Chapter 31: Take it away

The incident was a massive scandal, a stain on their reputation and honor. It was a significant disgrace for their family, Yanna and Kyle, a disgrace I won't deny they deserved. They even dared to jeopardize the most influential and flourishing business of the Fuentes family.

I featured in the video the betrayal perpetrated by their parents. They were conspiring to dismantle my father's company, a plot I discovered when I secretly hired a spy. Ever since I found out about Kyle's affair with Yanna, my trust in people began to shake, becoming more intense day by day, to the point where I found it hard to trust anyone around me, with the exception of my own parents.

During the times when I felt crushed and deeply hurt, when I spent nights overthinking, I began to consider that there might be profounder reasons behind their actions.

Especially when I spotted Kyla in our company, pretending to be a janitor. I then hired a skillful spy and a private investigator. I couldn't have peace knowing Kyla was visiting our company in such a disguise! Thus, I began to secretly monitor their activities.

Through all those days and weeks, when I felt like I was not in my own body, the truth was that I was the one pulling the strings. I was the one seeking information. I did not want my mother to be the one to take action, because if I changed my tactics and my way of attacking, it would be even harder on her.

Moreover, I wanted them to suffer from my plans, to get hurt and be humiliated in public. They used their son to hurt me, to provoke my dad and my mom.

I was also confident that their shareholders would start to pull out, which could potentially lead to the downfall of their company. And that's the consequences they needed to face. All of them. They messed with the Herrers, who were peaceful and doing nothing wrong.

No one spoke while we were in the car. My eyes were dry, and I was calm. The only thing that worried me was my parents, as it seemed there could be more to this.

I immediately got out and said goodbye to aunt Trina and uncle Shawn, as well as Tres, who was calm and not like before.

"I'm going inside," I said.

I waved goodbye to uncle Shawn and aunt Trina as they rolled down their window. They were both looking at me with pity in their eyes. They smiled immediately. I tried to smile back, but I was unsure whether it was a smile or something else.

My cousin nodded. I opened our gate and as soon as I got inside, Tres drove off.

I looked up and felt myself. I have school tomorrow, but I felt like my body was about to collapse from the day's events. Dad's car wasn't there yet, which meant they weren't home.

I didn't wait for them and went straight inside the house, headed to my room and locked it. I dispassionately took off my dress and climbed into bed in just my underwear.

I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the large mirror. I got up and went to the bathroom to wash my face. After that, I lay down in my bed again.

I picked up my cellphone, staring at it for a few seconds. I keyed in my password and turned on the wifi. I merely gazed at my phone's screen when it started to buzz, one notification after another popping up. They were from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

I adjusted my position on the bed, pulling the blanket over myself and started scrolling through Twitter.

"I can't believe that Kyle would trade Yvonne for a simple fling! Disgusting!"

"Seriously! He's so lucky to have Yvonne, but he still cheated? And with someone who isn't even prettier!"

"What happened to Kyle's taste? He really did cheat while he still had a girlfriend!"

My scrolling came to a halt when an unknown number called my cellphone. I quickly answered it.

"Hello? Who is this?" I immediately asked, my voice cold.

"This is Wada," the person introduced themselves.

Ah, my cousin's future girlfriend...

"What is it?" I asked, softening my voice.

"Are you okay?" She asked, concern apparent in her voice.

"Of course," I chuckled lightly.

"Oh... That's good then..."

"How did you get my number? Did you ask Tres for it?"

"Yes," she sighed on the other end of the line.

"I was worried, I know what it feels like to be cheated on..." She confessed.

Oh. Her previous boyfriend cheated, too?

"Don't worry, I'm really fine."

"It hurts at first but then, what's done is done, the only thing I can do now is to unwind and mind my own business," I told her.

"That's better... Why don't you take a vacation? I can accompany you, and of course, Tres can come too..." She suggested.

I paused for a moment and nodded. I really need that. But there were still four months left before the end of the school year and I couldn't neglect my studies because of what happened.

"Maybe after the school year," I suggested. "You know, I'm a law student, I can't just slack off. I still need to focus on my studies."

"Yeah. It's better, focus on your studies for now," she agreed.

"Yup," I said, popping the 'p'. "A degree is better than a cheating boyfriend." I added.

We both laughed on the other end of the line. I was enjoying our conversation and it lasted for half an hour.

I glanced at the clock and listened to the silence. My parents weren't home yet as I hadn't heard the familiar sound of the car engine or the honking of the horn.

I wonder where they could've gone?

I shrugged off the thought and got up. I picked up my black dress from the floor and tossed it in the laundry basket.

