Remembering The Past

FLASHBACK

“I’m the Swan Princess. Yayy!” Five year old Sofia twirled on the ice holding her dress like Disney princesses do in cartoons.

“You’re not the Swan Princess, Aubrey Sinclair is," said a little boy.

“She’s whatever she says she is. If she says she's the Swan Princess, then she is the Swan Princess." Sean jumped into his sister's defense.

“Get off the ice Sofia, you're interrupting your brother's practice.” Their mother approached them and pulled Sofia off the rink.

“But I wanna skate too," little Sofia pouted close to tears.

“Be quiet, Only Sean is allowed to skate,” her mother scolded her, anger flashing through her eyes.

“But I can skate with the other girls," Sofia cried, staring at the little girls figure skating at the other rink with a longing look.

“How many times have I warned you not to try outshining your brother,” Mrs Rich spanked her little daughter, Sofia in anger. Sofia let out a cry, unable to understand why her parents never let her do what other kids did.

FLASHBACK ENDS 

The memory slowly faded. But this wasn't the only memory of Sofia expressing her love for skating and the Swan Princess—Aubrey Sinclair, who was the then Northgate's figure skating golden girl. And he'd been so blinded by his self-centeredness to not even care.

He'd hurt her. Countless times. By his selfish attitude. And now she's been trapped by his rival because of him, his career in danger and her passion too—the passion he'd been too blinded to see.

“I'll help you Sofia. Make sure we get out of this and then make everything right,” he said, and let out a distressed sigh.

Rising from the bench, he took off in the direction his sister left. 

“Time to make things right, he thought. " 

CAMELA 

“Be gentle!" 

“I said be gentle!!!” Camela yelled and hurled her phone at the masseur tending to her swollen ankle. She missed, and the device hit the wall and shattered.

“You have to let him do his job miss," her doctor spoke up in the masseur’s defense. " Or the Viper Girls would be needing a new captain.

The doctor’s words had a huge effect on Camela, and the next minute she was still in her seat, not uttering a single word as the masseur continued tending to her ankle.

“You must hate being replaced,” the doctor stared at her with a small smile. “We all retire you know?" 

“It’ll be an insult to my name if someone less talented and incompetent succeeds me." 

“We both know that's not the case Camela. You're not the most talented, competent or even most beautiful Viper girl. You're just good at taking out your competition.” The specialist, Dr Maureen smiled, savoring the pained reaction her words left on Camela.

“What did you say to me?” Camela asked, face red with anger. Do you love your job?” She snapped, making the doctor, Maureen laugh mockingly.

“What are you gonna do? Replace me?" Maureen laughed. You can't do shit Camela, because unlike you, I'm the best at what I do, and I do not need to take others out to dominate. So you can go ahead and try. Yes, fire me, and ruin every single athlete's limb in Northgate including yours.

Maureen's mockery was next level and cut deep into Camela, who for the second time, had no words to say, because Dr Maureen was right.

“You’re never getting away with this. Maureen." She swore. “I'm gonna make you pay." 

“Sweet heart, I'm not a pushover, but if you think you can get me, then bring it on, let's play. But let me warn you," she lowered her voice till it was almost a whisper and then closed the gap between her and Camela. “Karma is a bitch like me and revenge is best served unexpected. You think those girls gonna just let you be?

“Hell no bitch! They're coming for you. And they're gonna fuck you up. Hard. Now get out of my spa!" 

“You don't know me Maureen," Camela glared seething with full rage. I don't care about, Nene, Rita, Peach or any other bitch I fucked up. But I'm gonna do it again to them or whoever gets in my way, cos I don't fucking regret it. 

Camela stormed out in rage. But deep within, fear was slowly building up.

“Did you get it?” Dr Maureen smiled at the masseur immediately she left.

“Yes ma'am, saved to the clouds like you asked." 

“Good job, she smiled. Let's see how she escapes this.

