Marie
I woke up just as the sun began to set, having slept for hours.
I was alone—or so I thought. Ayshe was on the couch, taking a nap as well.
I slowly stood up and reached for my phone. It was missing. I saw my sister drooling on the couch and knew who the culprit was.
I rummaged through her pockets, and her eyelids began to quiver.
"Marie?" she asked, a little comatose.
"Hush, go back to sleep. I just need my phone."
She shook her head, sat up, and retrieved my phone from her side pocket. "You feeling better?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
I stopped my eyes from rolling. "I'm fine. Asin must've called..."
I trailed off, seeing no missed calls or texts. Was Ayshe right this morning? Was he acting differently, and I missed it because of my own problems?
I tapped his name. "Babe? Where are you?" I asked, pushing the worry out of my voice.
"I'm pulling up to the house now. How was work?"
"Umm... I stayed home with Ayshe because..."
"Wait. I'll be up in a few seconds. Tell me then."
He hung up, and Ayshe let out a sigh of relief.
"We haven't prepared a reason why we missed work, have we?" I asked.
She stood up and stretched. "I had lunch with Oliver and already told him you felt a little sick, so try and stay on that reason in case they chat later tonight."
"Why, what's ton—Oh! Right." I remembered their meeting. "I need to pay more attention."
Ayshe walked over, giving me an encouraging squeeze. "You couldn't help it, but yeah. We need to tiptoe around both of them a little better."
Her sad eyes worried me. "On that lunch... something happened?"
She couldn't answer because the door opened. Asin walked in with the same warm smile and demeanor he always had.
He took two steps and swept me into a tight hug. "The cosmetic shop called. Told me you were sick." He put me down and leaned back, examining my face. "Want to go to the hospital? Or we can just get them all here if you're more comfortable."
"No, I'm fine," I laughed at his absurd way of solving things. "Just felt a little... I'm fine now."
He hugged me again, and for a second, I forgot all my own problems—until my eyes met Ayshe's, and the day's happenings rushed back.
"How was your day?" I asked, releasing him.
"Spent some time with Baban and the fam... you know, sweet pasta salad?" he grinned.
We sat on the southern balcony. "No... you had some?"
"Hmm, it wasn't bad. Ayshe, why the sour face?"
Ayshe forced a smile. "I probably caught something from Marie. I'm going to be okay."
"I see." He stood up after a text arrived. "Oliver's here. Let's dine with the family. Feels like it's been a while."
During dinner, both Ayshe and I managed to keep up appearances. Oliver acted casual, and I started to think that whatever made Ayshe mopey had nothing to do with him.
After they left for their meeting, and with Henny and Lilly out on a date, we were finally alone.
"So tell me, something happened with you today other than... what had happened before?" I asked clumsily.
Ayshe sat down on the bed, clutching my largest pillow. "Oliver... I could have come clean to him, but..." She stayed silent for five full seconds.
"But?" I pressed.
"...I couldn't. I was too afraid of what might happen. How he would react to it all. So... I just couldn't trust him," she finished with a miserable expression.
I sat beside her. "I'm sorry... about..."
"Oh, stop it!" She leaned back. "I told you already. None of this is your fault. Even medical professionals agreed, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember. But I would ask something from you. Please don't let your relationship fall apart for my... thing. I mean, as long as you love him, maybe you can trust him..."
"Like he did with me," she muttered under her breath.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing." She shook her head quickly. "I'm fine with my decision, sissy. For now, I can't tell him. The best we can do is wait until a word comes up about the Pirells... or... or..."
A strange light sparked in her eyes.
"Or?" I asked.
"...We can call that devil of a woman and try and shut it all down in a single swoop."
I thought we had been over this. "Like how?"
Ayshe stood and looked out at the full moon. "By taking away her last card to play."
---
Asin
"...you will have a choice. All of you."
I hated speeches, but I'd been giving them often lately. The crew was gathered—some hungover, others frightened—as I explained why we called them. Oliver stood beside me, scanning the faces below.
"Those who decide to stay, they will sign up for more uncertainty, more fear, more danger... significantly more."
I walked down the stairs to stand amongst the crowd.
"There will be no other chance to free yourselves, so to speak. From tomorrow night at the initiation, we take the sacred oath, and through us, so will all those who decide to stay."
Oliver was close behind me, but he avoided my eyes when they met.
"...Those who stay but carry deceit or betrayal in their hearts will meet the most cruel end our world can offer."
I saw a slight twinge on Oliver's face hearing my words. Oddly, I didn't see such a thing on anyone else's face. I sighed and finished.
"Now is the time, my friends... my family. But know that spending these years amongst you was my life's honor."
I felt emotional as some broke out in tears.
