Fiction

Somewhere in a villa far away, Seventeen year old Victor, was riding a dark brown stallion. He was not really handsome, but he was deeply attractive.

Two twelve year old girls, Delia and Rachel, were playing volleyball near the stables of the villa. The young man in a stallion arrived to park the horse. Delia was filled with mixed emotions.

"Delia, don't you have work to do?" asked Victor in a rather annoying way that hurt Delia.

"Yes, but I haven't seen Rachel for a long, long time."

Victor stared at the young and alluring Rachel. It was obvious that he loved her. With beaming eyes he said, "Hi Rachel."

Bashfully Rachel said, "Good morning sir Victor"

He got her hand and kissed it.

"Come ride with me," he said as he released her hand. "Delia has a lot of things to do"

Rachel was reluctant.

Delia nudged Rachel then whispered, "Please go with him, Rachel." Though she tried to speak softly, Victor heard everything she said.

"Delia doesn't like me when I'm mad." Rachel mounted the horse, sitting in front of Victor. "Now get back to your work!"

As the two rode away, Delia went inside carrying the ball with a heavy heart.

The young couple went near a beautiful river and dismounted there. Rachel was so awe struck by the sight that she just stood there for quite some time.

Victor was so glad that his young love liked his gift.

" It's beautiful here!" Rachel finally said.

"This is my secret place...you're the first person I ever brought here."

Rachel walked around then faced him

"Why is Delia so scared of you?"

Victor shrugged his shoulders then said, " I don't know with her....Are you scared of me, Rachel?"

"Should I be?"

"Please don't."

Rachel smiled at him.

"As much as I want to stay here, Sir Victor, let's go back now. My mother knows I'm with Delia and she's supposed to pick me up any minute now."

"All right, but you must promise me one thing," he said sweetly while Rachel was gazing deeply into his eyes, "Please don't call me sir anymore. You do not work for the Stratagems."

"All right."

Victor was pleased with her answer and they rode swiftly, but safely, back to the stables.

Inside her room Delia was throwing darts at Victor's picture.

"Rachel, Rachel, always Rachel !!!!" She said rather indignantly. "You'll get it from me one day, Victor Stratagem, you'll see." Then continued darting his picture.

Inside a café Rachel's family owned, while Rachel was serving some customers, a young farmer entered. This young farmer was Ethan, her good for nothing boyfriend. She smiled at him, finished serving the customers then went to him. He kissed her lightly on the cheek making Rachel's older Mark snort.

Daniel, Rachel's father, disapproved of Ethan, but Rachel was of age and he could do nothing.

"Papa, could I go out with Ethan now?" asked Rachel.

Her father was dismayed. Mark even glared at her.

"Please."

"Oh, all right," Daniel said reluctantly. "Just don't do any monkey business."

"Papa, don't you trust me?"

"I do, but I don't trust him."

"I won't bite your daughter, Daniel," he said rather smugly. If you were there present you might have hit him, but Daniel Davis did not stoop down to his level.

Mark tried not to mind him, but just could not. He left grumbling making the customers feel like they were watching a stage play or something. Some of them even wondered what dear Rachel saw in him. Maybe love was really blind.

Rachel kissed her father goodbye then went out with Ethan.

Inside Ethan's Jeep Rachel remained deep in thought. When they were nearing their favorite cliff, Rachel was able to ask," Ethan, why do you and Mark have cold blood with each other? I just don't understand."

Ethan did not answer.

As they reached the top of a hill overlooking the valley, Ethan parked the Jeep then brought out a picnic basket. Rachel was startled for Ethan usually helped her go down the Jeep. This time he did not even bother.

When Rachel thought all his sentimental drivel was gone, he suddenly blurted, "Isn't this the most beautiful place here?"

"Yes, I agree…that's why it's our favorite spot," she said as she stared at the panoramic view.    "Well, I guess, except for the river."

It was Ethan's turn to get confused. "Which river?"

"The river inside the Stratagem Villa."

"You've been inside the Stratagem Villa?", his eyes were wide with interest.

"Delia works there, remember? And you know that I'm acquainted with Victor." Ethan was smiling in a very queer manner that disconcerted Rachel.

"What's it like there?"

"It's big.....they have a guest house....a house for the servants, that's where Delia resides....then their house is a five story mansion....they have stables for horses.....they also have corn and wheat fields...They also have a forest filled with fruit trees."

"Where's this river located?"

"Somewhere in the middle of the forest."

"A man made forest?"

"Perhaps."

"How come I never heard about this river before?"

