The Shadows We Keep

Chapter 3

What's happening?..

My thoughts continued to return to my friendship with Dorina, even after it was shockingly revealed that Kreed Montagro was actually my father. We had spent our childhood together, exploring the city and disclosing our most private secrets.

Our friendship had endured despite our disparate worlds, I realised as I reflected on our early years. While my father was a nobleman, Dorina's father was a billionaire. We don't let that deter us, though. We joked and chuckled as we explored the city, and I remembered that when we snuck out of our houses and met up in the park. We talked about our aspirations and goals during our late-night sleepover at Dorina's house, and I remembered that. I became aware of the differences between our lifestyles as I grew older.

Dorina's dad was a self-made man who started his business from nothing. In contrast, my parents had a long history of privilege and riches and were aristocrats. Nevertheless, our friendship endured in spite of our disparate upbringings. To avoid our parents' and the paparazzi's prying eyes, we would get together in private.Dorina would support me while I navigated this shocking new reality, I knew.

She was not just a friend; she was also my confidante, sister, and accomplice. I took my phone out and sent her a text. "Hi Dori. We require to speak." No matter what, I knew she would support me. And while I awaited her answer, I was filled with love and appreciation for my close buddy. Our friendship was going to be put to the test in ways we could never have predicted, but I had no idea. When I texted Dorina, she replied right away .

"Hi Di? To meet you, I'm on my way. I grinned as relief washed over me. I knew Dorina would be there for me no matter what. A tiny cafeteria on the outskirts of town was where we first met.

Dorina was there already, staring at her phone while drinking a latte. I slid into the booth across from her, comfortable and comfortable.Saying "Hey, Dori," I grinned. Dorina looked up and we locked eyes. She spoke in an anxious tone., "What's going on, Di?

Trying to process everything that had happened, I took a big breath. When I stated, "Kreed Montagro is my real father," it felt surreal. Dorina's eyes became wide with shock. How about this? "That is absurd!" she exclaimed. During a period of overwhelm,I nodded.

"You know what I mean? I'm still working through it. Dorina took my hand in hers and extended out. The words "We'll get through this together, Di," came out of her with conviction.

I grinned, filled with appreciation. "Dori, thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you. Sitting hand in hand, trying to make sense of this new reality, I knew we were closer than ever.We had no idea, though, that our lives would soon change drastically.

One that would put our love, friendship, and commitment to the test.Dorina's phone rang out of the blue as we sat there trying to comprehend the news of my biological father. Her surprised eyes widened as she glanced at the television

.

"It's my father," she murmured, making hardly more than a whisper. My eyebrows went up. "What does he want?" "What?" I enquired. Dorina paused and appeared unsure. "I can’t tell ," she said. "But I have to answer it." She listened carefully to the person on the other end of the phone as she answered. First she looked surprised, then shocked, and then determined.

My thoughts continued to return to my friendship with Dorina, even after it was shockingly revealed that Kreed Montagro was actually my father.

We had spent our childhood together, exploring the city and disclosing our most private secrets. Our friendship had endured despite our disparate worlds, I realised as I reflected on our early years. While my father was a nobleman, Dorina's father was a billionaire. We don't let that deter us, though. We joked and chuckled as we explored the city, and I remembered that when we snuck out of our houses and met up in the park.

We talked about our aspirations and goals during our late-night sleepover at Dorina's house, and I remembered that. I became aware of the differences between our lifestyles as I grew older. Dorina's dad was a self-made man who started his business from nothing. In contrast, my parents had a long history of privilege and riches and were aristocrats.

Nevertheless, our friendship endured in spite of our disparate upbringings. To avoid our parents' and the paparazzi's prying eyes, we would get together in private.Dorina would support me while I navigated this shocking new reality, I knew. She was not just a friend; she was also my confidante, sister, and accomplice. I took my phone out and sent her a text. "Hi Dori. We require to speak."

