It was a bitter cold evening on an early August winter day at the horse ranch north of Buenos Aires. Felina and her sister Serena sat in two matching leather wing back chairs; which were pulled up close to a roaring fireplace. Their parents sat side by side on a large leather sofa, a chenille throw covering their cold laps. No one spoke, the only sounds coming from the crackling of the wood as it burned brightly and the tick, tick, tick of the mantle clock. The news had come a few days ago and they were all beside themselves with grief. Aphina's chef had prepared a sumptuous meal, but it only grew cold on the dining table and was now being cleared away. Felina watched the young maid carry the dishes away and she wondered if she would ever have an appetite for food again.
Felina sat there her hand under her chin as she was deep in thought, her black eyes vacant, her heart filled with great sadness as the crushing weight of guilt forced her into a deep depression. She knew it was she who was to blame for this tragedy, in more ways than one, and her family knew this as well; which made it very difficult for them speak to her. If she were not such a vengeful woman maybe Hays and Bengiman would be here tonight and they would have sat and supped with the family, as they had done thousands of times. Felina looked over into the dining room remembering days gone by of New Years feasts, Christmastime tidings of blessed joy, good cheer and fond memories. Felina could hear their laughter through her tears. But her lust for revenge exceeded all reason and now her two dear friends were gone forever more; and that woman, Melissa Christian, had made it out alive.
Felina sighed shaking her head as she glanced over at her brokenhearted sister, who had lost Hays, the only man she ever loved, besides her brother Xation. And Felina thought of what Xation would say to her for this disastrous turn of affairs, but he was long dead, shot in the head by his 'friend' Charles. Then her tortured mind turned to thoughts of Charles. How it came to pass that she herself had brought that spider into her family's web. It was she. Everything that led up to today started that hot night when she had neglected to lock the door to her cafe. That man had come upon her, raping her, choking her. And then Charles was there to rescue her from such danger. She remembered clearly seeing him grab the knife and pull back the head of her attacker. She could still see and smell the blood pouring out from the deep long gash. Felina had been saved that day, but with all the trouble and trail of dead bodies, perhaps they would all still be alive if she had died that day, but that was not the case. If she had just remembered to lock the door, an action that would have taken but a second, everyone would still be alive
Felina became restless so she stood up and announced she was going for a ride before the sun set. She wanted to take one last ride around the property on her beloved Iguazu, a huge white stallion that was once her brother Xation's pride and joy. She had been lost without her brother and Hays had been so kind and loving towards her after Xation's death. She hated herself for convincing him to get Bengiman out of prison and kidnap that woman for her. The last time she saw him alive was when they were in the limo together on the way to the airport with the bound and gagged Melissa lying on the floor of the long car. She remembered how delighted they were and how easy it was to take her. Hays had given her a wonderful warm embrace and she said 'I will see you back in Argentina', then she had climbed back into the limo and gave Hays a great big smile as he blew her a kiss goodbye. Felina thought of all this as she walked out to the stables, taking in deep cold breaths of frigid air as her mind filled with darkness and thoughts of suicide.
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