Double Take

02

Gunshot From Nowhere

"Don't believe in marriage with me" I got back into senses and pulled the ring out from my finger. "You are not the one whom I want to marry"

His lips formed a small self-effacing smile assuring me that he was okay to what I just said. That's it, he must be okay with it because I didn't think also that he felt something from me.

"I am sorry for pressuring you, I am doing everything to talk to your Papa of the withdrawal of marriage"

It was windy to be here in the balcony, my hair was messing around my face. "It's too late. You should've persuade them not to get married with me in the first place. You are enjoying it right?"

He looked down, letting out a frown. "I cannot say no to my parents-"

"Did your parents planned to die before our wedding so you can't say no?" my voice was back again to its raised tone, it just exposed me not being a level-headed. "Of all the women with a fair elegance, why me? and you really just let your parents do whatever they want?"

He gave me a blank expression but it was obvious that I outraged him. That was an offensive remark. Like I said, I didn't know much about him but I heard he really loved and treasured his parents, his parents brought him in this world on their late ages already, he was the only son and he got nothing now but himself. I felt bad I said it. No, I should've not be worried about the things I said, who cares?

"I will talk to Don Alejandro" that was too quick when he faced me with an convincing smile but it's not wide and I expected it.

I left him there and went to my room. There was a room for the both of us but we chose to stay separated from each other. I couldn't imagine myself sleeping with him, and the first time we were together in the same room was when we were newly married and we were forced by our parents but we didn't share a bed of course because I won't let that happen.

The week passed, the usual happenings were still the same. Sebastian and I with separate activities base on our interests. I didn't want to be cognizant about the things he wanted to do but the helpers and Mama always informed me what he did. It was exasperating to hear he went to the farm and stayed in the ranch with the horses, was playing golf with Papa, sidelining to magazines, studying in the library and went fishing and who cares about that? he's not my business.

I didn't care about him. I have life.

I noticed Papa was not around in the dining when we were having a breakfast, probably he was on his other engagements. "Mama, where's Papa?"

She smiled in amusement while drinking her tea. "You are now finding your Papa, Eris Amalia. Sebastian is really a blessing to you for your character improvement" her tone was full of hilarity.

"I just asked because I don't want to see him-"

"Hija, here we go again" was cut off abruptly. Sebastian was just looking down his plate slowly eating his food. He was in front of me. Oh, he was wearing a simple plain black shirt right now that hugged his biceps and his hair was damped, seemed like he just came out from the shower.

"I'm sorry" but I wasn't sorry.

"We are going to a party tomorrow night to my amiga and we will go there together with Sebastian" excitement on her face was open-and-shut.

A party again, I didn't mind attending parties together with her but with Sebastian? that was againat my will. I didn't want the public to really see us as a married couple.

Her attention shifted to Sebastian. "Hijo, is it okay to you?" seemed like Sebastian was not paying attention and was just staring to the pies near me.

"Hijo?"

"Uh, yes. I'm sorry, something just came into my mind" now he got back into his senses.

"Why hijo? what's on your mind?-"

I was pissed off. "You are really gonna ask him a confidential matter?" then I slurped my cucumber smoothie.

I made her loss of face as her ears turned red. "Hija, why? is there something wrong about it?" she put some chuckles to excuse herself from embarrassment.

"I was just thinking to read books, Mama" he comforted. "Nothing to worry about it"

Read books, how did he enjoy his life with that? this man was weird, he really wanted a change. I hated books, I hated to study but I can still make a change and of course in different ways.

"Alright hijo, Lavinia my stylist will come here this afternoon for your fits. I want the both of you to be the star of the night"

Hissing I said. "Mama, why not just go with Sehun and Papa? I'm not in the right condition to socialize people"

"Hija don't kill the joy I am feeling right now"

"I don't think my presence is needed there just for the heck of it"

"Eris! when will you listen?" she was frightened.

"Fine" rolling my eyes I said.

I went to my room after the breakfast and took a nap. Then I changed into light pink tweed collar jacket Chanel dress after I woke up and took a shower. I was already in my brown wedge heels when I looked at the vanity getting my hair done into ponytail, putting pink hair clips at the side. Too sassy, Eris Amalia but my boldness was notable, I was born fierce and with elegance and that's not much to argue if all the time I was humorless.

When I closed the door behind me so I can go down, it infuriated me when I saw Sebastian wearing a light pink hoodie and baggy gray sweatpants as he went out from his room. His room was near the balcony. He saw me and surveyed his eyes to my dress.

