Chapter 2

I threw myself on the soft bed. I blew a lot of air when I realized I hadn’t been breathing since I got out of Gavin’s car.

I'm still wearing the dress and heels I put for the night out earlier, as if I don't want to move. My mind was too busy with what had happened. I just want to turn back time so I have never done that shameful move!

What will he think? That I flirted with him even though we were cousins? But I didn't know! How am I going to face him tomorrow? I even heard that he will sleep here tonight. Shit, I don't want to see him again!

Did he complain to brother Sage? those people at the bar who saw us, they used to see me like that at the bar, but what if they found out he was my cousin?

My eyes widened at my own thought. Oh my God! I can't let that happen!  I Immediately got my phone out of my pocket and dialed Adam's number. He's 24, but I don't call him brother. Seconds later and he picked it up.

"Yo Lea—"

"Fuck, Adam, I need your help." I sat down my bed and tucked my phone between my ears and left shoulder while unbuckling the strap of my heels.

"What? Why?" I could hear the loud noise of the music in his background.

"I need you to find those who saw me earlier at your bar, tell them they didn't see me in the bar tonight. I want everyone to shut up." I hook the straps on my fore and middle finger before standing up and walking towards my walk-in closet.

"Damn, kid, I heard you stri—"

"Say it and you're dead, Salonga." I hung up as I toss my heels at the corner of its kind.

I went out of there and threw my phone on my bed this time. It's already past two in the morning so I'm sure my dad is on his way back home. He's been on a business trip in Thailand so I was free to go clubbing while he's not around.

I'm still seventeen and this coming school year I'll be in my last year of senior high. I'm the youngest among us three.  Lorenzo is the eldest, in fact, he has a son and he's getting married this month. He's also a general surgeon and I think he's already 30 or 31? I'm not sure.

Sage is my partner in crime. He's a college student taking business, last year he was this coming school year, and even though he'll participate in our business, he wants to pursue music more than any other profession. He's three years older than me.

When I entered the shower, minutes of my almost stripping show came flashing back in my mind. Fuck, now, how could I possibly sleep after that ?!

The next morning, I feel so heavy. It was 8:14 am and I just slept for about 3 hours, I think? Overthinking really has its own way of ruining my body clock.

When I tried to get up, my headache hissed. I think I still have a hangover. I forced myself to stand up and yawn and went to the bathroom to wash. When I finished, I combed my hair and came out of the bathroom in a white t-shirt and dolphin shorts.

I left the room and went to the kitchen to get some water. I frowned walking when I caught sight of older brother Sage and Gavin sitting and talking. I was stunned for a moment and swallowed. I almost forgot he was still here!

I was nervous but I didn't move, in the end, I just ignored them. I was about to go straight to the kitchen when Sage noticed me and called me.

"Oh, Lea, come here. I didn't wake you up because you definitely still have a hangover."

I stopped walking and secretly slapped my older brother in my mind. When I looked back at them, Gavin didn't even look at me. He just kept on eating. Well, that’s even better for it's less awkward. I just hope he didn't tell my older brother about the outrage I did last night. Thinking of those moments makes me feel so cringe and wants to vomit.

I reluctantly walked towards them. I pulled up the chair next to brother Sage and sat there. The maid automatically poured water and juice for me. Gavin was in front of us, opposite of Sage.

My older brother put rice and a dish on my plate. "Sage, I'm on a diet. No rice for now." I whispered at him. When I finished pouring water into my glass, I immediately swallowed and drank.

"Diet my ass. Does your head hurt?" He asked while chewing. I just nodded before lowering the glass and starting moving the dish. My older brother handed me a cup of coffee.

I occasionally glance at Gavin but it seems like I just don’t affect him. He's wearing a navy blue polo shirt. I think it's Sunspel Riviera's because it looks like the one I gave to dad on his 52nd birthday. I also noticed that he was wearing a different Rolex.

My older brother kept talking even though I didn't understand anything. Occasionally Gavin answers but he doesn’t look at me. When he finished eating, he looked at me.

