Night With My Sister's Husband

Chapter 5

　　I was confused while searching for my phone that keep on ringing earlier. I just texted James a while ago because I'm going with Adele now. There is already a car outside that waiting for us. I automatically smiled when I saw the registered name of the caller.

"Hello?" I said on the phone.

"Mom, where are you?" my son said using a Japanese language.There was a hint of concern in his voice that made me smile even more. I finally smiled. No hint of fake.

"Mommy is attending an event, baby. I'll be home later, okay?" I answered him with a smile on my face.

"I miss you already, Mommy," he said. My smile reached my eyes. My son never failed to make me happy.

"I miss you too, baby. Do you want me to buy something for you?" I asked him.

"Chocolate cake, please. I love you, Mommy," I smiled broadly. I bet he's now pouting. Gosh, how I miss my son.

"Okay. I love you too, baby," I answered.

"Be careful po, Mommy," I was surprised by what he said.

"Can you repeat what you said, baby?" I asked happily.

"Be careful, po,"he said. I want to cry at what I hear, but I choose to smile widely. At last. I heard my son spoke my language. We use po and opo in my belove country, Philippines. It's mean, your respecting other people specially the old one. And damn, funny. I said goodbye to him and dropped the call. I smiled broadly until we reached the venue of the reception. As we stepped out of the car, Adele asked me.

"Who are you talking to and why do you seem so happy?" she asked, frowning. I turned to her and smiled even widened.

"Nothing. Just someone special," I answered smiling. She stares at me in amazement.

"Nothing but just a someone special? Seriously, Lexi? Is that what will be the result when you come out of the country? Alright! I'm still planning to go abroad. Just in case. I might go crazy like you," she said. I just shook my head at what she said and walked into the hotel. I feel like I'm really a useless maid of honor. I should be the first one to come here. I just shrugged at my own thoughts.

　I saw the bride and groom going up to the mini flatform. And I also saw in the other table where Mommy and Daddy were sitting with my Uncles and my Grandfather so I went straight to them.

"Lexi, is that you?" Uncle Raul said when I approached their place. I bowed my head slightly before I sat in an empty seat next to my cousin and facing Mommy. As far as I know, Uncle Raul is now the city Mayor of Cebu. I smiled and nodded my head.

"Yes, Uncle. How are you?" I answered him.

"Oh my gosh! You look more beautiful now, hija," Aunty Linda praised me, Uncle Raul's wife.

"Of course not," I answered and scratched my nape.

"You can say that because it's been a long time since you saw me," I added.

"Who hasn't? We haven't seen you in years. I thought you were married..." She said and looked at me maliciously.

"Or is there really is," I laughed softly at what Aunty Linda said.

"Nothing. I have no one," I answered and shrugged.

"Really? I guess men are just blind and can't see your beauty. Look at your sister right now..." She gestured the flatform where my sister and her husband were located.

"She's now married and will soon have children. When is yours?" When is the time?" she said. Really? I seem to know the trend of the conversation. I just smiled and looked at the new couple on stage. I slammed my goblet with the spoon I was holding.

"Kiss!" I shouted, and the crowd followed. I can see the redness on my sister's face, because of the spotlight focused on their position. She turned to David who's now without any emotion on his face while staring at me. Why? David didn't seem to be listening so I shouted even louder.

"Kiss!" I shouted again that caught his attention. He stared at me intently before turning to my sister and without a word, their lips met which were kept by those people here. I forced myself to smile.

I'm so sorry, Kai. I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath. I opened my eyes and sipped the wine from the glass I was holding. I have my alcohol tolerance high so no need to worry. It's bitter taste drew in my throat which made me grin. Wew. This alcohol is strong. But I'm more stronger. That's metaphor. I'm strong as this freaking alcohol. It's a wine but why it tastes so bitter? I bottoms up and lifted the empty goblet.

"Toast for the happy couple!" I said. Everyone laughed at what I said so I laughed too. I didn't know I was such a masochist.

I stood up when the host called my name to give a speech for the newlyweds. I took the microphone handed to me by the host so I could climb the mini flatform.

"Hey there, my dear sister and brother David..." I started. I swallow my own saliva befor continue.

"First and foremost, congratulations to both of you. Just stay strong. Please don't be overwhelmed by any kind of temptation. My dear sister, I'm sorry for leaving you years ago. I know you know my reason," I said as a matter of fact, but only half of that she know. I smiled at her and she mouthed 'it's okay' so i continued.

"So, yeah. I'm thankful to have you as my sister. Thank you for always being there when no one did. Thank you for become my diary to keep my secrets and my shoulders to cry on. I love you so much , my sister," I said and blinked when I feel my eyes become watery. She noddes as she carefully wiped her tears to avoid ruining her make up. Now it's David's turn.

"Brother David, please take care of my sister. Don't leave her like I did. Don't hurt her. Either physically or emotionally. I'm the one you can fight against," I said and laughed nonchalantly.

"So, that's it. I hope many more years will pass that you will be together. Thank you for loving my sister. That's all. And welcome to the family," I approached their place and my sister quickly stood up to hug me. I smiled as I hugged her back.

