Two Of A Kind

Chapter 18 – Choices

Marina stared long and hard at the crumpled piece of paper in her hands. She could feel herself shaking from the many emotions that she had had to deal with in the last couple of weeks. Alex regarded the scene with growing concern. She didnt know Marina as well as Shane or Angel did, but she perhaps knew Marina in a different manner. Because in many ways she reminded her of herself. Scarred for life by circumstances beyond their control.

Shane was equally worried about her friend. After they had left the Ferrer monolith, Marina had read and reread that letter crying the whole time. This had seriously freaked her out, because Marina was the queen of cool. Marina never cried or wore her emotions on her sleeve. She had wanted to say something, but she hadnt known what. Marina and her relationship centered around theyre being able to communicate with just a single word. Shane tried but she just couldnt think of the right word.

Finally Shanes curiosity got the better of her.

So, whats in the letter? Marina looked up her eyes red from all the tears she had shed. Angela shot Shane an angry glare, which only made Shane grin and shrug her shoulders. Alex smiled. It was one of the things she loved about her. Shane was Shane. Always. She never apologized for being who she was. Nor did she ever try to be different just to please others. What you saw, was what you got. And if you didnt like what you saw, then she would just walk away and not even give you a second thought.

Angela was about to say something, when Marina spoke up.

It is my fathers dying wish. She smiled sadly. And then she started reading.

My dearest Marina,

Undoubtedly by now you know that my health has been ailing for many months now. But I am not afraid to die. I am an old man and I have made peace with myself. One of my greatest regrets is that I was not able to make peace with you, my darling Marina.

It brought me much sorrow to hear of your difficulties, both in your private and your professional life. I feel I am in great part to be blamed for these. Perhaps with the support of your family you would not have felt the desire to escape life.

I could not accept your lifestyle, because I could not understand it. I still do not understand it, but when I look at you even if it is from afar, I see a beautiful, intelligent, caring and successful woman whom I am immensely proud of.

I know these words do little to make up for my past transgressions. I was a fool. But I wish to make amends. I know how you feel about our business and as the years have passed I have grown more concerned. In my days there were other things besides money and power to be reckoned with. There was respect and honor. But you and your brothers and sister are from a different generation. Over the years I have watched them become greedy, dangerous and reckless. This worries me greatly for that is not the legacy I wish to leave the Ferrer Cabal.

Therefore I have decided to leave my empire to you, darling Marina. I know you will run it with both your mind and your heart. This is my gift to you in a pale attempt to beg your forgiveness for lacking as a father. I hope you use it wisely for as much damage it can do, it also had the ability to do much good.

I wish you all the best, my darling daughter. Live your life as you desire with my blessings.

Your loving father

Marina looked up to see six pairs of eyes staring at her. Angela was the first to break the silence.

What a load of emotional blackmail. You cant seriously be falling for this, she exclaimed flicking the letter to emphasize her point.

Take it easy, Angel. I think Marina is the only person who is able to determine the validity of this request.

Its not a request Its just another way of sucking her back in. I bet they were all in it together, Angela spoke heatedly. Alex shook her head. She knew there was no way of reasoning with her sister when she was like this.

Things are never that simple when it comes to families. Angela snorted.

How would you know what families are like? Youve never had a real one. Suddenly Angel realized what she had said and she looked down at the floor embarrassed. Alex sighed and sat down. The first time had stung. The hundred or so times after that it had still stung. Even now it stung.

I might not know what its like to have a family. But I do know what its like to be chucked away by the people who are supposed to love you no matter what. Nicky had moved behind Alex and placed her hands on her shoulders giving Angela a murderous glare at the same time. This wasnt the first time she had refereed a similar fight between the two sisters. For some reason Angela still couldnt help herself from taking a cheap shot at Alex by pointing out the fact that Alex was in fact a ***** who had been left at birth by her mother. Perhaps she took after her grandmother from their fathers side. The one they so affectionately called the wicked witch from the hills when they were amongst themselves.

I think you two need to both cool off, Nicky said sharply fearing if she didnt intervene someone might say something theyd end up regretting.

Isnt there like a shower in this plane. Maybe the two of you could take a shower together… a cold one.

Both Angela and Alex turned to Shane who was sporting a mischievous grin. She leaned her head back and shrugged.

