OUR UNFORTUNATE BONDS
Chapter 1: A new beginning…
Zeta’s pov:
In the beginning, we’re all told stories of how our ancestors were given a second chance and how we all can live in peace and harmony, embodying what we feel and love: rebirth, second chances, hopes given, and love shared. I was always favored wherever I went, but being a young, different kid growing up at an orphanage, expressing myself was a difficult task. But after being moved to my first foster home and then to my family at the age of 13, I knew how I wanted to present myself and who I was and how to go about it? My mother, Saraswati Anwar, was a very kind woman. She was a single parent, and when I came out to her at the age of 15, some 2 years after being adopted by her, I started puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy.
My mother always taught me to be a strong woman, and from that day on till the day she breathed her last, I told myself I would never let anyone remind me of the life of trauma i has lived. I had graduated nursing school as the best registered nurse and student overall. I was given the opportunity to work at the hospital where I had done my internship, at Hillers Medics. Moving from my home, where I had grown up and had a lot of memories, both good and bad, was a starting point for me in the life I have now and the life I have always wanted to live.
As I covered the last piece of furniture with the covering fabric and switched off the lights, I could feel my mother’s presence in the dark living room. But this time, it didn’t carry overwhelming emotions. She carried hope, and my heart bloomed as tears dropped from my eyes to the wooden floors. I muttered, “Please be with me, for I shall return here someday.”
Zeta opened the door and stepped out onto the front porch, where her neighbor, Mrs. Answeri, was standing on the sidewalk. Mrs. Answeri smiled warmly and said, “Good morning, dear! I heard you were selling the house. Is that true? “In her thick Indian accent she questioned,
Zeta shook her head. “No, Mrs. Answeri, I’m not selling the house. My mother would never want me to do that.”
Mrs. Answeri’s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh, Zeta, that’s such a relief to hear! Your mother was such a dear woman, and she would have wanted you to keep this house and cherish all the memories you made here. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you without her, but know that she’s still with you in spirit. And she would be so proud of the person you’ve become.”
Zeta was overwhelmed with emotion, and she threw her arms around Mrs. Answeri. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Answeri. Your words mean the world to me. You’ve always been like a second mother to me, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.”
Mrs. Answeri hugged Zeta back and said, “The feeling is mutual, my dear. Now, I know your mother wouldn’t want you to be moping around, so let’s go get some tea and a pastry at the bakery to get you ready for your trip, shall we?”
Zeta smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. “That sounds like the perfect way to honor my mother’s memory. I’m ready when you are!”
The two of them walked down the sidewalk, chatting happily and remembering the good times she’d had with Zeta’s mother Mrs. Answeri’s voice cut through the bustling sounds of the bakery as they finished making their purchases stuffing zeta with lots of sweets and cakes and her bags weren’t left, “Zeta, I have one last gift for you before you go.”Her voice calm and filled with emotions She took out a small, velvet box from her pocket and opened it to reveal a delicate necklace the same one her mother always wore. “This was your mother’s necklace she wore it on her everytime it’s so dear to her I made sure I did as she said to cremate her and pass this on to you,. I know she would want you to have it, to carry her love with you always.”
Zeta reached out and took the necklace, holding it close to her heart. “Thank you, Mrs. Answeri. I’ll cherish this always.”
Just then, a taxi pulled up outside the bakery, and the driver called out, “”Zeta? Are you ready to go?”
Zeta nodded and said goodbye to Mrs. Answeri, who stood at the door and waved as the taxi pulled away. As she looked out the window, Zeta felt a surge of gratitude for Mrs. Answeri’s kindness and support. And she knew that, no matter where life took her, she would always carry her mother’s love and the memory of Sweetridge with her..
As the taxi drove down the street, the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the town. And Zeta felt a sense of peace and hope for the future her thoughts wandered to what life she was about to meet ahead of her somewhere new.
