The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

The crowd doesn’t have any idea about the impending drama that will unfold here.

They might witness the biggest conspiracy theory in the Cerro Roca unfold right before their very eyes.

Some will be amused. Many will be shocked. All will be disgusted. And I can’t wait to see their reactions. I can’t wait to see judgment in the eyes of the electorate because that would mean that I won in this losing fight.

“Ms. Karina, I will be requesting you to leave the place now. The team is already around the area ready to pick you up upon your permission. There is sure to be trouble here. I can’t be sure that the shooting at the previous party won’t happen again.”

I just ignored the warning in Vishen’s voice and headed to the door, my one hand holding the phone in my right ear while I threw all the contents of my bag in the trash can.

“Nonsense. Why wouldn’t I enjoy the meal that I painstakingly prepare? And don’t mind what happened during that night. I did that as a warning to the Asturians. I’m going out to watch the drama. Make sure I won’t get disappointed, Vishen. I paid for a VVIP ticket.”

I put the cellphone back in the empty bag and went out. I went back to the seat in the first row but my husband was gone. I looked around and saw Cholo on the stage talking with Ymir. Next to him was Elizabeth who was smiling while listening to the conversation.

Finally, the program started with the introduction of all the running candidates from senator to president. Each said his piece which is just another bunch of repetitive motherhood statements. Nothing special, nothing sincere.

When it was time for the presidential candidate’s speech, that’s when I concentrated to prepare myself for what would happen. I’m so freaking excited for what’s about to come. In fact, I’m shaking all over because of anticipation. I can feel my sweat dripping from all of the pores in my body. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for the most.

This is the time that I will seal Asturias fate in my hands. I feel so powerful, so magnificent and proud for what I’ve done to come here at this moment.

It only took me several months to do what my cousins have failed to accomplish in the past years.

The shouting of the citizens brought me back to the present. His speech was over and now he was raising his hands in the air and smilingly inviting their patron who smiled and classily walked up to the politician and shook his hand.

Elizabeth took the mic and the crowd roared in delight. They are not only enshrined in Monte Vega but right here also in Cerro Roca. According to my brother, when our clan mysteriously went down, the Asturias didn’t waste any more time and expanded their base in Cerro Roca through Elizabeth and Ymir who are originally from here.

“Good evening my dear citizens,” she said in her kindest and most angelic voice. Tonight is the night that we welcome another dawn in our country. For so long we have been besieged with corruption, poverty…”

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and looked for someone on stage. My eyes locked with Ymir whose smile faded when he recognized me.

From this second forward, I will never take my eyes away from you. I want to see how you all react to what happens after. I wanted to see shame, helplessness, and defeat in your eyes, Ymir. I wanted to see how you suffer. I wanted to see how you die slowly.

He took his eyes back from me and returned them to his sister who was smiling as she spoke. Little did he know that this might be the last second he would see his sister smile with sanity.

“You know that our family has been truly supportive of every possibility that will propel us to progress. I am not into politics just like how my parents and brothers are but-”

The microphone went off and the faint political jingle from the background stopped playing. My phone buzzed and a message was displayed on the screen.

“Enjoy the show, cousin.”

I smiled and crossed my legs. I’ll surely am, Cin.

The presentation on the LED screen died. It first displayed a black background for a few seconds before returning to normal.

“Sorry for that. I think there’s a technical problem,” Elizabeth said and returned to her speech earlier.

But the screen went off again for the second time and when it got back, it’s playing the clip that will leave no stones unturned in the coming days.

“Ah,” I sighed in relief when everyone in the stadium went speechless as they try to take in the erotic sight.

Elizabeth was on her knees, naked, and sucking someone’s dick. Her boobs jiggled as she does her best to pleasure her partner who is not caught in the camera. She’s making all these noises that could rival even the best pornstar in the industry. The man moaned and Elizabeth smiled and sucked harder.

I stared at Ymir and cheered when I saw the emotions I wanted to see on his face. His attention was not on the screen but on his sister who was blushing and biting her lips. Her face is wet with tears. She is holding the mic tightly as if she’s using it to get some energy to keep her from passing out.

Ymir’s eyes expressed pity, defeat, and then rage. His eyes wandered back to me and the fire intensified. His jaws tensed and his eyes emitted fire. Silence reigned inside the place as Elizabeth’s repeated moans continued to be heard around.

Another second passed and a flash of camera broke the trance in the air. In an instant, the camera flashed one after the other from the media and onlookers at the same time as the guards swarm

around and protected the politicians.

The video that was being played disappeared and someone announced that the event was over. The surroundings were filled with whispers. There are those who do not believe. There were those who were afraid because of what it might do to the candidacy of the supported candidates and there were also a few who said that they were not surprised that what they thought was the innocent image of the young woman was probably just a cover up. They said she’s just a whore in a rich man’s daughter’s body.

