1 July 2031, 06:20 PM
- “Do you think the same as I do, Paola?” Camila asked, her tone laced with intrigue.
- “I think we’re both thinking about the same thing,” I replied.
- “Do you suppose they’re here because of… you know, the Others?” Camila leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.
- “I’m not sure…”
- “Well, I’d wager they’re hunting an Other. Which means there’s one in town.”
- “Do you even believe in that?” I asked her.
- “Of course not! It’s nothing but idle gossip, isn’t it? I mean, honestly—superpowered people walking among us? It sounds like something ripped straight out of a sci-fi movie.”
The two soldiers didn’t stay long at the café. They just wanted to buy "coffee to go". They also asked the waiter to show them where the nearest motel was. As quickly as they entered, they left. Camila and I continued chatting, letting the soldiers’ strange presence fade to the back of our minds.
After finishing my drink, I headed home. My thoughts drifted, clinging to the warmth of earlier moments—especially how Deniel had held me close as we watched the couple at the church. But those comforting memories dissipated the moment I stepped into my family’s opulent home and saw my mother.
- “Paola!” she called, her smile bright as she set the table. “Perfect timing, darling. We’ve ordered dinner tonight, so you don’t need to trouble yourself with cooking.”
I forced a smile and entered the dining room, where my father and siblings were already seated. Quietly, I took my place, hoping to evade the inevitable barrage of questions.
- “We were just discussing financial strategies,” my father announced, his tone self-assured.
- “Yes, there’s never quite enough money,” my mother added, nodding sagely.
I remained silent, absently pushing food around my plate as they delved into percentages and revenue projections. Just as I thought I might escape unscathed, my sister Mariana injected herself into the conversation.
- “Have you ever considered marrying someone who’s… poor?” she asked, with a deceptively sweet voice.
- “Why would I even entertain such a notion?” my mother interjected, scandalized. “Money is security. Marrying a pauper? Unthinkable.”
- “Precisely,” my father agreed, his expression severe. “Such an act would be irresponsible—humiliating, even. It would ruin not only your future but our family’s reputation.”
Mariana smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
- “But what if someone you loved wanted to marry a man from, say, the favelas?”
- “Absolutely not!” my father barked, laughing incredulously. “They’d be disowned before I allowed them to squander their life on such folly.”
- “Mariana, stop joking about such absurdities,” my mother scolded.
- “But what if it weren’t a joke?” Mariana pressed, her tone teasing but her gaze cutting. “What if our dear Paola had a boyfriend from the favelas?”
Silence fell over the table. My parents stared at me in stunned disbelief. My mother’s hand froze halfway to her mouth. Finally, my father spoke, his voice low and cold.
- “Paola… is this true?”
- “Yes,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “His name is Deniel. He’s not what you think. He’s a good man, and I care about him deeply.”
- “Oh, really? A good man from the slums?” Mariana sneered. “Don’t tell me you think he’s not just after your money.”
- "He is not after my money. He is a kind person who I truly love."
- “Are you insane?” my mother demanded, her face twisting in anger. “Do you have any idea of the kind of people who live there?”
- “Exactly,” my father interjected, his tone sharpened by contempt. “They’re criminals, freeloaders. And you’re dragging this disgrace into our family?”
- “You don’t know him,” I protested.
“Deniel isn’t like that. He’s endured more hardship than any of us could imagine, and he’s still a kind, decent person. He’s changed his life.”
- “People like that don’t change,” my mother snapped. “You’re being utterly naive Paola and you’re too blinded to see it.”
- “You’re ending this relationship. We won’t allow you to ruin your future over someone from the favelas” my father declared, his eyes blazing with fury.
- “I won’t,” I shot back, my voice firm despite the ache in my chest. “I love him, and that’s all that matters.”
- “Love?” Mariana mocked, her laughter cold. “This isn’t a fairy tale. He’s not some prince. He’s a parasite, and you’re his golden ticket.”
- "Do you have any idea how shameful this would be for us? A man like that could never give you anything except heartache,” my mother said, her face twisting in disgust.
- “You’ll break up with him, or you can forget about your education. We’re not paying for you to waste your life over this… mistake,” my father said.
I felt my heart shatter at my father’s ultimatum, tears prickling my eyes as I fought to keep them at bay.
- “You think you can control me by threatening to take away my future? Deniel is worth more than all of this… this obsession with money.”
- “Listen to yourself!” my mother scoffed, glaring at me. “You’re throwing away everything for a boy who can’t offer you a future, a family, or even stability. This is ridiculous.”
- “Poor Paola. Falling for the ‘bad boy’ cliché. How romantic. Are you really willing to trade a life of comfort for someone who probably won’t be around long enough to see it through?”
- “At least he’s real, Mariana. At least he doesn’t care about me for what I have. You wouldn’t understand because you’ve never had to feel anything real in your life!”
- “Sure, Paola. Keep telling yourself that when he’s gone. I give it six months before he realizes there’s nothing here for him and finds someone else to latch onto.”
- “That’s enough. You’re breaking it off with him. No more arguments,” my father said.
My face burned with anger and hurt as I looked around the table. My family—the people who were supposed to love and support me—were trying to tear apart the one genuine connection I’d found.
- “I love him, and if you can’t accept that, then maybe… maybe I don’t belong here.”
Without waiting for their response, I stood and left. Once outside, the tears I’d been holding back spilled freely, the weight of their rejection crushing me. Trembling, I pulled out my phone and called the one person who could steady me.
- “Deniel?” My voice wavered when he answered. “Can I see you?”
- “Of course,” he replied, his calm voice soothing my frayed nerves. “Where should we meet?”
- “Anywhere,” I whispered. “I just… need you.”
We arranged a place, and I began walking, my steps heavy but my heart desperate for solace. When I finally saw him waiting, his familiar, comforting smile brought a rush of relief. Without thinking, I rushed forward, my arms wrapping tightly around him, letting myself breathe deeply, knowing I was finally where I belonged.
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OTHERS: Five elements
FanfictionIt is the 2033 year, and the world has undergone a complete transformation. Wars are a thing of the past; nations no longer wage battles against one another. Instead, all countries have united in the face of a common enemy, known as the Others. Can...
