Her Memories

CHAPTER 9. Confession of Feelings

The party turned out to be a disaster for Asia. Everywhere she looks, she always sees Joaquin looking back at her like he is guarding her. While Stephy is guarding him the other way. She felt discomfort with his looks, especially after their conversation in the kitchen. So, she decided to leave the party early. Joaquin offered a ride to her, but Stephy stopped him and said she would just take a taxi, which she did since she doesn't have any choice.

The next morning, Saturday. Asia woke up early with the continuous buzz of her doorbell, and when she opened the door, she saw Lily and Joaquin smiling foolishly.

"What are you doing here this early!?" She annoyingly asked with a groggy voice.

"Good afternoon Asia!" Lily cheerfully greeted her.

"Good afternoon, it's quarter to one in the afternoon already," Joaquin informed her while smiling sweetly like nothing happened last night.

"What are you doing here?" Asia asked Joaquin.

"Why don't you start to freshen up first? You smell stinks!" Joaquin said to her while sniffing his nose close to her.

"Eww!" Lily teasingly said and giggled.

Asia stamped her feet back to her room to get a quick shower. She wears her white sundress and comes out of the room to join them.

"Annastasia, sit here, look, we bought some Mexican food, try it." Joaquin cheerfully offered, but she only ignores him and makes herself a coffee.

"Asia, is that your parents in the photo?" Lily asked about the photo in the living room.

"Yes, why?"

"Nothing, but your father seems familiar to me. I just don't remember where." She said.

"Yeah, I just thought of that also." Joaquin followed, but still, she kept on ignoring him.

"Maybe your father shows up in a TV commercial or something," Lily added.

"Here, try these quesadillas. You'll like it," Joaquin offered while smiling warmly.

"I'm not hungry," Asia said peevishly, then got up with the cup of coffee in her hand and went back to her room, then closed the door.

She didn't feel like talking with him after the party last night. She was annoyed. But a few minutes later, Lily knocks on her door.

"Asia!"

She opened the door and saw her standing.

"I forgot to do my homework; can you guys drop me home, please?" She begged,

"How about Joaquin will drop you off? My head really

hurts. I don't think I can manage to go out today." Asia said, trying to convince her

"Please?" Lily pleaded with her puppy eyes, and Asia sighed,

"Fine, I'll just finish my coffee."

They're on the road now, on the way to Lily's house. Lily and Asia were seated in the back seat of the car together. Even though Lily insists that she should sit in the passenger seat beside Joaquin, she refused.

After they bid goodbye to Lily, she was about to walk away when Joaquin stopped her by grabbing her hand.

"Leave me," she coldly said.

"No, you're coming with me," Joaquin said, gripping her hand tight but just enough not to hurt her.

"I can't. I need to go home with dad." She honestly said her father texted her that they would have dinner with Angel, and her son might finally join them too.

"I'll drive you, but can we please talk for a little bit?" He pleads.

"Talk about what?" She asked bluntly.

"Can you get inside the car first, please?" She didn't answer and was about to open the back seat door when he blocked her.

"Sit beside me," He said, looking straight into her eyes.

She didn't speak and stubbornly sat in the car. Joaquin followed after and started the engine. None of them spoke until he stopped the car in a park.

"What are we doing here?" Asia confusingly asked.

"I just thought that trees might help you relax," Joaquin said, grinning widely.

"I'm good." Crossing her arms.

"No, you're not." He said and helped her step out of the car.

"I want to go home," she said while he keeps on pulling her.

"Why are you acting like this?" He suddenly asked when he looked at her with a serious face.

"Like what?" She asked.

"I don't know. Is it because of what happened last night?" He inquired.

"Yes! I didn't get to enjoy the party because of your presence. You keep on watching me the whole time like I am going to do something stupid. While you are enjoying Stephy's company, you're just so unfair." She rapidly said.

"Are you jealous?" He asked as he chuckled.

"No!" She retorted.

"I just want to be with you, that's why I accepted the invitation to that party. I never thought that Stephy would be around me all time." He explained.

"But you seem to enjoy it," Asia mumbled, looking down.

"No, but I enjoyed watching you and wish to just grab you out of that crowd and spend the rest of the night with you, alone." He said, holding her chin up.

"Annastasia," He whispered, staring at her eyes deeply.

"What?"

"I think I'm falling for you." He whispered, but just enough for her to hear him.

"You can't say that to your sister," she said, and he chuckles at her words.

"Yeah, I know, but it's the truth. I can't help not falling for my sister."

Asia's world feels like running slow, very, very, very slow. He touches her cheek with his hand and gently caresses it.

"Joaquin?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?" Asia asked when their faces are only inches apart.

"I feel like I want to kiss you." He whispered.

"Only if you allow me to, will you?" He asked, looking intently into her eyes as he waited for her answer.

"But I don't know how," Asia honestly said, and that made him chuckle softly at her.

Her body felt strange. If they are true siblings, for sure, this is a curse. The world will curse her for sure because she loves the way he made her feel. She felt chills throughout her body, but it was cut off when his phone rings. At first, he didn't pay attention to it, but it kept on ringing.

"Why don't you answer your phone? It might be important." She said. He groaned in disappointment before he pulled out his phone.

"Yes?" He answers the call.

"I don't want to, just enjoy it," He said coldly.

Asia noticed his expression change but didn't bother to ask because she was not in the position. She is just wondering about who he is talking to with such a tone.

"Mom, please don't force me into this. We already talked about this; I hope you understand. Bye." And with that, he ended the call.

"I'm sorry about that." He said after he dropped the call.

"No, it's okay," Asia said and now smiling.

"So, can we continue now from where we stopped?" He asked teasingly.

"Stop it, let's just go home."

"Okay, let's just have a walk a little, then I'll drive you home, okay?" He said while still holding her hand, and she nodded.

They strolled around the park hand in hand, and it was a very lovely moment. She never thought that walking while holding hands could be so relaxing.

"Joaquin, can you drive me to my dad's house instead?" Asia asked when they decided to go already after walking for almost an hour.

She didn't feel tired actually because she enjoyed every second of it.

"Sure, just give me the direction." He happily agreed and handed her his phone.

"Are you sure that this is the address?" He asked after she types the address in the google map.

"Yes, of course." She said, chuckling unbelievably.

When they arrived at the house, she noticed that Joaquin's expression changed and suddenly became silent.

"Is there something wrong?" Asia asked worriedly.

"No." He said, but she can sense that he is only trying to sound casual.

"Okay, come with me inside. I'll introduce you to my father." She offered cheerfully.

"No, maybe next time." He said.

"Are you sure you're fine?" She asked again.

"Yes, I am. Why wouldn't I?" He said and held her hand.

"Annastasia, what's your father's name?" He suddenly asked, seriously.

"Albert, Albert Perez. Why do you ask?" She said and felt his hold on her hand become tighter.

"Joaquin?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry," he said and let go of her hand.

"Go and get inside already. Maybe he's waiting for you." He said with a cold forced smile.

"Joaquin?" She called him, and he looks at her,

"See you later," Asia said, but he only smiled and turned to get in his car.

Asia doesn't understand his sudden action, and it made her feel worried. She just hopes that everything is truly fine.