Secret Rendezvous

TWINS

[Summer’s POV]

I am astounded seeing Storme playing Need You Know by Lady Antebellum. Hearing the music from the keyboard made me skittish. It sounded like the song is for me, and every word from the lyrics hit me right through. Before I daresay of what’s about to happen between us, I left. I can’t bear to see Storme. My hatred is turning into an infatuation. Felt zealous about how things getting stack up. I have to keep my distance before I get love-struck and lose under my game.

“Let’s end this session today. I need to go to my sanctuary. See you guys tomorrow!” I grabbed my backpack and left ‘Halo’ without looking back.

Seeing Stella and Nadine disappointed will make me change my mind. But I can’t be there with Prince Vin around. Seeing him taking a dekko at me, I can’t withstand. Storme bumptiously brings up our past. If you didn’t leave me, Prince Vin, I wouldn’t have this resentment against you. I’m not too fond of this hissy fit on you, but I can’t let bygones be bygones.

If I stay there longer, I might fall under the hole I dug up myself. Storme and I will continue to banter. It would be a non-ending clash between us. I went to the garage where I hid my motorbike. I left it here with Dhrim while I was away for the summer. Opening my bike compartment, I pulled out my helmet and stashed my backpack away. I can see Storme from my rearview mirror walking towards me.

In a millisecond, I turned on my engine. In a lickety-split, I hopped into my red Ducati SuperSport S bike. Yes, I know a very luxurious motorbike for a seventeen-year-old teenager like me. Yes, and yes, I drive and ride this bike like a pro. My father gifted me this bike while they gave my twin sister a 1993 Jaguar XJ220. What if I take Devin Storme on a hell of a fast ride? I told myself, grinning. One day I will.

Enough of your illusion, Summer, that things will get better with you and Storme one day. For now, could you stay away from him? I’m in a dilemma between staying and leaving. In the end, at a speed of a light-year, I stormed off away from Storme. The sight of him makes me hate him even more. I don’t understand why he keeps following me everywhere I go.

Playing lovey-dovey with Red did not work out. I was expecting Storme would stay away from me, but it did not happen. Doesn’t he get it? I am dating Red, but I was only pretending. Red and I are like siblings.

Red sees me not only as a sister but also more than a friend. I am aware of it, but I don’t want to lose my best friend. Suppose our relationship wouldn’t work out. I know for sure we will never be as close as we are right now. I am straightforward, and Red knows me well. He is a brother to me. Aside from that, I don’t want to hurt Nadine’s feelings. Nadz has had a crush on Red since we were intermediate.

I went home to prepare my welcome speech for tomorrow’s freshmen and transferees students assembly. I wasn’t expecting my parents to be home dining with my twin sister, Snow.

“What took you so long, Skylene? Didn’t I tell you to be home at seven?” said Papa.

“Huh? Be home at seven? Papa, I am not informed we have family dinner,” I answered, sitting in the empty chair.

“I told Savannah to call you,” said Mama.

“You told her to call me, Ma? Since when she ever contacted me for family affairs like this?” I questioned her with a flicker of irritation shone in my eyes.

Snow, Snow, Snow, my little devil twin is again on the prowl.

“I sent you a message. Did you not get it?” Papa asked me with a questioning face.

“No, Pa. I did not receive any messages from you. If I do, then I could have been home early. I was with the Halo band. Did you forget I supposed to stay a week at La Casa Buena Hotel with my friends? Pa, I called you last night and told you what happened.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Princess. I have too much on my plate. It slipped my mind. Why are you home if you wanted to catch up time with your friends?”

"Something came up. Staying in La Casa didn’t work out. We were going to a hot spring today, but The Halo has a campus event in a couple of weeks. We practiced instead."

“How did it go?” my father interestingly asked. As if he supported me being in the band.

“So, so.” I put some mushroom soup in my bowl," V-v—was—." I paused, thinking if I should tell him Storme didn’t stop bugging me. It is so childish to tell my father.

"You were saying?"

"Never mind. Anyway, Pa, how was your meeting with the Buenavente’s? ”

“It went well. We set the date. Your mom and Aunt Devina will follow through with the event coordinator.”