Zeta’s pov;
My first day as a working nurse in the emergency room at a respected hospital in a big city like Hillers wasn’t so bad. I was on the full-day emergency shift, and I did so well! I met the then-mayor of Hillers Mr salim Salami on my first day. He was in a ghastly accident and was about to lose his life, with no child as a successor or no family members. He saw me fitting to inherit his whole the massive business empire, which I inherited as his only heir this was no coincidence I thought to myself. His properties, investments, and status were now all mine. Talk about luck, right? But, while I was humbled by my new-found wealth, I knew I had to live up to the legacy that Mr. Salami had left behind. I had big shoes to fill, and I was determined to make him proud.
Without knowing the dangers lurking around fame and grace, I knew I had to make Mr. Salami proud though I knew nothing about him. I also knew not to let my mother down, even though she was no longer with me. I felt like I had a piece of her with me, in the form of the necklace she had given me. The pendant on the necklace looked like a crest, but its intricate design had more of an original Indian look to it. My mother was Indian, so I thought nothing much of it.
“As I started my new life as the heir to SS Industries, I was given a generous stipend to live on from the self-managing pharmaceutical industry he owned, and the beauty store at Hillers Mall. I was also given a smart home to live in, located at Midhill – the home of all the wealthy big shots. The mayor’s death was a sad news to many, and what shocked the masses more was the transfer of property to a complete stranger. This left everyone in Hillers wondering who I was.
As the election for a new mayor drew closer, I was pressured to run for the position. But I knew that wasn’t the life I wanted for myself I was a nurse . Besides, I had a father figure to mourn.
A week before his burial, I was well-educated about the deceased man, and I had a speech to give about both my identity and the lack of a relationship between us. In all truth, there was no relationship between the late mayor and me.
The day came and as I stood in front of the gathered crowd at the late mayor’s funeral, I felt a sense of calm and purpose. I had been asked to speak on behalf of the people of Hillers, and I took the opportunity to honor the memory of a great man. I spoke of his dedication to public service, his commitment to the people of Hillers, and his love for his community. I spoke of how he had inspired me to pursue a life of service and to make a difference in the world. And I spoke of how grateful I was to have known him, even if only for a short time.
The crowd listened with rapt attention hanging on every word I spoke the words rolled off my tongue with ease. I had immersed myself in the knowledge of the late mayor, and as I spoke, I could almost see him and my mother standing next to me, proud of the speech I was giving. As I finished my words, I looked out at the crowd and saw a sea of faces, each with their own memories of the late mayor and his impact on their lives. For a moment, I felt like I had truly made a difference.
As I stepped down from the podium, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see one of the late mayor’s closest aides Jin-Kai Zhou-Za, his eyes red with tears. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for honoring him in such a beautiful way. I know he would have been so proud of you.” I smiled and nodded,
As I turned to see Jin-Kai Zhou-Za a second time, his eyes red with tears, something seemed off. He was a kind man, from all the photos and letters I had seen, but there was something in his demeanor that made me uneasy. Then I remembered the letter I had found earlier, the one that seemed to pose a threat to the late mayor. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. I decided to keep an eye on Jin-Kai, just in case.
Vikktor’s pov;
“Sparko!” Dante yelled. “Bring him over here!” I knew I was in trouble. My family, everything I had worked for, even my ancestors were turning their backs on me. I had only one job – to steal – and I had failed.
Disgust and envy twisted his words as he almost spat them into my eyes. He was furious, and to die in an empty lot, for someone like me, wasn’t fitting. As I called out to my ancestors in my heart, in the language my father, “No more running around for you, huh?” said Dante, pointing the gun at my face. His voice was filled with anger and spite. “You little skunk, your skin is black, and so is your heart. You betrayed me.” He spat the words out, each one like a bullet from his gun. I was frozen in fear, unable to move , “I didn’t want the power,” I continued, holding his gaze. “But I wanted to put a stop to the unjust treatment and serve justice for my family and my community, the people of Glassgove.” I spoke with courage, despite the fear that coursed through my veins. I could see Salt, my best friend, searching for a hidden spot to shoot from. He would save me, I knew it. But I had to keep Dante’s attention on me, or else he would turn his gun on Salt.
