CHAPTER 15

HANA

JAZMIN has been acting weird since last night she met Averi. She's being quiet and distant, but maybe like what she said, she's just tired. But something is off with her.

Like right now, we're having dinner, and she's reticent. And when we talk about Dad and Averi, her expressions are something that I can't read.

I've never really talked to her in person in seven years, but thanks to the help of social media, we managed to get to know each other well ever since I apologized to her. We get to know what each other likes and don'ts, simple things, and secrets. Even her first love. But she never told me the name of that girl.

She doesn't want to bother the girl anymore because she said she is happily married. Sad, right? But we have Natalie now, and I like Natalie for her. She's lovely and kind. I wonder if she will stay here if Jazmin accepts Dad's offer.

I look at my big sis, and she's digging her plate, just messing with the food in it.

And right now, I can tell that something is bothering her. I'll ask her later.

"How's school, baby? Are there any cute boys grabbing your attention right now?" she asked, obviously avoiding the wedding topic. Why is that so? I'll let it go as of now. I'm going to ask her later what is wrong with her.

"School is fine. I'm beating your record now. And Nah, no boys. I think I like girls now." I jokingly added.

Dad and Jazmin looked at me with wide eyes. Their reactions were priceless. I regret leaving my phone in my room.

"What? Are you buying it? I'm just joking. I'm busy with my music right now and have no time for relationships yet." I laugh.

Yes, I play instruments. We have a band with my friends, and you can say we're famous in our town because we're an all-girls band. I'm the drummer and, at the same time, one of the vocalists. Our band's name is "Aphrodite Seven." It was picked by our lead guitarist and the band leader, Sheila.

I don't know why she chose that name, but her explanation was we are seven in the group, and people said that we look like goddesses, and yeah, that's true. We're talented, hot teen girls. Our genre is not specified because we can play and sing all genres. My bandmates are good. We got a lot of gigs also, so I'm a little busy entertaining boys now. They'll add to the pressures in my life.

"But it's no biggie, baby if you are. I'll support you like I supported your sister," Dad said sincerely.

Oh really? I think I'll consider dating girls now since no boys caught my interest. Nope, I'm straight. Am I? I shrug the thoughts I had.

I saw Jazmin winch as if someone elbowed her; then she changed her expression abruptly with an 'I'll support you' look when she noticed I was looking at her. What was that for? There is something wrong with her. And I'm going to find what's bothering her. I don't like to see my sister like this.

~*~

JAZMIN

"EVERYONE, this is my daughter, Angel Jazmin Miller. She'll be one of the important people in this company and effective today she has all the right to do whatever she pleases in this company. Please take care of her," Dad said to the board members, who looked at me with mixed glances and stares.

Most of the men are checking me out; they look at me with total lust in their eyes. Also, one of the members of the board, who happened to be a woman, is stunning one and is not shy to check me out. She's like eye flirting to me right now. This is going to be interesting. And the other woman on the board, who I think was in her forties, was pissed. Jealous bitch.

I pulled my most good, strict look as I eyed them. Mean? Nah, I need to have a fierce first impression here. I don't want these dudes to think that I'm just a sexy face, but I'll prove to them that I'm more than anything they are thinking right now.

"Well, let's start the meeting," Dad said. And everyone went back to their business.

THE MEETING was boring. When it was finally over, I went to the place where I found my refuge and strength.

I went to the nearest flower shop and bought the most elegant and expensive flowers in the store.

After thanking the lovely older woman who owns the store, I walked to my Lexus and went to Mama's graveyard.

I walked to the shed I made only for her in that particular cemetery and sat down on the tiled floor.

"Ma, I'm so sorry if I just came here now. After seven years, Ma, I thought I was fine, but I guess I'm still not." I said, staring at her name carved at her tomb.

When I was in New York, I hired a person from the Philippines to bury my Mama in the most prestigious cemetery located in the Town where Dad lives. I assured him that no one could ever track me, even The Mendez'. And thanks to Dad's riches and wealth, I built an excellent grave for Mama.

