The Love From Vengeance

13 ANAMNESIS

LUKE’S POV

The sound of my alarm clock was so loud that it jolted me awake from my slumber. It was nearly 5:00 am. After turning it off, I sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I glanced over at my friend Harriet, still sound asleep and covered in sheets. We had a wild night, and I was sure she was completely exhausted.

It took me a few minutes to finally get dressed. I chose a sharp red suit and sprayed on a hint of strawberry cologne. My hair was styled perfectly, and as I looked in the mirror, I knew I was ready for the day’s important meeting.

Today, our company was meeting with The Vitality Group to discuss a new project we would be working on together. I had already texted my assistant, Jack, who assured me everything was in order for the meeting.

Last night was a nightmare, with those ruthless robbers appearing out of nowhere and wreaking havoc. We were lucky that the police arrived in time to save us, but the memory of the terror still lingered.

My grandfather, who was celebrating his birthday, couldn’t shake off the horror of what had happened. It was supposed to be a special day, but it turned into a nightmare.

As I made my way downstairs, I saw my cousin Riley watching TV. She was a smart seventeen- year–old, a true genius. She had come to stay with me for the holidays, and it was great having her around.

“Riley?” I called out, causing her to quickly turn off the television and pretend to be asleep.

I chuckled and walked over to her. “Cut the act; I caught you.” She immediately stopped snoring and sat up on the couch.

I sat down next to her. “You’re a crazy girl. Were you really sleeping the whole time?”

“Well, I woke up about three hours ago and couldn’t fall back asleep, so I decided to watch

some movies.”

I let out a sigh. “That reminds me of when I was sixteen. I used to do the same thing until one

horror movie scared my buttocks to do since then, me and late–night movies are

friends.”

not

Riley laughed. “Seriously, Luke, you were scared?”

I nodded, smiling at the memory. “Yeah, that was the end of my late–night movie marathons.”

always thought you were

“Is

your girlfriend still here?”

where she was going

don’t like her,”

by her

around; she’s like a devil

by this revelation. “Are

day yesterday and didn’t let me eat until she left for the birthday party. I have no idea why she hates

couldn’t believe what I was hearing. If this were true, Harriet would have to face the consequences of treating my family badly in her own home.

breath. “I have to

so early?” niley checked her phone. “It’s only 6:00 am.”

an important meeting at work today, and I need to get there

I would love to work

laughed, patting her shoulder, “Once you finish your studies, you know where to find me.” I smiled and

too,“she waved at me. I smiled back before

Four years ago

ARIEL’S POV

understand why, but I decided to remain calm

and glanced at my plate of vegetable lasagna. It made me feel a bit uneasy as he

instead of this green mush?” Andre finally broke the silence,

meat lover, while I preferred vegetarian meals. It had always been a source of playful banter between us, leading to lighthearted

my eyes. “Seriously, Andre? Are we

responded in a comical tone,

meal. “Acting like you don’t

about.

should try eating meat one day.

playfully offered him my plate, but

he said, returning to his fried chicken. After

a sip of water before replying, “What’s

life? Like, since the day you were born? Or did you just

giggle at his questions. “Why do

just curious,” he replied. “I want to know if being vegetarian is something you’ve done since birth or if there was a specific moment when you made the