Chapter 17

JAZMIN

WHEN MY phone vibrated, I was startled even more. I took it from my purse and answered it as I walked to my family's table.

"Where are you?" Hana's brow furrowed. I can see what she's doing. She's tapping her finger on the table, which is one of her mannerisms. My older sister is impressive.

I took a deep breath and then responded to her.

"I'm right in front of you, your little kitty," I said, smiling. Then she cut the line and looked in my direction; she smiled hugely. As if she had seen her special someone. But I know my sister adores me, which is why I adore her.

"Hi, Dad." I kissed him on the cheeks, and he was surprised for a moment because he thought I was someone else, and Dad smiled back when he realized it was just me.

I half-smiled at his fiancee, and she responded with a genuine smile. I froze for a moment, stunned by the effects of her smile on me. Every time she did that to me, I felt a familiar butterfly fly on my stomach. I mentally chastised myself for thinking such things about my father's betrothed.

I gently shook my head, then went to my 'Lil sis and gave her a bone-crushing hug.

"Hey, kiddo," I said, half-heartedly smiling but not breaking the hug.

"Oh. Stop. You're killing me," Hana said, breaking free from my embrace. "Huh. Oh my God, you're choking me to death." She scowled and crossed her arms. My 'Lil sis is so adorable.

"That's how I show love, baby." I pinch her cheeks.

"Aw! Hey! Put an end to that." She tried to get up, but she was in the corner seat next to the wall.

I could hear Dad giggling and his fiancée staring at us. I can't read her mind right now. I shrug it off. Hana's stubborn cuteness has made me feel more at ease.

"Sure, why not? Is it better to love or kill?" Hana raised an eyebrow, and I just smiled cutely.

"Hello, you two. Put an end to that. Have some respect for Ave, girls," Dad said calmly. Oops!

"Sorry," we both said, looking down. Hana nudged me, and I glared at her. They were so childish, but we were having fun. We're so immature.

"Hey, it's fine," Averi said. "Let's get started. What do you want, ladies?" she inquired.

I cringed as she sounded like a mother. Hana looked at me perplexedly.

"Yeah. I'm starving," I said this without looking at Averi because I couldn't stop myself from drooling over her beauty. She's ridiculously hot tonight! Wooh. It's getting hot here.

Except for Hana, who isn't allowed to drink, we drink our wine while waiting for our meal. She did not order any drinks, only water. She is preoccupied with her voice.

I attempted to converse with Averi as we ate casually. Dad and I discuss Angel Food, FT, and Hana's school when Averi abruptly drops her utensils and holds her head. I can see the agony seeping into her lovely face. I tried to put on an 'everything's fine' face, but on the inside, I was utterly freaked out.

"Sweetie, are you all right? If you want, we can leave right now." Dad inquired, his voice concerned.

"I'm fine. I just felt a little dizzy, but I'm fine," Averi said, trying to sound normal. I know she's lying. I'll never forget the tone Averi uses when she's not feeling well. She's still the same Ezra I knew before.

"No, you're not," I said. Me and my big mouth! It was too late for me to back out.

Dad overlooks my actions because he is so concerned about Averi. Meanwhile, Averi's eyes are filled with pain as she stares at me. I'm not sure if it's from her head or because she knows I know she's not okay. I drank my wine to distract myself from her stare.

"It's fine, Dad. We'll have a family dinner next time. But, for the time being, we'll return home to rest. Is that right, Han?" I said, then looked at Hana.

Hana nodded.

"I'm sorry, guys, I ruined your night," Averi apologized. Her pain is still visible on her face.

"It's fine, Ave. We'll do it again next time." Hana reassured her. Averi smiled.

"You take her home, Dad. I'll pay the bills," I said this and summoned the waiter.

"I'll ride with Angel, Dad," Hana said.

Dad nodded. "Let's go, sweetie." He carefully assisted Averi, but Averi looked at me with an I'm-not-sure-what-that-means expression before they left. Fortunately, Hana did not notice.

I paid the bills right away and nearly dragged Hana home. Oh my goodness, I'm losing it. She gave me a puzzled look, but I just smiled.

