"Keep her right here."
Jake's place was mind-blowing, and the moment I stepped into that mansion, I knew I was in for a whole new lifestyle. Guess I'll be crashing with them for a while. Things at home are all messed up, and my sister's offered me shelter, which I desperately need.
As soon as she spotted me, my sister rushed in for a tight hug. I had to fight back the tears welling up inside me. "Sharmienne, take it easy, alright? You need some rest," she said, her arms still wrapped around me.
I nodded, and we strolled into their jaw-dropping mansion. I couldn't believe my eyes. It had taken hours of travel to get here, and now it was already morning. How on earth did she end up living in a place like this?
At the double doors, I saw Jake standing there, looking all mysterious and confident. He didn't wait for us and just went right in, instructing one of the maids along the way. I couldn't help but follow my sister's lead, soaking in the splendor of the interior. The place was a perfect blend of traditional and modern art, and the chandelier hanging from the ceiling was a showstopper.
The mansion's design had me in awe. Long stairs leading up to the second floor, multiple well-kept rooms – the living room, dining area, and even the kitchen were all neat. And those gigantic windows flooded the place with natural light.
"I'll show you to your room," my sister said, her voice soothing as I felt the fatigue creeping over me. Everything that had happened was still a blur in my mind, but right now, all I craved was a peaceful slumber. And so, with a simple nod, I followed her, eager for some much-needed rest.
Carmienne and I entered a cozy room, and she couldn't help but comment, "You seem surprisingly fine after all that happened. Are you really feeling cheerful?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to play it cool. "Well, I'm trying my best to keep up appearances."
But of course, Carmienne saw right through me, as she always did. She had this uncanny ability to read my emotions like an open book. "Don't even try to fool me," she said, her eyes narrowing with a mix of concern and amusement. "I can tell you've been faking that smile for me."
I let out a sigh, knowing there was no point in hiding the truth from her. She was my confidante, after all, and she deserved to know the real deal. "It's just... things are more complicated than I let on."
Her expression softened, and she stepped closer, her touch sending a tingle down my spine. "You don't have to pretend with me," she said softly, her voice like a soothing melody. "I'm here for you, no matter what."
Putting on a facade of cheerfulness wasn't exactly my forte, but I gave it my best shot. I mean, who could blame me? The bombshell of discovering my true identity and everything that went down last night was enough to send anyone reeling. But here I was, trying my darnedest to act like it was all cool.
"I'm fine," I insisted, my voice perhaps a little too chipper for someone who'd just been through an emotional roller coaster.
However, when it came to my sister, all my acting skills fell flat. She had this uncanny ability to see right through me, like she had a direct line to my soul. No matter how hard I tried to hide my real emotions, she was like a mind reader, effortlessly seeing past my facade.
It was both annoying and comforting at the same time. Annoying because I couldn't keep any secrets from her, but comforting because she was always there for me, no matter what. In times of trouble, she was my rock, my anchor.
So, I tried to carry on with the charade, but eventually, the walls I built around my feelings crumbled when I looked into her eyes. There was no use hiding anymore; she already knew the truth. 
"You could really use a hug right now," she said with a warm smile. "But knowing you for years, I know you're not the clingy type."
I chuckled, appreciating her understanding. "Yeah, you got me there," I replied as I flopped onto the bed, which had been thoughtfully prepared for me.
The events of the past few years had changed me in ways I never imagined. Life had a way of molding us, and I had become more self-reliant, keeping my emotions guarded like a fortress.
She sat down beside me, her presence calming and reassuring. "It's okay, you know," she said softly, her hand gently rubbing my back. "Even the toughest of us need a shoulder to lean on sometimes."
I knew it all too well. She had been my rock, unwavering and steadfast. Learning that she was my half-sister hadn't changed a thing between us. She never even brought it up, as if it didn't matter at all. And maybe it didn't, because our bond was unbreakable. She had always been the one who truly understood me, the one I could confide in.
