The long, wooden table, adorned with fine china and crystal glasses, seated over 30 guests. The family took most of the seats as they were almost fifteen people. Unfortunately, it was the same table where Valeria sat with Rachael and Juliet.
Mara's eyes locked onto Valeria, her gaze piercing. Valeria, sensing the tension, looked up, her expression guarded.
Antonio, Mara's father, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding attention. "Let's enjoy the evening, shall we?" he said, his voice smooth and enigmatic and everyone nodded in response.
As the evening progressed, the room filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Other families had also joined the ceremony and the air was filled with excitement and anticipation for that night's events. Mara's family engaged in hushed conversations, their words indistinguishable from across the table.
Meanwhile, Rachael and Juliet chatted animatedly, while Valeria sat quietly, lost in thought. She could see families talking and laughing and it made her miss her family even more. 'I have to get out of this place', she thought. There was a gauge on her arm which looked a little red with blood but she didn't feel any pain, so she sat there lost in thought.
Just as the main course was served, a messenger approached Rachael, informing her that her family had arrived and requested her presence outside.
"Excuse me, please," Rachael said, rising from her seat. "I'll be right back." She said to her two friends who nodded, and then she dashed out with excitement.
…
"Rachael!" her parents called out, their voices filled with excitement, as they spotted her walking out of the grand hall. They stood out among the crowd, dressed in worn and faded clothing, their faces weathered from years of hard work.
"Mom! Dad!" Rachael screamed, rushing to embrace them tightly. It had been years since they'd last seen each other, and she was overjoyed to see them, despite their worn appearance.
Her mother's dress was patched and frayed, and her father's shirt had a noticeable tear on the sleeve. Their shoes were scuffed and worn, a testament to their struggles. But their eyes shone with love and warmth, and Rachael didn't care about their appearance.
After exchanging warm pleasantries, Rachael asked, "Where's Rehab? I thought she was coming with you?"
Her parents exchanged a glance, and her father hesitated before responding, "She didn't want to come, despite our efforts to persuade her. We couldn't afford to bring her anyway."
Rachael's face fell, but she quickly masked her disappointment. "Oh, okay. Let's find a quiet spot to catch up," she said, taking charge and leading her family away from the hall towards a secluded area.
As they walked, Rachael noticed the worn soles of her parents' shoes, the frayed hems of their clothes, and the tired lines on their faces. She knew they had struggled to make ends meet, working multiple jobs just to put food on the table. Her heart swelled with love and gratitude for them, and she knew she had to make a better life for herself, for their sake.
Back in the hall, Mara was dining with her parents when Vivian accidentally spilled water on her arm. He quickly grabbed a napkin and began to clean the spill, but when he touched her wrist, Mara twitched slightly and frowned. Vivian's eyes narrowed as he took her arm and inspected it more closely. His face darkened with anger and disdain as he saw the red, swollen wrist and scratches.
"What happened to your arm? Who did this?" Vivian demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Mara's family gathered around, concerned, and gasped when they saw the state of her arm. They were shocked and outraged, demanding to know who had harmed her.
Mara's plan was unfolding perfectly. She grinned inwardly, but maintained a fearful expression, glancing at Valeria with a hint of trepidation. She wanted to reveal the truth without arousing suspicion, so she subtly directed their attention towards Valeria.
Valeria, sensing the sudden scrutiny, looked up, her eyes locking onto Mara's. A flicker of unease crossed her face, but she remained silent, unsure of what was happening.
The atmosphere at the table grew tense, with Mara's family seething with anger and suspicion. Mara's father, Antonio, leaned in, his voice cold and calculating. "Tell us, Mara. Who did this to you?"