Two

"Hey, Kay Kay!" Mikaella greeted me. She was with our two twin cousins.

"Hi, Cuz!" Shanna greeted me. Haze simply nodded his head at me.

"Hello." I sat in an empty chair next to Mikaella. Kay Kay is what Mikaella calls me. I've gotten used to her calling me that. It sucks, you know.

I reached for a glass of wine carried by a waiter on a serving tray. I took a sip. Mikaella had beautiful azure eyes and long blonde hair. She had a touch of girlishness but was incredibly compassionate. Shanna had stunning eyes that matched her innocent face, but she could be a brat to those she didn't like. Haze, on the other hand, had a bad boy vibe with his heavily lined black eyeliner and a black earring on his left ear. His long layered hair had side bangs. Both twins had beautiful, slightly blurry green eyes. Haze was too serious and grumpy at times. That's why I sometimes dislike him. I hate his attitude. Cutie Zen was sitting on Grandma's lap. He's 4 years old and has a chubby face. He's so adorable, I want to pinch his cheeks.

"Who's the guy with you, Kay?" She gave a hawk-like glance towards Zach.

"Zach Archer Mendez, a high school classmate," I answered while savoring the wine in my mouth.

"He's handsome," Shanna remarked. The four of us are the same age and will be graduating next year. I'm enjoying my summer vacation. College wasn't easy, especially with the pressure in everything, especially since I'm taking a business-related course.

I met them when I was in college, but I shouldn't be here if Cairen is here. And I wouldn't see my parents.

"Zach Archer Mendez... What a handsome name," Mika said with a mischievous smile. There she goes again, being a playgirl.

"Zach Archer Mendez, an international model for Queen magazine. He has a damn gorgeous body I want to taste," Shanna said, showing something on her phone to Mika.

"Gosh! Six-pack, shit!" Mika exclaimed upon seeing the picture of Zach.

"You have an abs fetish," I rolled my eyes at Shanna and ate a slice of cake from my plate.

"Tsss, why do you fucking like abs?"

"Shut up your damn mouth, Haze." She gave him a fierce glare.

"Tss, whatever!" He jammed his earphones into his ears and started listening to music on his iPod.

"Is he your boyfriend, Kay?" She wiggled her nose at the guy. I smirked.

"Of course not!" I didn't bother answering. I crossed my legs and looked at my phone. There were three messages from Alice and Katana. They're my friends, we're taking the same course, and they're the ones who really know me.

"Really? Should I believe that?" Her tone didn't sound convinced. I looked up at her.

"If you don't, then don't, but for heaven's sake! I'm not lying." I rolled my eyes and suddenly caught a whiff of roasted chicken. I turned my gaze to the waitress holding a tray of two chicken. Those are my favorites. I licked my lips. I rarely get to eat those; it was only once when Alice, Katana, and I visited the Philippines back in high school. Grandma allowed me to go, my plan was to see my parents, but I didn't know where they lived.

"What's so special about the roasted chicken that you're craving it?" Shanna asked, playing with her pancit on the plate. She's not much into eating because she's on a diet. What's the big deal about dieting anyway?

I smiled. "It's so yummy, tastes good."

"Exactly," Mika agreed. She didn't necessarily want it, but she does appreciate its taste. '90s music played on the stereo. The ambiance felt cozy and relaxed, especially with the chatter of people around us. It felt like I was transported back to a '90s-themed event.

"He's staring at me, Kay. Gosh! His features. I'm melting from his hotness. I want to see his damn six-pack abs and touch them." Mikaella was almost out of breath. She just loves abs, but when it comes to relationships, she's not so good at handling them.

"Pfft, funny," Shanna said, looking like she couldn't help but laugh.

"What's funny?" Mika asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your face. It's so obvious," Shanna sarcastically replied.

"As what Haze said, Whatever!" she said, flipping her hair.

I stood up from my seat and headed to the table where the roasted Chicken was. It was untouched since everyone was busy chatting and talking. I grabbed the knife to slice the chicken into two before putting it on a plate. A big smile formed on my face.

"Thanks!" I was surprised when Zach took half of it. I planned on getting that portion.

"It's my..." I didn't continue what I was about to say.

"So tell me, how's your life here?" he asked, looking at me while I was getting a salad that was already in a plastic cup. He also took one.

