Rina sauntered over with her bright and yellow bun bopping about. She went to Elisa and plopped down next to her. She placed a packet down that overflowed with powdered sugar.

"Do you wanna try this candy?" Rina asked. She opened the cover and there were square blocks hidden in the sugar like it was a sandbox.

"What's that?" Elisa's reddened eyes slowly peered over. Her head cranked with pain and she struggled to sit comfortably.

"They are Greek Turkish Delight. They are really nice," Rina stated and took one up. She immersed it in the sugar and stuffed it into her mouth.

Elisa stared at her and the box before taking one herself. She mirrored her friend and consumed it. It was indeed extremely sweet, especially when the sugar glazed over the tongue like snow.

"It nice." Elisa smiled which made Rina smile also.

"I knew you would like it," Rina said and took another one. She began taking multiple and her fingers got coated with the sugar.

"My mommy buys this all the time, so I get to eat them a lot."

"My mommy got me candy," Elisa mumbled, "I want her hug me." She shuffled and wrapped her own arms around her body.

"Aw it's okay, I will give you a hug!" Rina then eagerly jumped up and smothered Elisa into a beer hug, making her bubble up in giggles.

"You're so cuddly!" Rina said and squeezed her tighter. Elisa tried hugging back but the because of the violent scratches on her arm, she squeaked in pain.

"I'm sorry," Rina said, letting go. "Did that hurt?"

"A little," Elisa murmured and moved away, whimpering as she tucked in her knees. Her thin body began shaking as some tears trickled down.

"Sorry, didn't mean to." Rina went closer and brushed her cornrows back to soothe her. She grinned which comforted Elisa as she raised her spongy cheeks. She then noticed Axel was far away and huddled into a corner.

"Axel, try this." Elisa offered the boxes towards him. They sparked wonder in his eye, and he started crawling slowly towards him. He wept a little and tiny droplets fell onto the floor. Once he got to them, he pulled the box a bit down. He licked his lips and tasted some of the powdered sugar with the tip of his finger.

"Yummy," he peeped and ate more. All three of them started eating the blocks, and dipping them in sugar while chatting together.

Meanwhile, Mona was stood by a table, while testing various kinds of liquids over a blade. She puffed out some smoke. They floated over the dark streak of eyeliner that lapped over her eye, like the train of thoughts that went round her head.

Her skinny hands tapped against the table. She was starting to question whether she was doing the right thing. She didn't like seeing the children suffer but she wanted to punish Mariana for Xavier's death. She kept thinking whether Xavier would still be alive if he had just got rid of her there and then.

She gripped the knife and sliced the wooden counter.

If only she didn't escape, he would still be here...

A second time she stabbed the counter.

Why did she have to run...

A third time the blade severely struck the counter. But this time, it tumbled towards the floor, breaking her thoughts. Raidan was about to pick it up, but she grabbed it quickly and placed it where no one could reach.

She cleaned up any mess and rubbed her eyes tiredly, for her thoughts consumed most of her energy. Lately, she wondered what Xavier wanted with Mariana. Even though it sometimes popped up in her mind, she hardly questioned it as her father would always say:

'Sometimes, we may not understand everything at first. But in the future, we would understand on why certain things had to happen.'

So whatever Xavier wanted Mariana for, it was probably for a good reason.

She sucked in the addicting smoke as therapy. She wanted to stop herself from thinking about him because it was unbearable. It always left a piercing pain shooting in her chest.

So she removed the cigarette and blew out everything. It traveled down to Raidan who was on playing with fire trucks and Lego men when he started coughing.

"Sorry, darling." She ruffled his head and picked out the cigarette from her lips. However, the fumes fogged up her vision, but she started scraping the knife across the wood with frustration. She pushed it in as hard as she can, but all that did was hurt her fingers and release tears from her eyes.

She scarfed down the remains of the waffles and whipped cream. It smeared all over her lips as she finished her breakfast.

