Chapter 85

A smiling image of Spencer first popped into my eyes when I woke up. He is bluntly tracing my curves with his fingers. From my waist, up to my face. He was sitting by my side. Literally disturbed my deep sleep.
"You need to wake up sunshine," he said huskily.
He is topless. Her hair is still wet. I feel like I just finished taking a bath.
While he was already fresh in the morning, I on the other hand is probably looking like a wasted woman who couldn't pull herself out of the bed. I am only wearing panty and Spencer's white shirt from last night. This is the only thing I found last night after what happened.
Now that I am sobber, I completely realized what I did. And thinking of it, I just want to hide myself from him. I knew such a scene would happen to us, but I was still embarrassed. I am still not get used to it. Not with anyone else.
I bent down and turned the body backwards towards him.
"You are blushing," he bluntly remarked.
"Just shut up will you?" I growled.
"Now you're really embarrassed," he playfully pulled the comforter off my body.
"What time is it?" I change the subject. Then quickly get out of bed.
"Six in the morning," he casually answered.
What the-
"Maybe my friends are awake now," I searched the clothes one by one and confusedly dressed.
"Looks like I saw Lorie earlier. She's jogging."
"Where did he go?"
She can't see me stepping out of this place. He would suspect me of working wonders.
"I think I'm going home to your cottage. I don't know," he shrugged.
"Why didn't you wake me up this morning?"
"I don't want to," he snorted, "You slept too soundly earlier Gee. I hate to disturb you."
"I don't know about you," I scolded him.
I didn't even bother to fix my hair. I took a quick turn in front of the mirror and then rushed outside.
"Where's my kiss?" he asked afterward.
"Kiss your face."
He laughed softly the last I heard before finally getting out. I walk straight in the direction of our cottage. I no longer pay attention to the encounters. All I wanted was to get back to the cottage before friends even thought to look. 'Cause if they try looking for me, they might end up where Spencer is and they'll even see it. Things I avoid.
Kiesha is still grieving for what happened. Perhaps when their paths meet, he returns to the memory of the painful past. Just seeing Fergus' face hurt him, what about Spencer? The one she considered responsible for her painful past.
I can tell them I got drunk and fell asleep in the woods. They know when I'm drunk, where I'm going. My alibi wouldn't be a problem.
A man in black suddenly appear from my left. It"s like I"m in a hurry too. We both couldn't avoid each other so we collided. He is wearing white hat and black mask. On the beach but wrapped up. Is he afraid to go dark because of the sun?
I tried to peek at his face. In case known. But before I could do so, he quickly looked away.
"I'm sorry," I said in a low voice.
"Ummm," he coldly answered as he started walking away.
My heart immediately pulsated just by hearing his voice. Simple and in fact nothing he said. But for me it consists everything! I know that voice. I know a person as cold as him.
"Wait-"
"Gee!"
Lorie grabbed my attention. I quickly turned to him. She's with Ron.
"We've been looking for you for a while. Where did you go?" she traced every detail of my body, "Did something happen to you?" he was not yet satisfied with the simple stare. He grabbed both my shoulders and forcibly turned me around.
"What? Nothing bad happened to me. I just got drunk and slept somewhere."
"How did you get drunk?" minimized me by
Ronnie's eyes. It cannot hide doubt.
"I went to the Bar," was my simple answer.
"We were there too. But we didn't see Gee," he folded.
"How would you know? Are there so many men around you," just a guess. But I hope I'm right.
He took a deep breath, and then playfully snapped his fingers.
"You've been there."
I let out a sigh of relief. Nakalusot din.
"Anyway, did you see Kiesha?" Lorie changes the subject.
"He is not here?" I asked back.
"He wasn't there last night. You're both."
"What?" I scratched my neck so hard and rolled my eyes around. I see a few groups of young people bathing in the sea. Some adults were playing volleyball, while others were in their tents and still shivering in the cold of the morning breeze. I have not seen Kiesha.
