AT MARCELO'S MANSION
Savanna stepped off the bus and onto the grand driveway of Marcello Mansion, her worn sneakers a stark contrast to the opulent surroundings. She had just received an unexpected ride home from work and arrived earlier than expected, hoping to surprise Marcello. But as she approached the entrance, a sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach.
She pushed open the heavy wooden doors and entered the lavish foyer, her eyes scanning the marble floors and crystal chandeliers. The silence was eerie, and she knew she was alone in the mansion, except for Marcello and maybe a few staff members.
As she made her way to the living room, she heard a faint noise, like whispers and giggles. Her heart raced with anticipation, and she pushed open the door to find Marcello and her best friend, Sophia, entwined on the couch. They were lost in a passionate embrace, oblivious to her presence. finally, they noticed her presence and stopped, looking up with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.
“Well, well, well, look who we have here, our little bee has finally come to pay a visit” He said smirking at her while Stella just giggled not bothering to cover herself.
“Hey ari, we're are just having a little fun, don't be so uptight girl”
She said rubbing marcello's chest
Savanna's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the betrayal. Marcello, the man she loved, the one she had given everything to, was cheating on her with her best friend. And they didn't even bother to hide it, didn't care that she had caught them red-handed.
Marcello just smirked at her his eyes devoid of any guilt or shame.
She felt a wave of anger wash all over her ; “fun? You call this fun? Betraying me like this? “ She shouted in an outburst. Marcello just shrugged, “you're always so busy so we thought we'll have our own entertainment”he replied her and Stella nodded in agreement
“ Yh, you're always so focused on your job and ‘cello here needed attention we didn't even think you'd notice”Stella said
“Notice?, you think I wouldn't notice my boyfriend and my best friend betraying me in the worst possible way”
“It's no big deal, it's just s*x” He said as he shrugged
“Yh, get over yourself, you're not the only one that matters you know” Stella snickered
Savanna felt a deep sadness wash over her, mixed with a feeling of disgust, she realised that she had been too blind to the people she was surrounding herself with “you're not even sorry ,are you? “She asked, her voice shaking with sadness and anger
Marcello and Stella exchanged a lookand they burst out laughing”sorry, what do we have to be sorry for?”Marcello asked still chuckling.
She felt a cold dread creeping up her spine. She realized that she was the only one in this relationship, she's the only one that cared
With a quiet sob, she turned and fled the scene, leaving behind the shattered remains of her heart and the luxurious facade of Marcello Mansion. She knew she would never set foot in that house again, never let Marcello's cold, calculating gaze pierce her soul again. She was done, finished, and she knew she would never be the same again.
As she walked down the sun drenched road, her mind reeled with the shocking experience earlier. The pain and betrayal coursed through her veins like ice water.
Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision as she walked aimlessly, unaware of her surroundings she was headed home, trying to escape the agony that lingered in her heart.
The sound of screeching tires and a car horn blaring jolted her back to reality. She looked up to see a car swerving to avoid hitting her, it's sun glazed windshield reflecting the afternoon light.
A young man dressed in black hoodie, black joggers and white pair of sneakers his hair styled in a comb style;alighted from the car.
SEAN'S POV: I was on a call with the manager in my car, when I quickly swerved, phew I had almost hit someone, as I raised my head, I saw a young beautiful lady standing in the crosswalk, her angelic face streaming with tears. Her curvy shape and Auburn hair only added to her beauty, but it was her distressed aura that truly caught my attention.
As she stepped back from the car, her eyes locked onto mine and I saw a depth if sorrow and betrayal that I couldn't begin to comprehend. I felt a pang of sympathy for this stranger, this beautiful hurting soul
“Hey, are you okay? I almost hit you with my car” I said as I got down
“Oh I…… I'm fine…” She replied tearfully
“No you're not fine, what happened? Do u need help?” I asked as I approached her
“No, I… . I just …….can’t talk about it”she replied shaking her head.
“Okay, no pressure just remember, the darkest night produce the brightest stars”I said gently
“Thank you” She said with a small smile
“Hey do you want to get I and I'll give you a ride somewhere?”I said opening my car door
“Oh… .. Okay…. . Thank you…”she said hesitantly as she got into the car
“By the way I'm Sean” I said as I got in
“I'm Savanna, thanks Sean”
“So Savanna, what did you do?” I asked as I driving
“I'm a waitress” She said opening up a bit
“Any special interest” I asked her
“I love fashion, I design” She answered
“That's great I'm a musician maybe we can exchange ideas some other time” I said smiling
About 15 mins later as they approached savanna's home which is on the outskirts of diagonal Mar known for the middle class sector. When they got to Savanna's house
“Hey Savanna take this. If u ever need someone to talk to, or want to collaborate on some music inspired fashion I'm here to listen” I said offering her my business card
“Thanks Sean, and thanks again for the ride” She said smiling as she got down but she forgot her contact card in the passenger seat
“Hey Savanna! You forgot something” I called after her but she had gone inside .
AT SAVANNA'S APARTMENT BUILDING
As she walked up the stairs to her apartment she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease she had broke up with her ex, who was the CEO of the building corporation that had bought the the entire street and the buildings within and she knew he was capable of anything
She reached the door and inserted her key but it wouldn't turn, thinking it was a problem with the lock, but then she heard a voice behind her
“Savanna, we need to talk” Madame Gutierrez said, her voice firm but controlled
“Sorry dear, you're not welcome here anymore”
“What do u mean” Savanna asked feelinga sense of panic rising up
“You're no longer a tenant here;I'm the owner of this building remember? And as the ownerof this building I have every right to evict whom I deem fit”
“You have 30 mins to get your belongings and leave, I'm afraid it out of my hands, the owner has made it clear that your presence is no longer welcome here and if we defile that order we will face the repercussion”she said as she opened the door
Savanna felt a wave of panic wash over her, her heart racing with anxiety, she looked around her home, her things and her life all ripped away in an instant. The memories, the laughter, the tears, everything was being erased courtesy of Marcello's influence and power
With shaky hands, she began to hastily pack her small bag, tears streaming down her face as she glanced around the now empty room, she remembered the first time she had moved in, full of hope and excitement for the future, she had never imagined it would end up like this.
As she gathered up her belongings, her mind went to Marcello. How could he so this to her? Had he truly cared for her or was she just a plaything for him?
The clock ticked away, each passing minute a reminder of her impending homelessness . Savanna's thoughts were a jumble if fear, anger, sadness as she struggled to come to terms with the situation.
Finally, with a suitcase and a bag slung over her shoulder;savanna's stepped out into the evening Athmosphere, feeling lost and alone. She looked around at the unfamiliar faces, wondering what her next move would be. The city seemed to stretch out like an unforgiving landscape, full of unknown dangers and uncertainties. Savanna took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. She knew she has to find a way to start over, to rebuild her life and sense of self worth.
But for now, she need to look for a place to lay her head for the meanwhile.