FOLLOW HER TO THE GRAVE

"Sir, welcome!" the middle age man greeted Roy at the front door. Roy went out this afternoon and wasn't able to come home til this late.

"How's Belle?", he asked the butler as he raised his wrist and looked at the time on his watch. It's currently past eleven in the evening. He didn't realize it was this late already.

"Madam Belle rested early. I believe she's already asleep by now." the butler answered. "Should I ask the kitchen to prepare dinner for you, sir?"

"No need."

Roy headed straight to the master's bedroom after the short reply. He missed his little wife already. Sure enough, Belle was already asleep when he came in. He found her sleeping in an awkward position though. She was lying on her stomach with one leg bent and drawn up. Her right hand was holding a pen and her head rested on her left arm.

Roy chuckled at the young woman's weird sleeping position. He straightened her out; turned her around making her lie on her back, before reaching for the blanket and covering Belle with it. He then tidied the things on the bed. He took the pen and the pink planner and was about to put it away when he saw the notes Belle has written in it.

THINGS I LIKE:

music

clothes

jewelries

bags

shoes

flowers

children

PLACES I LIKE:

France

Germany

Holland

Australia

Japan

Switzerland

HOBBIES I WANT TO TRY:

cooking

Roy laughed while reading the lists. It looks like Belle was planning to start reorganizing her life? But she can't think of anything new she wanted to try and learn other than cooking?

Roy took out his phone and took a photo of Belle's 'to do list'. Maybe it'll come handy one day. And yes, it sure will.

***

"Here. Have some." Erica said as she put a tall glass of strawberry smoothie in front of Ellaine. Surprised, she snapped out of the daze at once and stared at the pink foamy drinks on the table in front of her. She then transferred her gaze to Vier's younger sister.

"How's your eldest brother?" she asked worriedly.

Erica raised her brows. "I haven't seen him today. I think he's locking himself up in his room. Why are you asking?"

Ellaine shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just worried." she answered.

Erica smiled. "What? Did you fall in love with brother Yago? Do you think he's more handsome than brother Vier?",she teased.

Ellaine's face turned pale then turned red with embarrassment. "What nonsense are you saying!"

Erica laughed at the woman's reaction. Behind Ellaine, Erica already noticed his brother Vier standing behind a pillar. She gathered he was listening to their conversation so she started teasing Ellaine on purpose so she could see how her brother would react. If Ellaine's reaction was amusing, she was sure Vier's expression at the moment would be more entertaining.

"It's alright. Even I can see that brother Yago is more good-looking and more reliable . Vier is just too childish, don't you think?" Erica added.

Ellaine laughed. "They're twins. I think they look very identical. But I agree that Vier is more childish."

"See? You agree with me! So do you admit that you like my brother Yago more? You're falling for him, yes?"

Ellaine's smile became awkward as she began thinking of how to phrase her answer. Should she really answer that kind of question? Of course she's not romantically interested on Yago! He's Arianna's boyfriend, for God's sake! But saying that out loud would look weird, too. She didn't want to sound too defensive, so she just laughed it off and remained silent.

Erica forced herself not to laugh as she saw her brother come out and walk towards them. His face was so dark that she couldn't help but feel a bit frightened. He couldn't take it anymore, could he?

"What are you two talking about?" Vier asked as he approach the girls from behind Ellaine. The young woman was startled when she heard her fiance's voice. Suddenly, she came to realize why Erica was saying weird things. It wasn't to tease her. It was to prank her brother.

"Nothing. We were just talking about big brother Yago. Ellaine wanted to know how he's doing." Erica answered with a teasing smile.

Ellaine watched Erica's expression. These two siblings really were like small children. "I was just worried about him. I haven't seen him come out today. What if he's starving!" Ellaine glanced at Vier to see his reaction. Sure enough, he looked annoyed. "What's the matter?", she added, pretending not to know why he's glaring at her.

"Nothing. I just didn't know you were this thoughtful. Thanks for you're concern. Don't worry. I'll go upstairs right now so I could check on him for you." Vier then turned around and left the dining room in large strides, obviously angry.

"I think you pissed him off too much." Erica mentioned as she watch Vier leave. "I wonder if he's alright."

"You know him. He's just like that. He'll get over it in no time." Ellaine replied. Vier is a bit childish. That being said, he always comes around after a short while, too. He's not the type to keep grudges, but can be very moody at times.

"Looks like he likes you a lot. How about you?", Erica probed. "Do you like him?"

"I wouldn't be here if I don't." Ellaine admitted. "Yago sure is fine. But Vier isn't that bad, too. Don't you think he's cute?",she stated. She reached for the strawberry smoothie on the table and took a sip. She really finds Vier cute, specially when he gets jealous!

Erica giggled. She likes this sister in law too. Very different to Arianna, but still as sassy!

"Brother Yago is fine. He wasn't starving himself or sulking in a corner either. He's working on taking down a huge business company. He said the first step to defeat his enemies is to strip-off their power in the economic industry."

Ellaine nodded. She wasn't just worried about the dela Vega matters. More than that, Arianna's disappearance has been making her sleepless at night. Why isn't there any news yet? Is she alright? Ellaine really hope they can find her soon.

***

Yago had just finished his video call with his assistant Mike when Vier stormed in. He went in without knocking and then slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Yago lifted his head to look at his brother. He seemed pretty annoyed as he sat on the sofa across Yago's desk. He shook his head before returning his focus on his computer screen. The little guy is just younger than him by a few minutes but why was he so immature and ill-tempered?

"How's it going?" Vier asked as he watch the other work with full concentration.

"Good." Yago answered. "Roy wasn't lying when he said his father has lost total control of the company. With him diagnosed with cancer, and now being threated in a hospital abroad, only his younger brother would take his position and he wasn't really good at it." he stated without taking his eyes off the computer monitor or giving his fingers a rest as he continued to tap on the keyboard.

"If he's so badly beaten up, maybe we should just wait for his death and everything will be alright, yes?" Vier commented with a frown. Yago couldn't help but shake his head at his brother's remark though.

"Vier, Vander just had a surgery. It was a success and he's now recuperating. We can't stay idle and wait for him to come around." he explained. "Why are you so grumpy anyway?",he asked, letting go of the keyboard, leaned on the swivel chair's backrest and then stared at his twin. "What happened?"

Vier sighed. "My fiancee said she likes you." he sated.

Yago raised his brows. "Okay... Thank you very much. I like her too!"

"You don't get it." Vier said, shaking his head.

"No. You... don't get it. The woman obviously sticks to you wherever you go. She has been looking at you with eyes full of affection, and here you are being petty after a small joke. I'm standoffish but I'm not blind. I can tell when a woman likes me.... Can't you?"

After saying his piece, Yago returned to work, and Vier watched him quietly from where he was sitting. How can he not feel inferior to this brother? Here he was, sitting behind a computer, working diligently while his life was in chaos. His girlfriend went missing and both their lives are in danger. He's injured and tired but still maintained his composure. While he, the younger brother would flip because of a crazy girl talk he overheard. He wished he was as cool as Yago. He was his hero. And this battle, it was a battle for both of them, but he was fighting it alone.

"I know what you're thinking." Yago mumbled. "I can not afford to be distracted by thoughts of her right now. I can only trust Roy's words that she's safe. If in the end, it turned out that she isn't.... "Yago paused for a while and then took a deep breath.

".... then I'm willing to follow her to the grave."

Vier went pale as he felt a chill run down his spine.... He then prayed for Arianna Reid to return home unharmed.