Chapter 1: The Beginning

Livia

I could hear murmuring in the distance. Everything is so dark. Where am I? How did I get here?

"We're losing them."

"Losing who?"

"Clear."

I fell to my knees in pain while a bright blinding light engulfed my body.

Next thing I knew, I was standing on a beach. The sand is the gentlest hue of gold with just the right comforting warmth. But it was something about the ocean that always drew me. It correlates so much with mortal life. 

One minute it's serene; the slightest disturbance sways my body putting me on the alert, but eventually, I relax. Then sometimes, it is like a typhoon. Its currents first pull me away from the safety of the shore, then wave after wave knocks me under, suffocating me, but somehow I make it to the surface. The cycle continues until the storm subsides. 

"Beautiful, isn't it?" the sudden voice made me jump out of my skin.

But to my surprise, "Alaric?" 

"I never knew you to be the one to give up, Livia."

"Huh?" he just smiled.

"Livia, baby, can you hear me." 

"Apollo?"

"How's Alaric?" 

I glanced at Alaric. "He looks fine to me and unusually docile." he laughed, shaking his head.

"He's going strong, but they're both still in critical stages."

"Huh? But I just said he was fine."

"They can't hear you, Livia."

"Why?" he didn't say anything further. "What is it you're not telling me?"

"You know how I always questioned whether there is peace after death? I didn't find "the" answer on my journey, but I concluded that as our bodies rest on earth, our souls are condemned to judgment."

"Are we dead?"

"I don't think so, but I also don't think we are too far from it. I believe this is one of the many Spiritual realms. Some call it The In Between. We come to this subconscious place when our bodies are too weak for our souls."

"How did we get here?"

"Revenge. Revenge consumed us all. Do you remember the last time you smiled, Livia? The last time you were genuinely happy?"

I was stumped. Happiness? What was that?

Alaric smiled into the distance, "I do. It was the calm before the storm when everything was perfect."

"What happened to us, Alaric?"

"Remember, Livia. Maybe remembering is the only way to break free from the hatred that blackened your heart."

"Clear."

∞∞∞

[Year 2018 "Seattle Washington"]

It is finally here, the finish line from college to the real world. I should be ecstatic about finally reaching the finish line and being given the gold medal of freedom, but it was bittersweet. Unlike most of my graduating class, I won't have family members sitting in the bleachers silently crying about my success or waiting for me with a bouquet of roses.

My situation is a little more complex. I recall waking up to those bright lights in the hospital bed those years ago. A troubled man standing at my bedside, claiming to be my father, weeping as he told me our car was struck by a mindless drunk driver that killed my mother and older brother on sight. But my memory of that incident was a bit different. I was hit by a car, but I wasn't in it, or so I thought.

The doctor explained that my body was put in an exceeding amount of trauma that raddled my brain, and it's normal for me to mix up a sequence of events. However, months after, my father did everything to help me regain my memories, but to no avail. My memory goes no further than that day in the hospital.

I blindly trusted him, and that was my biggest mistake. 

I watched my father turn from man to monster!

How he treated me made me wonder if I was his daughter. It was when I got a little older that I was bold enough to question the events of that night. Instead of answering me, he saw giving me a busted lip was fitting. In his perfect world, I had no right to question him about his family, and I should be grateful he took me in. I pressed him because I am his family, his only daughter. He said he never had a daughter; if he did, she wouldn't be such a burden as me.

The first chance I got, I moved out. One of my best friends' mother took me in as her own. My father fought hard to keep me in that wretched house, and for what? I bargained to pay him weekly to let me live my life, and I have been doing so ever since. The sick part is I still care about him. He is my father, after all.

Enough with the sob story because even without the support of my father, at least I have people that will always have my back and love me no less than a blood sibling.

Alicia walked into my room with her usual jolly self. "Hey, Livia, babe, are you ready for our big day?" 

I placed my flat irons on the counter to hug her back. "I have been ready since sophomore year, but I am nervous about the ceremony." 

"Why are you nervous? I mean, other than you presenting your speech in front of one of the youngest top-earning tycoons in the country, Apollo River. I don't see why you're nervous." She razzed. 

"That's precisely the problem. What if I mess up or trip on my way to the stage? My life would be over. How could I live with the shame, the embarrassment." Alicia just laughed at me.

