CHAPTER 1

I RUBBED my eyes as I awoke from a long sleep. I stretched my body lazily. Because it was so tiring last night, and I was lying on the soft bed, my body almost cannot move. I can see the light coming from the sun passing the windows.

“Good morning,” Avana greeted me. She sat on her own bed while holding the guitar and streaming softly. The room we occupied was large and had three enormous beds.

“Morning. Where’s Avery?” I asked with a smile as I stretched again. I yawned more and lightly combed my hair with my fingers. It was tangled, but I patiently fixed it. I took a deep breath before sitting down and picked up the bottled water placed on top of the nightstand.

“She left earlier. I think she has something to buy.” She stood and leaned on the side of the nightstand of her favorite instrument. “Eat your breakfast. Avery and I ate first because you had a good night’s sleep. It’s embarrassing if we disturb you. Where did you go last night after our gig and you vanished? Mommy and Manager Dory were looking for you,” her long words to me. Because of what she said, my blood suddenly boiled and my muscles trembled with rage. “Hey, are you okay?” Avana asked me when she noticed maybe my expression had changed. She gently combed her blonde hair.

I blew air, then got up and went to the bathroom. “Nothing. What time are we going home to Houston? I don’t want to be here anymore.”

My sister stopped combing and stared at me. “Tell me, what happened? Did you see anything?” I met her eyes without emotion. Forced to hide how I really feel. Wondering why she was asking a question like that. “Before we came here, you were so excited because you wanted to take a quick vacation here in Texas City. Why did you seem to change your plan? It's so sudden...”

“It’s not like that. I just really lost the urge to have a vacation here. I want to go home. I was tired from our gig last night. Don't you feel the same thing?"

“Is that true?” She seems not to believe what I have said to her.

“Of course! You’re crazy, Avana! And then I saw nothing! Who do you think I can see here in Texas City?” I almost shouted. I turned on the faucet in the sink and started washing my face. Also brushed my teeth afterward.

“Alright!” Even though she says nothing, I can sense that there's something with her answer.

I heard my sister's laugh. I turned and see Avana, who was standing at the door. She smirks while she's looking at her nails. I pulled the blue towel out of the drawer. “Avana, stop! You are not even funny."

“With your face like that, I know you saw something unpleasant. Or should I say, you saw someone... So, tell me… Did you see—”

“Shut up, Avana! Don’t you dare to say that bastard’s name!” I cut whatever she wants to say, causing her to laugh even more.

“Fine! Why are you still so mad at that man? My God! It’s been three years, Ava. You should have moved on!”

I wiped my wet face before hang-up the towel over my shoulder. After leaving the bathroom, I went to the table and take my seat. I don't know what comes to my sister's mind, and she's teasing me like this. Obviously, she has an idea about what happened last night. I don't need to tell her everything.

“Nice talking, my dearest sister!” Avana sighed. I still ignored her. I just ate until my tummy was full.

“WHERE have you been last night, Ava?” Mommy’s angry voice greeted me as I descended into the hotel lobby. With my fingers, I parted and combed my burgundy-colored hair. I tried to calm myself. I don't want to have an argument with my mom, so I ignored her.

"Ava, I am talking to you." Her voice now has authority.

I lazily look at her. “I just talked to an old acquaintance,” I replied to her. She didn’t seem satisfied with my answer, so I added that. “We just had a good time and ate and then we parted ways.”

Mommy’s face wrinkled, but I ignored her again. As if I would tell her the truth. Though I know she may already know, I’m not sure. I won’t tell her where I went last night and who I met.

Mom took me by the arm. I felt she was furious with the way she was holding me, even though I was wearing a black leather jacket. She looked down and whispered in my ear. "Ava, think before you will go somewhere. Your group is getting to know you little by little. Don’t put—”

“Come on, mom! I’m not young anymore for you to tell me that.” My eyes rolled because it disgusted me with her words.

‘She is annoying me most of the time. I want peace. For God's sake!'

