The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
A/N: This chapter has connection with chapter 15.
Bohma, Lake House
There had been a few weeks since Chris and Angelina had talked and his silence and never replying to her attempts to contact him only made her moody. The young painter was certainly not in the best phase of her life, especially with George.
There had some time since the couple had slept in the same room. They had a friendly relationship with their daughter Olivia, but behind the scenes the overall atmosphere wasn't so friendly.
Over time George got more bothered by friendship between Angelina and the captain of the BSAA. Angelina smiled a lot when she talked to him, and her mood seemed more and more dependent on the contact with the savior of her life.
At first, George understood her admiration for the military guy, but over time he struggled with the thought that that admiration was indication of something else.
Angelina's detachment was progressive. The frequency they made love was diminishing under allegations that she had to work or that she could not lose the immediate inspiration for the paintings. Her routine no longer fit into his, as for during the day he worked and she stayed at home or wherever she wanted until she began to switch the day and night.
The few moments as a couple diminished quickly and the only thing that seemed to make them interact was their daughter and Maggy's insistence that they should continue working on their relationship.
George was very fond of Maggy and saw her as a mother, but he was already on the edge with her insistence on keeping them together through marriage.
Until one day, Angelina changed completely. She was no longer the sweet, dreamy girl he fell in love with. She was silent, distant, and almost untouchable. She barely kissed him back. She was always thinking of something and usually locked in the office, or when she wanted space, she used to go out alone or with her friends.
He no longer seemed to be a companion option.
Patient Angelina grew more and more grumpy, and after Mr. Lionel's death things had affected her even more.
George tried not to judge her, nor to press her with questions to try to understand her, since she usually responded in an irritated way.
George was more and more aware that no matter how understanding and patient he tried to be, it would be useless. He was losing Angelina like sand grains in the palm of his hand. He was losing Angelina to the parallel world that she submerged more and more.
But George was a determined man and would not give up so easily. Growing mistrust tormented him. Was it all the fault of that BSAA captain? Could it be Mr. Lionel's fables?
And he did investigate it.
He waited for Angelina to lower her guard and took advantage of being alone at home while Maggy was walking around with her granddaughter.
He went into the redhead's office and flipped through all the paperwork there, especially a pink diary. The diary that Angelina always kept with her and locked with a key and padlock that only she had.
He should know...
It was not just suspicion. Angelina really was in love with the captain and on the pages she ventured on the anguish of having a good partner and the desire to live a forbidden adventure.
She talked about the inner struggle between following Mr. Lionel's advice and living up to her own desires.
In the diary, Angelina confessed she had never forgotten the feel of Chris's lips close to hers and the warmth she felt in his arms the last time they met.
Her torture grew ever larger when Chris started dating Katerina.
Angelina raved about the pain of not being able to touch him like Katerina did. She raved of not being able to hug him like Katerina did. She raved of not being able to feel him as Katerina did.
Kate, Kate, Kate.
Everything seemed to mention the brunette's name.
Angelina raged in silence as Katerina did not deserve Chris.
Angelina mocked in silence that Katerina could not have children.
Angelina cursed silently so Katerina and Chris would not work together.
Angelina was resolute in believing that she would only have to snap her fingers to end Katerina's illusory happiness.
Angelina was certain she would just have to say yes to make Chris stay with her.
George could not believe what he read. He did not know that woman. How could Angelina be so toxic and disguised to have an angel face, an angelic name, but to be so evil inside?
It was after reading the pink diary that George made a decision and decided to give the freedom Angelina craved so much and left her to her own luck but without Olivia.
The two made an agreement and since then Angelina had returned to a more normal state and less careless with her obligations as a mother.
Central Plaza
The day dawned beautiful and colorful. The birds seemed to smile at Katerina. The sun seemed to illuminate the deep being of her soul, or was it the opposite and was she shining for the sun? She greeted everyone she saw passing by and always caught up herself admiring the beautiful diamond engagement ring Chris had given to her the night before.
And what a night! What a night in every sense of the word!
She had never felt so much love, nor had she given so much love as she did last night. She even thought she had given all the love she felt, but no. Her future husband proved to her that she was capable of feeling and giving much more love than she had ever done before!
And so did he...
She smiled alone often. She should have realized he was up to something! But of course she had noticed that he was making too much suspense, but how could she have missed he was planning something on the great Redfield's style?
How could he hide that precious object from her? How could he keep silent without giving any clue to marriage? How could he keep such a secret? How come?
Only now after the revelation she did realize all the pieces of the puzzle and the questions she answered over the weeks from different people. Lucy, Kate and even Greta!
Chris, the slow Chris! That Chris had planned everything right beneath her nose! He had planned the wedding and the honeymoon without her noticing it! And now she would have a month, only a month to organize everything! Of course she would have to deal with the pressure of the race against the clock! Of course! After all, Chris was still the impulsive guy! If he wanted something it would have to be for yesterday!
