Chapter 8
1648 Words
MARA'S POV
I've gotten used to climbing up to the roof of our house whenever I have free time to fly my drone, especially when the sun starts to set.
I wasn't expecting Denver to show up anymore since I knew the professors and instructors had a meeting about the upcoming university activities.
The prestigious athletic competition between different universities was happening next week, so preparations were already in full swing. The athletes have been training for months.
My phone rang, and I saw my sister's name on the screen. I quickly brought the drone back and landed it on the Bermuda grass in our yard.
"How's my beloved sister?" My sister greeted me when I picked it up.
She was lying on the bed. It was a bit dark, with only the light from the lampshade illuminating her. She had just taken a bath since her hair was wrapped in a towel, and she was wearing a robe.
"I'm okay, Bella. How are you over there?"
"I'm having a blast here. Meeting my idols was a dream come true."
"What time is it there?" I asked.
"It's midnight here."
"Don't sleep with your hair still wet; they say it's bad for your eyes."
Bella scoffed. "That's just a belief in Cardiz. By the way, how's Denver? Is he still mad at me? I was surprised when he replied to me earlier."
I swallowed hard as guilt hit me again. I shared a kiss with my sister’s fiancé.
"H-he's fine."
"Is he behaving himself? Are there still many students chasing after him?"
"Yes, but don't worry because your fiancé is very loyal to you," I stammered.
"I know that!"
I frowned when I caught sight of something behind my sister. Someone passed by—a man! And he was only wearing boxer shorts.
"Bella, who's with you?"
She suddenly sat up and looked around. I heard her gasp. Then she quickly got out of bed. I couldn't understand what was happening. All I could see on the screen were her feet moving around as her cellphone fell to the floor.
Her face reappeared on the screen. From what I could tell, she was inside the bathroom.
"Bella, what's going on? Explain everything. Who's with you?" I clutched my chest. It tightened at the possibility that Bella was cheating on Denver.
To me, she was the epitome of a perfect woman. I admired and respected her. It would hurt me deeply if my suspicions were correct.
"Mara..."
"Bella, what?!"
"He's Oliver. I met him here. He is good-looking, and... Mara, just—" I could hear the confusion in her voice. I even saw her grab her hair in frustration. Then she started sobbing. "Oh my God! What have I done?"
"Bella, how could you do that to Denver?" I asked, feeling hurt. "I'm sorry, but I'm very disappointed. I never thought you could do that, Bella!"
"Mara, please! Don't tell anyone! We're getting married when I get back! I can't bear to lose Denver! I love him so much."
I shook my head. "Bella, if you really love him, you wouldn't cheat on him."
"I was just tempted, Mara. Oliver is an attractive man."
"And your fiancé isn't?!" My voice rose.
"Mara, please!"
"Alright, Bella. I won't tell anyone what I know. But please, let this be the last time," I muttered, sighing. I didn't want her to worry, especially since she wasn't here with us. I didn't want her to do anything rash.
She burst into tears again. "Thank you, Mara. Thank you so much!"
"Okay, Bella. Get some sleep now."
"Okay, Mara. I love you, my dear sister."
"I love you too," I replied.
After we said our goodbyes, I ended the video call. I was stunned and drained. I felt like I didn't know my sister anymore. I couldn't believe what she had done. How could she bear to betray Denver?
A car stopped in front of our gate, snapping me out of my daze. My face twisted when I recognized whose car it was.
It was Ronan!
He wasn't alone. Our friends in the stage play also got out of his car.
What are they doing here?
It wasn't a surprise they found my house since one of them lived just a block away.
My parents' car arrived at the same time. I saw my dad roll down the window and speak to Ronan. A moment later, my dad honked at the car. I had no choice but to come out of the house to open the gate.
Given what I just learned about my sister, I had no energy to talk to anyone. I just wanted to lock myself in my room.
"Why are you all here?" I asked, my eyes on Sheena even though Ronan was right in front of me.
"We came to your house to practice for our play," Sheena answered.
"Play!?" My mom, Marilyn, exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me you joined the stage play, Mara? That's good news! When is it? Your dad and I will watch!"
