SHADOWS AT THE GATE
1436 Words
Regina jolted awake as the blaring noise from the living room television sliced through the quiet of the night……
She blinked hard, confused, because it was barely past 11 PM and Cecilia had never been the type to watch television, much less with such disturbing volume……
The shrill noise rattled her ears, scraping at her nerves like metal against glass……
Still, Regina turned onto her side and tugged her blanket up to her chin, assuming her daughter was simply stressed and needed a distraction……
She closed her eyes again, trying her best to drift back to sleep, unaware that something far more violent than loud television was unfolding outside her door……
A different kind of storm had gathered on the compound……
Vivian had Cecilia by the hair, dragging her mercilessly across the tiled pavement, her fury burning hot enough to scorch the ground……
“Vivian! Stop! You’re hurting me!” Cecilia cried out as her knees scraped the ground……
Vivian yanked harder, her voice exploding. “I’m going to kill you today, Cecilia!”……
Cecilia flailed helplessly, her breath trembling as she begged, “Vivian, calm down! We can talk about this!”……
But Vivian didn’t want words…… she wanted blood……
“Maybe if you die and come back again, you’ll learn to mind your own damn business!” she screamed, her lips twisted with rage……
The front door flew open with a crash……
Regina rushed out barefoot, her face crumpled with horror at the sight of her two daughters—one on the ground, the other an unrecognizable beast towering over her……
“Oh my God! What is happening here?!” Regina gasped as she ran down the steps……
“Vivian, leave your sister alone! Why are you doing this?”……
Vivian shoved her away so hard that Regina stumbled backward and crashed onto the floor, her pain-filled cry splitting the air……
“Owww!” Regina winced as Cecilia’s eyes widened with shock……
A wave of adrenaline shot through Cecilia as she scrambled to her feet and slapped Vivian hard across the face……
“How dare you push my mother!” Cecilia screamed, her voice trembling as anger and fear collided inside her……
Vivian staggered, one hand pressed against the stinging side of her face, blinking rapidly as her mind struggled to make sense of the attack……
“You girls shouldn’t be fighting!” Regina cried, trying to steady herself. “You’re sisters…… this isn’t right!”……
Vivian’s head snapped toward her like a whip. “Oh shut up! Who is whose sister?! Did you give birth to me?!”……
Cecilia stepped in front of Regina protectively. “Don’t you dare talk to my mom like that!”……
Vivian’s voice was ice dipped in venom. “Your Judas of a daughter betrayed me…… I’ve lost everything…… my family…… my house…… my car…… everything…… and it’s all her fault.”……
“Don’t do this, Vivian,” Regina pleaded softly. “Cecilia cares about you…… she only wanted the best for you……”……
“See this one too!” Vivian snapped. “An old woman with the brain of a teenager! Your daughter ruined my life and you’re standing here defending her?!”……
Cecilia stared at her, stunned as the cruelty in Vivian’s voice sank in like poison……
“When did you learn to speak like this?” Cecilia asked quietly. “You don’t even sound like the same person.”……
Vivian’s jaw clenched. “I hate hearing your voice, Cecilia…… and you’ll regret ever crossing me.”……
“Do your worst,” Cecilia shot back, refusing to flinch.……
Regina stepped forward again, eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Vivian, you’re like a daughter to me…… please don’t destroy your life like this……”……
She inhaled shakily. “That boy…… he’s not good for you…… leave him before it’s too late.”……
Vivian laughed bitterly, the sound cracking like thunder. “Oh please…… do I need to remind you your husband left you for a sixteen-year-old girl? You couldn’t even keep your own marriage…… who are you to advise me?”……
“Enough!” Cecilia yelled, her fists tightening as she trembled with rage. “Say one more word about my mom and I swear—”……
Vivian smirked. “Like you said earlier…… do your worst…… and maybe advise your mother to focus on her broken home instead of mine.”……
That was the breaking point……
Cecilia lunged at her, but Regina caught her arm with trembling hands. “Enough, Cecilia…… let’s go inside…… she’s made her choice…… let fate handle the rest.”……
Regina tugged her daughter toward the house, tears slipping down her cheeks as she locked the gate with shaking fingers……
Vivian remained outside, pacing like a wounded lioness, her voice cracking as she screamed at the closed gate. “I’m not done with you, Cecilia! You’ll pay for this…… trust me!”……
Silence swallowed her threats……
Vivian stood alone with nothing but her suitcase, her tears, and the taste of betrayal lingering on her tongue……
No car……
No money……
No family……
And Victor—the only person she thought she had left—still wasn’t answering……
Dragging a heavy suitcase through the street felt like a humiliation too deep to bear……
And the bloggers would feast on her downfall……
She pulled out her phone with shaking hands and stared at her call log……
Still no response from Victor……
Finally, with no choice left, she requested a Bolt ride……
The journey felt like a punishment crafted by the universe itself……
The car reeked of sweat and old food, the seats were sticky, and the air conditioner coughed warm air that made her chest tighten……
She shifted uncomfortably the entire ride, feeling the sting of her fall from wealth with every passing second……
When the car finally stopped in front of Victor’s apartment building, she stepped out quickly, grateful to breathe air that wasn’t suffocating……
She began walking toward the gate, exhausted and shaken……
“Hello ma’am,” the driver called out sharply. “You forgot to pay your fare.”……
Vivian turned, blinking in disbelief. “Excuse me? I’m Vivian Dary…… heiress of the Dary Empire…… and you’re asking me for a fare?”……
She flicked her wrist arrogantly. “This bracelet alone can buy your entire car.”……
The driver frowned. “I don’t understand that one…… madam please give me my money.”……
Vivian sighed. “I’m having issues with my bank…… just give me your account number……”……
The driver stepped forward, voice rising. “Madam…… I don’t like nonsense…… give me my money now…… are you a scammer?”……
“A scammer?!” Vivian shrieked. “I’m Vivian Dary! Google me, you—”……
Before she could finish the sentence, he shoved her so hard she hit the ground with a cry……
In one swift motion, he ripped her bracelet from her wrist, jumped into the car, and sped off without looking back……
Vivian sat there frozen, her knees dusty, her palms scraped, her pride shattered into sharp pieces……
Tears blurred her vision……
Just a few floors above, Victor peeked out the window, his chest tightening. “s**t……”……
Bianca rushed to him, alarmed. “What happened?”……
“It’s Vivian…… she’s here,” he muttered, quickly shutting the blinds……
Bianca’s eyes widened. “What do I do?”……
“Lock the bedroom and start cleaning up…… I’ll put her in the guest room…… when you’re done, leave quietly,” he said as he hurried toward the door……
Downstairs, Vivian stood up slowly, adjusting her dress and wiping her tears with trembling hands……
The door opened……
Victor appeared with arms wide, masking his panic with a soft smile. “Baby…… you didn’t tell me you were coming.”……
Vivian clung to him instantly. “I know…… it was a last-minute decision…… I tried calling but you didn’t pick up…… what were you doing?”……
“Nothing much…… my phone was upstairs……” Victor said smoothly before glancing around nervously. “Where’s your car?”……
“Please…… just get me a place to sit…… I’m exhausted……” she whispered, her voice weak……
Victor nodded quickly. “Sure…… come in…… come in……”……
Vivian stepped inside quietly, completely unaware of the secrets burning behind the closed doors of the apartment……
And the door shut softly behind her…… sealing her inside a house of lies she wasn’t ready to confront.
- Writer
