Monsterstruck

CHAPTER XVIII: COMPLICATIONS

        “Whoa… you’re such a good cook Vygnet!” Alex exclaimed in between mouthfuls as he helped himself indulging in bulalo.

        “You’ll make a good wife someday!” Jake added as he gave her a thumb up.

        “It’s true. And hey, gluttons, slow down, we’ll have some cold pizza later.” Craig noted.

        Vygnet basked. “Will I Jake?” She asked with a wide smile wreathed across her face.

        “Yeah. I really wish Rachelle would take an interest in cooking for me.”  Jake hurled, rolling his eyes.

      "Hahaha. Wish on Bro! Yeah Vygnet, your boyfriend must be lucky to have you!” Cameron quipped.

    “I don’t have a boyfriend, obviously.” Vygnet smirked and slid a gaze at Craig who seemed to be in deep thought.

    They all bounced their gaze at Craig who seemed to be at sea.

    “Oh. I forgot. But why is that?” Cameron heckled.

        “Yeah. You’re pretty, smart, and a goddamn good cook. If I were that dude, I’ll ask you to be my girl!” Alex said as he slid another glance on Craig’s direction. Upon hearing that, they all exchanged an awkward glance.

    “Dude! Did you catch the rabbit?” Jake asked yanking Craig away from his reveries.

    “Sorry. What was it? What rabbit?” Craig muttered, baffled.

    They all laughed out.  “Nothing. Seems like you’re lost in wonderland.” Vygnet countered with a wry smile.

    “Oh. Where we at? I’m sorry just thinking about something,” he mumbled, unnerved.

        “Obviously.” They all said in unison.

        “What is it?” Vygnet probed.

        “Vylet said that she’s been grounded. So, she might not be able to join us in Bora.” Craig said glumly.

        Vygnet raised her brows. “Did you ask her out again?” Vygnet’s voice dripped with venom.

        “He’s always asking her out.” Jake retorted.

        “For the record, she’s really not that into fun.” Cameron quipped.

        “Shut up. I’ll talk to her mom. I’ll ask permission for her.” Craig asserted.

        “Really, I don’t understand what’s going on. Why you’re so eager to make her come with us? She already did ditch us, right?” Vygnet asked in a tad sour voice.

        “Because this dude is nuts about her. In fact, he’s planning to court her. Isn’t that obvious?”  Alex pressed and regretted what he just said upon seeing Vygnet’s sour expression.

        A wave of jealousy started to well in her veins. She curled her lips in a bitter curve. This couldn’t be happening. Craig was falling in love with Vylet; who is also a monster like her!  She wondered what spell she had put on him to make him fall for her.

        Why Craig? Why her? I’ve been here for you since ages, and yet that girl whom you barely knew is making you head over heels?

        “Why Vygnet? You don’t like her to come with us?” Craig asked quizzically.

        “Yeah…I think she’ll just spoil the fun,” she said sullenly.

        “Maybe she’s just jealous.” Jake hissed at his peers.

        “Shut up dude.” Alex hissed back.

        “I don’t think so. What makes you think of that?” Craig asked dubiously.

        “Never mind then, good luck on courting her,” she said acidly.

        “Vygnet. I want you and Vylet to be in good terms. You seem so nice when you met her right?”

        “Right. I am a nice person.” Vygnet muttered with a sour grin.  But a total b***h to whoever is trying to lure you away from me.

    “You really are.” Craig remarked as he smiled briefly.

        “Okay. I’ll try. I’m sorry. I am used to be the only girl in this group.” She bluffed and laughed awkwardly.

        “We understand.” Cameron butted in with a grin plastered on his face.

        “Thank you Vygnet.” Craig mumbled and quickly pulled her into a hug. But deep inside her, she could feel that hug which used to be warm was now gelid—it froze her into the depth of her heart. She wanted to pull away, but she couldn’t. You’re only mine Craig. You’re only mine.

        Craig stared at her from the corner of his eyes as they hugged. I’m sorry Vygnet, I know we’ve been friends for ages, but I just can’t shake off the possibility that your mom must been involved in my father’s demise. It hurts to bear that possibility, but I must do this for my dad, I have to find out the truth, even our friendship might be at stake.

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        Vylet whiffed some salt air that wafted from the lake. She mused at the crimson afterglow of the sky.  She pursed her lips as she thought of the impending closure of the day. It was twilight again and it was nearly 5:45 pm, she had to go straight to home. Curfew really sucked, she cringed.

        As she started to gather up her senses and willed her feet to head home, she caught a glimpse of someone she knew.  It was Dr. Bautista who just alighted from his Black Savannah. He strutted towards the small house that was towered by pines and mahogany trees.

        What is he doing there? She wondered. She never thought that small house had some occupant for it really look like deserted.  With her usual sleuth nature clutched in her, she hid from the bushes to have a good view of what’s inside that small house.

        “I miss you, Priscilla. I’m sorry I’ve been busy for these past few days. I’ll make it up to you tonight” Dr. Bautista said as he smacked the woman on her lips. The woman threw her arms around him. “I miss you already sweetheart.  You know I can’t stand being away from you. I don’t want us to be apart again. I’ve endured enough pain for eighteen years from being away from you,” the woman replied heartily as she planted him a kiss.

        Ugh. How romantic. She felt like an i***t there eavesdropping at the sweet nothings of the couple. She must be his wife.  Even from the tainted windows, she could tell that the woman was beautiful. She had big hazel dough eyes and a light brown hair that complemented her fair skin tone. She suddenly thought of what she just said.

        “I’ve endured enough pain for eighteen years from being away from you”. 

        She silently lauded the woman for enduring those eighteen years of pain, being away from him.  Their love story must have been so much to milk for, she thought.

        “I want to see my son,” the woman said as they disentangled.

        “I don’t think he wants to.” Mr. Bautista muttered glumly.

        The woman’s face was writhed with longing. She curled her lips and buried her face on his chest and started to whimper “If only he knew George that his father and I have tried to work things out for him, but it just didn’t turn out to be what we wanted for him. His father and I both know that we’re both stuck in love with our…” She didn’t continue as she started to cry again.

        Vylet couldn’t believe what she just heard.  So, this woman has her own family? She must have been separated. She must have been married to a man whom she didn’t love. She looked at her wristwatch and it read 6:00 pm.

        Holy crow! My mom is going to kill me! She scurried her way out in the bush making sure that she didn’t make any sound.  Thank God, they didn’t seem to see or hear me.

        On her way home, she couldn’t shake off the woman’s predicament.  It must have been very hard for Dr. Bautista to deal with. Why didn’t they fight for their love then? She may not know the story behind it, but she was pretty sure that their story was full of complications, just like her life, full of complications that viciously tormenting every piece of her.