NOTE: For a better reading, when I point out in the chapter listen to the song "Bad Bitch" by Bebe Rexha.
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Aleena Ronan's Point Of View
A few weeks later...
"Are you sure you want to sell this place?" Roseanne asked as she tied her hair in a sloppy ponytail.
We were inside the apartment where Jennie and I had lived during our college years in Zurich. It had been bought by Nicolas, as a grand gift to the both of us for landing a spot in one of the best institutions in the country.
"Yes, in fact, it's already sold."
"You sold this place for a very low price, but I won't complain, I know you did it because it was for Olivia."
"Yes, I have to redeem myself after the scare we gave her when she saw I was alive." I said as I placed some of the last items in a box. "And for stealing her best friend too."
"She was really scared, but knowing your whole story made her admire you. Of course she was a little upset that I didn't go back to New York, but now that she knows we're getting married, she wanted to move to the same city."
"She loves you very much, and that's beautiful. You're like sisters, like Jennie and me." I shrugged as I scanned the living room with my eyes.
"Yes, exactly like that. Did you know that Olive knew from the start that I was going to fall in love with you? It's funny to remember all the times we talked about that."
"She was right. I always thought that Olivia was very wise, that's why I told her about my life."
Roseanne approached slowly and wrapped her arms around my waist. I smiled at her and kissed her mouth quickly.
"Weren't you afraid she would tell everyone?"
"No, I was afraid to tell you because you were such a little goody two shoes, but Finley seems to be more understanding, and less hard headed."
The woman frowned, feigning indignation.
"Next you'll say that you chose the wrong woman in our first threesome."
"On a second thought... I think you may be ri-"
"Don't finish that!" Roseanne exclaimed as she covered my mouth with her hand.
The laugh I let out due to her totally impulsive act was inevitable.
"You're so funny..." She grumbled as she pulled her hand away.
"Don't be like that, of course I chose the right woman." I said as I pulled her to me. "You won me over during sex, Keira wasn't that good."
"I won you over way before that, my dear."
"Hm, really?"
"Really, I know you sat down next to me in that bar with ulterior motives."
"I taught you too many things, hell." I grumbled, now making the deputy laugh.
Roseanne pulled me to her again, making our bodies stagger back. I felt my back hit the concrete wall softly as her body pressed against mine.
"You did, and now I can use it all against you."
I closed my eyes when the woman's soft lips touched my neck, while her hands slid from my waist to my ass. I sighed somewhat surprised, and aroused.
"Jennie and Jisoo are right over there, don't make me do something crazy."
"We really are, and we're not that far away!" Jennie exclaimed upon entering the room alongside Jisoo.
Roseanne rolled her eyes as soon as she released me. The two of them were helping us clearing that place, since both Jennie and I wanted to keep what was still important.
"You two will never lose this habit of making out in every corner."
"As if you two don't do the same..." Roseanne countered.
Jennie thought about replying, but she knew she had no answer for Roseanne's counterattack.
"Aleena, you taught that woman too many things." Jennie said, making us laugh.
"Enough chitchat, girls, let's put these last boxes in the pickup truck. Olive will arrive tomorrow, and we have to leave this place spotless."
Roseanne saluted jokingly before picking up one of the boxes scattered on the floor. Jennie did the same, following Jisoo's steps as the woman walked ahead.
"I think you'd better go to the first floor, you still haven't cleared your room." Roseanne said as she stopped beside me.
"I don't want to."
"I left something there for you."
I sighed somewhat thoughtfully, but nodded soon enough.
"I'll leave you to it." She whispered before placing a quick kiss on my mouth.
I nodded, watching Roseanne walk out the door with a few boxes in her hands. She signaled that she could carry them and that I shouldn't worry. So I just shrugged. When the door closed completely, I was alone in that place. It was somewhat nostalgic, I admit. All that furniture and wallpapers reminded me of the exact day I arrived here. Jennie and I had finished an exam in order to get full scholarships in one of the best colleges in Switzerland, even though we knew that Nicolas could afford it, but we were so used to fending for ourselves that achieving that would be the perfect proof that we weren't that dependent. At first, Nicolas was against it, but he understood soon enough and supported us like he always did. And it was in that little house that we lived throughout college, until we heard about our father's death.
A sigh left my lips when I turned my body to the center of the living room, remembering the TV's exact position. I remember perfectly the images broadcasted on the news on the day Nicolas passed away. I remember hearing the shattering of porcelain on the floor and Jennie's frightened eyes. It was one of the most painful moments of my life. I walked away from the living room and headed up the stairs in lazy steps, remembering all the family photos we had hung there. They were beautiful. I walked by Jennie's bedroom, by Nicolas', which was rarely used since all his visits became more and more rare. And finally I reached mine. I stopped in front of the wooden door and turned the doorknob slowly. I stepped into the bedroom slowly, hearing the subtle sound of the old floor under my feet. The room still had the same little details as last time. Jennie, on her visits, hadn't changed anything, unlike the drastic change I made in that place in the last few months.