"We'll give you a few minutes to make a decision."
As the office door closed behind us, I sat on the couch where Marie and I first kissed.
"Getting good at making speeches. Well said," Oliver remarked, sitting down in front of his computer.
"Hmm. They were... are a loyal bunch. Well, most of them anyway," I smiled bitterly. "We grew together. But from this point on..."
"...you don't want to drag them into that particular darkness," Oli finished for me.
He knows me so well... so why can't I shake this feeling that he's keeping something big from me?
"Indeed. Are the farewell packages ready for those who..."
"They are." He showed me his tablet. "It's enough money to make sure they don't have to work if they don't want to. Ever."
"Good." I smiled, relieved. I had emptied my savings.
"About tomorrow..." Oliver continued. "We still have to meet Maya's little friends..."
"Yes," I nodded. "We meet the council and... Reach."
We smiled at each other. I closed my eyes, waiting out the time. When I opened them a few minutes later, Oliver was on his phone.
I walked over to the large window overlooking the warehouse. The kids were deep in conversation. I was glad they took this seriously. Because if they make their decision... I might never see them again.
But again, it's probably for the best. For where I'm heading now, they probably would be disappointed in their boss.
---
Ayshe
We set up a meeting with Desiree for tomorrow at 12 PM. She was reluctant at first, but after some whispering in the background, she finally agreed. I asked that Anna Lambert attend as well.
I had a desperate plan. For it to work, I had to betray him—my Oliver, and his secret. It required a long story. Marie was silent throughout it, and silent still at the end.
"Marie, d-don't lose..."
"So tomorrow, what time do we meet them?" she asked calmly.
"I-I... midday at Plaza Monroe. A place called Bottega Veneti. But... but are you..."
"Calm yourself, Ayshe." She leaned over, squeezing my hand. "I understood what you told me. And I'm sorry that you had to tell. It must have been hard. I hope Oliver will understand."
I hoped as well, but that hope was paper-thin.
We couldn't wait around any longer. My family couldn't risk everything, and I couldn't risk my sister's well-being.
"So, are you sure you're okay?" I asked once more.
Marie got up and sat in front of her make-up mirror, cleaning her face as she spoke. "I'm fine. In fact, I'm better now. It explains a lot about you, as well. All those times you and Oliver huddled together... it wasn't all intimate." She smiled back at me. "Besides, that girl broke Asin into a thousand pieces. If I know my husband at all, he will burn her alive before kissing her ever again."
It was a little disturbing seeing that smile she had now, but at least she didn't have a fit or breakdown. Her aura improved, if that makes any sense.
"Don't look at me like that. Ayshe, I'm actually fine." There's that smile again. "You did what you felt like you had to—choose our family... and me."
I accepted her hug.
"But all the same, I'm fine," she leaned back, caressing my hair. "Tomorrow we meet them and find out what they actually want. You took away their biggest ace, and now their lives are in mine and my husband's hands alone."
Now I understood the smile. She had a plan of her own: outright hostility and threats.
I was restless. We were waiting for the boys, who promised to come home soon with news of their own.
Marie was humming happily while watching Asin's pictures. Earlier, she searched until we found an old high-school picture of Anna Lambert so she could put a face to her.
"I feel like I saw that girl before..." she muttered before closing the page and starting the humming.
Asin texted that they had arrived. A minute later, they both entered.
"All our children are fine," Oliver announced.
Asin smiled before accepting Marie, who jumped into his open arms. "Missed me?" he asked.
"Hmm, you're okay," she smiled happily.
As they started to get hot and busy, Oliver motioned towards the balcony. My stomach dropped. Seeing him after betraying him broke my own heart. One day, I would have to tell him myself what I did, and why.
I closed the door, and somehow, I expected he already knew about what I had done. Guilty conscious, I suppose.
Instead of harsh words, he kissed me. Being in his arms, tasting his lips... it was like flying.
He let me down after a minute or ten. "No one," he smiled ear to ear. "Not one of our kids left us. I knew they were loyal, but never that loyal."
His words hurt my soul. Talk about loyalty.
"Tomorrow night, we both swear on the book and be..."
"Book?" I asked.
"Oh right. When people become made men, they sign their names inside a book they call Omerta... the book of silence. We swear an oath never to betray the family even if all else goes to hell."
"I'm happy for you," I smiled. "And what happens after that?"
We leaned next to the balcony rail, looking over the city.
"We choose a lane, so to speak," he continued. "Guns, trade, drugs—whatever else they have a hand in. Asin and I will talk to the crew after we move, of course."
"Move where?"
"We are leaving that old dusty warehouse and becoming a legitimate empire of our own, far from the capital."