“You talk big words for a coward,” said Dante, sneering “You’re a drug lord who knows he’s on the run in his own town,” I snapped. “That’s some glass house stone-throwing kind of shit. You should be more concerned with your own safety than with trying to intimidate me.” I saw a flicker of fear in his eyes, and I knew I had struck a nerve.
“You don’t know what you’re dealing with,” he growled, his grip tightening on the gun.
“I know more than you think,” I said, refusing to back down. “I know about your dealings, your business partners, your enemies. I know more “It seems that stealing your barrel of drugs and burning your home wasn’t enough punishment for you,” I said, a smile playing on my lips “Ha, but here you are, face to face with my gun,” he mocked. “And since you know too much, you should know that no one ever sees my gun and lives to tell the story of what it looks like underman. He said through his teeth.” His words were tinged with arrogance, and I could tell he believed them. But I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me.
“Is that a threat?” I asked, my voice steady. “You’re not as powerful as you think you are. You’re just a man with a gun, and I’m not afraid of you.”
His face contorted in rage, and he without warning, he lunged forward, grabbing me by the collar and shoving me against the wall. His grip was tight, and I could feel the metal of his gun digging into my skin. I struggled to break free, but his strength was overwhelming. He pressed the gun to my temple, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
“I’ve had enough of your games,” he snarled. “One way or another, you’re going to pay for what you’ve done.”
I closed my eyes, knowing that this could be the end. But then, I heard a loud bang, and everything went dark.
Blood was everywhere, on my face and the floor. Salt had shot him! As I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding in, Salt jumped down from his hiding place. All the men stood down, and the empty lot was eerily quiet.
I looked up at Salt, who was standing over the body of the man who had tried to hurt me. I felt numb, unable to process what had just happened. Had we really just killed someone?
“Are you okay?” Salt asked, his voice shaking. I nodded,
I was too exhausted to say anything. A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and it felt like a new beginning for us. I remembered that “Salt” wasn’t actually his name – that was just his nickname. His real name was Adindu Chima Sylvester, but we had called him Salt for as long as I could remember. He had been my sideman and best friend since we were kids, and he was like a brother to me. “Thank you, brother,” I said, as we pulled each other in for a warm embrace. “You have to leave, Viktor,” Salt said, his voice firm as he whispered in my ears. “Dante isn’t alone – he has a family. They’ll come after you if you stay. You need to go, and take your family with you. It’s the only way to keep them safe.”
I hesitated, knowing he was right, but I didn’t want to leave Glassgove. I had grown up here, and it was all I knew. But I couldn’t risk my family’s safety. I had to go. “Okay,” I said, my voice matching his whisper, I said, “I’ll leave, but I’ll come back. I promise.”
“You better,” he said, squeezing me tight. “We’re family, no matter what.”
We stayed like that for a moment, clinging to each other. Then, I pulled away and turned to leave. But before I could open the door of my car, I heard him say, “Be safe, my brother.”
I looked back at him, and our eyes met. “I will,” I replied. “You, too.”
And then, I hopped into my car driving home to prepare my family for the big move
Glassgove had a tradition – if an inhabitant of Glassgove in any way killed the mayor of Glassgove, they were automatically the new mayor. And another law stated that no bodyguards or officers were permitted to kill the mayor to become mayor. It was an unusual and complex system, but one that had worked for centuries.
The news of Salt’s appointment as the new and acting mayor spread quickly throughout the town, causing much excitement and anticipation among the people of Glassgove. Upon my return home, I was surprised to find Salt already there, chatting with my sisters Isabelle and Claudia, who I affectionately called “Alma.” They were giddy with joy over the news, Salt gestured for me to join them, and I sat down at the table, preparing myself for the discussion that was about to take place. I could tell by the looks on their faces that they had a lot to say.
“We have to talk about what’s going to happen next,” Salt began. “This is a big change for all of us, and we need to make sure we’re ready for it.”
