No sharper sting than your hope being shattered.  — Unknown          

The loud banging on the door awakened the residents of the Jaramillo house. 

Loud footsteps bounced against the walls as everyone raced out from their various rooms. They all collided at the end of the stairs. 

Who could that be? The family members asked with their eyes. 

With trepidation surging through them, they stalked towards the door that shook from its hinges with the continuous knocking. The group huddled together as Timothy took his place in front of the door.

Paloma watched her father's hand tremble as he placed it on the doorknob. She placed a hand on her chest and whispered words of prayer. 

Time seemed to stop as Timothy pulled the door open. Surprise coursed through everyone as they faced their unexpected visitor. 

A young man decked in black suspenders and a light blue shirt stared back at them. A backpack as black as his suspenders hung from his shoulder. His cyan eyes darted to the face of each family member. 

"Good morning." He gave a curt nod.

"Morning; how can we help you?" Timothy asked in a cold voice. 

"One minute." The young man opened his backpack and produced a slim white envelope. "This is for you." He stretched it out to Timothy. 

Timothy collected it. "Thank you." 

"Good day." The man gave another nod, turned on his heels, and disappeared down the road. 

Timothy pushed the door close and turned around. "Let's head to the sitting room."

The group trudged to the sitting room and filled the empty spaces. Unease hung over the room as everyone sat with bated breaths. Paloma's eyes bore into the envelope as she struggled to figure out its contents. 

"Open it, Tim," Elena broke the silence. "I can't tolerate the suspense."

"Yeah," he breathed out. 

Paloma subconsciously leaned forward as he broke the seal. Her eyes followed his every move until a white paper folded to precision slipped out. 

Paloma's heartbeat increased as he opened it and his eyes flew over the words. Her nervousness increased as his face morphed into a scowl. 

He put down the paper and looked up with dark eyes. "We have been summoned to the government house."

Gasps filled the room and their fright heightened. 

"Why?" Elena rasped out with wide eyes. 

"What do they want?" Iris asked. 

"What if they throw us in jail?" Alexa questioned with a trembling voice. 

Elena's face turned pale and she clutched her chest. "I hope that's not it." 

Panic erupted within Paloma. Her stomach squeezed as dread pricked at her. 

"Let's not think so negatively!" Timothy said in a calm voice. "They may want to discuss some things with us." 

Paloma nodded vigorously but her heart remained unconvinced. "When is the meeting?" 

"In two hours."

"That means we only have an hour to prepare," Iris rushed out. "That's such a short time."

"Yes! So I guess we should start now."

"Agreed! We can't spare one minute." Juan jumped to his feet. "I will prepare the car. Come along, Sal."

"I am right behind you guys." Timothy slapped his trousers and stood up. The three males ambled out, leaving the ladies in silence. 

"So… let's start doing things," Elena's eyes darted between her daughters. 

"I will make breakfast." Iris rose. 

"And I will assist you," Alexa chimed in and jumped up. 

"I will help mamà get ready." Paloma rose and took her place behind her mother's wheelchair. 

The family members dispersed to complete their various tasks. Several minutes later, they crowded around the dinner table. However, something was different. No one ate their food. 

Paloma found herself unable to eat a bite and she noticed the plates of her siblings remained untouched. After some coaxing from both Elena and Timothy, they managed to take some bites off their plates. 

With hunched shoulders and fearful hearts, they buckled up and headed toward their destination. A deafening silence floated around the car. Everyone sat with rigid backs and sober expressions. 

Steelfort's government house—a towering edifice came into view. The intimidating structure injected fright into the hearts of everyone in the car. 

After parking in the guest parking lot, the family alighted. Salvador shivered and shifted closer to Paloma. Paloma wrapped her arm around him. Her heart bled at the terrified expression on his face. He didn't deserve to witness the cruelty of the government. If she had her way, he would have been at home. But the painful words of the letter made her helpless. 

Everyone—human and beast living In the Jaramilo residence are required to present themselves at the government house at 10 a.m.

The words hunted her and her heart constricted with pain. She was finding it difficult to forgive the government for all their atrocities against her family and the other citizens of Steelfort. 

Her reverie was broken as they stalled in front of the fierce door of the government house. The snarling dog never ceased to frighten her. 

Finally, the huge wooden doors swung open and glistening chandeliers welcomed them. If it was a different occasion, Paloma would have admired the grandeur of the interior. However, all she saw was the tears of the people as the government left them in penury by carting away their money under the pretext of paying taxes.

The marble tiles, the drooping diamond chandeliers, the silk curtains, and all the other pieces of decorations were gained by depriving the citizens of basic social amenities. 

Disgust and anger welled within her and she balled her fist. Her eyes briefly flickered shut as she tried to suppress her fury. Her eyes peeled open and the frowning face of the receptionist greeted her. 

A mischievous smile split on her face and she called out to him in a sing-song voice, " Mr. Ricardo!" 

He turned to face her and his scowl deepened. "It's you again; with more people. You can find your way out," he said in a bored tone and turned back to his laptop. 

Paloma felt nothing but amusement rather than annoyance. She grinned wider and stepped closer.  "Isn't it ironic this time we were requested to come?" 

He scoffed. "Who would request to meet people like you?"

"Hmmm, true! But I believe your boss, the governor did." She giggled. 

"I don't believe it. The governor doesn't mingle with people like you." 

"Well, I guess he has gotten so used to dealing with nuisances like you," Iris spat out. 

