Episode 2

Her father left her in her room, submerged in a sea of tears, and before departing, he instructed her to be ready by 7:30 PM because their guests, including her fiance, would be arriving at that time.

Heartbroken, Kiara pondered why her father never considered her feelings. His indifference towards what she wanted was palpable. With minimal friendships to speak of, Kiara had few confidants with whom she could share her burdens; weeping was her sole release from the inner turmoil, despite being the youngest of two sisters who attended University.

Kiara felt incredibly isolated, on the brink of completing preparatory school. She was exceptionally bright, and unbeatable when it came to technology.

Meanwhile, her mother’s feelings were the polar opposite of paternal affection; she regarded Kiara with nothing but contempt. It was as if Kiara had chosen her own existence, an existence her mother loathed. The question that haunted her was: how could a mother harbor such resentment towards her daughter?

NARRATOR...

Kiara possessed a beauty so exquisite it seemed unreal. Standing at 1.60 meters with hair black as night, her skin was fair, and her eyes were intense green orbs resembling two vibrant emeralds. She had a stunning figure, long legs, shapely glutes, and breasts that were neither too large nor too small but just the perfect size.

But her beauty was a well-kept secret, as she chose to conceal it. She opted for dreadful glasses and ankle-length skirts, wore baggy shirts and sweaters, and pants that made her look heftier than she was. She refrained from makeup, not needing it to enhance her natural allure, and with her impending marriage, she had even less desire to showcase her beauty.

As dinnertime approached, Kiara began to dress. She donned a teal skirt embroidered with yellow flowers and paired it with a white blouse adorned with pink floral patterns. Finishing her ensemble with closed sandals, she adjusted her reading glasses—her habitual eyewear—and checked the time. It was the moment to descend and await her guests. Kiara left her room and arrived in the living room, where her father caught sight of her.

GERARDO (father): KIARA, WHY ARE YOU DRESSED LIKE THAT? DO YOU WISH TO SCARE AWAY YOUR FIANCE, EH?... he yelled.

KIARA: I’m sorry if my clothes are not to your liking, father, but this is how I always dress. However, if you’d prefer, I can return to my room and stay there to spare you the embarrassment...she silently hoped for an affirmative.

BEATRIZ (mother): Look at her, apart from being hideous, she’s so forward. You got nothing from me. When I was your age, I was the most beautiful woman in the entire city... Out of three daughters, I am proud of two because they are beautiful, but you bring shame upon us. Look how you dress and those glasses make you look like a parrot with all those colors; aren’t you ashamed?

KIARA: Thank you, mother. You look lovely too...her sarcasm was not lost on anyone.

BEATRIZ (mother): You're an insolent girl, and be thankful that the only reason I don’t punish you as you deserve is that there simply isn’t time.

ELIZABETH (sister): Oh, mother, leave her be. You know how she is. Ignore her; she’ll never rid herself of her lowliness... Elizabeth spat with the venom of the world. She was the eldest sister of Kiara and Luciana, the other daughter their mother doted on. Unlike Elizabeth, Luciana didn't verbalize her disdain as often, or she simply glared disdainfully, mocking Kiara with her looks and an inability to stand her.

LUCIANA (sister): Enough already, why don’t you leave her alone? It’s so simple, nobody takes her seriously, not even her so-called ‘fiance’.

KIARA: I don’t understand why you all hate me so much when I’ve done nothing to you...she said, barely holding back the urge to retreat to her room and cry.

BEATRIZ: Why? And you still ask? Look at yourself and then your surroundings. I have two incredibly beautiful daughters, and then there's you—nothing but a pitiful source of shame and embarrassment to this family. But at least once you’re married, we'll be rid of your dreadful presence. Ha ha ha ha ha...