QUICKSAND

RESURFACING

Freya's POV

I had been standing outside my brother's boutique for a good 5 minutes now. He called me up a couple of hours ago to ask a favor from me and now I am here pacing like a cat walking back and forth a wall. He wasn't kidding when he said that I'd be surprised with the clients he would be meeting. Truth be told, I was beyond surprised. I felt like I was having an out of the body experience and my soul had totally left my human body.

I glanced at the huge glass window one more time. The couture gowns stunningly on display were blocking most of my view but I could not be wrong. There he was, smiling as he sat on the mahogany bench, chatting with some of his teammates. The smoldering eyes that could puncture every fiber of my being, the prominent nose which used to brush through mine. The rosy cheeks which I'm sure were reddened by the heat of the city, and those enticing full lips. Oh sweet mother of Cupid, why am I even thinking about those lips? I was hyperventilating, and the noontime temperature had got absolutely nothing to do with it. Why o why of all places and people, this boutique and that man? I had the urge of calling my brother to tell him I won't be able to make it. I rummaged for my phone in my bag. Looked for KREIOS which is my brother's name. We were all named after mythological characters. Our parents said that was how they fell in love, talking for hours about the world's mythologies. I was about to press the button when suddenly I felt some apprehension. My brother called me in such short notice so he must have an important reason. His assistant may be out doing errands and I would not like to bail out on him at the last minute for personal reasons. My conscience would surely not leave me in peace.

I looked at the display window one more time, mustered the deepest breath that I could; I guess the kind that people from the death row muster when the death sentence is about to be carried out. I could still feel my heart throbbing much like how my mom tenderizes a thick meat, fast and hard. I held the door's handle, opened it and smiled at my brother who was sitting on his huge swivel chair at the back of an even huger mahogany desk. I did not look at the direction of the cause of my discomfort but I could see from my peripheral view that his mouth slightly opened.

"You decided to show up," my brother said. "I would like to introduce you to my special clients the Philippine National Football Team." I could hear a slight excitement in his voice. They are special clients indeed not because they are the Azkals but more so because Kreios only designs men's clothing for a very selected few.

When he uttered the last few words I knew I had to look at each of them as a courtesy and said, "Nice to meet you," the most overused words when meeting new people. I managed to give out a nervous smile. That smile did not escape my brother's eyes. Maybe he was thinking I was so tensed because I was finally meeting the team we have watched so many times on TV. Oh boy, if he only knew the real reason he would not just be asking me if he failed to mention that he was going to work with the Azkals. Of course he intentionally left that part out because he clearly said something about a surprise.

My brother's and my tense eye contact was interrupted by an all too familiar voice. "It is indeed nice to meet you but it would be even nicer if we knew the name." It was impulse that made me finally look to where he was sitting. Or should I say standing because right now he was already on his feet. I couldn't make out the expression on his face. Did not know whether he really meant what he said just now. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. Not even an "Mm" or an "Aaa". Have I forgotten my name? Have I suddenly lost my voice?

Thank goodness my brother was quick on his toes. "Oh I'm sorry Parker. Forgot my manners there for a second. This is my younger sister, Freya. She has kindly taken over my assistant's duties for a few hours." It was his turn to be mum. I did see how his mouth curved and uncurled as he silently uttered my name.