When Nicolas handed it to me, its walls had a light green hue, which contrasted perfectly with the white of the other walls. I remember how happy he had been for painting everything with his own hands. Years later, all his work was covered by mine. The perfectly painted walls now possessed scribbles, lines, collages, notes, photos and newspaper clippings. A huge organizational chart made thoroughly by me during the long months of planning and preparation.
"Forgive me for ruining the painting." I whispered with a smile, as if he could hear me.
I approached my old bed, and consequently one of the shelves in the room. On it, there were a few small decorative objects, stuffed animals and a portrait. I grabbed the dusty object, and with the back of my hand cleaned the dirty glass. A sigh left my mouth when my eyes landed on the picture displayed there. I confess that I felt that tightness in my chest at the sight of his so cheerful image. The man had a broad smile, just like mine in that photo. His body was leaning forward as Jennie and I climbed his back. A smile formed in my mouth when I touched our happy faces with the tip of my fingers.
"I wish you were here, dad." I whispered sadly. "I wish you could meet Roseanne, we're getting married in a month."
I walked with the portrait in my hands to the only window present in the room.
"Would you like me blonde? I had to change a little, I changed my name too. Remember when you told me that if you had a daughter you'd name her Aleena? Well, now you have." I said as I stared at his face for a few instants. "I hope one day you'll forgive me for everything I've done..."
*(Play song - Bad Bitch by Bebe Rexha)*
Only Nicolas' forgiveness mattered to me. I knew that nothing would change my dark past, not even my good deeds now. God would have to be very merciful to a soul like mine.
"Forgive me, because I have forgiven myself." I said firmly as I walked to the center of the room, stopping in front of the desk.
On that wall was my life plan. All my steps were meticulously planned over the countless sleepless nights. It was in that little room that one of America's biggest thefts had been planned. In the midst of all that pain and suffering, a reign was erected. Where only one woman could rule, and under her orders the world could spin.
It was here that emerged the best phase of me.
I took a step forward, staring at Robert's image in the center of the organizational chart, being pointed at by all the arrows present on that wall. I lifted one of my hands, yanking the photo at once, before crushing it completely.
"May God rest your soul, or the devil, we never know on which side you are, honey." Those were my words before throwing it in the trash can.
When I took a few steps back, I could notice a box on the desk. It was medium in size, with a sophisticated and luxurious appearance. Fully cladded in velvet, like a jewelry box. Over it was a small red envelope.
* To: Ms. Griffin *
I swallowed hard when I saw the neatly scrawled surname in the envelope. With an unparalleled curiosity, I pulled the small piece of white paper folded in half.
* Only open if you're Lalisa Griffin. *
It was Roseanne's handwriting. What was she up to? I wondered with a smirk. I shook my head and then opened the white card.
* If you opened it's because you still feel like her. And if she's still alive in you, I believe you're missing something, Queen.
Open the box.
R.P *
I confess that my heart beat with more intensity in my chest. Was Roseanne playing some kind of game with me?
"The games are made by me, Park." I murmured softly.
I brought both my hands to the mysterious box, pulling it closer. It was heavy, very compact. I frowned and unlocked the two golden hooks in the frontal area, to then open it at once.
* So you can always remember the strongest woman that lives within you. *
Inside the black box were two objects. In the center was a small golden chess piece, a Queen carved in gold. Above it was a .45 caliber gun, bathed in gold, just like the one I left behind in the night of that fire. A smile was born in my mouth as I stared at that gleaming object inside that box.
"Wow..." I gasped excitedly.
I held the gun with want, feeling the same sensation I felt the first time.
"I'm so much better with you, baby." I cocked the gun, hearing the subtle and exciting click.
I lifted my head and raised the gun to analyze its so well-made details. The sensation of having it in my hands was incredible, as if that valuable object made me the most powerful and unbeatable woman of all. A perfect Queen, like Lalisa Griffin always was, and always will be.
"Lalisa Griffin?" I heard that voice, which made me smile.
"Yes?"
I turned my body towards the door, seeing my woman with a mischievous smile on the corner of her lips. Roseanne moved away from the doorway and walked towards me as she stared at me with a challenging gaze.
"It's good to see you, Queen."
In that moment I realized that no matter how many years went by, Lalisa Griffin would never be left behind. She was impregnated in me, like a living and vibrant part of my being. She was my highlight. She was my courage, my strength, and above all, my resistance. Lalisa Griffin was the power that dwelt in me, and I wouldn't give it up.
"It's good to be back, Agent Park."
The end.
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