11 YEARS LATER |

CHAPTER 4

"After you eat, go to your room and if possible don't go out first. I will try to talk to my mother." No emotion I say. I caught the wetness in his eyes.

I know that this little girl can't understand mine and my mother's feelings. She's just an innocent and cute girl. But, she don't deserve to be hurt.

"S-All right ..." He left the food and then hurriedly ran up the stairs.

She's going to cry in her room. I can figure that much.

"Matilda!" I called.

"Yes, Miss Laine." Our maid's response.

"Olivia didn't finish her food, please take care of it. And at least bring her some snacks. I'm sure she'll be hungry." I order.

"Noted, miss." He says. I sighed first before leaving.

Matilda is the closest to me of all our maids. We were so close that I used to call him by his name only. We call each other friends except when I'm so serious or I'm in a bad mood.

Instead of going to the bedroom I went upstairs to Mommy’s room. I found her on the balcony, staring at the sunset. I sniffed slightly around to check if he had been drinking alcohol.

"Mom," I called. He turned to me. Her face looks tired and her eyes are swollen.

"Baby, how's your day? Is Khalil still in the chin? The twins?" He asked with a forced smile.

"Mom, let's talk." I will ignore what he said. There was a look of shock in his eyes.

"What is it, sweetheart?" He asked with a forced smile. I didn't even smile. She looks like a mess. I can tell that she cried most of the whole day.

"I saw Olivia's cheeks. Why did you do that, Mom?" I have a serious question. Her eyes narrowed.

"Olivia? So that bitch's daughter has a name? Damn her! If she will just die, she should've just taken her daughter to her ---" She madly said.

"MOM!" I raised my voice. Her eyes widened.

"D-Did you just shout at me?" She asked incredulously.

"Mom, don't hurt her anymore. Olivia, didn't do anything wrong." Please.

"Laine, look here. That girl is stealing your Dad from us, if you don't tolerate her, she will eventually steal everything away from you. So, you shouldn't defend her." He begs me. Napapikit ako. I can't stand her excuse all.

"I really don't think that's gonna happen, Mom. You hurt her just because her mother and Dad did something wrong, right?" I will ask.

"That's not it, sweetheart. That child is bad. I told you she's going to steal everything. Your Dad's attention, your allowance, your toys and books and all that's rightfully yours! Do you want that?" He's still stupid. I can't believe everything that she's saying. She's gone insane.

"Stop thinking like that Mom. That's not you." I said softly. "Olivia can't possibly do whatever you say. I don't think she's interested at my things either. You're being a selfish person, Mom." I said as I bent down. I want to change my mother so that she will not end up like in the original story. I don’t want her to be like Andrea who turned all her anger and jealousy on Olivia by torturing her life.

"I'm not selfish, Loraine. I'm just protecting you and the twins. How can you say that to your own mother?" He asked in pain. Her tears rolled on her cheeks once again. I bit my lips. My eyes hurt too but I can't cry. Not when my mother is still this weak.

"Mom, do you hate me from being born?" I weigh the question.

"Of course not. You and your siblings are the best gifts that I ever have." He replied. I looked at her directly in her eyes.

"Then Mom, is it my fault that I exist?" I will ask. She was taken aback with my question.

"No ... Of course not .. What are you saying, Laine?"

I hugged her. "Mom, do you think it's Olivia's fault that she exists and Dad brings her here in the mansion? She's just a child, you know. She's not to blame." I seriously said. A couple of seconds have passed before she cried and hugged me back.

"Mom, please talk to Dad. I think it's what both of you need." Please. Mommy just kept crying and didn’t answer me anymore.

I know that the wounds in her heart is still fresh but hopefully, she will do the right thing and I hope she would think rationally about this situation. At the very least, I tried to convince her. That'll do for now ..

"Kali! You freaking idiot!" I cried when I saw that the notebook I had written notes on about my new apple of the eye this school year was missing.

I started calling him Kali since 9 years ago. He really teased me big time back then.

"Brandon Collin, team captain of men's volleyball team that's entering the finals this year. Whoa! You sure dream big! HAHAHAHA!" He still laughed. I could feel the redness on my face when my classmates started harassing me.

