Episode 2

Keyza and Kenya were not particularly close sisters due to their parents Ivana and Andrei's excessive favoritism towards their older sister, Kenya Bagirova. Kenya, a sophisticated 28-year-old economist with honors from university, currently worked with her father to succeed him in the family business upon his retirement.

"Thank you for being with me in this moment, Kenya. I don't know what I would do without you," said Keyza, distraught.

Kenya contained the urge to laugh as she watched her sister completely devastated by the pain of ending things with Antonio.

"Antonio is an idiot, and I'm sure you'll find someone more suitable for your interests," Kenya said consolingly.

Keyza was embraced by her sister, and although she didn't enjoy her company very much, she was devastated and decided to confide in her sister. She supposed that in the midst of this tragedy, the only good thing was that she had her sister's support in this difficult moment, and their connection grew stronger because, after all, they were family.

(Photo by Tamara Ellis on Unsplash)

Many hours before the passionate night between Keyza and Rafael...

Rafael was anxious and reviewed his marriage proposal several times. He invited his girlfriend Kenya, with whom he had been in a relationship for two years, to lunch. For him, who had always been a playboy, finding someone like her had been an achievement. From the beginning, he fell in love with her sweet smile and wanted to propose to her with his late mother's engagement ring.

"Thank you for coming, Kenya," Rafael said excitedly.

Kenya looked at him indifferently, and this had been happening for the past six months.

"Rafael, I don't have much time," she said.

"I know, and that's why I invited you to this place because it's close to your workplace," Rafael replied.

Kenya observed the restaurant, and although it wasn't bad, she wished for something better. But a miserable person like Rafael could never give her everything she wanted.

"Kenya, I've been very happy with you during this time, and that's why I wanted to ask if you would marry me..."

Rafael was very nervous and searched through his pockets. He showed her the little box with a foolish expression due to his nervousness, and as Kenya opened it, she observed the very simple ring inside and felt completely repulsed because this frivolous woman didn't understand the meaning behind this jewelry.

"Of course, I'm not going to marry you, Rafael," she said coldly.

"What?" Rafael asked incredulously.

"You're a deadbeat who can't even buy me a decent ring," Kenya responded disdainfully.

Although Rafael felt very angry because it was his mother's ring, which his father had worked hard to buy, he was ready to offer an explanation because, despite this incident, he loved her like a fool.

"You don't understand, Kenya. This is my mother's engagement ring."

"Even worse, Rafael. How miserable do you have to be to give me a used ring? I need a new one, I don't want this for my life," Kenya shouted.

The other diners laughed at the uncomfortable moment while Rafael felt more and more ashamed.

"Since when have you been having an affair?" Rafael asked, throwing his napkin.

Kenya was surprised because he was smarter than she had supposed, but it wasn't important anymore because today the truth would come to light, and she didn't care about anything else because she didn't have to continue hiding their relationship.

"That's not your concern, who I have in my life, because today we're finished," Kenya said, throwing her drink in Rafael's face.

The past two months had been very difficult for Keyza, but she was starting to improve. She hadn't achieved any closure regarding what happened between her and her ex-fiance, and amidst her sadness, she had to take care of everything concerning the cancellation of the wedding. It was not only humiliating, but she also lost a lot of money in addition to the

Horrible criticisms from her parents who blamed her for the breakup the whole time because Antonio refused to face it.

"Mom, why can't you understand how I feel?" Keyza asked Ivana.

"You must admit that man is too much for you," Ivana said disdainfully.

Keyza watched her mother and shook her head because that was always the case, her older sister Kenya was the favorite.

"I suppose it was too much to expect a word of comfort from you, Mom," Keyza said.

"What did you expect to happen?" Ivana asked.

"Mom, what's wrong with me?" Keyza asked in astonishment.

"Just look at yourself in the mirror and tell me what decent man could be attracted to a woman like you. Antonio is a successful lawyer and he needs a woman who represents him, not someone who looks like they're living in a perpetual Halloween."

Ivana looked at her rebellious younger daughter and truly felt nothing good towards her. Since she was little, she had been a headache, always contradicting them. She didn't study the career they demanded and refused to work in the family business, instead choosing to teach at the university and start her own business, of which her parents had no idea how it was going because they had no respect for her. The only thing she had done right was have a boyfriend like Antonio, and she had ruined that too.

"It's surely your fault that they broke up," Ivana accused.

Keyza felt fed up with everything because she was in the middle of a breakup and her mother was blaming her for it. She was about to respond when her aunt Anastasia told her that Antonio had come to visit and was waiting for her in the living room.

"Did Antonio really come to visit me?" Keyza asked with a smile.

"Yes, he's waiting for you in the living room," Anastasia said with a kind smile.

Ivana became angry at the familiarity with which Keyza and Anastasia were speaking, but she held back. She was jealous because she wished her younger daughter respected her in that way, but except for a few occasions, she managed to control her difficult personality.

"Dress appropriately because it seems you have a chance to win him back," Ivana said before leaving, leaving Keyza in the company of Anastasia. Keyza, excited by her aunt's recommendation, dressed neatly and according to her style. She was wearing a white strappy dress and had lightly done her makeup, except for her deep red lips. She was eager to see him because during the past two months, she had been like a zombie, just going to work and then coming home.

"How do I look, Aunt?" Keyza asked.

Anastasia Bagirova, a middle-aged woman and Andrei's half-sister, had always worked as a housekeeper for her brother and his wife, and since both girls were born, she was the only person in that house who showed genuine affection to Keyza.

"You look beautiful, my dear niece," she said, touching her cheek.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***