CYBRIC CONFESSION NEWS

Tara's POV

"Alaina and Summer are the most selfish people I know."

"In what sense?"

I clenched my fists. I had to let the world know the pain that Alaina put me through. There is nothing good about them - they are hiding behind masks. They are cruel people inside. I hope no one ever marries into their family.

"Alaina disowned me. For what reason? I refused to work for Summer."

"Work for Summer? Is she not your...?"

"Yes, my Aunt. But we are not in good books. Whatever she says goes through. If not, you get disowned by the entire family," I said, trying my best to keep calm.

"That's... harsh."

"Indeed. But that doesn't matter."

"?"

"They will be seen for who they truly are. Manipulators, cold, ruthless people."

"..."

Walking out of the confession room, I came across Noa, along with another man. Taking a closer look, I realized it was Damiano, her husband. Walking up to her, she gave me a big smile on her face, along with a look of surprise.

"Tara?!" she exclaimed. "You are... here? In South Cybric?"

"I just came for a short time. I currently live in Southern Lybe Hotel."

She nodded. "Came for the same goal?"

"Revenge? Not really."

Though it was a lie, I wanted retribution for Aunt Raella. If there was anyway I could repay for all that she did for me - loving me - something that the M family failed to do - is this.

"I decided to share my side of the story," I said, giving her a smile. "I think it's time for some past trauma to be dealt with for good."

Noa's POV

"I decided to share my side of the story. I think it's time for some past trauma to be dealt with for good."

Concluding our conversation, she gave a brief greeting to Damiano as she walked away.

"Hey Noa?" I called out my name.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Let's catch up sometime."

I nodded. "Ready whenever you are."

Damiano looked at me, eyebrows raised. "So, that's Tara?"

I nodded, meeting his gaze, "In the flesh."

Tara Sils - yes, Aunt Julia's first born daughter - was up in Cybric Flash news confession room at 8, and the first people to share her side of the story against the family. My thoughts wandered on how she was convinced to come and confess. Damiano? Selene, perhaps?

Aunt Raella told us that she needed time to think about it, which she has not returned back to us. I guess this was bringing back past pain. Selene and Ramiro were running late but promised to arrive in the next 15 minutes. This entire documentary felt like a battlefield, where sharp words and angry speech were at the tip of the tongue, ready to burst out of mouths with no control.

I looked around to see no sign of the family. Were they planning their next move? It always ended up with Ray bribing the journalists with any amount they desired. To be honest, one would be sorted for life with the amount they give. Anyway, the thought of Dad being with grandma didn't surprise me - he always took his family's side.

Though that wasn't the reason I decided to join team revenge. I personally have no resentment towards them - maybe a little.

I simply wanted Selene and Raella to heal, experience what it's like to have normal mental and emotional health, unlike unspoken traumas like myself. Since I became a teenager, speaking about one's feelings felt like the world was watching - one slip of tongue, and you have destroyed your family's and father's reputation.

Damiano took my hand in his and gently squeezed it. Although he says he has no manipulation control, he acts surprisingly coincidental with my feelings, like he is reading my mind.

And for once it feels nice to let your guard down and accept the care of someone else's.

Just then, Selene and Ramiro walked in. 

"Sorry for being late," Selene said.

"Fashionably late, huh?" I teased. "Anyway,  you came just in time. You saw Tara, right?"

Selene looked puzzled. "Tara Sils?"

I nodded. 

"No."

"Selene M. You are next."

I waved Selene and Ramiro good bye as we walked out. I was puzzled by Damiano's sudden change of plan.

"I thought we were next?" I asked. "What's going on?"

"Where there is Summer, there is trouble," he responded. "They are planning something, I can feel it. I just need my sources to confirm. I will have to ask them to check up on the M family movements and then we can do something."

"Well, are Selene and Ramiro okay right now?"

"They are for now."

"For now?" I asked. "Apart from the shootout, I was hoping for some lying low."

We fell silent until we got to the car. Damiano faced me, his expression serious.

"Noa, I don't understand who is to blame, between Alaina and Summer or Selene."

"Selene? Wh-what do you mean?"

"It's either Alaina have been through this dance and song and know what to do to keep the documentary from getting out or there is someone else who knows more than us."

Selene's POV

"I will wait for you here," Ramiro said as he took a seat by the reception just outside the room.

"Thanks," I replied as I allowed myself to be escorted into the confession room. I thought about Noa's words of meeting Tara, which left me rather unsettled. Tara came to confess about the M family. When did she come? Who convinced her? Noa? Damiano? Raella?

"Please switch off your phone before entering."

I nodded, and was about to turn it off, quickly checking through my phone for any messages when a message popped up.

It was from an unknown number.

"Selene!"

I froze.

"You need alibis, no?"

Then another message followed.

"I can help you."

Then the last message.

"Selene!"

Simultaneously, Ramiro walked in. Judging from his stern look, he received the same messages as well.

"You know who I am."

"Expose the family for what they truly are."

I clutched my hand into a fist. Nothing stays secretive for long in South Cybric, huh?

I walked out of the room with Ramiro, I knew exactly who sent this. The very person I despised the most - just as this person despises me - it had to be her, for a fact.

"Tara Sils."