Chapter 4

"ARE YOU shooing me away?" her tone becomes more serious and fierce.

"Well Uhm-it's not like that!" the man kept touching his temple. She can read that he is stress because of her uninvited presence.

The teller interrupted her, "Ma'am he signed into our logbook and he's in event venue room 4, It's an engagement venue ma'am. A friend of his booked it." She raised her brows, Sure, this teller talks too much. Perhaps being famous has its perks.

"Thank you so much." She gave her a smile and when she turned at Zitron and eyed him to accompany her to the room that the teller said.

When they got into the venue, she watched how a man proposed to the girl. When she saw the couple, she felt a familiar pain. A pinch in her heart, at a, struck she felt sad.

"Zaph. . .are you okay?" she even forgot that Zitron is with her. When the light turned on, the attention shifted to her.

"What is she doing here?"

"Guguluhin niya kaya sila?"

"Can she remember now?"

"Is she back for him?"

What are they saying? Do they know me? She thought, confused about the situation.

She felt uncomfortable with the stares and whispers. Then she saw Sirius and he looked shocked, but she saw a glint of excitement on him. It was like he wanted to see her, but... not in this situation.

"Z-zaph?!" he exclaimed. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?" ani ni Sirius habang papalapit sa kanya.

Pyros and Alexis went closer to greet her. Alexis looked constipated as she saw her. She forced a smile. "Ms Andrejez, it's a pleasure for us to see you here. May I know the reason how you knew about this?" Pyros said as they shake hands.

She felt electricity roam her body as their hands met. "I followed a friend, I am sorry for coming unannounced." She explained making a winced face.

"A friend? May I ask who?" Alexis broke off their stares, sure she was really protective of Pyros. "Sirius. . .actually he's a suitor of mine." She answered and shifted her gaze to Sirius and smiled at him.

It was an uneasy smile. One that she felt like un-genuine for it was forced, just to let others see that she is happy. Because she doesn't even know why she's hurt and pained of the happy couple.

That night passed in a blur. Alexis had to go back earlier than planned due to her shoot for a movie. So, Pyros is left in Paris with Sirius and Zaph.

"Bro, are you sure that you want to come with us?" Sirius asked him and it sounded that Sirius is irritated at him. He felt good inside that he is irritating his friend, but in a different way. . .

For a day, Pyros became a third wheel of the two, even if Zaph and Sirius aren't officially a couple yet. Pyros felt jealous and hated seeing Sirius too close to Zaph. Why am I feeling this way? he asked himself.

WHILE having their lunch, Zaph tried to steal glances to see Pyros. Her being with Sirius felt incomplete, it felt like Sirius is not enough. It felt like she's unhappy with him. . .for the first time.

It was nine in the evening when Sirius bid goodbye to the both of them. He said he's needed back in New York for his work. And even if Sirius didn't want to leave both of them together, he had no choice.

The next day Pyros went to Zaph's hotel and waited for her.

"Why am I here, waiting for her? I don't even who she is," he said and sighed. He thought of spending time with her, there's a feeling of being connected.

When he spotted her walking in the lobby towards the door, he immediately runs to her.

"Zaphyra!" he shouted to get her attention. Lucky him, she stopped in her tracks and was shocked to see him there.

"Pyros?" she raised a brow, completely curious about the situation. "What are you doing here?" dagdag niya pa, napakamot naman sa batok ang lalaki sabay sa pag-ngiwi dahil sa hiya.

"Uhm. . .do you have somewhere to go?" he asked her.

She chuckled and replied, "No, actually I was just going out for a breakfast. How about you?" and added a question.

"Wala, aayain sana kita. . .Kung ayos lang."She was stunned. But she felt happy, a new, yet familiar happiness. And with that, she nods and he couldn't believe it.

They think that they are just complete strangers hanging out with each other. As they walk to the streets of the city of Paris. People took pictures of them, not only because of Zaph being a world-renowned fashion designer but also being of a guy that "she might be dating".

