Cruel Summer

Selena's face went pale as soon as she saw a familiar figure entering the kitchen. They haven't opened the café but, Alejandro is already inside, a flower in his hand while his face was beaming a shy smile.

Selena was alone in the kitchen, the triplets had gone to the school while her uncle and auntie were upstairs.

"What are you doing here?" Selena's voice was broken as she spoke. An apron with skeleton print was over her dress while the ingredients were spread on the table.

A messy kitchen, that's how Selena wanted to bake her cupcakes, she just wants everything on the table instead of coming back and forth to get the ingredients she needed for making cupcakes, after all, it's not her that's going to clean the kitchen, it usually her auntie and eventually her uncle.

The last person she's expecting to see is Alejandro. When did the last time she saw him? She asked herself.

A week, she thought.

It's been a week since she last saw him and it was at the convenient store.

She didn't see him for a week and neither her brother. Which didn't come as a surprise given the stories he heard from Barney and the visitor she had some days ago.

Selena shook off the flour in her hands and walked towards him. She doesn't know how to approach him or even face him, somehow, she felt guilty for sleeping with his brother.

That night has been hunting her, she would wake up feeling hot and sweaty and to calm herself, she would take a shower at midnight.

Her heart pounded, she might have had broken up with him but, she still has feelings for him.

For days, she kept asking herself, why did Alejandro do that? Did he really use her? Was everything a lie?

So many questions but none was answered.

She sighed, seeing Alejandro sitting on the high chair next to the kitchen counter, she decided to sit next to him.

"Hi," his smile reminded her of the past, the smile he has now was the same as the one he used to wear on the island.

"Hi."

"How are you?" he asked.

She wanted to raise an eyebrow, was that really the right question to ask after not seeing each other for a week?

"I am fine, and you?" that's what her lips said.

Alejandro stared at her, the same gaze he gave when they were on the island.

"Can you give me another chance?"

Selena gulped hard, this is the most awkward morning she ever had.

"No," she said straight.

"Is it because of Killian?"

She let out a bitter laugh and with shaking head, she replied, "No, Alejandro, because you lied to me. I don't even know if the feelings you showed me on the island were real or fake," she meant all the words she said. Her mind is certain that Killian is not the reason why she doesn't want him back.

"I am sorry Selena. I didn't have a choice, I just want you," his voice was soft and full of regret and the agony she's seeing in his eyes was making her breathing hard.

"You have a choice, Alejandro. We all have a choice and you choose to hurt me. I – I trusted you and even if I want to go back to you I just can't, your brother and I, we-" feeling a rock in her throat, Selena struggles to continue.

"We were broken up when it happened Selena. I am not hurting because of that."

Those words have made Selena's mind to freeze for a moment. With shock on her face, she looked at him.

"Are you really serious about this? I mean, I slept with your brother Alejandro."

She let out a long sigh and held his hands. She had long accepted it – Alejandro is not her endgame.

"Alejandro. You and I, we had a connection, we met, fell in love and broke up, and I think that should be the end. I love you I still do but, I don't trust you and love without trust is toxic."

Saying those words aloud, she felt an indescribable relief flooding her mind, something she was not expecting.

She pulled her hands from holding his. As she bit her lips, her eyes were looking up to the ceiling, avoiding to see the pain in his eyes as she once again hurt him.

"Is there really no chance for us?"

She could hear the pain in his voice but, she doesn't want to get hurt, to always worry if he's lying or not.

So, filling her lungs with air, she gave him a smooth smile, "As I have said, I still love you Alejandro but I don't want to risk it. I –" she sighed.

"I understand,"

"You do?"

"Yes but, can you promise me one thing?"

Selena gulped hard, wondering about his request.

She didn't reply, so Alejandro stated his request.

"Not my brother, please? He will only hurt you and I hate to see you crying again."

Her heart skipped a beat, for a moment she regretted refusing to get back to him but, she knows better that it would only cause her pain, being around the two brothers will only cause her pain.

"I promise." She said but her mind was filled with Killian's face, a strange feeling was making her skin crawl, her heart pounded nervously and she doesn't know why.

Alejandro got up, a calm smile was on his lips as he handed the flowers to her.

He saw it, how Selena hesitated to reply. She kept saying she loves him but, he could feel it, something was changed to her, her eyes were not shining as she stared at him, though there was a smile on her lips, he felt that it was forced.

He wanted to hug her, knowing that he lost her. He was so busy dealing with his issue that he forgot she existed and now that she's gone, he could not do anything than to make sure that she won't end up with Killian.

Knowing his brother, his attitude towards women – Killian will only bring danger and pain to Selena.

So that day, Alejandro left the café defeated but, still his heart is hoping that one day she will come back to him.

-

Later that night, sleeping on her bed, Selena dreamt of a hand wrapping around her waist and a familiar scent and voice whispering into her ears the word "Marry me."

When Selena woke up the next morning, she found Alexa sitting on her bed, eyes looking at her hand.

"So, Selena, can I be your maid of honor?"