I also didn"t neglect to look for the man who collided. But he is out of sight also. Please turn it into the crowded part of the resort.
"Deleila told her colleagues what happened last night. When Fergus sees us here, the snake will immediately prove his accusation against us. We need to find Kiesha and when we get out of here immediately," she explained at length. Ron.
"Where did it end up?"
What kind of mess did you get into last night Kiesha Amira Alfano-Da Silva?
"Let's split," Lorie suggested, "When one of us finds Kiesha let's come back here."
"Let's do it in ten minutes. After the time given, if she's still nowhere around let's leave. She knows the way home to them," Ronnie said.
"What if something bad happened?" I asked worriedly.
"Do you think something bad will happen there?"
"Maybe," I snorted.
I know how brave Kiesha is. Whatever kind of danger came to him he survived. To think that it is in a bad state is too vague in the long run. But she wasn't a super hero. She doesn't have any special power. Even the strongest creatures are defeated as well. Just like the story of David and Goliath.
"Let's just think positively. Let's not let a negative opinion precede the situation," Lorie consoled, "Kiesha is just around, safe and sound."
I nooded and let out a deep sigh. Lor is right. In a situation like this, I need to maintain my composure. Kiesha is in good condition.
We also found it. She was chasing a guy. He was going to beat me, but we stopped him. This is not the right time for him to make another mess. She should atleast spare someone this morning. He was making fun of her being combative.
I pulled her towards the parking lot. Our belongings are already inside. We don't need to get back to our cottage because Lorie and Ronnie already brought our things. We just left what was missing.
"What ?! You mean, that man touched you ?!" I yelled.
I can't believe what I heard. Kiesha said the man she was chasing earlier made her drink a glass of alcohol. And after that she lost consciousness. When he woke up, he was next to it. And both of them are naked under a warm blanket.
"I don't know ... I just woke up with that man beside me," Kiesha exaggerated.
"What kind of trouble did you get into, Kiesha?" Ron rubbed his forehead. It can hardly focus on driving anymore. We will all have problems with what happened to Kiesha.
"He probably drugged you," Lor seriously said.
"Do you know what his name is? I will trace him."
"Hindi Gee. I don't have any concrete evidences to hold against him, aside from my word of mouth."
"I told you not to just accept anything that someone you don't know offers," I shook my head in disappointment.
This is a serious matter. What if what happened today caused a bigger problem? He is married. And Fergus is one crazy of a man when it comes to Kiesha. He is kinda possessive of her. Maybe when he found out about it, he would be a monster.
I offered to help Kiesha find the man. It is a little impossible. Thinking that we doesn't have any information about him. Aside from its face, we know nothing more about his personality. It is a mission impossible for me. But still, I'll try to make the impossible, possible.
"It's good that you also thought of coming home," mama said when she saw me at the entrance of the house.
"I know papa misses me. I am here for him."
"Ah, really? Your dad gave birth to you? He got you pregnant ?!"
There, I know I pulled the right trigger. My mother is really jealous. Even papa doesn't want to lose.
"I wouldn't be formed without him," I snorted. Todo is holding back a smile.
I miss his frowning face. I could barely see it because I am staying at Spencer's place. But now that Ayanna isn"t there, it looks like I"ll be back here temporarily.
"If you're just going to annoy me, you'd better leave Gee."
"Mom, I just arrived."
"What's this commotion I'm hearing?" brother Gideon suddenly enters the conversation. It hurried down the stairs when it saw me. He went straight to me, and pushed me hard that I almost lose my balance.
"Aray naman kuya," I complained.
"Welcome back!" he smiled.
"The sweet thing is that you're so welcome," I replied pushing him, "When did you just get home?"
Like me, ever since the horrific incident that caused great pain to the two of us, he has gone to different parts of the world. It is so hard for us, and running away is the only thing we can think of to move forward.
"Last week. I was looking for you at Kiesha's apartment. I thought she's still living in there."
"She already moved out with her husband."
"Tell Kiesha once to visit here at home. I'll cook her porridge," mama said.
