By Loli Molina
M. pren. Literary work, novel, or other work
any work published in installments in
a special section of the newspapers.
A gruesome novel of little literary merit.
Vox 1 Encyclopedic Dictionary. © 2009 Larousse Editorial, S.L.
MARIELITA'S BETRAYAL
Chapter 5
With the card still in her hand, she held it up to the door reader and heard it click. She felt the warm doorknob and smiled. She walked down the suite’s hallway, guided by the sound of the television. As her breathing returned to its natural rhythm, she reached the small sofa in front of the TV, where Mariana was sitting, laughing heartily.
Sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn on her lap, Mariana seemed oblivious to the world.
“Hi, sis,” said Mariana with her mouth full.
“Hi,” Marielita replied, hands on her hips.
“What happened?” Mariana asked when she saw his face. “Why are you coming over at this hour?”
“We had an agreement. Have you forgotten?” Marielita said firmly.
Mariana slammed the TV off, pushed the bucket aside, and motioned for her twin sister to sit next to her, patting the cushion. Marielita sank into the sofa, dismissively brushing aside some food scraps.
“What happened?” Mariana frowned. “Is it Ángel? Another fling?”
“Another one, but I don’t care about that anymore.” Marielita wiped a furtive tear from her eye with her hand.
“What do you mean you don’t care anymore?” Mariana reached for his hands with determination to clasp them.
“It was comfortable…” Marielita met her sister’s gaze with a familiar coldness. “But there’s no point in pretending anymore.”
Mariana swallowed hard, and her fingers went limp. The air in the suite grew heavy, almost unbreathable.
“I never thought it would happen, to be honest,” he added with a nervous smile.
“If you don’t feel up to it, you don’t have to do it. I’ll do it myself.”
“I’m not going to leave you to handle this alone,” Mariana replied immediately. “You’re family, and I promised to help you. I keep my word.”
—Thank you.
Silence fell over the two of them. Only they knew the plan they had been hatching for years. A secret that, starting that night, would come to life.
“Would you like some herbal tea? I have chamomile and linden. It’ll do you good.”
—Yeah. And popcorn! Put on whatever you were watching. I need a good laugh before we get started.
Mariana turned on the TV and went into the small kitchen. On the screen, George Costanza was gesticulating frantically, trying to explain to Elaine the embarrassing concept of “shrinkage” after swimming in a pool.
Mariana arrived with the tea and popcorn and sat down next to Marielita. They had everything they needed to carry out their plan.
“This is one of my favorite scenes. It’s hilarious,” said Marielita, her smile returning as she fixed her eyes on the TV while George sat there dejected.
“That’s great,” Mariana replied.
Read the previous chapters of *Marielita's Betrayal*.