Blake

Chapter 6

True enough, the twins are quite handful. Catleya and I have been feeding them for almost half an hour, while they’re like earthworms running and cavorting around the room. These cheeky brothers rejected the food I offered to them a few minutes ago.

Here’s Noah, the eldest twin. He is poking the tattoo on my left arm, yet he says nothing. Then he goes back to run after his brother, again.

They seem to have a favoritism because now that Catleya feeds them, they’re very obedient and still wanting for more. Their appetites are quite surprising at their age. I don’t know what kind of food Kent and Cierra feed them, as they seem not getting full. Or is it just with Catleya?

“You want more?” She asks the two.

“Yes, please?” The youngest twin, Nile, answers.

“Come here Nile. I have a lot of food here. Look...” I say, showing him the food.

But he just sticks his tongue out and moves closer to Catleya.

Unbelievable!

Catleya chuckles. “Alright. I’m gonna get you more. Okay?”

Catleya stands up and goes to the pantry to refill their plates while the twins are following her.

‘I guess they don’t like me.’

‘Well, you look scary." Says Madic, as he laughs.

‘They don’t seem scared of me, though.’

‘If you could just look at yourself in the mirror, you’d know. I'd been telling you to trim your beard and your hair.'

My eyes instantly avert to the mirror near the side stand.

Goodness!

‘Am I that person?’ Mentally asking Madic, while my eyes go wide, staring at myself in the mirror. My reflection is quite odd, to be honest.

I haven’t looked in the mirror for a while and I totally did not know how I looked, not until today.

Is this the man Catleya wants to be with? I’m pertaining to myself while staring at myself in the mirror.

‘That's because you’re too busy to be a d**k! Not knowing you already looked like a hermit! Sometimes, it intrigues me why Catleya is so into you.'

Madic purposely teases me.

‘Huh- didn't you even think that I got it from you? That's what the last three letters of your name for. I smirk.

‘Dic--- Oh! Huh, you won't easily piss me off! I'd rather agree... Or else you’ll ignore me again. That's how a shallow fool you are!’

‘Shut up, Madic!'

'Ain't I right?'

'This is all because of you. You seemed not wanting to get a mate, Madic and yet you’re castigating me for breaking up with her?!’

‘I didn’t say I would want no mate. I was saying before, I wanted us to be with Cat and hoping she’s our mate and not anyone else.’

‘Don’t fool me around. That’s not what you told me before.’

‘Why are you pointing this at me? Didn’t you the one who broke her heart? What an arsehole you were for leaving her outside the house! You had never even listened to me! Instead, you blocked me! You arsehole!’

‘Enough!’

“Are you alright?” Catleya’s voice drags me back. She’s holding the plates while the twins are now climbing onto the sofa.

“Huh? Uh! Yeah...” That's all I could say.

She smiles and goes back to feeding the twins.

“Uhm- you know, I’m-“ I say, while she’s waiting.

I honestly don’t know how to tell her. I just can’t find the right words. I guess I’ll defer for the time being.

“What is it?” She asks.

I shake my head and decide not to tell her.

“I’ll tell you some other time. Anyway, have you had your dinner already?”

“No. Seeing these two is enough for me. Besides, I am not hungry.”

I observe her while she’s feeding the twins. I still feel she's reluctant with me.

“Sorry for earlier, by the way. Even Cierra has a hard time feeding them. She always uses my name for them to eat. They’re quite handy, but they’re nice kids, Blake.” She says after a few moments.

“Yeah. Seems you have a special bond with them.”

She smiles. “You could say that. I spent most of my time with the twins after we- uhm, we broke up. Cierra always brought them here, so this is like their second home. I seldom sleep in my house so-.”

I nod at her as she walks to her mini kitchen to get water. I try to help, but she just motions me to sit.

While waiting for her to come back, I watch the twins laughing as they’re now prancing around the room, impersonating one another. Like their energy doesn't die down.

I couldn’t help but to be amused at what they’re doing. They have a great bond and I’m sure they will be good brothers for each other

“Blake, are you with my sister?”

“Yes, and with the twins.”

“Okay. Don’t let them out of your sight.”

“I won’t. What’s going on there?”

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Just stay there and take care of them.”

“I will Caspian.”

“Were you mindlinking someone?” Catleya asks as soon as she comes back.

“Yes.”

“Was that someone from Florida-?”

“Oh, no. It’s actually Caspian.”

“My brother? Wait, is there something wrong?”

“No. He was just asking me about something.”

“My brother won’t mindlink if it’s not that important, Blake. I know him. He could have just texted or called you.”

“Don’t worry about it. He’s just checking on you and the twins. He’s probably making sure you’re okay with the twins being around.”

She stops asking after that. But I know she’s just putting her curiosity at bay.

“Ugh! How long do I have to wait for her?”

“Who?”

“Oh- it’s Cierra. It’s just-- uhm, she said she’d be back by six and now it’s almost eight! Wait, was your talk with my brother had to do with Cierra being not here?”

She’s really so observant.

“Nope. I don’t think Cierra-“

But Catleya stops me. “Oh, wait! Speaking of... She’s calling me. She must have hinted we’re talking about her.”

“Haha! Maybe.”

“Just a sec. I have to answer this.”

“Yeah, sure. Go, ahead.”

While she’s stalking on the phone, me and the twins are having a gaze fight. I chuckle when Nile hides behind his twin brother.

“You scared Nile.” Noah says while protecting his brother from behind.

I mentally note to cut my hair and shave my beard tomorrow.

“I’m sorry, buddy.”

“You look like a monster!” Says Nile.

What the! Am I really look like one?

I smile as I hold Noah’s and Nile’s hands. “I’m not gonna eat you both. I’m a friend. You see Catleya? She’s not scared of me, right?”

My smile goes wide when they both nod.

“That means I’m a friend and I will protect you from the monsters. If any comes after you, just say my name.”

“But what’s your name?”

“Oh! Hahaha!”

That makes sense why they’re aloof. They probably don’t remember me.

“I’m sorry. Uhm, you may not remember me since you were just too young back then. But my name is Blake. I’m your mom’s and dad’s friend.”

“And aunt Catleya, too?”

I look at Catleya, who’s already watching us. I thought she would have a long conversation with Cierra.

“Uhm, yeah. Your aunt Catleya is also my... uhm, my friend.”

Disappointment flickers on her face. Sh*t!

“Alright, time to go to clean yourselves so you two can get to bed.” Catleya walks closer, changing the topic. She takes the twins as she leads them to the bathroom.

‘That was a wrong word, Blake. You’re really not good at considering others’ feelings.’ Says Madic.

‘Shut up!’

After cleaning the twins and putting them to bed, Catleya goes out of the room, which I follow.

“I’m sorry.” I say.

“What for?”

“For what I said, that we are friends.”

“It’s okay. I understand why you had to say that. Besides, they’re too young to understand about us.”

I peck on her lips. “Let’s get you something to eat.” I say after the kiss.

“No need to. I’m not starving.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup. Can we, uhm, just stay there? I just need to feel you, to make sure I am not just dreaming... that this is real."

"Sure. Well, I can give you more than that, again." I can't help but to smirk seeing her reaction.

"Blake-" She doesn't expect my response. I know we just had it an hour ago. But I quickly captured her lips to stop her from talking.

"I just can't help it, Cat. Believe me... You have no idea how much I've missed you."