Chapter 5

ON THE car Zaph's head started hurting. Like it is drenching, she reached out for her meds but it isn't enough to ease the pain, it just made the pain more intense.

A man she saw,

In her heart, it left awe,

Though the man was without a face,

She saw a familiar clothing lace.

He swiftly moved in her direction

She felt its good intention,

And then she had a tingling sensation

"He's a beautiful creation."

But the man vanished

Without a trace, he disappeared.

Into thin air, he wasn't seen,

Nor felt again.

As she opens her eyes she couldn't stop but wonder, who is that man? Is he real? Or is it just because my head hurts again? The pain in her head seem to ease, but there's another pain she suddenly felt. It was her heart. Her heart is aching for an unknown reason.

From: Serious

Happy Birthday! I love you! Send my regards to your twin. /*lots of kisses

-Sirius

Her phone beeped and she saw the screen. It's the only greeting she received. Yet she can't smile either feel happy about it. She wanted to see him.

Who is he? Why is she falling in love with him? Bakit siya pa?

ZAPHYRA chose her career over her family for the first time. She didn't wait for their permission to let her come back to New York, instead, she went back by herself-with a one-way ticket to show them how persistent she is about decision making and being independent.

She drowned herself in work and come home late then have two to three hours of sleep.

Sitting on her table, her secretary, Jean Benedict, entered having documents in her arms. "Ma'am, you will have a meeting in an hour. About the models that will represent our clothing line," she said and Zaph didn't even bother to look at her as she put the documents on the table.

"Continue. . ." she said. "There's one of the models who are persistent to be the representative. They've been waiting for this appointment for quite some time," she continued, finally, Zaph looked at her and raised a brow asking who the girl is, "Alexis Lainne Torallba."

Alexis. . .She nodded and continued to read the files.

AN HOUR passed, Alexis and her manager already arrived and is waiting in the fashion ramp. While Zaph felt fierce and irritated when she felt Alexis' presence.

When she and her secretary entered the fashion ramp room. Alexis, the manager, and the other models stood up to greet her. Unlike the past meetings, she is a snob and she only rolled her eyes, trying to show her wicked side.

Her dark aura is felt as she sat down. Alexis and the other models are waiting to be called backstage. One by one they were called clothed with the dresses designed by Zaphire designers.

AS Zaph reviewed and studied their walk and poses. She can't deny how good it turned out for Alexis, it looks like everything suits her. Alexis is voluptuous, from healthy breasts too, curve body, 'til her thick butt.

She gave a fifteen-minute bathroom break for all the models and she walked through the halls, suddenly she stopped. She reached for her phone and turned on the camera.

"I'm sure that she will choose me, she knows me and she even went to my engagement party!" rinig niyang maarteng sigaw ni Alexis mula sa banyo, sinilip niya ito at nakitang dinuduro-duro nito ang iba pang model.

Napataas ang kilay niya at bumaling sa sekretarya, "I want to talk to Alexis' manager." She commanded and let her secretary lead the way.

She walked with her head high and sat in front of the managers and the manager was in shock. She asked for the others to leave, leaving her, the manager, and Jean.

"Ms. Roque, Alexis' manager. Am I right?" marahang napatango sa kanya ang babaeng may edad na. Nakangiti ito at nakangisi sa mga nakasilip na manager mula sa labas ng kuwartong gawa sa glass windows.

"We are glad that you chose us. . ." galak na sabi pa nito. And that made Zaph chuckle, sumabay rin ang manager sa tawa niya. Samantalang si Jean ay nakangisi.

Inilapag ni Zaph ang phone at ipinanood ang video sa babae, "I'm glad we chose you. . ." to be disqualified." She said with a stern but sarcastic tone. Because of that, the manager stood up in shock, her face filled with regret and irritation.

Alexis went inside the room without knocking and smiling as if she got in. She even reached for her hands and said, "Thank you, Zaphyra. I'll invite you to the wedding!" humagikhik pa ito.

"Mrs. Roque, kindly explain to her." Sabi niya habang bumitaw sa kamay ng dalaga at sumulyap muli sa sekretarya, "Do you have an alcohol? Ayaw ko kasing mahawa sa pagiging arogante ni Ms. Torallba." Halata ang pagpipigil ni Jean ng tawa habang ini-spray niya ang alcohol sa kamay ni Zaph.