"It's Victor's private place...He brought me there when I was a child."

"He brought you to his private place?"

"Yes."

"How many times?"

"Several, but it ended when he had to go to England....then he just wrote me letters, but you know about that."

Evidently, Ethan wasn't interested in the letters.

"Just what did you do there?"

"We swam."

"Did Delia go with you?

"No."

"What else did you do?"

"Ethan Anthony Van Paterson, are you jealous? If you are asking if we made love there, the answer is no...I was a child for heaven's sake!"

"But he wasn't....and it's obvious that he fancies you....No guy ever brings a person to his private place if he did not think that person was an important part of his life...besides, he wrote you letters!"

"I never answered them."

"Have you seen each other since he returned for his mother's funeral?"

"No....I didn't want to....besides, I'm so busy with you..... I love you, Ethan...you're the only man for me."

Ethan smiled then embraced her. Little did Rachel know that all these were part of a plan was forming inside his demented brain.

Delia was strapping one of the horses when Ethan arrived, shocking her. The horse made a noise.

"Hello Delia… I know you have dreams about me....in your dreams, I'm Michelangelo's David....How you long to let me enter the cheeks of heaven in Grace Land....to let me touch the mounds of gold filled with rosebuds," he said in a disgusting manner.

Feeling Victor's presence Delia said, "Ethan, how dare you talk to me this way? I'm your girl's best friend. " He just laughed. "How did you get inside here, anyway?"

"I didn't know you feel like a diamond," he said with smiling eyes then added, "I told the guard I was your boyfriend...Is Sir Victor in?"

Victor showed himself then claimed the mare Delia was strapping.

"Yes, I am in."

"Sir Victor..." Ethan said, not knowing what to say. "Ammmm, good afternoon."

"Good evening!"

"Oh, is it evening already? The sun's still up and…" seeing Victor's dismay he stopped then said, "May I talk to you in private?"

"Follow me," Victor said, handing the mare back to Delia. Delia nervously accepted the mare back. The Lord only knows how long she stood there, shaking.

Rachel was cooking dinner in their home's very picturesque kitchen when Ethan entered through the back door. He kissed her then said, "Marry me, tonight."

"Are you serious?"

"Is marriage a joke?"

"All right."

"Meet me on top of our favorite hill, at around eight then we'd go to the next town and get married."

"Why don't we tell mom and dad? They know we love each other and..."

"You know how much your family hates me….besides, it wouldn't be exciting."

He smacked her then said, "I better go or your food might get burned...See you tonight, Sweetums."

"See you," she said then continued to cook, smiling.

It was nine o'clock, but still there was no sign of Ethan. Rachel was already losing hope and was in tears when out of nowhere, five men grabbed her.

Rachel was alone in a room crying while embracing a pillow. A little while later the door opened. It was Delia carrying her food.

"Have some hot soup, Rache...you haven't eaten for two days."

"I don't want to eat...I want to die....I can't believe Ethan sold me."

"But he did for a million dollars, but Sir Victor paid him two."

"He had no right to sell me....I am not something anybody could buy."

"But Sir Victor loves you....he wouldn't pay double for you if..."

"Was Ethan really the one who approached him or..."

"I saw him come here. He even said horrible things to me...Your boyfriend is a gold digging maniac!!!"

"But I don't love Victor....I never did."

"But you like him and I know you'd learn to love him....please eat something."

Just as Rachel was about to eat her hot soup, Victor arrived.

"Please leave us alone, Delia."

Delia obeyed reluctantly. She slammed the door behind her, but Victor did not give it any thought.

"Are you mad at me?"

"I am not amused...I used to respect you, you know."

"He went to me and asked me for money and..."

"I know, but he doesn't own me and he didn't have the right....and why did you pay for me?"

"Because he's a slime ball I didn't want you ending up with him."

"But I don't love you, Victor."

"So you'd rather be with him?"

"After what he did, no....Please...my parents are worried sick about me."

"No they aren't...they know you are here...They were glad to find out we're lovers...they hate Ethan."

"But we're not lovers, Victor."

"I never told them we were, but apparently Ethan told them we are….Anyway, you know I love you....I wrote you letters of affection though you never answered them."

"Because it's silly and I'm out of your league."

"I don't care....I've always wanted you......Please marry me….I'm all alone in this life and I need you, Rachel....you're the only woman I ever loved and nothing's going to change that....Please marry me.

Rachel's heart melted...it was the first time he ever said that to her face.

"All right......but that doesn't mean I love you already."

