Secrets of the Solomons

14. Rylie:

*2nd July,2023*

Today's the day I get to visit Fiona. She'll be happy to see me, right?

What kind of question is that? Of course, she's going to be happy. I'm her best friend after all. We've been looking forward to this visit for weeks, and I know Fiona has been counting down the days just like I have. Our friendship has always been strong. Fiona and I have been through thick and thin together, and I do not doubt that her smile and warm embrace will be waiting for me when I arrive. She has always been there for me, and I am grateful for her unwavering support. But it's time for me to be there for her.

The ride to the station is quiet. My mom didn't want me to go because she was afraid it'd harm the family's reputation, and it may, but I don't care about that. We may not be as rich as the Solomons, we are powerful and influential enough to cut out any article that may damage our reputation.

I'm driving the car while Izzy and Sally are on their phones. Although their parents didn't want them to go, they came anyway and told me to take them too. The other members of the gang are still skeptical about wanting to visit Fiona because they're all scared about ruining their family's reputation, I don't understand what is going to ruin the "reputation'. All we are doing is visiting our friend in hopes of understanding what's happening. We have always believed in standing by our friends through thick and thin, regardless of what others may say or think. It baffles me that the rest of the gang is so concerned about their family's reputation just because we want to visit Fiona. Our intentions are pure; we simply want to offer our support and unravel the mystery surrounding her recent troubles. Reputation should not take precedence over friendship and empathy.

Sally's mom is the most unhappy about her visit. She hated Fiona from the beginning, as their family had always tried to defeat the Solomons when it came to wealth,status,lineage, etc. but always lost. Sally's full name is Serena Russo, and she's Italian. The Russos are one of the most influential families in the world. Also a small competitor of the Solomon family. Therefore making Sally and Fiona's family enemies. Although I doubt the Solomons even count the Russos as a competitor, And most importantly, the main reason why Sally's mother,Mrs. Russo, absolutely despises Fiona. But she doesn't dare say something in front of her. She knows the consequences of provoking a Solomon. All of us do. We wouldn't survive in this industry if we didn't. The industry is ruthless and cutthroat, and crossing paths with the Solomons is a dangerous game. Their power and influence permeate every aspect of the business, and anyone who dares challenge them often meets a tragic fate. The Russo family is well aware of this, which is why Mrs. Russo keeps her disdain for Fiona hidden beneath a façade of politeness. However, behind closed doors, the tension between the two families is palpable, and the rivalry continues to simmer, waiting for the right moment to ignite into a full-blown war. The Russo family knows that one wrong move could bring devastation upon them. They have witnessed the Solomons' ruthlessness firsthand, as other families who dared to challenge their authority have been crushed without mercy, such as the Wonsons. Mrs. Russo understands that maintaining a facade of politeness is crucial for the survival of her family in this dangerous game. However, the simmering tension between the two families is a constant reminder that the war between them is far from over.

My family, the Wangs, are fortunately on good terms with the Russos, the Solomons, and any other family. We have managed to stay neutral amidst the rivalries, but even we are not immune to the underlying fear that permeates the air. The Wangs carefully navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and trust, knowing that one misstep could disrupt the delicate balance between the families. While we may not be directly involved in the feud, we are well aware that any overt affiliation could have dangerous consequences. Thus, we silently support the Solomons from the shadows, ready to lend a hand if the time comes to choose sides in this high-stakes game of power. We are Chinese-American.

I can say the same with Izzy. Izzy's full name is Isidora Volkov, and they're also on good terms. Izzy is Russian. Izzy is also ready to support the Solomons from the shadows, prepared to lend a hand if the time comes to choose sides in this.

It takes us an hour to drive to the station due to the traffic jam on the way. The whole ride was so silent that I was contemplating killing myself on the way.

After we arrived, we were told to wait before they could let us meet her. Initially, we wanted to meet her as a group, but they didn't allow that, so we each had to visit her individually, and the timer was 20 minutes. Not more, not less.

The first person to visit her was me. As I entered the room, a wave of emotions flooded over me. Seeing her there, pale and emotionless, tears filled my eyes. We exchanged a few words, but the heaviness of the situation lingered in the air. Time seemed to pass too quickly, and before I knew it, my 20 minutes were up. Reluctantly, I said my goodbyes, promising to return soon. As I stepped out of the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility weighing on my shoulders, knowing that we all had our part to play in supporting her through this challenging time.

I couldn't question her about why she did it. I knew it wasn't the right time, nor was it my place to probe into the depths of her pain. Instead, all I could do was be there for her, offering my unwavering support and reassuring her that she was not alone. As I walked away, thoughts raced through my mind, wondering what could have led her to take such a drastic step. But in that moment, the most important thing was to provide comfort and strength, knowing that healing takes time and understanding.

After me, Izzy visited, and then Sally did. After me, Izzy visited, and then Sally did. Each of us had our own way of showing support, whether it was through a comforting touch, a listening ear, or simply sitting silently by her side. We knew that words alone couldn't erase the pain she was feeling, but we hoped that our presence would remind her that she was loved and cared for. Together, we are a support system, a lifeline for her to hold onto as she navigates through the darkness. And all of us saw glimmers of hope flicker in her eyes, a sign that maybe, just maybe, she would find her way back to herself. And we were determined to be there for her every step of the way.

The ride back was quiet as well. I wanted to ask Sally and Izzy about what they talked about with Fiona. But I decided to give them their space and wait for the right moment.

I wanted to know what Fiona talked about with Izyy and Sally the most. Although I am her best friend, they're someone who Fiona trusts with the dirty part of her life, as she calls it. They were the ones who held her secrets and gave her the support she needed during her darkest moments. As we drove in silence, I couldn't help but imagine the weight of the burdens she must have shared with them. Maybe they talked about her struggles with depression or the challenges she faced in her relationships. Whatever it was, I knew that Sally and Izzy were the ones she relied on, and I respected their bond with Fiona, even if it meant waiting for the right moment to inquire about their conversation.

From what I know, Izzy, Sally, and Fiona have connections to dangerous things. These situations are common among the people in our school. It is always a mystery what they are involved in, but I can't help but be intrigued. Rumors have been circulating about their involvement in a secret society known for engaging in illicit activities. Some say they have connections to the underground drug trade, while others believe they are involved in organized crime. Whatever the truth may be, their mysterious aura only adds to my curiosity. However, I know better than to pry into their business without a clear invitation. I'll patiently wait for the right moment to inquire about their conversation and hopefully gain some insight into their intriguing world.

As I observe them from a distance, their hushed conversations and discreet gestures only fuel my imagination. I wonder what secrets they hold and what hidden knowledge they possess. It's as if they exist in a realm separate from the ordinary, where danger and intrigue intertwine. Perhaps, I muse, they are the puppet masters pulling the strings behind the scenes, orchestrating events that shape the course of our society. Or maybe they are merely innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of a dangerous game. Either way, I can't shake the feeling that their lives are far from ordinary.