"A woman's love is quick to turn into a passion for revenge- an obsession that becomes an endless river of blood, flowing from generation to generation."

-Fumiko Enchi

♡

9 Years ago-

Two lonesome figures stood opposite each other, the man profoundly glowered at the middle-aged woman. The wind thrilled and whistled; whilst the loud cackling of the transparent water in the fountain rippled into the wind waves.

The boy broke the silence, "Ma'am, what have you called me for, in this detached garden?"

She sighed and pulled a sinister smile on her face. Besides her was a small black suite case.

"Aaishe. (1) My daughter, Eleanora, found you on the dirty streets and is now attached to you strongly because you have looked and cared for her too...."

"........But this is exactly what I don't want." She hissed angrily.

She put forth the black suitcase and handed it into his hands, "Take this and disappear from her life, while I am still being polite." She sternly commanded him, the aura emanating her declared oppression and arrogance. It said 'Do not mess with me, young boy'.

The young boy remained quite and tried to test her limits as though saying, 'Or else...'

"What! This is not enough? All right, more money will be sent to you after you get lost, do not worry, I, Michaeala Romano, guarantee you." Her voice carried seriousness mixed with pride.

"No!" The trees danced to the steady rhythm of the wind as Aaishes' voice reverberated in the empty compass.

The woman stood calm and composed, 'I gave you a chance...but this is better, exactly how I wanted it!' She thought.

She scoffed, "Eleanora took you in only because she was bored. Do you really think that Ella likes you? What, does the truth hurt?"

She continued to taunt, "Well, well, not only were you ungrateful but also you've fallen for her and now are trying to make her fall for you!"

" If you do not leave this place, you know what I can do to Eleanora, right?" Her threat shocked his insides and widened his obsidian blue eyes. His hands trembled with fear and terror. What was so frightening for him to give such a strong reaction?

In the corner of the garden lurked stealthily a man dressed all in black however he was distinctively holding a phone and recording the scenario happening.

"What are you expecting? What do you want?

I've seen the way you look at her....you've fallen...For her. And you want her to feel the same...but listen, Eleanora is an heiress, the future owner of this mansion someone who'll have countless enemies and the last thing she needs......is a weakness. She is strong and will be groomed to crush her enemies under her feet mercilessly. Not to be lost in a pathetic romance! You are the poison she'll never recover from! So get away from her cause I nor you want to see her hurt." Vivacious venom was dripping from her mouth yet concern sheltered her words.

She paced forwards in her Gucci sandals and held his hands out to place a dagger. Holding his wrists she plunged the dagger into her stomach weakly, "My daughter doesn't need a saint or a knight in shining armour to save her. She.......heuk...doesn't need you to take care or....look after her. You, a worthless dog, what can you do but burden her further.....heuk! Eleanora doesn't....have any weaknesses and...ugh! I won't let anyone or....ahhhh! Anything become.....heuk....her weakness and for that you.....must go! She will become what I want her to be-come...ahhhh! Haha haha! She'll do... heuk...what I wan-t her to do. And she'll think of it as her duties...heuk...For her dear ..mother! Hahaha hahaha!

Everything happened in a flash and Aaishe wasn't able to properly process the sudden turnout of events. Before he could do something, Aaishe heard distant and grieving cries of desperation.

"Aaishe!"

"Mother!"

"Ma'am"

The wounded mother was about to fall to the floor when a young girl dressed in white held her with all her might. She ran her hand to her wound then to her face and cried out, "Mother! Mother, please.."

The injured and fallen woman's hand weakly reached out to point Aaishe, it was quaking in pain and faltered in claiming, "Aaishe.... Wh-y, why did you do th... Why did you co-ldly betray.... Ella..heuk! why..." she stopped and struggled to bear the pain.

Eleanora was confused and asked, "Mother! What do you-" When her sight fell on the bloodstained dagger in Aaishe's hand, she was bewildered and abruptly stopped midway her question.

Aaishe's heart sank deeply into a forgotten ocean and his nerves tensed up. The dagger fell to floor with a loud thud paralleling Eleanoras mothers unconsciousness.