A knock came at the door. We looked behind us, seeing Marie pointing at a bottle of champagne while Asin raised four empty glasses.
"Let's go and celebrate in earnest," Oliver smiled at the couple.
I pushed all my guilt down. I could do that for a few hours.
But for how long?
---
Oliver
Ayshe was missing from the bed by the time I woke up. 10:45 AM.
I knew she was away, gathering Marie and meeting with Desiree soon.
How did I know?Desiree called yesterday and informed me.
Keeping up my cheerful attitude yesterday was hard enough, while inside, I constantly asked myself: Why would she want to meet with her without telling me? Why would she take Marie? Why did all of our efforts come to this? Why couldn't she trust me when I offered her a chance to come clean?
Asin was strange, too. Maybe it was just my own mind, but I felt things were closing in.
I headed upstairs to see Asin. As usual, I used my mother as an excuse for my absence. I felt bad dragging her into another ridiculous lie, but desperate times...
The problem was that Asin was missing as well.
I checked my phone and saw a message from him ten minutes earlier: "Doc appointment today. I will meet with those insufferable girls alone. See you later at the selection."
That was convenient, but it also worried me.
At the selection, we meet with some of the captains and his blood brothers to select those who will arrive with us tonight. The city of Arla was under the supervision of the Council, and our initiation will take place there tonight as the moon peaks. At 11:59 PM, we will leave our old world and step into the new one as a new day breaks.
Either way, I was able to leave for my apartment without guilt or lies. I checked the time on my dashboard as I stopped the engine. It was ten minutes until their meeting.
I honestly couldn't imagine myself being more nervous at tonight's initiation than at this moment. I prayed, begged to God, not to let my greatest fears come to pass.
I sat down on my couch and waited nervously, counting the minutes and seconds until I saw Desiree's ID appear on my screen.
I almost laughed seeing it. A ghost of my past was once again calling me, but this time, I wanted that call, even if I was terrified of what waited on the other side of it.
---
Marie
"Are you nervous?"
I looked up from a picture I snapped this morning of Asin sleeping with his mouth open and turned to my nervous wreck of a sister.
"I'm fine, but are you?" I nodded towards her hands.
She didn't even notice them shaking and decided to hide them under the table. "Maybe I'm projecting," she smiled sadly.
I felt really bad about her state. Ayshe had divulged a secret Oliver trusted her with. I was shocked, angry even, but once she got to the part about what that disgusting harpy did to Asin, my anger gained a brand new target: Anna Lambert.
Secretly, I was grateful to his parents and Oliver. Without their interference, my husband would likely be married to another. It gave me a new outlook on his extended family: their ruthlessness knew no boundaries when it came to their son. Just like my parents were willing to do anything for me.
It was five minutes before our meeting. I kept my eyes peeled at the entrance of the restaurant, Bottega Veneti, in Arla.
"Are you sure they will come?" I asked.
Ayshe had a sip of water. "I'm sure. But once more, Sissy. That Anna is..."
"Crazy. I remember." I smiled.
She told me about their first meeting, her disturbing behavior, and the eyes filled with untold madness and the wounds only a genuine suicide attempt can cause.
I tried to put myself in her shoes: 14 and in love, but her happiness was cut into pieces by her and Asin's parents' manipulation, delivered by someone she considered a friend. We both had miserable childhoods—different but same.
For some reason, once Ayshe told me the story, I felt better. It was like my own problems and secrets got smaller, lighter. I knew that compared to my dark past, once Asin knew what his family and best friend had done to him, he wouldn't care much about my little... thing.
It was bad, and I knew it. But if it needed to save our marriage and our love, I will tell him myself.
Ayshe knew this. She knew me. I just hadn't said my plan out loud yet.
"Marie, they are here."
The one second I didn't look, the two walked in. Desiree came first, behind her, a blonde girl with hair long enough to cover her entire backside. She looked... average to my eyes.
As they spotted us, they exchanged a look, and Desiree gave her an encouraging smile before heading toward our table.
Desiree stopped before sitting down and motioned to her side. "Ladies, let me introduce my friend..."
"Anna... but you can call me Lam," she smiled, looking into my eyes.
Then it hit me. She was there on the island. I wasn't in the best state of mind then, being drunk, but I remembered the water girl.
I felt my hand squeeze under the table, and Ayshe's worried expression returned, but it was unnecessary.
"Yes. Water girl. I remember now. Very fitting. Marie Martell. Nice to meet you."
There it was: the madness behind her eyes Ayshe spoke of. Once she heard my husband's last name that now belonged to me, it flared up like fireworks.
Desiree nudged her with a stern look.
"I know... no unpleasantness," Anna smiled, sitting down facing Ayshe. Desiree sat beside her.