"You eat like you were starving," Xavier said with a smirk and amused chuckle. He was sat down in a chair and just observing her eat off the food he prepared.

"I was." She panted out of breath and wiped her face. "I haven't had a proper meal in a couple of days."

"Aw you poor thing." He tutted with pity. Then his hand dived into his pocket and revealed a roll of green notes.

"You want this?" He sprang them apart in front of her eyes. Her mouth began watering at the sight, and she slowly got off the floor like a zombie. Her feet pattered towards it and she tried snatching it off him but he held it high above his head.

"Not so fast buttercup." He wagged his hand like she was a naughty child.

"A kiss first." He tapped his cheek and beckoned her to come closer with one finger. His smirk grew wider when he saw her slender and pretty legs come towards him. The flaps of her skirt wavered about as she got to her tip-toes. She reached and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you darling. I appreciate that." He released the money straight into her hands. She quickly stuffed it into her pockets with some flying out.

"Thank you!" She exclaimed with delight. Her face sparkled and her belly full to the brim. She then checked her watch and was shocked how much time has passed.

"Sorry, I've got to head to school now or I'll be late," she said and picked up her bag.

"Alright buttercup. Enjoy yourself." He got up, so he can escort her outside.

Mona skipped along as Xavier's hand was gently pressed on her back. He opened the door, letting the bright, morning air shine inside.

"Just one more thing buttercup." He stopped before allowing her to go. He next went to get something while Mona stood between the outside and inside. She hummed to herself as Xavier brought an envelope.

"Do you mind posting this for me buttercup? It's really important."

"Alright." She took it from him and slotted it inside her bag.

"Thanks darling, you're the best." He crouched down and kissed her cheek. Then sent her on her way.

Mona was pulled out of reverie when she detected her hand seething in fire. She glanced down, and the cigarette was smoking a burn through her hand. She quickly flicked it onto the ground and finished it off with a stamp.

That's it... no more smoking she said to herself.

A minor gleam of light then caught her eye. It danced between her nails, and she saw it came from the glowing window. She had an idea, so she walked over and shoved Electra out of her way.

"Hey what's your problem?" Electra hissed like a serpent while massaging her head. Mona disregarded her and unlocked the windows to let the toxic fumes escape. She took a quick whiff to clear out her lungs, with fresh and breezy oxygen.

Although she did cough a bit, she felt a bit better, except the burn that was crisping at her skin. She noticed it had formed a dark circle but was still quite painful. So she prepared a tray of water and dunked her hand into it.

She expelled slowly as the cooling water soothed the burn. It sent a small tingle through her nerves, making her shiver from pleasure. Meanwhile, she stared ahead at the wall, still contemplating about her situation. She decided that she would still go on, never looking back. Because as her father said, 'you never go back on those you love the most.'

And Xavier was the one she definitely loved the most.

Her hand trembled as it was slowly withdrawn for her to check it. She no longer felt pain but now there was just a scar. She shrugged it off and encased it with a kitchen towel that was laying around.

She groaned a little while rubbing her neck. Her muscles felt weary, and she was clouded with fatigue. She figured she might go rest for a bit, but before she could go to her bed, she heard a knocking.

She sighed and slugged her way over to the door. She peeked through the spyhole. It was the visitor she wanted, so she slowly let the door open with a small creak. Her eyes scanned the premises to make sure no one was looking.

She motioned for her visitor to move quick. They discreetly got out a stack of cash and handed it to Mona.

Mona smiled and muttered, "mulțumesc." (thank you.).

She bid the person goodbye and quickly closed the door. She ran through the notes while walking back towards the bedroom.

"I'm going to rest, let me know if anything happens," she said to Electra and shut the door behind everyone. She climbed into the bed and curled herself into a fetal position. From then, she fiercely sobbed with hot tears of how Xavier wasn't there with her, as she went to sleep.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Honestly, Mona is one of my favourites and I'm having so much fun exploring her story :D

Thank you for 600 reads!❤️❤️❤️