MY eyes widened when I saw Jonas looking at us. I pushed the girl away while Jonas suddenly lunged forward. I raised my hands to stop him from whatever he was about to do to me."Jo-Jonas, let me explain. It's not what you think it is!" I quickly said to him, but he still aggressively pinned me to the wall.Our eyes met with my twin. I can't blame him, but I must also explain that it was all just a misunderstanding."Jonas, will you please let him go?" the girl who had been flirting with me earlier also pleaded and tried to pull Jonas away. "C'mon, stop that! You're making a scene here, and it is so embarrassing!"Jonas chuckled at the girl's words and looked at her."Wow, you feel embarrassed while I'm trying to let out my anger on my fucking twin brother seeing him flirting with my girl, but you never felt embarrassed while you almost kissed in front of everyone?!"Jonas's sharp glances shifted between me and his girl."Jo-Jonas, let me explain—""Shut up! I don't need your fucking
THAT night, Kaye and I were sitting on the hood of my car. I was thankful to her because, somehow, the heaviness in my chest lessened. I cried for a long time while Kaye hugged me.I really couldn't hide my true feelings at that moment. It felt like my heart was being sliced and squeezed, making it hard for me to breathe and my chest tight. "It's a Good thing Kaye was here; otherwise, I might not have been able to handle it, and who knows what would have happened to me."We gazed at the stars in the sky and the twinkling lights from the houses and buildings in the city. The cool breeze made me hug myself, and Kaye did the same. I felt guilty since we didn't plan to go here; it happened out of necessity.When I felt better, we drove to the highland part of the city. Kaye invited me. Now, we are silently admiring the city lights and stargazing simultaneously.A long silence fell between Kaye and me. One thing I also liked about her was her ability to listen well to me. She knew when to
A week after our parents died, I was caught up in their leftover responsibilities. We decided to have their bodies cremated because they were almost unrecognizable—wholly burnt. The wake didn't last long, only three days. The worst part is that my brother and I didn't speak. He refused to talk to me until after our parents' wake.Everything happened quickly, like a ticking time bomb, and I don't know where to begin. Jonas took the opportunity to party as much as he wanted, and I could do nothing about it. He's always been rebellious and stubborn so that I couldn't control him. He went wild and didn't care about anyone. I know he's still hurting, so I let him be.I continue doing what I'm supposed to—studying hard and living my life until I can stand on my own two feet again. The goal remains the same: I need to become what my parents wanted me to be—at least, that's the only way I can make them happy after everything. But there's one thing I must give up—spending more time with the pe
For the past few months, I tried to focus and keep myself busy with things that needed attention before leaving the country. I sorted out everything that needed sorting in school and for my sibling. I made every effort to convince the school administration to pass my sibling. Luckily, they accepted my appeal. Originally, Jonas and I were supposed to walk up the stage together. That was the plan before Dad and Jonas's falling out. I'm sure my brother has been carrying a heavy burden of guilt all this time. I can imagine how tough it is to lose someone without having the chance to make amends. I feel sorry for my brother. Even though my patience is thin, I'm the only one he has now. Who else will do that for him if I need help understanding him? It's something my Dad couldn't provide for my brother. Besides Jonas's issues, I feel a sense of emptiness right now. After losing our parents, saying goodbye at their graves feels like the end for me, and dealing with Jonas' anger is like a
After Jonas stormed out while reading our parents' will, he went MIA for a few days. I didn't bother calling him because I knew he wouldn't pick up, but I kept tabs on him as best as possible, with Alex helping me out. I handled everything that needed sorting out, and I'm grateful that Alex was there to lend a hand. He's quick and reliable with the tasks I assign him. As I was getting together for my trip abroad, Alex knocked on my door and handed me a brown envelope. "Sorry to interrupt, Sir, but here's the file you requested yesterday." I took the envelope from him, "Thanks, Alex. By the way, how's she been lately?" She's still in the same place, but as you told me, I made sure that the University she wants to study at agreed to the settlement you mentioned. Your donation to the school, the scholarship you provide, and the one granted to Miss Kaye have been approved. All the details are in that envelope, Sir." It answered me while pointing to the envelope I was holding, "They a
"YOU DON'T NEED TO THREATEN ME OR TO DO THAT JONAS." I calmly replied. I stayed calm while Jonas was getting worked up, but he suddenly hesitated in his reaction, calming down a bit because of what he heard from me.Jonas was surprised by my response. I could tell he was shocked because he had always thought I was competing with him and supporting what our parents, especially Dad, were doing to him. But I don't want to be like my parents. I'm not like them, even though I understand where they're coming from.That may be why I've taken a different approach than my brother. But just because I understand, it doesn't mean my brother and I, being twins, will handle things the same way. It would be wrong and unfair to expect him to do what I did.So here I am. I was already anticipating his anger about the last will, so I decided that if my parents were here, they would say I was 'absurd and out of my mind.' It's funny how I can almost hear my Dad's voice."And why should I believe you?" Jo