“You need an event coordinator for the merger?” I questioned, puzzled.

“Yes, my dear. We have a little time to prepare. It will be a significant event for our companies and yours.”

“Pa, my significant event? Your talking bubbles, father. Tell me straight-up.”

“Father, your planning a grand debut for Skylene? What about me?”

“A grand debut? Who said we were planning for her eighteenth birthday?”

“Pa, Ma, nine months from now is my birthday too. Why you have to throw a tremendous event for the merger and not for my debut?” Snow questioned our parents, sounding envious.

“Because you are not that important, witch!” I said, playing with my fork in my hands, poking the steak on my plate.

“I am not talking to you, b***h!” Snow hissed angrily.

“When will you both act like sisters? For heaven sakes, you are twins!”

“She’s not my twin. I have no twin for a long time. Your favorite daughter needs to be on the hot seat from time to time. Your little Miss Perfect!” said Snow with her piercing eyes.

“What did I do to you, Snow? Why are you getting so upset about the merger event?!” I snarled at Snow.

“Savannah! Skylene! Enough!” Father screams bloody murder.

I haven’t heard my father screeched at us for a long time. That’s because he.

Is not always around. The same as our mother. She frequently has meetings and out-of-town business dealings. Snow and I hardly have dinner together too. She spends more time with her clique of friends.

“Skylene. Savannah. I don’t like you talking like that in front of the table. Dinner like this is precious to me. We hardly have you both for dinner.”

“Aww! I miss eating dinner with you around too, Pa,” I got up from where I was sitting and hugged him.

“I cooked your favorite Paella Valenciana,” he whispered.

“Thanks, Pa. You had time to cook today? That’s amazing!”

“You are such a bloody attention seeker, b***h,” Snow muttered, almost inaudible.

“Que te folle un pez!” I hissed back on Snow, but my father heard me swear at my twin.

“Skylene!” My father slammed his hands on the table, spilling the glasses of water.”¿No te dije que te detuvieras?” Papa angrily scolded me. “

“Pa, I wasn’t the one who started the fight. It’s Snow,” I defended myself.

A glimmer of laughter came into her eyes, “You deserve a little scolding, b***h!”

“You’re playing like a child again, Snow. I let you manipulate me on the campus. What else do you want?” I said, keeping my voice low.

“I want you out of my life forever!”

“Don’t worry, my dear twin sister. You will have the university all to yourself. This place will be all yours. You will not need to hide and pretend from everybody that we are siblings. I am leaving in a few months. Who knows, I might not come back said,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“Skylene, I told you to cancel that exchange student program.”

“Papa, it’s once in a lifetime opportunity. I got lucky they picked me. You know how it goes. Not everybody gets fortunate with the raffle draw.”

“Hon, let our daughter go. Skylene can handle herself.”

“Thanks, Ma. You are the best!”

“I know she can handle herself, but—.”

“But—But, what, Pa?”

My father’s thoughts engulfed me when Snow continued lashing at me, “I would be glad if you would vanish forever,” said Snow.

” Do not be pushy, witch! Just a little longer, can’t you wait?" I said, raising my brows."I have a student visa interview in a couple of weeks. Then I’ll be off to New York. If I find it soothing, I’d rather stay there away from you! ”

“I would be happy if I don’t see you anymore! I wish you died that day.”

“Savannah Snow!” Mama called my sister in her full name. A hint that she did not like what she said. Nobody wants what happened that day. I wish I could turn back the time. Our parents had given me more attention than my twin, making her resent me.

“Zipping my mouth, Ma,” she replied, rolling her eyeballs.

“I wish I already died that day because living a life with a witch-like you is as good as dead.”

“That’s enough! We are in front of God’s grace, and you are arguing. Are you not ashamed of fighting in front of us?”

“I’m sorry, Ma, Pa,” I said in a low, sincere tone of voice.

“Skylene, did you complete the requirements for your transfer?”

“No, Ma, I need the Dean’s signature and the board members. Maybe you can help me?”

“Is there anything I can do to make you change your mind, Skylene?”

