Beginning: Back in the past Home
The scent of oil paints, my haven, was suddenly suffocating. The vibrant hues on my canvas, usually a source of joy, now felt like a mockery of the reality settling upon us. My parents' words echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of the life I was about to lose.
CHRISTIANA SUAREZ
-35 years old
-POLITICIANS
-Ex congresswoman of San Lorenzo City
-Wife of Luiz Suarez
-Mother of Avi and Ethan
San Lorenzo Village. The place I'd left behind, the place I'd thought I'd escaped. The memories of childhood friendships, of a life that felt so long ago, flooded back, bittersweet and tinged with a sense of loss. But it wasn't just that. It was the thought of leaving behind my career, my life in showbiz. My modeling gigs, the photo shoots, the runway shows, the art exhibitions, the interviews, the red carpets - it was all a part of me, a part of who I was.
LUIZ SUAREZ
-40 years old
-FAMOUS BUSINESS TYCOON
-Owned a lot of properties, owner of Suarez Empire
-Husband of Christiana
-Father of Avi and Ethan
The canvas before me, once a vibrant explosion of color, now seemed flat and lifeless. The cityscape I'd been painting, a testament to my love for Manila's energy, now felt like a cruel joke. The towering buildings, the bustling streets, the neon lights - it all seemed so distant, so unreal, as if I was looking at a faded photograph of a life that no longer existed.
Safety at the expense of my dreams, my passions, my life in Manila. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being forced to trade my freedom for a gilded cage.
Mom
Avi, Ethan! Come down for dinner!
Mom's voice, usually warm and melodious, sounded strained, carrying a tremor of anxiety that echoed my own.
Ethan called back, his voice clipped, his fingers flying across the keyboard of his laptop. He was always the efficient one, the one who could compartmentalize his emotions, but I could see the flicker of concern in his eyes as he looked up from his screen.
Avianna Suarez
What's going on?
I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Ethan shrugged, his expression unreadable.
Ethan Suarez
I don't know. But Dad's been on the phone all day, and Mom's been pacing like a caged tiger.
We descended the grand staircase, the polished marble steps cool beneath our feet. The air in the dining room was thick with unspoken anxiety, a palpable tension that hung heavy over the mahogany table.
Dad
We have something important to discuss.
Dad began, his voice firm yet laced with a hint of worry.
Dad
We've been facing some threats lately, both in business and politics. It's not safe for you two to stay here in Manila.
I echoed, my heart skipping a beat. I knew Mom's political past had made them a target, and Dad's business dealings had always been fraught with risks. But I hadn't realized it had reached this point.
Mom
We want you both to transfer back to San Lorenzo Village,
Mom added, her voice laced with concern.
Mom
It's safer there. We'll be joining you soon.
Avianna Suarez
San Lorenzo Village?
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
Avianna Suarez
But... my life is here,
I stammered, my voice barely audible.
Avianna Suarez
My friends, my work, my dreams...
Mom said, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination.
Mom
But this is for your safety. We can't risk anything happened to you.
I looked at my brother, his face a mask of stoicism, but I could see the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He was a man of the city, just like me. We'd both built our lives here, our careers, our dreams. Now, we were being forced to abandon it all, to return to a life that felt like a forgotten chapter.
Ethan Suarez
We'll do what's best for the family,
Ethan said, his voice calm, his gaze steady.
He was always the responsible one, the one who put the family first. The dinner that followed was a somber affair. The clinking of silverware against porcelain, the hushed conversations, the forced smiles, it all felt like a funeral for the life we once knew.
Mom
It's a serious matter. There are people who want to hurt us, to silence us. They're trying to intimidate us, to force us to back down.
Ethan Suarez
Who are they?
Ethan asked, his voice sharp, a hint of anger in his tone.
Dad said, his gaze hardening.
Dad
But it involves your mother's political rivals and some of my business competitors. They're using dirty tactics, trying to smear our names, to damage our reputation. They're even threatening to harm our family.