"Thank you, Rachel, thank you," he said then kissed her forehead. "Please eat something."

"All right...but please leave me alone."

Victor left her alone. She bowed her head down and started to pray.

Tell me Lord that I am doing the right thing.

During their honeymoon Victor brought Rachel to the different corners of the world. It was the first time she has been alone with him for a long time that it was inevitable that she'd be drawn to him in no time at all.

After the first week Rachel finally admitted to Victor that she loved him too. Victor was delighted.

"I was willing to wait for you forever."

"Would you rather not consume our love?"

"It's not that….are you really sure that you're in love with me?"

"I've never been surer."

And that night they became one.

About the same time Rachel and Victor were making love, Delia went to a town nearby. She did not know that Ethan Van Patterson was allowed to stay at that place for he was exiled by Victor. She thought she was safe and sound, but she was wrong.

While she was shopping for souvenirs Ethan approached her. He let his hands massage her shoulders which gave Delia the creeps.

"Hello Delia...still having fantasies about me?"

"Get lost....What are you doing here? I thought ...."

"This is not Victor's locality....I promised never to show my face to them....but not to you....What are you doing here?"

"It's my day off….they said there's a sale, but the prices are still as expensive as ever."

"Who're they? How did you hear of such sale?"

"Someone from this place sent me a wire..." her voice trailed as she realized it was Ethan who sent her that wire. Ethan surreptitiously drugged her. A little while later she felt nauseous. Ethan caught her. People around thought she just had a dizzy spell of some sort that they did not bother to help.

Two months later.

Delia was strapping a horse. Rachel was with her, helping her with the task.

"I am so happy….I never realized how wrong I was to love Ethan and not to give Victor the chance he was asking of me…I'm glad that my eyes were opened soon enough to save me from that scoundrel."

"You are very lucky...Sir Victor really loves you...As for me, nobody loves me."

Rachel was about to comfort her when Victor arrived.

"What are you doing here, my love?" Rachel asked as they kissed. It was kind of muffled, but apparently, Victor understood.

"I just wanted to see if you're fine....you know, with your condition."

"I'm okay. Besides, Delia's here."

Victor smiled and for the first time he smiled at Delia too.

"Delia?"

"Yes sir?"

"You're Rache's very best friend...don't call me sir anymore....I am setting your family free from all the debts you owe my family....You and your family can live in the guest house."

"Are you serious?"

"My parents are gone anyway."

Again, Rachel's heart melted making her love Victor even more.

"Victor, that's so sweet."

She put her arms around him and gave him a lingering kiss which made Delia regurgitate.

"Why don't you tell us who he is? He has to take responsibility!"

Delia ashened.

"No....I don't want him to know I'm pregnant...Nobody has to know.....You're pregnant too, right....Please keep the baby as your own and raise him or her as your baby's twin....I don't want the father to know his plan worked."

"We'll help you, if you'd tell us who the father is," offered Victor.

Delia was reluctant at first then said, "It's Ethan....he wanted me to bear his child, because he wanted to have an heir....you paid him a lot you see and I guess he has tripled whatever that amount was…he told me he didn't want just anybody bearing his child and that he will take my child away when the time comes."

She broke down. Rachel comforted her while Victor checked to see if anyone heard them. Nobody was there so they started to formulate a plan.

The twins, a boy and a girl, were now eighteen years old. They went to the beautifully preserved river.

"It's really so breathtaking...Did you know that dad used to bring mom here....do you think they made love here?"

"You silly girl with a dirty mind! I'll tell your college not to accept you this fall."

Not minding what her brother said she dreamily added," Wouldn't you love to bring the girl of your dreams here, Felix?"

"I haven't met her yet....Have you met the guy of your dreams, yet?"

"Nobody's interesting here...In England I had this..."

Felix laughed then asked, "Jonathan Craven?"

"I hate you!!!"

"No you don't...you love me...I'm your brother."

"The nerve....I don't love you!!!"

Felix was offended. When he was about to ride away, Rebecca called him.

"Hey Felix! I was just kidding....I love you...you're my dearest brother...I love you more than Timmy and Robin."

"Really?"

"Of course coz you're my twin."

She looked at her watch then at the surroundings.

"Well, it's getting late we have to go now.

They rode away slowly then continued to chat.

Mark, Rachel's brother was strapping one of the horses. He was helping Delia.

"You love me, don't you?"

"Yes," Mark admitted.

"Meet me tonight...at the back of the café," Delia whispered to his ear making him smile.

