36 An Unexpected and Brutal Encounter with Bianca

Karina was on her way to the condominium and I wasted no time preparing for lunch. On the smoking hot electric grill, some slices of steak were starting to heat up.

Meanwhile, I went back to the fridge and opened a container full of leafy green vegetables, tomato slices, onions, mushrooms, olives, carrots, cucumbers and chicken pieces. They were then tossed together and with a splash of some homemade vinaigrette, out came my own version of a chicken salad.

I prepared a juicer, returned to the fridge and picked up three oranges. Each of the oranges was sliced and its juices were squeezed right out of it.

At around 11:15 a.m. I heard a doorbell ring. It was probably Karina waiting outside.

Glancing at the peephole of the door, I looked outside, and it was indeed Karina standing by. I opened the door and welcomed the visitor to my room.

"Good morning Christine," Karina greeted me. "It was delightful to see you again. By the way, where is your beloved mother?"

"She went out buying groceries," I answered. "My mother will come in soon. But Karina, weren't you supposed to bring in Michelle along?"

"Unfortunately Christine she was still asleep," Karina explained. "She was very exhausted upon coming home and had a long sleep."

"Karina, we had a long day yesterday," I responded upon turning the steak over. "In fact we had a night class that's why we came home extremely tired."

Just then, somebody rang the doorbell. As I opened the door, out came Charissa with bags of groceries all over her.

"Charissa, long time no see," Karina cordially greeted her. "Tell you what, I'll aid you with the groceries."

"Thanks very much so much Karina," Charissa gratefully replied. "I wouldn't have done it without you."

"It's no big deal," Karina assured. "That's what best buddies do."

While Karina helped Charissa out in the groceries, I put on some finishing touches on the day's menu. At the dining table I placed a some utensils and plates, a bowl of salad, pieces of steak and glasses of fresh orange juice.

At the stroke of noon, lunch was now served. As Karina and Charissa enjoyed a hearty discussion, I unexpectedly received a phone call from Michelle.

Christine: "Michelle, what's up?"

Michelle: "You want to come with me this afternoon? I'm buying an extra memory card for my camera."

Christine: "Sure. I'll come with you."

Michelle: "Okay then. See you this afternoon. Farewell."

"So, what have you been exploring lately?" Karina humbly asked Charissa.

Just as she was about to answer Karina's question, I interrupted their private conversation for an urgent message.

"Charissa, please allow me to go with Michelle this afternoon. We have an important errand to run," my eager words respectfully addressed towards her.

"As you wish," Charissa answered promptly. "Karina, can you fetch my lovely daughter to your house this afternoon? She has some business to take care off with your daughter."

"No problem," Karina agreed. "Let me tell Michelle about this once we arrive."

Karina and Charissa continued their intimate conversation at the dinner table while I took a bath and changed to some fresh clothes. As I went down from the bedroom, she was about to bid farewell to us.

"Thank you Charissa and Christine for this wonderful meal," Karina glowingly spoke as her visit concludes. "Christine, are you ready to come with me?"

"Sure thing Karina," I nodded. "Let's go."

After I had waved goodbye to Charissa, Karina transported me to her lovely home. Upon arriving, however, Karina and I recognized Michelle yawning with her pyjamas on.

"Michelle, why you haven't changed your clothes yet?" Karina said eagerly.

"Sorry mother," Michelle answered promptly. "I just woke up and had brunch today. Don't worry I'll change immediately. Meantime, why don't you and Christine share a moment."

After Karina nodded in approval, she sat down with me for a brief talk. Several minutes later, Michelle showed up in a sleeveless shirt, denim skirt and sandals.

It was time for Michelle and I to go. But before we left, I tenderly kissed Karina's glowing cheek and waved farewell to her.

"Take care girls," Karina merrily said as Michelle drove her Vios away.

At the local mall, Michelle visited a computer shop to purchase an extra memory card for her camera. After the short errand, we went down the food court for a delicious snack.

But just as Michelle and I lined up for some hotdog and milkshakes, we encountered a familiar face. It was Bianca who showed up, still sporting heavy makeup as if she was extremely famous.

"Oh look, it's Christine and her buddy Michelle," she sarcastically greeted us as we exchanged some menacing stares.

"Bianca, you haven't changed a bit," I defiantly commented. "You were still as brash as ever."

"What did you just say?" Bianca retaliated.

"Allow me to rephrase the question," I answered back. "What have you been accomplishing lately? Acting in a drama series? A movie? Or even record a pop album? You said it before that your aspiration is to become famous. Where is the fame now? I don't hear your name everywhere."

"You god damn piece of crap," Bianca screamed. "Because of you, no one was willing to take a loser like me to a talent agency. Your harsh words ruined me so much."

"What were you talking about?" I responded. "It was you who ruined yourself. That big and boastful talk of yours, it went back at your face. That's karma for you."

"You fool," Bianca yelled.

Not willing to simply stare at me, Bianca intentionally pushed my body to the floor and a catfight ensued.

"I'll never forget what you did to me," I shouted while pulling a few strands of Bianca's hair. "Remember the day you failed a few tests and then abducted me for no reason?"

"You moron," Bianca retorted while staggering me on the floor. "I was the best student in class until you showed up and started this terrible mess. You deserve all of this burning pain."

"Stop it, girls!!! Stop it!!" Michelle stepped in while security guards ran in to break up the fight. "You two should be ashamed of yourself."

Bianca and I stood up and stared angrily one last time. She reluctantly decided to leave but not after issuing one final warning.

"I'm not yet done with you, Christine," Bianca issued one final message before pointing her finger at me. "I'm sending you to hell, believe that."

Michelle escorted me to her car, my face reddened with countless slaps and bruises from the fight with Bianca. But instead of driving back to the condominium, she took me to her house first.

Back outside Michelle's house, I lowered my head down in shame upon walking through the gate. Many things were going through my head, and I must clear out all of them.