ESTELA

*𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤*

"Why are you crying?"

Zhander patted me on the head.

My two chubby little hands covered my eyes so he wouldn't see my tears.

I was squatting at the corner of our garden, crying nonstop until he disturbed my alone time.

"M-my b-brother . . . H-he . . . poison . . . *hic . . ." Zhander crouched and coaxed, "Your brother will be fine.

He was found in time."

He then poked my cheek.

"Hey, if your brother knows you're crying like this, he'll be worried about you, and it might affect his recovery."

I stopped crying and raised my head, looking at him with teary eyes.

"Why are you crying?"

Zhander patted me on the head.

My two chubby little hands covered my eyes so he wouldn't see my tears.

I was squatting at the corner of our garden, crying nonstop until he disturbed my alone time.

"M-my b-brother . . . H-he . . . poison . . . *hic . . ." Zhander crouched and coaxed, "Your brother will be fine.

He was found in time."

He then poked my cheek.

"Hey, if your brother knows you're crying like this, he'll be worried about you, and it might affect his recovery."

I stopped crying and raised my head, looking at him with teary eyes.

Zhander was smiling. It wasn't a smile my brother usually gave me nor my parents nor my friends nor anyone else for that matter.

No . . .

I didn't understand it at first.

"Come on. I'm sure Cain is worried about you. Storming off like that." He stood and extended his hand at me.

I didn't grab it. I didn't know why, but I didn't want him to see me in my vulnerable state.

I thought he would leave, but instead, he carried me into his arms like I weighed nothing when I didn't accept his opened palm.

"Let's go back."

He chuckled when I pouted at him.

He's treating me like a kid! Well, I am a kid. Nine years old.

Zhander was sixteen, so he was a lot taller and a lot manlier and handsome while I was chubby, little, and childish.

At that time. In his arms –– all I ever thought was to grow faster.

꧁꧂

"Happy birthday, little Stela."

Zhander gave me a big box wrapped in rainbow-pony

designs complete with large ribbons.

I restrained from throwing the box on his face.

I knew what it was –– a dollhouse.

Was that the type of present you give to a fourteen-year- old lady? I wonder.

"Thank you~."

"And this is from me."

Saoirse, Zhander's latest girlfriend, beamed a plastic smile.

"Thanks~!" I said and turned to Zhander. "I don't like her."

Was all I said before I smiled my sweetest at Saoirse and left them there to greet the other guests.

It was not the first.

I didn't know how many times that Zhander introduced me to his girlfriends. I didn't understand why he did that. But every time he did, I slapped my disdain and disapproval on their faces.

꧁꧂

"W-what? Break up?!"

I stopped on my tracks.

I wanted to get some fresh air, so I went into our garden, and this scene was playing in front of me.

"You heard me."

"W-what did I do wrong? We've only gotten together for a month, and everything was fine!"

"I lost interest."

Saoirse was taken aback. Tears rolled on her cheeks.

"Zhander," I called.

I didn't want these kinds of scene to progress any further on my birthday.

Saoirse ran towards me, bumping her body against mine and shot me a spiteful glare before she disappeared.

What's her problem?

I didn't mind.

Oddly, I knew she and Zhander would break up.

I wonder why I think that is? Could I predict the future?

I giggled.

"Little Stela, why are you here?"

Before I knew it, Zhander was already in front of me. He bent his body, so his eyes were leveled with mine.

"Getting some air~. Why did you break up~?" Zhander smiled and patted my head.

Again, what's with that smile?

"You're too young to understand."

I shifted my head away from his palm and pouted. "I'm already fourteen. I'm already a lady!"

𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸!

We turned towards that sound. Lily Fay, my mother, was snickering at the corner while taking pictures of us.

I arched an eyebrow at her.

"Mom, you do know that we can see you, right?"

𝗢𝗵𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗵𝗼!

My mother just laughed and approached us.

"Zhander, your grandfather is looking for you. Time for you to go home," she said.

Zhander's face turned formal. He said his goodbyes with all respect before he walked out of the garden.

I didn't know why I was annoyed at my mother at this very moment.

I snapped at her, giving her a piece of my mind.

She just beamed, unaffected by my scary glares. "Don't be mad at me. Here, I'll give you this," she cooed, handing me her phone.

On the screen was Zhander and me, captured moments ago. I stared on the screen and zoomed on our faces.

Why is Zhander's eyes and mine have the same spark? I didn't remember that I smiled at him.

Why is his smile almost the same as mine?

I wonder.

"Ohohoho, say the magic words, honey. I can have you and Zhander marry each other."

"What?"

I look at my mother, bewildered.

My mother laughed knowingly.

"Haven't you realize it yet? You and Zhander are in love!"

꧁꧂

"Little Stela, why did you call me in the middle of the night?"

I hesitated. Didn't know where to begin. "Little Stela?"

I took a deep breath. "Zhanderiminlovewithyou!"

...

...

"What?"

I took a deep breath.

"Zhanderiminlovewithyou!"

.....

.....

Zhander chuckled

"I love you too."

My heart stopped. My lips spread in a wide grin. My whole body radiated happiness that I was literally hopping from joy.

"You mean it?!" I said, almost shouting.

Zhander stifled a laugh as he replied, "Of course I love

you. You're like a little sister to me."

.....

.....

Ohhhh~ it is sooooo on!

*𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤*