CHAPTER 2

Lucas’s POV

I decided to have a round first. I don’t have anything to buy, actually. I have just accompanied my elder sister since she asked me to.

My feet took me to the vegetable section. I smiled upon seeing those round green leafy vegetables, my favorite. I took a cabbage, but suddenly someone grabbed my hand. I turned my head to take a look.

“You?!”

Small world. She is the one I almost ran over earlier.

“Are you following me?” I asked her instead, looking at her face.

“Conceited,” she murmured.

“Saying something?” I teased a question even though I heard it. But instead of answering, the girl took a whole cabbage and spoke to it.

“Hey Maxine, do you see anyone around?”

So Maxine is her name.

“I’m Lucas.”

“Excuse me?” she said in a flat tone. She also looked at me badly.

“You were stating your name, so I wanted you to know mine,” I uttered in amusement as I crossed my arms. I don’t know why I am talking to her, but it’s just that it’s kinda fun. “Girls’ strategy, right?”

The girl breathed and looked at me in annoyance. If only the look could kill, I swear I’d be hit.

“You get away from me before I smack this cabbage into your face!”

I couldn’t help but slightly arch my lips. Seemed she was going to spew a fire any moment, something that made me want to tease her even more.

“I knew it, pretending to be angry. Women always do that to get men’s attention.”

I saw her chest rise and fall before she uttered again.

“Find someone to talk to! You’re not my type!”

I promptly held her cart when she was about to leave. And that made her shoot me another look. How cute.

“What’s wrong with you?!”

“Nothing. Have you?”

“You freak!”

I grinned again. She talks weird or that’s just how people like her talk.

“Want to talk about my motorcycle?” I uttered in a lower voice as I got closer to her, bowing my head because she was a little bit small. “Do you even know how expensive it is---its Harley-Davidson.”

At my comfort, she was slightly stunned. Her face was pale as paper as the color escaped from it.

“Lucas...”

I looked at that voice.

Big sister, Lourine. She’s only a year older than me.

Lourine hissed, stepping towards me. “I thought you left me already. And who’s that girl?” She looked next to me. “Girlfriend?”

“Hell, no!” I refused and helped her with her cart.

One more glance at the stranger before I continued walking. I shook and I stared at my hand. I’m not sure if the girl felt the same way I felt earlier.

THIRTY minutes before we reached the palace. Our home is on top of a hill, so we rarely get out of town.

“Good day Ma’am, Sir!” greeted the guard who then opened the big gate that serves as a barrier to the palace. Lourine was in her car while I was on, just followed by my motorcycle.

“I told you darling, you don’t have to do that. Let Ebith do her job.” It was Mommy.

“It’s okay, Mom, I love doing this. It relieves stress,” said Lourine while arranging the groceries we bought earlier.

“Yeah, you’re right, darling.”

“What are you doing, baby brother?” Lourine turned to me.

“You didn’t buy cabbage?” I asked again while rummaging through the other items.

“No.”

I frowned, looking at her.

“Wait!” She faced and waved at me. “You were too rushed earlier. You even pulled me, didn’t you? It’s your fault baby brother, that’s why I wasn’t able to buy it.”

“You should insist me to stay,” I grumbled.

“Enough baby, I’ll just order Ebith to buy it for you,” said Mommy.

Pissed off, I turned them away. Dunno, but cabbage is my weakness. Funny, isn’t it? I guess I had conceived of it.

“Lucas,” Mommy called as I turned around. She let out a deep sigh before speaking.

“Your Grandfather is coming soon.”

I couldn’t speak, even Lourine was staring at me.

“You cannot run away from it, Son,” continued Mommy.

“I know,” I replied almost in a whisper. I secretly clenched my hands. That old man is going to witness my 21st birthday, and that day is the one I don’t want to come in my life the most.

---

Maxine’s POV

“Here,” I said to the tricycle driver as I handed over twenty pesos. We are in front of the mansion. I put down the purchases one by one.

“It’s not enough, Miss.”

“How much then?”

“Twenty five.”

“Too expensive. Are there no discount? I’m a student,” I complained.

“You’re so exaggerating. Only twenty-five pesos will you ask for a discount? You have just walked.”

Oh, come on! Why do people seem to be pissing me off on this day?

Annoyed, I picked up a coin and held it out from my wallet.

I caught up with Miss Beatriz in the living room, reading a magazine. She might not have class today.

“Hey!”

I stopped walking and turned around.

“Yes?”

“Bring me a glass of water.”

“Alright,” I replied and continued to the kitchen carrying the groceries.

“What is that?” Miss Beatriz raised an eyebrow and asked for the glass I was carrying.

“A glass of water, can’t you see?” I asked back.

“I know!” she stormed. “You’re going to make me drink it without ice?!”

“You didn’t say.”

“Common sense, stupid!” she stormed again.

“I’ll get another one,” I said calmly.

“Never mind!” she whined. She put down the magazine she was reading and stood up.

Shaking my head, I gave Miss Beatriz a look while climbing upstairs. I really meant it. I’m very tired today.

I picked up the glass of water to take it back to the kitchen when my attention was drawn to a picture in a popular magazine. It’s like a family picture. The two women sitting on the long couch were very beautiful. Three men stood behind. My eyes were fixed on the guy in the middle wearing a black suit---the arrogant guy?! Next to him is an old man who is probably his Grandfather. I don’t know, but I felt the hair on the back of my neck standing up. There seemed to be something strange about the old man’s face.

[Harrison]

I raised an eyebrow. No wonder why that guy was so arrogant. He has something to brag about.