seemed innocent, but she knew what her father would say. An adorable serpent... with an angelic face and a fragile, naive air, she seemed only a few years older than Mayara herself. She was looking at her with curiosity, stirring unwanted, unfaithful emotions. But Mayara's thoughts were elsewhere. The conversation was also very amusing. But everything would be fine soon.