I parked far away and quickly headed to the mini park near Kaye's workplace bar. We're supposed to meet at the pavilion where we used to hang out with Jonas. I was supposed to pick her up and go to the city's highland, but she said her schedule has been hectic lately, and she only has a little time.I felt sad about it because I couldn't help but think she was avoiding me on purpose, but on the other hand, I'm trying my best to understand her recent actions and not jump to conclusions about what Kaye's been up to. I know the damn truth that Kaye is busting her ass to make ends meet, unlike me.Although I admit that things haven't been good and easy between us since our last encounter, I've been contemplating for a while whether I should just spill everything to her or stick to the original plan.It's been weeks now since I've been wondering if I should tell her everything, especially when she mentioned she knows I haven't been completely honest with her. I really ponder that matter de
I saw Kaye wipe her face with her hands and let out a deep sigh before she got in front of me. Then she passed through me, put her backpack on the marble table, and went to a corner of the pavilion. She kept on taking deep breaths and fixing herself like she couldn't sit still, and then she went to face me again. At that moment, her eyes pierced my soul, and I saw how frustrated, disappointed, and pained she was. I opened my mouth, and with all the things I wanted to say to her, I couldn't find the right words. The only thing that came out was the word "I-I'm sorry…" since I didn't know where to start. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I even saw her bite her lip while looking at me with narrowed eyes. She was so upset, and she was definitely suppressing her anger toward me. "And now you're saying sorry... again, and why? Hmmm?" she said as a tear suddenly escaped her eye. She quickly wiped it away from her eye and cheek. "Are you apologizing because you didn't tell me t
Well, this is Dylan Mijares, and what else could be hidden from him? "I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away." "It's alright, Kaye... you have your reasons, and I respect that. Besides, I kept it from you too that I knew Jonas was your ex-boyfriend back then, which makes sense why you kept calling me Jonas then." I just shook my head and smiled as I remembered that day. "Yeah, that incident was so horrible and embarrassing." "Yes, I could agree. However, that incident gave us Nicolo and Nicolai, for which I am grateful. Thank you for being a great mom and dad to both of them." I leaned against the chair's backrest and crossed my arms and legs. "You're welcome, and you're right." "So, returning to your weird dream, why must you undergo hypnotism? I don't understand." After Dylan asked, I explained to him what happened since I woke up from a coma and what I saw and dreamt about. He was paying attention, hanging on to every detail I shared. He didn't interrupt me; he just kept list
Right now, I feel like I'm stumbling in the dark, and the longer it goes on, the scarier it gets. I'm afraid I might not be able to handle it. I just heaved a sigh, thinking about things that have been on my mind lately, hoping that this break will help me think, reflect, and figure something out. I snapped back to reality when I felt someone approaching me; he stood next to me, admiring the beautiful view of the mountains, too."So, how are you feeling so far?" he asked me.I glanced at him. He was dressed in a simple black V-neck shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and grey loafers."This guy looks cute right now, with a different vibe when not in a suit or tux." I thought to myself with a smile."And since you smiled, I'll consider that a 'yes.' I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better, Ms. Zobel," he added.I just shook my head before responding. "You're crazy!""Am I the crazy one?" he laughed and shook his head while handing me my coffee in a mug, "Tsk, here... coffee as you requested
I closed my eyes, trying to search inside my mind if it was possible that the dream was true or if my imagination just made it up it was, like what the Doctor and Jonas had said to me before. Remembering what happened to me in the past and when we were still together with Jonas, he told me that I fell down the stairs while reaching for something in the cabinet inside my apartment. He said he happened to be in my place to visit me. According to him, we were close friends. Honestly, when I woke up from the coma, I didn't remember anything, and if it weren't for Jonas' guidance and help back then, I don't know what I would do or where I would start... that's why I believed everything he told me. At that time, I had no other choice but to believe Jonas, and he proved to me that everything he said was true. I saw our pictures together on my phone and his as well. Eventually, I learned to trust him, but after a month, I had this dream; almost every night, I dreamt about it... I also exp