"Ah... Sebastian, why are you wearing a hoodie similar color to my dress?" taking my steps closer to him, I asked in a stern manner.

He was out of place. "What?" but I hardly heard his voice.

"Take that hoodie off and don't ever come out wearing that light pink hoodie. Everyone in this mansion will think we are a couple!"

Loosing no time, he was about to take off the hoodie in front of me but I said stop.

"Are you really gonna take that hoodie off in front of my innocent eyes?" that was almost a scream. "Where's your manners?"

"I'm sorry" he entered his room and locked the door.

I walked downstairs and immediately went to the garden where a lot of flowers were planted. I knew my friends were there already, they wanted to see me as I told them Papa was in out of town.

"I noticed that you are very much fond of Chanel these days" Olivia welcomed me when I arrived to where they were being seated. A circular retro table at the center and four chairs were there.

Andrea and Nicolo was with her too. We were friendship since we were kids. Andrea was too soft, very demure and quiet, in short she looked like she came out from Saints but she was unbelievably strong. If we talk about Nicolo, he was cheerful and a humorous person like Olivia, he was interested in same s*x and loved democracy. I took my seat beside Nicolo who was using his phone and at my side was Olivia, beside her was Andrea.

The helpers started putting foods in the table while we were talking. "So where's Sebastian, Miss Eris Amalia?" Nicolo asked.

"I don't know because I don't care" quickly I responded and just stared at the unripened grapes.

Olivia sighed. "You are really locking up your husband so that we can't have a glimpse of him"

"Why not we get inside-"

"Of course you can't do that, Nicolo" calmly I said, playing the straw of my orange juice.

"So you have have been affected to him right now as you don't want us to see him face to face? you look suspicious, Eris."

"I don't have and that's impossible to happen to have feelings for him"

He outpour a teasing smile. "Then what about, Yuno Mateo? where's that manipulative boy?"

"Ugh, don't bring him up here, he's not worth to be in discussion-"

I cut off Olivia. "He's still my boyfriend and he's worth than anything and he's not manipulative"

"But we are talking about Sebastian, your husband" Olivia rolled her eyes. "It's your fault, you are bringing him up here"

She took chips from the wooden caddy and she dipped it in the cheese flavored sauce as I scrutinized her every movements, she even asked Andrea who was sitting neatly beside her if she wanted to eat but the girl just gave her a nod for agreement and followed what she did, taking a chips but dipping it to the strawberry flavored sauce.

"I thought we are gonna talk about going to Bali next week?"

They seemed like not paying attention and what's the point of this meeting? "Okay, meeting adjourned"

In a quick reaction, Nicolo said. "We don't have much to talk about Bali since we've been there multiple times, Eris" The nerve.

"So what are you doing here? the three of you?"

Andrea looked very faze. "They called me to be here"

"And we are here to see, Sebastian" Olivia in a cheerful tone. She was looking in different directions probably eyeing for Sebastian. Judging on their eagerness, I knew they would literally take risk just to see him in personal since they only have glimpse of him through internet.

And that's because our wedding was held in Chicago.

"Andrea, I didn't know you cut your hair short" well I just noticed, her hair was now noticeably short and curled and it looked good on her. I saw Olivia chuckled when she observed I changed the subject, she now sipping on her juice.

Andrea looked on herself, checking her hair. "Ah... yesterday I cut my hair since it's summer already" and she was wearing a pastel yellow floral maxi dress ending above her knees as I noticed a while back, exposing the skin of her legs. This woman was pretty gorgeous on her gold bracelets.

"It looks good on you"

She smiled shyly. "Thank you, Eris. I love your outfit"

I scoffed then I was fazed from the voice I heard that made my friends interested to it.

"Hija, I will go shopping right now. Wanna come?" it was the voice of the ever foxy and resplendent Señora Amora behind us.

Anger build up with me when my friends looked like they saw something unimaginable. Nicolo and Olivia, their mouths formed an O while Andrea was muted with a blank expression looking to where my mom was.

"Mama, why not go alone-"

"So he's Sebastian Aldegheiri Valentino?" Nicolo's eyes widened.

Don't tell me that Mama was with Sebastian right now? Now my anger was oozing like a fire. My head just heated for hearing it. I didn't want my friends champing on him, I didn't want them to appreciate him. Instead of him, why not Yuno?

Olivia was feeling delighted, not getting her sight away from Sebastian probably. "You literally won in life marrying a hot guy"

Hissing I said. "It's hell if you were in my place"

"No, it's heaven"

They stood up, both Nicolo and Olivia. Maybe Mama and Sebastian was already near to us and I was trembling. Andrea was still confused, shy and hesitant whether she will stand like Nicolo and Olivia or just sit and ignore the world and finally she decided to stand.