He glared at her. "Watch it, girl!" 

Iris snorted. "Then behave yourself." 

Laughter threatened to spill out of Paloma's mouth and she bit her cheek to keep it in. However, her amusement didn't fade and she said with a smile, "Well, sir, you can be rid of us if you just check the appointment list and tell us where to meet the governor." 

His lips thinned and he huffed. "Fine! Anything to get rid of you." 

Paloma watched him turn back to his laptop screen. The ticking of a clock filled the silence. 

His eyes darted up. "Go down to the end of the hallway, take the last right turn, and enter the first door on your left." 

Paloma smiled. "Thank you!" 

He grunted. "Whatever. Just be going."

Paloma chuckled but remained silent. The family sauntered down the long corridor. They succeeded in keeping straight faces when the eyes of various staff and workers bore into them.  

Finally, they stalled in front of a door with a private sign hanging on it. No one attempted to open the door.  Paloma's nervousness kicked in as she thought of what could happen behind the door. 

After what felt like hours, Timothy gave a swift knock. A couple of minutes later, the door swung open and familiar blues eyes welcomed them.  

Ramona gave a quick nod. "Come in," she whispered and opened the door wider.  

The family slipped into the room and their anxiety increased. Paloma's eyes scanned the room. A huge desk sat by a large window with a swiveling chair tucked behind it. Two chairs sat in front of the desk. A plasma Tv covered the left wall and a long white L-shaped couch was stationed to the right. Artworks in monochrome colors of black and white hung on the walls. 

"Please have your seats. The governor will be in shortly," Ramona said and gestured to the couch.  

One by one, they stiffly took their seats. Their shoulders tensed and they held their breaths. Paloma gazed at Ramona who wore an anxious expression and fiddled with her fingers. 

A slight frown marred Paloma’s forehead. 

"Are you okay?" She asked. 

Ramona gave a short nod.  ”Yes,” she croaked and her eyes darted around with fear visible in them. 

Unease climbed up Paloma's spine.  Ramona's behavior declared that the situation was not in their favor. A thick lump formed in her throat and her fright doubled. 

Oh Lord, please take control. 

The silence thickened as their wait increased.  They used their eyes to speak as fear bound them from talking. 

They jumped in terror as the door suddenly swung open with a bang. Three figures appeared in the doorway. A boxy lady with hard eyes stood to the left and next to her, a short man in a long jacket with a thin face and wily eyes stared at them.  And then the third figure sent chills down Paloma's spine. It was none other than Sebastian Aleric. A long man with cunning eyes and an evil smirk. 

Paloma's stomach roiled as the trio pranced in without taking their eyes off them. The door clicked shut behind them. It felt like a seal to their fate. 

The short man stood in front of the TV and smirked. "Well, well, well, we finally found the mole." He crossed his arms and turned to Timothy. "Timothy Jaramilo." He tsked, "how could I miss the name?" 

Paloma's breath caught and her eyes raced to her father who spotted dark eyes with disdain radiating off him. Her blood chilled at the man's next words. 

"You deserve to be punished!" He sneered. 

Elena, Iris, and Alexa released a gasp, and Paloma's heart raced.  

"Your punishment is that you would be the person to pull down the first set of trees on the first day of the deforestation.” His lips curled into a wicked grin.

Paloma’s heart somersaulted and bile rose to her throat

“I will do no such thing!” Timothy spat out.

“Then prepare to go to jail,” said a new voice.

The eyes of everyone turned to the owner of the voice. Sebastian Aleric stared back at them with furious eyes and an ugly scowl. He crossed his arms and threw daggers at Timothy.

"Yes. If you don't cooperate, you shall be thrown in jail for sharing the company's sensitive information and for trying to sabotage the project," the short man said. 

"No!" Her mother muttered under her breath and clutched her chest. Her shoulders trembled as she wept.  

Paloma whirled to face the man and terror poked her all over her body as she gazed at the seriousness gleaming in his eyes. 

Oh Lord, do something. Things are getting out of hand. 

She spied a look at her father. His knuckles were white as snow and a vein ticked in his jaw.  

"I will not go to jail because I did nothing wrong!"

The short man scoffed. "We shall see about that." An evil glint appeared in his eyes. 

Paloma's panic heightened and goosebumps crept all over her body. 

The attention of everyone was claimed as a throat cleared.  

"Now that has been cleared, let's get to the main reason for the meeting,"  Sebastian said and took his seat behind the gigantic desk. 

 The eyes of everyone in the room landed on him. Paloma's heartbeats sped up as he picked up the printed copy of the petition and waved it in the air. His scathing gaze fell on the group and they tensed.  

"I received your proposal." He chortled with an amusement expression. "I must say, it is quite detailed and articulate." He leaned back in his seat.  "However, it has no impact on my decision." He grinned and a gold tooth sparkled. 

Paloma exhaled sharply and the lump in her throat thickened. Hot tears burned her eyes. She felt the hopes of her family and other citizens get shattered again. 

A searing pain pierced her heart.  She watched his amused expression change to an ominous look. A look that scalded her family. 

He crossed his hands on his desk, leaned forward with dark hard eyes, and narrowed his eyes at them.

"I suggest you all should spend the next few days in your beloved forest.  Because in exactly a week, you can kiss it goodbye forever." A sadistic smile hovered on his lips. 

The finality of his words slammed into Paloma and shook her to the core. Her eyes flickered shut as one tear slid down her face. 

                            ★★★★

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Until next time, keep hope alive. XD