To my surprise, what I was eating stuck in my throat and I coughed a few times. A maid quickly attended and poured water into the glass. While I was drinking that I couldn’t look at him.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kuya Sage asked.

I nodded after drinking. "Y-yeah, I'm done now." I declared then stood up.

"Hey, eat well! wait, will you come later?" Kuya Sage suddenly asked so I stopped.

"Huh? What's up?" I asked.

He gave me his poker disappointed face. "Drag race." He says. I immediately got that Kuya Loren has another fight. He was the only one and Dad who's drag racing in us. Kuya Sage has a band.

"Will dad watch?" I asked.

He shook his head, "His schedule is hectic this week. Come along, Gavin will participate and we'll see who's better." Kuya Sage laughed and Gavin shook his head lightly.

I wouldn't have come but I was surprised to learn that he was also drag racing. I was excited to see his performance. I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him. He drank some water and pulled out his cellphone when it rang from his pocket.

"Excuse me." He stood up and walked into the living room, then I noticed his black jeans. Why does he look so dashing even in his simplest attire? I quickly shook and dismissed the thought. Damn, I need to stop being attracted to him. If I had only known right away that I was his cousin, I wouldn’t be like this.

I had many handsome relatives, and especially my older brothers, but I was never attracted to them. My God, insert Lee Minho's‘disgusting shit’.

I had left my older brother in the dining room and was about to go back to the room to get dressed because I was going to do a facial when I passed Gavin in the living room with his back facing me as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, Sadie, I'll take you here soon." I stopped walking.

I'm curious, yes, especially to the woman's name he mentioned. I wanted to listen more, but there were maids passing by and I didn't want them to think I was a gossip so I just kept walking until I reached the stairs.

I haven't even talked to him about what I did last night. I don't know if I should apologize or thank him because he didn't tell about it to anyone in the house. Ah, well, I also don't want to talk to him because it's awkward!

The race is still tonight, so I still have time to do a facial with Arthuro, my favorite salon owner. I fixed it up and asked our driver to drive me there. I spent 3-4 hours in his salon because I also combined my hair treatment and nail polish. I would have liked to go shopping, but I'm tired of sitting so I want to go to bed.

I picked up our driver and went home immediately. I regained sleep in the afternoon and woke up at 5:30 pm.

7 is the start of the race so I hurried to get ready. I wore my black sleeveless mini dress from Chanel, paired with a black platform high heels from YSL tributes, it was just sent by their branch from New York. I chose a set of silver accessories 

from Tiffany and Co. I let my hair down and keep them all at my back after putting my makeup. I made my eyes looks simple and I put on a dark red lipstick.

"Lea, there you are again with your dirt, you're taking too long. Let's go." It was Kuya Sage outside my door.

I made face while choosing which perfume should I use. "Coming!" I shouted back before spraying my Chanel 'Allure' perfume and got out of my room.

We arrived at the venue at 7:15, it was already crowded but we had no trouble getting to our VIP seat in the front where the vehicles were clearly visible. There is also a large screen at the top and from time to time the cameramen focus the camera on me and my brother so I had to fake a smile.

We've got some bodyguards with us around the field but they're here only to observe and monitor our safety. They will not come out if we do not call them and there is no emergency.

I saw Cora with Brianna walking towards us.

"Girl, why didn't you read our messages ?!" Hysterically says Brianna.

I just nodded and stepped aside so they could sit down. When they saw Kuya Sage they both looked embarrassed so they just kept quiet. Next to me was my older brother and Cora and next to her was Brianna. Cora leaned closer to me and whispered.

"What happened last night, huh? Where did you go? Did you know all the alcohol was free last night just so no one would gossip that you were about to undress?"

I was stunned and didn't know what to answer, "A-ah, no .. I was just taken home. And you know, that can't get to my brothers so that's it." I admitted.

"Sus, really? Did nothing happen? With that hottie, Azalea Bernice, you didn't give in?" I frowned at her because my older brother might hear her.

"Tone down your voice, Cora, Kuya might hear us!" I whispered a shout at her.