Then I was again in my austere disposition. "The nerve of your Mama to ask you for shopping then you have your friends here. Are you really gonna leave us?" Nicolo, exclaiming angrily.

"Of course not" in composed voice I said. My eyes was very focused to the gardeners in front.

"He's very tall, he's hot, his beauty is out of the world, Eris" Olivia again.

"Good morning, Señora Amora" the three of them, greeted.

"Good morning" Mama at our back.

"It's very hot here, why not get inside?-"

I rolled my eyes to that. "Mama, we're literally welcoming summer here and you want us to get inside?" still in my composed voice.

"Hi, so you are Sebastian?" Nicolo, he acted like a moth who wanted to be with a fire. He moved aside to reach Sebastian as looking at them in my peripheral vision.

"Ah, yes. I'm Sebastian" hearing his low tone and gentle voice enraged me.

"Nice meeting you, I'm Nicolo"

Oli cleared her throat and escaped from her seat and went near to him. "Hi, I'm Olivia. You can call me, Oli"

Then Nicolo butt in. "By the way, Sebastian. You can call me, Love"

He chuckled softly. "Okay, love"

I stood and faced them one by one. "Mama? why not leave already?" irritation in my tone. It was too hot here.

"Yes, hija. We are now leaving" she responded but her eyes was directed to Andrea. "Andrea, you are here, hija. How's the condition of your, Mama?" Andrea's mother was diagnosed because of heart disease and it was already on its 4th year treatment.

"She's recovering, Señora" maybe Sebastian and her will have better understanding towards each other because of their communication. Sebastian was gentle and she was demure they can pass as siblings.

He was staring at her like he's got an interest on her. When I looked at Andrea, her eyes was on Sebastian too even Mama was talking to her. Maybe these two were communicating and the hell I care.

I then looked at Sebastian who turned his eyes on me when he noticed I was looking, I looked away.

"Ah. I will visit your Mama next week" it was Mama. She was on her red wrap dress with black belt on her waist and a Balenciaga purse. My mama's hair was always short and curled and Andrea joined her cult now.

"I'm looking forward to that, Señora"

"Of course hija"

I sensed Nicolo and Oliva were chitchatting the their so called gentle sexy man. Funny to hear, funny to witness Sebastian was just nodding and kept saying Yes to their flirty tactics.

When I looked at him again, he was wearing a beige cotton Jacquard Dior oblique overshirt and just a normal black trouser pants that made him attractive. My friend Amiel who was an actor also have worn that overshirt. Some strands of his hair fell on his forehead, he looked so neat actually.

"Let's go, hijo. We'll be back right after" Mama after exchanging conversation with Andrea. He nodded and followed her, his eyes darted to me.

"I'll be back" he said like we were close friends. That's funny.

I just stared and gave him a blank expression, seemed like he was waiting for my response but all the way I was unresponsive.

"See you, Sebastian" Nicolo in his cute voice. Tss.

He shifted to Nicolo. "See you"

I saw how Olivia reacted to it, she nudged Nicolo who was enjoying their interactions. He once looked at me before leaving us.

I hated the idea that he took away the attentions that supposedly given to Yuno. He really brought adversity to us. I thought I would not experience marrying someone for convenience but here I am now, marrying someone for convenience.

My friends left since they just visited the house to see Sebastian. After that, Sebastian and Mama went home from shopping and the stylist came for tomorrow's event.

"Hija, your pick is too lousy, would you mind changing it?" Mama noticed that I effortlessly chose my fits for tomorrow. Unlike other big events that it took me five hours to choose an outfit. The event was not as special as others that I attended already so I didn't bother to make it regal. I was highborn already and that's enough for me to be recognized.

"Even if I wear a news paper I know I will standout" sitting at the couch, I stood and started walking upstairs after I chose my dress. It was a simple black YSL plunge neckline baby doll dress.

"Yuno, when will you come home again?" we've been talking on phone more than an hour already. He was still in Granada for his business and I started missing a piece of me already.

His chuckles was too heavenly. "You can't wait, right?"

"Of course, Yuno. I want to see you again"

"Just hang in there, it's not like I'm migrating, Eris. I'm still here in Espanya"

Sighing I said. "I see. I'm just so tired right now"

"Why? what did you do this day?"

"Nothing"

I heard his laughs again. "Is that possible? or are you hanging out with that Sebastian?"

