Chapter 12

　　The last time I saw my mom, she told me I was special. Not just because I am her only girl, but because she look out for me the most.

　　I used to be a crybaby and very fragile when I was a little. That's why they all observe their behavior when I am around and they never let me get hurt.

　　I was not used to befriending just anyone because my instinct is telling me that they will leave me someday. Some will talk behind my back because of my personality, some will use me for fame and power, and there would be people who'll aim to put me in danger because I'm weak.

　　I was taught to take precaution when it comes to socializing, that's why from being an annoying crybaby, I became too self centered and protective with my well being.

　　I didn't notice that because of my desire to avoid being hurt, I became different from other people. I don't know how to get along with many and I am often entitled as 'ill-mannered brat' when I was in my freshman days in high school.

　　They say I lack emotions, I don't know what's painful and what's not with my words. Until I met Cora who literally slapped me right in the face when I told her that her mom passed away because it's her time to die.

　　After a year then, my mom passed away, too. She was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer called 'Multiple myeloma' and she fought for her life for four years, but sadly, she didn't make it.

　　I already expected that Cora would laugh at me and tell the same thing I told her back then. But I was surprised when instead, she went to my mom's funeral and hugged me sincerely. No matter how much she wanted to lash out on me, she couldn't because she knew how it feels to lose a mother and she wouldn't want me to feel more down.

　　After that, we became friends and I apologized for what I've said.

　　"Don't worry, your mother is looking for you up there." Daddy said while wiping the tears on my cheeks. I am here at his office and we're sitting beside each other on his sofa. We're both silently looking at the huge portrait of my mother.

　　"I miss her, dad .." I whispered with my cracked voice. I couldn't help it, I cried out and hugged him. He tapped my head and caressed my back.

　　"I know .. and I miss her, too." he admitted. His voice is so low and relaxing. I could say that my father is strict and business minded, but he's the sweetest and the most calm person I know.

　　I never saw him cried even on my mother's funeral. He just stood there and stayed awake all day to manage everyone without showing us what he really felt at those moment. We stayed that way for minutes until I felt my eyelids getting heavy and I fell asleep.

　　I woke up in my room with sore eyes. I heard my cellphone vibrate on the side table, so I reached for it. I received a message from Brianna.

　　Brianna:

　　Let's hang out.

　　I rubbed my eyes before replying.

　　Me:

　　To where

　　It's already 4:15 in the afternoon and I haven't even eaten yet.

　　Brianna:

　　ABC. It's Nadia's birthday, she reserved the bar and we're allowed. C'mon!

　　My forehead frowned. Nadia? I don't even know her. Plus, I'm not in the mood to hang out right now. I just want to rest. And Wyatt is here so I also wanna be here.

　　Me:

　　I'm busy, you guys take care.

　　Yawning I got up and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. It took me half an hour before I finished and when I came out of the bathroom I did my body rituals. I wore a black tank top with a large gucci logo print and ripped denim shorts. I paired that with a black velcro sandals and gold minimal necklace.

　　Since I'm not busy, I did light make-up and curled my hair. When it was over, I sprayed my favorite perfume and left the room, but I was just as shocked to see brother Sage's bandmates in our living room.

　　"Hi, Lea!"

　　"Hey, Ricci! Lea, oh!"

　　To my surprise, it was a raw smile I gave them as they went down the stairs. Vincent, Luke, Ricci and Andrei are all here. Their group is called 5pm. I did not see kuya Sage. When I finally got down I approached them.

　　"Hi" I greeted and hugged them one by one.

　　"Smells good, huh," commented Andrei who was their drummer. He is Adam's younger brother, Adam the owner of ABC. When I hugged Ricci, they made a noise. He is the keyboardist and it is not hidden from my knowledge that he likes me but brother Sage is against with anyone in his band. Well I don't want him either, he's too kind and I can only hurt him.

　　"You're beautiful, Lea." He said after hugging so I smiled at him.

　　"Thanks, where's kuya?" I asked them.

　　"Ah, he's fixing your studio upstairs first, he'll be here in a minute." Vincent replied, he's the bassist in their band, while Luke who just nodded at me is their lead guitarist.

　　Actually, I have a crush on him since when I was in high school. He's tall, smart, gentleman, but not so approachable like the other members. He's kinda cold, you know. He's so ideal but I don't know why I can't see myself with him even just for a fling. He's not initiating, anyway, so I'm not really interested on chasing him.

　　"Well then, feel at home." I bid my goodbye and went to the kitchen to find some food. I sat in the high chair and on the countertop to eat.

　　"Davi," I called our maid Davi who's washing the dishes.

　　"What, dear?"

　　"Uh .. did you, uhm .. perhaps saw Wyatt?" I asked.

　　Davi's forehead wrinkled. "Who's that? Sage's band mate?" I gasped when I realized only me and kuya Loren call him 'Wyatt'.

　　"I mean, Gavin. Did you see him?"

　　"Oh .. your cousin? He left. He didn't tell me where he will go." She replied with a shrug on her shoulders.

　　First she reminded me that we were cousins. Second, why did that brute left without telling us where he'd go? I mean, when I'm leaving I tell my older brothers, ah, just respect those with him at home, right?

　　I nodded slowly, "Thank you," I said to Davi and she continued washing. I, on the other hand, had no appetite, I was so slow that it was already six o'clock when I looked at the wall clock in the kitchen. I already drank water.

　　When I finished, I went back to the living room and saw Kuya coming downstairs without his shirt.

　　"Hey, you're up."

　　"No, actually, I'm sleeping." I rolled my eyes and sat down beside Luke. He was crossing his arms and wearing a white polo shirt and black pants. He looks so clean, the tribal tattoo on his right shoulder also suits him.

　　My older brother frowned. "Are you in a bad mood, or what?"

　　They all looked at me so I just sighed. "Are you going to rehearse?" When I changed the subject, my kuya nodded.

　　"Yes, for kiya Loren's wedding. We'll play." He replied.

　　"But you're the vocalist, how can you sing when you're the best man, too?" I asked.

　　"Luke will take my place, and besides, we can all sing." He explained and I was amazed. I often hear only my older brother. Sometimes, Vincent, but I didn’t expect that all of them can actually sing. There are people like that, good at instruments and tuned.