KNOWN BY MY HEART (5 page)

Despite her pleading, no boatman will give Jasmine a ride across the river to the hall’s backyard. Suddenly, the hall’s sound system is turned on, provoking Jasmine’s decision to jump into the river and swim to the other side. The wedding march music is a foreshadowing of the upcoming wedding in which SHE must be the bride.

As Jasmine draws close to the hall, Marco’s heartbeat grows stronger. Something moves him to find out what is causing his heart to pulse with love's sweet beat. Soon Marco noticed someone swimming across the river. He cannot clearly see the person's face, but her movements and gestures are familiar and special to him. He feels his heart jump once more, and without anyone seeing him, Marco decides to jump into the river and swim to the person, who appears to be getting too tired to continue swimming.

Señora Rubio is already dressed in her masquerade costume, and can no longer wait for Marco to appear. She makes her way to the men’s room to call her son. Finally, a man wearing the wedding suit and the mask came out. , Señora Rubio grabs hold of him tightly and moves him to go to the aisle where everyone expects him to walk down. He walks confidently toward the stage where he waits for his bride.

Finally, the bride and groom reach one another and are now together  marching toward the stage. More than anyone else, Venus was elated and happy that finally she is getting married to Marco, or so she thought.

At that same moment, Jasmine is floating down the river, supported by Marco who has come to rescue her. Some of Marco’s childhood friends see him, and together they help him bring Jasmine ashore where she begins to regain her strength and move around normally. Marco, seeing what is transpiring in the wedding ceremony, wastes no time taking Jasmine to a nearby church where he knows the priest. He arranges for a quick wedding ceremony within minutes at that church, and  Marco and Jasmine get married faster and ahead of the ornate wedding ceremony taking place inside the hall.

At the hall wedding, it is time for the groom to kiss his bride. Venus, trying to hide her evil smile, takes her time removing her mask. Turning her back to her groom, she proudly waves her hair feeling beautiful and jubilant to be the bride about to kiss her groom. When the man beside Venus removes his mask, everyone is equally surprised to see somebody who is not Marco.

At this moment, with Jasmine at his side, Marco speaks from the back row in his native tongue to all present: "Your attention, please. Dear friends and family, I, Marco Rubio, wish to invite you all to witness whom I shall be kissing: my true love, my bride, Jasmine Shepherd, in celebration of our wedding which has just taken place without masquerades, only pure heart. We thank you."

With the audience dumbfounded by what they see, it takes several minutes for everyone to realize what has transpired and clap in celebration for the newly married couple.

All eyes are on Marco and Jasmine, and no one notices how Venus leaves the hall, shedding her mask, costume, and make up as she exits. She calls for a cab and slams the car's door shut, ferrying herself away from the scene.

At their home, Marco appears to be entertaining a visitor in the garden. Their communication seems light and soft. When asked who the visitor was, Marco simply says, "That’s the university’s former janitor relating to me how it felt walking down the aisle with Venus and kissing her!"

In their marriage chamber, it doesn't take long for Marco and Jasmine to consummate their love. With passion burning in their eyes, Marco tilts his head as he draws closer to Jasmine's face, first rubbing the tip of his nose to hers. With lips touching and bodies drawing achingly close, Marco finds his hands seeking Jasmine's body. Even before reaching for her breasts, his face dives into the nape of her neck, inhaling deeply in her scent. Jasmine responds in turn, giving him total submission to his every move and allowing her hands to explore his masculine torso. Soon enough, Jasmine’s robe is thrown far from the bed as Marco positions himself beside her with his underwear pulled down and uniting himself with her.

Conscious that they are not alone in that house, Marco and Jasmine try to be discrete in their lovemaking. In the early morning hours, they are called to breakfast. One of the best gifts they receive was announced by Señora Rubio herself. With pride and delight, the mother of the new couple announces that she is giving the newlyweds a trip around the world.

The fantastic trip from Señora Rubio proposes an itinerary that is already fixed by the travel agency, and the first stop outside of Brazil is Niagara Falls, New York. Having heard that they will be travelling the eastern coast of the USA, Marco and Jasmine decide to visit the places where they first met and take time to visit friends from the region as well. The trip is scheduled to begin a week from that time, giving everyone enough time to prepare.