She just glared at me before answering, "C'mon, what's that guy's name? Didn't you ask?" She was still curious. Brianna was busy taking selfies so she didn't notice us.

"No." I answered before diverting my full attention to the field. The participants were ready next to their dragsters, I saw Kuya Loren talking to Gavin in the back of his twin turbo Lamborghini Huracan. He's wearing a yellow and black racing suit while Gavin is in his light blue and black racing suit. He looks dashing and incredibly hot, I must admit.

The referee whistled and the people began to make noise. I didn’t even understand what the announcer was saying as he read the standings of the racers.

A few moments later, older brothers Loren and Gavin said goodbye to each other. They went back to their dragster and I saw an Aston Martin Valkyrie that Gavin will use.

"Damn that's nice." Kuya Sage whispered, looking at Gavin as well.

I was silently watching him when someone suddenly approached us from the National Hot Rod Association  and handed us two iPhones. One I recognize was Kuya Loren's because of its black bumper case.

I accepted that both and inserted it into my pouch.

"Thanks," I said. When I turned my gaze back to the chin I saw that the dragsters were already lined up and one by one the racers were being introduced.

Kuya's code name is 'Acer' and Gavin's is 'Black Raven'.

"Gavin Wyatt Eleanor ..." I repeated the name mentioned by the announcer. The women shuddered because of the new Eleanor they saw.

"What the fuck ?!" Brianna cried when she heard Gavin's name. She turned to me in shock, "That’s him, isn't he? The guy last night? Did I hear it right, Lea ?!" I widened my eyes at her so she would lower her voice.

"I'll explain everything tomorrow, my God, let's not talk about that here," I whispered to them. Cora, on the other hand, was just an idiot and looked back and forth between me and Gavin below.

As the racers burnout, I felt my purse vibrate. I opened my pouch and grabbed the two iPhones, it wasn't Loren's phone but the other one. Its color space gray without a case. When I turned it on, I saw the notification on its lock screen. It was a message from 'Sadie'. I raised an eyebrow. So this is Gavin's phone, huh?

'Okay, just be careful. I miss you. '

I creased my forehead when I read the text. Is this his girlfriend? I remember her talking to Gavin on the phone earlier.

"What's the matter?" Kuya Sage asked.

"Does Gavin has a sister?" I asked out of nowhere. 

Sage just creased his forehead. "He's an only child, Lea. How can you forget?"

I inhaled in annoyance. So who was that? "You know I never met him!" I said. 

He just clicked his tongue and shook his head. I just shrugged the thought off and put it back inside my purse.

I diverted my attention to the track and cleared my throat as the girl raised the green flag. I immediately shifted my seat while waiting for the gun to give the cue, and when it did after a minute, my heart raced along with the racers down the field.

"Whoaaaa!"

"Go, Black Raven! Oh my god!"

"Acer for the win!"

"Did you see Black Raven ?! He's so hot!"

I winced at the shouts of the women behind us. Four racers were fighting, I realized that Gabriel was also one of them operating the yellow McLaren.

Kuya Loren and Gavin lead them. Gabriel chases but he can't keep up with Kuya's speed. People were screaming at the smooth drift that Kuya Loren made. It looks like he will win again. I smirked, but everyone was so quiet that Gavin quickly chased after him and went with Loren.

Trembling rumbled in my chest as I watched the cars almost fly away.

The audience roared again and no longer knew whose name to shout. Gabriel and your other racer also caught up in a Rimac.

As the second lap approached, Gavin and Kuya were evenly spaced ahead as Gabriel's McLaren sped faster and faster. The announcer says he can exceed his dial-in but he still continues to push.

I was shaken when it went on to breakout. What the hell, he cheats at everything. Tss. It was quickly recorded as a foul so he went back to normal speed.

"Shit baby!" Complaint of the woman behind me.

"That's foul." My older brother whispered to me.

It was also quickly forgotten by the audience when the second lap started which was still led by older brother Loren.

The four did not stop running and when they reached the finish line, Kuya won.

