A Moment in Destiny

The streets were filled with noise and traffic.

As Brian ran out, he saw April already lying in a pool of blood. He felt his blood freeze still.

April’s last words were, “Leila, tell your mom to get married with your father; have her take good care of him. If she won’t listen, I’ll hunt her down even after I’m dead…”

“Mom-” Macey cried.

April shut her eyes; at the moment of her death, she saw Brian running toward her, with tears in his eyes. He shouted toward her, “April, don’t, don’t go! I was wrong, I was so wrong!”

April thought to herself. Wrong?

Indeed!

So wrong! Wrong to fall so deep in love! Since ancient times, the love struck people were the most foolish! Falling in love with Brian was the bane of April and Mabel. There was no escape for them!

“My mom is dead! A year later, my dad married Mabel, and she changed Leila’s last name to Hunter!” Macey turned to look at Arthur. “Everyone thought my dad and aunt got married so that she’d help take care of him in place of my mother. They all spoke highly of the great Mayor Hunter, who let his wife’s sister’s daughter change surnames to the same as his own. No one knew that Leila is my father’s blood-related father! And I became the extraneous person in the family; I hated going home!”

“In the end, your mother forgave your aunt and your father!” Arthur felt sorry for the late April, “Your mom was a formidable woman!”

In her final moments, the best side of her humanity shone through; April was quite an admirable woman!

Leila saved Macey, and April saved Leila. But she died alone; how could anyone not lament over her? Also, the one she saved was the daughter of the man who betrayed her!

“Yes! My mother forgave my aunt and father. But I can’t. From that day on, I became rebellious and intolerant of them being together. I became incredibly rebellious to be a thorn in their life. The more they asked me to do something, the more I would refuse! I viewed my aunt and Leila as enemies. Then, when I met Vincent, I became a good girl for over a year! I didn’t visit bars nor did I smoke; I just maintained a relationship with Vincent. I never would have thought that I’d met the bane of my life! It was that vixen of a man, he ruined me!”

Arthur was quiet. Because Arthur later found out about Vincent’s mother’s motives, to which Vincent also agreed. The plan was to ruin the Hunter family’s daughter and disgrace her, to let the world know Brian Hunter had a shameful daughter!

“I don’t have the grace of my mother; or rather, my mom had completely given up. I think when my dad brought up the divorce, my mom had already sunken into despair. She seemed to have known the end already! Even if that car accident didn’t happen, my mother would have likely ended her own life to stop the pain. She was such a prideful woman; how could she possibly accept a divorce! I’m no saint like her. I got what I deserved, so don’t bother feeling pity for me, it’s not worth it! I deserve all this, but I don’t regret it.”

“Macey, it’s no big deal!” Arthur began to feel sorry for her after hearing her story. He reached out and patted her shoulder. “Start over; just being alive is great. Just think of it as staying alive for your mom’s sake. Let the past be bygones. Go somewhere else, start a new life. I can get you a job in my company in the US; I think you might do well in a financial field. What do you think?”

“I’ll think about your offer. Right now, I just want to go out. Lend me some money!”

Arthur nodded, and took out a stash of cash from his drawer. “Go on! Sunglasses, mask, baseball cap, it’s all here; just bring yourself. Oh, you lost your phone, right? I had someone send a new one over; you can start using it right away. The number’s on the box. I also added my own and Leila’s numbers inside; call me if you need anything! I’ll help you out!”

handed her a phone; the second she took it, a glint

sake!” Arthur laughed. “At first, I did it for Leila; but now, I’m helping you out for your own sake. I’m

done something

not! I

wasn’t rebellious in their teens; just toss out your past and start fresh, it’ll be a great

“You love Leila!”

nodded, “Yes, I

at a loss for words, “That’s quite some grand

you love will always be happy!”

her head; that man never

a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon, having gone through this whole ordeal, Macey’s heart felt at ease. That side of her that often easily became hysterical and angered easily finally seemed to have found some inner peace; as though the dusts had finally settled,

the White Group and found Leila resting in the lounge,

Is your cough

medicine’s working, much better now!” Vincent said

curled, “Don’t hold your

to think less of his woman. “Theodore’s still in Australia; word has it he’s returning next week.

“I don’t like this kinda

Vincent smiled and beamed in

All’s well

punch him in the face, “My treat

his head, “I’ll go do some work first; call me

“OK!”

rested this well. It also felt as though a large pair of

called out to her in

His warm tongue thrusted

couldn’t contain himself and the overflowing sense of happiness he felt. Whenever he saw her, he

Leila mumbled a bit; she just woke up and was greeted with Vincent’s passionate kiss. The passionate French

we’re going to lunch; you, me, Arthur, Miyamoto, and Owen! Off we

“Right now?”

“Yeah!”

phone rang. It was Renee calling,

you? Treat you to