SIDED LOVE

17. Pouring of Secrets

"How?" I ask. I'm still confused as to how Sancho knew about Victor. I thought he is talking about Victor and Amanda's connection to each other but this is one different level of secret.

"Victor doesn't know where or whom he came from, I know that. My mom's friend once told me about the children getting abducted by illegal groups and when I went with her one time to investigate about the problem I found Victor's face on the list." He took out his phone and showed me an article with the list of children who were abducted. "It is rumored that his parents came from a rich family. The criminals kidnapped him for ransom but the parents didn't dare confirm that he was their child."

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask.

"Amanda once revived his case. The main reason why they became close and she broke up with me for him. I researched a lot about him to get back at him..."

"In other words, you want revenge." I still don't get it.

"I found out he was adopted three years ago."

I cut him off. "Just cut to the chase. You were spying on him till now because?"

"I don't know. I was threatened he might take Amanda back--"

"Back? What are you saying? I thought..." oh. "Is she--"

"I better leave. You talk about this thing with him. See you later." He took his stuff and left my room. I heard shuffling noises outside the hallway and then someone entered my room. Victor.

"What happened to him?" Victor asks, closing the bedroom door. I shrug, hoping he doesn't see the lies in my face. "I have something to talk to you about." He says while sitting on a stool.

"Is it about mom?" I ask. He nods. "What did she say?"

"She told me that once she passes, I could go look for my parents. My parents would give me something I longed for long before I became part of the Aren family."

"What is it?"

He smiles and looks away as if he's embarrassed to open up the topic. "My name."

"Your name? What's that supposed to mean?" I let out a quiet laugh. My mom does a little bit to enlighten us even if she's the one in pain.

He stood up and walks around. "I guess mom knew in me that I wanted to know who I am. She named me when she found me after all. Victor really is not my name, if you ask me. I don't even know who I am. Yet, mom still accepted me as her own. Now she thinks that she owes me something she can't even replace. I can't blame her though."

I walk over to him and back hugged him. "I'll help you with that. I promise."

I feel like he touched both my hands and placed it on his chest. "Thank you, Ollie."

"Hey Vic..." I whisper. "If by chance someone tells you that your parents are crazy rich and they make you choose whether you live with them or us. What would you do?"

He chuckles but doesn't make a move. "I guess I'll be happy that someone is obsessed with me. Whoever strikes my heart most, that's where I'll go."

I take off my arms off of him. "You're my brother right? Will you stay with us even if they force you to go with them?"

"Like I said, whoever strikes my heart most." He smiles and faces me. I notice the scarlet color on his cheeks. "Let me rephrase that. If you strike my heart most, then, i'll stay."

I gave him an awkward smile. "Yeah. Okay."

"So, what did that Sancho guy do to run away like that? Did he force you into something?" He starts. "Did he or did he not?"

"He just said something surprising." I admit. "It overwhelmed me to the point where I feel like I'm missing something important."

"Was it a confession?" Somehow it feels like our conversation tonight is on a close friend dialect. "He said he liked you?"

"Not really. He accidentally spit out some information about you."

"Me?" He looks at me intensely. "Why me? Was it about Amanda?"

"Kind of."
"What did he say?"

I sat before I talked. I want to create a peaceful conversation with this newly found character that Victor surfaced.

"He said something about Amanda reviving a case about your whereabouts. I still don't get it though. He mentioned something about a case about abduction of children. Do you know that?"

He runs his hands on his chin as if he's thinking critically. "Somehow mom mentioned to me about me coming from the orphanage. She asked me to look for the records about me and my history at her closet. I took it but I didn't bother looking at it. I didn't think it was important."

"I think Amanda has some sort of involvement about your past and even your family." I concluded.

"Guess you're right. But how come Sancho knew this? And why did he tell you anyway? Is he purposely spilling the truth?"

"I don't think so. What I think is he accidentally told me due to the mood. He was curious about why I am affiliated with you, as my brother, and why the Aren family adopted you and whatsoever. I also think he is hiding something from us. Especially to his family."

"You think so?" He leans closer. "What is it then?"

"I think Amanda is still alive and Sancho knows where she is."

END