Forbidden Romance

Chapter 2

Gloria strolled through the airport. Her steps echoed against the polished floors. Staring at the gleaming storefronts, she traced her fingers on the glass of luxurious displays.

Passing by a duty-free shop, she noticed a familiar fragrance. "Ah, Dad used to buy Mom's favourite perfume from here," she mused, inhaling the nostalgic scent.

The price tags on designer items made her eyebrows shoot up, how her father let her buy everything she wants. Back then when her father was alive, she didn't bother to look at price tags.

"Dad, I want this teddy bear." She didn't know back then that the teddy bear she was fond of on the airport was three times costlier than that of kids store.

"Yes Honey, Pink one is for you and Purple one is for Rachel." It was their first trip to reunion island.

She had nothing to do else, Having already dined at home, she observed the crowds and people coming back from the trips taking selfies. Her gaze fixed on the tall glass facade, capturing the rhythm of flights taking off one after another. Excitement sparkled in her eyes.

she was on the verge of reuniting with her younger sister. Rachel was four years younger than her.

After a conversation with her last night, Gloria decided to surprise her with her favourite chocolates from New York. She had bought them and was finally on her way to see Rachel after two years.

As she approached the gate, an old lady complimented her balloon. "That's a cute balloon! Special occasion?"

"Yeah, for my younger sister." She nodded. In her hands, she clutched a heart-shaped balloon that she intended to hide her face with and record Rachel's reaction, as she loves surprises.

Gloria boarded the flight and after a five-hour journey, she reached California. The cab driver already waiting for her outside the airport. Her heart was throbbing. Now within fifteen minutes, she would be sharing a coffee with her sister.

However, the cab abruptly halted in the middle of the road. Peering out the window, Gloria discovered a chaotic scene outside the gate.

Throng of people curiously looking inside. Some faces were distressed and some were scared.

Gloria was puzzled to see it. Her stepfather was a famous politician and businessman, perhaps these people might have had some complaints. Gloria felt an odd sense of unease, and her heart began to beat loudly. She had a strange feeling as if something terrible had happened.

Amidst the crowd, an elderly uncle expressed pity. "Poor girl, we can't believe she could do this." He said.

Another speculated, "What was lacking in her life? They had so much money."

"Maybe she took these steps due to affairs." Looked like mere gossiping.

People were making their assumptions, but Gloria couldn't understand. Standing near the gate, she absorbed those gossips and tried to piece together the unfolding incident. But everything made her even more distressed.

Seeking clarity, Gloria approached and asked. "Excuse me, can you tell me what's going on? Who are you talking about?"

Before they could respond, an ambulance arrived at the gate. Creating a path by parting the crowd on both sides. Gloria was confused. An ambulance - whose health was in danger? She was lost in thought when the sight that unfolded before her eyes left her in shock. The balloons in her hand blown away.

On the stretcher, her sister Rachel was being taken into the ambulance. Her wrist had a cut and her hand was coated with blood. It spread all over her white top and her eyes were shut. Rachel never looked this pale.

A lightning bolt seemed to crack over Gloria's head as she witnessed the scene before her. Her mind, caught in a storm of disbelief. It froze at the sight of her sister Rachel on the stretcher. She instinctively denied the reality. "It can't be Rachel." She whispered.

"Rachel," Gloria's lips trembled as she hurried to follow the ambulance. The doors closed, sealing Rachel's fate on the way to the hospital for an autopsy. Gloria chased the ambulance but she couldnt compete with it's speed.

"Stop it! I said stop." Falling to her knees, she grappled with the unimaginable notion that the sister whom she came to surprise now surprised her with the unexpected and devastating end.

"We are feeling very sad for you. We still can't believe that he is no longer in this world." A chubby woman seated next to Rachel's photo was overwhelmed with grief. She appeared to be in her early thirties. She didn't seem like a close friend or family, yet she was sobbing tears a lot. She clung to her mother, wailing at the top of her lungs. Her mournful cries reverberated through the entire silent hall.