“Don’t talk to me in that tone, Ava! I’m still your mother, you might forget that!” She said. “You can’t blame me for being like this for you! How many times have you ruined the family—”

“Whatever, mom!” I stepped forward and passed her.

‘She’s toxic and I don’t like that.’

Mom was always like that. I’m just always to blame for all the things. I sighed as I walk.

Ever since daddy died, three years ago she has been like that to me. For her, it is my fault, and she blames why dad had a stroke. Did she really think that I want my father to get sick and die? I am Daddy’s girl, so it was so for me to accept that my dad was gone. It kills me every time I think about what happened to him. Until now, the pain of losing daddy is still fresh in my memory.

“Ava, you’re fighting your mommy again." Manager Dory was sitting on the sofa. I approached her to kiss her cheek and sat across from her place. I secretly smirked because of what she said.

“She’s very inquisitive. She seems to know where I went last night, but she's still asking! For sure, she used her tentacles again." I picked up a magazine and opened it. The cover of that magazine is me, my siblings, and my mommy. That issue is about parental guidance. Mommy’s fake smile was obvious.

“Even though she’s like that, your mom is just worried about you. About your siblings. About your group.” She picked up the cup filled with coffee and carefully sipped.

“I know that Manager Dory, but don’t let her overreact. Well, if I didn't know, she only wants to keep the name of our group, not us. Not me, Manager Dory.”

Her gaze deepened on me. “That’s not true, Ava. She’s still your mother, so don’t insult her like that.”

“I’m still her child, so don’t treat me like I’m just a staff. I am not young anymore. I know what to do in my life. I’ll go where I want to go.”

Manager Dory didn't answer me, but after a minute, she look at me seriously. “Hey, where did you really go last night after the gig? You know that you and your siblings are getting famous. You shouldn’t go out alone anymore.”

I did not answer her. She’s just like mommy. I glanced at my mother, who was now talking on her cell phone. She smiled and looked delighted at whoever she was talking to. I next turned to the hotel entrance. My twin Avery would come in carrying paper bags. She kissed mommy and handed her something. It was only a matter of time before she approached our place.

“This is for you, Ava! And what’s wrong with your face? You are pretty, but you’re frowning! You will look ugly if you continue doing that.” Avery laughs and even Manager Dory. She sat down on the long sofa and placed the paper bags on the glass table. “I’m exhausted! It’s really nice to go shopping even though it’s hard to run away from people.” She bent down and then stroked her right foot.

“Where are your bodyguards, Avery?” Manager Dory asked her. I heard footsteps approaching us and I knew it was mom.

“They are outside. I told them to relax.” She giggled. Avery took out a small pressed powder from the bag, then slightly retouched her face. Then she returned her things and looked at me with a wide smile. “I have good news for you, my dear sis!”

I leaned back on the sofa and lazily looked at her. This youngest of ours is really beautiful. Although we are almost identical, she is the most lift. She is also a fan of cosmetics.

“What is it?”

“Remember Liam Brown? Your ex-boyfriend?”

Gradually my body grew stiff as if someone had poured cold water on me. I also think but I cannot find the words to say. I just stared at my sister. Even though I was very nervous, I forced myself to stand up. My head is also slowly heating.

“W-why are you swearing?” I growled at her.

“Huh?” Avery asked, but I just stared at her. “I didn’t! What are you saying?” She laughed, and I knew she was just teasing me.

“Whatever!” I stood up and fixed my clothes. “I’ll pack my stuff first. We have a schedule in Houston tomorrow, don’t we? Maybe I’d better go home first.”

Avery quickly stood up and took me by the arm. “W-what? Hey! Sis, how are you? We’re leaving together this afternoon!”

I faced her and get off my arm. “No, thanks. I’ll leave first.”

I turned my back on them and took a quick step. I even heard mom call me, but I went straight into the elevator up to the floor where our room was. I didn’t have time to talk to them because I really wanted to go home.