A month to make the wedding dress, only a month! And it was obvious she would not rent the most special dress of her life, of course not! Katerina could give up many sumptuous things, but not the glamour of her wedding dress! Even more for being the marriage with the love of her life! It was out of the question to rent it and more than ever that trip seemed to become a major obstacle in her plans, in her life! Of course! Of course things could not be easy for her, ever! She would have a month and during a trip to organize the Redfield's wedding party!
The challenge of the 24's was just beginning for the future Mrs. Redfield!
But before she started working on it while he worked on the investigation with Piers, she still had plenty of time to post the photo of the beautiful ring in her profile so the gossipers could have something to talk about.
But for her surprise, Chris was one step forward again and made a beautiful virtual statement by posting 3 photos that summarized their trajectory: the first photo taken on the night of the festival, the photo recreated in the same place now as a couple, and the photo of the Diamond ring:
"The first thing that crosses my head right now is that: she said yes!
I'm still coping with everything that's bubbling up inside me. Lol, I can't even describe what I'm feeling. It's too much!
I only know that at 37, more exactly at age 38 I feel that my life is finally starting! Damn sure is scary! But at the age of 38 I feel mature and ready enough to experience this spectacle and next to the "glitter" of my life, Katerina Redfield, yes, I already see her as Mrs. Redfield.
1 month goes by fast.
Love, I'm so grateful to have you with me and thank you for making me so, but so happy! Your glitter illuminates me. Your beauty enchants me. Your love dominates me. I love you!
They say that behind great men there is a great woman, but I just feel now like a great man for having a great woman that is you with me!
PS: Look what you made me do ... I wrote a love declaration! Feels like almost a poet! Lol.
I'm not me when I'm with you, that's for sure!
You make me overflow, my sweet gypsy girl"
She was dead reading that! Kate could not keep her emotions and squeezed her hands on her cell phone almost breaking it and almost letting out the cry of emotion as she read every word written. She shivered from the strands of her hair to toes with the declaration of "the rock's"!
People passed by her and smiled at the sight of the silly smile on her face, or when she kept repeating that he loved her like a teenager in love.
In the midst of the shadows she tried to respond to his dedication:
"My love, my life, my everything... I'm beyond that and absolutely speechless! Me…Who am known for always having words for everything, now that I need them, they all escape me. This is your power, you turn me inside out and reveal the best of me! For you I will always say yes!
I'm privileged to have your love for me, only for me, because mine was always yours before we were even born!
You're to me the sun that lights what I am and reborn all in me. Now I know very well that I was born just to be your partner, your good and pleasure. Nothing is by chance and we were well marked on tarot cards.
My love, this love is thus a sign of destiny. What a surprise it prepared for us.
My love, our love was written in the stars. Yes, it was!
You gave me attention and took care of me. So my intention is to continue always like this, because without you, I don't know what I'm going to be.
But believe me
I know I will love you.
For all my life I will to love you
In every farewell I will love you
Desperately, I know I will love you.
And every verse of mine will be
To tell you that I know I will love you.
For all my life
I know I will cry
In every absence of yours I will cry
But in every return of yours will clear
All harm your absence have done to me
I know I will love you
For all my life I will love you
And nothing and no one will separate us!"
She let out a long sigh after answering his dedication. Still uneasy and ecstatic, she rose from the bench and walked with no destination and just admiring the beautiful landscape of that picturesque town and to start the research on her wedding dress style.
Lake House
"This place is no longer the same without you Mr. Lionel... But I hope that from wherever you are you can hear me and forgive me for not having fulfilled my promise completely.
It's not easy. The Angelique in me still suffers the pain of disillusionment. The Angelique in me cannot forgive Katarina and I'm like Angeline because we are so far away from having any sense of sisterhood for our greatest rival in love. So many centuries later we are still in the same dispute and I am afraid that this will never end.
But when you were here I felt stronger and determined to put an end to this long cycle, but I think I was wrong...
I'm not ashamed to admit that I cannot forgive myself for not kissing him back... for not trying to be the first to get him... and again I'm the runner-up.
Maybe if I had surrendered that day and even if destiny would separate us, for I am aware that something would eventually unite them... but if I had allowed myself to be the first, perhaps I was not suffering so much now for what I didn't do...
She kisses him whenever she wants. She sleeps with him every night. She lives with him...
And I only wanted once... I only wanted him once... That's why I do the wrong thing, but I admit that I'm wrong to wish them to fight or separate for even one day, and that on that day I'll be there with him and can... have this wish fulfilled.
It's only once... she won't stop loving him because of a nightstand. In fact, she doesn't even need to know about it...
I know he likes me deep inside. I know we both live in his heart. I know it's hard for him to choose just one...
But I only ask for one day... the rest of the days he will be hers...
That's why it was easier for Angelique to give up on Christopher... She was able to live what I can't. She took the chance I did not. And she got a part of him until her last days.