I prepared my bathtub, planning to soak in it for a while. I put on my black robe, went downstairs, and headed to the kitchen. I took a wine glass and a bottle of grape wine from the fridge. I filled my glass and returned the wine to the fridge, then went back to my room and took a few moments on the balcony.

I unlocked my iPhone, took a photo of the wine glass against the backdrop of the dark sky, and posted it on my Instagram account.

I had added a caption to my post saying, "It is better to just drink, than minding the cheaters,"

Immediately, it garnered various reactions, a flurry of hearts and comments. Some sympathized with me, but unsurprisingly, there were still those who took the side of cheaters.

I just sighed deeply as I started reading each of their comments. I even rolled my eyes when some comments started to become quite offensive.

"Maybe she was the first one to cheat and Kyle just retaliated!"

I thought to myself, if the person who said this was in front of me, they would get a slap in the face.

I moved on to the second comment.

"There is really something fishy! Maybe Yvonne is manipulative and has a bad attitude? Is that why you were cheated on? You deserve it! And besides, you're not even pretty, you're actually ugly!"

At the second comment, my eyebrows shot up. Me, manipulative and having a bad attitude?

I won't deny that I can be a difficult person, but not all the time! And I am certainly not manipulative like they assumed!

And calling me ugly? Like, seriously? I checked their Instagram and almost rolled my eyes so hard when I saw their face. I know bullying is bad, but they started it, and they're not even close to being as beautiful as me.

I just sighed again. I moved inside and locked the window that led to the balcony.

I walked straight to the bathtub and relaxed. The hot water seeping into my skin almost washed away all my stress.

I soaked for a few more minutes, sipping my wine. After freshening up, I got dressed.

The familiar hum of my Dad's car was immediately audible, and I almost got irritated because of the continuous honking outside. I went downstairs with a frown and opened the gate.

The car parked quickly and I was about to scold my Dad, but he got out of the car coldly, didn't even notice my mother, and went straight into the house.

My attention shifted to my mother. Like me, she was watching my father. She turned her gaze and our eyes met.

She looked away, but not before I saw a tear fall. I approached her.

"Are you okay, Mom?" I asked with concern.

"Yes, my dear," My mother replied.

I didn't believe her. Her eyes were swollen and I knew she had been crying! Did she and Dad have a fight?

"How about you? Are you okay?"

I slowly nodded in response to her question.

"I'm sorry, I let that happen to you, dear. If I hadn't introduced you to the Quintos, this wouldn't have happened..." My mother murmured.

I shook my head, "Mom, I was the one who let Kyle into my life. You had nothing to do with it. It's not your fault, I let them fool me..."

"For now, promise me, that you won't get close to them again because if they do something worse, I will face them myself..."

I nodded my head. I also wanted to ask about her and my dad, but I thought it would be better to let her rest for now.

We both went inside the house. I went straight to my room and locked the door. I lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

Just moments ago, I heard a knock on my door.

I got up and opened the door of my room. My mother, holding two pillows, stood before me. She quickly stepped inside. I caught a glimpse of my father trying to stop her, but the door was already closing. My mom locked the door and turned to look at me.

She offered me a small, strained smile.

"Can I sleep here, Yvonne?" she asked.

I immediately nodded.

"Of course, mom," I replied.

She nodded in return and sat down on my bed. My heart ached as I saw tears start to trickle down her face.

I looked up, fighting back my own tears. Something serious had happened. Was this related to something that happened earlier today? Is that why they were arguing? They didn't have to say anything - I knew they were fighting! My mother wouldn't be sleeping here, leaving my dad alone in their room, for no reason!

"Mom? What happened?" I asked.

She merely shook her head. I respected her silence. She wasn't ready to talk about it, and I was okay with that. I knew that when the time was right, she would open up to me about her feelings.

When she fell asleep, I moved closer to her. I tried adjusting her position for more comfort, but she was deep in sleep. I decided to let her be and covered her with a blanket.

Feeling thirsty, I decided to go down to the kitchen. As I opened the door, I was met with the sight of my dad, his hand hanging in mid-air as if he had been about to knock. Our gazes met, both cold and distant.

"Is your mom asleep?" he asked. I nodded in response, stepping aside to let him in. I left them there and went downstairs to get some water.

After quenching my thirst, I went back to my room. My dad was gone, but my mom was awake.

The sharpness in her eyes softened when she saw me.

I lay down next to her and cuddled up. I could feel a sense of relief washing over me.

My eyes grew heavy. I was desperate for sleep. My body was exhausted.

Sleep quickly overtook me, helped along by my mom gently stroking my hair.

My heart was exhausted.

I was tired of trusting people who only seemed to break that trust and hurt me. Is there a magic phrase that could take all my pain away? If there is one, please, take it away. . .fee