The Grand Mistress

"Revenge has always been looked upon as a sin and sometimes you feel like you had to sin to win"-Isaac Hayes

Simione looked upon the mirror staring into her own reflection. She didn't recognize the woman that was staring back at her on the other side but that was the least of her concern. People often say it was rather immature for a person to seek revenge but when you have been thrown into a dirty pit of destruction by the schemes of others, you become dirty yourself. It was easy to advise someone to go on and have a peaceful life but when life itself was taken out from you, what's there to keep on?

Nothing.

Simione has nothing now.

Not even love itself specially that the love that she once thought was the one who saved her, was nothing but lies.

The girl sat in the mirror and slowly took a brush. She dragged it to her face and carefully brushed it to her pale face. She had to wear makeup to hide her misery—the redness in her eyes, the paleness of her cheeks, the loss of color of her face. She cried and mourned for her old self for the few days had passed while waiting for this day to come.

The day when she would shatter Feather's heart.

She had made sure her revenge wouldn't just be a dish served in cold, it's with a rusty edged knife she aims to strike into Feather Han's heart. The ballerina's happy days will surely be over.

Brush after brush, Simione finished her make up until she saw that same woman who lured Hawk Monsanto into dancing in his own engagement party—the woman in a silver gown. However tonight, she won't need a mask. She intends for Feather to see  her face so that for once she'll know who caused her ultimately downfall. Perhaps the ballerina will be horrified to learn someone from the grave rose to collect her debts—she can't wait to see her fear and misery!

The girl then stood from the vanity and trached her steps into a closet nearby where a red gown was waiting for her. She chose red for this occasion. A red sultry halter long dress with subtle glitters. The top only covers her breast while the rest is exposed and it would only take for someone to pull one single string to let it fall. Simione slid herself in the dress and tied the string behind her neck. She looked dashingly beautiful in it, more than enough to keep Hawk Monsanto's eyes on her. 

She had to get him tonight.

She needed him.

She doesn't care what's going to be the outcome and whether she'll come out alive but she can bet her life on everything just to see Feather cry.  If she can have that, then she can leave this world in peace.

She's dead inside anyway. The Han's had long killed her.

It didn't take long before Simione turned the lights off and left the room. Slowly, she walked down the stairs with all her courage and guts. She needed every inch of it tonight. 

"Lucy…" Simione found her friend with a wine glass waiting at the edge of the stairs. The girl looked at her with beautiful ocean eyes and flushed a bitter smile.

"It's rather too early for you to go, care to have a few glasses with me? You need one tonight," Lucy invited, "You are so beautiful,"

"Thank you," 

Lucy just cued for her to follow in their wine bar and Simione did not refuse. Knowing she was going to a lion's den, it might be the last wine she can drink with her dearest friend. How can she refuse it then?

Lucy poured her some and handed her a glass before the singer poured some for herself. "A toast,"

Simone raised her glass and did as invited. Their wine glasses made a clunking sound after a second.

"Is Gabriella still.."

"Do not worry about her..or us.." Lucy told her. "We'll always be fine Sisi,"

"Don't tell her yet, until—"

"Simione," Lucy cut her off as she grabbed her hands with hers. They looked at each other for a minute, communicating things through their eyes. Things that cannot be said in words are too painful to bear. 

Goodbye is one of those words.

They are both aware of the danger this last act of Simione will be. They are very aware they might be able to see each other again.

Lucy heaved a painful sigh, almost crying, which she swallowed right away. She then pushed a white small envelope in front of Simione.

"This are tickets," Lucy started, hands pressed hard on Simione's skin. "A red car is waiting for you at the east exit underground exit of the  theater. In case you will make it out alive, drive that car and ran far away,"

"Lucy I've told you not to help me anymore," Simione told her. Like Lucy she was swallowing a cry. Her life with Lucy and Gabriella were full of meaningful days. She will forever miss them. "This fight is mine alone,"

"I'm not helping you in your revenge," Lucy dug into her eyes deep. If she can stop Simione she would but she knew that the girl had finally decided to take this path and she had no right to obstruct her way into it. This revenge is very personal to Simione, very dear and so she has to let her go. "I'm helping my best friend stay alive. This is the last thing I ask of you,"

Simione didn't answer anymore. If Lucy didn't disrespect her decision to walk on this dangerous path, who was she to disrespect the singer's wishes to keep alive?

"Promise me you'll try to stay alive Sisi," Lucy shed a tear which she wiped off right away, ashamed of it.

Simione, who don't want to see her tears, looked down and nodded to acknowledge her wish.

"I should go," Simione took one big gulp from her glass and turned to leave. However, before she opened the door, she paused and looked back and found Lucy staring through her miserably.

Simione flushed a beautiful smile to cheer her up, like she always do when previously. 

"Thank you Lucy," She said last and headed off.

When the door closed, Lucy cried silently alone.