Things should not be like this... but since they are... I ask for the strength to endure this desire that consumes me."
Angelina was talking to the lake alone. The day was beautiful, but to her it was gray as the approaching winter.
She breathed deeply as she tried to comfort her bitter heart.
The cold breeze of the station and the humidity of the place passed in the skin of the redhead. The wind moved the calm waters and small waves broke at the lakeshore of the lake.
For long minutes she waited for an answer that did not come.
Tired of waiting, she took a long sigh before turning around.
She put her hands in her trouser pockets and heard loud snaps coming from the barn wood.
She looked suspiciously at it.
The snaps stopped and she continued down the path to the property entrance.
She let out a heavy sigh, from far away she had noticed the silhouette of the girl wearing black leggings and a red top and sneakers at the gate.
Again more snaps. Angelina looked at the barn and then at the rival still far away, "So that reacts to her energy... anyways, that was not the answer I wanted!"
The meeting between the two was inevitable. Angelina took a deep breath and paused right in front of Katerina.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Nothing can be perfect... There's always some shit to ruin the day" she murmured
"I agree"
Kate tried the pass by her.
"You can't enter"
"What?"
"You no longer have permission to get in this land"
"And who do you think you are to tell me where I can or can't get in? This is a public park!"
"I am the future owner of this place! It won't be a public park anymore and you are forbidden to get inside!"
"Oh, future... it's not in your name yet so you don't own it. Get out of my way! You are not and will never be someone who will tell me what I can or cannot do!" Kate forced her passage
Angelina gripped Katerina's arm firmly, which made the brunette stare at her with contempt.
"Let go of me!" Kate ordered after looking at her arm
"Get out of my house! Learn to respect others' space and stay in yours!"
"Force me!" Kate hit her foot firmly on the ground and stared at the redhead
The two faced each other without blinking. Angelina was no longer holding Katerina's arm, but the two remained motionless exchanging angry glances.
A strong icy breeze stirred the redhead and the brunette's hairs of the eternal rivals. They were still. None of them would bend.
Kate started to laugh.
"What are you laughing at? What's so funny"
"Of you, bitch!"
"Me, why? The only bitch here is you! "
"Am I?"
"Yeah, or would you rather be called a whore?"
Kate laughed scornfully, "I'm the whore you want to be!"
"I would be disgusted with myself if I were you!"
"But you want what's mine!"
"Your? What is yours?"
"My husband!"
Angelina smirked, "Your husband? You're just the bitch he's banging! Soon, he'll get sick of you!"
"Oh so in the meanwhile you're only dreaming about having what's mine, you know, it even gives me pity when I read your stupid messages to him saying how much you missed him, begging for his reply… You were so about to scream I want to give my pussy to you!"
"What?"
"Seriously, what a lame! It was touching to see how much you looked like a worm crawling for his attention."
"And you're so insecure that you need to track him... so typical of suckers like you. You pose as the super secure one but you're a great shit!"
"Shit is you who's trying to seduce my husband!"
"Shut up, he's not your husband and he will never be!"
"You'll never separate us, never again!"
"Haha, that's where you fool yourself, my dear! You should thank me for the chance I gave you to give it to him, so enjoy it while you can because all I need is a snapping of fingers and he will run back to me"
"Thank you? You're insane! If he really wanted you, he'd never have chosen me... my husband! Look, my husband!" Kate almost rubbed the engagement ring on Angelina's face
Angelina was furious inside, but tried to control herself and did not pull the ring and even the rival's finger off, "You think you won, but you didn't win anything. I will always be the shadow that lives between you both, because deep down it is me that he longs for. He will never be completely yours, but unlike you I don't care if he fucks you every day, if you will get his last name, whores also get married! But it's me he has always wanted since we met, I never had to sell myself or make me poor victim to get his attention and it was he who freely and spontaneously came to me and held me in his arms as if I were his world and then kissed me... And I have the absolute certainty that you never crossed his mind while he was with me, can you say the same? As far as I know he has imposed the rule that you never come between us and so you act behind his back and erased my messages... I should have suspected that it was not him who was not talking to me, it was you who had intruded as usual and made him think that it was me who stopped talking to him..."
Kate was shaking, her throat was dry, but she did not want to fall on the enemy's provocation, "Look, you really have a very fertile imagination... worthy of an artist, I must admit you have the talent for it!"
"I know you're dying inside with every word I said, for they are true. It is not imagination. You can ask him ... If he really is this honored and sincere man, he will admit that he kissed me and that I suggested him to give you a chance since I already had my own family…"
"I don't believe you. This is loser's shit talk"
"You have every right not to believe... but I'm telling you the truth..."
"And you want what, a prize for the great sincerity? Clapclap, congratulations, bitch!"
"Bark louder"
"Loser... you had to accept an average guy as a consolation prize... because the one you want is completely in love with me"
"For now, but one day your mask will fall and he will see who you really are..."
