The Lost Chosen Heirs - A Mahalima-Inspired Set of Novels

The Five

"Are you out of mind? You know your job! Keep a low profile, observe everyone, and gather as much information as possible! That was your job! You cannot meddle with your sister's affairs! People are now talking about the two of you! What is wrong with you?

Ken has been asking the same thing to himself for the whole week. He was forbidden to spend time with his sister to avoid further assumptions about him and Maya. Suffocated, angry, those words are not enough to describe how he felt, but he had to endure. Maya didn't deserve to be in such a bad light, and he felt stupid for acting as he did. People have been talking about her, and Ken was unhappy with what he'd heard.

"Ken, don't get me wrong. Are you in love with your sister?" Ken's mind was too far away that he forgot he was with his friend, Pablo.

"What? Are you insane?" He replied, shocked but confused. "Why would you say that?"

"There's nothing wrong about it, man. You're not the only one who fell in with a sibling, as long as you don't act on it." Pablo reminded him. "But you must stop whatever you feel towards her, or it will ruin your family."

Family.

What a funny word. They were more of an army than a family under the control of a lunatic. How many times did Ken wish he was born into a different family? How often did he think of running away and putting everything behind him? He eventually lost count.

"I'm not in love with my sister." Ken insisted, but when he looked at Pablo, it was obvious that his friend didn't believe him.

"Alright, then." Pablo finally said, even though he still didn't look convinced. "Where are Vester and Justin anyway?"

"Missed me already?" Stell joked behind them. "Sorry, we had an urgent meeting with our coach. I think Justin is with the principal. I heard he was asked to direct the school play for the harvest season."

"Oh, okay. Let's grab something to eat."

Ken remained quiet until they reached the line in the cafeteria. Justin had a crush on his sister, that he was certain of. With everything that he heard about Joshua's past relationships, he would rather if Maya date Justin. He knew Justin would never hurt his sister. Besides, he lived next door to their house so he could keep an eye out.

"Have Justin ever had a girlfriend?" Ken asked out of nowhere. Vester and Pablo looked at him with confusion.

"Dude, you are asking the most random things at the most unexpected time," Vester commented as they waited for their turn to order.

"What? You don't like Joshua's playboy reputation that would rather have your sister be with Justin?" Pablo's senses, being always on point, asked.

"Justin is a good person, and my sister deserves someone like him. I'm not judging Josh, I just don't want my sister to get hurt." Ken replied sincerely but what he didn't know was that someone important to him heard what he said.

"You could've told me that in person." Vester's eyes widened when he heard Joshua, Pablo shook his head knowing that Ken's words hurt the guy, and Ken looked like he wanted to punch himself for what he said. He watched his friend walk away and his heart sank.

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The day ended without any incidents. It was a lazy day for all the students at Moontown High. Due to Justin's new task as director for the school play, only Vester went home with Pablo. They rode their separate vehicles and enjoyed the afternoon ride with Vester blasting his car's sound system. When they arrived at Pablo's home, his parents were nowhere to be found. Pablo then remembered that his mother went to his grandfather's house while his father was called for a repair at the town proper.