the devil always wins

Sad to see you go...

[1 week time skip]

Adina POV:
This couldn't be happening. Not to me. Not again
I was running a bath, rose petals, candles and amethyst crystals. For my mother. Those are her favourite things. I knew she was ill but our doctor said she should be okay. I don't know what happened. I don't know what went wrong. I turned the bath taps off before it flooded before hearing the heart wrenching screams of Maria.

"ADINA! ADINAAAA COME QUICK ADINA" she was screaming at the top of her lungs. I ran from the bathroom, my gut turning and churning. I felt sick. Rushing in I saw Maria on her knees, tears streaming out of her eyes. Then I saw her. My mother...lifeless in her bed.

"no- no.. no NO NOOO" I cried, breaking down, collapsing on the floor beside my mother. "I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry" Maria said. It wasn't her fault. "Wha- wh- what did she say before she- she" I couldn't get the words out. A huge lump forming in my throat. "Tell Adina- tell her she has to continue the business- fo- for me- and for everyone. Tell her she's in charge now...and tell her I love her"

I was now gasping for breath, spluttering words out when I could. Those were her last words and she couldn't even say them to me because...because I wasn't there. Maria tried to comfort the both of us...telling me to get in the bath. How could I get in the bath. IF I WASN'T RUNNING THE STUPID BATH I COULD HAVE BEEN BY HER SIDE BEFORE SHE-

I still couldn't bring myself to say the word. She couldn't really be gone.

I couldn't stay here anymore. Not knowing that she died in that bed, right there in the corner of her room. I couldn't stay under this roof. I remember Mother once said to me that when a loved one dies you should take time to mourn of course but not too long! But instead to pick yourself up, be happy and do them proud. So that's exactly what I'd do. For her

I told Maria we had to move. She agreed that she would come anywhere and help me if I need it. We agreed that we had to go tell other gang members the unfortunate news. So we packed and we took a trip.

First we went to see Sofia and Crystal. Our closest members of the LV vipers

Here's the story behind how Sofia and Crystal got involved with the gang. Me and Sofia grew up as best friends. Both attending the same private primary school in Nevada since we were 4 and then moving onto the same private secondary school from 12 to 17. After graduating she joined the gang, so did I. Therefore we have both been in the gang for 2 years. Her mum Crystal became close to mine when me and Sofia were 7 and they have been like sisters ever since. The same for me and Sofia. We love them like family.

That's why I knew it would be hard to break the news to them. I knew full well they would be as devastated as I am. I don't know how I was supposed to tell them though. Do I say it head on or...

Maria faced opposite me keeping a conversation with the limo driver while I got lost in my thoughts. Planning how I was going to tell my best friend and someone I saw as a second mother that my own mother. Was dead. Dead.

About 20 minutes later we arrived at the Fernandez Mansion. We got the option of living in a stable house but we chose to go from apartment to apartment all over America because we love a good adventure. Travelling from city to city. It was our thing. That's why we stayed in apartments.

I knocked on the door. 3 times. It's our pattern so she knows it's me. She didn't answer. I tried again. She still didn't answer. I went back down the front garden to her rose bush, clicked the button underneath the leaf and the bush sprang open, revealing her door key. Picking it up, I walked back over to her door and unlocked it

"SOFIA!" I called out for her, it came out kind of muffled because I was still worried to tell her. "DEE IS THAT YOU" she shouted. "YEAH. Sof come quick I have something to tell you" I replied.
"All good I hope" Crystal said coming in from the kitchen. She could tell by the look on my face that it wasn't.

Seconds later Sofia come rushing through the balcony door and down the stairs almost falling over. This caused me to laugh, just a little bit. "HEY DE- Adina what's wrong..." she asked

I couldn't do it. I broke into tears. I tried to be strong mother but it's so hard. I knew I'd struggle but eventually I got there. I explained everything. Crystal was in tears beside me, head buried in her hands. Sof had me in a warm embrace, whimpering on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry dee" she said sympathetically. "It's alright Sof, I've got to be okay for her, you have to" I said through sniffs.

Sofia POV:
Broken. I was completely and utterly broken. I can't imagine how bad it must be for Dee. None of us got to say goodbye except for Maria. But One thing I remember Martinez telling me was that I should grieve but not for too long! And instead to pick myself up and make them proud. She said it to me and Dee when we were teenagers. Now look at us.

I knew I'd heal. It would take some time but I would and I had to be here for my best friend like she has been there for me my entire life. I don't know what I'd do without her and right now I had to be the best person I could for her and for her mum.

Adina POV:
The rest of the day was spent at the mansion. Maria and Crystal were gathering roses from the garden to make a bouquet for mother. Me and Sof were in her room, reminiscing on the fun times we had with mother when we were younger. Before things got difficult with the gang. Before when we had no troubles and no care for anything.

Crystal invited me and Maria to stay with them for as long as we needed. I already had a room connected to Sofia's. Maria took the guest room.

I decided to phone call the rest of the gang to give them the news as I knew it would be to hard to face every single one of them in person.

And so we stayed in the Fernandez mansion. We planned on staying for two weeks before throwing mother a funeral. I was glad we were staying with Cris and Sof instead of another apartment. It made me feel safe, gave me a feeling of comfort and that's all I needed right now.