"Shut up, guys!" My female classmate Hail said. He just raised an eyebrow at me. "You? Are you serious, Loraine? Brandon will never even look at you, you know? You're too young for him. I heard from the rumors that he prefers mature ramp models with both body and beauty." He said then bragging about his figure and face. My eyes narrowed then I looked at him. He has a body ...

So what?

"Hail, stop bothering my Loraine. If you wish to finish school peacefully that is." Khalil's meaningful threat. The loss of life on Hail's face was noticeable then he apologized to me and left.

I stared at Kali. "You shouldn't have interfered. I can take care of myself." I said irritably.

"You're welcome, your highness." Teasingly he says. "But her curve is really nice, sexy! --- Aww!" He moaned when I threw his bag at him.

"I'll report you to Olivia, go ahead!" I was threatening him. Suddenly his expression changed from evil grin to innocent smile. Pretentious!

Looks like I failed to take away his passion for my beautiful and gentle brother. For the past years, the whole school has known about Lucas' obsession with Olivia. After all, all the men who attempt to woo her are intimidated by her. And well, for the same purpose, I help Khalil block all men who will take an interest in my brother.

Olivia is far too precious and innocent for the likes of them.

We left Kali's room together and went to the cafeteria. As usual, there are fewer people here because the lunch of the other classes is over. At other times we were dismissed.

I started eating as well as Kali. If maybe someone at school sees the two of us, I'm not surprised if they think Kali and I are boyfriends. Unfortunately, I only consider him a friend and he considers me a younger brother.

"Hey, witch. Can I see my baby Olivia this lunch? We have a long quiz on trigonometry later, I need inspiration." She says cute. I just stared at him.

"You already saw her yesterday. Just be patient with my face now. Olivia still has class." I said then continued eating. He was indignant.

"I'm tired of your face, witch. I need my baby." She said tearfully. I stared at him and he automatically adjusted.

"How's your classes?" Mommy asked after I kissed her cheeks.

"As usual." My short answer.

"Mom, you won't believe it. I've beaten Carter in Statistics! Gosh, I'm so not going to forget this day!" Proud Harper said.

"Tsh, noisy." Carter said irritably and went inside first.

I feel my forehead frown. Carter usually keep his calm composure in every situation even when it's not in favor of him. For some reason, Carter is really irritated and I'm sure that's not because of his grades.

"What happened?" I asked Harper in surprise. She clinged into my arms as usual.

"Not sure, Ate. I actually noticed that earlier. He's annoyed like that since lunch. I don't know what happened to him though." Harper said artfully.

Does something like this happened in the book?

Ugh. It's pointless to remember. I can't recall everything from the book now. It's been years for Pete's sake. I should have written everything I knew when I still remember.

"Olivia?" Mom asked Olivia.

Even though Mom and Olivia are not super close enough. They keep the casualty between them.

"It's okay." Olivia replied smiling at him. Ugh. I'm so jealous of her politeness. How come he is still so kind and respectful despite all the luxury and everything that is in front of him and he achieves?

Her kindness and innocence really needs to be protected. She's like a precious jem.

I was shocked to see a woman suddenly come out of the mansion and approach Mommy. That's ..

"Sister," Olivia called to me.

"Mmm?"

"Are you okay?" I frowned at his question. "You're crazy, Ate." Worried he said. I swallowed and looked at the woman again.

I haven't seen her for years. It's ... Tita Monique.

He smiled when he saw me. Mommy motioned for us to come over. Olivia supports me out of concern.

"Do you still remember me, Laine? I can't believe you're a grown up now. You've become a beautiful lady, ija." She smiled complimenting me. I swallowed hard as my heart pound nervously.

"Tita Monique. L-Long time no see." I tried to smile. Her beauty has not faded. She looks younger than her age.

"Oh, to think that you still remember me. You're still quite young the last time we met." He said happily. He noticed Olivia next to me. "Oh, you must be Olivia. Nice to meet you!" He greeted me warmly. Olivia just smiled.

"H-Hello." He also greeted back.

"Uh, Olivia, go with the Harper in the garden for a minute. We're going to talk in the living room." Mommy said to Olivia.

"All right." Olivia just smiled at me and patted me on the shoulder before leaving.

I feel like I'm going to be suffocated. We agreed to drink some tea and eat some cookies as we talk.

