Arranged Marriage: To Hear Your Voice

Sabrina settled a venue for the family dinner so she could have a conference with Veronica and they could watch over the twins.. Loren, Tony’s dad was welled groomed. He will finally have a daughter in law. The one that Tony always blabber about.

Loren was adoring the twins with the elders. They couldn’t stop wishing to have their own grandchildren soon. Gabriel has been bugged by his mother. Sabrina didn’t say anything at all and Gabriel said that he still enjoy Brina’s company that once that they have kids—both of them will get occupied by the kids.

Soon Tony and Veronica arrive. She’s wearing a carnation pink dress. Sabrina rise her eyebrow. Veronica would never wear a carnation pink dress. Or any pink. She would wear light or dark colors but pink or magenta wasn’t in line. She look too feminine and girly.

Tony hold her waist tightly though Veronica struggle to push him away. They look adorable. She just hope that they aren’t in a toxic relationship.

”Is this my beautiful daughter in law?” Loren asked and he spread his arms to greet Veronica. Veronica smiles just to act like a real fiancée. ”Finally meeting you dear.” Loren greet her warmly.

”Its my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lawson.”

”Call me, dad.” Loren said. ”So when will the wedding be?”

Veronica was quiet and Tony throw his arms around her possessively.

”Soon enough. We are also getting ready to have babies.” Tony said cheerily. Sabrina cleared her throat and turn back. Veronica is in a big trouble and she can’t help her at that moment.

”We aren’t ready for babies.” Veronica said and Tony smile wide with his teeth showing on her. Mocking her. ”I smell famishing food.” She said and nudge Tony hard.

”Let’s settle in the kitchen.” Gabriel said with Ezekiel on his arm.

They ate happily but only Veronica and Sabrina were quiet. Even the twins are settled on their baby stool eating their baby food with their hands. Sabrina was very attentive of the twins while Tony keep on teasing Veronica. It was very much obvious that Veronica was tired and restless.

The twins are eating a lot and throw food at each other while laughing at each other. Sabrina’s heart melted seeing the twin’s interaction. Back then, the three of them were more naughty and fun at each other. They do pranks at each other and she missed those moments when their mother was alive.

Enzo saw a slight of emotion that Sabrina is showing while watching the twins. The laugh of those babies was enough to melt them. It was like a choir of angels singing to them. But to Sabrina’s eyes, it was full of loneliness. For a very long time, it was the first time that Sabrina show loneliness. Back then, when they found her—her eyes were blank like her soul wasn’t there. Like it was an empty shell.

What if their mother is alive and survive from the fire? Would the old Sabrina be back and be with them? Would they be able to bring the old times where they are in peace, no grudges in their hearts and contented? Wishing a little makes Enzo’s heart ache. Sabrina was their little girl. Their princess and the family’s most precious one.

On the other hand, Veronica also notice Sabrina’s emotion. She bit her lower lip. She feel guilty. Guilty for someone else’s mistake. If she wasn’t the daughter of the man who killed Sabrina’s mother, what would she become today? She look down at her plate.

She was 19 years old when she met the 18 years old Sabrina. It was in a dark dirty ally where she stole a bag of grocery from a rich woman. Police couldn’t catch up with her but someone wanted to steal what she stole. She was so hungry and eager to survive so she had no choice but to fight back with those boys who start beating her up.

In a very swift movement, the one who almost bat her with a steel pipe flew. A girl in an expensive uniform came and start beating them up one by one with her taekwondo moves mixed with aikido. Veronica was so scared but she felt relieve at the same time as she clutches her food.

They both stop when one of them pull out a knife and pointed it to Sabrina. Veronica glance at the calm girl who only glare at the young boy older than them. She pull out a small gun from her pocket and pointed it directly to his head without blinking. She didn’t say anything at all and the man stepped out when she drag the hammer of the revolver.

They all run out from the ally and Sabrina turn to her with a gun in her hand. She put down the gun. Since she’s left handed, Sabrina offerred her right hand to Veronica. Veronica hesitated but she reach her hand and Sabrina pull her up.

”W-who are you?” She didn’t say anything at all and Sabrina gave her a phone. Veronica knows how to use it since she had one back then after she ran away from home. She opened it and found a message on it.

Sabrina Mondragon-Alvarez. I am here to help you. Give you shelter. Food. And train you. You will become my agent and will be my way to kill your father.

Indicating all of it there, Veronica’s eyes widens. She was scared when she witness how her father killed her mother in front of her. And his demon eyes looked on her way and it became, gentle, saying ”I am so sorry, darling. But your mom is noisy.”

She was too lucky to escape from it. Now, someone had a grudge against her father as well. She had repeatedly plotted in her mind on how to survive and give her mother justice. Now, she will have the chance.

Sabrina had her own car and uses it. She drove her to a condo unit. Her cold body suddenly became warm seeing how homey the unit was. There’s a TV, internet LAN, computer, shelves, kitchen, big fridge and a bed. Though it wasn’t as luxurious and as big as her room in their mansion, it was enough for her. It was too much for her.

The phone that Sabrina gave chimes. Then she read the message.

”There are clothes in the closet that I bought for you. Take a bath and I will give you instructions.”

Veronica did as she was told. She took her bath for almost an hour and came out fresh. It’s been so long—months since she last taken a bath. She threw away her old clothes and wrapped it in garbage bag. Once she’s fully clothed she sat down across Sabrina who’s busy typing on her computer. Then her phone chimes as she read her messages.

”You will be practicing martial arts every day. I’ll come everyday to teach you. There are books of martial arts on the shelves. You can’t go out until I tell you to. Francisco is hunting for you and he will find you if you show up. Disguise yourself. The more casual the better. You have to train yourself more and once you are ready—we will leave the country.”

”Where? Why do we have to leave the country?” She asked her. Sabrina look up at her and type on her computer.

”A school where we can practice as best agents and assassins. I am now building my army with the help of my grandfather. And I need you in my plan. In exchange for all of this and to avenge your mother, I need your help. Bring Francisco to me. I wanted to see him get tortured in my hands.”

”Sabrina. I promise you. I’ll help you even if my life depends on it.”

”Once we are done with this mission, I will let you go. Sign the papers first.” Sabrina pointed the thick paper on the coffee table and Veronica read it all. She scanned it and sign it without hesitation.

Sabrina saved her. She was indebted to her.

Veronica and Sabrina’s eyes met across the table. Only the two of them understand that look. Veronica is getting more determined to help Sabrina capture Francisco and torture him. She will bring Francisco to Sabrina and that’s her mission.