"Of course not, I always distance myself from him"

"Good. Always listen to me, Eris. Sebastian will just destroy you-"

Someone knocked the door, probably it was Leonda bringing my breakfast. "Come in" I said.

"Who's that Eris?" Yuno asked.

"It's just Leonda bringing my dinner-"

"I brought your dinner" I heard a male voice, it was Sebastiam when I looked at it. He brought a tray of my dinner. That caught me off guard, why now? I will really kick Leonda out from this mansion.

Still I was bewildered and speechless while just observing him walking to my table and he placed the tray there, Olivia then followed bringing my cucumber juice.

"I just help them since I'm going upstairs, I'm sorry for volunteering"

"Eris..." many times Yuno called my name but I was malfunctioning.

"I will go now" Sebastian again who walked out from my room.

The night ended with a fuss, I scolded Leonda because Yuno was very angry of what just happened. He was overthinking about that coincidence, he didn't believe me and all these years Yuno was very hard to please, very hard to settle down regardless of many explanations. He think I was lying, he think I was enjoying with Sebastian.

I woke up late the next day because I was feeling tuckered out and Yuno was still mad at me, it didn't put me free from strife when he's getting mad. Since Sebastian came, the only thing Yuno did was to overthink. My breakfast was brought by Leila since I told Leonda to stop bringing it with her, after eating I went back to sleep until the near evening came.

"Eris! I told you to prepare-"

"Oh, I didn't know you are preparing already hija" looking at my mom's reflection at the mirror of my vanity, she was smiling a lot. I have understood the assignment even I didn't feel like going out for a party.

I did a last touch and it was all done. I didn't do anything with my hair, I just let it untied. My hair was long, black and very straight ending at my waist and I exposed my bangs. I always looked good with my bangs.

"Let's go hija, Sebastian is waiting for you"

I was riding the convertible car together with Sehun, we were very quiet and I didn't want to talk to him and I guessed he also felt the same way and that's better. He was wearing an effortless outfit too. A white dress shirt underneath the black suit a black pants and a black leather shoes. His hair was pushed at the back and some strands fell on his forehead. His look was still notable. He was speedily driving the convertible car in just one hand, I got swayed to look at his hands the way he held the steering wheel.

Arriving at the Martinés' mansion was not a big deal. We parked at the side with other cars and I immediately went out from the car without Sebastian's approval. He went out too and followed me.

"Oh, here's Eris and Sebastian" Mama and Papa arrived early than us, they were already talking with their circle.

The event was not that elegant like the usual events I loved, it was like a normal birthday party of a debutant. Where people holding a wine glass and talking to each other with their circles, nothing much special than it as we entered.

"Happy Birthday, Señora Emily" I greeted the one who celebrated the birthday.

"Hija, you look very elegant just like your mama. And your husband is so handsome, he looks like a Prince from nowhere"

Sebastian chuckled. "Happy birthday, Señora"

TMy hissed was very loud that everyone diverted their attentions to me. "He's Sebastian, from California" I just tried to settle them down through that.

"You look very handsome, hijo" everyone kept an eye to him, seemed like he was a stunner of the night for this. Even those people in adjacent tables were dumbstruck because of his apperance. He's not handsome, maybe he was just appealing to look at.

I didn't know a lot will be at state of surprise for seeing him, he's not that very much to look at for me. He's not a gold.

"You are very golden, hijo. Just like your Papa when he was young, he really looked like you. Knowing that your papa is a veteran actor"

And what was this man doing? just to nod and form a small smile? not even a word on his mouth will bomb on these people?

"You and Eris looks good together. Are you expecting a grandchild this year, Amora-"

"That's not going to happen, Señora" cutting her off I said in a cold tone. "When will the party starts?"

"It's already starting, hija"

I hissed. "Tss. This is a waste of time" in a low tone I said. Mama was again on her evil look.

"Eris, hija. Why not go there to introduce Sebastian?"

We mixed to different people, I had a lot of friends to interact too and Sebastian has no one else, he was just following me wherever I go. I didn't like introducing him to other socialites but they always recognized his appearance.

"Oh, hi. Who's this man you are with?" Florica's eyes escaped to mine as it darted to Sebastian "Don't tell me he is Sev? Seve?"

"I'm Sebastian"

They were amused. "What? finally we met you"

I saw him on his sheepish manner again. I always wanted someone to talk to, to have a consistent conversation in this boring night but they will all be focusing to him. He was just standing beside me but can turn everyone's head.

"Sebastian, I want to go home" he followed me outside after staying there for almost 2 hours. We already reached the stairs for the ground and the convertible car was on my sight already.