What?! Its not like you two are related

Ok, thats just gross

Yeah I agree with that EXTREMELY GROSS!! But, Alex said turning to Nicky, she does have a point. There IS a shower on this plane. And she winked at Shane mischievously. Angel glared at all three of them who were now barely able to control their laughter at seeing Angela so indignant.

God you all suck. Angel got up in a huff and started walking towards the bedroom. Alex tried to control herself but in the end she just couldnt help herself.

The bathroom is the other way, sis. Angela turned around angrily and flipped her sister the finger before disappearing into the bedroom. Alex, Nicky and Shane all broke out into laughter and Marina soon joined in the letter momentarily forgotten on the coffee table.

****

What do you think shes going to do?

Alex looked at Shane lying on the bed wearing nothing but a football jersey and felt that lizard tongue of desire shooting through her belly. She shrugged and walked over to the bed.

I dont know. Maybe its time she took back her place in the family.

What about your family your real family?

What about them? Shane sat up and put her hand on Alex arm.

Im sorry, I didnt mean to Alex smiled at her. She had actually thought Shane would have asked the questions sooner. She didnt like talking about her past and that usually made people even more curious about where she came from. The truth was that she didnt know, so she couldnt tell them. The only people shed been honest to about her past were Nicky and Steve.

Youre not I just dont like talking about it. When people hear certain things about my past, they they change. They look at me differently. Act differently around me. I dont want anyones pity. I dont need it. She paused staring away from Shane. Lets just say I didnt exactly have the most happy childhood. When I was a kid I used to fantasize my mom would show up and tell me that she made a big mistake, and that she loved me, and that she was going to take me home. Every time she didnt show up I hated her a little bit more until I stopped feeling anything. Alex shrugged and started to get up, but was held back by Shane.

But things worked out right? I mean you have a family now. Alex let out a harsh laugh.

You know, people always think that. That the good makes up for the bad. She turned back to Shane. But sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes you just keep fighting cause youve already been fighting for so long you just dont know how to give up.

Alex sounded so sad it nearly broke Shanes heart. She knew what it was like to be alone and she never wanted Alex to feel like that again. Alex felt Shanes arms wrap around her waist from behind. Her breath tickled her ear and she sighed falling into the warmth of her embrace.

****

Things werent nearly as peaceful for Marina. She and Angela had been fighting ever since they came back from the airport. She had tried to explain to her that things were complicated. But Angela had refused to listen. To her things were black and white. If Marina respected her fathers dying wish, she would in fact be just as criminal as her family was.

Marina sighed. She looked at her fathers letter and then looked over to the bedroom door where Angela had disappeared to angry that Marina hadnt agreed with her instantly. Things were complicated, because her father was right. As much damage as her familys business had done, it was also capable of doing much good. She knew this from experience. Her father had always generously donated to charities. He had financed orphanages and halfway houses. Her father had always been aware of the business he had been in and had tried to balance out the evil. Perhaps in an attempt to cleanse his own soul.

If she refused her fathers offer, who knew what her siblings would do with all that power and money. She knew her brother Franco would not be swayed. He so reminded her of her father. But he wouldnt be able to stand up to Angelina and certainly not to Paolo who had always had an overbearing presence. Of all the Cabals the Ferrers had a reputation of being the most fair and honest, which didnt say all that much considering how rotten to the core the other Cabal families were. If Angelina and Paolo had their way, all her fathers good deeds would be run into the ground in no time.

Merde. Marina rubbed her temples. She literally felt caught between Scylla and Charibdis. Inadvertently her thoughts went to Alex who seemed to understand the gray world Marina had grown up in. She wondered what Alex would do in her place.

****

Marina placed the phone back in the cradle. She smiled thinking back to her conversation with Alex and Shane and the little scene she had apparently interrupted. The truth was she had made up her mind before she had decided to call Alex. Talking to her had only strengthened her in her convictions. Alex was right. The world wasnt black and white. She could only do what she felt was right. Hearing both Shane and Alex say that they would support her no matter what her decision would be, warmed her. She glanced at the bedroom door and sighed. Why couldnt Angela be more like her sister? But then again if she were, she probably wouldnt like her as much as she did.

Marina got up and made her way to the bedroom. Her mind made up. Now all she had to do was find the right way to put her plans and ideas into action.