At the back of the café, Delia and Mark was about to make love. Their kiss was so passionate that little did they know Ethan was there. When Mark lifted Delia's skirt she shouted, "Oh Ethan...." Mark pushed her.

"What did you just call me?"

"I called you Mark...."

"No!!!" He shouted then he hit her. "You've been sleeping with him....How dare you sleep with your best friend's guy?"

"No ...it's not true."

"Do you expect me to believe that?" He spat at her face and Delia was left crying in the dark. Ethan wanted to go near her, but decided against it.

Ethan was recounting that story to Delia inside a supermarket. She was confounded.

"You were there?"

"I was everywhere....I even saw you acting like a voyeur whenever Rachel and I were together....so don't act like a saint....You wanted what happened that week in '77....I never tied you again and you never left....it's a pity that we never had a child....I told myself that I'd marry you if we'd have one...I was just testing you, but as I was saying, we could try again."

"You only wanted to have a child with me because you wanted to have a reason to see Rachel again....you are evil."

"Getting jealous over Rachel again, huh? I don't really love her....she just happened to be the most beautiful woman in town...I just wanted to get inside her...it was every man's dream, by the wat...Then you told me about Victor's love for Rachel...So I decided to get rich....after all, a virgin's price was higher....It took me two years to plan it...with your help, I was able to do it...You were a great actress, Delia.....Now you ask me why I pick on you...that's a laugh....I'm not dumb...I knew you wanted me...I know you still do and I still have the last laugh, Delia, but you must remember this: You are nothing! Nothing like Rachel." His voice softened, but was more intense when he added, "You're a loser...she's a winner. I bet you just hate her. She's rich and she has four kids and a loving husband while you have no one. I bet you're even barren!"

He left her bewildered.

In a department store in the city, Rebecca shopped for clothes. She saw her Uncle Ethan from afar. She didn't know exactly how she felt, but she knew that she was deeply attracted to him that she went near him.

"Hi, Ethan."

"Yes?"

"It's me, Rebecca."

"Rebecca Stratagem?....Oh how you've grown!"

"Why don't you ever visit us? I never see you around."

"I'm off limits, remember?"

He didn't know what attracted her to him. She was young enough to be his child, but she brought shivers down his spine. He ran the back of his palm to her face.

"Why don't you visit me?"

Rebecca liked the way he was flirting with her that she decided to repay the coquetry.

"Why not? May I come with you now?"

Dinner time in the Stratagem Manor in the city, Rebecca was missed.

"Felix, where is your sister?"

"I don't know, dad....she said she was just going to shop."

"All the malls are closed by this time," said Timmy, one of the younger brothers.

"Maybe she's been seeing someone," said Robin, the youngest.

"Aren't you going to look for her?" asked Rachel.

"She's a big girl, Rachel."

"But she's your daughter."

"All right...I'd look for her."

He stood up and got his coat then went out. The four continued to eat.

When Victor was about to ride his car, Rebecca in a taxi arrived.

"Hi dad!"

"I know you're eighteen years old, but is this time a decent girl goes home?"

"Dad, I'm sorry," she said in saccharine sweetness. "I saw my classmates again after a long, long time. Besides, we're going home tomorrow and..."

"All right...my baby's forgiven."

"Thank you...you're the best dad in the whole world!"

She said it with a close-up smile that made Victor's heart deliquesce.

In the ranch, Delia was strapping Victor's favorite horse for the nth time. A little while later she hugged it.

"What does she have that I don't? I lived here all my life but Victor falls for her? Then I meet Ethan first....but the minute he saw her, he forgot about me. Damn Rachel....Damn her!!! When Ethan was making love to me, he was calling her name....then he tells me he never loved her...Liar! I knew he only wanted to have a baby so that he could have a reason to see Rachel again. I sure fixed that...he would never find out that he has a child...never!!! "

She started to brush the horse stronger that it reacted.

"I'm sorry."

The horse calmed down, but Felix heard everything.

Delia was still strapping the horse and he was even kissing the mane of the horse while moaning Ethan's name when Victor came in rage. He pulled Delia then pushed her.

"You are sick!!!! You are so sick!!! Rachel loved you like a sister!!!...... Leave my house!!!"

She ran crying.

Felix went inside Becky's room. At that time she was brushing her hair.

"Sis..."

"Hi bro....what's up?"

"Where have you been?"

"I've been seeing my boyfriend."

"You've been playing with fire, I bet."

"You guessed right, but don't you tell mom or dad."

"Don't worry, I won't," he said while he sat down. "Guess what?" She looked at him with a blank expression. "Aunt Delia was thrown out of the house."