The newlyweds arrive on US soil once more, and this time they believe there will be no more problems, only an opportunity to love and enjoy each other with open freedom. After a memorable time in the Niagara Falls, Marco and Jasmine arrange for a flight to North Carolina where the two plan to visit relatives and old friends.

It's no surprise that North Carolina is a favourite spot for Marco and Jasmine. Being  beach lovers, the two waste no time hitting the beach once again after visiting Jasmine’s parents. They are on their way home when they happen to pass Monica’s home, and stop for an impromptu visit. They find her heavier and looking pregnant. Immediately, Jasmine rushed to her best friend to hug her tight when suddenly a familiar deep voice is heard: "Sweetheart?" Daniel comes into the home from the backyard. It is such a wonderful surprise for the two cousins, who give each other a backbreaking hug. Shortly, the four gather in Monica’s simple dining room, and Monica and Daniel update the newlyweds with the news that that they too plan on getting married soon.

That night, the Rubio couple decided to sleep over at their best friends' house and hang out together like before while preparing details for the upcoming nuptials. With Monica as their hostess, it is inevitable that she should move around to serve and entertain her very special guests. As the night fills with laughter and reminiscing, it takes some time for everybody to notice Monica has not come back from the backyard garden.

Alone in her condominium suite, Venus is once again toying with her wine glass while spending the night in her usual misery. Suddenly her phone rings with a call from the Hotels Association of North Carolina. Hanging up after that conversation, Venus quickly makes another call, clearly relaying some instructions. Her last words are emphasized with a loud voice as she looks truly irate. "Get her!"

At the house of Jasmine’s parents, some visitors from the local municipal hall are  interviewing them politely. The interview seemingly focuses on community life, but eventually reaches the topic of Jasmine and her Brazilian husband. At that point, Jasmine’s aged parents chatter excitedly and even mention that Jasmine and Marco are in town and staying at Monica’s house which is just outside of town. Quickly, the group of men politely thanked the old couple and take their leave. They are, in fact, hired by Venus to gain any information from Jasmine's parents that will help Venus in her plot for revenge.

Monica and Daniel’s backyard is not properly lit which makes it perfect for unsavoury activities. The goons hired by Venus are actually rookies, and are not skilled in kidnapping operations. The exact location is given to them, but these ill-intentioned men lose their target’s photo. Out of inexperience, they identify the first pregnant woman they see as the subject of their mistress' kidnapping mission.

Though moving secretly, Venus hurriedly carries a black attaché case close to her body. She makes sure that no one sees her as she enters an abandoned cabin hidden in the deserted area of the Northern Carolina forest.

Inside the cabin, Venus is greeted by a big bodied man dressed in black who leads her to a room at the rear of the cabin. She silently sneaks through the door, scrutinizes Monica’s body with a glance, and immediately leaves the room, forcefully pulling the man with her.

She is irate, but continues issuing commands to a gang of rookies. Compared to her rage, they looked tame. Monica wakes up in an unfamiliar place, and her first thought is of the baby inside her womb. Thankfully, there is no sign of force used against her nor any signs of maltreatment of her and her baby. She notices an unfamiliar handkerchief beside her face. She tries to recall where she was before she lost consciousness, and in her confusion, she calls for Daniel, believing he is outside.

No deep voice and no Latino accent immediately responds; instead, only a sound of the doorknob turning. Venus, now looking more poised and collected, approaches a very surprised Monica who is shocked to see her. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mother soon," greets Venus who starts clapping her hands sarcastically as she walks around the room. "Too bad you are Jasmine’s best friend…" Monica perspires as she begins to understand what is really happening. Gritting her teeth in anger, Monica shouts right in Venus' face, "What do you want from us?" Venus is quick to mock her with a sarcastic laugh, pulling Monica's chin up to look her square in the eyes. "You stupid bitch! What business do you really think I have with you if not for your best friend’s foolishness? Return Marco to me, and you and your child will go free!"