"Fine, so? Then, how's Grace?" I asked eagerly.

It took him a few seconds to respond. "She's fine, I think," he seemed unsure of his answer.

I looked at him. "From the way you sound, it seems like you haven't met her?" I asked, suspecting.

"Ahm... That's it," he chuckled awkwardly. "Let's eat together, why not introduce your cousin to me?" He was asking for my permission if he could.

"Sure," I shrugged. He followed me towards my cousins' table. Only now did I notice the looks from my relatives, including my parents and grandma. I simply ignored it.

"Introduce yourself to them," I whispered in an ordering tone before taking my seat.

"Hi!" Was he feeling shy?

"Hi, Zach. Sit down." Mikaella and I even assisted him. "I'm Mikaella Syre Verdan, by the way. This is Haze Rain San Forte and Shanna Rose San Forte. The only twins of our families."

I quietly continued eating. Only twins? Hah! The two of them chatted away, becoming close immediately. Shanna was busy on her phone, sighing several times out of boredom. Haze had his eyes closed, leaning on the seat as if completely absorbed in the music playing.

I excused myself from the four of them when Alice called. Why? I left the hall and answered the call outside my house, in my grandma's garden. I sat on a swing.

"Hello, Alice."

'Hi, Cass. Sorry if I happened to disturb you. Can you give me the concept notes files? I lost my flash drive.' Her voice sounded troubled. Alice and I weren't super close, maybe because she's geeky and into things I can't relate to.

"Sure, I'll send it this evening. Don't worry." I heard some wild music. Where could she be? "Where are you, Alice?"

‘I’m in the club with Katana. We’re spying her boyfriend.  Text you later. And thank you, Cass.’

"Ok, no worries," I smiled as I ended the call. I glanced at my watch and realized it was already 5 pm. I felt too lazy to go back inside. I ended up surfing the internet on my phone until I landed on a blogger site. I scrolled down, but my eyes stopped when a familiar name caught my attention.

Grace Lopez's blog. I opened the site that was provided. It had a pinkish color and a cute cartoon rabbit design. I couldn't help but smile secretly. My eyes landed on one of her blog posts.

I opened it and started reading. "Five worst yet best things with me in 2013." There were two paragraphs written by a girl on top of her blog. I smiled. I fought back the tears because I knew how much she missed her friend.

I read until the end. What if I go back? I want to meet her, to hug her, and to fulfill her promise to her. Of course, I promised Cairen that I would, but I never made it a big deal. And now the guilt is crushing me, and this time it's overwhelming.

I stared into space for a minute, gazing at the sky, when something suddenly popped into my mind.

"Right! I hope it will work." I stood up from my seat and turned around, about to take a step...

"Iffin ape!" I almost lost my spirit upon seeing Zach. I was startled by his sudden appearance.

"Huh?" His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. It was only now that I noticed he was holding a brownie.

"Why did you startle me?" I admitted that I was annoyed. Wouldn't you be annoyed if someone startled you?

"Your mom asked me to give it to you. She said it's your favorite," he handed me the plate. I just stared at what he was holding. It was Cairen's favorite, not mine.

"Thanks," I thanked him and took it. "Hey, Zach, I have a favor to ask." I looked at him, his gaze fixed on the garden.

"What favor?" he asked without interest, not even bothering to look at me.

"Don't you ever tell my parents about this. I'm going to the Philippines with you. When is your flight back?" I hoped he would agree. I won't tell Grandma about this, and I'm sure she won't find out if I ask for her permission. It's also the reason why I can't fulfill her wish.

"Why?" His forehead furrowed even more. I moved closer to him and whispered. Two maids passed by. If they heard, nah! They'll surely tell lGrandma do about it. And I mentally laughed in a maniacal tone.

"Well, Zach, I want to surprise my parents by being there without them knowing. You know," I answered with a smile. He looked at me as if I had two heads.

I sighed. "Fine! If you help me, I'll give you anything you want, as long as I can." I had a significant amount saved in one of my bank accounts that lola was unaware of. Or you—"

I couldn't finish my sentence as he spoke. "Anything I ask, you'll do?" There was a smirk on his lips.

"Yes, depending on what you want me to do."

His gaze returned to the garden. "Then be my wife, and I will."