The bold and beautiful Nina walked into my room next. "Apollo River. Even his name sounds powerful. He has the kind of face that stops you in your tracks. A sun-kissed Adonis in the flesh," She said dreamily while sprawling on my bed. 

Zoe plopped next to her. "Careful, Nina, if you keep fantasizing over Livia's man, she might kill you. You know it is one of her many talents."

Sandra leaned against the doorpost with a smirk on her face. "No, let her continue. I would gladly help Livia bury her unattractive body. Besides, it's not like anyone would miss the spoiled little hothead anyway." 

Nina glared at her, slowly getting off the bed like a lioness stalking its prey. "You have been provoking me all day; now you're dead."

Sandra dashed into the living room, trying to avoid the raging Nina. "See, you're proving my point of being a hothead." 

I rolled my eyes, watching them run around the apartment like a bat out of hell. "Anyways, back to the subject of Apollo River. One, he is not my man,"

"Yet."

"That part."

"Shh, and two, I could care less about how handsome he is or how much money he has."

Zoe snickered. "Smells like love to me."

"It's not love but admiration. He's a silver spoon that made a name for himself. He is powerful, influential, and respected globally." 

Alicia playfully rolled her eyes at me. "Admiration is a form of love. But whatever helps you sleep at night."

"If Apollo is on her mind, I'm sure it's a very wet dream."

I gently pushed her, "OMG, I am so done with you two."

"We're just saying Apollo is the only person of the male species that you see beyond a brotherly or causal relationship."

"Fair point. But don't pretend you wouldn't work for Apollo if given a chance, Alicia."

"Alicia Sun reporting for m.f-ing duty. Money speaks louder than words, babes." 

"I thought it was actions that speak louder than words?" 

"Same difference." We burst out laughing at her craziness.

The energy in the room when Zoe abruptly questioned. "But why do you speak as if you're not equal to Apollo River?"

My head tilted, wondering where she was going with this. "It's obvious because I'm not."

"Where has your confidence gone, Livia?"

"Believe me when I say it's fully intact, but I am no match for Apollo. But, unfortunately, that's my reality."

Zoe shook her head. "I beg to differ. Don't you see the qualities you admire about Apollo you have within you? Though you don't come from a rich family, you made something with the cards you were dealt." 

I averted my eyes. "You know I hate being flattered, Zoe." 

"I wasn't flattering you, Livia. You earned money, got scholarships, and put yourself through school. Crazy as it is, you double majored in Industrial Technology and Computer science with a minor in business. What kind of person would put themselves through that? The better question is how many people could pull something like that off and succeed."

Nina threw her arm over my shoulder, "Zoe is right. You are the Summa Cum Laude of our class, for crying aloud. As well as the most renowned Lorelei, leader of Ruby Tears, who even got recognition from the notorious Mafia King of the Crimson Clan. You exceed expectations, draw new ones, and overshadow those as well. Besides, if I am willing to go as far as call you my sister, you are extraordinary, girlfriend." 

"My Nina, you pride yourself too much but thank you. Also, need I remind all of you that y'all are my underbosses of the said gang? So, it wasn't only me they were recruiting but all of us." I retorted. 

A disheveled Sandra walked into the room. "Who cares if you aren't as established as the Apollo River? One day, you will take the world by storm. Then, people will speak of your name hushedly and revel in your beauty." 

"You are such a sweet talker, San," I squeezed her cheeks between my hands. 

"Ouch! Livia, release my precious cheeks." 

"Okay, chipmunk." I released her and began smothering her face with kisses. 

"Eww, Livia, I know you love me, but this is too much. Get off me." 

I gave her a flirtatious look. "I wonder what your lips taste like," I slowly leaned in as if I was going to kiss her. 

She shoved me away. "Bye, I need to get dressed." I laughed, watching her run away. 

Then Alicia sauntered in front of me. "You are such a tease," she said, placing her finger under my chin. "But you know I would take you up on that offer any day." 

"I cannot deal with you two today." Zoe pinched Alicia's ear dragging her out of the room.

"Ow ow ow, Zoe, that hurts." 

"That's the point."

Nina followed behind them, looking me up and down. "It's too much female bonding for my taste."

I winked and blew her a kiss. "You know you want me."

"Not in your wildest dreams." 

"You sure about that? I tend to have some very wild dreams." 

She shook her head, "Bye, Livia."