"How about me?" I pointed at myself.
"Of course, I'll cook for you too. But it's just fresh," she couldn't hide a smile.
"Mama!"
"Serves you right li'l sis. 'Cause you're not coming home," teased his older brother.
"I'm ashamed of you," I openly teased him, "By the way, where's our youngest?"
I missed that kid too. From what I heard, his fans are increasing now. He is already eighteen and growing so fine.
"It's on the basketball court with dad. They're playing one on one games."
"Why, I want to watch."
"Then let's go," my older brother put his arm on my shoulder and guided me out of the house.
"Go home right away," mama reminded.
Dad and Grant laughed at what we caught in court. They are playing happily. As if nothing else matter aside from themselves.
"I was also good at basketball when we were just the same age," said papa.
"It's really hard when the time is up isn't it?" I'm in the conversation.
The two immediately averted their gaze to me. They were both surprised and at the same time, happy to be in the presence of brother Gideon and me.
"Ate!" Grant quickly ran over to me, "Do you have a meeting?" he towered over me.
Since when he grew this much? It seems like only recently when I was still loading him and called him short. But now, everything changes.
"I can only express my love to you youngest."
"Thank you all."
I laughed at his remark. He still doesn't want to hear me openly express my love for him. He is cringing at the idea as much as I do.
We decided to play basketball. Grant and I were together, while older brother Gideon and dad sided with each other.
We had so much fun playing. As expected, the youngest and I won the game. No matter how good he is, because I'm going to be stupid as a teammate, we didn't win either.
We went home afterwards. I took a shower and quickly got dressed before finding the phone to watch Youtube videos for a while.
Just when I am about to click the app's icon, Spencer's message suddenly popped.
'Hey'
I quickly typed a message back here.
'Huh?'
As simple as that.
'Even in the text you're still floating'
I can imagine him smiling right now.
'Hey you're hey'
Every second between the two of us reply. Maybe like me, he doesn't do anything else.
'I felt empty without you'
'Good. You're asleep '
'Geline Nielani Gavino-Valle'
I still need to read his reply again just to confirm 'Valle' is the suffix of my name. It had my heart skip a bit. I don"t know what to feel. I shuddered, but at the same time there was some kind of pain that flashed in the depths of my heart. It is like a part of me is against the idea.
'I am outside'
He texted again.
That's how confused I am. I jumped out of the bed and rushed towards the window. My eyes searched for his SUV. And there it is, parking a distance away.
I typed in a reply for him.
'Why are you here?'
'Let's go out for a moment'
'I can't. Mama will doubt me if I leave before dinner '
'Then I'll wait until you finish your dinner'
I realized a phone call is more convenient than exchanging text messages. I dialed his number. It only took a few seconds to answer immediately.
"Hi," he greeted initially.
"Did you eat already?"
"What do you think?"
"I am not playing guessing game with you," I firmly said.
"As for your suplada, are you conceiving our baby?" he bluntly answered.
"Baby you face you."
He chuckled.
"Okay sorry ... I haven't eaten yet. I am planning to take you out but it seems like you had another plan."
I sighed heavily. I want to accompany him. But I can't leave my family here. They are looking forward for this night. Especially mama. Only now have we completed the same house again, and the evening will be even happier because older brother Gideon will also be coming with his family.
"It's okay if you turn down my offer. I'm just leaving."
"Wait!" I have a very scratchy neck.
I hate to make him feel bad and lonely. Maybe a minute ride with him will do. There is a restaurant on the corner not far from here. We can have dinner in there. I won't eat much 'cause I need to save some space for my family's meal.
Right! That's all I'm going to do.
"Wait for me," I quickly turned off the call.
"Who will wait?"
I almost jump in surprise. I immediately turned my body towards the door. The astonishing image of older brother Gideon came first. His hair is wet and it is dripping down to his body. The black sandal he was wearing covered his body. It just made him more refined. Looking at him closely, I can see the matured version of Grant. Maybe our youngest will be as handsome and handsome as he is when the time comes.
