Chapter 46: Chapter 46

I was stunned at what I saw. I couldn't barely move my hands. My feet were stoned in my stand while holding a piece of paper containing a card.

A wedding invitation of Cheska and James. It was clearly written on the paper with their names on it. The date of the wedding wasn't there but seeing their names made me shiver.

I can’t determine what reaction will I have to the this sight. Will I be happy, surprised or sad? Two of my friends are getting married. We had no idea what was going on. This card is what Zaine is referring to. This is what Aunt Zandra gave him.

I don't want to believe that this is happening. Maybe this is just a prank? Or something related to that that can made me believe that this thing is not true? Or do I need to have another proof just to believe in it.

It was between me and Zaine only, we were the only ones who knew it. Our friends had no idea this was going to happen. I can feel my hands were shaking right now as I read it again and again. I didn't even realize that Zaine had approached me until he spoke.

"What's that?" he asked. I gradually turned to him. There was astonishment on his face as he looked directly at me, but when he turned his gaze to the paper I was holding, the emotion immediately faded from his eyes. "Where did you get that?"

"Zaine..." I stared at him. "I-is this true?"

He looked at me with those emotionless eyes. “Ask my mom, but accept it Jane. It's already in front of you.” He's referring to it, the card I am holding.

I shook my head in disbelief. I don't want to believe. James can't do it, especially Cheska. Zaine loves her so much. Why would she agree on this one? And James...I thought... I thought he will wait? But why does this hapeened?

It's not that I want him to wait for me, it just that I have so many questions that need to be answered. Is he just playing with my feelings? Why would he confess if he is not that sure? I can't seem to understand myself. It is very confusing to me right now.

"What's with the expression, Jane?"

"Huh?"

“You look bothered. Is there something wrong? ”

I don’t want to tell him. It will take time for me to figure this out. These feelings weren't that clear that it give me sudden emotions that I don't want to feel.

"Nothing." I uttered. He looked at me.

"You can tell it to me."

I want to trust you, but I need to figure this feelings that's bothering me.

"I'm fine."

He stared at me before he nodded.

" Let's go. I will show you where your room.”

I nodded before slowly following him to the upper floor. Their house is a classic with a bit of modern design. It was way more bigger that our house in Davao, but the same house design as ours that was located at Manila. There's also a chandelier in the center and some furniture were I think modernized.

"Your house is beautiful, Zaine."

"Thanks." He smiled and face me when we are in front of a door painted in orbss. "By the way, this is your room while mine is here." He pointed to the door in front of my room. I nodded. I stared at a room with a white door at the end.

"Whose room is that, Zaine?"

He turned his attention to what I pointed and was stopped. He looked stunned for a few seconds before turning to me. His look changed and they seemed to be replaced by sadness.

"It was my older brother's room."

"Zared?"

“No. My mom told us that we have an older brother. He died in a car accident twenty years ago. ”

I got silent at what he said. The pain of losing a loved one. He didn't even saw his older brother that time.

“I am sorry if I have asked that. I didn't know.”

"It's fine."

He guided me into my room. I was amazed to see that the design of my room was very similar to the older one. The only difference is the color of its bed sheet which is purple. I just realized I was smiling. My room is very nice.

“Thank you. I like it! ” I smiled and then turned to Zaine. He smiled at me too.

“I can see it on your smile. I'm glad you like that.”

"But how did you know about my favorite color?"

“I asked Chelsea about it. She told me that you like purple and the arrangement and designs were based on your previous room, so this it the outcome.”

I nodded. I don’t remember when I said that to Chelsea, but I let it pass. I'm really happy in my room now. I approached the bed and sat there. Same as my bed, it is also very comfy. I stood there and jumped like a child. I forgot I had someone with me.

“Oh! Sorry... I got excited.” I apologize to Zaine, coming down and sitting on the bed. He just shook his head and also came to the bed and sat down next to me. He turned his face on me.

"It's nice to see that side of you."

“ That will never happen again! It's embarrassing!”

Laughing, he raised an eyebrow at me. Why does it seem so sexy and more seductive into my eyes?

“You are always so serious. You often smile though. Loosen up a bit.”

