C24: Megan

I slowly turned around to see my reflection in the mirror as I finish preparing myself for the Castillo twins' party. My knees are wobbly like jelly, making it harder to walk using these pair of high heels. Evangeline taught me well – from how to carry myself, and even the manners on how to talk to people who have a higher social status. She told me how they talk, think, and act. Arthur and Vincent belong to the upper-classmen in society, considering that their father is the vice mayor of our city, and they own a mining company. I expect that their acquaintances and friends are similar to that. I wonder if Arthur's parents would see me as a gold-digger? I'm not a poor girl, but I belong to the middle class. I guess what's left is to hope for the best.

I'm all set. My hands are cold and sweaty, but this will be over soon.

A few minutes later, I went downstairs to wait for the car that I booked, and my brother who's sitting on the floor next to the living room table saw me, his eyes popped out.

"Woah there, sis. Is that you?" he rubbed his eyes with his hands to make sure that he's not seeing things. "Wow. You're stunning."

I pouted and rolled my eyes as I heard his comments. "Don't exaggerate it. Eve taught me about all these things. From how to tie my hair up like this, how to walk, act, and all that. I feel nervous, though. You should've come with me. Arthur himself invited you."

"I told you. I have a school project to finish. Tell him happy birthday for me. Do you have a gift for him?" Jiro asked.

"That was hard to think for me, honestly, knowing he's the kind who has everything. Since he likes reading, I got him a book," and inside it was a bookmark and a letter, with a hardcopy of one of our photos together – details that Jiro isn't supposed to know. Ha.

Meanwhile, the car booking app flashed 'your driver has arrived' and I hurriedly went outside to leave.

"Have a nice night!" Jiro said, but I didn't bother to look back.

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The air is cool as I got out of the car that raised goosebumps on my arms. The moonlight bounces, illuminating the yard in a beautiful blue, dark aura. I closed my eyes and inhaled, count, and exhale. I unclenched my jaw and massaged my temples. Finally, I'm in The Royal Garden, where the event will be held. The guard asked for my invitation, and I showed it to him, allowing me to enter.

A few seconds later, I felt like I'm floating, like I've been electrified, as if every nerve in my body pulses with joy as a familiar person walked towards me, wearing a welcoming smile that makes my heart stir.

"I've been waiting for you," Arthur said, his smile removed the nervousness I've been dealing with since I left home. "I've been waiting here for around 10 minutes, and since I'm not good at waiting, I already had the thoughts that you're not coming. Anyways, you're beautiful. You look perfect, even."

"I … thanks. You're too pessimistic. How can I not come? Besides, I'm like, half an hour early. Sorry to keep you waiting, though."

Arthur shook his head. "No, it's my fault for being impatient. So, shall we?" he offered a hand, and I reached for it. For some reason, the formality makes it feel weird because it makes me feel like I'm going to a prom or a masquerade party.

The room is not full of people, not yet at least, and the tables are a mixture of red and blue. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and the sheer, billowy blue curtains are against the red walls.

Arthur stopped and faced me. "You'll be sitting with my parents. They're quite eager to meet you, especially mom. Don't be nervous, they're nice people. Just relax, okay?"

"Ah, right. I'll try." I replied, almost stuttering. Butterflies started flying in my stomach, my heart pounding in my chest. I hate this feeling. I already managed to relax earlier when I saw him, but the thought that I'll be with his parents makes me shiver. He led me in an empty table, and I sit there, my hands on top of the other below the table, shaking.

"I hate to say this, but I have to talk to some other guests to welcome them. I'll be back, I promise. My parents will come soon, probably five minutes from now. They'll accompany you." Without letting me say more, he turned back, but I grabbed his wrist with my shaking hand. He looked back, his eyes asking the question, 'why.'

"It's … nothing," I faked a smile as I let go of his wrist, and he nodded as he leaves. I immediately pulled out my phone and searched for Evangeline's name to send her a text, but before I do, a familiar voice suddenly greeted me.

"That's so irresponsible of him. He can't even accompany his girlfriend. It's a shame, really," I looked back to see who the voice was from and it was Vincent, his arms raised in surrender. "Sorry, I was just being honest."

"… and jerk. Honest jerk." I added, and he laughed as he pulled a seat next to me and sat down.

"Can't you even see that he's always leaving you hanging? He's a nice person when you're around but he can't even take care of you."

Of all the people, Vincent is truly the last person I wanted to talk to tonight.

"Do you even know how to stop being a jerk? Arthur may not be a perfect boyfriend, but I can at least appreciate his efforts."

Vincent's eyes narrowed, and he let out a sigh. "Love truly blinds people; don't you think? Is there even such a thing as effort? Anyway, I'll stop teasing you. I have a gift for my brother that will truly make him happy, so you can still say that even if I'm acting like this, I still want him to be happy."

