Beneath the Mistletoe

Chapter2

~Tiara

"Oof, late!" I groaned, jolting upright in bed. I scrambled to check the time on my phone, only to see that I had slept through my alarm and was already running late.

"No time for a shower," I muttered, quickly brushing my teeth and haphazardly stuffing my belongings into my suitcase.

As I sprinted out of the room, my phone buzzed in my pocket, the insistent buzzing reminding me of a time bomb.

I checked the screen, my eyes widening at the missed calls. 50 missed calls from Gerald. I sighed, shaking my head.

"Why was that cheat calling," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in frustration. "Gerald, I'm not your fool anymore. That chapter is closed."

With a determined stride, I made my way to the airport, my suitcase in tow. I could see the clock ticking down on the screen at the check-in desk, a silent reminder of my tardiness.

"Flight for Madrid, please?" I said, panting as I reached the counter. The attendant gave me a sympathetic smile, but I could feel a wave of relief wash over me as she printed my boarding pass.

"Whew, made it," I breathed, collapsing into my seat on the plane.

Stepping out of the airport and into the balmy Madrid air, I breathed in deeply. Home at last.

As the chauffeur helped me with my bags, I smiled to myself. there was nothing quite like returning to the familiar embrace of my family's mansion.

"Tiara!" my mother called out as I stepped through the grand entrance of our family's mansion. "Welcome home, my darling. We've missed you!"

I embraced her warmly, feeling a sense of peace wash over me as I took in the scent of her perfume. "It's so good to be back, mama. The trip was...eventful, to say the least."

My father, a distinguished-looking man with silver hair, joined us in the foyer. "Ah, Tiara," he said, smiling.

"Your mother tells me you were quite busy in Los Angeles," he continued, raising an eyebrow. "I trust you managed to take care of things with Gerald, he gave us a call when he couldn't reach you?"

I let out a deep sigh, my shoulders slumping as I remembered the events of the night before. "Gerald and I are over," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Things didn't work out, but I think it's for the best."

My mother's hand reached out and brushed against my cheek. "Oh, my dear, I'm so sorry," she said softly, but do not worry, your father and I have just arranged for you to get married to Giovanni Hernandez the son of …...

My mind wandered to last night, Mistletoe memories danced in my mind, whispers of a winter's night kiss that left me breathless. The charming stranger's smile still shone bright, like a fleeting spark. 'My mistletoe,' I sighed, longing to recapture the magic of that moment, to relive the promise of a chance encounter that might blossom into something more."

"Tiara, are you even listening to me?" my mother asked, her voice a mixture of exasperation and concern.

"Hmm? Oh, sorry," I said, snapping out of my reverie. "I was just thinking about...never mind. What were you saying about this arranged marriage?"

My mother sighed, walking over to the marble-topped kitchen island and leaning against it. "Tiara, your father and I have arranged for you to be married to the son of a very prominent family here in Spain. It's a political match, but it will also be good for your future.

I frowned, my stomach churning at the thought of being forced into a marriage with someone I didn't know or love. "But why?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "I'm not ready for marriage, not like this."

"Tiara, darling," my mother continued, her voice strained, "Your wedding is this weekend, on New year day. You won't be seeing your husband before the ceremony, but I assure you he's a fine young man, and this will be a good match for you."

"You've got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed, my hands flying to my ears as I marched up the stairs, trying to block out my mother's words. "A blind marriage with Giovanni Hernandez, or whatever his name is? You're not serious, are you?"

"Tiara, please," my mother called after me, her voice rising. "This is for your own good, for the family's good."

I stopped in my tracks, turning around to face her. "My own good? Mother, you can't honestly expect me to marry a stranger, someone I've never even met? Mother, this is ridiculous.

"It's not ridiculous," she snapped, her patience wearing thin. "This is tradition. It's the way it's always been done in our family.

Without another word, I stormed out of the mansion, ignoring my mother's calls as I raced down the steps and into my car.

As I sped away, my mind whirled with the shock and frustration of the situation. A blind marriage? It was absurd. And to think I had barely escaped one bad relationship with Gerald, only to be thrown into another.

I arrived at Sarah's apartment in a frenzy, rushing up the stairs and banging on her door.

"Sarah? Sarah, are you home?" I called out, knocking on the door with a sense of urgency. No response. The door, however, was unlocked.

I pushed it open and stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room. My heart stopped when I saw her. Sarah was lying on the floor, a pool of blood spreading out around her.

"Sarah!" I cried, rushing to her side.

"Sarah, can you hear me? Please, please don't do this to me. Sarah, breathe. Please, just breathe."

"let me take you to the hospital," I pleaded, my voice shaking as I tried to lift her into my arms. " You're going to be okay."

She shook her head weakly, tears streaming down her face. "No, Tiara, it's too late," she whispered. "I don't have much time left. Please, just listen to me."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small recording device, and a letter, handing it to me. I took it in my shaking hands, noting the blood stains on its surface.

"This device, and the letter...it has the evidence you need," Sarah said, her voice growing weaker by the second. "The person who did this to me...he's a part of something bigger.

"No no no, Sarah, please, don't die on me," I sobbed, cradling her head in my arms. "I can't do this without you. I need you. Please, Sarah, just hold on. Please."

Sarah reached out, taking my hand in hers. "Tiara, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm weak. But before I die, promise me you'll read the letter I left for you, and that you'll take my revenge for me.

"You're the only person I can trust with this.

"Tiara, please, promise me," Sarah pleaded. "I don't have much time left, but I know you'll make them pay. You're strong. Stronger than you think. You can do this."

Tears streaming down my face, I nodded. "I promise," I whispered, holding her hand tightly. "I p

romise, Sarah. I'll make them pay. I'll find them and I'll make them regret this."