Pyros sure is keeping her entertained by making jokes while they are roaming around the same place they went with Sirius. But surely Sirius didn't take her to museums and the Eiffel Tower.

That's the difference between Pyros and Sirius. Pyros is the type of guy who sticks with common things but, being with him is superb. While Sirius is a guy who would take you to expensive and unique places but, being with him is plain. Sirius is a man of elegance and riches.

That is what made Zaph fell in love with Pyros. And that is one of the sole reasons why Alexis wanted Pyros. He's simple yet entertaining. Because Sirius is serious.

"SO. . .what do you think of the bread?" Pyros asked Zaphyra. And she didn't have the chance to reply because she is busy munching the bread that they bought in the open market.

Pyros wanted her to feel the lifestyle of Parisians that's why he picked a very simple place. . .the open market. Kumbaga isang palengke sa Paris niya dinala si Zaph. And she actually enjoyed it.

Maybe they didn't really forget their habits. They only forgot their life, themselves. But. . .they are still them, it feels like nothing really changed. That this is the chance that they wanted, a chance to start from scratch-from being complete strangers.

They also went to the Eiffel tower and had a special entry until the top because of Zaphyra's "famous" perks.

They were laughing just like the last time before a tragedy happened. And just like the old times, Pyros can't help but stare at Zaph's beautiful face. A face that once looked pained because of him. And chatting about each other's life.

"So, you really love Alexis? Do you?" she asked while playing with her fingers. She felt torturing herself, her heart clenched in pain and her head is aching.

"Of course. . .I will not ask her hand for marriage if not," he said and smiled genuinely. Though he felt cheating on Alexis by not telling her that he's with Zaph.

When he looked in her direction, she was busy taking pills. "Are you sick?" he asked out of curiosity.

"Well, they said that I had an accident years ago and since then my head just hurts at random times on most random places. . ." she said without glancing at him.

Zaph took most of the damage physically. She was in a coma for a year and had to undergo treatments due to random things that when she sees, her head just hurts a lot.

Those things are flowers, specifically daisies; and she hated the blue sky. She said that it reminds her of a painful day. . .when she is at her worse the sky is joyful.

"What is really in your mind?" she snapped back to reality when she heard his husky voice and saw him intently looking at her. She blushed when he smiled at her so she tried to hide it, but only to hear him chuckle. "You look more beautiful when you blush. . ." he said.

"Should I blush all the time?" she fought his stares and pretended not to feel any embarrassment. She raised her brows like a fierce lioness ready to wave her claws.

Pyros is stunned about what she said and smiled at her, "Well then, should I make you blush all the time?" sabi niya at kitang kita ang mga nakakalokong ngiti sa mga labi na tila pinang-titripan niya si Zaph.

"T-the view is a-astonishing from u-up here. . ." pag-iiba niya ng usapan at pag-iwas sa mga nakakalunod na tingin ni Pyros.

She felt him smirk and, "I think, you and my fiancee will be good friends. . ." he said, and she felt like it was a stab in her heart. "Y-yeah. . ." she replied in pain.

It was insensitive of him to shift the topic to his fiancé, though it's been a clear mystery for the both of them of what they actually feel. Maybe destiny is just cruel to them.

"HI...I'm Czesca," the girl with Yanex approached her. She looks familiar. . .right!

"You mean, Czesca Turner? The model?" she is curious why this girl here is with his brother.

"Y-yeah. . ." nahihiyang sabi nito. "Why are you here? As far as I can remember, my twin has a girlfriend, Miranda Oasis, also a model right?" usisa niya pa na para bang imbestigador.

"Uh, I'm Chelsy's twin, his-uhm-fiancee..." sabi nito na ikinagulat niya. "Fiancee?!" nagulat si Czesca sa siga niya. "Sorry, nagulat ako." sabi niya at bahagyang nginitian ito.

Nang umalis ang babae ay agad siyang pumunta sa mga kuya niya na kasama ngayon ang mga magulang nila.

Agad niyang binuksan ang pintuan ng library at nagmartsa papasok. All of her brothers are intently looking at her, like they know that Zaph is at rage.

