Their Parallel Universe ✓

Chapter 13

"Wait, Apollo."

The owner of the name halts mid-step, just as he is about to go inside their house. He turns around to look at the person who called his name.

"Can you stop calling me Apollo," he grumbles with a frown.

"It's your name though," Eujae argues. He just finished putting the helmet in his top box, together with the products he'd shopped. It is a good thing he never removed Lia's helmet from his storage compartment so Poll had something to use earlier. Granted the drive from the supermarket to the Torres residence is only more than a minute, but it still is better to be safe.

He faces Poll once he's done organizing the stuff in his bike, pleased to realize that the guy has actually waited for him despite the look of impatience on his face, and then zips up the jacket that Poll returned—shoved back—to him.

Before any of them can say anything, a gentle voice calling Poll's name cuts in.

"Poll, sweetheart?"

The two men simultaneously look at the new person who is now giving Eujae a once-over. As her gaze settles on Eujae's face, she expresses her surprise, "Oh my, if it isn't Eujae. It's been a while since I last saw you." She tilts her head to the side as if to check the said man better, eyes twinkling, a soft smile on her slim lips. "You still look as handsome as ever, lad."

Smiling, Eujae returns the greeting, "Good evening, Ma'am. Yeah, it's been a while, and thank you."

"Aw, what is this boy acting formal for?" The woman walks to Eujae and reaches up to pat both sides of the man's face. "Aren't you my twins' friend, young man? Call me, Auntie Amy."

As if to remind the two that he's still there, Poll mutters, "He's Tem's friend, not mine."

Eujae angles his head to look at the owner of the displeased voice and notices that said owner is now glaring at him. Again.

"Oh, hush, Apollo."

"Mom, I told you so many times, don't call me by my real name. And I said that guy is not my friend," Poll whines at the same time as Eujae lets out an amused chuckle. The male Torres twin stops complaining to his mother just so he can give Eujae a surly look. "What's so funny, jerk?"

Poll doesn't receive any response as Amelia ignores her crabby son to keep on talking to the other lad while Eujae returns his attention to the older woman.

"So, aren't you going to come in? Are you here to do a group project with Tem again, Eujae?"

"I'd love to but I'm afraid I'll not be able to stay, Ma– Auntie," Eujae immediately corrects himself, grinning coyly when the woman raises her brows at him. She's very much like the twins, Eujae notes. Sophisticated like Tem, but easygoing like Poll. "I just dropped Apollo off and I'll have to go back immediately since there's something important I need to do at home. Not to mention..." he falters, looking skyward.

There are no visible stars tonight. No wonder the surroundings are darker compared to the other nights. Even the moon is hidden behind the clump of clouds. The sky is totally dim, except when lightning flashes every second.

"It looks like it's about to rain." Eujae looks back at Poll's mother with a smile. "So I really need to hurry up, Auntie. Maybe another time."

"Another time then." The older woman nods and gently pats Eujae's left cheek again, drawing another smile from the young man. "It would be great to see someone as attractive as you around. You're a sight for sore eyes, dear."

With a scoff, Poll butts in once more, "You're saying that to him as if you've never seen anyone who's handsome, Mom. Then what am I to you?"

Eujae watches as Poll's mother goes near her son and pinches the male twin's cheek. "Of course, you're still the most handsome for me, you big baby. Now make sure to properly see your friend off, Apollo. I need to prepare our dinner so I'll go in first." Turning to Eujae one last time, the older woman bids him goodbye before she goes inside their house.