Ramiro offered to take me to Raella and we went on his blue Rolls Royce supercar. The trip to her place in Maelita was rather peaceful, Ramiro and I were silent on the way. I could feel his glances every now and then on me, and after he looked my way once more, I couldn't hold back the question.

"What are you thinking Ramiro?" I asked, looking at him this time. "You have been glancing my way for like 6 times already."

"What are you going to say to her? You know she doesn't trust anyone, especially the family after no one believed her."

"There has to be some way that I can soften her," I replied confidently. "Who has she talked with in the past years?"

"She once lived with your cousin, Noa and aunt Tessa for some 3 days before heading to Maelita"

"Noa?" I asked, skeptically. "You think she could have said something? I mean, they were disowned from the family as well-"

"Which makes all the more sense that she would open up to them," Ramiro interrupted. "Noa and her mom could be a great asset Sel."

Noa and I seldom talk. It has been 2 years since we last spoke. Noa wasn't exactly the kind of person I thought of having on my side. Ramiro, however, sounded like Noa could really lead us somewhere.

"Let me guess, you don't really trust her?" Ramiro asked, sensing my quietness. "Yet you trust Irina who came back to you out of nowhere, wanting to help you for things that don't concern her?"

"She's my sister, Ramiro. Besides, Noa is just my cousin."

"Ouch, Noa would feel hurt," Ramiro said, shaking his head, "But it's up to you."

I hated it when he let me to do the deciding. I would rather get into a hour-long argument then accepting his reasoning at the end anyway.

"Fine," I said, sighing. I knew Ramiro had a point. The more the allies, the quicker. "Call her and check if we can meet."

"Now that's my Sel," Ramiro answered, a smile on his lips. "Noa would be happy to help you."

"The way you are speaking up for her, do you like her or something?" I asked, teasingly.

"You know I have eyes for you only Sel," Ramiro answered casually. "Besides, she is not interested in romance. The last time I checked, she broke up with her boyfriend."

"Yeah, what was his name again? Kevin," I said, my thoughts wandering back to Noa and Kevin. "They looked good together."

"Shipping her again?" Ramiro asked, "Says the person who said, 'Noa's just my cousin!'"

I chuckled, shaking my head as I went through my emails. Funny enough, I got a threat email from none other than Summer - my aunt. The favorite and the wealthy one. Whatever she says goes, and if not, you are disowned. I, after Noa and Tessa were kicked off the family, I followed next after posting the video.

"How far are we from Raella's place?" I asked.

"You only ask when you are upset," Ramiro replied, "Another threat email?"

"Yeah, and it's intensifying," I replied, "But nothing can stop me from exposing them."

"Raella M then Noa."

AT RAELLA'S PLACE

"Aunt Raella, it's so good to see you again!" I smiled, walking up to her. She, on the other hand, was skeptical of Ramiro and I. 

"Good to see you too Selene, and Ramiro," she replied in a few words.

Welcoming us into her home, I looked around and sat down, my unwavering smile plastered on my face. She offered us some tea and we gladly took it.

"I saw your video Sel," Raella spoke, breaking the silence. "That's a bold move you made."

I smirked, setting the tea cup on the coffee table. "But isn't it true?"

"..."

"I was a caretaker, not their family. I was used for all my life, being a mother before I could even properly be one," I replied. "Then, they threw me away like I was nothing."

"Feeling the pain, huh?" Raella asked, "The sweet pain that none other than Alaina M could give - disownment."

I fell silent. There was no response to that. People warned me to be careful but I was too blinded to see the signs.

"You had a family to go to, Selene," she continued. "From your father's side. Why? Why did you decide to stick with them?"

"I was blinded at the time-"

"And now you are playing a dangerous game Selene."

She came closer, eyeing me coldly. "You are playing with fire."

Silence. I knew Aunt Raella had a point. But I did not care if I got burned, let alone get killed by it. I want the world to know the kind of family they are - murderers.

"Then let us expose the family for what they truly are aunt," I replied. "We could use your help a lot-"

"I said I was done with the whole family. The family are cruel and I don't want to do anything with them." She then sighed before continuing, "The M family are to be feared Selene. You wouldn't want to go down that path, you will get burned, or even killed."

"Then so be it."

Ramiro looked at me, but I could not return his gaze. My eyes were locked at aunt Raella. Ramiro was right about Raella not accepting to help us easily.

"It is a very painful subject to talk about Selene," she said. "The M family, especially Alaina, has caused me so much wounds that scar me to this day. I don't want to ever talk about them. I am living a happy life and I don't need any more stress."

"What's more better? Living your life with a painful heart, or dying knowing that the truth is out?"

Raella paused, unable to give a response. "Are you implying that I will die or get killed?"

"No, I am just giving you an offer - help us expose the M family and I will make sure nothing happens to you."

"A threat, Selene?" she asked, laughing in a mockery. "Try again. I am done with all of you, and that's final."

She stood up and walked back to her room. "You know your way out of the house."

Ramiro and I watched her leave, while I stood up and headed for the door. I walked quietly back into the car and folded my arms.

"She needs some sort of persuasion somehow," I said, finally speaking some time.

"I thought you were born into the M family," Ramiro joked, hoping to bring out something in me. He always managed to get under my skin, which I mostly hated, but secretly enjoyed.

Letting out a chuckle, I replied, "I do, but it's going to need more than persuasion to get her to agree.

"What do you suggest Sel?" Ramiro asked.

"Contact Noa and ask if we can meet soon."

"Roger."

"I need to understand the 'fear' that is implied about the family-"

Just then, Ramiro handed his phone over to me. It was an ongoing call and Noa answered.

"It's your chance, Sel," he whispered. "Take it."

Taking the phone from him, I took over the call.

"Hello?"

"Noa, hi."

"Um, hello. Who am I speaking with, if I may ask?"

"It's Selene, your cousin."

"..."

"I know we haven't talked in years but-"

"Meet me at La Romans restaurant in the next hour."

With that, she dropped the call. Ramiro and I exchanged looks. Ramiro smirked, "Looks like she knows what we are talking about."

I grinned, pulling my phone out sending the coordinates to the car GPS, "Then we might just begin with phase 2 instead."