La Romans Restaurant

Ramiro and I walked in and immediately spotted Noa. Dressed in black, with her curled, black silk hair. This is the first time we actually see each other. She looked up, and smiled.

"Selene, hi," she replied. "Long time."

"Indeed cousin," I replied, giving her a hug, "How are you doing?"

There was a flash of hurt in her eyes before brushing it away. Ramiro did say she would be hurt by me calling her cousin. "Good," she replied, her smile faded away.

We took our seats and ordered some drinks. Noa didn't waste any time getting to the point.

"Let me guess, you are here for more intel."

"Smart, aren't you?" I asked.

"I saw your video," she continued, her hands intertwined together. "That was a bold move you pulled. Revealing your life experience live... you are basically playing with fire here-"

"I know," I interrupted. "Everyone keeps telling me that-"

"By everyone, you mean aunt Raella?"

I sighed. Noa does indeed know a lot considering she was kicked out of the family. She had a smirk on her lips, which surprised me. She probably knows what I am thinking.

"We went to see her earlier," I said. "But she wasn't willing."

"Selene, you really don't understand, don't you?" Noa asked. "This is not going to be some petty revenge. It is going to get really messy, you could get killed-"

"Killed sounds a bit strong, no? What are you trying to say?" I asked, pushing her for some answers.

"What I am trying to say is-"

We paused as the waitress came back with our drinks. We thanked her and waited for her to walk away before we continued with our conversation.

"There are lots of questions that need answering Noa," I said, "Is this family known for secrecy?"

"Selene, you have been with the family way longer than I, you should know what the family is like."

"..."

"Anyway," Noa continued, "What I was trying to say is that once you try to expose the truth in the M family, no one escapes alive. I mean it literally. Don't forget Aunt Summer's husband is part of the Mafia."

Ramiro and I widened our eyes. "Mafia?"

"Yes. Deals more with the minerals and money smuggling," she said. "The M family must be feared-"

"Apart from the fact that they are murderers, what is more to them?"

Noa kept silent. She simply smiled at me.

"Noa," I said, my voice cold. "I am being serious."

"So am I," Noa returned the same cold voice. "It's quite suspicious on how you come back to me after years. Tell me, what's your motive?"

"Revenge."

Noa's smirk came back again, "Revenge is sweet for sure. But how far are you willing to get the truth out?"

"Anything and everything."

"..."

"So tell me Noa. How much do you know about the M family?"

"I am in it, and I am way closer to Raella than you realize," she replied. "But I know I wasn't your first choice Sel."

I kept silent. Noa was extremely smart, I would think she has a power or something.

"So the ball is in your court. Do you want my help or not, cousin?"

I gave her a puzzled look. She wanted to keep business, business. Well, I deserve it, I cut out everyone who loved me, Noa and her mom, Tessa.

"I need your help Noa," I replied. "Deal?"

"Deal."

1 HOUR LATER

"Aunt Raella mentioned that the M family should be feared. What did she mean?"

Taking a sip off her chai latte, she continued. "Grandma Alaina and her kids should be feared. They are extremely manipulative. They use gaslighting as their weapon to keep their prey close to them. Once they see the light, they are kicked out of the family." 

"So, they thrive on mind games?" I asked.

"Not only that but they suffer from personality disorder and are narcissists."

I widened my eyes. "What...?"

"Narcissism. Narcissistic abuse basically involves in the form of put-downs, accusations, criticism, or threats."

"But isn't that a disorder?" I asked skeptically.

"Isn't everything they do part of a disorder?" Noa returned the question back to me. "Speaking of disorders, you do have a whole case on your head."

"The flirting saga?"

"Flirting with uncle's business partner, wow," she replied, her tone cynical. "Just what are you up to?"

"Taking their side now?" I asked.

"No, trying to understand the situation, because your words and their words don't match."

With that she handed over another phone, which had tons of audio recordings of everything the family said. Ramiro and I listened, and I couldn't believe it. They fabricated the whole story, twisted everything on me and after some days (according to the dates the messages were sent), they continued with life like nothing happened.

"But tell me something Selene," Noa said, "What actually kept you there?"

I joined the family because I wanted to see the testimony of my mother's words before she died. 

"Summer, Richard and Scarlett are the favorite kids of the family."

And the fact that they are murderers, the more interesting.

"They gave me everything I wanted-"

"At the cost of what? Your life?"

"Now that I know, I will give up my life for it."

For some time, we sat in silence, none of us wanting to say anything. For the first time, Ramiro spoke up.