His facial expression became serious and he lowered his voice. "I'm not joking about what I texted you. If you can't be my queen, I'm not letting you become his woman." With that warning, he left.

Vincent confessed his feelings to me long ago, and I'm certain that Arthur knows about that even if I didn't tell him. The two look both alike, and my brother Jiro even teased that if Arthur doesn't really love me, I can always go for the Vincent because they look the same. It's not like it's all about the face. Vincent is a jerk, Arthur is kind and humble. Deep down, I know that Arthur isn't serious about me and Vincent isn't lying about that. His warning, however, scares me, because his honesty sounds dangerous. Something isn't right.

I looked at the right side to see what's up, and I saw a familiar face seating alone a few tables away from our table – Lancelot, wearing a black suit and a gray tie. He's poker-faced as usual, his eyes cold as ice, making him look like a humorless tyrant. How can he be here? Does he know Arthur and

Vincent?

I curl my hands into a fist, holding myself back from standing up to approach him. The temptation and curiosity, however, kills me from the inside. My instincts are telling me that something's wrong here.

I picked up the program on the table to see if there's any chance for the guests to talk or something, but the only thing written here is:

 Welcoming the guests

 The grand entrance of the celebrants

 Opening prayer

 Welcome remarks & Welcome toasts

 Game

 Song number

 Dinner & Photobooth time

 Message for the celebrants (Family, friends, etc.)

 Message from the celebrants to their guests

 Fireworks display

If Arthur's parents would be here, there's no way I can leave unless I'm going to the washroom, is there? This is so annoying. I wish I have Lance's number because I can't help but feel restless with him here. We're not having conflicts nor I'm afraid of him, but simply because something feels off. The curiosity is killing me.

"Hello, dear. You must be Megan," my scattered thoughts faded as I got pulled back to reality, where an elegant woman greeted me, together with her lover. What's obvious here is this – this is likely to be the twins' parents.

"Good evening, ma'am. It's nice to meet you," I offered a hand, and they both shook it. Wow, this guy … he really is the vice mayor of our city. I can't believe I'll see him this close one day. Moreover, as my boyfriend's father. He looked away, and I can't help but wonder where his eyes are focused on, but it's certainly in Lance's direction. Lance, however, is unaware of it.

"Honey, is that him?" she looked at the same direction being pointed by him, and her eyes were suddenly filled with an unexplained sadness.

"Yes, it's him. I can't believe he came," she replied. "I don't know what to feel now."

My mind is filled with questions as they completely forgot my existence. Are they looking at Lance, and if they do, why?

She shrugged it off and sat next to me. "I'm sorry, we were carried away. My name is Annabelle, and he's Chris," Chris is out of our conversation, his eyes looking at nowhere, wearing a facial expression that I couldn't read. "I know you're Arthur's girlfriend, but ironically, Vincent told me a lot about you."

My eyes widened, hearing something I'm least expecting. "W-What?"

"You heard it right. Whenever Vincent and I talk, you're a part of the topics. He hardly stops talking about you. So, I at least have an idea of how you're like. He sees you in school often, anyways. He said that he's lucky that even if you're having different college degrees, you two happened to be in the same class in history class. He said that you're a great and smart student. That's so nice to hear,"

As she talks, the host began welcoming the guests, but she didn't bother to look. She was obviously thrilled to talk to me. "I've heard that you're also good at volleyball. He used to watch you in your P.E. class."

Wait, what? Vincent did that? Is he … following me around? Is he aware that his mother is telling me all these right now?

"… you must be sporty. Oh, and by the way, you look gorgeous. You exceeded my expectations. Truly you are beautiful, just like how Vincent said."

"I … I am flattered, thanks. I wasn't expecting that." At the corner of my eyes, I already see the twins entering the venue, and even though people are clapping, Annabelle was still focused on me. It gives me the idea that we should stop caring about the event, but we should just talk all night. "You and Vincent seem to be close."

She smiled warmly and nodded. "He is. He'll hate me for saying this, but you can call him as mama's boy. On the other hand, Arthur is closer to his dad, so it's fair."

"Now I see the picture," I don't know what else to say. The only thing I can't help but wonder about is how much Vincent knows about me.

"Did Vincent tell you that … I'm a simple, person that belongs to the middle-class?" that question is one way to embarrass myself, but it's better to know their point of view than know it later.

"Yes, and we don't mind. I don't discriminate people's social status. That's often how people see rich people, but it's not healthy to generalize. Vincent told me that you're having a part-time job in a restaurant. I can tell you're hardworking. Balancing school and work must be hard."