"You're my brother," I laughed.
"Are you leaving?"
"Huh?" from time to time I look in a different direction. I felt like meeting his eyes is a huge sin. I was afraid that he might know the truth in my eyes.
"Are you leaving?" he repeated the question and walked closer to me.
"Yes I hope so. I'll just earn a friend a while."
His lifted a brow.
I simply lowered the curtain of the window, because I had a strong feeling that he would peek here. But it's too late. He just lifted it again. His gaze went straight to Spencer's car.
"Whose car is that Geline?" he asked again with authority.
"To my friend indeed," I could hardly hide my nervousness. The older brother is very smart. I would have a hard time explaining to him.
"Are you really a friend?" his doubtful gaze shifted to me. He looked at me intently, and then tilted his head to the other side, "Are you hiding something from us?"
Oh, shoot!
"What are those thoughts of yours brother?" I laughed at my nervousness.
"Ever since you came home from another country, you've rarely been here at home. I didn't say this in front of our family before because I wanted our parents' night to be happy. But Geline, now that I heard your conversation with that someone I don't know, I think we need a serious talk, "he really is so dead serious. I can't see the joke on his face. Very different from what he showed earlier.
"Kuya naman-"
"And I also heard you went to an island near south," he cut me off, "Why? Why do you have to go to a dangerous place?"
I let out a deep sigh. I can no longer hide from him what is happening. He is smarter than what I thought.
"Someone told me Zion was there," I cleared my throat.
"And did you believe that? You knew he was dead. You saw his dead body," weak, but with emphasis in his voice response. We are both speaking in minimal tone.
"Not personally. I just saw a photo of my brother. I really couldn't tell if he was truly dead."
"But he is wearing the same ring you gave him. Isn't that enough proof?"
"You don't know how Zion's mind works, brother. What if it's someone else?"
"You think he faked his death? Why would he do that?" he shook his head. Unable to believe what I said.
It's too much as impossible as I'm saying. Why would Zion fake his death? He wants to avoid me? This is the only way he can think of to get rid of us? That's too lame! I know that he loves me. He have risked his life to save me. He will not do that if the day comes when he will be released.
"I don't know," I bowed, "I don't know what's going on bro," my voice cracked.
"Don't you really know? Or do you just think you don't know?" he stared at me intently, "You're blind to the truth Geline. And you're sympathizing with us," he looked out the window again, "You knew all along that Zion is dead, and your are slowly healing. You're just thinking that you haven't forgotten him. He's still here. In fact, there's something new, "he pointed to Spencer's car without hesitation.
"Kuya .." I said, almost a whisper.
I am totally doomed. But I couldn't get myself agree on what he said about me having no affection towards Zion anymore. I know to this day he still is. He is my first in everything. Getting him out of my league is not as easy as one, two, three.
"Who's that person Geline? Who's new to you?" he sighed.
I pursed my lips. I don"t know if I should say, or until the end it"s better to keep quiet? I don't want to lie on my own brother. Case I also don"t want to jeopardize Spencer"s hiding.
"I don't have a new brother. You are overthinking," I slightly slapped him. I am trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm not here to fool around with you Geline," it was still very serious.
This time, I knew I had nothing else to do. No matter what explanation is made, the words of the older brother will still be followed.
I took another deep sigh. It's a game over. I am caught.
"When I tell you, can you promise you won't spread it to others?" I pressed my palm together.
It took him a while, before he finally said 'Yes'.
"Okay, don't be surprised ah?" I waited for his reaction. If he stayed cool, that means he is thinking of something else. But if he frowns slightly, it means he is ready to listen to what I have to say and at the same time nervous. I know him very well when it comes to emotions. Like me, he also has nothing to hide from me.
His brows slightly furrowed. It was a signal for me to add the words.
"Spencer Valle. He's new to me," I then lowered my gaze to the floor. I am too afraid to meet his eyes.
I could sense his emotion shifting from curiosity, to confusion.
To be continued...