Katerina put her hands on her waist walking and smirked, "You think you're so superior, so sincere, so honest, so full of virtues and qualities, so immaculate, so good at everything... such a good wife that cheated on the husband and still uses your own brat to get the attention of another's"
"Don't put my daughter in the story!"
"I'm telling the truth bitch! You use the little brat to make him remember how full of eggs you have just waiting for his little soldiers, so you use her subtly reach me, you envious slut!"
"I feel sorry for Christopher thinking that he loves you and believing that you really love him! You can't love!"
"Shut the fuck up!"
"I won't! I've done it too much!"
"Ahh, you're revealing yourself. You never tricked me! Hypocrite!"
"You're hypocrite and liar! Besides, you're rotten! You have this cute little face, but the truth is that you are rotten, dry, hollow, empty and useless inside and that's why no life is generated in you, because you are rotten inside! Defective!"
Paafff
The loud sound echoed throughout the place and it made more people stop by to watch the two of them. The redness was evident on the fair skin of the redhead.
The beautiful redhead covered her face as the beautiful brunette gasped as they both stared each other.
For a while everything seemed to have been solved with that slap.
The slap with centuries of resentment and anger. The slap with the deepest pain of a soul, a soul obscured by the pain of betrayal. The pain of broken trust. The pain of a sister's betrayal.
That slap passed beyond time and invoked a very distant time, but still so close within the space-time of the soul.
The warning slap. The slap of rebuke. The slap of shame. The slap of a mourning mother. The slap of a mother separated from her children. The slap of a woman separated from the great love. The slap of the loss of the innocence. The slap of the loss of dreams.
The slap of life's correction.
The silence after the echo ruminated the anger, the resentment they had accumulated for the other for centuries. The look of hatred and mutual disdain joined the emerald eyes to the sapphire pools.
That dispute was far from being over.
Angelina felt her throbbing cheek. But it was not just her cheek that hurt, no. Her embarrassment hurt more. She admitted that she had gone too far.
"I knew that deep down you laughed at me..."
"I'm sorry..." she said sheepishly, staring at the floor.
"There's no apologize! There is no forgiveness for what you did, for what you said! I always knew that you are not that little angel that everyone think you are. If I'm 'rotten' inside, you're trash, a despicable sewage being! In fact, you're not even a person! You are a tramp, a traitor, an envious bitch, and the true villain of the history!"
"You provoked me... you insulted my daughter..."
"Shut up! I'm still talking! I'm telling the truth veiled that there was always in you, damn bitch! You always competed with me! You always wanted my place! You created this dull and stupid character just to fool my Chris and become a victim so that others would see me as the only villain! But your mask fell and before me! And here in front of all who are watching us! You're a fake puritan Angelique... Angelina! You are the real evil that has fallen upon Bohma! You never deceived me. You're a curse, Angelique! Angeline, Angelina, whatever your damn name is! You are the curse of a nation! It was you who brought the chaos with that stupid, sneaky, pure girl way... you really are pure, pure evil! You swear love, but brings hate! You swear peace, but brings discord!"
"And you celebrate life, but bring death!"
"Because of you I lost my children!"
"You deserved all that you got Katarina... Katerina, everything and more! I don't pity you!"
"Bitch, I'll never forgive you, ever!"
"Me neither!"
Simultaneously, the two of them grabbed each other initially with shoves, clawing at their arms, pulling at their hair. Cat fight. But soon they began to slap each other. Punches. They kicked one another. Both had equal strengths. They both rolled to the floor. Sometimes Angelina had the upper hand. Sometimes Katerina did.
The population watched the fight closely. Some horrified. Others stunned. Few tried to make the fight cease and separate the eternal rivals, but in vain.
From an ally, two special beings watched them attentively. An old man and a middle-aged woman.
Chris and Piers were in a cafe when they noticed the commotion of a crowd of people near the entrance that gave access to Lake House.
From afar they could hear screams and curses, and immediately ran to check on the situation.
"What the fuck is going on here!" Chris said horrified after recognizing from afar the protagonists of the fight
Angelina was at an advantage and was over Katerina chewing on the brunette's face that was as red as hers.
But Katerina did not give up and remembered the self-defense classes she had with Chris and at the BSAA. Letting out all the pain of betrayal dating to the 14th century plus the pain of Christopher's betrayals and the ghost of the redhead presence among them, and Angelina's cynicism exploded all the internal limits of control she could have and managed to roll over Angelina and even feeling the deep scratches in her arms trying to get rid of the imposing rival, she held the redhead by the neck pressing it hard.
Since the beginning of all their conversation, the beautiful weather already gave signs of change and became increasingly cloudy. It seemed like it could rain at any moment.
A sudden gust of wind spread plastic boxes of a hawk that flew directly and hit the two figthers. The speed and the hard impact on Kate's made her release Angelina's throat.
It was at that moment that Chris and Piers caught up with the girls and quickly separated them, and yet they both tried to kick themselves at distance.