I raised my left hand to Ymir and moved my fingers then released the smile I had been suppressing. It felt really good to see his reaction. It’s just nice to see that he can’t do anything in the face of this massive scandal. He can’t use his money and power this time to hide this all up. He knew that’s why he’s this affected.

Seems like he really ran out of his cards to play. That’s what happens when you let your heart overrule your mind.

The whisper around became even stronger. A few people also came down and went to the stage to take videos and interviews with those who are involved.

I looked for Cholo but I couldn’t see him. I comfortably leaned back in the chair and returned my eyes to Ymir, who was supporting Elizabeth, who was now already slumped on the platform and couldn’t hold back her tears.

I stood up and stretched. I have to leave the scene before it gets boring. I already saw the climax of the plot and I’m not interested in finishing it until the resolution.

Besides, I have a lot more to serve on the table.

Before leaving, I turned to Ymir’s direction. I was a little surprised to see that he was standing and looking tired at the chaotic surroundings. His guards block reporters who want to talk to him. Elizabeth was no longer by his side and the politicians left the place in a hurry.

This is the saddest thing about power and status. They are fickle. The moment the people sense that they’re gradually fading away, they will just turn their backs on you. No goodbyes. No final words.

There’s no permanent alliance. Only permanent self-serving interests.

I analyzed my own feelings. I don’t feel any pity for him. Happiness is what I’m only feeling now.

Our eyes met again. His eyes were red with anger. He started walking towards me. He doesn’t care even if the media is making a fuss about it. His blazing eyes were on me while his strides became bigger.

At that rate, he could be in front of me at any second. I should have moved but I didn’t. I wanted to stay my ground. I’m curious about what he would do to me.

What could he do to me? Nothing that will make me more miserable than my state now.

Another step and he will finally reach me but before he could take another one, a gunshot pierced the air. In an instant, people are shouting and began scrambling for their lives.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and went back to the chair. I was suddenly overcome with emotion. Weakly, I leaned back and closed my eyes to take a deep breath.

Sweat is forming on my forehead and my back. I could almost hear my heart beating. I was also nauseous so I forced myself to concentrate.

But it’s hard to do it amid the shouting and panic of people who haven’t been out of the dome yet. Their cries of help are keeping my mind in jumble. I tried standing but my vision is impaired. All I see are light and shadows. Nothing else which made my heart beat faster.

“Relax, Karina. Relax. Relax,” I repeated while holding my own head.

I decided to just stay here until all the people are out of the place. I’m also sure Vishen is just around the corner ready to help me.

I put my hand on my chest and breathed hard. This is just temporary. It’ll be okay, Karina. It’ll be okay.

“Karina,” a voice woke my senses up and a pair of strong arms surrounded me. “I’m here. I’m here,” he said and cupped my face.

Still breathing hard, I opened my eyes to Cholo’s worried face. Relief flooded through me. I almost cried with joy but I stopped myself. My tremors had already subsided and my erratic breathing is slowing down.

“Out,” I whispered. “I want out of here.”

Cholo immediately nodded and ordered one of his guards to cordon us off from the mobs.

“Clear the way.” He picked me up and quickly made his way to the exit. I clung to his neck and let out tears. I cried silently as I calmed myself down.

I thought he would not really come. I thought he had left the place. I was so ready to fight off the attack all by myself while waiting for Vishen without any help or assurance from anyone.

But then he came for me… for the first time since our history.

After leaving the stadium, he immediately deposited me in the car that was waiting outside. He hugged me and rubbed my back. I felt that the car had started moving so I could breathe easy now.

“I’m sorry, Karina. You must have been terrified there. I’m sorry for being late, wife.”

He kissed my head while reaching for the tissue to wipe my sweat.

“I-I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry,” I whispered and caught his eyes that were filled with a mixture of sadness and concern.

He did not answer. He just continued to wipe the sweat from my back.

“What are you talking about? You have nothing to say sorry for. What happened is not your fault,” he replied with a strain of concealed disappointment in his voice..Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

I looked down and let the tears fall. I hugged Cholo again to hide them. What would you do if you found out that I was responsible for your downfall? Would you be kind enough to say that it’s not my fault, too?

I ruined people I detest including you. I vowed to topple them down until they are nothing but a rubble of ashes underneath my feet.

I should never be forgiven because I’m as sinful as them. I do not deserve the love you’re showing me now, Cholo.

Give me another week to end my revenge before I reveal myself to you. Until then, I’ll savor all my remaining time in your arms. Until then, I’ll always wish we could have met in different places and circumstances because no matter how we try to patch things up, a relationship forge out of madness will never prosper.