Amanda

The cold, harsh wind swept through my body as I realized I was far away from the wolves in human form. My feet carried me forward, pushing hard as I willed myself to run faster and further away.

I made my way to the warehouse not far from the Romanus mansion. I thought that was a safe place to hide. I reached out for my phone quickly as soon as I entered the old warehouse which looked shabby.

Settling on an old leather seat which reeked of anile smell, I dialed my best friend, Sophia's number which turned out to be unreachable.

I am Amanda Romanus, and this is my story. The fact is, I never thought my life would turn out like this.

What more could I have expected from life itself?

My father married my mother twenty-five years ago but she never knew my father was already married. She only managed to find out after giving birth to me, who happened to be their only child together.

My stepmother had two daughters — Ava and Amelia — and we all lived in harmony and peace but everything changed a year ago.

I lost my mother, ousted from a place I called mine, and I was also on the verge of death, a ghastly car accident.

Three days earlier, I received an unsolicited offer to be the event planner for a fashion show hosted by Gabriel Slade — One of the richest men in New York. I worked non-stop day and night to make sure the event was successful even though I was one of the city's most-sorted event planners.

Mia Sharma, the Indian-American model I hired, couldn't make it to the event a few hours ago because she was involved in an accident. Taking the advice of Amelia and my best friend, Sophia, I decided to be the model for the event.

Before I knew it, I was recognized by one of the guests in attendance. The security guards grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the entrance. The remaining guards successfully stopped Amelia from reaching out to me.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a resounding crash, and Gabriel Slade appeared. His eyes were the same as the color of storm clouds, his gaze, a swirling vortex of resolve and anger. He was in a simple yet professional outfit and he moved like an agile predator ready to strike. And with that, he saved me from going to jail for impersonation.

After what happened last night, I couldn't stop the fact that Marvin Romanus is my father. I saw the affection he had for me while I was being dragged, insulted, and assaulted at the event. Perhaps, he's become more human and would allow me back into the Romanus mansion.

Earlier, I went to the Romanus mansion only to hear my stepmother and daughter talk about their evil deeds. While I stealthily found my way down the stairs, I saw Wilde. I pretended as if nothing happened and that's how I found my way to where I am currently.

“Amanda, come out now. I know you are here.” Ava's commanding voice echoed in my ear. “Wilde said you entered here,” she announced. Wilde happens to be my father's driver, perhaps he is under the slavery of Ava and her mother.

“If you value your life, come out Amanda.” Julienne Romanus screamed her voice out as usual.

I summoned a bit of courage to face them while I turned on the sound recorder on my mobile device for future reference. I stepped out of my hiding place demanding an explanation.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked but none of them replied.

“You killed my mother already, you ousted me from the family's house, you tried to murder me but I escaped… and you severed my ties with my father. Your mother took everything away from me, my father, my mother, my house, my joy, my happiness, everything. What else do you want?” I screamed facing Ava.

“I want you dead. Your existence does not allow me to breathe well. I despise you,” Ava growled, moving towards me. “I don't like you and I never will,” Ava continued.

“I should be the one hating you and your mother.” I barked as tears brimmed my eyes.

“Everyone has to make a place for themselves in this world and I simply made mine. What's wrong with that?” Julienne questioned, crossing her arms over her chest.

I recollected my senses, realizing I needed a way out. I took to my heels to escape until I heard a loud bell ringing in my ears and my legs turned numb. I wailed as I held onto my head till everything went dark.

After a couple of minutes, I heard a voice before I finally opened my eyes. “Mother, what should we do about her?”

“We can't keep her. To tell a lie, you have to say a hundred more. She should not have the right to speak ever again,” Julienne issued a declaration.

“You mean…” Ava's voice trailed off.

“She knows too much, she must die. Furthermore, as long as she’s alive, she will be a stumbling block on our path to success.” Julienne stated.

They both turned sharply to my side. My eyes scanned their inhuman faces before I decided to move, however I had been tied down. A muscle was far too hard for me to move.

Tightening my grip on the edge of the silver dress I wore, my heart pounded against my chest.

“You betrayed me?” I asked, trembling.

Ava brought her mouth closer to my ear, her voice cacophonous, “Betraying a friend is called being a traitor, and betraying an enemy is called a strategy. You were never my friend, you were always a foe.” She said while I try to process everything from the past.

It was because of these people my father turned my mother into a punching bag. It was because of these people my father embarrassed me on my eighteenth birthday.

What exactly happened?

That's an answer none of us could provide to this very day. Noah, my boyfriend then tried to molest her. All the blame was put on me. Julienne cried, attracting the attention of the guests.

In a twinkle of an eye, I received two slaps from my father. I knew better to keep quiet than to talk. My mother was out of town so I was left alone.

I never thought they were my enemies. I never thought they could go as far as killing my mother even though she was the second wife.

“Bye Amanda,” Julienne snapped, a playful expression on her face after dragging Ava along.

Wilde entered with a keg in his hand. He signaled to Julienne who understood. They stood at the entrance while Wilde sprinkled what he brought in.

My nose caught a deadly smell. “Petrol!” I gasped. “They aren't going to burn me, are they?” I muttered.

Wilde rushed to the entrance before he dipped his hand into his pocket. He brought out a silver lighter which flashed a reflection and made me shudder.

I looked around and feasted my eyes on the devilish faces who wouldn't help but impatiently watch me burn in pain.

“Please, don't kill me,” I begged but no one seemed to hear my voice which trailed off gradually, perhaps they heard but decided to ignore my cries.

Wilde lit up the lighter and dropped it into the liquid on the floor.

Lightning struck which created a tense environment. Heaven's cloud opened, hinting at the impending rain. The fire started to burn slowly, the plastics gummed to each other due to the heat.

“Is this how it is all going to end? No! It can't be.” I pondered.

Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, hard times, and good times. But everything carries both fortune and misfortune.

My mother was killed and I got to know the truth yet I became the victim. The lines on our palms decide our destiny. Mine is not cleared and death is predestined yet uncertain.

In the face of my enemies, I will not shrink back. No matter how many years it will take, I will come back to seek revenge. I have the blood of my mother in me and I swear with her blood that I will finish them all and put an end to the saga of their sins.

I have fallen into the enemy's dungeon and there is no escape route. Truth can be buried in darkness, flesh can be devoured by flames however faith will not. The wind will plant the seeds of truth but time will make it sprout.

One day, I will show up again and claim every single thing that belonged to me. Whatever brings one down, raises one. Even heaven will not stop me from claiming what is rightfully mine.

I will be back to convert relationships into enmity, prosperity into destruction, happiness into tears, life into death, and love into revenge.

A verbal vow means nothing but I, Amanda Romanus, will change this. I will be back from the shackles of death.

I vowed before my back hit the floor suffocated by the smoke.