"Well, girls, now maybe you can tell the reason you wanted this meet-and-greet?" Desiree asked, her smile different. It was a look of superiority.
I felt a bad feeling. I felt Ayshe's sweaty hand grabbing mine, confirming she felt the same way.
Ayshe took the reins, looking and sounding nervous. "Kmm... we asked because..."
"We don't need to mince words here," I took over, getting out the reason I came. "You have my worst moment in hand now thanks to some gullible girl back home... but what I know now will end the both of you. All I need is to dial MY HUSBAND'S number, and it's all over."
I took out my phone and hovered my hand above Asin's name.
I expected panic, maybe even an outright retreat.
But not a synchronized laughter.
They laughed long enough that other patrons and staff started looking our way. Just as I began to get angry, Anna spoke, wiping her eyes.
"Sweet D, you were right as always."
Desiree smiled at her friend and took over. "You are predictable, Marie... like your sister. We had a feeling last night's call came after she caved... and betrayed Oliver's trust."
Ayshe was squeezing my hand hard enough to hurt it, but I didn't let go.
Desiree continued, pointing at me. "You... thought that your little dirty secret wouldn't sound so bad to Asin once he hears about ours."
We exchanged a look. I should have told Ayshe my plan, but it was too late now.
"Oh, honey," Anna shook her head. "After all those months, you have no idea how Asin's mind works. You see, my one and only..." I needed serious self-control to hold myself back from slapping her. "...He was never predictable like that. He, perfect as he is, still has some... how do I say? Character flaws."
"For one, he is hot-headed," Desiree offered.
"Vindictive when he needs to be," Anna injected.
"But worst of all..."
"He is petty."
As they finished, the waitress arrived, taking in the awkward atmosphere. "W-what can I get you?" she asked timidly.
I could have used a better plan, but it wasn't on the menu.
---
Ayshe
This was going horribly. Not only did Marie's plan come out in the most childish and obvious way, but these two felt like they were on a victory lap.
I knew I made a mistake telling Marie about them. The whole thing, being my idea in the first place, made it worse.
Desiree and Anna ordered tea. I asked for the same. Once it arrived, the waitress left like she was on fire.
The control—if we ever had it—was completely lost. Marie tried her best to look confident and recover.
"Whether you're right or not, it's irrelevant. The real question is: Are you willing to risk the wrath of his family?"
I felt a little satisfaction as they stopped their coy smiles and showed actual uncertainty. Marie continued with more courage.
"Let's say you're right. I will lose him for sure, move back to Konore, and lament losing the love of my life forever—but at least alive. But you two? Is there a patch of land, or blade of grass, you can hide under once he shuns his own parents and they start looking for the reason behind it?"
Desiree looked visibly scared, but Anna regained her disturbing smile.
"Asin will protect us. I'm sure."
I couldn't help myself. "Pfft. You are delusional if you think that. Even with the truth, he won't lift a finger to protect you, or you." I motioned to both of them.
Anna looked at Desiree, who gave a firm nod. "Oh, I think he will," Anna said, reaching into her purse, pulling out a small black box.
She caressed it. Her smile died, her eyes filling with tears and, underneath, untold rage.
"We shared so much during our brief time together. So many firsts. But our parents and that FAKE friend of his stole so much more from us than time..."
Desiree avoided our eyes, looking at the table. I felt strange seeing her on the verge of tears as well.
Anna opened the box and took out... a picture. She gazed at it with a fond, true happiness I thought she was incapable of.
"...and once he learns this, I doubt he will recognize family from enemy. And he'll return to me."
Anna's smile reached crazy levels again.
I had to push Marie's hand down as she was ready for a fight. But I needed to know what was on that picture.
As Anna pushed it towards us, a very bad feeling took over my entire being.
"...time to understand our story a little better," she added, lifting her hand.
Marie was shaking, but I wasn't sure if it was anger or fear.
I reached out and turned the picture around.
I recognized it immediately. From shows, movies, and most recently, my medical books. Regarding pregnancy.
It was an ultrasound.
From four years ago.
---
Oliver
They hung up right after Anna's little speech.
I tried to call Desiree again, but it was pointless. Whatever that thing was Anna showed the girls... I had no idea.
But something I knew.
And that particular pain pushed through everything else. I felt my heart breaking once it was confirmed. Ayshe told everything. She betrayed me.
I felt tears on my cheeks as I finally, truly felt alone.
Even in that pain, a terrible thought came to me. Maybe I'm done being trapped in uncertainty and helplessness.
I did have allies in this nightmare. And powerful ones at that. The ones who came up with this plan in the first place and made me complicit: The Martell family themselves.