REVENGE'S UNEXPECTED LOVE

COMPLEX BOND

[THE MORNING BEFORE]

As Ismarie slices strawberries with precision, Maya expertly flips whole-grain pancakes on the griddle, their laughter blending seamlessly with the sizzle of cooking.

Maya glances over at Ismarie, a mischievous twinkle in her deep brown eyes. "So, spill the beans, Isma. How are you feeling about the big day?"

Ismarie smiles, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Honestly, Maya, I'm a bundle of emotions. But having you here with me makes it all feel more real and manageable."

Maya nudges her playfully. "Hey, what are best friends for? Besides, I can't wait to see you as the radiant bride you were always meant to be."

Ismarie's gaze softens with gratitude. "Thank you, Maya. I don't know what I'd do without you."

With a knowing smile, Maya replies, "You'll never have to find out. Now, let's finish up breakfast and toast to your happily ever after!"

"Absolutely," Ismarie replies with determination. "I need to also print out the vendor list, so you can help me by double-checking the payments."

Maya nods enthusiastically. "Consider it done! We'll make sure everything is in perfect order for your special day."

With a warm smile, Ismarie embraces her best friend tightly, feeling a surge of gratitude for Maya's unwavering support. She presses a gentle kiss to Maya's forehead, a silent but heartfelt thank you for being by her side through it all.

Savoring their wholesome breakfast, Ismarie and Maya sink into comfortable chairs, reminiscing about their shared memories.

With each bite of nutritious food, they travel back in time, recalling cherished moments from their childhood, their days in medical school, and the countless adventures they've embarked on together.

Laughter fills the air as they swap stories, their friendship growing deeper with each shared anecdote. In this cozy kitchen filled with warmth and love.

In the bright afternoon sunlight streaming through the window, Maizah quickly sends a text before joining Maya to pack their bags.

Maizah's fingers dance across her phone screen as she types, her expression focused. "Just sending a quick text to Max to let him know our plans," she explains, glancing up at Maya with a grin.

Maya nods in understanding, folding a few shirts neatly into her suitcase. "Sounds good. I'll finish up here while you take care of that. We've got a busy day ahead of us!"

With a determined nod, Maizah finishes her message and slips her phone into her pocket. "Ready when you are, May!"

As they cruise towards the hotel, the air is filled with infectious laughter and the upbeat melodies of their favorite tunes.

Maya adjusts the volume knob, the music filling the car with its lively rhythm, setting the perfect backdrop for their journey.

With each passing mile, their spirits soar higher, the anticipation of their adventure ahead palpable in the air.

As they step into the lobby to check in, Ismarie turns to Maya with a concerned expression.

"Oh, May, before I forget," Ismarie begins, "my mom will be arriving a little later. Did you make sure her room is far away from Dad's room as I suggested? You know how they always end up bickering when they're together? Even If their rooms are opposite each other they have the skill to sense each other's presence, somehow, it's quite scary"

Maya nods reassuringly. "Don't worry, Isma, I've got it all under control. I made sure to book their rooms on separate floors, just like you asked. No chance of any bickering this time!"

Ismarie exhales a sigh of relief. As she sighs, her thoughts drift to her half-sister, Liezel. "Have you seen Liezel at home?" she asks Maya, her tone tinged with concern.

Liezel is not just Ismarie's half-sister; she shares a complex bond with Ismarie as they are both products of a tangled family history. Their father, Larry, impregnated their mothers at the same time, resulting in the unexpected arrival of two daughters from different mothers.

Marie, Ismarie's mother, tried to salvage the marriage, but the strain proved too much to bear, leading to its eventual demise. Larry wasted no time in moving on, marrying Liezel's mother shortly thereafter.

Despite the upheaval in their family dynamic, Ismarie finds solace in the fact that her father, Larry, didn't forget about her. He continued to provide support for Ismarie and her mother, ensuring that they were taken care of despite the tumultuous circumstances.

Maya shakes her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "No, I haven't seen her around lately. Is everything okay?"

Ismarie's expression grows solemn as she recounts, "She's been distant lately, more than usual, barely returning my calls or texts.

Ismarie nods, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "I just want to keep an eye on her. When she disappears like this, things don't always go as planned."

The last time her sister vanished was before her engagement party. As Ismarie graciously accepted Larry's offer to host her engagement in his opulent home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. Larry's house exuded elegance, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and boasting ample space to accommodate all her guests.

However, just as the festivities were about to commence, tension filled the air as Liezel, having mysteriously disappeared for a week, made a grand entrance.

With an air of entitlement befitting her status as a spoiled rich kid, Liezel wasted no time in making her disdain known.

With cutting remarks, she belittled Ismarie's guests, disparaging their attire and questioning the source of their wealth, all while shamelessly flaunting her father's affluence.

The once joyous occasion quickly turned sour as Liezel's outburst cast a dark shadow over the celebration.

Ismarie's concern doesn't lie with herself; rather, it's her guests who weigh heavily on her mind. They've set aside their responsibilities and commitments to partake in her joy, and she can't bear to see them subjected to discomfort.

Maya squeezes Ismarie's hand reassuringly. "We'll stay vigilant."

With a grateful smile, Ismarie nods in agreement. "Thank you, May. It means a lot to me."

As they each receive their room key cards from the receptionist, a sense of excitement fills the air. Ismarie and Maya exchange eager glances before making their way towards the elevator.

The soft ding of the elevator signals its arrival, and they step inside, the doors sliding shut behind them. Ismarie presses the button for their floor, her heart racing with anticipation for the adventure that awaits.

As the elevator begins its ascent, Ismarie and Maya share a knowing smile, their excitement palpable in the air. With each floor they pass, the anticipation builds, their minds buzzing with the possibilities of the weekend ahead.

As the elevator doors slide open on their floor, they step out into the hallway, their energy contagious as they make their way to their respective room.