Enemies Within The Gate

Cardi sat down, butt and feet on her luxurious bed, her head resting in between her knees. Diana, her younger sister, sat down next to her, anxious from the tension building up.

“Cardi, promise me you won’t tell him I said anything.” Diana beckoned.

“Sure Di, I won't say a thing to him. But what's with this Andrea girl? She’s young, but cocky beyond her years.” Cardi hissed, her face twisted in disbelief.

“Trevor really loved her but she was playing him all along. My poor, baby brother.” Diana said and sniffed.

“I hope he gets over her soon.” Cardi sighed, “But one thing is for sure, Andrea would never be signed under his record. That'll be a payback for the havoc she wrecked.” Cardi said, clenching her fist.

“Before pointing fingers at others’ chaos, maybe clean up your own mess first. You hypocritical snake!” Drietty spatted as she pushed the door open with a loud thud and walked right up to Cardi and Diana.

Cardi got absolutely pissed.

“I don't remember ever giving you permission to enter my room, Drietty!” Cardi stormed, getting up from her bed to confront her cousin.

“And since your father didn't teach you, it's absolutely inappropriate to eavesdrop on people's conversation.” Diana ranted, her face twisting in disgust.

“Funny how that's coming from a girl who's The Belmonts’ certified gossip anchor.” Drietty hissed but was quickly interrupted by Cardi.

“Look Drietty, I'll not have you insult my younger sister in front of me, you get that?” Cardi warned. “Now, get out of my room!” She commanded, pointing her index finger towards the door.

“And just how much have you grown to think you can boss me around Cardi, I am fucking older th…”

“On my orders as the head of The Belmont!!!” Cardi thundered. “You have five seconds to get out of my room, else I'll make you leave the mansion too.”

“Wow! Wow! Wow! Absolutely gorgeous.” That was the voice of The Belmonts clown—Fabiano.

Fabiano wasn't present at the time of Cardi’s arrival but he got the full gist of the scene from his elder sister, Drietty. And just like Drietty, he despises the Emerald clan—all of them, including Cardi.

“I always knew Lady Miyani to be a fool, but she confirmed it when she passed her legacy to you Emerald’s.” Fabiano's voice was spiteful and full of disdain as he walked up to Cardi.

“How dare you, Fabi! Don't you have respect for the dead? What's wrong with you!?.” Diana scolded.

“‘Respect’? If your father had any of that, he wouldn't put a shameless whore on the seat of Lady Miyani.”

“Fabi!!” Cardi shouted, her voice echoing throughout the room, sending their eardrums to coma.

Immediately, she reflexively lifted her hand to land a slap on Fabiano's face, but Drietty caught her wrist half way to his face.

“If you don't want to see the beast in me, Cardi. Never in your life lift these filthy hands to my brother… again.” Drietty words were finally. She dropped Cardi's arms aggressively, her gaze not leaving hers for a second.

Everyone was quiet. Each boiling within.

Cardi broke the silence with a low taunting chuckle and a nod. “I can see just how much you two are pained that I now sit where you always wanted to be. And I understand your insecurities. But!”

She lifted her index finger as if warning them,

“This is where I draw the line to any form of insult or disrespect. I'll let this one slide, but next time… there'll be fatal consequences.”

Fabiano gently grabbed Drietty’s hand, signalling it was time to leave.

“Mark my words, Cardi. As long as I breathe, your peace will be my problem. I swear on the years I lived before you were born… I will be your nightmare.”

Drietty's voice was cold, reflecting the fury in her heart.

Her brother held her hand and led her outside Cardi's room.

“Try your best.” Cardi said, chuckling confidently again.

“Why can't the Burgundy’s be mature for once?!” Diana lamented.

Cardi sighed.

“You shouldn't have let this one slide though.” Diana said sitting back on the bed, “She openly threatened you Cardi. You should send them out of the Belmonts mansion immediately.”

“That would stir up an unresolvable conflict between Dad and Uncle Austin. And I don't like it when they have differences. I'll give them one more chance.” Cardi threw herself on the bed stretching her back and yawning.

“I'm not comfortable with her threat though. Drietty is devilish. I don't trust her.” Diana said, folding her arms. “I'm scared she'd harm…”

“Shake it off Di, she can't do anything. And remember, I'll always protect you and Trevor. I promise” Cardi's voice was assuring, dismissing Diana's worries.

A buzz split the moment, dragging them back to reality, it was the voice mail from Dennis, she picked up her phone and played the voice mail out loud.

“Don’t be late. Duke’s office. 10am. Let’s get this over with.”

Cardi was ready for this and wasn't surprised but, somehow… a part of her bled profusely.

“You know Di, I vividly remember the first time he confessed his love to me” she started, a tear escaping her left eyes, “That day, he kept on a faded blue jean that was torn on the hem, his t-shirt looked like it had survived a war. Faded blue, stained at the collar. But he wore it like a prince.”

Both of them chuckled.

“And then he told me, Cardi, I've fallen for you so deeply that a life without you would be pointless.” Cardi said, trying to mimic his masculine voice.

“Now he wants a life without you?” Diana interrupted. “And of course it'll be pointless, we'll make sure of it!” She added with energy in her voice, and they both busted into a guffaw, hitting their palms in excitement.

“Guess who I met at the bank today, Diana.” Cardi started, her voice fading from the wild laughter to a more serious tone.

Diana's eyes and ears widened, no—not just her eyes and ears, all her sense organs couldn't wait for Cardi to speak.

That’s Diana for you—senses are always on high alert when gossip is involved. She loves to listen and loves to spill… and Cardi was well aware of that.

“Fine! Before you start drooling, it was Alex Carlson. But hold up!” Cardi raised up her index finger, signaling to Diana she's not permitted to speak yet. “I'm not telling you how our meeting went, no matter what you say!”

“You asshole!” Diana teased as she smashed Cardi with the fluffy pillow beside her. “Why start the talk in the first place?”

Pow!! Cardi smashed Diana with the pillow she had grabbed in her hands.

They began pillow fighting again—Just the typical way they've been since toddlers.

This feeling reminded Cardi of just how much her family meant to her, how much bond she shared with her siblings. She snapped Diana into a tight cuddle, locking her head to her chest so she could hear her heart beat.

“Diana. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left you before. But I promise, I'll never leave my little sister again. At any cost.”

Tears escaped Diana's eyes as she wrapped her arms over Cardi and patted her head. “It's okay. I'll never let you leave again either.”

Both sisters chuckled.