"Quick! Call the paramedics!" An elderly man concernedly yelled, he seemed like the butler of this mansion. "Take care of the Young Miss." He commanded the other serving servants.

Eleanora was completely charged with emotions. Confusion. Anger. Fear. Restless.

She wanted answers. She needed answers. And now, only one person could do that....

"Aaishe. Are you okay?"

Aaishe was stunned at hearing Eleanora's reaction. Originally, he had thought she'd think he was the cause of this and blame him. Honestly, he wouldn't or couldn't even blame her, anyone would easily misunderstand the current situation. However, he wished she wouldn't and trust him, and she did. He was beyond ecstatic, grateful even, he thanked God in his heart a million times.

"ah! yes I-" Unfortunately, before he could answer...

"Young Miss, I have called the police."

\- \- \-

The police investigation resulted in Aaishe's arrest; every single evidence and witness turned against him, he was guilty.

"Miss Aryen kindly and generously picked you up from the gutters of the streets and madam Romano fed you, gave you clothes, a shelter, education and yet you repay them like this? By stealing and then when Madam Romano was in your way, you even stooped so low as to commit murder." The Butler disgusted questioned, standing in the witness box. How could he do something as lowly as this?

Everyone in the court room started to whisper into the others ears and the whole courtroom was now In chaos.

"How ungrateful!"

"Nowadays good is reward with evil."

"Tsk, tsk."

"Order. Order" The judge commanded whilst fairly hitting the gravel.

Aaishe was silently standing in the guilty box, watching the events unfold. He hadn't said a single word. He was busy worrying about Eleanora, 'I wonder how she is right now....she must be sad and angry......I'm sorry I'm not there for you.'

"Aaishe Adler, all evidence are against and you have not spoken a word, may we assume that you plead guilty?" The judge tried to give him a chance.

Just as when he was about to reply, the court guard-(2) standing besides the judge seemed to pass on a USB. After watching the video his expression changed and it was unreadable. Aaishe was called into a room and when he came out a verdict was given out, "We have come to a conclusion that the case of Aaishe Adler will be continued in the next court hearing."

The court was in disarray, they had questions and the law had the answers. Reporters were crowding outside like animals, flashing their camera and mountains of questions. Aaishe was respectfully escorted without any harm. This was a huge scoop for every newspaper, News channels, reporters. The board chairman of L.J Pharmaceutical was attacked by the very boy who she had sheltered! it was going to be on every channel, paper, everyman and women's thoughts and lips, even the children would gossip about it when they have nothing else to talk about. It was going to be the hottest topic for at least a year!

Political figures would get involved to try and curry favor or attack the company because of its enormous influence and wealth. Business rivals wouldn't let this golden opportunity slip away and viciously assail the company stocks and goods. This wasn't a favourable circumstance for the Romano family.

The next day a report was placed in front of Eleanora, she read the content and her expression was unreadable.

"Ma'am, please do something. Now that sinner has gotten away scot-free."

'Aaishe Adler, I hoped you wouldn't be the one who did this but you even ran away? You have utterly disappointed me! If doing good means such consequences then from now on, I will become what you never wished for me to be!'

Whilst on the other hand, Aaishe was so worried about Eleanora that he stealthily ran to the hospital but was met with a cold voice, "Run! Like you always do, I know no Aaishe Adler!" His heart beat rapidly and his mind went blank. He didn't know what to say or do. But he just so wanted to pull her into a tight and protective hug, to show that she was his and he was hers; he wanted to tell her it was all a misunderstanding but he couldn't hurt her anymore. He could only be silent, he wasn't strong enough, he needed to be stronger.

'Ella I will be more stronger and powerful than all those people who wants to use you, I will protect you. just wait for and I will be at your discretion!'

He was now standing outside the hospital dejectedly in front of a Rolls Royce. The door opened and a man dressed In black was seated in the passenger seat.

He said....

"Well, come on then."

\*

"It is impossible to love deeply

without sacrifice......."

-Elizabeth Elliott

\*

This project was brought to you by

\-\*LightDreamer*\\-

(1)- Aaishe is pronounced as - ai- yish - do you get the idea?