Avianna Suarez
So, what are we supposed to do? Just hide away? Give in to their demands?"
I asked, my voice trembling.
Dad
But we need to protect you and your brother. That's why we want you both to go back to San Lorenzo Village. It's safer there, away from the prying eyes of these people.
AFTER A FEW HOURS LATER...
We were gathered in the living room of our mansion, a space that usually buzzed with laughter and the scent of freshly brewed coffee, now heavy with a suffocating silence. The plush velvet sofas, usually a haven for cozy movie nights, felt cold and unforgiving beneath us.
The giant flat-screen TV, usually showcasing our favorite movies or the latest music videos, now displayed a grim tableau of news footage.
The anchorman, his voice grave and measured, spoke of the threats facing the Suarez family, our family.
Male Anchor
The Suarez family, known for their philanthropic endeavors and their influence in both business and politics, is now facing a wave of threats,
The anchorman stated, his words echoing through the room.
Male Anchor
The threats, believed to be linked to a recent political scandal involving Mrs. Suarez, have escalated in recent days, with anonymous sources alleging that the family is being targeted by a powerful group seeking to silence them.
The news footage shifted, showing images of our family home, the sprawling mansion that was now a symbol of our vulnerability. The manicured lawns, the shimmering pool, the towering columns, all felt like a gilded cage. There were shots of our parents, their faces etched with worry, as they addressed the press, denying any wrongdoing and vowing to fight back against the accusations.
Male Anchor
The family has refused to be intimidated,
The anchorman continued, his voice unwavering.
Male Anchor
They have assured the public that they will not be silenced, and that they will continue to fight for what they believe in.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, his brow furrowed.
Ethan Suarez
This is getting out of hand,
He muttered, his voice laced with a growing tension.
Mom said, her voice was tight with worry,
Mom
That things were getting serious.
Dad
They're trying to intimidate us,
Dad said, his jaw set, his eyes narrowed at the screen.
Dad
They want us to back down, to give in to their demands.
But the words on the screen felt hollow, a thin veil of defiance masking the fear that gnawed at our hearts. We watched, transfixed, as the news footage continued, showing images of our home, our faces, our lives, all laid bare for the world to see.
The news report ended with a chilling warning, a reminder of the dangers we were facing.
Male Anchor
The authorities are investigating the threats, but the Suarez family remains on high alert,
The anchorman said, his voice a somber echo in the silence that followed.
Dad
They're trying to scare us,
Dad said, his voice tight with anger.
Dad
But we won't let them win.
Mom
You both will go to San Lorenzo.
Mom said, her voice firm, her eyes filled with a steely determination.
Mom
It's the safest place for you two right now
Avianna Suarez
But what about our lives here?
I asked, my voice trembling.
Dad said, his gaze meeting mine, a flicker of reassurance in his eyes.
Dad
We'll find a way to make it work.
But even as he spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that our lives were about to change drastically. The threats we faced were real, and the safety of our family was paramount. But a part of me couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, a yearning for the life I had built in Manila, a life that was now being ripped away from me.
The news footage on the screen faded to black, but the images remained etched in my mind, a haunting reminder of the danger that lurked around every corner.
Ethan Suarez
We're going home,
Ethan said, his voice is a low murmur.
Ethan Suarez
We're going back to where it all began.
The thought of San Lorenzo Village brought a strange mix of emotions. The village, with its narrow cobblestone streets, its quaint houses with colorful bougainvillea spilling over their walls, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the local bakery, held a comforting familiarity.
But it also represented a life I had left behind, a life that felt so long ago. I could almost hear the laughter of childhood friends, the sound of the village bell echoing through the streets, the warmth of the community that had once embraced me.
But now, as we prepared to return, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The village was a place of safety, but it was also a place of limitations, a place where my dreams seemed to fade into the background.
And as we stood there, surrounded by the silence of our mansion, I couldn't help but wonder if we would ever find our way back to the lives we once knew.
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