Chapter 1338 - Oni Vs Marija (1)

~ France, the Chateau ~

June 12

8:07 AM

Sarah and Aiden are in the living room, per Marija's request. Everyone else from the Sigma army is present, as well as Michael and Oni. 

The only one from the Chateau's guests missing in the room is Eliza.

Sarah wanted to keep this talk for after breakfast. If her guess is right, some of them will lose appetite by the time they are done. But Marija insisted that they meet as soon as possible, eager to get some things out in the open.

Considering that this is not going to be a pleasant talk, Aiden told Sarah that he will be by her side. It's not that he thinks how Sarah can't handle Marija if she starts causing a ruckus, but he believes that his presence will show Marija that Sarah has his support.

Sarah expected that Marija will ask for a talk in private, with a goal to discuss the incident at the dock during Sarah's and Aiden's wedding party, and she was surprised when Marija said how she wants Oni and Michael to be here. Sarah thought how maybe Marija wants an open chat with everyone involved in the incident to be present, but Sarah absolutely does not understand why are Petar, Lucija, Tereza, Emir and Mishi necessary. Well, she will find out soon.

Part of Sarah hopes that Marija will make a scene. With everyone present, this is a perfect setting to show to everyone how Marija is not a good team player and that it will be a mistake to keep her as a member of their group. And there is another part of Sarah which hopes that Marija will apologize and start over. But Sarah knows that even if Marija decided to fix her act, it will be difficult to prove it and Sarah will always be wary of her. 

"We are all here, as you requested.", Sarah told Marija and gestured that she can start speaking. She wants to hear what Marija has to say first.

Marija glanced at everyone in the room before she started talking in an official tone: "As all of you know, my name is being dragged wrongly for some things. I'm not saying I didn't do it, but I believe that it's exaggerated and that others are guilty of the same offense, if not worse, and I don't like double standards where someone's actions are protected while I am being chastised."

"Can you be less cryptic?", Lucija asked.

"I am talking to Sarah.", Marija said smugly, indicating that Lucija should be quiet.

Emir snorted, not happy that his breakfast is being delayed for this. "Marija, you called for all of us to be here, so we have the right to speak up. Right? Or are we here only to be the audience for your show?"

"OK. Fine. This whole thing started when Sarah told me to stay away from Jesse because Oni is in love with him." Marija made a dramatic pause.

Sarah frowned. That is not exactly how it went, but that is probably how Marija sees it. 

"And?", Mishi asked flatly. He is not happy about this Marija-centered meeting either. It obviously has nothing to do with him. He left Eliza by herself in the room, and they should eat breakfast by now. Eliza is pregnant and if this drags for too long, she will be hungry, and then she gets cranky.

Marija ignored others. She turned to Sarah. "Sarah, you believe that Oni is an innocent and inexperienced girl who needs someone to stand up for her. And that is why you told me to stay away from Jesse, right?"

"No. I believe that her feelings are pure while you are looking for some casual fun, and I told you that sometimes your fun can cause irreparable damage for the people who are truly in love.", Sarah explained.

"Aha! Pure? Truly in love? Let me show you this…", Marija tapped on her phone and sent messages to everyone in the room (except for Oni and Michael).

Sarah's eyebrows shoot up at the sight of photos: Michael and Oni making out in the kitchen. She saw that two people in question are looking around without a clue what is going on, so Sarah swiftly forwarded them the photos.

Oni opened the messages from Sarah and was uncomfortable. Is everyone seeing this? She told herself to be cool. It's just kissing. They all did it and it's not a big deal.

Michael frowned. Marija took photos of them? For what purpose? And why did she forward them to everyone? 

"If you want to make me hungrier by showing me photos with food on them, you succeeded.", Emir said while pointing at the sandwich Oni is holding in the photo which is shown on his screen.

Marija rolled her eyes at Emir. "This is not about food. Focus on the two people on the photo!"

"Yeah, we can see it's the two of them.", Petar gestured toward Michael and Oni. "They are kissing. So?"

Marija waved him to be patient. "I want to show you that Oni is not so innocent. And Jesse carried her out of the kitchen, princess style, while she promised that she will take care of him. In. The. Bed."

Sarah didn't see where this is going. Oni told Sarah that she and Michael are only holding hands and Sarah believes her, why would she lie? But even if Marija's insinuation is true, why is she bringing that up like this in front of everyone? 

"Is that it?", Sarah did her best not to be sarcastic.

Marija made a face and turned to Michael. "Are you aware that while you are all over Oni, she is actually dating Michael?"

Michael was stupefied by this statement. "What?" Did she say in an accusing tone that Oni is dating him? Should he be upset because of that?

He heard that Marija calls him Jesse, but he thought that it's out of habit and not because she does not know that his real name is Michael. Since he told Oni his real name and decided not to use Jesse as an alias, he requested from few others to call him Michael and the news spread quickly. He assumed that Marija found out about it (like everyone else).

Marija lifted her chin proudly, happy with his reaction, believing that it's because he found out that Oni is cheating on him. She added some more spike: "I heard Oni talk with her friends at the hotel. She confirmed that she is dating Michael and she bragged how they spent a night together. Do you still think that she is an innocent girl who deserves your attention?"

Michael glanced at Oni and his lips curved into a smile. 'She is bragging that she slept with me?'

"Marija, what is the point of this?", Sarah was losing her patience. She can see that Marija is insulting Oni, but does she think that it will make Oni and Michael break up? Or is Marija's goal for Sarah to dislike her?

Marija's temper was rising. Why is everyone looking at her like she is the bully? She has the evidence! "Are you still defending her? She is obviously two-timing. Look at the photos from last night. She is all over Jesse, and he carried her to his room late last night, and only two nights ago she slept with Michael. You accused me of meddling in-between them because I am looking for casual fun while she is truly in love! How is this in love if she is sleeping around?" 

Marija turned to the members of the Sigma army. "All of you are having accusatory looks, telling me in one way or another that I should be ashamed for my behavior… Don't you see that everyone is like that?" 

Mishi shook his head in disagreement with Marija. "Your statements are incorrect. Most of us don't care about your behavior, and you are wrong if you think that everyone is finding fun in the same way you do."

Tereza nodded in agreement with Mishi and added: "I am looking at you in disbelief because I see no good reason behind you calling all of us here just to discuss Oni's dating habits."

Marija exhaled in frustration. "I am irked that I am being judged while someone else gets a free pass."

Marija pointed with her index finger at Oni. "Because of you Sarah scolded me, Jesse rejected me, and even my friends think that I've lost my mind! But now I exposed you. You are scheming and devious. You pushed me into the lake! You slut!"

Michael stood in front of Oni and glared at Marija. How dares she call Oni names? "Take that back." 

Marija could not believe that he is defending her. "Jesse, don't you see that she deceived you? Why are you protecting her? She slept with Michael! She obviously likes him more than you, she even called him her boyfriend and what are you? No one."

"I am Michael.", he growled. 

Marija blinked, unsure if she heard him correctly. "What?"

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