No matter what, I knew she would support me. And while I awaited her answer, I was filled with love and appreciation for my close buddy. Our friendship was going to be put to the test in ways we could never have predicted, but I had no idea. When I texted Dorina, she replied right away. "Hey, Di? I am en route to meet you. Relief filled me, and I smiled. Dorina would always be there for me, I knew. Our first meeting was in a small cafeteria on the outskirts of town. Already there was Dorina, sipping a latte and looking through her phone.

I slid across from her into the booth, feeling at ease and familiar. Saying "Hey, Dori," I grinned. Dorina looked up and we locked eyes. She spoke in an anxious tone., "What's going on, Di? Trying to process everything that had happened, I took a big breath. When I stated, "Kreed Montagro is my real father," it felt surreal. Dorina's eyes became wide with shock. How about this? "That is absurd!" she exclaimed. During a period of overwhelm,I nodded. "You know what I mean? I'm still working through it. Dorina took my hand in hers and extended out. The words "We'll get through this together, Di," came out of her with conviction.

I grinned, filled with appreciation. "Dori,I do appreciate you alot . I don't know what I would have done without you. Sitting hand in hand, trying hard to make meaning of this already meaningless happenings, I knew we were closer than ever.We had no idea, though, that our lives would soon change entire within a twinkle of an eye. One that would put our love, friendship, and commitment to the test.Dorina's phone rang out of the blue as we sat there trying to comprehend the news of my biological father. Her surprised eyes widened as she glanced at the television. "It's my father," she murmured, making hardly more than a whisper. My eyebrows went up. "What does he want?" "What?" I enquired. Dorina paused and appeared unsure.

"I don't know," she said. "But I have to take it." She listened carefully to the person on the other end of the phone as she answered. First she looked surprised, then shocked, and then determined.

"What's going on, Dori?" Uncomfortably, I enquired. Prior to speaking, Dorina inhaled deeply. "My father wants us to get married now," she stated firmly. I felt as thought my stomach had churned . What? It's insane!" "Oh!" I cried. With her eyes fixed on mine, Dorina nodded. "My father will stop at nothing to protect his empire, even if it sounds bonkers. And being married to you is crucial."

It left me speechless. Getting hitched to Dorina? The idea was unimaginable. However, something in her eyes caused me to halt as I peered into them. An attractive spark. An inkling of potential.

Just as I was beginning to think that it was impossible, Dorina's subsequent remarks threw everything into disarray. When she said, her voice just about exceeded the whisper level as she said, "But there's something you should know, Di," "I'm not who you think I am." I was looking at her with my heart thumping in my chest and my mind racing. Furthermore, what did she mean?,? Actually, who was she? Then everything went dark right before I could demand answers. I found myself lying in a luxurious bedroom with pricey furnishings and lovely décor as I woke up. Dorina sat next me, hands gripping my hand, looking scared.

"Di, can you hear me?" With a calm and soft voice, she enquired. Trying to sit up, I nodded. I had to lie down again, though, since I felt lightheaded. "What happened?" I enquired, feeling lost and bewildered. Dorina paused and appeared unsure. She remarked, "You fainted," "I think it was just the shock of everything." I nodded, attempting to take it in. However, when I surveyed the space, I became aware of a problem. Dorina didn't sleep in this room. It was also not my bedroom. "Where am I?" Uncomfortably, I enquired. Dorina paused once again, as if she had something to conceal. "You're in my father's mansion," she said. "He brought you here after you fainted."

A wave of terror swept over me. I was taken to Kreed Montagro's mansion, but why? From me, what did he want? I was just beginning to obtain responses when I heard someone speak from behind me. "Welcome, Dior," the voice claimed. "I see you're awake." As I looked around, I noticed Kreed Montagro standing in the doorway with a cunning smile on his face. His amused eyes glinted as he remarked, "But there's something you should know," "You're more than simply my daughter's pal. Additionally, you are my daughter. My heart was thumping in my chest as I looked at him, my head spinning. How did he mean it? Did he mean that he was my biological father? However, Kreed Montagro revealed yet another shocking revelation before I had a chance to enquire further.

."