"Let me go Piers!"
"Kate, stop it!" He said holding her tightly
"Let go of me Chris!" Angelina flailed in his muscular arms
"Enough Angelina!" He shouted
The two were struggling in the arms of the military men and proved to have a lot of strength stemming from hatred accumulated in centuries.
In an absurd synch, both spit on each other before being completely dominated by the soldiers.
"It won't stay like this!" Katerina threatened
"You certainly won't!" Angelina replied at the same level
"You two, that's enough!" Chris ordered. His thick voice echoed through the town
The two continued staring.
"Piers, take Kate to the hotel"
"Why do I have to go?"
"Because I'm said so!"
She twitched her jaw angrily and held herself not to respond that he did not boss her, but recoiled as she began regaining self-control, or at least a part of it, but she noted Angelina laughing at his response. Laughing at her as if she had won the battle at that moment when that man chose to stay with her now.
Piers obeyed and turned around with Kate.
"No need to drag me, I know how to walk!" She grunted trying to get away from him
"I know you can walk, but I know you're the smart type" he replied, holding her by the wrist
"Smart is my ass! Let me go!"
Kate continued to grumble as they walked back to the hotel to help her with some cleaning and aid her wounds. Piers ignored her grunts and remained silent during the walk.
Lake House
Chris accompanied Angelina to assist her and begin the first interrogation of what had happened. There was no one but them at the house.
"Why were you fighting, Angie?"
"Because she insulted my daughter"
"Why did she do that?"
"Ugh Chris... I don't want to talk about it now. Look at me! All dirty, full of bruises and in pain... I'm a mess!"
"I just want to understand what happened between you to get to such a level"
"Chris... Please... You always knew she did not like me!"
"Yeah, but…"
"But nothing… did you know that she erases the messages I have sent you? And I thought you were ignoring me all this time..."
"What? How do you know that?"
"She told me!"
"She told you just like that?"
"Yes and I can prove it to you... I don't delete the history of our conversations"
He remained thoughtful.
"You're not believing me…"
"It's not that…"
"But it seems so"
"It's not... it's just that I'm going through the same thing again... Kate getting into fights with someone I care..."
"That's a pattern! You should be more suspicious of the things she tells you and then plays the victim..."
"..."
"Take advantage of this event and review your concepts about her..."
"Every coin has two sides..." he shrugged
"I knew you were not believing me!"
"I need to know everything that happened..."
"Are you going to marry her anyway? Do you really want this problem in your life?"
"My life, my decisions!"
"Yeah I know, but don't complain about it later"
"I'm not complaining"
"Chris... you're such a nice guy, you have a huge heart, you help so many people, you have a tough job... you don't deserve this problem!"
"Funny you telling me this... The one who insisted on her name!"
"And you have no idea of how much I regret having influenced you to give her a chance… you don't know how much I regret it!"
"You didn't force me... I got involved with her because I wanted to"
"But because you were fragile and lonely…"
"I wasn't fragile ... it was a progressive thing. It wasn't overnight..."
"Wasn't it Chris? It's not even three months since you guys are officially dating... as far as you told me... And now you're getting married!"
"I didn't lie to you"
"And I believe you and for this very reason I think it's crazy you proposing to her! That wasn't the advice I gave you..."
"Angie, with all due respect... If I decided to marry Kate it's because I really did realize how much I love her ..."
She laughed, "You realized... This is not how love works..."
"I know, but I've been living with her for 6 months. For 3 months I spent 24hrs with her, at work and at home. This gave us a great time of coexistence and in these 6 months my life has never been so good. I never felt so good in my whole life! I'm not a teenager who has many years yet to do things. I'm 38, almost 40, and until I met Kate I hadn't seen the big picture of how much I was losing and dedicating myself so excessively to work. I was so used to my routine, but in 3 months I've lived the intensity I didn't live in 37years! I am no longer a teenager that who thinks think it's end of the world when a relationship doesn't work... I have already broken before and in so many ways that I'm definitely more calloused to "broken heart". There is life after a broken relationship. If it doesn't work out with Kate, life goes on! Asking her in marriage was not a thoughtless decision, I did a lot of contemplation"
"I understand you Chris, I really understand you... but... just think a little more now after what you've witnessed... She almost killed me!"
"That's why I want to know the truth. How did it all start... or you are really telling me that she came here after you just to curse your daughter and make that scene out there? Is that your version?"
"I don't know why she came, I just know I saw her here"
"And?"
"You know she's jealous... and our antipathy is mutual..."
"I know…"
"It was taking time for this confrontation to happen..."
"Antipathy is not enough to kill someone…"
She gasped with a shrug, "She's crazy..."
"Angie... I'm sorry, but it's hard to believe that Kate has simply freaked out and attacked you that way for no reason"
She rolled her eyes and shouted, "The reason is you Chris! You! That's so simple!"
"Then why did she insult your daughter if I'm the reason?"
"Want to know something?"