"I'm just worried about our soon-to-be mother," I explained, and she smiled back. I'm hoping she'll buy it.

I drove as fast as I could while Hana silently looked out her window at the streets we passed through. I believe the journey back home was too long at the time. I was desperate to find out what was wrong with Averi.

I almost dashed inside the mansion. I tried to relax. Relax, Jaz; you're far too obvious. Breathe in, breathe out.

"Manay Barbara, where is Dad?" I inquired when she greeted us at the front door.

"Hija, you are in Averi's room. What happened?" What she had said came back to me. In Averi's room. Averi's room. Not in Dad's room.

"Is this her room?" My voice pitch rose a little.

"Yes, Hija. Why? Is there a problem? What happened to her?" She sounded very concerned.

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. When I look behind me, there is no sign of Hana.

"Where has she gone?" I inquired.

"Who?" Manay Barbara responded with a question of her own.

"Oh. Hana," I said, pointing to my back.

"I saw her walk to the back door. Probably going to the garden," Manay Barbara stated.

I nodded, indicating that I understood.

"Would you mind telling me what happened to Averi, Hija?" Oh, yes, Averi. Yeah.

"She stopped eating and was holding her head with so much pain in her face, Manay," I said as I sat on the couch. I forced myself not to rush up to her room to check on her.

"Oh. Perhaps it's still the aftereffects of the accident," Manay spoke, mumbling but enough for me to hear. "But she's fine now. Don't be concerned," she said confidently.

"What happened, Manay? She got into a car accident? When?" I inquire, not too concerned. As if! My mind is contradicting me. WTF? But I'm relieved she's okay.

"George didn't tell you? Would you like to know?" I nodded. "Perhaps you should ask your Dad." Oh, Manay, Barbara is a cliffhanger! I didn't say anything and just nodded.

"I didn't know the entire story, so I can't tell you everything. I only have a smattering of information. So, dear, you should consult your father." That's why she's not telling me.

"Yes, Manay. I'll go to my room first," I said as I climbed the stairs.

I didn't know where Averi's room was, so I went to my room first to change into a T-shirt and shorts before going outside. That's when I noticed Dad emerge from one of the rooms next to mine. So we're only a wall apart? How did I miss that? I mentally smack my brow.

"Hey, Jaz," he said, his voice tired.

"Hey, Dad. How is she?" I ask calmly—chill girl.

He smiled. Maybe he thought I was only concerned about his fiance because she is his fiancée—my father's fiance.

"She's fine now, Princess. It's not serious. It is uncommon. I'm sorry we had to call it a night so early," he said this as he walked over to me and gently pinched my chin.

I smiled at his kind gesture. I adore Dad. He is a good man.

"Is it true, Dad, that she was in an accident?" I tried not to sound too nosy.

"Yes," he said, a worried expression on his face. "Do you want to talk?" I nodded. I miss him as well, and we hadn't had a long conversation since I returned home.

"Go to the veranda, and I'll get you some wine. Okay?" I nodded and complied.

~*~

"IT HAPPENED SEVEN YEARS AGO. Ave stated that she was driving on the expressway and did not notice a cat loitering in the streets because it was dark on that side of the street." Dad began to tell the story of the accident. I didn't ask for it the second time. He willingly introduces the subject. And I'm glad he's telling me this.

"There were numerous concussions. Ave's head had been severely damaged. She had amnesia as a result of the accident, and I'm not sure if it will go away or remain with her forever," he stated.

I was astounded to learn this. The dark ambiance on the veranda helped a lot to conceal my true feelings at the time. I wanted to cry because I wasn't there to care for her. Her amnesia had lasted seven years and counting.

So she's not pretending to know me because she's forgotten about me. Amnesia, amnesia, amnesia, amnesia, amnesia, Should I be relieved that she has forgotten about me because it means? Will Averi and Dad be together without me bothering them? Or should I be sad because she forgot everything about us and caused a total meltdown in my heart?

Sorry about that, Ez. I'm so sorry, I say to the wind.