Encounter

Aleia

It was still dawn, cold and dark outside when I decided to leave the island for the city. I made sure to book an early flight so Zach could not see me leave. I did not want to leave him alone knowing that I am the only one he could rely on. But it was now or never.

If everything turns out to be fine, I’ll be back the soonest that I can and tell him everything about me. About how I met him when I was ten and how long I am in love with him. The truth will surprise him but I still hope that he would still accept me after I’ll tell him everything.

One hour after the plane landed, the ambiance of the city enveloped me. That kind is so different from the island. I was busy looking for Chelo when I heard her call my name.

“Lei!” She was smiling and waving at me. I called her and asked her to fetch me for a no-hassle ride knowing that I could not bring Ryder. Chelo left her morning routine for me. Ever since we became college buddies she never failed to amaze me with her undying support.

I smiled back at her and then we hugged like sisters who don’t see each other for a long time.

“Girl, I missed you a lot. You know our bondings,” she said smiling and eyed me from head to toe as if something has changed in me.” You look great and gorgeous, Aleia Reign. Life on the island suits you or it is because the love of your life is there already. Nathalie would be furious if she’ll see you plus the fact that you stole her fiance.”

I smirked.” I did not steal him. I was an ocean away from all of them but he appeared right in front of me like a shooting star. Well, he used to be my star.” I said smiling, still can’t believe that Zach is beyond my reach now.

“Well, you are the lucky one,” she said as we walked to the parking area.”You need to eat first before going home. I know you’re tired and hungry.”

“I’m not. Instead, I’m a bit nervous.” It has been a while since I came home. The people there are more strangers to me than a family, even my father. At least that’s how I feel after he left l, my mom.

Chelo and I went to have breakfast in her favorite diner. She ordered muffins and coffee while I have pancakes with a mouthful of vanilla syrup for topping and a black sugar-free coffee.

“How was your life on the island, Lei,” she asked in between munching her muffins.

“Peaceful and contented, not until-”

“Not until Matthew came like a parcel delivered at your doorstep, right?” she continued.

“That was what happened, exactly. I mean, it never crossed my mind that it would happen. I never wished for it,” I replied as kept on stirring my coffee not sipping even a single drop from it.

“Did he tell you why he was there?” Chelo asked leaning on her chair.

I shook my head.” No, but he told me once he was out for an adventure. We never had a proper introduction. He just told me his name so did I. Just that.”

“Adventure his ass! His father is busy looking for him and so are your father and Nathalie. So you just pretended not to know him?”

“Yeah.”

“And you even slept with him Lei, goodness!”

A smile escaped from my lips. “Sssh! It was embarrassing.”

She was smiling ear to ear, trying to suppress a laugh, teasing me.”He will leave you heartbroken, Lei. He will end up marrying Nathalie,” Chelo said.” Anyhow, would he react if he will know that you are his fiance’s sister?”

“Step-sister,” I corrected.” We were not born to the same mother and they never treated me as a member of that family

“It’s the same, idiot!

“Zach will not marry Nathalie. I will do everything that I can to stop the wedding. If he needs to marry an heiress, then ha can marry me instead.”

Chelo still gave me a ride home after breakfast, giving me her full support and all.

“Hey, are you ready to face them? It’s been a decade since you showed up. Do you want me to come?”

“No, thanks. I’ll just call you later. I can do this,” I said and stepped out of the car. I waved my hand before she drove away.

It’s still seven in the morning so I guess everyone is still home. Perfect for my plan. I was about to knock when one of the maids saw me- so instead she opened the door for me. Speechless and shocked to see me, I guess.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Is dad, still here?” I asked.

She nodded and guided me to the dining room. They are sites to behold. A complete and happy family gathered for a meal. The family that is supposed to be mine if only mom was still here. They were busy talking about something so they did not recognize my presence.

“Good morning!” I broke the happy event as they all gazed at me. Surprised! They were all speechless when they saw me. ” Did I happen to surprise you all?” I said as I walked toward dad and kissed him on his cheek.”Hi dad!”

Nathalie and Tita Noraine did not like my presence. Only Morraine was happy seeing me.

“AleiaI, what brings you here?” My stepmother asked. I sat in the chair beside Morraine and I can see how happy she was. I even pinched her cheek.

“What kind of question is that, Tita? Am I not allowed to come home? As far as I know, this is still my house. Right, dad?” Dad could not look me straight in the eye and did not say anything at all. I turned to Nathalie.”I came home because I heard about your wedding with Matthew.”

Nathalie’s brows furrowed.” So? Did I invite you?”

“No. But still, I have the right to attend, right? Where is your fiance now? I want to meet him.”

I said. I grabbed a glass of water in front of me and drank it all.

“Eat with us,” Morraine whispered.

“I am still full, Lil sis.”

Dad and Tita Noraine we’re having a conversation, maybe discussing how to throw me away. Again! Meanwhile, Nathalie was just staring at her plate. I wonder what she sees in there.

” Ale, tell us what you want?” dad said.

” Just give me 100 million pesos and I’ll vanish right away, dad.” I seriously said but I noticed that they stiffened a bit. Tita Noraine was giving me a dagger look. If only looks can kill.

” Are you, serious?” dad asked.

I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing but I ended up laughing so hard from my joke. When did I ever need a big amount of money like that?

“It was a prank!” I saw them breathe after I spill the tea.” But I want something else. Something more than that. Dad, I want you to hold a press conference and tell everybody that I am your child, too. That I was your firstborn daughter with mom. I’ve been hiding all my life like I don’t belong to this family.” I firmly said and a tear escaped from my eye.

” What? Are you insane?” Nathalie said. ” Dad, you can’t do it.”

“Why? Ah, because Matthew is supposed to marry the firstborn heiress of the family. That is me.”

“He’s not gonna marry you. You are not his type, either.”

But we made love the other night? How about you! Did you even get a chance to hold his hand? I wanted to tell her but I stayed low-key.

I don’t want to give them clues on where they could find my love.

“Dad, can you do it? Because if you can’t, I can do it alone and spill our secret. That you got married while my mom was sick and that your wife treated me like a maid every time you are not around.”

Dad looked at Tita Noraine.” Is that true?”

“No,” she answered.” Liar!” she screamed.

“Not a good thing to do when we are in a meal. I’ll give you time to think about it. Not so much time. I’ll give you just today to decide, dad. I’ll just rest in my room.”

I stood and stormed away from them. I went directly to my room when Nathalie blocked my way.

I just raised my brow to ask her what she wants.

“You’re here again to steal what’s mine? To ruin my life and my wedding.”

“I did not steal anything from you because it was all mine from the start. This house, this life was all mine. I just let you use it for a while. “