The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

Flashback

“At the exit of Cerro Roca, there will be a black van that will pick you up. Go with them because they will also get your father and brother. They will take you to the place where you will stay until I order you to leave soon. I just need to make sure you don’t run away.”

I wiped the tears from my eyes while listening intently to Ymir. When I made sure that Cholo was sleeping soundly, I headed towards the Asturias’ mansion. Ymir instructed me that he would meet me at the guardhouse of the mansion. Ymir and I talked about my leaving. I don’t know what will happen after this but I know only one thing will happen for sure. Cholo will be angry with me and will curse me because I did not fulfill our agreement.

I promised to help him. I, who said I would not leave him, walked away first.

Even if it’s against my will, I can’t do anything else. This is what heaven has ordained for me. This will be my fate.

“What about the money? When will I get the money?” I asked in a raspy tone. I don’t care what he thinks of me anymore. I am doing this according to our agreement.

Ymir grinned at me before pulling out a check from his pocket. My eyes widened at the written amount when he handed it to me. Twenty million?!

“Take it and fly away from this place, Karina. And never ever show your face here again. You’re dead from now on. Not even your shadow should ever be in this part of the world. Use this money to start a new life somewhere far away from here. Do you understand me, Karina?” he said in a cold voice.

“Don’t worry, Karina. I’ll be by your side. Always.”

I closed my eyes as Cholo’s words echoed in my mind. I stared again at the check in my hand and then at the ring on my finger that my husband gave me earlier before we fell asleep while hugging each other. I didn’t know that he bought it that same night when we ate at a mall. He put it on me with his face dancing with joy. He also said that he bought it with his own savings.

I feel guilty that I stepped back. The check fell to the ground.

Nope. I will not quit. Cholo will help me because he promised to always be with me. I know he will make it happen. I could read in his eyes while he was putting the ring on me that he was starting to care for me.

I wiped my wet face and bravely raised my head to Ymir who was scowling at the fallen check.

“I don’t want to. I’ve changed my mind. I’m not leaving Cerro Roca. Your money is yours.”

I turned back after saying that but before I got far someone grabbed me and covered my mouth and nose with a handkerchief. I smelled the strong perfume that drained my strength. My eyelids were heavy as my hands slowly waved.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I fought as hard as I could. I tried to loosen the solid arm around my neck but I couldn’t move. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Ymir with a dark look looking at me while his hands were in his pockets.

He shook his head then came to me. With my shrinking vision, I even saw when he bent down to the ground and picked something up.

“Karina Versoza. I warned you already. It’s either you go in peace or you will be buried in peace. I thought we had an understanding of the former but it seems you’ll choose the latter. But don’t think of me as a monster because I’m still willing to give you another chance.” He turned to the man behind me. “Put that in the car and go straight to Sta. Barbara. Make sure you don’t leave any trail. Go ahead.”

I was dragged away by some men. I wanted to protest, scream, and beg but I couldn’t even open my mouth. Until they put me in the parked car, I wasn’t able to do anything. I just stared at Ymir’s cruel and cold eyes while mentally repeating Cholo’s name.

A few moments later the door closed and only the light of the oncoming car was left in my memory before everything went dark for me.

When I opened my eyes, the light outside the unfamiliar wooden window greeted me. I got up but immediately went back to lying down because of the pain in my head. I closed my eyes and remembered everything that happened. The fear and rebellion that I felt one by one all came back to me.

I gathered my strength and got up from the floor. I looked around the room. The place is decent enough. It even looks more like a house compared to the hut we left behind in Cerro Roca.

Wait, where am I?

I quickly left the room only to be shocked by what I saw. It was a forest. I am in a forest! Towering mango and coconut trees surround the small yard. I can’t see a single house. Only the house I was in stood on the vast land.

I opened the door and went out. I ran outside in case I could ask someone for help, but before I could get far, a voice called out to me, stopping my feet from moving.

“Karina! Where are you going!?”

My eyes widened as I turned to the source of the voice. Diego was standing in the doorway with a ladle in his hand. I immediately burst into tears and rushed to hug him. Sobbing, I touched his face. I wondered why he was still smiling at me when our current situation was nothing to be happy about.

“Why are you here? Where are we? Dad? Where is dad?” I asked my brother one after the other.

“We are here in Sta. Barbara. Last night, some men picked us up and brought us here. They said they were your friends. Do you have friends who are helpful? I was surprised at first because you never called us to notify us,” he explained.

I was silent. I know Ymir’s men are responsible for this.

“How about dad? Where is dad, Diego? Are you with him inside? Is father inside, Diego?”

I pulled his hand so that the two of us could go back inside.

“Dad? Have you forgotten? Your friends took him to the hospital last night so they could treat him. Dad is getting worse. At one point, I thought he wouldn’t move anymore. It’s a good thing that you have good friends. They promised that they would help dad. They told me that you did something good for their boss so they said they were just paying off a debt. What did you do that they were going to treat dad and then gave him more house and land here in Sta. Barbara?”

Diego said a lot more but the only thing that stuck in my mind was the fact that they kidnapped my father to force me to follow him. I felt the same depression I felt last night. Strength escaped me and I sat down on the floor just staring into nothingness.

Why are the trials in my life one after another? Lord, why does it seem like every day, something bitter happens in my life? Can’t you just give me a break? Since my childhood, my life has always been like this. It’s always hard. Always suffering. I thought that at least for a moment I would be happy with Cholo’s arrival in my life. I’m not saying that I wasn’t happy with my father and brother. It was only with them that I experienced being taken care of and made to feel like you had someone to hold on to when I was with Cholo. For the first time in my nineteen years of living on earth, I dreamed higher than I thought I could reach.

But now… I know there’s no point in dreaming anymore.

“Karina, why are you crying? Is something hurting you? Karina, why?”

I looked up at my brother’s worried face. Diego, how can I tell you everything without hurting you like I am now?

“Nothing.” I shook my head and wiped away the tears. I tried to give my brother a smile. “My sister is happy because I saw you again. We haven’t seen each other for a long time. Go ahead. Continue cooking. I’ll just call my friends to say hello to dad, okay?”

He nodded at me, confusion still in its eyes.

“Alright. I’ll just finish cooking so we can eat together.” He stood up and headed for the door to the backyard, which I guess was where he was cooking.

When he left, I let my tears fall again. I hope… I hope it will be the last because I might not be able to take it anymore.

This is my dumb wish that was not granted by fate because in the next few days, the storms will continue to come that will completely change me.