Haven

Three

"Gracie, I promise it's going to be okay." Jayana tried to comfort me.

After throwing three tantrums, I had finally come to terms with the fact that whether I liked it or not dad and/or uncle Thiago was going to make us leave anyway. I currently wasn't speaking to both of them but that right now wasn't my biggest worry.

"Yeah, of course, it will," I rolled my eyes.

Jayana and I were seated outside our house before we started to pack up. I liked it here, it was quiet and boring as Jayana would say, exactly my style. It was one of the reasons I felt bad about leaving. Not that I didn't like crowds or company, I just liked my space sometimes. I only had four contacts in my phone I actually talked to, only ever dated two guys and my friendship circle was population one.

Jayana on the other hand was the exact opposite. She was the social butterfly. She'd meet someone today and they'd be best friends the next day. She was a people person like that I guess but always careful about who she dated. Unlike me. Her first boyfriend, however, was awful but from then on everyone else she dated was the perfect guy and when it didn't work out for some reason she'd meet an even more perfect person.

"Did you tell Mark you're leaving yet?"

I noticed she hesitated before responding and avoided making eye contact.

"Jayana?"

"Do you think it'll rain today?" she looked up the sky trying to change the subject.

"Jayana."

"No, I didn't." She said abruptly.

"And why is that? Don't you think you should tell him? We're leaving in a few hours."

"Well....." she scratched the back of her head.

"Jay...."

"I'm not coming, okay?"

"You're not- why not?"

"Look Gracie I wanted to tell you before your dad came but I was planning on going to Quasarburg."

"Quasarburg? To visit your parents? "

"That and," she paused and blushed. " I want Mark to meet my family too. We've been planning it for months."

"Yeah I know, I just didn't think it's going to be now."

"The timing is awful I know, but I'll be back before you know it and I'll come over."

Perfect just perfect, first I'm being abducted by my father and now my best friend isn't coming with me.

"It's okay Jay. I know how important this is to you. You can take your time."

"You sure, I mean I can cut my stay short."

"No, I'm sure, I can't let you do that just for me."

She smiled and pulled me in an expected tight hug.

"I know all this is crazy, but if any bit of what your dad said was true then we should take this seriously," She patter the top of my head.

"It's not what he said that worries me," I said pushing her away playfully.

"Then what is?"

Before I could utter another word I noticed what looked like a black BMW come into sight from one side of the street. The driver was speeding like a maniac but expertly made it come to a stop just in front of our house. Jay and looked at me quizzically but my heart was racing.

"Are you expecting a rich guest?"

The car door opened and my heart sank when the driver walked out.

"Scratch that, are you expecting a hot, rich guest?"

Ignoring Jayana, I got up from the stairs and froze and I watched him open the small gate. I couldn't help but swallow down my throat as he began to walk towards us. He was exactly as I remembered him. But only better; tall, and lean, his body looked a little bit more built, which made his nude brown shirt highlight his muscles. His dark brown hair was new but looked like it was made for him. He stopped walking just a few feet from us while playing with his car keys in his hands and stared at me blankly. He gave me a once over and his lips broke into a smirk. I heard Jayana walk to stand behind me and she whispered into my ear.

"Gracie, who in the hell is this?" I heard her but I didn't respond.

Look away. Look away Graciella, I yelled at myself mentally but I didn't. And neither did he.

"Haven Graciella Solace," my name slid off his lips like butter.

"Emiliano Alvarez."

The Alvarez brothers were one of the most successful and wealthy businessmen out there. Despite trying to keep a low profile their names would find their way into making headlines about their wealth. Thiago Alvarez was the oldest of the two and the one who had always been in my life. For as long as I could remember he treated me like his own and filled in the huge parenting gap my father could not. While my father spent most of his time on business trips, I spent most of my birthdays and holidays with Thiago and his wife, Elowen. There were times when I was younger I would ask him to adopt me but he always made it clear that my real dad loves me and he loves me just as much too. It wasn't rocket science to see that I completely adored Thiago.

But then there was Emiliano. He was the complete opposite of Thiago. Both got an equal share of the good looks and wealth, but unlike Thiago, he was a smart mouth, cocky with his speech and a complete flirt in my option. In his earlier years he spent most of his weekdays working and his weekends out as the life of the party. He always left an impression on people and was often called the fun brother. To most people, he was an amiable person. Except for me.

Spending so much time with Thiago meantb that I would meet Emiliano. In the beginning, he was very nice to me but as time went on I noticed he began to be distant. He would hardly have conversations with me asking me about school or anything about me in general. I know he didn't owe me anything but it was safe to say that my existence to him meant nothing. Not that I would blame him. If anything it was kind of my fault because well, a few years ago, I kissed him.

I had just turned sixteen and because my body had developed quickly, I could easily pass for an 18 or a 20-year-old. Back then the company I had was not so great and they had convinced me to go out for a few drinks using fake IDs. A few drinks turned into too many.

At the time Emiliano was at Thiago's visiting because it was the festive season and they are big on family. Thiago was working late that day so just assumed I was home. Emiliano on the other hand noticed I was gone and came looking for me. By the time he found me, I was already wasted. I know they say drunk people don't remember stuff but I remember it like yesterday. He took me back home and quietly to my room so that Elowen didn't wake up. He helped me with my shoes and coat and just as he was about to put me to bed, I kissed him.

I don't remember the details of that night perfectly but I do remember that kiss. How soft his lips felt against mine. How I caught him of guard so much so that he froze. How he eventually let me kiss him and how it would have escalated into something else if he didn't grope my waist and stop me.

The next day I acted like I didn't remember a thing that happened and thankfully he didn't bring it up either. From then he became even more distant and cold toward me and because I was so embarrassed I did my part too and avoided him like he was the plague.

To this day I never talked about it to anyone. Because how were people going to understand that my first kiss was with my pseudo-father's brother who was twelve years older than me?

Please Vote 😘😘