Krystyna
It’s 10:00 a.m. in my office in Spain. The room is cool, the soft hum of the air conditioning mingling with the rhythmic ticking of the clock. Sunlight filters through the blinds, casting faint shadows across my desk, which is cluttered with papers from a previous client meeting. I’ve just wrapped up an online conference with a project team in Italy, feeling the weight of their expectations and the ticking clock of impending deadlines.
“Did you manage to review the latest reports I sent over?” Karina asks
“Yes, I did. There are a few discrepancies I noticed. Can we discuss them in detail?” Mr. Rico answers.
“Absolutely. How about we set up another for on Wednesday so that we could talk about the adjustment details” I suggest
“That works for me. I’ll send you a calendar invite.” Mr. Rico says.
The call ends, and I sit back, the silence of the room accentuated by the ticking clock. The weight of our mission hangs heavy, but the support from my colleagues offers a glimmer of hope.
I take a moment to catch my breath and gesture to my secretary. “Could you please get me a snack? I need a little break.”
As I wait, my laptop rings again, drawing my attention. I answer, and Tianna’s face appears on the screen, her gaze expectant as she waits for everyone to join the call.
After a few minutes, Diamond, Sajan, and Jamilla appear on the screen. We’re all here now, except for Eris, and Ciarinise. The curse—Tema Andrea’s curse—is worsening, and the pressure of is growing.
After a few more minutes, Eris and Ciarinise finally appear on the screen, completing our group. Tianna, looking worn and weary, takes a deep breath before speaking. Her shoulders are slumped, and her eyes show the strain of the situation. “So as far as we know now,” she begins, her voice heavy with fatigue, “we found Grandpa Darren’s journal.”
Eris steps in, his brows furrowed with worry. “We read all the journal’s entries,” he says, his tone grim. “We found out that Grandpa Darren had an affair with Tema Andrea. The entries detail their meetings and interactions, giving us more insight into their relationship and how it might have influenced the curse.”
Ciarinise cuts in, her eyes serious but determined. “We also found an old footage of an interview with one of Tema Andrea’s descendants, Anita. We managed to locate her and asked her about her great-grandmother. She willingly shared everything she knows, providing us with a wealth of information about Tema Andrea and her connections.”
Eris continues, “We visited our great-aunt Ticia. She didn’t have much new information. She said they thought the curse was just a few cases of misfortune. They never believed it was serious.”
Tianna picks up the thread. “But we got lucky. One of Ticia’s maids, Dolores, is a direct descendant of Manang Lelay, our family’s longtime nanny. Dolores helped us meet with Manang Lelay herself. She was able to reiterate everything we needed to know about Tema Andrea and the curse.”
The weight of their words hangs in the air, making the situation feel even more serious. After Eris finishes talking, I take a moment to process everything. The room falls quiet, broken only by the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional rustle of papers.
Ciarinise looks at us, her face both serious and hopeful. “We’ve also gotten help from Lirin, a healer, and Professor Joselito Mancera, who knows a lot about the time period. Lirin gave us valuable advice on curses and healing. Professor Mancera has been digging into the relic’s history and how it connects to Tema Andrea’s curse. His insights are helping us understand more and find new solutions.”
Tianna’s eyes soften a bit. “We also met with Yara. She’s an expert in curses and ancient artifacts. She’s been really helpful, guiding us on how to break the curse.”
I lean in, feeling a small spark of hope. “That’s great! Do you think she has the answers we need?”
Tianna nods. “We’re hopeful. She’s agreed to help us. Her insights could be key to lifting the curse.”
The room feels heavy with the weight of everything we’ve just learned. I sit quietly, absorbing it all. The hum of the refrigerator and the rustle of papers are the only sounds, making the silence even more intense. Every new detail makes it clear how urgent this is.
Sajan looks impressed, his expression softening for the first time since the call began. “It sounds like you’ve covered all your bases,” he says, nodding approvingly. “But what happens if we run out of time?” His question is heavy, the reality of our situation sinking in.
Tianna’s face tightens with worry. “We’ve thought about that,” she says quietly. “If we can’t lift the curse in time, its effects will likely become permanent, affecting not just us but future generations. It’s a risk we’re trying to avoid at all costs.” Her voice is firm, but there’s an underlying sadness that makes my heart ache.
“You have our blessing,” Diamond says firmly, her voice filled with resolve, her hands clenched into fists in her lap. “Whatever you need to do, just do it. We trust you.” Her voice is steady, but her eyes are glistening with unshed tears.
“Thank you,” Eris says, his voice soft but sincere. “We couldn’t do this without your support. Really, it means everything.” His eyes are filled with gratitude, and I can see the weight lifting off his shoulders, just a little.
I lean forward, feeling a swell of hope, my heart lifting at the sight of their determination. “We believe in you,” I say, my voice strong. “And we’re here for you, no matter what. Whatever it takes, we’re with you.” My words are echoed by the others, a chorus of support and love that fills the space between us, even through the screen.
The call ends, and I sit back, feeling the weight of the situation settle over us all. My chest feels tight, but there’s a flicker of hope. They’ve found people who can help. Maybe, just maybe, this will be enough. I glance around at the others, seeing the same mix of fear and determination in their eyes. We’re in this together, no matter what it takes.
I close my laptop slowly, letting out a deep breath. The room is silent except for the steady ticking of the clock, each second a reminder of how little time we have. “Stay strong, everyone,” I whisper to myself, my voice barely more than a breath. “We’re going to get through this. We have to.”
YOU ARE READING
Cursed Legacy
FantasyEris and his siblings uncover a family secret that has haunted them for years. As they explore into their great lolgrandfather's past, they discover that he was once involved with a woman who had a reputation for practicing dark magic. In a desperat...
