Season 5 chapter 11

The moon cast its soft glow over the tranquil scene, I found myself nestled on the lush grass, the remnants of a rigorous practice session still lingering in my muscles. With a weary sigh, I uncapped my bottle, its cool contents providing solace against the night's lingering warmth. Yet, amidst the calm, my mind remained turbulent, replaying the events of the afternoon. As I set the bottle down with a gentle thud, the hushed symphony of my surroundings was interrupted by the rhythmic cadence of approaching footsteps. Instinctively, I rose to meet the newcomer, a surge of frustration bubbling within me. With a swift motion, I seized her collar, my gaze burning with indignation, only to be met with a dismissive scoff. The tension between us hung palpably in the air, a silent testament to the unresolved conflict that simmered beneath the surface.

Maria: Hey. (She had an annoying smug over her face) How are you? (She smiled like a cunning fox)

Me: How can you still open your nasty mouth! How dare you betray me! (I said raising my fist and was about to beat her but then instead started laughing letting go of her collar and hugging her tightly) My sweet little Maria, I missed you.

Maria: (she hugs me back) You have changed. (She said in disbelief)

Me: Have I? (I laughed) I guess…..that's what society calls character development? People change over time Maria…..that's human nature. Anyways…..(I patted her shoulder) Great acting, even I was fooled for a second. (I grinned)

Maria: Thank you. (She smiles)

Me: They must be thinking that we are at a bad term, right? (I sat down again) Everything.... Everything from the start was just our plan...my plan. (I smirked) From your arrival to your betrayal and the revelation of my past. Everything was just an acting. Good job. (I said while pinching her cheek)

Indeed, our interactions were merely a performance between Maria and me. In reality, we had been in touch since Maria arrived in Germany; I had even met her prior to her enrollment in school. Embracing the mantra "fake it till you make it," I convinced myself that Maria had betrayed me and never contacted me, thus enabling me to authentically play the role. This strategy was my own initiative, with Maria simply finding it intriguing and agreeing to participate. This approach allowed me to fully immerse myself in the role and project a convincing façade to others. By convincing myself of Maria's betrayal, I was able to effectively portray the emotions necessary to carry out the drama. It was a calculated plan that required dedication and commitment, and Maria's willingness to go along with it only added to the authenticity of our performance. In the end, our collaboration resulted in a compelling narrative that captivated those around us.

Maria: Do you think, we did the right thing by playing tricks on them? (She asks)

Me: Why not? I have done so much for them, and have gone through shits to form that team. Now it's their turn to return the favor. (I said smirking while taking out a cigarette)

Maria: (she grabs the cigarette and throws it away) Don't. (She glares)

Me: Agh…..fine. (I poured) So…..how was their reaction?

Maria: Julie said that she will personally pursue you to join the team. But Anne…. Don't you consider them as your friends? (She asks while staring in my eyes).

Me: (I raised my brow) What do you mean?

Maria: You know, friendships shouldn't be treated like a game of pride. They are your friends not chess pieces. (She said while feeling concerned)

Me: (I scoffed) What do you mean? Don't make me laugh. Look at my dad, he treats his own children as mere pawns, and you are lecturing about friendship.

Maria: But you are not your father. You are an individual. You don't need to blindly follow whatever your father have taught you. (She said with sadness in her eyes)

Me: (I frowned before standing up) Enough. I have noticed that you have become quiet a chatterbox.

Maria: Wasn't I always a chatty person? (She grins)

Me: tsk. Annoying. (I said even though I didn't mean it) I should get going now. (I placed my hands in my pockets feeling uncomfortable)

Maria: Hey Anne. (She smiled)

Me: (I raised my brow) What?

Maria: (she stands up with a bright expression over her face) I know that you will break free from this curse. Your family is filled with lunatics, don't turn into one of them.

Me: (I laughed loudly) You are late Maria. I have already turned crazy. (I said holding my head)

Maria: Pfft. No…..you haven't. You are the most sane person I have ever met. (She says before walking past me) Take care. Don't let that ego ruin those new bud of friendship that you have freshly planted. (She pats my shoulder)

Me: Yeah Yeah….. whatever you say. (I said while running my fingers through my hair before walking towards the restaurant)

Her words reverberated in my mind like a tolling bell, sending waves of realization through me, constricting my chest with a tightness I couldn't shake. It was a staggering revelation: despite my lifelong belief in rebelling against my father's ideals, I found myself unwittingly molded by them. I had become the very embodiment of everything I despised. For too long, I had denied the influence of familial ties, forgetting that blood runs thicker than water. I stared at the chessboard before me, a smirk playing at my lips. The pieces were falling into place, just as I had orchestrated. I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the manipulation unfolding before me. Was I becoming my father? Perhaps. But in that moment, it hardly mattered.

The desire to control, to shape ev"nts to my will, overshadowed any qualms about following in my father's footsteps. I despised him, loathed the path he walked, yet here I was, walking it myself. Yet, I couldn't deny the thrill, the power that came with pulling the strings. This wasn't just about fulfilling his legacy; it was about asserting my own dominance, securing my own future. I wrestled with conflicting emotions, torn between hatred for my father and self-loathing for succumbing to his influence. But ultimately, pragmatism won out. This was necessary, not just for everyone else, but for me. It was for my own survival, my own ambition. What is wrong with being selfish? Everyone in this world have their own desires, they have their want and greed. They have their pride and the hunger to satisfy their necessity, then why is it wrong for me to feed my ego after everything I went through? I am not an selfless Angel, rather a hungry Devil. I have always been called an Ogre by my surrounding people, a demon born due to my parents' sins. Now that I am truly turning into a devil, why should anyone have problems with me?

To be continued....