My sisters nodded, and Alma spoke up first. “What are we going to do about the business?” she asked. “Will we need to make any changes?” “That’s exactly the point, Alma,” I said. “We don’t need to keep running the business. We have enough money now to get what we really want – a new home. We can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous. We have to move, and Salt is right – we should do it as soon as possible.”
“But where will we go?” Isabelle asked, looking worried. “We can’t just pick up and leave. This is our home.”
I understood her concern, but I knew we had to make a change. “We’ll find somewhere new,” I said, trying to reassure I continued, “Maybe we could move to the city. We could finally buy us that smart mansion we see everywhere on the tv. It would be different, but it would be safer. We could still visit Glassgove, but we wouldn’t have to live here anymore.”
Isabelle looked thoughtful, considering the idea. “That could work,” she said slowly. “But what about our friends and neighbors? We can’t just leave them behind.”
I knew she was right – our relationships with the people of Glassgove were important to us. “We can still see them,” I said.
” we can stay in touch through video calls and social media,” I added. “It won’t be the same, but it’s better than being in danger every day. I know it’s a big change, but we can make it work.”
Claudia spoke up, “I think you’re right. It’s time for a new start. We can still visit Glassgove, but we don’t have to live here. We can make it work.”
We all sat in silence for a moment, letting the idea sink in. Then, we started discussing the logistics of a move – where we would go?
“You guys should go to the city – a high-tech, modern city far away from here,” Salt said, speaking up. “It’s the perfect place to start over.”
“Enough already!” Alma snapped, and Salt laughed. “Okay, okay, I’ll get to the point,” he said. “What do you say the family moves to Hillers it’s a 6hours flight from here you can use the private jet and I made calls already and paid for a mansion on the hilltop Alma I know you love a good view he smirked- are we all in agreement? Are we ready to start over in a new place?”
We all looked at each other, and slowly, one by one, we nodded. There was a sense of nervous excitement in the air. We were all a little bit scared, but we were also excited, There was a collective sigh of relief. The decision had been made, and we had all agreed to it. A fresh start was exactly what we needed, it’ll be the last time we see each other or fight side by side, I said to Salt. But it was worth it for the short while. We agreed and placed the last bundles of cash in the last briefcase.
I took my family on the private jet owned by Dante to a faraway city. As we flew over the skyline, I could see the glittering city below us. My phone chimed – it was an alert. Salt had made another deposit into my account. The text message read “forever,” with the infinity symbol beside it, I placed my hand on the briefcase, feeling the weight of the money inside. It was a reminder of the price we had paid for our freedom, but also of the opportunities that lay ahead. I turned to Isabelle and Alma, who were clutching their own briefcases. “We’ve got this,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “Everything’s going to be fine.”
They nodded, their faces still a little pale. But I could tell they were trying to put on a brave face, just like I was. We were in this
Recalling the bittersweet moment as we took off in the private jet, flying away from Glassgove. I looked out the window, watching the city shrink below us, knowing that this would be the last time we’d ever see it. As we soared over the skyline of our new city, I felt a mix of emotions – sadness for what we were leaving behind, and excitement for what was to come.
Isabelle and Alma were fast asleep in the seats next to me, their faces peaceful in slumber. I couldn’t help but feel grateful to have them by my side, my last remaining family. I closed my eyes and leaned back in my seat, the hum of the jet lulling me into a light sleep.
I was startled awake by the sound of the intercom. “We are now arriving at Hillers International Airport,” the pilot announced. “Please prepare for landing.”
I looked out the window and saw the glittering sprawl of Hillers below us. I took a deep breath and gathered my things. It was time to start a new chapter in our lives.
I looked at Isabelle and Alma, who were now wide awake and looking a little nervous. ” I gather them in my arms, giving them a reassuring hug. “Don’t worry,” I whispered, “we’re going to be okay. Our parents always said that the strength of the Josephs lies in being together – a strong heart and a hopeful, dreaming mind. We have that, and we’ll be alright.”
They nodded, their faces less pale, and I could see them trying to relax. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we had each other, and that’s what mattered most.