"So tell me Noa," he said.  "You seem to know a lot about everything the M family does. How is that so? I mean, you were disowned by the family too."

"You seem to forget that my father is still part of the family."

He nodded. Noa then continued. "My father, Richard is part of the favorite list, no?"

"True. Alaina speaks of him the whole time."

"Second, aunt Raella once stayed with us for a few days."

I widened my eyes, "Really?"

"Three days to be exact. She told us a lot of things, and she would be a great ally to have close to us. I mean, she is the source to all secrets."

"Then I am taking that you know how to bring her close?"

"She's family Selene, not just some pawn," Noa shot back. "A few words will be enough."

With that, she stood up and took her bag. A smirk on her lips like she was confident Raella would agree if it's her. "Like me to demonstrate?"

BACK AT RAELLA'S PLACE

We sent Noa to go in without us, while we listened to the whole conversation through a piece on her headband. Jealousy aside, she was really good with her words.

"Aunt, this could be great for us. If you can tell your story to the world, not only would this expose them, but it can heal you. I mean, I know how it feels like to be... carrying emotional burdens all by yourself."

"You do?"

"Of course. You know, just talking about it, can be a real source of relief."

"..."

"I know you're skeptical, but trust Selene and Ramiro. They just want to bring justice where it needs to take place."

"And if they don't?"

"I will sort them out myself."

"You have that fire in you just like your father."

"Oh, aunt, you are too kind. So?"

"Okay."

Ramiro and I sat straight to make sure we were listening correctly. Raella, just... agreed?

"I will help you three."

"Thanks Aunt!-"

"BUT! My life is in your hands."

"Your life is safe with us, aunt."

After some time, they said their good byes and Noa walked back into the car, slipping in with class but with a sense of victory. She folded her arms as she sank into the seat.

"Told you."

"Wow, Noa you are good," Ramiro said. "Just what are you?"

"I am Richard's daughter," she replied. A glint of her black-brown eyes shined by the sun as Ramiro drove off.

"And you know what the M family blood is capable of doing."

Everything then clicked. Noa was able to sweet-talk Raella because of her ability. Since she had the M blood in her, and her dad being Richard, manipulation and gaslighting came easy on her. 

"Sneaky little Noa, persuading her way into Raella's heart," I said, "A good manipulator you are."

"I mean, they say, 'the more you spend time with someone, you become just like them' right?"

I ignored her question. While she was manipulative at heart, she seemed to not let it control her, unlike the rest of the family.

"So, how is uncle Richard?"

"In terms of?" Noa asked.

"Where did you learn manipulation from?"

"The one and only."

"So, Richard is also part of the-"

"Selene. Use your CEO brain! The M family meant mom and kids, and by kids I mean Scarlett, Summer, and Richard, excluding Raella - you know how loving she is."

"And you are implying that your dad is not?"

"I am implying that narcissists make you think like one. I mean, I am my father's daughter after all," she replied in sarcasm.

"Speaking of being your father's daughter, how about you and Kevin? I mean, the last time I checked, you and him were supposed to marry."

"Is this becoming a girl fight, or what?" Noa asked, "Because we can do it."

"Girls, no," Ramiro said, trying to calm the situation, but none of us were willing to.

"Kevin was not someone I envisioned as a husband. Besides, I am not interested in marriage anyway-"

"Or maybe were you just scared that he will find out about your manipulative behavior?"

"..."

"You failed a simple thing of comforting Raella and you want to tell me about my manipulative self? Selene, you need my help. I have connections you don't have and Irina is involving herself in family matters that don't concern her. Yet you believe her word for it- what, does she have a secret on you that she can spill at any moment?"

"Of course not! I mean, if my sister has my back, I would surely be happy to have her-"

"Sure, sure, just for her to throw everything you said to Cybric Flash News and act like nothing's going on behind-"

"Wait, what?" I asked, puzzled about Noa's statement. "Irina did what?"

"Wow, you don't even know what your own 'sister' is doing. Check the news. They are currently going viral."

I checked my phone and saw the flashing news headlines.

"Selene M and M family - family feuds, or something more?"

"Scarlett, Richard and Summer are the favorite kids" - the war's nearing bloodshed."

"How could-"

Noa then called a car to pick her up and took her bag, "The ball's in your court Selene. If you want to get revenge, you do it the right way. There's a family event this coming Friday evening."

I looked at her.

"This will show your seriousness for revenge, or just some petty tantrum."