Nina's Pov:
I gulped down a glass of wine and stared at Mom, who was burning with rage.
"Seriously, Mommy... This ongoing fight over Alexander is exhausting! Don't you see how it hurts me, Mom?" I asked, voice trembling with frustration.
"Honestly, Nina, I think your brother needs to be taken to the asylum", Mom said in annoyance.
"But mommy, I don't think he's insane... He's just in love, Mom," I said
"In love? In love with his imagination? That Amaya of a girl doesn't exist at all," Mom blurted
"What if she does, Mommy?" I asked
"Then she would have shown herself, Nina..." Mom said as she sipped her wine.
"Yeah right... Just look at the way my brother is treating Stephanie," I sighed.
"And just because of his crazy imagination, he had to drink himself to a stupor and even had the guts to mention that stupid name", Mom said angrily.
"I don't know what else to do or say to Alex so that he can forget about his dream girl", I said
"What dream girl? I won't condone this... Alexander is going to get married to Stephanie or no one else," Mom said angrily as she stood up and rushed upstairs.
I breathed heavily.
I wonder what's wrong with Alexander...
Who is Amaya?
Which planet is she from? 🤔
I want Stephanie for my brother...
Don't get me wrong, I want Alexander to be happy, but I know this isn't going anywhere.
I once helped him search for Amaya at the seashore to no avail.
Probably he was hallucinating....
I don't want to doubt him, but I have to...
Alexander's Pov:
The sun's rays enter my window and hit my eyes.
I quickly opened my eyes...
My head ached badly...
I yawned, tired and overwhelmed, as if the stress from yesterday's events was weighing me down.
It's probably because I had a lot to drink.
I managed to get up from my bed.
I picked up my cell phone.
I had 15 missed calls and three text messages.
I wish it was from Amaya. Her words, her voice-anything to feel connected again.
If wishes were horses.... I sighed loudly.
I thought as much, but I couldn't shake the worry about Stephanie's silence and her missed calls.
I thought as much.
I sighed loudly as I walked into the bathroom.
I took a quick shower 🚿 🛀
Brushed my teeth....
I wore my very expensive suit and walked downstairs with my suitcase.
I walked straight to the dining table.
I met my Mom and sister Nina at the dining table.
"Good morning, Mom! Good morning, Nina!!" I greeted.
"Good morning, Alexander" Nina smiled at me, but Mom didn't reply.
She just eyed me angrily.
"Hmm... " I shrugged it off and sat on the chair.
I quickly dished the rice into my plate.
"What did you do to Stephanie yesterday, Alex?" Mom said, glaring at me.
I rolled my eyes....
"I can't remember doing anything to Stephanie", I said as I dished some chicken and sauce into the rice.
I ate hungrily as Mom fumed.
"What do you mean you can't remember what you did to Stephanie?" Mom asked anxiously.
I shook my head and gulped down a glass of juice.
"I don't know", I said
"Didn't you have a date with Stephanie? Did you show up? You made her cry the whole night!" Mom said.
"Oh, that? I was actually down last night... I'm sure she understands," I said as I spooned some rice into my mouth.
"Oh really?" Mom snorted
"Yeah!" I said simply
"You were down? But you drank yourself to a stupor last night, and that wasn't enough; you went to the beach to look for your stupid imaginary girl," Mom said, annoyed.
"Mom? Don't refer to Amaya like that..." I said
"I don't care, Alexander... I want you to bear this in mind: you must get married to Stephanie; otherwise, you won't like my reaction... Enough of your stupidity!" Mom screamed
"Whatever! I just lost my appetite," I said as I got up, picked up my suitcase and headed out of the house.
"Alex! Alex!! Come finish your breakfast!" Nina called, but I paid her no attention and walked away.
"Let him be", Mom said angrily.
"But Mom, that was harsh of you", Nina said.
🚗 🚗
I drove out of the compound.....
I just don't understand my Mom at all...
Why is she finding it hard to understand that I don't love Stephanie?
Well, my dad is actually late, so it's just my Mom, Mrs Leah Smith, my sister Nina Smith, and I left in the family.
Mom just wants me to marry Stephanie because she is an only child.
And her family owns a lot of shares in the company.
So she's bound to inherit all of the family's wealth, and my Mom thinks it will make us richer.
She doesn't even consider my happiness.
I wonder what her problem is...
I can't stop looking for Amaya, though...
**
I walked into my office.
Surprisingly, it was dark.
Who could have turned my light off? I thought.
I quickly switched on the light and gasped.
"Baby.." Stephanie smiled as she sat on my chair with her legs crossed.
"What are you doing here?" I managed to ask as I kept my suitcase on the table.
She scoffed...
"Really? Is that a good morning or is that the apology you owe me?" Stephanie said with a frown.
"Listen, Steph! This is work hours, OK!" I said as I exhaled slowly.
"I don't believe you, Alex! After what you did to me yesterday, this is what you have to tell me?" She said, staring at me.
"Not right now, Stephanie!" I said as I walked out on her.
"You're so unfair...." She screamed.
Her Pov: 😁
I searched roughly for the basket....
"Where the heck is my basket? Does this mean Lucy is going to leave me alone and go to the sea with the canoe?" I cried
"AY! AY!! Where the hell are you, Ay?" I heard mother's voice
"My goodness! I can't let mother find out I'm looking for my basket... I bet she's gonna conclude that I'm careless," I scratched my head.
"Yes, mother! I'm coming!!" I said immediately
Well, my real name isn't AY, but Mom calls me that.
I was about to leave the store when I saw the basket.
"Oh, there you are" I heaved a sigh of relief as I picked it up.
Suddenly, something fell out of it....
I quickly bent down and picked it up.
It was a necklace 📿
Memories rushed back into my head, and tears rolled down my cheeks.....