CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Video For Chapter: https://youtu.be/JFqF4UAaPpU

Warning: This chapter might contain some sensitive topics. They are barely brushed upon but still, I thought you should know.

And also, this happens so often in our world. But please, no matter what, don't give up. The video above is for you.

This had been in mind for a long time, but it wasn't easy finally writing it out.

Umm... rant is over. GOD bless you.

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THIRD PERSON POV

"Come on, Sis!" Skylar whined hopping onto Aqui's bed. "The party's going to be so much fun."

"But I don't know anyone there! If it had been the birthday party of someone I knew, then fine."

"Who doesn't know Ryan Molina?" Skylar looked like she had just said the weirdest thing in history.

Ryan Molina, was an A List-Star, and Skylar had gotten close to him since his Debut.

Aqui wasn't fond of him because, 'he doesn't seem to have his head in the right place' as she put it.

"My point exactly. He is a star. And stars often wear too much makeup that you tend to forget they are humans—raw."

Skylar gave her a look that said, Girl, what are you talking about?

"I mean, he seems too fake to me," Aqui crossed her arms against her chest as she remained seated at the edge of the bed.

"Judge not. You often tell me that. Besides, do you mean I'm a fake too?"

Skylar pouted, giving her a look he knew would cause her to cave in.

"Of course not," Aqui whispered softly.

"Okay, fine." She got off the bed as Skylar exclaimed a triumphant, Yes!

"I'll meet you downstairs." And he flew out her door.

Aqui glanced at the door for a moment before chuckling. He never ceased to amaze her.

Skylar was her twin-brother who had risen to fame overnight during the first months of his trial. Yet for all that, he still loved and stayed close to his 'baby sister'.

Though, they were only a few hours apart in birth.

She quickly chose an outfit for the party, nothing too showy.

This would do, she thought to herself.

.

.

.

Aqui had feared being in such a situation when she agreed. She couldn't find Skylar as the party went into full swing.

He had been whisked away by other co-stars upon their arrival, leaving her alone.

She wandered in the crowd till she felt a tap on her right shoulder.

"Need something to drink?"

She turned to see Ryan Molina staring at her with a smile on his lips. He was handsome, which made many people like him. But she had never felt comfortable around him.

Skylar had often invited him over when Aqui was around. He was the only one who knew he had a twin sister. They were that close.

But he had frequently made advances on her which made her feel discombobulated.

(A/N: I never knew that word. But when I saw it, I wanted to use it. Hehe... probably not the best use. Pero... *shrugs*)

"No, I'm looking for Sky." She said in what she hoped was a polite voice.

He stared at her for a moment before replying.

"Come with me."

Aqui had felt uneasy following him, a voice within warning her. But she quelled it remembering what Skylar had said, Judge not.

Perhaps she was being too critical and judgemental. She climbed up the ornate stairs to the huge private quarters above the party hall.

He ushered her into one of the rooms and offered her a seat. Aqui agreed and sat on the expensive Fabio leather sofa.

"Have something to drink. I'll be right back," and he handed her a glass.

Aqui took it cautiously.

"What is it?"

"Do you think I'll offer you something harmful?" He looked hurt. "And Aqui, come on, it's my birthday for crying out loud. You're always so cold to me."

"Of course not," Aqui quickly took a sip, ignoring the warning bells ringing in her head. It tasted... good. A bit different, but good.

"Okay, I'll be right back," Ryan smiled at her before leaving.

Aqui felt great, till she began to feel dizzy. She couldn't remember much the next day.

But one thing she would never forget was walking out of the room in her befuddled state. She had wanted to find Skylar—desperately.

But her head was pounding, and she felt dizzy. She decided to enter a different room. She didn't remember anything else, other than seeing a blonde-haired figure.

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As Aqui stood face to face with him, she remembered with a shiver the pain she felt when she had woken up that day.

There had been a pounding in her head, and great pains in her entire body. Especially in her lower organs.

Alarm had filled her when she realised that her clothes were off and her body was covered with a heavy blanket.

On pulling it back, she had caught sight of the bloodstains on the bedspread.

The feeling of dread had never been more acute. And she still felt it whilst recollecting.

She recalled wanting to cry that morning and not being able to. She felt violated.

She thought of all she had lost because of him. Her joy, her peace... her virginity. And her son.

There was one thing dear to her in her culture, her virginity. But as a Princess, that had been tainted. Forever marred.

Why do I have to go through all this again? I thought this was all finally over. LORD, I thought I could finally move on.

She felt like screaming but held her peace as he went on speaking.

Even more painful, was when she found out the truth about the whole situation. Tarquin had also been drugged.

And somehow, her toxic state had crossed paths with his, leaving a shattered mess in its wake.

"So this is who you really are... a Princess," his voice was much cooler than the evening breeze around them.

His cold and clipped tone reminded her of another instance. When he had also thought that she had drugged him and seduced him.

The pain of that accusation continued to stab her already aching heart as he continued to watch her closely.

He walked toward the lake, causing him to turn his back to her. She turned around to watch him.

"Tarquin... you don't understand." Her voice broke at the end.

After, a long and awkward silence, he turned to meet her gaze.

"You know, I tried to understand you... I really did. Even coming to... love you. But all along, you played me. Because that is who you really are."

When she said nothing in response, she glimpsed the pain in his eyes. But it was only for a moment. He masked it.

"Tarquin, I—"

"How long till that mask falls off—Princess?"

All grew still around them. Aqui could hear the sound of her own heartbeat as she stood face to face with him... the father of her child. The child she never gave birth to anyway.

She had lost her child.

He was the reason why she couldn't ever give birth again. The reason why she had vowed to never marry a Prince. Or anyone else for that matter.

She had agreed to marry Angelo Valerius because that was the easiest escape. But she realised that possibility seemed too good to be true.

He was the reason why she knew she didn't have long to live...

The sad thing? He didn't even know what he had cost her.

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Hi, lovelies! I'm so sorry, the end was a bit more informative, with fewer dialogues. But I wanted y'all to find out some things.

It's not yet all revealed. But I hope this helps.

GOD bless you all for sticking along this far.

Phela