Cora and Brianna and I were jumping when the race was over. I hugged older brother Sage while shouting in ecstasy.

Cora and Brianna say goodbye and leave because Cora will meet her boyfriend, the actress.

“Sure, let’s just meet tomorrow to get my things.” I said

"Bye! Be careful, bye, Sage!" Brianna bid her goodbye.

"Bye, Bri," the older brother replied to Cora's goodbye and she made a flustered face.

"Alright, please tell Kuya Loren, congrats." He said before they veered off course.

We quickly walked out of there and headed downstairs. The people were crowded but separated whenever they saw us passing by. Brother Sage held my hand as he was in front of me and preceded our walk.

When I arrived at the field, I immediately ran towards my older brother who was removing his protective helmet.

"Kuya!" I shouted as I walked towards him, I was a little hard because of the heels and short dress but it was okay. When he saw me he quickly hugged me and lifted me up. "Congratulations! You're great!" I said as I hugged him.

When I let go he messed up my hair, he smiled. "Thank you, brat," He returned the helmet inside his Lamborghini.

"Congrats bro, that was so cool." Brother Sage.

Kuya Loren sneered at him and patted him on the back. "Of course," He bragged. We laughed, I noticed that Kuya Loren was waiting for something because he had been looking behind him for a while. When I looked at it I was stunned because Gavin was approaching us.

"Hey, Wyatt, nice play." Courtesy of Kuya Loren. Gavin stopped on my left side so I backed away a bit so we weren’t close.

"Congrats," she replied as she straightened her curly hair. They patted their backs before Kuya Sage spoke to Gavin. The women mobbed us so I backed away. Kuya Sage is busy with the women talking to him, while Kuya Loren is taking a lot of pictures.

A few more elbows hit my side so I frowned. "Hey, slow down— fuck." I was pushed to my left when someone hit my right shoulder and went straight to older brother Loren.

The women came one after the other so I was quickly irritated. Because I was on heels, I quickly lost my balance and almost fell over if not for the stiff arm over my waist. I was stunned when my back hit its hard chest.

I turned to him quickly and my lips parted when I saw Gavin's serious look. I now lean in front of him as I meet his dark eyes and furrowed forehead. Seems like he's still against it to catch me ?!

My forehead also frowned and I pulled his hand away and left leaning on his chest. I turned to face him and it was right that someone hit me in the back so I squeezed him. What the hell, the scent! I closed my eyes tightly and restrained myself from sniffing his neck. Oh, damn, this is bad.

"Lea!" I jumped when I heard brother Loren's voice. I rolled my eyes and quickly pulled away from Gavin but I was so shocked when he squeezed my back again so I sank in front of his chest!

"Lorenzo, I think your sister's sick." He said in a low tone that surprised me. What? Me, sick? Nothing, ah! I struggled but he hugged me tightly. "I'll take her home, you can go celebrate with your friends." He added.

Huh ?! Why are we going home? I want to eat out! "Hey, you motherfu — ljksgztfavsc" I was cut off when he pressed my head with one hand to his chest.

"She's crying." He told my brothers.

"What? What happened? Lea, what's wrong?" Kuya Lorenzo asked but I couldn't answer.

"I'll take care of her, we'll go now." He said goodbye before pulling me away from there. I tried to withdraw my hand but he held on tightly.

"Hey, hey! Let me go!" I shouted at him, fortunately, and almost everyone's attention was on brother Loren so no one noticed what he was doing to me. "And what do you mean I'm sick, huh? I am perfectly fine, you idiot!"

I stopped walking when he suddenly faced me and ate our distance.

I backed away. "Be thankful that you're wearing a dress, I can't carry you out of here. Now shut up and walk or I'll drag you at any cost." His eyes were serious as he held my hand tightly, I wasn't in pain, but I couldn't get away either.

I was led by the fear that he might not be joking and drag me out of here. I decided to just keep quiet and frown to obey even though I didn't know if he would really take me home or take me somewhere. Why is he always pulling me? He's been dragging me since last night!