"Is that serious?" I joked but that really is the truth. That’s really my attitude.

“Yes. I just noticed."

"I'm always happy Zaine," I replied, laughing. "I just can't really laugh out loud or smile out loud because something is stopping me from doing that."

"What?" He curiously questioned.

“It's scary to be happy all the time and then there's the bitter sadness afterwards. I don't want to always be happy because when I'm so happy, I can't handle what will happen next.”

"You can't predict what will happen to you."

I laughed and slapped his arm. "Tsk, I am serious!"

“But, seriously. Do not be afraid. That's normal. You can't always be happy because those times, when you are down, that's when you realize that you are strong and can faced the next struggles and problems you will encounter. And also, think positive always, okay?”

I stared at him. I think this is another Zaine in front of me now. He lost the seriousness aura that he always used nor the Zaine who was always smiling. This was his other side. Another version of himself.

"Oh, you must be startrucked at me now?"

"Ah, thanks?" I didn't know what to say to him because I was still innovating. "Do you have a fever?" I put my hand on his forehead. He's not too hot, just right. He suddenly pinch my cheek

"That hurts!" I complained to him once I rubbed my cheeks and shot him an death glare.

"Tsk." Laughing, he caressed it. "It's blushing." He is really intimidating when he laughs.

"It's your fault." There was again the strange feeling of him touching my cheeks. A strange electricity flowed and caused my pet butterflies in my stomachs to wake up. I don't know why but I can already feel the redness of my cheek.

"O-okay, that's it." I already removed his hands.

"Let me see that childish side of you again." He is grinning already.

"Next time, that 'side' you are talking about doesn't want to show up." It made him laugh loudly. Wait... I think he is going crazy now.

“Stop it, Zaine.” He just turned to me and laughed out loud again.

“There is no funny with what I said, Zaine. Your overacting. ”

“You...” He sat straight and fixed himself from lying down. "That was epic."

"Oh, it's good that you stopped." I said sarcastically to him. He immediately stood up when there was a knock. He opened and Jack and Zared entered. They frowned at us.

" Are you guys okay?" Zared asked us. I turned to Zaine, he just shrugged his shoulders.

"We're fine, brothers," I replied, turning to them.

“Oh. I don't think so. ” said Jack. "By the way, I'll go home now." He approached me and kissed my cheek. I just nodded at him.

“All right. Take care." They even gave me a glance before they left us.

“I will leave you now, Jane. Take a rest, will go somewhere later after dinner. ” Zaine uttered.

"Where?" I wondered. He just smiled and messed up my hair which I didn't expect.

"You'll see."

***

"Auntie, did you see Zaine?" I asked when I saw Aunt Zandra in the kitchen. She was busy doing something in front of her laptop. She looked at me with confused look. She always has those intimidating look just like mom. A very sophisticated woman to be exact.

“No, Jane. You were together earlier, weren't you? ”

“It was earlier afternoon, auntie. He just took me to the bedroom to rest. ” I answered.

"Maybe he is with his friends right now."

I was a little taken aback. Aren't we going somewhere? Maybe Zaine had forgotten about it.

" Is that so? Ah, all right. ” I was about to leave when aunt called my name.

"Jane, wait." Aunt Zandra stopped me.

"Yes?"

"Can we talk?" I nodded and approached her. She was still staring at me as I went near. I sat down on the empty seat next to her and then gave her a slight smile again.

"About what?" I asked.

"It's about Cheska." I was stunned, not knowing what to answer to her. She just looked at me with seriousness, the same as seriousness she gave me the day they informed us about the wedding. She is looking at me with those expressions.

"What's wrong with Cheska, aunt?"

"How well do you know that woman?" She asked.

"W-what?"

Why did aunt asked about Cheska like this? As if Cheska didn’t become her son’s friend? Why does she's not seem to recognize and can't accept that Cheska is a special person for Zaine?

“Why do you treat Cheska like that, aunt? She is Zaine's best friend, and to answer your question, she is also my friend.” I answered politely, not to sound rude.

"I don't like her for my son..." She stopped. I can feel the anger in her voice as she said that. I wonder why aunt Zandra was so angry with Cheska, as if my friend had done something wrong to her.