"But I'm sure I'm ready to face them again, Ma. Those people who did this to us. I'm sorry, Ma, but I can't promise to take revenge for what they had done to us. I've been keeping this plan for so long, and I can't let it slip away now," I stated firmly. I know she's not happy with what I've said to her, but that's precisely the reason why I came back.

If I take over the company and stay in this place, then I'll make sure that those who make us suffer will pay for it.

After I said I love you and glanced once again at Mama's tomb, I stepped away.

Next stop... to my house.

~*~

AVERI

"HEY, are you okay?" Keyla asks when she notices I'm not listening to her predicaments. She and Noah are having trouble again in their relationship.

Yes, Keyla, my high school VP and best friend, is still my best friend today. And Noah, the funny Noah, was her boyfriend for almost four years now. Keyla continues her law degree, and Noah is a famous athlete today. They are pretty successful now, eh. As for me? I finished my Master's degree in Business Management and have been the CEO of FT for almost three years. FT's doing fine. Everything's fine

We are here at FT because I'm still working, and I needed some more errands to do. But here she is, ranting again about Noah's absences in their dates these past few weeks.

"Yeah," I said in a monotone.

"You're not," she said. Alright, she knows me. "What's wrong? Tell me?" she asks worriedly.

"George's daughter arrived." I let out a sigh.

"And what? Doesn't she like you? How come? Is she that bitchy?" There she goes again. She was talking and assuming randomly.

"No. Wait. Hear me out." She purses her lips and waves her hand, Gesturing me to continue.

"George's daughter. J-Jazmin... She, Uhm.." How will I tell her this? She nods her head, telling me to go on. "Jazmin is not just the firstborn daughter of George. She's... she's Bonnie." There, I said it.

Her eyes widen, but not a single word comes from her mouth. She put her right hand on her chest then back to her mouth. Then she said, "Oh my god! As in Angel Bonnie Ramirez?"

I nodded and smiled bitterly. Of course, how will I not be bitter? I can still feel the pain of the things she did to me. She left me and never fought for me. Now that I found someone who could ease that pain and bring me again to life, here she is just coming back into my life.

She's acting as if she didn't know me, and I can say that she's more beautifully gorgeous and hot right now. I can't help but inflame my anger towards her.

That night when I went to their house for dinner was like the super doomed day of my life. I recognized her quickly when our eyes met, even if she dyed her hair red. But her eyes were the eyes that I couldn't just forget. I swallowed a lot of self-control at that moment and pretended that I didn't know her because that was all for the best.

But God knows how much I wanted to jump to her and kiss her. And ask her why she left me but she's not worth it anymore. Even the time that I saw her in her bikinis. I tried and pulled myself together not to rape her at that moment. I thought I had moved on, but the pain and the excitement I'm feeling now state that I still had feelings for her.

"Oh my god, Ez, I mean Averi," she said with wide eyes.

Nobody's calling me that name anymore. I got into an accident when I tried to escape from my parents to find Angel. Then I got partial amnesia for three years, and my parents told me lies and gave me a new identity.

But eventually, my memory came back. It was painful for the first year, and I prayed that I wouldn't remember anything, but I managed to move on. I studied hard in London and came back after studying and now managing FT. When the accident happened to me seven years ago, I preferred not to be called Ez anymore. I chose the new me, Averi.

"So what will you do now?" she asked worriedly.

"Nothing." But the truth was I wanted to talk with Bonnie. But no, she's not worth it.

"What? You sure?" I nodded as I drank my wine.

"I could tell she didn't recognize me, and I pretended that I didn't know her either. So that will be a good start for the mother-daughter relationship now." I chuckled bitterly.

"Okay," she said, unconvinced. "You know, George should know about this."

"What? No!" I said, half yelling. "She's not worth it. And what's the use of telling George anyway? Past is past!"

"Okay. Fine. Relax. Hey," Keyla said, tapping my shoulder gently. I drank my wine and let out a heavy sigh.

"So, let's talk about our high school reunion next week. Are you going?" Ugh! A reunion?

"I don't know," I said, feeling my head. It's hurting because of Bonnie's appearance.

"That's it. Let's go. Come. It would help if you unwound," Keyla said. And before I could protest, she grabbed my purse and dragged me to her car.

Ugh! This Girl!