"Why? Isn't she mom's best friend?"

"It turns out that she has a hidden desire for dad and mom's old boyfriend."

"Mom's old boyfriend? I didn't even know she had an old boyfriend…I thought dad was her only love."

"It's Uncle Ethan...We met him three years ago, but dad forbade us to see him."

"Uncle Ethan's a nice guy....believe me."

"I know that, but..." He was deep in thoughts.

"A million dollars for your thoughts."

Felix sighing said, "Aunt Delia has a child there somewhere....Where could she have hidden the child?"

"You're talking in riddles."

"Uncle Ethan and Aunt Delia have a love child.....Aunt Delia just pretended the child never existed...she's such a witch."

"Why did she do that?"

"She hates mommy so much...she was afraid that if ever she bore her child, Uncle Ethan will visit the baby....since Aunt Delia lives here, he would see mommy again....but I have a hunch...it's one of us!!!"

Rebecca dropped her brush for was shaking. Obviously she was afraid of the possibility.

"I have a child?"

"Yes....and it's one of us....What if you were my father? What if.... God!!!!"

Ethan embraced Rebecca while shouting, "No....you're not my daughter!!!!"

Inside a restaurant Delia told Ethan everything. He felt like he was sinking in the deepest abyss. He could not breathe because for him, the walls were about to kiss. Delia embraced him.

Rebecca became ill. She locked herself in her room for days after Ethan told her the truth.

Rachel visited her ailing daughter. She ran her fingers through her hair then asked, "Baby, what's wrong?"

"I'm a product of sin...and I've been living in sin."

"What do you mean? You are a product of love. Your father loved me right from the very beginning and when I learned to love him, we had you."

Rebecca's face brightened as she said, "Mommy, you're saying I'm your real child? I'm not adopted?"

"Yes, you are our real child, Rebecca Victoria....Our first born."

"Oh mom....you don't know what it means to me.....Thank you God....Thank you God!!!"

They embraced each other. Rachel was confused.

Inside the Stratagem family chapel, Rachel knelt down to pray. A little while later, Delia arrived.

"You called for me?"

Rachel nodded, but continued to adjure for the Lord's mercy for her friend.

"Please forgive me, Rachel," Delia said for she mistook Rachel's silence.

A little while more, Rachel, with tears in her eyes, embraced her friend. When they released each other they sat down to talk.

Delia told her about her envy and other stuff. Rachel just listened. When it came to a point that Delia was belittling herself, Rachel finally spoke.

"Delia, you're very beautiful.....My brother even loved you."

"But I never loved him....I bet God's punishing me for all the wrong things I've done....Imagine, my daughter and her father..."

Rachel now getting Rebecca's delight told Delia that Rebecca was not her daughter.

"Felix is your son....You were sleeping when the child was born and I was awake, wide awake.....when I asked you if you wanted to know which of the children was yours, you said you already knew." This made Delia smile. "I forgive you, Delia...you're my best friend...you'll always be." Then they embraced once more.

On top of the hill where Rachel and Ethan used to meet, Ethan sat down and looked at the valley below. A few moments later Rebecca arrived. She covered his eyes, but he grabbed her hands then kissed her. He embraced her hard. Then as they released, he handed her the gift. It was a box with a ring on it.

She smiled then hugged him. As they released each other he said, "I thought I made the most terrible sin in the world....I thought....oh how I love you, Rebecca."

"I love you too, Ethan, but I think God is telling us something."

This confused Ethan, but Rebecca went on to enlighten him.

"I am only eighteen years old and I still have to finish my studies....and we have to stop ...well, you know what."

"I know." He looked at her, thoughtfully then he cupped her chin to kiss her lightly. "I am going to wait for you, Rebecca Victoria....I am going to wait for you." Then they sealed their love with a lingering kiss.

Felix, riding a black wild horse, saw Becky from afar. He let the horse gallop to her then he dis-mounted.

"Been with you boyfriend again?"

With a big grin she said, "Yes!" Her eyes were dancing as she added, "You know what's funny?" He did not have the slightest idea. "If we didn't grow up together, we might end up loving each other."

"But we do love each other!!!"

"I know...but like real twins...Imagine, instead of ending up with you, I fell in love with your father."

"What? You're going to be my step-mother?"

"Someday."

Felix was still astonished by the news, but was able to ask his twin, "How did this happen?"

"Oh, just the same old story."

Boy! This surely is a summer that I'll never forget, he said to himself.

They continued to talk as they walked to the ranch.