“Pa, please let me go. When I come back, I will be worthy of taking over the business. Please, allow me to grow on my own.”

“How about the wedding?” asked Snow.

“What wedding?”

“You haven’t told her yet?” Mama looked at Papa. My father gave her a meaningful glare.

“Ma, Pa, you two are getting married again? Woohoo! That’s exciting!”

I was giggling at the thought that my parents will be married again after twenty-five years. Yes, our parents did not have us in an instant. Mama said she never expected to have us. The doctors told her it would be hard for her to conceive because of several miscarriages and her severe uterus bleeding during pregnancy. But God gifted her not only one but the two of us. Snow and I used to be inseparable. Not until I met Storme and became friends with him. Snow started to hate me. Our conversation ended when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get the door.”

I strolled to the front door. Today is not a good day for me. Why can’t he understand the word ‘stay away from me.’ Storme is at the front porch, leaning his body to the pillar with his arms crossed on his chest.

“Sunshine!”

“What are you doing here? How did you find my house? I told you to stay—away—from—me! What did you not understand? Stay—away—from—me!”

I screamed to the top of my lungs, making my mother and father rush to

where we were. I did not notice my twin followed them.

“Devin?” said Snow in a thrilling voice.

“The one and only Snowy,” Storme answered.

“When did you arrive, Vin?”

Hearing Snow called Storme ‘Vin’ in the most flirtatious way makes me so mad at her. My twin sister never changed. She always wants everything that is mine. Am I mad, or am I jealous? Snow hated the idea that Storme liked me instead of her.

My twin has more finesse and acts way ladylike compared to me. I’m the tomboyish war freak. I like boys’ stuff, and I am no fan of girl stuff. I don’t shop for clothes in the boutiques either. Jeans and tees are my things. As long as I have my favorite red Converse shoes, the rest doesn’t matter.

Snow wrapped her arms around Storme and dragged him inside the house. But Storme stood still at the front door. His eyes glazed down my eyes.

“Devin, come in. Join us for dinner,” Mother invited Storme in.

“I won’t say no to you, Aunty.”

“Son, I told you to call us Mama and Papa. Get used to it. It will be official in a few months.”

Storme sat on the empty chair across me beside my sister. Snow is flirtatiously flipping her long black silky hair and biting her lip. The way she’s acting right now, I doubt if she loves Dhrim. Or is she only using him because he is the basketball varsity captain? She’s a certified shapeshifter.

“What will be official in a few months?” I asked in curiosity.

“Sister, don’t tell me you don’t know our parents sold you?”

“Sold me? Do I look like a share of our company’s stocks? You are talking bubbles, Snow.”

“Precisely, my witch. You are only worth the stocks!”

“Savannah Snow, enough! Go to your room now, and young lady, we need to talk,” said Papa, motioned Snow to leave the table.

“Whatever, Papa, it’s all about your Princess. You never hear me out.”

“What are you talking about, Snow? What do I need to know? Tell me!”

“You don’t need to know yet, Sunshine,” Storme interrupted.

“What?” Storme acted like he never heard me talk or asked a question to him. Storme and my father spoke about La Casa Buena and a few more things about their restaurant. He also shared his experiences in San Francisco. They seemed so close, and that puzzled me.

“Ma, Pa, I’ll get going. Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re not their son. Stop calling them Mama and Papa.”

“Skylene, your manners, young lady,” said Mama.

“What, Ma? You gotta be kidding me! Storme? Your son? Why don’t you adopt him and offer him the master’s bedroom as well? And oh! Make him feel like a prince. Don’t you like that, Storme?”

“We will get there, Princess Sunshine. Don’t rush. Let’s take it slow,” he winked at me and said,” I’ll get going.”

“Take care, son. Send my regards to your father,” said my father, walking him out to the door.

“Will do,” he replied in a low tone of voice, c*****g his head.

I thought Storme would walk away without saying goodnight. He stopped where I am seated, lean on me, and whispered,” I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up. You better not run away from me, or else you’ll get it. I am not kidding, Sunshine. It’s a warning! Good night, my Princess.”

‘Like I’m scared?’—I wanted to tell him that, but no words came out of my mouth. I am mystified.