43

That's when my senses flared up. Danger. This man spells danger.

He raised his hand and brought the cigarette he was holding to his mouth. He blew off the smoke but I didn't feel any sort of repulsion. Instead, I viewed it as sexy just like my sister who is looking dreamily at him.

A knot formed in my stomach. Jealousy struck me like lightning.

I knew immediately what was happening based on my reaction. I just had a crush on my twin sister's boyfriend.

I went straight home after that and just ordered take out food from a fastfood chain.

"Femella, is your sister home already?" Manay Letty asked me when she passed me sitting on the sofa in the living room. "It's almost seven o'clock. There's no class today because it's Saturday."

"I don't know. Maybe she did some projects or whatever," I lied.

"Is that so? All right, I'll pick her.up from her classmates I know. Are you hungry already? Do you want me to cook for you?"

I shook my head.

"No, please don't bother. I'm still full. You can go now."

"All right."

I got up to go to the bedroom. I am too lazy to go to the stream to take a bath. I decided to sleep first. I was about to close my eyes when I was interrupted when the door opened and Trisha entered with a bouquet of flowers and chocolates on her hand. A smile reached her ears as she carefully laid the flowers on her bed.

She even looked at me and smiled while caressing the flowers. I rolled my eyes at her and forced myself to sleep. I had to go back to Monte Vega's house the next day for my assessment.

The next day, I went back to Sta. Barbara to spend my vacation. As soon as Trisha opened the door for me, I knew then that she didn't like my return. I was puzzled because she is not as hostile as this during our first meeting.

The morning after, Maverick visited my sister in the house. They were in the yard talking and even though it was against my will to see them together I still couldn't help but steal a glimpse of Maverick. I decided to go to the stream to pass some time. When I returned to the house, they were already gone.

A few days passed and Maverick was always visiting Trisha unbeknownst to Manay Letty who was always at the hospital to take care of her relative's medical operation. Whenever the man visits, I stay by the river to avoid the two of them. I pack food and read my books there.

"Hey."

I became alert to the voice from my back. I immediately lowered the book I was reading on the mat and looked at the man who was now sitting on the grass next to my mat.

He's intently looking at me with those playful eyes and a glint of frolic smile on his mouth. I didn't know what to do. My mind went blank at his sight. My young heart leaped and sang a colorful song.

He's more handsome this up close. All his assets were magnified in person. I blushed when I realized that I hadn't spoken anything and was just staring at the man.

"Sorry, what did you say again? I got lost in my thoughts," I said to try to salvage myself.

The man laughed. My heart beat faster. For a teenage girl who has never been this close to a total stranger who is a very attractive boy, I am not so sure how to react at the very male sound of his voice. This is my first encounter of his kind with my guards down.

"I'm Maverick. Your name, lovely lady?" He held out his hand to me.

I just looked at it but I didn't reach for it so he took it back and. laugh.. "Feisty, huh." His gaze drifted to the rows of books on the mat. He picked up one and read. "Fundamentals in Business Ethics." He got one more. "Economics, Politics. Woo-hoo. Pretty serious in life, meh?" He chuckled.

I snatched the books from him and placed them on my lap. "I'd rather study than live a life like a bum like what I think you're doing."

Instead of getting angry at what I said he just laughed at me.

"Fierce. I like that." He looked at the gentle river then whistled. "What a beauty! I can understand your fascination here. So this is where you're staying when I'm at your house."

"I think you better go. Maybe Trisha is already looking for you."

"No, she won't." He stood up and was about to take off his t-shirt. I froze and immediately closed my eyes.

"What are you doing?! Can't you see that I'm here?! How inappropriate! Didn't your parents teach you proper manners?!" I shouted while closing my eyes tightly.

"Hey easy, easy! Okay, I'm not doing it. Geez! I just want to take a bath. I don't know you'll freak out. You can open your eyes. I'm still fully clothed."

I slowly removed my hand from my eye just to see the smile on his face. I was so annoyed by him that I stood up and started picking up the books and mats and then silently left him.

"Hey, hey! I can take a bath here now!" he shouted but I didn't answer him.

Maverick continued to tease me every time he came to our home. The former silence I get from being alone in the river is suddenly gone because the man always followed me there.

I'm always pushing him away because I don't want a fight. Last night, Trisha threatened me not to take Maverick away from her. Of course I find it pathetic that she's taking it against me.