"My twin has a girlfriend and a different fiancee and his real fiancee is not here, only the twin. Better explain fam," it is a command from the princess of the family. "Anyone?" she added while her family gave her complete silence.

"Uhm, Zaph I think you don't need to get involved-" singit ng kuya Zac niya na nabulag rin. Ngunit hindi ito pinatapos ni Yanex, "She's my twin, our sister. She needs to know why." He said while making "our sister" highlighted.

"Chelsy is supposed to be Yanex's bride but she died in the accident; she was with Zac and Yex," panimula ni Zio. "The girl died and Uhm, the Turner family wanted to compensate their debts to our family by merging and they insisted marriage, Yex is single-,"

"I am not single! I have a girlfriend, her name is Miranda and because of that Czesca, she broke up with me!" sigaw ni Yex na dahilan para magulat silang lahat. Yex is aggressive at times, but not like this.

"Continue," Zaph said in finality, ignoring her brothers' rant first. "Czesca liked Yex. And she is jealous dahil ate niya ang ipinag-kasundo kay Yex, though she doesn't have anything to do with the accident."

She raised her brows, "Let me get this straight, Czesca will get married to Yex. When?" nagkatinginan sila sa sinabi ni Zaph. "After a year maybe?" sabi naman ni Zach na tatay nila.

"I will never marry her." He said but can't move out of his place because he can't see anything. I do understand him, he's a man with a free-flow going life. He doesn't want someone to dictate his life. She felt disappointed at the sudden decision of her family about marriage, this is unlikely them deciding about life. They are a family who consults each other before having a concrete decision.

She pursued her lips and, "I'm very disappointed, whatever the reason, marriage is not always the answer," She said and met Czesca's gaze. She sighed as she stands up and turned her back. "Alam natin kung paano gumawa ng desisyon si Yex. Though I really like how it turned out, I don't like Miranda for him-" she couldn't finish with his twin's sudden outburst. "Zaph!" he shouted.

She went back home to celebrate something important and even his twin forgot about it. It's their birthday and no one even remembers about it.

She left a faint smile before leaving the room and said, "Happy Birthday, my twin." Walking fast paces towards the door of their study room. Pain, disappointment, being confusion is evident on her face. Even though it is her parent's decision and she respects them so much, it feels like it's their most risky decision. But she knows that there is always a reason behind that, she does trust her parents.

ZIO'S eyes widened as she greeted Yex with a happy birthday. They were left stunned and unmoving then felt disappointment in themselves.

"Birthday pala namin." Komento naman ni Yex at marahang ngumiti ng pilit. "Czesca, are you there?" he asked out of nowhere, "Y-yeah. . ." she stuttered while walking towards his direction, "Bring me to my room." He said sternly, not having any emotions. He then moved and kept his calm-irritated face.

When he got out of the room, there was a long silence that gave them shivers. "She's very disappointed with our sudden decision, we should wait for Yanex's approval again." Zio broke the silence and everyone looked at him except Zac who is also involved in the accident and can't see anything. "Well, you know Yex. His decision is his decision, once he makes it he knows it's for his best."

"What are we supposed to do now?" Yohann asked clueless about the next steps to take. "I don't know. Your father and I are very sorry for the trouble that is caused." Arqienna, their mother said in a low regretting voice. "I'm not sorry for anything," Zach said in finality.

"Dad! You know that we should consider Yex's approval for this." Laban naman ng unico ijo niyang si Zac. Huminga siya ng malalim bago magsalita, "Didn't you hear him earlier? He's clearly dependent to Czesca and he's calmer than usual. He needs to understand that there is no sure decision," bumaling siya sa asawa, "He must learn to be serious in life. That Miranda is not fit for her, if she loves him ay siya dapat ang nag-aalaga kay Yex. At dapat ay naiintindihan niya ang desisyon ng pamilya, lalo pa na noon na hindi pa naman sigurado ang lahat pero iniwan na niya ang kapatid niyo." Sabi nito na ikinatahimik ng lahat.