She stunningly walked past Alexis' who just got burned. When she opened the glass door, one woman caught her eyes. It is Czesca, she is panting and sweating, "Sorry I'm late!" I'm sure she felt haggard but, she still looks naturally dazzling. Zaphyra smiled at her and stared at her beauty.

"It's okay. You can still join the elimination later. . ." she wanted to give the fright but sure she is really kind-hearted. She knows that Czesca Turner never earned the spotlight because of its twin, Chelsy-may she has peace.

She turned her head with her smile back on her face. I've never seen such beauty. A thought from her.

ALEXIS' remained silent, stunned, and face if full of embarrassment because of what happened. She always knew that she will always be the best choice and that any clothing line would be contented with her and do everything she wants. Other models felt progress on their "soon" triumph.

A model came closer to her and told her, "Wow, you are really chosen!" enthusiastically with sarcasm she exclaimed, and that made the others giggle. Yet it is different for Czesca, she approached her, "It's okay. Just try better on the other searches." And patted Alexis' shoulder Some must be blind not see her inner beauty.

Irritated, Alexis grabbed her arms and shouted at her, "You! You will never get chosen. You can never replace nor replicate your twin's personality! You'll always be second among everybody!" but instead of being offended and down, she smiled at her and slowly hold Alexis' hand to let go of her.

"I know, I would never want to be my sister. I want to be myself," calmly with passion and pride she replied to her. A gentle smile once again crept into her face with those eyes showing friendly care. With that you know what kind of girl Czesca is, she may be a twin to her sister, but she shows a different personality and kindness with the same face.

WEEKS passed after the search, Alexis is back in the Philippines and still continued her petty attitude among her co-models in her agency.

It's Sunday and an another day for Pyros' and Alexis' date. Pyros is leaning on his car with a simple attire waiting in front of Alexis' house. Though they are already engaged, he didn't want them to live in one roof until they are married or if Alexis' is already pregnant.

When he heard the gate opened, his gaze shifted onto her. His gorgeous fiancee, wearing a sad face that doesn't suit her clothes. Clothes that are too revealing that's why his stares became glares. "What are you wearing?" firmly he asked crossing his arms ready for an "interrogation".

"Uhm. . .clothes?" she said cluelessly. "I know. But you're showing too much skin!" he hissed. "So?" she chuckled, "So change!" that made Alexi's roll her eyes and sigh. "Py, I'm a model and I do bikini shoots then have it in billboards." She explained. "Kahit na." His voice became more stern and cold, commanding her.

"When will we get married?" Alexis inclined and caught him off guard. Yet he remained silent, composing a sentence for her, he sighed as he speaks.

"We just got engaged last month, we should think about it, Hon," pero ang tugon sa kanya ng nobya ay reklamo, "You're 24 and I'm 23! We are not getting any younger!" the car shakes as she stomped her feet, dahilan para mapakamot si Pyros sa ulo.

I MISS him so much. Zaph thought and sighed, remembering him, then her phone beeped.

From: Serious

I missed you. You didn't tell me you're back in NY, can I ask you for a date?

-SyempreGwapo

It felt sweet for her at the same time funny, because of Sirius' witty nicknames. She felt happy that there is still someone that she is sure that will stay with her. Sirius has his own wit even though he's serious at times. . .

Today is her rest day as advised from her co-workers to stop her from ruining her health. Laying in her bed covered by its soft comforter, she just woke up from a sleep and received a message that made her smile.

Roaming her gaze around the room, where she hasn't been paying attention even though she lives there. She saw a box up in the cabinet right in front of her bed. "Why didn't I see that before?" she whispered getting up her luxurious bed. As she got up from laying, she slowly walked towards the cabinet.

Tiptoed she tried to reach the box, as she felt it at the tip of her hands, she tiptoed higher. The moment she finally reached it and get a hold of it. . .she fell on the floor. "Ouch. . ." she said feeling an ache, but her gaze shifted to the objects scattered on the floor.

Letters, and dried daisies that she hated. But this one, she loved it. "Letters and daisies?" she asked out of nowhere out of curiosity. As she hold the letters in her hand and started opening it, she felt a longing for someone. Starting from the first one, she started reading it.