"Hey Fem, do you have a boyfriend?"

I looked up at Maverick from the book I was reading. He is here again in the place as if he had already taken it. He put distance between the two of us because he smoked and I don't like it.

"I'm not interested in boys," I replied and returned the focus to the book.

"But are you interested in men?"

I closed the book and began to put away the mat. When it was over I looked at Maverick who was still busy smoking.

"Not either, especially those who smoke like there's no tomorrow."

I turned my back on him and quickly made my way home. I felt him following me but he never spoke to me again. At the entrance of the yard, Trisha, who had a dark face, was waiting for us. She deliberately bumped me on the shoulder before she met Maverick. I never went out of the room that night.

Wehn Maverick went home, the door opened and the angry Trisha entered.

"You're a flirt!" She screamed at my face and forced me to stand up.

"What?!" I shouted back.

"Do you think I didn't notice that you also like Maverick? What a shame Femella! You already have everything and you're going to take my boyfriend too?"

Her chest went up and down with anger.

"Ew Trisha. How low can you go? I understand that a lot of teenagers are into stuff like this but for you to liken myself to you is just eww. I don't have boyfriends at my age! And correction , that boyfriend of yours is the one hitting on me so you should be talking to him instead. Do it if you don't want me to report you to daddy. "

I went back to lying down and covered myself with a blanket.

The day after, I went back to Monte Vega for another assessment and reviews for my college entrance examination. I planned to study in America but the family wanted it to be in Europe so Europe it is.

All that time, my young heart longed to see Maverick. So when mommy decided to visit Trisha, I went with her. They brought with them a set of musical instruments for Trisha. There is a grand piano, violin, cello, and other instruments. They built a musical room in the house for her alone.

While they were busy inside the house I ran into the stream. I miss the place because I haven't been back to it for over a month.

But more than the river, I was more surprised by what I saw. The man who's been a regular visitor to my dreams was lying and sleeping on the grass. His two hands were raised to his head and his mouth was slightly open. His relatively long hair is swaying in the gentle breeze.

I seemed hypnotized as I just stared at Maverick as he slept peacefully. I ignored the erratic beating of my heart. I don't want to admit it but I missed him so much.

I turned to leave when he suddenly spoke. I jumped in shock.

"Hey, you're back."

I turned to him , who was now sitting while his hand was on his face. Then he looked and smiled sweetly at me. My heart somersaulted in its cage.

"Here is the real owner of this place. I'm sorry for intruding again in your private place. It's just really beautiful."

"No, it's okay. I don't mind."

He stood up and approached me. "Do you mind if I say that I want to be your friend?"

I stepped back when I felt a little. overwhelmed by his presence. "Trisha will be angry," I replied weakly.

The man laughed then put his hand on his neck.

"No, she won't. What made you say that? You're her sister unless it's you who won't want to be friends with me."

I shake my head automatically. "No, I won't mind."

His face lit up.

"Really? Then how about we sit together now and maybe talk about things. Are you cool with that?"

He smiled at me expectantly.

"Sure."

We sat together on the grass and stared at the river. I was very tense. I can almost feel my heart out.

"So what did you do in a month? That was a pretty long time to be away, huh."

"Nah, it's just mostly about school stuff. Studying, exams and other assessments."

"Reminds me of myself so much. It's what good girls do."

He took off the jacket he was wearing and made me stand up. He laid it on the grass and made me sit down again.

"You? What did you do for the past month? Did you uhmm?" I was hesitant to ask him what he and Trisha were doing.

"Me? Well the days have been so boring. The place is boring, especially when you're gone. I don't have someone to annoy anymore."

I rolled my eyes at him. He just chuckled.

"You're not really from here right? Why are you here?"

His face went serious. "Typical story. My mother threw me here. I think she's tired of all the good things I'm doing so she thought of giving me away."

"A rebel, huh. I'll also guess you have many girls you love to hurt . You're bad." I sighed.

"It's not my fault that girls are drawn to me."

"Tsk. Excuses for the conceited men."

He laughed.

The sound of his cell phone broke the silence. He hesitated at first but he still read the message. He was still hesitant when he stood up and held out his hand to me. I shot him with a startled look.

"I have to go and I can't possibly leave you alone here. Come, I'll take you home."

"No, my parents are at home."

"Then I'll just watch you from a distance. Come on."