"It's next week, Tuesday evening at the University Theater," Ronan replied.
"What time?"
"4 pm."
"Your dad and I will take the day off so we can watch you, Mara!" my mom said excitedly.
"But Mommy!"
"No buts. We can count on one hand the times you've participated in activities like this, so your dad and I won't miss it."
I just sighed.
"Go on, practice. I will just prepare our dinner."
"Let's go to the garden," I said, walking ahead. They followed me.
They placed their bags on the small table when we reached the garden.
"Your parents are so nice, Mara," said James, who would play the prince’s right-hand man.
Everyone agreed with him.
He was right. My mom rarely got angry, only when we made serious mistakes. And she never laid a hand on us. She was always kind and had a smile ready for anyone.
We hadn't even started when I heard a car stop in front of our house. I knew immediately who it was. I must be crazy to recognize Denver's car by its sound.
He was used to coming here, like a family member, so he entered the wicket gate without buzzing. All of us, especially the girls, were dazzled by his presence. They were giddy with the anticipation that Denver would walk toward us, but he headed inside the house.
"C'mon, why are you all stunned?!" Ronan said in frustration. He had to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention. "Let’s start."
"That sounds good," I replied. "Which scene are we starting with?"
"Anyone would be dazzled with Mr. Villafuerte’s good looks," Sheena said dreamily. Then she shook her head to come to her senses. "By the way, everything else is fine. It’s just you and Ronan who are the problem. You still haven’t nailed your scenes, and you’re the important characters."
"Promise! I’ll focus now," Ronan said.
"Okay! Let's begin. We'll start with the scene where you’re dancing. Up until now, you two haven’t perfected it."
I nodded at Sheena’s instructions. She was the only one among us with any theater experience, so she knew what to do.
"And please! Even if you two are annoyed with each other, just bear with it. It’s for us too, so we don’t embarrass ourselves during the stage play."
"Okay," I said, moving closer to Ronan and placing my hand on his shoulder.
He put his hand around my waist, making me flinch, but I tried not to pull away. It would be embarrassing for the others, who made the effort to come here, if I made a scene.
"What’s this? Why are you both so stiff?" Sheena’s voice showed her frustration.
"Just imagine you’re dancing with Jacob Elordi," Ronan whispered to me.
"Jacob Elordi? Who’s that?"
"Are you really from Earth, or are you an alien?"
I had a hunch he was referring to an actor. I just wasn’t into dramas or movies.
"There," said Sheena when she saw us smiling. "Now, be comfortable with each other."
"Forget you’re annoyed with me, even just for now, Mara," Ronan said.
I nodded, going along with it. But no matter what we did, our feet kept getting tangled. Neither of us had any talent for dancing.
An hour passed, and Ronan and I still couldn’t get it right. How could we when my concentration was broken by the sight of Denver standing on our terrace, clearly watching us?
"Alright, that’s it for today. At least there was some improvement. Let’s practice again tomorrow," Sheena said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Are you leaving already? Stay and have dinner with us," I invited them.
"We really have to go, Mara."
"I insist. I can't let you leave without having dinner."
"But Mara—"
"Come on!" I pulled them towards the house.
Just in time, my mom had finished cooking and was already setting the dining table.
"Come on, everyone, let's eat. I cooked so much food, so don't be shy," my mom said, guiding my friends to sit down. Then she turned to me. "Mara, call Denver. He's on the terrace."
I froze.
"Mara, did you hear me?"
"Okay, Mommy."
I walked to the terrace, where I found Denver leaning against the railings, his face looking so serious.
"Professor, dinner's ready," I said.
"I'll follow."
"Okay."
"Wait Mara"
I turned back to face him.
"Can't you back out of that stage play? I'll figure out a way to get you something better."
"It's too late for that. Besides, I can't disappoint my friends."
"But that boy—he's touching your waist!"
I gaped at him. "What does it matter to you? It's part of the stage play."
He paused, seemingly realizing what had slipped into his mouth.
"Alright, I'll follow," he exhaled heavily.
- Writer
