Page 5 of A Second Dawn

Santino’s stony expression, Oriana’s unrequited love for Tiero, Mariella’s coerced arranged marriage, and Alonso’s culinary dreams thwarted by his role as a henchman all cast a shadow of discontent.

Alonso… I considered him a friend. I hope he has come out of the coma and is on the way to recovery.

“What time is this Marni picking you up?” Claudette interrupts my trance on memory lane.

“There was a note pushed under my door this morning that read‘Eleven o’clock. M’. But how can I be sure it really was from Marni?”

“Unfortunately, you can’t be sure of anything. You need to go with your gut. It doesn’t steer you wrong.”

“Yeah, if I had listened to my gut, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

Claudette studies me. “I’m not so sure about that. I think you were always meant to find these two men.”

“Was it our destiny?” I ask, a little sarcastically.

I don’t want to believe in it. The idea of things being predetermined makes me feel helpless and less in control of my life.

Were my parents destined to die in that car crash? Was Rhia’s aunt? Still, there’s a part of me that resonates with her words.

Trying to guide the conversation in a different direction, I ask, “Can you sense who’s here? Tiero or Aiden?”

“Let me see.”

She sits back, wiggling until she’s comfortable. Then she closes her eyes, her breathing deepening.

I sit across from her, my legs bouncing as I wait for her to get some sort of answer.

Claudette’s serene expression reflects the stillness of the room. A minute passes, and her face lights up with a joyful smile. Relief washes over me.

None of them are here… or perhaps just Aiden.

But as the seconds tick by, her smile gradually fades, replaced by a furrowed brow.

Oh no! This can’t be good.

Is she sensing Tiero? Or both? God, please, Tiero and Aiden must never meet.

Finally, Claudette slowly opens her eyes, her gaze unfocused for a moment before locking onto mine.

There’s a hesitancy in her voice as she speaks, “Umm, I need a moment to gather my thoughts.”

A lump forms in my throat, my heart pounding with anticipation and a touch of fear. Why would she need more time?

Before I can ask her what’s so troubling, she rises from her seat, a subtle evasiveness clouding her demeanor.

“I’ll be right back.” With those words, she swiftly makes her way to the adjacent bathroom, leaving me alone with my growing trepidation.

The minutes drag on, each one adding to my restlessness. I pace back and forth, trying to ease the unease creeping up my spine. Worst-case scenarios race through my mind.

After what feels like an eternity, Claudette emerges from the bathroom, her expression neutral again.

“Well?” I ask, my voice shaking.

“I sense they’re both near.”

Chapter Two

Ella

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