LOST IN JAPAN, Lindtsey Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja

9. Gentle

Third Person’s POV.

A lot of people do not know what kind of demons hide behind the Razon name.

Some might think they’re perfect; they’re the ideal family because of what they’ve seen in the media. But does everything they show in the media also occur behind the curtains?

Because Avrielle can testify that it does not.

She grew up in a problematic family—one that only appears great and perfect in front of the camera while hiding a variety of sins behind closed doors.

Her mother is strongly devoted to her ex-boyfriend, who already has a family of his own. Her father is a sneakily corrupt politician and an unfaithful husband with a gambling addiction. Her brother died due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Her sister is a failing CEO.

They have their own demons hidden underneath their bed, but no one had even dared to point it out. Unless it's Avrielle who did something wrong.

Throughout her whole life, Avrielle was blamed for things she could not control and for things she thought she did for the best. Hell, she was even blamed for things she didn’t even do. She knows it is unfair for them to treat her that way but what could she even do about it? She couldn’t protest against them or else she’ll face backlash for being such an ungrateful brat.

At such a young age, she was forced to accept the fact that veryone has her under a microscope, sharply examining her every move, as if she’s their helpless prey.

“Thank you for bringing me here, Ace,” Stacey sincerely said as they strolled outside Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar— somewhere in Bataan.

“No problem,” Ace smiled.

Stacey lifted her gaze to stare at Ace. Her breath hitched, finding her even more captivating under the beam of the moonlight.

The first thing Stacey noticed about Ace was how her dark, cat-like eyes always sparkle when she’s overwhelmed with emotions. She never thought that anyone, apart from her Ate Aiah, possessed such an expressive set of eyes.

Second, she was amazed at how well-defined every part of her face is. It’s like she had been sculpted by some of the most famous sculptors this world has ever known. Especially her nose and jaw. It is literally a magnet.

Third, her voice sounds like a mother singing you to sleep. Her voice is deep with a hint of mystery but does not fail to comfort her. Do you know that feeling when you play something like cardigan by Taylor Swift while tucked in a soft duvet on rainy days? That’s what her voice feels like—a comfort in the midst of the storm.

Fourth, oh when she smiles—Stacey feels herself helplessly falling every time Avrielle flashes her a smile. She’s like a little golden retriever smiling up at her after being told she’s a good girl. Avrielle’s smile is heartwarming, at the very least.

And lastly, Stacey admired how she speaks. She speaks like she put a lot of thought into every word that spills out of her lips. She speaks as if she is not afraid of the consequences she might face for voicing out her controversial opinions. No wonder everyone on the internet thinks she’s smart—both in good and bad stories.

If everyone calls her the devil, then maybe those people who said Lucifer was the most beautiful angel were, in fact, telling the truth.

Because Stacey knows no one can ever compare to the beauty that Ace has.

“Ri?”

Stacey snapped out of her trance, realizing she had stopped walking just to stare at Ace’s face. Ngayon ay nakatingin na ito sa kaniya na para bang nagtatanong.