He moved his outstretched hand so I could do nothing but reach for it. We walked home holding hands. When I saw the house I deliberately withdrew my hand from him and said goodbye.

I even saw him just standing at the entrance of the forest until I entered the gate. When I entered the house, I was immediately greeted by Trisha's slap. I cried in pain when she pulled out my hair.

"What are you doing?!" I asked after freeing myself.

"Are you still asking? Didn't I warn you not to talk to Maverick again? You're smart but why can't you understand?" Her eyes glazed over at me.

I couldn't answer especially when I saw mom in the kitchen looking at us. I don't know if she saw what Trisha did or not but she didn't do anything.

"Girls, what's happening?" My father asked us when he entered the living room from the music room that they're building for Trisha.

"Nothing. We're just talking," I replied and immediately went to the room. I heard daddy calling me but I ignored him. I went into the bedroom and opened the books.

Since then, I have avoided Maverick again. I also don't go to the river anymore. Even though my chest ached from being so jealous of the visible love and care my parents had for Trisha, I endured it. When my parents went back to Monte Vega, I stayed despite Trisha's protest. I took a week off before I flew to Europe.

"I've been waiting for you for two weeks here. You finally showed up as well."

I took a deep breath and turned to Maverick who was sitting next to me. I noticed his hair is now longer. His face was tired as if he hadn't slept well for days.

"Busy. There's a lot to study."

I stumbled away from him to put a distance between us.

"Really? You're not avoiding me?"

I played with the weeds with my finger.

"Why would I avoid you?" I still didn't look up.

"Because I notice that when I visit your house you always lock yourself in the room. Did I do something?"

It was then that I met his eyes. "No, you didn't. I just don't want my mother to give me another reason to force me to come back to the city. She doesn't want me to talk to strangers here. Don't ask why. I can't tell you. You really did nothing wrong. In fact, I'm starting to get a hang of you. "

I bit my tongue at my last remark. I shouldn't have said that. He may even have a suspicion that I like him. That is forbidden. He is my twin's boyfriend and I am too young for that.

I tried to ignore it at first but I really couldn't stop myself from missing him and longing for his presence.

"You're so mysterious, Fem. But you know what. Same thing. I'm starting to get a hang of you."

My cheeks burned. He pinched my cheek.

"You're blushing. Cute. Wait, I have something for you."

He snatched something in the pocket of his jeans and put it in my open hand. I held it in the air.

"A bracelet?"

It was a gold band with cute little chunks of celestial bodies adorning it. I smiled at the beauty of the jewelry. I don't know why it looks cheaper compared to my collection of jewelry. Maybe because of the person who gave.

"No, it's an anklet. Come, let me put it on."

I immediately refused when he knelt down.

"No, it's okay. I can't handle it. I hope you understand. Sorry ..."

"Oh .. Sorry for touching you earlier. It's okay. The important thing is you liked it. Do you like it?" he asked in a pleading tone.

I smiled sweetly at him.

"Yeah, I really like it. Thank you."

He was stunned for a second while staring at me before grinning

"You are most welcome."

Before I went home, he asked me if I would go with him to a simple dinner with Trisha and their friends. He didn't let me go until I said yes.

We agreed to meet at three o'clock in the plaza. At two, I was already scrambling to find the anklet he gave me. I just put it inside my suitcase pocket but I can't find it now. I just decided to leave and I will look for it later when I return.

Trisha had already left me. I ran to our rendezvous hoping that they would be there waiting for me. I know Trisha was even upset with me for going with them.

I turned to the side of the church to reach the row of benches at the foot of the plaza. I adjusted my red. off-shoulder dress before finally approaching Maverick. But I was unable to take another step because of the next scene I witnessed.

Trisha received a bouquet of flowers from Maverick and then the two hugged. Trisha kissed him on the cheek and then they went on to ride a luxurious car parked nearby.

And then they left me with only dust and tears on my face. I was wallowing with self-pity for experiencing my first heartache in my entire life.

That evening, as I was waiting for the pickup to go home to Monte Vega, I heard an explosion in the distance. I hurriedly went there to only witness the kidnapping of Trisha. When I regained my senses, I called for help.

That is when my parents arrived panicking. When they found out what happened to Trisha they panicked even more. It was then that they made me promise that I have to save Trisha before they took their own lives.

My life after then became dark all over.