"Yes"
"Go to your wife and forget about me! Forget we happened; forget that one day we met. The paintings I gave you, donate it, throw it away or burn it... whatever, just get rid of it"
"Don't be so dramatic"
"It's not drama! It's the reality... you made your choice and you're moving on with your life... I'll move on with mine"
"I won't let you go with yours without telling me everything that happened"
"What difference does make it? Nothing is going to change!"
"You can't say that"
"Yes I can! She is your fate and that's it! I just was... actually I was nothing. We've never had anything, just that almost kiss... but this is nothing compared to what you have with her..."
Chris let out a sigh and looked out the window at the lake. The almost kiss. The only moment he had Angelina in his arms after longing for her so many times in secret.
"I just wanted to get back to that day Chris... To do things differently before I'd lose you..."
"We can't go back in time..."
"I wasted time... and this tortures me, but now we're having a new chance..."
"The only chance you are having is to tell me the whole truth, I know you and I see in your eyes, in your expressions that there is something you are not telling me..."
"Okay, I admit it, I also said something that I regretted right away and apologized to her, but she didn't want to accept it"
"What did you say?"
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Angie, what did you say?"
"I told her she's a liar and disingenuous. That she was rotten inside and didn't deserve you... but I said that after she insulted my daughter by saying that I used her to get your attention... She imagines things that don't exist, Chris! She is mad! Her jealousy is sick! Just like Katarina's!"
"Don't say that name!"
"But it's the truth Chris... you yourself told me that Kate is inspired by that monster! And she's getting to be just like her! That's why I warn you, don't marry her! You're going to live the same thing as Christopher did..."
"You're delirious... for making such comparisons!"
"Am I delirious? Look at me Chris! Look at my body! My clothes! See the marks she left on my skin! Is this delusion to you? They are very real to me!"
"I don't agree with what she did... but will listen to me about it!"
"Chris... forget about her! You're still in time to make a new choice... or we continue from where we were left off..."
"Angie... it's not that easy"
"I know it's not, but this is our chance! Let's take it!"
"You have George"
"I'm not with him anymore! We broke up!"
"Angie..."
She saw the confusion in his eyes and approached him to embrace him, "Stay with me Chris..."
"Angie..." he whispered struggling with her contact
"Let's live our love, look at this paradise, it's our place!"
"I'm happy with her..."
"You live an illusion with her... I love you for real, I have always loved you!"
They stared at each other. Their hearts were racing. That was indeed a special place in part of their spirits. It was a place of eternal promises, of swearing of love. There was where they had loved each other several times and lived a simple and fanciful love. There was their hiding place.
But it was also the place of their beginning and ending.
And also the final location of other people...
Chris and Angelina were very close and very close to kissing, but he was still reluctant and moved away from her.
"This is wrong!"
"Our love is not a mistake!" she spoke in frustration
"I'm still committed to her"
"Send a message and say it's over"
"I won't do that!"
"Why not?"
"Because she deserves more than a message!"
"Oh come on, Chris! She doesn't deserve so much consideration!"
"How not?!"
"She lies to you! You're only her trophy!"
"And what does guarantee me that I'm not your trophy and you're not lying to me as well?"
"Because you know me!"
"True, and that's why I know there's something else you're not telling me and I'll check it with her"
"Of course she will made out things against me! That is her gift, to lie!"
"Even so, I also know her and I'll know when she will be omitting her contribution"
"Chris..."
"Do you have anything else to say about your version?" He said, heading to the entrance open door
She walked over him and took his hand gently, "I didn't want things to get to that point. I swear I didn't want it to! I tried everything to avoid all this, all this confrontation, all this mess... but I couldn't bear to swallow this love for you..."
He swallowed and sighed, "You had your chance Angie, several times. And a part of me waited for you for a long time, but I understand you and I know it wasn't easy for you either. You had many things to give up and above all you have a beautiful daughter who will always join you to George who is a good man and his love for you has always been remarkable"
"He had his turn..."
"I know, we had a life before we met and then we will have too"
"What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is that one day I was in your place and I hoped there would have a loophole for me, but it didn't happen. And I moved on with my life until we met and we had that almost moment. It was also difficult for me to remember the almost, but life has taught me to move on despite all the sacrifices I have to make, and especially in my personal life... and then I reflected of everything that could happen from that moment on and I stopped avoiding new things that happened in my life. I'm not on 20's anymore. I'm not a boy anymore and I've learned to think a little further than I live now, but not too far away plans either, but things that can be more concrete.
And with this new way of seeing the world around me, I noticed the return that life gave me without me realizing it, so I ended up experiencing things that I had never lived. Feeling things I'd never felt, and I liked it.
And I came to realize that living in "what if" is not life! "Almost" is not everything. And I accepted it for real.
And I realized that the almost was in fact the everything. What had to happen between us stopped there. And I accepted it and it stopped hurting, I stopped longing it."
"Chris..."