Meanwhile Daniel, Marco, and Jasmine are already searching the area around Monica’s house, and report the abduction to the local authorities. They are at the municipal hall precinct when Jasmine’s cell phone rings. On the other line she hears a woman's sarcastic voice greet her provokingly. "Hello, Jasmine... The choice is yours: Marco, or Monica with her unborn child." Jasmine is certain whose voice it belongs to, and knows that there is only one person who could follow through on such an evil threat. Venus intensifies the pressure by putting the phone to Monica’s mouth to let Jasmine hear her best friend’s voice: "Jasmine! Daniel, help me!"

"Venus, don’t hurt Monica and her baby!" Her furious reply undeniably catches the attention of everyone present, especially Marco and Daniel who are both looking restless and worried as they momentarily gather by Jasmine in an attempt to listen in on the call. "How would you like to see you and Monica back on the beaches of North Carolina while Marco and I use your sponsored trip? Next stop is Japan, yes? Tell Marco I’ll meet him there, or you’ll never see your best friend again." Before Jasmine could protest, the line goes dead.

Immediately Jasmine, Marco, and Daniel, looking tense, try to find a solution to save Monica's life. Marco holds his wife’s hand, and looking into her eyes he expresses willingness to give in to the demands of Venus if Jasmine will allow him.

It takes a while for Jasmine to make the tough decision, but upon remembering her best friend Monica and her baby, and seeing Daniel in tears, Jasmine agrees and sadly nods to her husband, who embraces her tightly.

Another sound produced by the mobile phone of Jasmine alerted all of those around her. It is a text most likely coming from Venus:

Marco and me in Suite 1207 of the High Society Hotel of Japan, while you welcome Monica back from where we got her… Deal?

Jasmine is still shaking when she passes her cell phone to Marco and Daniel. After a few attempts of trying to call Venus' phone back, Marco puts the phone down, only to receive another text message that read
My decision is final for that place, date, and exchange of persons.

After a private discussion with Daniel, Marco looks sad and desperate. Embracing Jasmine, he hands her the phone to show that he will give in to Venus' demands.

Tokyo, Japan

A shiny black limo is waiting for Marco when he steps out of Narita International Airport in Tokyo. With only Marco’s name boldly written on a flashcard, a uniformed driver needs no further instructions from Marco. Venus has already given the staff clear instructions on how to proceed, and the driver and Marco do not exchange a word. Even on board, Marco feels burdened though purposeful. His tension increases as he senses the car's approach to its destination. His lack of interest in Tokyo's cityscape is evident, as his head is bowed in thought during the trip from the airport.

At the hotel, Marco is welcomed by a hotel staff member who immediately escorts him to Venus' penthouse suite. Despite being exhausted, Marco's fury grows as the elevator ascends to the top of the building. Upon reaching the reserved suite, Marco snatches his luggage from the bellboy and opens the door himself and slams it shut.

Venus looks more seductive than ever. She has chosen to wear her hair down, which frames her fully made-up face. She is dressed in black lace teddy that reveals more skin than it covers. She is lying on the king-sized bed drinking a glass of wine and liberally puffs her cigarette. She waits for Marco with her legs apart, while the spaghetti straps of her teddy cascade down to her shoulders, emphasizing her breasts.

Instead of being seduced, Marco confronts Venus with a pointed finger before pulling her up by the shoulders and shaking her in anger. Barely controlling himself, Marco wants to kill Venus, yet she looks unaffected, as evidenced by her secret smile. Disgusted by what he feels, Marco throws her back on the bed and suddenly takes off all of his clothes, downing her glass of wine in one swallow. He throws the glass into the corner and returns his gaze to Venus, who by now is looking shocked and fearful of Marco’s angry reactions.

Venus starts to move away from him on the bed. Marco, completely naked, comes towards her not out of attraction, but in anger. He tears off her teddy forcefully  and throws it far from the bed. Squinting his eyes in anger, he attacks Venus with kisses that are more animalistic instinct than human. After a few moments of forceful kissing, Marco’s manhood is ready for penetration. He forcefully and unemotionally enters Venus roughly, and his frantic humping cause Venus to bleeding. Though she moans, it was evident that her sounds are from pain than pleasure. Marco never looks at Venus' face, and relies on his instincts which eventually cause severe scratches and bleeding of Venus' private body parts.