The Peace

Chapter 11: The Peace

Maria's POV

For the first time in a very long time, I slept peacefully. I didn't wake up before or by the sound of my alarm. I dreamt, but it wasn't a nightmare. It was about an alternate universe where I was thrilled. My family was alive and healthy, and I was in love. I woke up every day with cuddles, kisses, and breakfast.

It was beautiful and peaceful. The face of the man that made all these possible was unclear, but his scent stuck even after I awoke. He smelled of hope and serenity mixed with fire and wicked passion.

I couldn't recall where I perceived that smell before. It didn't need to, though. I was just glad I had that dream. I got up from my bed and checked the time, ten o'clock.

I had slept. I proceeded to the bathroom to brush and take a bath. My mind kept on trying to make me remember something. I fought back, trying to enjoy this peace. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this peaceful, and I don't know why. I raised my head and caught my reflection in the mirror. I looked genuinely well-rested.

I also had a smile on my face. Strange but satisfying. I stepped into the shower humming a tune out of memory. I couldn't quite remember where I heard that tune from. I turned it on and just let the water consume me. Everything felt good. My soap seemed to lather more than usual.

The water seemed more relaxed and more refreshing than expected. Everything felt great. Still, my mind refused to give up on its nagging.

"You need to remember."

"No, I don't," I replied, wrapping myself in a towel and stepping out.

My nose suddenly caught the yummy smell coming from the kitchen. My stomach rumbled, and I inhaled, profoundly trapping every fragrance in my nostrils. My mouth watered jealousy. The nose had collected its fair share. The mouth wanted hers too.

"You need to remember."

"I said I don't want to!" I almost screamed in my mind but held myself back. I was thrilled this morning. I didn't need to remember anything. I don't know what was shutting the memory of every pain I've ever experienced, but I needed it to continue that way. I put on a dress and proceeded to go downstairs for breakfast.

"Coward"

"I'm not talking to you."

"You're so scared to face your pain."

"I've been facing my pain for over twenty years. I deserve a break."

"No breaks until justice is served."

"Oh, just shut up already," I screamed, startling one of the maids. Maybe I was losing my mind. She hurriedly bowed and walked away.

"Good job Maria, you've frightened the poor girl away," I said. The house was oddly quiet, which only meant Ursula wasn't around. Where could she have gone to? I wondered.

"Zia Benedetta," I called out, but someone else answered in her stead.

"Good morning Miss" Rebecca, the head of the kitchen, greeted.

"Good morning Mrs. Rebecca. Have you seen Zia and Ursula?"

"Yes. They did leave you a note," she said, producing a note from the pocket of her apron.

"Here," she said, handing it to me.

I opened the note and instantly recognized Ursula's writing. It simply said. "Girls day out with Zia Benedetta. I didn't want to disturb your sleep. Make sure you eat something. Love, Ursula"

I was appreciative of the initiative not to interrupt my sleep. I was also grateful for the peace I was going to enjoy today. The heavens had aligned to ensure my euphoria was not tampered with.

"Do you want anything aside from breakfast," Mrs. Rebecca asked.

"Nothing really," I replied. She turned to leave

When I remember something, I would love to do it.

"Wait, Mrs. Rebecca," she stopped and turned to me.

"I want to tend to the garden today. Please tell everyone that I do not want to be disturbed" she nodded and left.

I smiled delightfully when the door to the kitchen opened again, and there was lots of food. The table was set beautifully, and I was left alone again. My appetite was so great that something was off, but I didn't dwell on that.

I was not going to be negative today. I took the first bite and experienced foodgasm like never seen before. This was Zia Benedetta's masterpiece. In no time, I had successfully cleared the plate. Life felt wonderful.

I took some time to rest and then proceeded to the garden. This was one of the few places I used to visit with my dad. We bonded the most here. He taught me how to tend to the garden. He said he loved the park so much because the smell of flowers reminded him of my mother.

It was strange that I thought about my parents, and I did not feel any pain. It was all just beautiful memories. I picked a flower and inhaled. It didn't have any smell. It was the flower Marco gave me when he was trying to be naughty.

He would say, "I don't understand you, Maria. That's why I'm giving you a flower that perfectly describes you" in turn, I would purposely donate his PlayStation to charity.

The war would continue until it was time to unite our twin powers and take down a mutual enemy. It was usually just coded for targeting Julian, the class bully.

One time Julian wanted me to be his date to the school play. Of course, I turned it down, and he got outraged, so he pushed me down. I sprained my knee badly and was bleeding. Somehow, Marco managed to hear about it. He approached Julian furiously and landed a punch in his face.

A fight broke out between them. I couldn't help him out like I usually do because of my foot. Julian had Marco in a headlock and was trying to strangle him. Out of nowhere, Vincenzo appeared. I snapped swiftly out of my journey down memory lane at the mention of Vincenzo. Suddenly, it all began to come back.

"No, no, no!" I begged, knowing what was going to happen next.

My mind mocked me as it went ahead. "Vincenzo, fundraiser, Roy," it was all coming back.

"That's enough, please" I held my head "Morena, Priscilla."

"Stop" I screamed in pain and fell to the ground. With every name I remembered, the pain resurfaced. I shouldn't have walked down memory lane.

My walls of joy were broken, and the pain rushed in with a vengeance. I screamed for mercy as the memory of the crash resurfaced. I remembered all the sleepless nights and nightmares. I remembered the duchess putting me and my happiness first even on her deathbed.

I remembered how I survived. It shouldn't have been me. Why did I have to endure? I remembered the plot and how I successfully took the prototype. I remembered the anger mixed with my curiosity about seeing Vincenzo at the fundraiser.

I remembered every minute of joy I derived in talking him down. It made me remember my promise to destroy the Santoro's. Yes, the memory I had succeeded in locking in for a few hours was painful, but it came with a guarantee. A commitment that I needed to fulfill.

"Priscilla"

I remember her whispering to me the previous night. She wanted to help me but for a price. I suddenly remembered what Simeon had told me about Vincenzo's sexy secretary. She was loyal to no one but money.

She didn't do things if she did not expect something in return. She approaching me was a bold move, but I wondered what she wanted in return. What if it was all part of Vincenzo's plan? Was he planning on planting a spy on me just like I did to him?

Surely he didn't think I would be stupid enough to fall for something like that. Regardless, if I were to use Priscilla for my gain, I would need to test how far she would go for money. I laughed, suddenly remembering where the sound I hummed in the morning came from.

It was the song Marco was listening to before the crash. "You should never forget," my mind warned.

"You're right, and I should never have forgotten something as important as this"

Although I had enjoyed a brief moment of peace, it would never last. Justice was yet to prevail. I had waited too long for some divine intervention. Maybe I wasn't God's cup of tea anymore.

That's why I decided to be karma itself. And by God, I was going to continue to pass out judgments. I laughed, remembering the sound from the morning. It was the song Marco was listening to before the crash