The day I've been anticipating for the past five years has finally arrived. It's been six years since I last saw my lovely family. Five years ago from today, I vowed to seek vengeance for myself. And now the time for my nemeses to pay for what they did to me is here and I'll make sure that they get what they deserve.

All the sleepless nights, all the nightmares, all the torture, all the pain, and all the times and memories I've missed in these 6 years, all come flashing in front of my eyes as I maneuver my way to my walk in closet after showering. As I pick an outfit, I think about all the good times I spent with my family, before they betrayed me and threw me out of the house in the middle of the fucking night.

I finally picked an outfit. As I had nothing special planned for the day until later today, I decided to keep it casual. I opted for a black dress upto my thighs and a checkered jacket. For shoes I decided to go with my knee length black boots. I put on light makeup and leave my hair in their natural state. Finally, I sprinted some perfume on myself and took a final glimpse of myself in the mirror.



As I was leaving, I made sure to double check my purse to make sure I have everything I need. Gun, knives, mobile, my credit card and my lipstick. I took my keys to my Lamborghini Huracan and locked my door. Slipping into the driver's seat, I start the engine and wait for it to warm up before pulling out of the garage and onto the road.



**********

An hour later, I found myself standing outside my best friend's apartment, holding breakfast for our friends, waiting for her to finally open the door. I swear I'd been standing there for the last five minutes. Just as I was about to knock again, she finally opened it.

"Natalie Black Smith, can you explain why it took you so long to open the damn door?" I asked as I walked into her apartment.

"Geez, Valentina, I was taking a bath," she replied, closing the door and following me into the kitchen. I placed the breakfast on the counter and looked at her.

"Seriously? Couldn't you have heard the doorbell?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

Natalie shrugged. "I was underwater. What do you expect?"

"Fine, fine," I sighed, starting to unpack the breakfast items. "I brought everyone's favourites. Coffee, bagels, and those muffins you love."

Natalie's eyes lit up. "You know the way to my heart, Val."

I nodded. "The others will be here soon. I think you should get dressed." I replied briefly and glanced at her to see her nodding and heading off to her room.

While setting up breakfast, I felt a bit anxious because I would be seeing my family tonight for the first time in six years. I was thrown out of the house in the middle of the night back then, with nothing to my name. Now, I've achieved everything one could ever dream of. Tonight will mark the start of the destruction I'll bring upon those who wronged me. They determined my fate once, but this time I'll make sure the consequences leave them unable to recover.

Soon, Nat came and helped me in setting the dishes. Just as we were finished setting the table, the doorbell rang.

"They're here. I'll go get them," Nat said, with a hint of excitement in her voice that she thought no one noticed, but she was wrong. I nodded and went to the living room, hiding a smile at her childlike eagerness.

As I stepped into the living room, I paused to gather my thoughts. The room was warmly lit, with morning light streaming through the windows. I heard Nat's excited footsteps hurrying to the door. It had been a while since I'd seen my friends, and although my emotions were a mix of nervousness and anticipation for tonight's event, Nat's eagerness brought a comforting sense of normalcy.

I kept myself busy by straightening the cushions and adjusting the flowers on the coffee table, listening to the muffled sounds of greetings and laughter at the door. Soon, the voices and footsteps grew closer. I straightened up, erasing any and all expressions from my face as I waited for them to arrive. It wasn't long before Nat came in, followed by three familiar faces.

I watched as Natalie and Ariana chatted with barely contained enthusiasm while Michael and Grayson, the two brothers, tried to follow their conversation without much success. As they entered the room, their eyes landed on me. Ariana's face lit up, and she rushed over to hug me, swaying me from side to side, while her brothers nodded in acknowledgment. I nodded back and Nat ushered us all in the dining room, saying that the breakfast was getting cold.

We made our way to the dining room, where the table was set.

"Let's dig in before everything gets cold," Nat said cheerfully, taking her seat. I don't know how that girl is always so damn cheerful.

We all settled around the table, and for a moment, the only sounds were those of plates and cutlery as we served ourselves. Soon, small conversations began, and laughter spread throughout the room. Even Michael and Grayson loosened up, joining in the chatter around the table. For the most part, I stayed quiet, listening to their stories and trying to ease my mind from the anticipation of what the day would lead to.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Gray suddenly asked, halting all other conversation and drawing everyone's attention to me. The lively atmosphere shifted to a more serious tone as the weight of his question sank in.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at everyone. They all looked at me waiting for my response with an encouraging expression on their faces. "Tonight is... important. I'm meeting my family after six years," I said, my voice steady but my heart pounding. "It's going to be a challenge, but it's something I need to do."

The room grew quiet as my friends absorbed my words. Ariana reached out and squeezed my hand. "We're here for you, no matter what," she said softly.

"Absolutely," Grayson added. "You've come so far, and tonight is just another step forward."

Their support meant the world to me. I smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, guys. It really helps to know you're all here."

Breakfast continued with lighter topics, and the mood lifted as we reminisced about old times and shared new stories. By the time we finished eating, I felt more grounded and ready to face whatever the day would bring.

As we cleared the table, Nat pulled me aside. "You're going to do great tonight," she whispered. "Remember, you're not the same person you were six years ago. You've got this."

I nodded, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Nat. I needed that."

With breakfast done and the day ahead of us, I knew there were still hours before the evening's confrontation. But with my friends by my side, I felt a renewed sense of determination. Tonight would be a turning point, and I was ready to face it head-on.

**********

As the day progressed, my anticipation grew. Memories of that fateful night resurfaced-the cold, the betrayal, the overwhelming despair. I had been nothing but a mistake, discarded without a second thought. However, years of struggle and hard work had transformed me. I was no longer the vulnerable person they had cast aside.

Spending time with my friends helped ease my anxiety. After a full day at Natalie's apartment, chatting leisurely and discussing future strategies, I returned to my apartment to get ready for the event tonight.

In a few hours, I will face a tense encounter with my family, as tonight is my stepsister's birthday banquet-the night my life took a 360-degree turn for the worst.

This is just the beginning; much more is yet to come, my dear family. I hoped my so-called loved ones were prepared for the storm that was about to unfold in their lovely lives.

**********

Second chapter done!!!!

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With love, Abeer