"Hmmm" his only answer. "Let's go"

We left the mansion and drove on the way home. In the middle of the drive, we heard a loud bang from nowhere. That woke me from my sluggish eyes then I looked at him who was like he never heard anything.

"Is that a gunshot?" looking at different directions, I asked. The road was gloomy and a covered with a lot of trees in the side. "Sebastian, is that a gunshot?"

"I guess" he seemed like he didn't care.

My anxiety started to raise on its level where I couldn't control it anymore. We slowed down when we saw gunmen who came out from the giant trees, barricading us. There were six of them in total in front of us and I was already losing my breath for the incident.

"Tss." it was the first time I heard him hissed and he looked like not taken aback. His face doubled in seriousness and he was terrifying seeing his poker face.

My heart was beating with no time intervening. "Sebastian, who are they? am I going to die right now?"

"They are terrorists"

My eyes widened. "What?" as I remembered in movies, no one ever survived being ambushed by a terrorists and that was proven because it really happened in real life. "Oh my god, are we heading to our death?"

He speedily drove the car like he was in a race, looking at the terrorists who pointed their guns at us made me feel like in hell. He stopped the car very close to them and I almost died of uneasiness.

"Sebastian.."

He looked at me once before straight looking in front. As I looked, he was down staring at the steering wheel with his left hand on it. I was already in between life and death for being in this nerve-racking situation.

Biting my nails, I looked at the terrorists walked towards us. "Sebastian... please, what are we going to do now? we will just let them ambush us? we'll just die in this senseless night?"

"Where are you going? seems like you went from that party over there" the gunman that his white beard appeared like a mustache approached him. A smirk was formed on his face, it was again the first time I witnessed him smirking.

"It's already late night, why are you still roaming around?" his voice was cold and enticing.

They laughed. "Your woman is so fine" someone went to my side, fat and tall with a gun, when he got closer, he reeked an alcohol and the smell of cigarettes choked me.

In a composed voice, Sehun said. "Don't touch her"

"Oh? what if I wanted to touch her? my night will be magical-"

I was taken aback when he twisted the arm of the gunman beside him, the gun was thrown away. That was too quick when he pulled something under his suit and everyone pointed their guns to him.

It was a gun. Why Sebastian has a gone? loosing no time he pointed it to the gunman beside me and shot its head perfectly, then his hand pointed the rest of the terrorists and shoot their heads with no time intervening one by one very fast. He was very fast, the transition of his hand was very fast that it left me bewildered.

He jumped off the car and high punched the man he was holding with a twisted hand. The man groaned. He walked towards the others as they tried to get their guns for avenge but he let go another bullets in each one of them, targeting anywhere. He was quick witted, his movements seemed like he was rehearsed, he got used to it.

All of them were powerless to fight him back, some fainted and some were on its way to faint while holding their shoulders.

"When will you change, hmmm" he asked the gunmen. His voice was still the same, gentle but now mixed in an authoritative tone. I can't believe this.

"Sebastian-"

Before my scream, he already let go another bullet for the man with a twisted arm. He didn't bother to turn back, instead of doing it, he just pointed the gun at the back and perfectly shoot man on its right shoulder and next on the left. His hands were very quick. The man fell down, losing a balance.

He then walked to the men and hid his gun inside his suit. He was checking the paraphernalia in each one of it then pulled a tire ropes, he tied it to the gunmen's hands one-by-one. I couldn't process this, he really ate up the terrorists.

We heard a siren. Right, it was coming to where we were. There were police cars, thank goodness but what about Sebastian? He walked to me after tying them all, he asked like nothing happened to him.

"Are you okay?"

Still I couldn't process. "Sebastian..."

"Hmmm?"

"Is that really you?-"

"Eris..." I heard my name got called. "Eris!"

It seemed like it was a dream but I was awake, an imagination perhaps? I didn't know. I got back into my senses and realized it was just like that, it seemed so real yet presumably unreal. Sebastian was in front of me. We were still in the party, the people were still there laughing and talking. My head started to ache for the strange encounter. Where were those terrorists went? I clearly saw their faces.

Impossible! What was that?

I was losing my proper breathing. "Seb-..."

We heard a gunshot from nowhere that caught us off guard and by that I opened my eyes being hugged by him then I saw the husband of Mrs. Martiné bleeding, getting shoot. My eyes widened as people were running because of the chaos. Many people were running to Mr. Martiné and the guards surrounded the mansion.

"Sebastian!"

I heard his breathing. "This is not safe, let's go!"