5 Cousins

LUNA

My body ached when I woke up. And I’m still wearing my gown I wore last night. I got up and changed my clothes then sat down on my bed again. When we arrived last night, my mind and body were very tired.

Why do I have to love Dylan like this? He doesn't worth my love, my tears, even my soul! But why him? Please. Answer me, Heart. Why do you still love him? Why can't we hate him? Why is he still the one you're beating even though he's hurting us?!

I was startled when there was a sudden knock on my door. I stood up and slowly opened it. Dylan's blank face flashed at me. Isn't he in today?

My damned heart is here again. It throbbed fast again. I averted my gaze.

He cleared his throat. "You have a visitor. It's downstairs."

I nodded. "Okay."

He nodded as well and turned away. I went out and closed my bedroom door. I followed it. I want to hold it and hug it, but I have no right. He is not mine. I'm just up to paper.

I collided on his back when he suddenly stopped. I immediately took a step back when he turned around.

"I-I'm sorry."

I would have been ready to catch his wrath.

"It's okay." I almost gasped because this was the first time, he said it was okay.

He didn't hit me or give me a sharp look. Even though its face was blank, I was still surprised by what it said. His forehead furrowed as I stared at him intently. I averted my gaze and bit my lower lip. I was just amazed because he knew the word 'okay'.

He cleared his throat and looked to the front. I followed what it was looking at. Draw a smile on my lips when I see who it is. The woman is now sitting on the sofa in the middle of our living room. Even though she has dark glasses I was still able to identify her. It stood up. I automatically ran to her and hugged her.

"Aunt Vivian! What a pleasant surprise!" I said happily.

She reciprocated with a hug. "I missed you, honey."

Aunt Vivian is Dad’s only sister, I’m close to her. She was Camille and I's mother because she was so smart. Because this is my escape when my dad scolds me when I was a child, she also takes care of me.

"Y-You came back." My voice almost trembled when I said that. I missed her so much.

"Of course! I found out about your sister. Your father told me. Why did she leave without letting me know? Oh my! That sister of yours is very active. She can't stay at one place."

Auntie doesn’t know why Camille left and about the wedding. Didn't Dad tell him? Probably, because they might get angry again. I would rather keep quiet than be the cause of their anger again.

Aunt Vivian thinks everyone is fair, that's why I love her so much. She treats you even if you are a farmer. Because for her, the existence of every single creature is important.

I took a deep breath and smiled sadly at her. "I missed you, Auntie. You don't know how much I missed you."

"Oh. Me too, my dearest." She hugged me but also immediately moved away a bit. "Anyway, you looked terrible. Why?"

"Oh. Ahm." I don't know what to answer here. I bit my lower lip and averted my eyes from it. I saw Dylan watching my Aunt and me. His stare is cold. I was devastated when our eyes met. My gaze returned to Aunt Vivian. "Auntie, I'm cleaning my room— our room."

"Oh, is that so? You should just get an assistant." She turned to Dylan and smiled. "What do you think, Dylan?"

"N-No, Auntie. I can—"

"I agree." He simply says and came to us. My heart started beating faster. I was surprised when he hugged me. Thank goodness that Aunt Vivian didn't miss that. "I also don't want my wife to have a hard time, Tita."

I looked up at him. "No, Dylan. I-I can do it."

I know it's just acting and not everything he says is true.

He squeezed my shoulder softly. "I insist. I'm your husband. I should just give you everything you need."

I was speechless at what he said. Why even though it's acting my heart is still beating fast and I seem to want to hope that's true. Tsk! Goodbye!

"How sweet!" I looked at Auntie. Her hands clasped and Dylan and I smiled. "Oh! Before I forgot. I invite you to come to my Resort Blessing in Batangas."

"Resort?"

"Yes! Isn't that cool! Villa Narcissu already opened!" She giggled. "Besides, your two cousins also will come home from Japan, Luna. They want to see you."

"Kristian and Trey? They're here! Oh, goodie!" I beamed. When Auntie left, my two cousins were with me. I used to play with them, and we were close to each other.

"When will they arrive, Auntie?"

"Tomorrow. So, come to the resort." Tita replied.

Suddenly my smile also dissolved. Maybe Dylan has a meeting tomorrow or something is scheduled. "U-Uhm, Auntie, my husband might—"

"We will go." Dylan's immediate response surprised me.

"R-Really?"

"Yes." He says coldly.

To my great excitement, I couldn’t even restrain myself from embracing it. "Thank you. Thank you."

When my excitement subsided, I only realized that my hug with Dylan had lasted. I was about to go away when he wrapped his hand around my waist so I couldn't get away. My heart was beating Spartan again.

"It's okay." He whispered in my ear. I swallowed because his hot breath hit my ear. My hair stood on end as well.

What's going on? Why even though I knew it was just acting, I couldn’t help but think that it would have been true. Dylan's gentle hug with me. The touch of his warm palm on my shoulder earlier. This is how it feels to be embraced by Dylan Caden Reyes. The sweetness of the feeling.

I have been dreaming of this for a long time. To hold and hug Dylan.

Shit! Why when I want to forget him then he made me feel it.

My system keeps going crazy. I want more. I just want us to be like this. When will that happen? Can I stop the time first so that I can feel it even more? How many years have I wished this had happened?

I like to think that is true. Please, just for now, let me think that everything he shows is true.

"It's okay. Your auntie's watching." Even before my illusion began, Dylan ended it immediately.

He just wanted to hug me because my aunt was watching. Is he okay or am I just assuming?

"You're heartless, Dylan," I whispered. I cast spells several times to hold back the tears. It's embarrassing if I cry in front of Tita Vivian.

"I know. You don't have to tell me."