THE RICH'S RESIDENCE 

“Sofie?" Sean leaned on his sister's room door calling out to her. “Can we at least talk?" He asked for the hundredth time that evening. She'd locked herself in her room before he'd gotten the chance to catch up. There was a lot he needed to say, and a lot he needed to make right, but she didn't even want to see his face. Plus she didn't have dinner—their parents didn't even care if she'd eaten, her absence at the dinner table that evening wasn't even noticed, and when he mentioned it, they waved it off like she didn't matter. This act troubled him a lot, more so the fact that he was beginning to remember the uncountable number of times they'd shown concern for him alone, leaving her out. And he was no different from them. He was too focused on himself; he didn't pay attention to how his twin was hurting. And now that he knew, it was killing him.

“Sofie please," I'm sorry for everything. I've been a bad brother, I've been selfish, self-centered and uncaring and I understand if you don't wanna see me right now, but please open up and hear me out." 

Inside the room, Sofia was growing impatient and irritated from Sean's disturbance. She needed to rest against the next day’s activities—skating his morning drills and the evening date. 

“Go away Sean,” she yelled.

“Not until you hear me out," he stubbornly replied.

Annoyed, she stood, marched towards the door and yanked it open with force making Sean almost fall face first into the room.

“Sofiee…" he began after finding his balance.

“I have to skate your morning drills tomorrow, then meet up with Kael in the evening. I need rest Sean. To be in a sane state tommorow. You won't want another rival of yours to find out and force me into a fake relationship, would you?" 

“Fine," but can you eat at least eat something? Please.” He asked, looking genuinely worried. “I won't let you be if you don't eat something," he added when she was about to close the door.

“Fine." She groaned.

“I'll microwave your meal," he said before dashing to the kitchen with the speed she only sees when he's on the ice.

The rest of the evening went by in a blur, and soon it was morning. Sean, unwilling to leave her side any longer, accompanied her to the arena disguised, and watched from afar as she did his morning drills. And to his surprise, she nailed it. With his full hockey kits on, it was difficult to tell it wasn't him from the way she moved on the ice. She could fool his teammates if any walked in right now—but they didn't. And for the first time ever,he was very thankful the rest of the team were lazy asses.

Sofia finished his drills soon enough, and they left after signing his name on the attendance. Two more weeks and he should be back, but for now, he had to make sure nothing bad happens to his twin.

The drive home was quiet. He wanted to apologize, but decided to let her rest. They was plenty of time to do that.

Later that afternoon, when he brought her lunch he managed to strike a conversation and, luckily her mood was lighter. They made up and then bickered like they used to do as kids while he helped her prepare for 4 o'clock.

He helped her choose an outfit—a white lace dress with flower patterns that stopped above her knees with matching sandals. She decided to let her long hair down and used minimal makeup.

When she was done, he took her hands and led her downstairs.

The ride to the Cafe was very lively since they were cool with each other. They sang along to Madonna’s La Isla Bonita playing from the car’s radio, then they talked and made jokes, but this lively atmosphere was soon replaced by a gloomier one when Sean pulled up to the parking lot of the Mall and found Kael leaning on his fancy ride, already waiting.

“Take care of yourself alright," Sean squeezed his sister's hand. The thought of not being able to help her out of this situation he got her into, killing him slowly.

“I will. I promise.” She beamed a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

“Call me if you need anything. Or if he tries to hurt you." 

“I will,” she nodded and got out.

“I can see you brought Papa bear with you," Kael mocked and took her hands in his.

Sean watched from the car, battling the urge to get out and go beat up Kael. He wanted his sister to be free from the bastard. Desperately. But she had a dream. One he wanted her to live and acting rash was something he couldn't afford.

Kael led Sofia through the ladies section of the mall, still holding her hands in his. The gala was close and Sofia appearing thrashy in public after that could do more damage to his already bad image.

He picked out the expensive and classy dresses himself while Sofia wa

tched, curious. They didn't hear the click of a camera, or notice someone dressed in black quietly sneaking away.