Dear Zaphyra,

This is my letter for you after you finally gave your sweet yes. This is my first letter for you and I hope that this won't be the last. I just want you to know that you do have a special place here in my life, in my heart. At first, It was all an act, but you made me wait for you. I don't know why.

Maybe I really like you-I love you. . .you became the air I breathe, you became a reason of me pursuing more in my life, being a better person. You thought me many things, that you don't even know how to learn. I love you, Hon.

Love, Ryl.

As tears escape her eyes, her heart also clenched in so much pain. "Who are you. . .Ryl?" she hugged herself. As she compose herself, she searched the other letters if there is a whole name, there is not. She wanted to know who he is. Searching, a picture made her fingers and whole stop. A boy and girl facing the view and not looking at the camera. "His figures are. . .familiar."

With her stares, she felt her head ache along with her heart. . .

Zio wanted to apologized to Zaph, so he went to New York to surprise her. Their brother Yex, wanted to be alone and pushed everyone away, so he picked to go after Zaph. He dearly love her sister.

As he heard the elevator ring, he wet his lips ready for his apology. He is about to knock when he heard grunts and shouts inside. The peace offering in his hand fell on the floor, he ran towards the emergency exit, instead of the elevator. "Just-wait for-me, Zaph," he said while panting hard.

As he reached the information desk, he immediately asked for Zaph's key. "Faster!" he shouted, panicking for her sister's health. When the staff handed him the key, he immediately reached for the elevator. He's frustrated because of the slow machine. Until he heard the guard calling for him, "Sir! Take the service elevator." He nodded and sprinted as the elevator's doors opened just at the right time.

As soon as he reached Zaph's floor. He immediately opened the door with the keys. And there she saw Zaph, sitting on the floor, crying in pain while holding a letter in her hand. . .

"Z-zaph. . ." he can help but stutter because of Zaph that is trying to endure the pain. Sapo nito ang ulo gamit ang isang kamay habang ang isa ay hawak ang sulat ni. . . "Pyros." He said and acted immediately.

He held his sister in his arms, caressing her hair as she cries because of pain. When Zaph fell asleep, he laid her in bed and called his brothers.

He went to her balcony and dialed Yoh's Phone.

"It's the first time I saw her in so much pain, for years I know that we haven't been sure if she's already cured." He said waiting for his brothers reply.

"We must face the fact that she might regain her memory for she is starting to see glimpses of her past. . .wala na tayong magagawa kung sakaling mangyari 'yon." Tugon nito at sumingit naman si Zac.

"We should tell her that she has amnesia, kaysa naman hindi natin sabihin sa kaniya ang ang totoo. But of course, hindi natin siya pipiliting makaalala."

In the end, they all agreed to Zac's suggestion. His brothers are right, they shouldn't be secretive about the truth.

When he came back from the balcony, he saw her sister peacefully sleeping. But he averted his gaze to the mess on the floor. Those were the letters and dried daisies that Pyros gave his sister back then.

One by one he picked those up and put them back in the container, Why did I even leave them here? Sana tinapon ko na lang. He whispered in his thoughts.

What caught his attention was a book, "Romeo and Juliet. . ." he read the title, he sighed and lifted it. Nagulat naman siya nang may nahulog ba papel, it was actually a picture-Zaph and Pyros' backs faced the camera.

There he remembered the cake and the flowers that he brought. He ran to check it, only to see a staff cleaning already. He awkwardly smiled at the staff and massaged his nape, "Sorry for the mess. . ." he was stunned when the staff laughed at him.

"I'm not the one who got pissed for the mess, Sir. You should call your sister's neighbour, here's her number." The staff gave him a paper with a phone number. And so he thanked the staff and dialled the number.

"Hello, Patricia Jimenez speaking. Who is this?" he couldn't utter a word when he heard her lovely voice again. "Hello, who is this?" he turned down the call when his constant fear suddenly slapped him in the face.

He still can't face her because of what happened between them. Though no one cheated, there was no proper break-up between them.

"Urgh. . ." he was busy thinking when he hears Zaph groaned. Because of that, he immediately went to her, but she's still fast asleep.