"T-they both like each other, aunt Zandra." I answered. I refrained from stuttering because of that fact. I want to hide my feelings towards Zaine to anyone. "Why don't you want them to be together?"

She looked at me, disbelieved with what I just said. She arched her brow and settled her eyes on me for a few seconds.

"You're being a hypocrite, Jane." She didn’t answer my question as if she was avoiding answering it. It was her way to divert the topic.

“No,” I mumbled. She is still looking at me but those looks she is giving me send shivers. I was suddenly got nervous at the sight of it and all I did was to stare at her.

"You really like him." She chuckled. I didn't expect that. "You have a chance to be with him now, he is yours now."

"He's not, aunt," I answered. “We both know that he likes someone else. Maybe we will get married after a few years but it doesn't mean that he will reciprocate my feelings for him. ”

"Well, I gave you the chance to change that mindset of yours."

I frowned, confused at what she said. "What do you mean?"

"I am the reason why 'that girl' left for good." I can feel my heart leaped as she said those words. It was like in slow motion. I can feel my hands were shaking to what she just said. I regain and calm myself. I was about to speak when I heard Zaine's voice echoed around the four corners of the room.

"What did you say, mom?"

I looked back to where his voice was coming from. Zaine stood as his eyes stared at his mother. He was raging in anger and the intensity of his stares were in the highest level. I was able to get scared because of those which was the reason why I couldn’t move on my seat.

"Zaine, son..." Aunt Zandra uttered.

"Explain, mom." He was furious. "You are the reason?" He repeated what his mother just said. Did he hear it all?

“I did it. I forced Cheska to leave you so that you can't be together.” Aunt Zandra was speaking with fierceness, like she didn't regret what she did. I can't believe she can do it. "I threatened her."

“What?!” Zaine shouted. “All along, I thought she left because...” He didn't finish what he said. He looked at me, shocked and confused.

“Jane? You knew?” He almost shouted at me.

My eyes widened. I don't know about this either. "No!" I answered and stood still. I was about to get closer to his direction when he walked back, giving me a death glare.

"Don't you dare come near me!" With that, he left us. I ran to catch up with where he was heading up to. He got in the car, in the driver's seat.

I quickly got into the backseat, regardless of the heavy rain and the wetness of my clothes. He maneuvered the car, speeding fast while going somewhere.

"Zaine!" I shouted at him. I've been restraining him for many times but he doesn't seem to hear anything. He even drives faster. "Stop it, we might collide on those trees!"

"Shut up!" He shouted.

"But Zaine—"

"I said shut the f*ck up!"

That’s where I got shocked and stopped. It's my second time seeing him angry like this again. I don’t know where I’m going to be scared. Will it Zaine’s anger or his fast driving because we might collide? I moved to the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt, ignoring his fast driving. The road were very slippery because of the heavy rain. We couldn't see clearly where we are going because of the heavy rain.

"Please Zaine, stop! We might got into an accident with what you are doing!" I shouted back, enough for him to hear.

"Why did you even come with me?!" I could feel the anger in his voice. I turned to him to see his face. He was also soaking wet because of the rain. He gripped the steering wheel very tightly.

"Z-zaine...Stop the car..."

He turned to me. I got scared instantly witth those stares he's giving me. I could feel the anger in his eyes as he looked at me. He was looking at me intently like I am an enemy. His eyes were bloodshot and suddenly, a tear escaped from his eyes.

"Zaine..."

“I trusted you. I asked you if you know where Cheska is, but you didn't answered. You lied to me.”

"I-I'm sorry.." That was all I can say. I don't want him to have false hope if I said those things.

"I don't need that sorry of yours." I heard him mumbled with cold voice.

We heard a beeping sound from a car. It was heading our way. It happened so fast and the next thing I saw, our car collided to it, making our way to the end of the cliff. I could feel the heavy feeling in my body and the impact of hitting my body to the dashboard. I can feel the impact of it like my body collided to some heavy rock as my eyes became blurry.

I looked at Zaine. He is unconscious and his forehead were bleeding. "Zaine..." That was the last word I said before everything went black.