MARIA MINERVA

Chapter 7

2024- The first light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains of Maine's apartment. The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. Maine lay tangled in her sheets, her face lined with the stress of the day ahead. Her mind, however, was caught in a whirlwind of vivid dreams.

Maine found herself standing in a grand, dimly lit room. The walls were adorned with antique tapestries, and the air was heavy with the scent of old wood and dust. The room seemed to be frozen in time, a relic from a bygone era. In the center of the room, a woman in an old-fashioned gown stood with her back to Maine. The gown was elaborate, reminiscent of the 1950s, its fabric shimmering faintly in the twilight.

Maine approached cautiously, her steps echoing softly on the wooden floor. The woman turned slowly, her face a blend of sorrow and determination. Her eyes, though filled with tears, held a fierce intensity.

Maria Minerva (her voice echoing with a haunting resonance): "You will carry my pain... you will fulfill my promise..."

Maine's breath hitched in her throat. The woman's words were both cryptic and commanding, resonating with a deep, unsettling urgency. Maine could feel the weight of the statement pressing down on her, a chilling reminder of something she couldn't quite grasp.

Maine (confused, her voice trembling): "Who are you? What do you want from me?"

Maria Minerva's eyes locked onto Maine's, and a deep sadness seemed to flow from them. Her gaze was unwavering, filled with an ancient sorrow that made Maine's heart ache.

Maria Minerva (softly, her voice carrying a blend of anger and desperation): "You must understand... my story, my curse. It has followed my enemies, my betrayers, through generations. You are the key to its end. Only you can fulfill what was left undone."

Maine's mind raced. The woman's presence was overwhelming, her sorrow palpable. Despite the ethereal nature of the dream, Maine felt as though she were standing on the precipice of something monumental. The sense of duty and unresolved pain was almost unbearable.

Maine (trying to steady her voice): "I don't understand. Why me? I don't know anything about your story."

Maria's expression softened slightly, though the sadness never fully left her eyes. She extended a ghostly hand towards Maine, as if beckoning her to come closer.

Maria Minerva (pleading): "You will learn. The legacy of vengeance has found its way to you. The De La Cruz family's suffering is entwined with yours now. Seek the truth, and you will find the answers you need. My story... it must be told."

Before Maine could respond, the room began to dissolve into mist. The woman's figure faded, and the dreamscape melted away. Maine woke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was dark, save for the faint light of the streetlamp filtering through the curtains.

Maine (whispering to herself, shaken): "What was that? Who was she?"

The dream had left her unsettled, her mind teeming with questions. As she lay in bed, trying to piece together the fragments of the dream, she couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was unfolding. The connection between the dream and her work at Don Sebastian International Trading Company seemed too strong to ignore.

She knew she had to learn more about the family history, the company's past, and the strange dreams that seemed to be pulling her deeper into a mystery she barely understood.

Maine arrived at work, her mind still preoccupied with the dream. She glanced around the opulent office, the polished surfaces and gleaming lights a stark contrast to the old-fashioned world she had seen in her dreams. She resolved to dig into the company's history, to uncover any connection between her recent experiences and the legacy of the De La Cruz family.

Maine (determined, to herself): "I have to find out more. There's something here I'm missing."

As she began her day, Maine's resolve grew stronger. She would investigate, uncover the secrets hidden within the company's past, and try to understand the haunting message left by the woman in her dreams. The legacy of revenge that Maria Minerva had sworn would now fall to her to unravel.