My Perfect Love Story

Chapter 4: Betrayal

August 13, 2012

6:30 pm

Savannah, GA

The dinner table was filled with awkward screeches from spoons and forks. The silent words unspoken caused discomfort from Annalise and Mariana. They watched cautiously as Javier had a large smirk on his face.

Mariana's heart began to race as she saw her father's demeanor changes drastically. His true colors were coming to light once again. She watched as Javier leaned his back against his chair, healthy veins becoming visible on his temple.

"So, what have you been up to all day?" Mariana and Annalise couldn't determine who he was talking to. Mariana looked at her mother and saw the vulnerable state she was in. She decided to answer her father as he would be lenient with his behavior towards her. 

"My day was pretty average. I went to the park to hang out with T and he almost fought this dude for bothering us," Mariana explained her day to be average because a day with her best friend, T, was always an adventure. Him getting into a fight was average. 

"I thought I told you to stop hanging around that little boy?" His voice was soft, yet filled with authority. Caution had to be taken when speaking to this man. "But Dad, he's my best friend. Those guys were trying to mess with me, and he protected me," Mariana knew better than to test her father's patience but T wasn't a bad person, in her eyes. "Enough! Mariana, my word is final! Don't let me catch you with him again!" He shouted in irritation.

"Sorry dad," Mariana looked down as she began to fear her father's next move. Mariana feared her father's irritation would turn into anger and be taken out on her mother. Mariana can see Annalise's left leg shake under the table as her nerves began to show.

"And you, dear? Was your day 'pretty average' as well?" Javier found entertainment in Annalise's sudden fear to speak. Annalise steadied her legs and sat up as she prepared herself for what is to come.

But what is to come? Is it peace and serenity or chaos and pain? To Mariana and Annalise, it seemed like pain was the main emotion in their family, lives, and heart. That was the reason for the hesitation developed in many conversations. "Uhm, i-it was actually. I didn't d-do anything out of the ordinary," Annalise tried not to fumble over her words but she couldn't help but fear everything about this man.

"Flirting with other men is nothing out of the ordinary. Interesting," Javier sipped his drink as he stared intensely at Annalise. Many would think he was staring at her with love but his taunting ways have tricked the family enough to know he isn't genuine.

"Mariana, dinner's over. Go to bed," Javier spoke in a very calm voice which made Mariana rise quickly and run to her bedroom. Mariana regretted not looking at her mother and visualizing how her mother's face was before it was touched by the devil's hands.

Mariana locked her bedroom door and barricaded it with her dresser. Making her way to her 'safe corner,' she heard a loud thud that made her jump in fright. Mariana began to count to calm her down. 1,2,3,4,5. 1,2,3,4,5. She hoped to hear her mother's soft knocks on the door soon. She waited and waited until she fell asleep in the corner.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

                                                                                  Omniscient

July 30, 2021

3:25 pm

Houston, TX

Mariana didn't know if she was sweating from the warm, summer heat or the sudden nerves felt for meeting her mom. After Mariana moved to Houston, she brought her mom an apartment to live her life as she wishes. Mariana was very apprehensive about meeting her mother, especially since her mother's distant behavior. However, she couldn't help but think about the cons of the situation, seeing that there aren't many pros. She sat in her car in front of Annalise's household, wondering if she should go in or not. 

"f**k it," Mariana unfastened her seatbelt and made her way towards the house. Walking up the stairs of her mother's front porch felt unfamiliar. This was one of the very few times Mariana would visit her mother due to their faded relationship. Mariana knocked on the door with shaky hands. This was a bad idea. I should leave. Mariana was contemplating her decision to visit her mom, fearing the worst-case scenario.

Mariana was making her way to her car when she heard the front door open. She was shocked to see her mom in a healthy state and a satin, red robe. "Mom! It's great to see you, I've been trying to contact you but it seems you've been busy." Mariana tried to sound enthusiastic about seeing her mom but her heart broke to see her mom acting weird in her presence.

"Baby, who's at the door?" Mariana's eyes widened as she heard a male's voice that she knew too well. Before any questions could be asked, Mariana saw the man she never wanted to see again in her life. Looking at him brought tears to her eyes, it disappointed her. "Is this why you haven't been answering my calls?!  To be with him?!" Mariana shouted out of frustration, pain, and betrayal. 

Her mother avoided her to be with her abusive husband. "Mariana, calm down-" Mariana shook her head in disbelief. "Calm down?! You know what? You guys can go back inside and do whatever it is that you were doing. I can't believe you!" Mariana stormed off the front porch, expecting her mother or father to plead for forgiveness or an explanation. Mariana was near her car, facing her mother's porch in hopes of seeing her mother adamant about an explanation. Mariana was in tears to see the front door shut as both parents entered into the house, showing no about the feelings of their daughter.

Mariana sat in her car, crying hysterically. She banged on the steering wheel repeatedly, not caring about the loud noise, angry neighbors, or potential burst of the airbag. After composing herself, she drove off the property to her home. It wasn't until Mariana made it to her condo when it sunk in that she was on her own. She couldn't bring herself to think about her supportive friends that are there for her. She didn't have her parents so, she thinks she's alone. 

Mariana doesn't want to be alone. As independent as she is, she wants someone to protect her, care for her, show her what real love is. Mariana's phone began to ring and she was hesitant about picking up. She viewed the caller ID to see it was her last and final date calling on Bumble. She picked up the phone, hoping he was calling to cancel the date.

"Hello," Mariana said in an exhausted tone. She wanted him to know she wasn't in the mood. "Good afternoon beautiful. This is Michael, just calling to see if you were ready for our date," Michael's voice was soft and deep on the phone, it was lovely to hear after a day in distress. Although Mariana didn't want to attend this date, she couldn't say no to such a sweet guy. "Of course, I can't wait to see you," Mariana rolled her eyes as she was annoyed by her inability to say no. 

"Great, dress formal. I'm picking you up at 8." Mariana was surprised at his authoritative voice. The last time someone demanded her to do something, she canceled him out of her life. Before she could respond, Michael hung up the phone. "Rude much!" Mariana already had a bad impression on Michael but she'll give him the benefit of the doubt. 

Mariana planned on taking a nap before preparing for her date but the doorbell rang. She opened it to find her best friends with hands filled with supplies and eager smiles on their faces. Can this day get any worse? Mariana thought as she opened the door with a fake smile. Can it?

                                                               ~My Perfect Love Story~