I woke up in the room and saw the Doctor talking to Dylan. I slowly got up to find out what just happened. "What happened?" I asked softly. Dylan immediately noticed me, so he quickly approached me and helped me get up properly, gently leaning against the bed's headboard where I was lying. "You passed out," Dylan said to me as I regained consciousness, "and because you were unconscious for a long time, I called the doctor to check on you." I was surprised why I fainted. Was I really that stressed in life that I ended up in a fainting situation? I couldn't believe it as I looked at Dylan, "Wh-What? How's that even possible?" then my eyes shifted to the Doctor, "---Doc?" "Well, it's possible Miss Lopez since—" the Doctor looked at Dylan before continuing, "since you've been stressed lately, and Mr. Mijares here told me about what's been happening with you... but you don't have to worry because you need proper rest and avoid getting stressed." As the Doctor explained, I nodded; may
I saw myself slipping on the side of the road; someone pushed me so hard that I lost my balance, and my head hit the concrete, where I fell. I was crying and scared, especially when I saw a body lying in the middle of the road. "Drew... Drew... Drew..." I kept repeating that name. I couldn't understand why I was saying that name. Who is Drew? Why am I crying for him? Why am I scared for him? I tried to open my eyes; I didn't want to close them... I was scared and worried about the body lying in the middle of the road. I wanted to scream and ask for help, but I was slowly losing strength. Until I saw some feet stop in front of me. I was lying there and slowly losing consciousness, but I fought it. I saw the owner of the feet that stopped in front of me squat down and seem to be examining me. Based on his posture and clothes, I saw that he was a man, and his hand brushed away a few strands of my hair covering my forehead. "Drew..." I kept whispering that name. After a few minute
Why do I feel this way? Whenever he hugs me, I feel something unexplainable right from the start... For some reason, Dylan's embrace always gives me relief, security, and comfort that I can't even explain to myself. It's like my body knows him so well. My body seems to trust him, which is why I easily give in to him and find it so hard to push him away. But is this right? I was trapped inside Dylan's strong arms. I could consciously feel how tight his embrace was. We were standing facing each other, but I wasn't hugging him back—it was just him holding me. I could also feel every exhale on my neck becoming aggressive. I also found myself swallowing my saliva multiple times as if something was blocking my throat. I don't know what else to say. How should I react to what he's doing? I know now that it's peaceful and I really like it. I close my eyes, wanting to cry. That's how I feel. Is this the same feeling I had with Jonas before? Unfortunately, it's not... even though I loved
I woke up to sunlight touching my skin and hitting my face. I moaned with annoyance because it was blinding. How did the sun's rays manage to penetrate the curtains of my room's window?How did that happen?As far as I can remember, I didn't remember opening the window and pulling its curtains.So how?I was wondering, and even though I was too lazy to open my eyes, I forced myself to open them, even though they seemed reluctant to open. My head felt heavy—the aftermath of drinking too much wine.I opened my eyes but not wide enough; as I attempted, I closed them again and changed positions. I turned around to the different side of the bed, the right side since the large window is on the left side of this unit."Ahhh! What is this?" I groaned irritably. Lying on my side, I covered my head with a pillow and tried to go back to sleep.But when I heard a creak from my door, I suddenly became alert and opened my eyes under my pillow—actually, I was very wide awake. My forehead creased as
SO I understand now why I couldn't just forget about those eyes that almost killed me with just one look after a long time. That feisty woman who never thinks twice about challenging me. My mind may forget, but I could say my heart recognizes her. I couldn't fully understand those times. But since that event happened to us, I couldn't sit still. I often dreamt of her, searching for her without reason until I decided to get a private investigator to find her... to see Kaye. It wasn't easy, especially when she was suddenly gone for five years and even changed her name. For the second time, I thank the heavens for giving us another chance to meet again. I'm not the type who believes in destiny, but what happened with Kaye and me involves destiny. I thought I was just obsessed with her because I was looking for her and wanted to know about her, and then I found out she has kids... our kids. When I saw her again at the mall with those kids, I knew in my heart who she was, and those kids w
A tear dropped as I finished reminiscing about the past while Kaye was asleep, just crying silently. I reached out, wiped away those tears lingering on her cheeks, and smiled bitterly. 'I hate myself that even after all these years, all I bring to Kaye is pain... maybe... I will never be good enough for her.' I sighed deeply once again, then stood up. I tucked her in, ensuring she was comfortable, adjusting the covers and brushing away a few strands of hair falling on her face. For a moment, I ran my fingers over her beautiful face, tracing every feature, then smiled as I gazed at her with teary eyes before leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I missed you... so much!" I softly but firmly said after the kiss, gently pressing her cheek with my thumb. Before long, I stood straight and took a few soft steps towards the door to leave Kaye's room. Carefully, I opened and closed the door behind me as I exited. But before finally shutting it, I stole one last glance at her. Once I was su