"Angie... Things happen the way they have to. But think better If we had continued "the almost" what would have we turned out? I'd be your lover and you a traitor. Though, in a way "the almost" was a betrayal. George was a good, and devoted man who didn't deserve it! In spite of everything it was an intimate and emotional contact, and I don't want to repeat it. The roles are reversed. Today I'm the committed part with too much to abdicate and I don't want to do it unless I realize I'm really living an illusion and if I find out Kate lies to me in a harmful way…Because I'm sure I really love Kate!
Plus, you didn't abdicate yourself when you also had the chance, why should I now?"
"I regretted it and that's why I'm here!"
"Then deal with it. I'm sorry for the frankness…"
"Chris... I love you!"
"If you really love me, you'll tell me the whole truth, because I know, I feel you're not being completely honest with me and what you're not telling me is what actually made Kate explode... and I tell you more, there's still a chance she'll tell me everything and I end up getting very angry at you. It's better a truth that hurts than a lie that comforts... I deal with her jealousy, because she never deceived me about it, she never lied that she was not jealous."
"But she acted behind your back!"
"I like to be told the truth; I decide whether it hurts or not. I'll talk to her about that too! I want to test if she'll admit it no matter how much it hurts."
She swallowed, "So either ways you'll get mad at me..."
"Angie..."
"I get it Chris, you made your choice. There is nothing else I can say that will change your mind... I only wish you good luck then!" she said in tears and closed the door in his face and fell to the ground defeated
"Angie..." He called her name a few times knocking on the door
She ignored him and cried rivers.
Some things hadn't changed. She felt the same way like in the past the day Christopher and Angelique signed the divorce. Christopher was determined to remain married to Katarina despite everything he knew about her, despite all the lovers she attacked, despite all the chaos she caused, despite all, he wanted to remain married to Katarina and he was determined to be happy with her and their big family. Although, that time Angelique had omitted Katarina's dark plans against her, against them.
And now Chris Redfield did exactly the same, even after witnessing Kate's dark side.
With blurry eyes, Angelina looked at Katarina's picture, which seemed to look at her with an air of victory.
Although, Angelina was not surprised nor disappointed. She had already been alerted several times by Mr. Lionel and had just confirmed Mr. Lionel's words: "Katarina was the woman Christopher Reed loved the most, for he loved her with all forms of love, even when he hated her the most, for hatred is the love that has fallen ill. And one cannot hate without ever having loved another. The opposite of love is not hate but indifference, and Christopher Reed has never managed to remain indifferent to the brunette"
Angelina kept staring at Katarina's frame, ignoring the painting of the sweet Angelique next to it, and smiled at Katarina as she wiped her tears, "Now he's going to be mad at me too..."
She seemed to be pleased with the new conquest.
Seeing that Angelina wouldn't open the door and continued ignoring him, Chris let out a deep sigh and left. He looked at the lake and glimpsed the beauty that didn't affect him so much anymore. Indeed, that place was strange and it did seem to hide a lot of obscurity.
He continued his way and passed the barn and stared at it. He seemed to want to connect to it somehow. Not him, but someone inside him wanted such a connection. He stood still for a few seconds and the clouds began to dissipate and the sun's rays began to rise.
He followed the path to the entrance gate, but before he could leave, the sunshine made something reflect on the ground, and as he looked at the grass, he saw the engagement ring he had given Kate. He crouched and picked up the object before heading towards the hotel.
Hotel
"That fucking bitch! She must be making up a lot of lies to him and putting him against me! But it won't stay like this, ah, it definitely won't!"
"How did all this happen?" Piers asked but Kate didn't seem to hear him
"My day was so perfect until I met that damn whore!"
"Kate, tell me how it all started? What did you go after her?"
"I didn't go after her! I didn't even know she was in town!"
"So what were you doing at her house?"
"I did not go to her house, I was walking with no destination because I was so happy with the wedding… So I decided to do some research on ideas at wedding clothing boutiques so I can get an idea for my dress if we don't go home until next month"
"Will the wedding be next month?"
"Yes! I only have one month to organize everything, party, guests, invitations, my dress! And so I went shopping, I didn't even notice I was near the lake land, but then when I saw it I remembered Mr. Lionel and I miss him, so I had the idea to visit the park, not the house!"
"Her house is in the park..." he shrugged
"It doesn't matter! I wasn't going to her house!"
"Okay, so?"
"Then I saw her coming in my direction and got staring me, then she tried to kick me out of there. But you know how I am and I tried to ignore her, but she pulled my by the arm and started talking a lot of shit to me. Then I lost my temper and I replied to her too, so we got arguing"
"I see, but knowing you too well I bet that you said things she wouldn't like to hear, pushing her to her limit."