"I let him go completely," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. My chest felt heavy, but the tears had run dry. "I never outright told him that I loved him." I managed a sad smile as I clutched the pillow tightly. But in my heart, I wished he could read it in the letter I left behind, in the actions I took.
"You can't avoid seeing him forever, Sharmienne," Carmienne said, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear and caressing it gently. "You're still holding on to him. Life has a funny way of bringing people back together."
"Yeah, I know," I mumbled. 
"If you've made up your mind about getting away from him, you can stay here with me. Jake won't mind," she suggested, her eyes filled with concern.
I shook my head, hesitant to burden her with my presence. "I'd be an inconvenience. I'll just stay temporarily, Carms," I insisted. After all, they were a married couple, and I didn't want to intrude.
"Please, just until you graduate?" she pleaded, holding my hand tightly. I sighed, knowing she wouldn't take no for an answer. 
"Alright, fine. But only until then," I agreed, realizing that this was a way to escape my parents for now. I needed some time away from them to process everything.
"We'll talk about all the questions swirling in your head later, after you rest, okay?" She planted a gentle kiss on my cheek before getting up from the bed. I nodded, feeling grateful for her understanding and support as I settled down to get some much-needed rest and dozed off to sleep.
It had been a whole week since I started crashing at their mansion. So far, it's been pretty peaceful, mostly because I haven't come across Jake prowling around. Word has it he's off doing some stuff.
Carmienne, who's like the lady of the manor, invited me to hang out in her room. There, she was sifting through a bunch of old photos spread out on the floor. Curious, I joined her and picked up a class picture from last year, but it wasn't her class. In the photo, there was Liene, and this captivating woman with striking blue eyes named Arabella Rielle Rivera. Her name was written on the back of the photo.
I couldn't help but be crazy curious about Rielle and Carmienne was keeping that photo tucked away like a precious secret. And what was Liene doing in the mix? As far as I knew, they didn't have a close personal bond and I vaguely recalled them meeting before. Though Liene used to gush about Carmienne, practically idolizing her as a model.
The whole situation was starting to feel like one of those mind-bending puzzles found in a suspenseful action movie. Secrets, connections, and hidden histories were like pieces of a complex jigsaw falling into place, but I still couldn't grasp the bigger picture.
My heart was pounding, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this photo was the key to some deep, hidden truth. Rielle must be someone significant, not just some random face in the picture. And Carmienne's involvement in all this, along with her husband Jake's mysterious demeanor, added a layer of danger and suspense to the mix.
"She knows you," Carmienne said, pointing at the photo. "Liene and Rielle were block mates. Rielle used to be Jake's girlfriend."
"Carms..." I was out of words.
"I've known all along. He'd always talk about her, saying she was his one true love and no one could replace her in his heart."
She looked up, her gaze lifeless, as if she'd been expecting this moment. "I just wanted you to see it, for our mission. Unlike your husband, who signed a contract, my marriage to Jake is a sham, Sharmienne. It was all part of the plan," she explained, emotionless.
"What?!"
What was I supposed to say to that bombshell she just dropped? It was like standing on shaky ground with no clue where to step next. Was she bluffing, or was she dead serious about something that could tear her marriage apart? I was just so unsure.
One thing I knew for sure was that Carmienne seemed like she was walking on the edge of sanity. Something wasn't right in her head, and I couldn't help but wonder what went down between her and Jake. The tension in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife.
The whole situation felt like being caught in a high-speed chase with no idea who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. My head was spinning with questions, and the answers seemed to slip further away with every passing second.
"Sharmienne? Food's ready." 
Kian's voice interrupted us. I had no clue he was also living here, somewhere else in the mansion. I couldn't wrap my head around what was happening. How did they all end up here? Was this all planned?
"It was always the plan," Carmienne murmured once more before she got up and left me there.
"What was that?" I asked myself, trying to process it all. I shook my head. "I must be going insane. This is unbelievable," I muttered.
