Fateful Incident: Destiny [On Hold]

Act VI: Morning Confessions

ACT VI

“KUYA, you have to come home. I think our father is planning something… yeah, I know… but—“the line went dead. I keep on staring at the phone not sure what to do next.

                “Sydney?” I spun around and met the worrying face of our mother. “Who were you talking to just now? Is that your brother?” I shook my head to say no, it’s so fast that I thought my head might fall out of its place.

                “Are you okay? You look pale?” Who would not go pale after hearing that my brother is going to marry someone he doesn’t know? Who would not go pale after almost being caught from illegally phoning my brother?

                “Y-yeah I think so… I’m okay I-I’ll just go to my room,” I immediately ran without waiting for any response from her.

                My brother, Simeone Shelton is currently at Italy for apprenticeship under a well-known chef. It’s his dream, to be a well-known chef. If our father interferes and wed him to some girl, he wouldn’t be able to continue that dream. I can’t allow that… I love my big Bro so much that I cannot stand if he gets hurt…

I flutter my eyes open when I heard a loud tap at my door. I sighed. It was all but a dream; my glorious days with my brother were over and will never be relived. Another loud tap from the door pull me out of my reverie. I exhaled harshly, whoever’s knocking at my door has little patience hiding up its sleeves.

                “Who is that?” I asked my voice still hoarse from sleep. No one answer back. I let my mind drag my body out of bed. For Pete’s sake it’s only 5 o’clock in the morning. Any housemaid wouldn’t dare wake me at this early hour, even my personal maid.

                I open my half-dead-half-awake eyes and meet the lazy grin of Gilbert eying me with curiosity from head to toe. Good thing I am wearing my decent pair of Victoria’s secret underwear seen through my thin lingerie.

                I eyed him with confusion, still heavy from sleep until realization sink in. I slammed the door shut in his face. That man always loves embarrassing me, choosing the most insane moment to show up.

                I grab the robe hanging freely at the foot of my reading chair. I composed my self and open the door once again. He’s leaning forward at the door frame still with that lazy look in his face.

                “W-what do you want?” I almost choke the words escaping my quivering lips.

                “You!” he blurted with confidence and conviction that it made me gasps much to his astonishment. “Kidding…” that deepens my blush even more. How dare him!

                “What do you need?” I asked with a growl. I would have snap his head if I am really a tiger. I would love to be one right at this moment.

                “Kailangan natin ayusin ang mga dapat ayusin for our engagement later tonight,” he leaned closer. I gulped. His voice is even huskier when he’s speaking in Tagalog. I mentally slap my face for lusting over his voice. That’s not what I should be thinking early this morning.

                “Why should I bother myself? Whose fault it is that we’re having that stupid party?” he lean much closer, our forehead touching. I felt the Goosebumps the sooner he did so.

                “Whether you like it or not, we’re on this together.”

                I frowned. “How did you even manage to fool my parents into this whole façade?” I retorted venomously. I really hope he’ll die from the sound of it.

                “Sweet, you’re being judgmental here. You didn’t even know half of the story,” he’s lazy grin is back in his face, masking the pain I manage to see at the transient shift of emotions in his eyes.

                “Then tell me… tell me so I wouldn’t feel this hopeless, almost hopeless as my brother had been!” I bitterly snapped. I can taste the bile on the tip of my tongue, those memories always made me nauseous; it’s always making me puke.

                He entered my room settling at the foot of my bed. I didn’t even gag my dismay at that. I want to hear all of it.

                “Simeone is a good person—“I met his gaze at the mention of my brother. I open my now pale lips to ask but his raised finger stop me from doing so. “—He’s a good person. He’s a good son, a loving brother, and a thoughtful friend. I met him in our apprenticeship at Italy 3 years ago. We had a good relationship and he always has stories to share. Stories that made me entertain. Those stories made my sadness and unbearable home sickness disappear. You know what those stories are?”

     I just stared at him in bewilderment. I’ve always known my brother to be quiet and a person who keep things to himself. He’s speaking of a stranger to me. “Those stories were always about his sister,” he continued when I didn’t respond. "I have loved you for so long... But I had loved a different girl, a girl from your brother's stories. A sweet innocent girl and not this cold stern looking standing before my eyes..."