An hour later, it was dinner time, and Annabelle and I did the talking literally all throughout. I can tell that she likes me and is eager to know me, which is good, but what made things worse was when I found out about what Vincent has been doing. Thing is, how can he not see that her son is doing something crazy, observing, and following me like that? Vincent almost knows where I'm going – that's how her stories sounded like at least. The only thing that I'm feeling is how creepy Vincent is. It's either he's following me around, or he has a tracker secretly put in my bag or something? I wish I know, but it makes me feel like I'm no longer having my privacy.

Arthur sat next to me as the dinner time started, and some people were going to the photobooth so they can have photos as souvenirs. Arthur looked at me, his eyes filled with worry. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"I …" I forced a smile for him to stop worrying. "I'm fine. Sorry if I haven't focused on the program, your mom and I talked a lot."

"I noticed. I can tell that she was really enjoying your company. Did you see where she is? Ever since dinner time, she's no longer in her seat. Her food will be cold."

"I hardly notice her leave. Dinner just started, so don't worry. Who knows? Maybe she got a call or something. By the way, I'll be back. I have to go to the washroom." Arthur nodded and I stood up and looked for the washroom. Truth is, I don't have the slightest clue on where that is.

As I walk outside the dining hall, I looked for any staff that can be asked where the washroom is, but there's hardly anyone available. I walked around and as I found the garden area, I saw two people talking – Lance and Annabelle. I hid on a nearby post, secretly listening to their conversation.

"…. and they never treated me as their son, but more like a servant. You do know what kind of people they are, and with that knowledge, that probably gives you an idea of what I've done for the past few years 'serving' them. You must have the idea that I'm probably in prison right now."

What is Lance talking about? Never treated like a son? Servant? Prison? What is he implying?

"… again, I'm sorry. It's been years, and frankly, this is the first time for me to talk to my firstborn son. Can you give me a chance to make it up to you? I don't care about the mistakes you've done in your life. It no longer matters. We're powerful enough to cover that up. It was all my fault." Annabelle said, holding Lance's wrist. "You have no idea how happy I am to know you."

"The thing I don't understand is, why did Nate keep it if he knows all these things all along? I wasn't expecting anything from Lilith and Than to tell me that I'm not their son but I trusted Nate somehow. I was hoping that he'll be honest," Lance sighed, his eyes closed. "Anyway, that no longer matters."

"If you don't mind, can I call you by your real name? We both know that your current name that you lived for the past 28 years has a bad meaning. That's not the name that I gave you."

"Then what is my real name?"

"Victor. Your real name is Victor Castillo."

A warm hand landed on my shoulder, which surprised me. I looked back to see who it was, revealing Arthur, his facial expression puzzled.

"You've been gone for around 15 minutes. I think that's too long, so I had to look for you before the next part of the program starts. Come on."

"I didn't know that it's been that long, I lost track of time, and the washroom was hard to find. I happen to see –" I looked back to the direction where Lance and Annabelle were talking, but no soul was found in the garden.

"You saw who?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"An acquaintance. Let's not talk about that," I hope he won't push further, because what I heard seems to be a secret, and their conversation made me even more confused. Lance is Annabelle's son, meaning, he's Arthur and Vincent's older brother, and he was separated from them for 28 years? I can't believe my ears. The person I met as 'Lancelot' was actually Victor.

None of these feel real.

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"I'd like to thank everyone for coming to our birthday celebration, and I do hope that you enjoyed it as much as we brothers did. Before we end, I'd like to introduce everyone to my lovely girlfriend, Megan del Prado." Arthur looked at me and I waved my hand, feeling flattered. It's something that I wasn't expecting because I wasn't informed that I'll be introduced in front of at least 70 guests.

With all the joy written in Arthur's face, he gave the microphone to Vincent so that he can say his message to the audience just like Arthur did.

"Just like my brother said, I'd like to thank everyone for your presence here, regardless if you're a part of our family, a friend, or an acquaintance. I'd like to recognize our older brother whom we haven't seen for many years, Victor Castillo." He looked at Lance and he nodded a bit, with a small smile written on his face. "… and lastly, the lady that became a big part of my twin's life, Euphemia Arcillia." He pointed the seat where Euphemia was sitting, a smirk written on her face. She stood up and waved her hand, pretty much like what I did, only without standing up. Arthur didn't make it obvious, but he lost his composure as he sees his ex, who, he may not admit it, but the girl he hasn't moved on from. His eyes were filled with shock and anger, clenching his fist. Vincent clearly enjoys this. This is probably the 'gift' he had for Arthur.

"… and with that, take care as you go home. Enjoy the fireworks, and the rest of the night."

A series of flower-shaped fireworks in yellow, red, and purple light up the strands and some people hurried to go out of the hall to have a closer look.

Arthur and Vincent were facing each other – Arthur holding himself back, and Vincent smiling triumphantly upon being successful with his plans.