I gotta shift my focus and take care of my sister. She's been acting so off lately, and I can't help but wonder what she's been through. Could it be some crazy marriage drama that's messing with her head? Or did she have a major fallout with her husband? And what's this talk about their marriage being a total sham? I'm so lost, it's like navigating through a maze blindfolded.
If there's any truth to this whole "fake marriage" thing, I can't believe I fell for it. I remember how radiant and joyful she was on her wedding day. Was it all just a big, fat lie?
Heading to the dining room, I found Kian, Carmienne, and Jake having dinner together. Kian was quiet, but I could feel his eyes on me. I took a seat next to him, and Jake immediately turned his attention to me. The tension in the air was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder what secrets this mansion held. 
"How are you, young lady?" Jake asked, and my heart skipped a beat as his words hit me like a ton of bricks. How could he mention him? "Oh, you remember him?" he chuckled. "My bad, Sharmienne."
I tried to compose myself, glancing down for a moment before mustering a smile and looking back at him. "You knew my husband?"
He pursed his lips, trying to hide a sly smirk. "Yep, we went way back. He was my best friend's gangmate," he admitted with a shrug. "But don't get me wrong, just because I know him doesn't mean I won't hesitate to get involved. It's their fault you got caught up in this icy feud between our gangs."
"Jake," Carmienne interjected, attempting to caution him, but he seemed unfazed. 
His intense gaze stayed fixed on me. "We don't need any unwanted guests muddling up our game, Sharmienne. So do yourself a favor and stay out of it," he warned before casually sipping his tea.
In that moment, I felt a whirlwind of emotions raging inside me. The danger and intrigue were undeniable, and despite Jake's warning, I couldn't just walk away. There was something more to this cold war between the rival gangs.
Jake's presence had an air of mystery that both intrigued and alarmed me. We knew he was dangerous, yet there we were, sitting at the same table, dining with him.
"Kian's my secretary. How's that to you?" Jake casually dropped the bombshell, leaving me with questions swirling in my head. How on earth did we get tangled up in all this? Weren't we just here to sort out our cousins' accident?
"Sec-secretary?" I stammered, trying to process the unexpected revelation.
"Jake..." Carmienne's voice trembled as she held her head, as if she had a throbbing headache.
Unfazed, Jake continued, "I've known your little plan from the start. Even though I was told not to lay a hand on you," he said, with an air of defiance. "You must have figured it out by now, right? After all, you're my master's daughter."
As Jake spoke, I couldn't help but feel an electrifying tension in the air. He was dangerous, that much was clear, but there was something magnetic about him that drew me in despite the warning bells ringing in my mind. The enigmatic aura surrounding him made me wonder if there was more to this man than met the eye. 
I delved deeper into this high-stakes world and I found myself entangled in a web of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. The dangerous game we played brought us closer, blurring the boundaries between friend and foe. 
"Wait, you're the one behind all those bombing incidents?" I blurted out, my voice shaking with a mix of fear and anger. "You... you caused all that destruction?"
"Bingo!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers arrogantly. "My bad that you got caught up in that mess. You were just collateral damage."
I could feel the rage boiling inside me, struggling to burst free. "Do you even realize how many lives were lost because of your stupid plan? Are you even human?" I shot back, unable to contain my emotions.
He looked at me with a chilling lack of emotion. "I know, and I wouldn't pretend to be sorry about it if I didn't."
"Hart," Kian's voice thundered, trying to intervene. "Enough of this. She's our guest."
"Hmm," Jake mused, resting his chin on his hand as he continued to stare at me. "Maybe I can use you, make you a tool to lure out The Falcon?"
"Don't you dare, Jake," Carmienne's voice cut through the tension, her tone icy. She stood up, confronting her husband. "It's enough that I'm suffering. Don't drag my sister into this mess."
The room felt charged, as if they were locked in a battle of wills. But finally, Jake looked away and let out a mocking laugh. 
"The tea is bland, Kian," he remarked, putting his cup down. Then, he glanced at me. "Don't worry, I was going to protect you anyway. You're under my care."