Oceans Canvas

The Unraveling

Dada, Marina, and Eva were all on edge, each lost in their own thoughts about the impending meeting with Tia. Marina made a simple breakfast, but the food went mostly untouched as they prepared to leave for the café where they had agreed to meet Tia.

When they arrived, Tia was already seated at a corner table, looking composed and confident. Dada felt a mix of anxiety and curiosity as they approached her. Marina and Eva flanked Dada, providing silent support.

"Dada, Marina, Eva," Tia greeted them with a smile. "Thank you for coming."

Dada sat down slowly, her eyes never leaving Tia's face. "We're here. What do you have to tell us?"

Tia took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. "First of all, I want to apologize for the shock I caused yesterday. It wasn't my intention to upset you."

Marina's eyes narrowed. "Get to the point, Tia."

Tia nodded. "I will. Last night, I told you I thought we were sisters based on some old records I found. But I need to come clean. That wasn't the whole truth."

Dada's heart pounded in her chest. "What do you mean?"

Tia sighed, looking genuinely remorseful. "I did find records, but they weren't about you specifically. I pieced together information that made it seem plausible, but the truth is... I fabricated most of it. I thought if I told you we were sisters, it would create a bond, a reason for you to trust me."

The words hung in the air, heavy and shocking. Marina's face flushed with anger. "You lied to us? About something so personal?"

Tia held up her hands defensively. "I know it was wrong. But I wanted to get closer to Dada, and I didn't know how else to do it."

Dada felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her—betrayal, anger, confusion. "Why would you do something like that? Why lie about something so important?"

Tia's expression hardened slightly, revealing a hint of her true manipulative nature. "I was desperate. When I met you, I felt an immediate connection. I thought if I could create a reason for us to spend more time together, we could build a real friendship, or even more."

Eva, who had been silent until now, spoke up, her voice icy. "Manipulating someone’s emotions is not the way to build a relationship. It's deceitful and cruel."

Tia looked up, her eyes pleading but with a glimmer of calculation. "I know. I'm truly sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone."

Marina took a deep breath, trying to calm her fury. "You've caused a lot of pain and confusion, Tia. We need time to process this."

Dada, still reeling from the revelation, nodded. "I need to think. I need to understand why you thought this was the right thing to do."

Tia nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "I understand. I'll give you space. But please know, my feelings for you are genuine. I just went about it the wrong way."

The three of them left the café, the weight of Tia's deception heavy on their shoulders. They walked in silence for a while before Dada finally spoke.

"I can't believe she would lie about something like that. It felt so real," she said, her voice trembling.

Marina put her arm around Dada. "It was real to you, and that's what matters. Her intentions may have been misguided, but your feelings were genuine."

Eva nodded. "We'll get through this, Dada. Together."

As they returned home, Dada felt a mix of relief and sadness. The shocking twist in her life had been a cruel trick, but it also brought her closer to Marina and Eva. They had faced the deception together, and their bond was stronger for it.

Over the next few days, they focused on their art and preparing for the exhibit. The experience with Tia had left a mark, but it also reminded them of the importance of honesty and trust.

One evening, as they were putting the finishing touches on their pieces, Dada turned to Marina and Eva. "Thank you for being there for me. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you."

Marina smiled, her eyes softening. "We're a team, Dada. Always."

Eva nodded in agreement. "No matter what comes our way, we'll face it together."