"I really did! I had to defend myself! Defend my relationship! She was bragging too much that she just needed to snap her fingers and my Chris would get back to her without thinking twice! I got pissed off with that and I remembered the love messages she sent him and then it all became a snow ball... but she's such a low-level slut that she had to feel superior and humiliate me in some way and... and that's when she insulted my infertility! I couldn't take it." Kate busted into tears as she remembered what hurt her the most feeling the mix of anger and sadness
Piers pitied her, he knew how sensitive that matter was to Kate so he put his hand on her shoulder in support.
"I never expected something like from that girl..." he commented
"She is sneaky and a liar! She's so of envy of me! She wants to be like me, she wants to have everything that is mine, but nobody sees it! Just me! And now my Chris is there alone with her listening to her lies! That's what hurts me the most at the moment... He kicked me out of there! He preferred her first! I'm his bride! I should be the first and only one!" she shouted
He brushed her hair away to look her in the eyes, "He'll listen to you. Don't t worry about it. He'll come back and listen to you" he spoke with a gentle tone
A gentle tone Kate had never heard before and made her wonder, "How can you be sure?"
"I know he will!"
"He's taking too long!"
"Calm down! He will come back"
"He will but against me..."
"Just be honest with him, Kate. He may even get upset at first, but you can be sure that he will pass through it and the sincerity is what he will take into account"
"The problem is we're talking about that disgusting, parasitic thing in our lives!"
"Calm down Kate..."
"Ugh stop telling me to be calm down! it makes me even more angry!"
He laughed lightly and stood up, "You'd better take a cold shower, I'm going to get more ice, because the sooner you treat the wounds with it the better to avoid more soreness afterwards"
"All because of that bitch!"
As the tub filled, Piers left the room to get more ice with Yana.
Kate, alone in the room, was still mulling over the battle. There was a whirlwind going on inside her, a mixture of anger and guilt. Anger and guilt over things said and heard.
Like Angelina, Katerina believed she was Katerina's reincarnation and Angelina was Angelique's, but the brunette didn't know if Angelina had had the same access to the distant past when they were sisters.
In any case, the two who most possessed the knowledge of the past were the ones that still repeated the same mistakes, at least, towards one another. Of course, in other aspects they had managed to change, but the eternal quarrel for Chris's love was the same.
A breeze.
Kate immediately felt herself being watched and looked at the hallway and saw the middle-aged Moirai staring at her.
"I'm sorry for the box on your face, but it was the only way to stop you"
"You..."
"Fate takes several turns and often returns to the same point of origin, even if reflected as a mirror. The Mirror of Time... You have the knowledge, girl, stop reflecting the same reflection! Why can't you be the first to give up? Don't you know that the strongest one is who forgives first? Is the one who swallows the pride first?"
"I'm trying..."
"I know you are, and that's why you got the merit of my intervention... but your merit ended there. What are you going to do from now on? This is what you have to think of, after all, you have a goal, don't you? A dream?"
"The impossible dream…"
"I already told you that it is not impossible"
"I'm rotten inside..."
"Then clean yourself!"
"How?"
"You already know... You asked for that, you asked for this meeting and confrontation... do not escape your responsibility... and remember, gotta have harmony between reason and emotion. Focus on the present, the past cannot be changed and learn to trust! And above all, always be sincere!"
Kate blinked at the noise at the door and Moirai disappeared instantly. Kate kept looking at the door, wondering it was Piers, but it was Chris.
She studied his facial and body expressions. He was serious and held a bag of ice he caught up with Piers when he met him in the hallway.
"The tub is already full, can I put the ice in the water?" He asked
"Yes..." she replied, feeling anxious and continued to watch him
"You can get in"
"OK..."
"Do you want some help?" He asked still not showing much emotion
"Yes, please..."
"Thank god you were wearing pants..." he commented
"So true... Maybe it was fate..."
He chuckled, "Yeah it seems so, yet the important thing now is that you keep repeating this bath for the next 24hrs to avoid the bruises and further pain"
"I'll do that... thank you for taking care of me after all..."
"We'll talk about this later"
"Sure!"
"I want to know what actually happened"
"I'll tell you everything"
"I hope so"
"I will… I will tell you everything... I want everything to be clear between us, because we only have one month... if you still want to marry me..."
He nodded in agreement, "By the way, didn't you miss anything?"
"Only you..."
He laughed and touched his pocket, "This" he said showing the engagement ring
She opened her mouth in surprise, "I didn't even realize I wasn't wearing it..."
He took her hand and gently placed the ring again on her finger and kissed her kindly on the lips, "Put a lot of work on that bath so you'll look beautiful in the dress without marking next month!"
They hugged each other. That was their moment. Nothing and no one but themselves could end it.
.
.
"We end up going deeper with each other than ever before. It's a profound, soft, vulnerable moment."
Thank you McTamale for the review! :D
What can I say about this chapter? I guess it speaks for itself...
It's hard to evolve! It's hard not repeating the same pattern, the same mistakes, to end the cycle. It happens to everyone. it's hard to change!
But what matters is never stop trying...
Mirror of Time is right at the corner...
Stay tuned!