"I love you so much, sis," she said emotionally.

"I love you too, my sister," I said and tapped her back to greet her because I knew any moment, she would cry again. Among the two of us, my sister was the most emotionally sensitive. I first let go of my sister's embrace and turned to her husband.

"Congratulations again, brother," I extended my right hand. He looked at my face first and dropped it on my hand. He accepted my hand and shook it. His touch send unidentified feeling that makes me shivered. He still had this affect on me. I smiled at him again before I withdrew my hand. I turned to my sister and made her sit down.

This followed. I glanced at my wristwatch as I walked down the flatform. It's already three o'clock in the afternoon. I need to be home at five. I will even buy the chocolate cake that Kai requested. I went back to our table and sat down on my chair earlier. I confronted my Mom who was now happily listening to the one who give the speech for the newlyweds

"Mommy..." I called her. She looked down at my seat with a questioning look in her eyes.

"I need to be home at five," I said.

"You still need to help your sister for the take off, Lexi," she said.

"But I still have some works to do and scan some blue prints, Mom," My voice trailed off.

"You'll stay, Lexi." Grandpa answered our conversation with Mommy, and he called me using my name. It only means one thing, my grandpa's words were final.

"Spend the week with us. Postpone your work for now," my granfather said.

"Thats true, Lexi," Seconded by my Aunty Luna, my mother's sister.

"You need to get some rest. Don't stress yourself with your work. You'll grow old sooner than that," I shuddered at their decision.

"That's not possible. My salary will also increase significantly for this project," I said, trying to reason out. I need to go home. My son is waiting for me.

"How much is your salary so I can pay for you to spend your time with our family," Daddy replied.

"Also you, Daddy?" I asked, frowning. Aunty Linda chuckled.

"You really love your work," she said. I nodded and smiled at her.

"Yes. That's what my livelihood has been since I lived in Japan. I didn't touch the money that my Mom send me because I want to live with my own income and buying my food every day," I replied and Mommy smiled.

"I'm so proud of you, Lexi. But why not getting married first--"

"I'll take care of my sister first. She said she's already hungry. Excuse me," I cutt my mom word. I know I'm being unrespectful but I just want to avoid the topic. I immediately stood up and bowed slightly before leaving the table. Why do they have to force me to get married? If there's anyone for me, I'm sure it will come. I get a side buffet dish and rice. David may not have eaten hard.

The thought of David makes me shook my head. I can’t quite imagine that in a few years, his effect on me is still there. I feel like I miss him even more. I never thought too much that their wedding would continue. It's funny to think that I ran away from them five years ago not to witness their marriage but now, I even signed the contract as a witness. I think my luck is good.

I walked up to the flatform and approached their seat. My sister smiled when she saw me while David is listening to the person who is now doing there's speech.

"Please eat, my sister. Mommy told me you didn't eat this morning," I said while pouring her the spoon with only rice and dish. She nodded while chewing the food. She pointed to David next to her, saying that I would go after him too.

My god. She's the bride. She should be the one to do that. A part of my head whispered.

"Sister, can just do it instead?" I spoke softly. My sister did not growl and shot David. I tried to smile at them when David looked at me.

"Sister, I'm going to say goodbye. I still have something important to do," I said and smile to hide the pain I felt.

"What? It's still early to go home," her question is puzzling. My brain immediately functioned to find the loophole.

"Because I'm going to buy a ticket back to Japan," I lied. Sorry but I need to lie just to get out of this place. My son is waiting for me while his father is here with his wife.

"Next week. I still want to talk to you, a lot," she said a frustrating statement. I smiled at her.

"I don't want to see you frown, but I still need to buy my ticket soon. My project is waiting for me," I answer. All right, Lexi. You're such a good lair. You're difinetly forbidden in heaven for being a good lair.

"Can't I change your mind?" she asked.

"Sorry. Not anymore, sister," I smiled again.

"It will only change if my flight takes a long time. But I'm really in a hurry. So... until next time," I said.

"All right. Just when you come back, please bring Kai," She mouthed the last three words. I nodded at what she said. For five years, I mastered the art of lying and pretending. That’s what being independent has taught me. You need to smile even if the world keeps pulling you down. You need to lie and pretend that everything's okay. Even if it isn't. I smiled at her again and bowed slightly before turning around. As I took two steps, I heard David talked.

"Have we met before?" he asked. It was as if my breath had been cut off. He can't remember me. I immediately faced him and shook my head one after another.

"N-not yet, brother," I answered and gulped.

"This is the first time we've encountered since I didn't attend your engagement party, remember?" I added. I saw my sister nod and look at David.

"Yes, David. That's impossible," All right, my sister. That's it. Protect me because I love you.

"Never mind," he said. "Y-you just looked so familiar." he continued. I breathed a sigh of relief. I feel like a thorn has pierced my heart with nervousness that he might remember me.

"Maybe you just saw my picture on the mansion. That's why I looked familiar to you," I said and smiled nervously. He nodded.