Memories

Chapter 13: Diana

I wanted to tell Monica about my pain. I wanted to tell her what Danny has done to my brother. Why do not I have the courage to tell him to leave the house?

Sarah, Monica, and I made a pact of friendship. The pact was to not hide anything from each other, stay together during all ups and downs, and never lie to one another for any reason. But I had to break this pact to save my brother, to see him alive, and safe and sound.

I didn't want to take a risk telling her when he was only about four feet away from us. He could have heard me telling her everything about his wickedness.

Monica assumed it right. Danny is the guy who would never change his attitude and characteristics. It's been two years since his breakup with Sarah. Yet, it has bothered him roughly that he feels like it was his insult. He's here at the party tonight with me only to find Sarah to patch up with her as a friend so that he could execute his revenge on her.

I literally don't know what he's planned to do with her, but the fact is he kidnapped my brother last week, and he still hasn't released him yet. He would not release him unless I help him reach Sarah. Only and only because of that, when I realized two days ago that Sarah would attend Monica's birthday party, I made a deal with him and brought him here after finding my brother safe through a video call.

However, I also must save my best friend, Sarah. So what if she's my friend? She's more than a friend. We are sisters from another mother. And I must find a way to have some privacy with Monica before Sarah could appear.

"Where is Sarah?" I asked, walking to the kitchen after Monica.

"She's probably having a fun time with her new boyfriend in my bedroom," said Monica.

"New boyfriend!" I said, shocked.

"Yes."

"How is he? I mean can he fight for her?" I asked, wishing he was a daredevil to keep Sarah safe and away from Danny.

"He's into Sarah," said Monica. "And. I think ... Ah, he's ready to do anything for her. Yet. I'm not sure as I haven't spent much time with him."

"Why are you asking this type of question though? Who does he need to fight with?" She cracked into a laugh.

"Nobody. I was just curious to know if he's the guy Sarah's been looking for."

"I hope so. Let's cross our fingers," said Monica, and we did cross our fingers, wishing great for Sarah.

* * *

We stood at the kitchen counter. Monica picked up a red wine bottle and poured some into her glass, and some into the other glass rested next to the bottle. She put the bottle back in its place, and then picked up the glasses.

She gave me one, and the other she held for herself.

"Cheers!" she said, raising her glass in the air near me.

"Cheers!" I said it back, gently touching my glass to hers.

We took the first sip, and I was about to get slightly relieved. Yet, Danny came and stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my neck, and kissing me on the neck. I didn't want this. I had told him clearly that we would pretend as boyfriend and girlfriend, holding each other's hands or kissing on the cheek like a brother kisses his sister. Yet, he began taking advantage of the situation. Fucking pervert!

I intentionally let my glass slip from my hands, and as it dropped, Danny ceased the grip on me.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for this," I said.

"It's all right. I will clean it up," she said.

Danny didn't even know how to pretend like a boyfriend through words. He had to ask me if I were fine, but no. Instead ...

"Don't worry. I will clean it up," he told Monica. Instantly, he walked to the end of the counter where the broom rested against the wall.

"He's really changed or you guys are pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend?" asked Monica, her voice full of doubts.

"Why would you think that?"

"He didn't even check if you got hurt. Then he rushed to clean the mess like he was trying to show me that he's changed."

I stayed quiet as I didn't find any helpful answer.

"What's going on?" she asked.

I remained quiet, staring at Rocky walking back toward us with the broom and dustpan in his hands.

"I'm sure now you're hiding something from me. Before I talk about it to Danny, it's better you open up to me."

"No," I said, scared. "No. You can't do that. Or I may lose my brother."

"What?"

"Yes. Please give me some time to explain everything," I said. As I found him nearing us, "Please act normal. He's here."

Monica turned her look filled with anger and then kept staring at him cleaning the floor. It seemed like she wanted to do something to him right now, at this moment without any delay, to help me out of his snare of wickedness.