Tita Monique looked incredibly happy and I think I'm going to hell if I ever ruin that pretty smile in her lips. As I got older, two weeks right after my seventh birthday party, they decided to live in the U.S. Just like what I read in the book, they went home to reconcile Lucas and Loraine who were eighteen years old at the time. Don't tell me ..

"Loraine, do you still remember when I told you about my son Lucas? He went here last week." She happily asked.

Oh gosh, I want to cry. It's as though she just dropped a bomb in front of me.

I forced a smile. "To be honest, I-I don't quite remember, Tita. It's been a long time. I don't know that he's been here as well." Of course, I remember him! Who would even dare to forget the main lead of this story!

Tita Monique looked disappointed. "Well, that's sad. I assumed you would know from your friend Khalil since he and Lucas have been good friends since they were young."

Khalil did mention, I think? Why do I often not listen to what he says?

"Uh, maybe Kali did tell me. I just kinda .. forget. Uh, since when are you here in the Philippines again, Aunt" I change the topic.

"Oh, we arrived a month ago. We're currently staying in one of our villa in Batangas. And since, I've missed my dear best friend, and you Loraine, I decided to pay a visit." She said happily as Mommy looked at us.

"By the way, Laine. How about meeting your Tita Monique's son?" Mommy asked. Aunt Monique nodded eagerly.

"Lucas does have a flaw or two but I can assure you that he's a nice guy." Tita Monique hopefully said.

"W-Why do I ---" I didn't finish what I was going to say when Mommy spoke.

"Laine, you're supposed to marry Lucas."

I stared at her. I never expected for her to say it straight to my face. Slowly my heartbeat quickened with excitement. Damn it!

"What did you say? W-Why would I marry him?" I pretend to ask. Aunt Monique just smiled and then held my hand.

"The truth is, your mom and I once made a promise. We intend to merge our families by marrying you and Lucas." Tita Monique calmly explained. I was swallowed. This is exactly what happened in the original story!

"I ... What if I don't want to marry?" I will ask. Aunt Monique and Mommy looked at each other and then smiled.

"Actually, Monique and I talked about that. If you're not willing to marry Lucas right this instant, then you're going to stay in their villa in Batangas this coming vacation. There should be enough time for you to know and to be comfortable with him. " Mommy said instead. I was surprised by what he said. It's not really what I expected.

In the original story, it's decided tha Lucas his family will come home in the Philippines and announce the engagement between us two. The original Loraine pays no mind and was excited instead since she's been dreaming of meeting Lucas since she was a child. She made herself believe that they are for each other.

Loraine and Lucas ’first meeting will take place at Aunt Loraine’s birthday party. Supposedly, that was also where their engagement was first announced. As I get older, Aunt Loraine's birthday is next week. But this spending vacation thing? What's this? I don’t remember anything like this in the story!

"Don't put so much pressure on your daughter, Andrea." Aunt Monique said before turning to me. He smiled. "Then I'm going to give you a chance. Spend two months with my son Lucas. If both of you still don't want this set up after that, then I will cancel the engagement." Smiling she said. I was swallowed.

Now, even a chance? However this happened, this is actually favorable for me. I should take this chance to completely erase my connection with the male lead.

Olivia and Lucas have already met. He saved Olivia's life just a week ago. That's exactly their first encounter that's stated in the book. Olivia recounted that she was almost hit by a motorbike when a man rescued her and she also found out the man's name. Lucas.

Their second fateful meeting and the official start of the story will be at the wedding of Gabriel Luis Cruz. My oldest cousin. It is scheduled four months from now. If I can get rid of this engagement headache, then I’m free to do whatever the hell I want. And most of all, nothing will stop the love story of the protagonists in the story.

Lucas and Olivia have to end up with each other. I'm sure they'll be together.

“I guess there’s no other better choice than to go,” I said. He smiled at me as well as Mommy. "Our vacation is still a month away, that's after our finals. I'm accepting your terms, Aunt Monique." My decision.

I've decided. If its just for two months then I just need not to fall in love with Lucas. By doing that, I need not to play the role of the original Loraine anymore. I'll be completely free.

Yes, I'll do it. For my freedom! Fighting!

TO BE CONTINUED.....