Prominent figures from the city arrived there and shared their heartfelt condolences before leaving. Everything was going exactly as Catherine organised. Even the refreshments are arranged outside the prayer hall. Rachel's mom, Catherine was busy receiving guests as famous footballer Michael and popular celebrity Dante also attended it.

A group of social media influencers arrived at the funeral. They were armed with high-definition cameras and selfie sticks to cover the rituals of Rachel's funeral. Looked like they were intent on gathering sympathy from Rachel's loyal followers.

Today marked the sombre occasion of Rachel's funeral. a poignant farewell to a 20-year-old beautiful girl. just like a sunflower, bright and beautiful. She was famous for her cheerful nature but today everything tu

No one could ever imagine that they had to attend her Funeral rather than her wedding.

The funeral was held in the city's prayer hall. The hall was decorated with fresh orchids. The seat was covered with comfortable white satin. In the middle of the hall, there was a very large photo of Rachel. It was decorated with her favourite flower, the daffodil.

Rachel's most beautiful picture was used for the frame. It had received more than a thousand shares on social media. Rachel was a small-time influencer who used to be very stressed about her growth.

Everyone was attending her Funeral and then meeting with Rachel's mom. But A girl sitting in the corner grabbed everyone's attention. A pretty girl was wearing a black knee-length dress, her skin was pale and her eyes were sore after crying.

She didn't seem to care about the celebrities present. Her eyes weren't fixed on anyone, and her expressions remained unchanged. She was lifelessly sitting in the left corner, she appeared lost. Yesterday evening was filled with excitement for her but today, it was worse.

"Get up... It's time to say goodbye to Rachel." Mom lifted Gloria. Her legs were trembling. She was extremely emotional. The sparkle had disappeared from her face. The entire hall had almost emptied.

Gloria brought bunches of chrysanthemums and placed them in front of the photo. Her tears had dried up. She went to Rachel's photo and placed the flowers there.

She now knew that she would never receive Rachel's phone calls again. She would never ask her to take a photo or watch a video to the end in the middle of the night.

"Rachel...." As soon as she lit a candle in front of Rachel's casket, Gloria began to sob uncontrollably. Gloria started crying. Tears streamed from her eyes as if she had been holding them back for a long time.

"Gloria, Say farewell to her." Mom pushed Gloria from behind. Her legs turned heavier, she was not even walking. Some people came forward, and they began to move Rachel's casket towards the cremation. Gloria reached out, wanting to stop them, but no one halted. Gloria's voice echoed in the prayer hall. She sank to her knees. What a night it had turned into.

Everyone said their goodbyes to Rachel. Gloria picked up her belongings; her flight back home was at 3 a.m. It was only 7 pm. She felt her mom would be deeply depressed after Rachel's passing, and she must be feeling so alone.

Gloria thought she should say goodbye to her mom before leaving. She hadn't spoken to her mom for two years. Last time she had a call from her mom, was when she was in the wedding Hall. Perhaps that was the last time her mom told her she was getting remarried. After that, Gloria focused on her studies while living outside.

Before heading to the airport, Gloria instructed her cab to stop in front of a massive mansion. The mansion was so grand that it couldn't be taken in with a single glance.

It was her first time visiting there. She had never been there before, Blue coloured house with a white strip painted in it. A metallic tree sculpture painted on one side made it look beautiful. Its golden hues gave a rich look to the entire palace.

She had heard that her mom had married a very wealthy man, but she had no idea he would be this incredibly rich. No wonder her mother decided to marry him a month immediately after she met him.

She stepped inside and opened the big gate. She decided that she would just say farewell to her mother and get back to the airport. It's not like she had no time to stay and speak with her mother, She still had 6 hours for her flight.

But staying at the airport alone and waiting for the boarding was much better than staying with Mom at such house where Rachel had her last breath.