Why Does It Have To Be Him?
2000 Words
I slammed the door with force, frustration coursing through me like wildfire. I'm sorry, Alaric, but I can't stand your brother!
Why did he have to return? Yes, I know it's his home too, but he swore he'd never cross paths with me again, and yet here he is, breaking his promise! And what does he have the audacity to say?
Recalling the day, he confessed to me that it still makes my skin crawl. How could he?
It was a chilly, solitary night, clad in my pajamas, I ventured out of my room for a midnight drink of milk, unable to find sleep yet again. As the clock struck midnight, it was just another part of my nightly routine. But my steps faltered when I heard the shattering of glass and anguished cries.
A lump formed in my throat as I recognized the voice, wishing I had stayed put in my room.
I hesitated, ready to retreat, but then Mama's voice pierced the air, calling out my name. Guilt gnawed at me for listening in, yet I couldn't resist the urge, especially when my name was mentioned.
"How could you, Alonzo! How could you betray me like this! I've complied with your every demand! Despite my reservations about having your brother's wife under my roof, I tolerated it! And what have you done? You've broken our agreement!" Mama's furious tirade echoed through the house.
I recoiled at the sound of more breaking glass.
Alonzo... He convinced Mama to allow me to stay here and bartered her as well!
"Mama, please, let's not destroy anything here-"
"As long as you refuse to comply with my demands, every item in this house is fair game! Just give me what I want, Alonzo!" Mama's voice quivered with frustration.
"I warned you, Mama, we'll be ruined if you don't stop gambling!" Alonzo's voice dripped with frustration and exhaustion.
Mama's bitter chuckle cut through the tense air. "I've lost the two most precious people in my life, Alonzo! Your brother and your father! Besides the casino, how else can I cope with their absence? Especially when I'm surrounded by reminders of their deaths!"
“Mama…” Alonzo's voice softened, filled with concern.
“If only you had listened to your father, Alonzo, I wouldn't be in this agony! If only..." Her sobs racked through her, each one echoing with pain. It resonated with the ache I felt when Alaric was torn from me. I shut my eyes tightly, my chest constricting. "If only I knew you'd be the cause of my husband's departure, I wish... I wish I had never brought you into this world! Remember that for the rest of your life!”
Her words pierced through me like shards of glass.
As Mama's footsteps faded away in another direction, I breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing around, I noticed the aftermath of the chaos, the hallway resembling a scene ravaged by a storm.
Spotting Alonzo's figure disappearing towards the garden, I trailed behind him quietly. My heart ached for him; the pain in his mother's words must have been unbearable.
Coming to a halt, I watched from a distance as Alonzo's shoulders shook with silent sobs. I had always seen him as strong and cunning, but witnessing his vulnerability now made me reassess my perceptions of him.
I found myself inexplicably drawn to him, inching closer until I settled beside him on the bench. He glanced at me, his eyes red-rimmed and raw.
"What are you doing here?" His voice cracked with emotion, even as tears continued to fall.
“I believe differently... Alonzo.” My voice was soft, a gentle reassurance.
He wiped away his tears roughly, as if determined to hide any sign of vulnerability from me.
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I overheard your conversation with Mama. I understand her pain, but what she said was incredibly harsh..." My voice faltered as I noticed him avoiding my gaze.
He chuckled bitterly. “You probably heard that I convinced her to let you stay here, that's why you're defending me-"
“I genuinely believe what I said. When we're grieving, it's natural to seek someone or something to blame because accepting the loss of a loved one is incredibly difficult,” I explained, though I faltered as I noticed his intense gaze fixed on me.
His brows furrowed in response. “So, that’s why you're just going to let Mama belittle you?” his voice was sharp, his frustration evident.
I nodded without hesitation. “I don’t mind... If that’s her way of coping with losing Alaric. I can handle her words-"
"Leave this place," he interrupted, his voice firm, leaving me stunned.
His sudden shift in demeanor sent alarm bells ringing in my mind. Was he angry? Did I say something to upset him? Just moments ago, everything seemed fine.
"Leave, Meraluna. I don't want you here," he declared, his gaze fixed ahead, refusing to meet my eyes.
I shook my head defiantly. “No, not unless you give me a reason why I should go.”
As he rose to his feet, I mirrored his action, my heart racing with uncertainty. I watched as he pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture so reminiscent of Alaric. It was like seeing a ghost from my past come to life before my eyes.
A lump formed in my throat, and tears threatened to spill over. Why was I seeing traces of Alaric in Alonzo? It was baffling, confusing, and utterly heartbreaking.
His words washed over me, but I couldn't comprehend them anymore. My vision blurred as tears cascaded down my cheeks. What was happening to me?
“Alaric…” I whispered his name, watching as the man before me froze.
Could it be? Is he truly Alaric? My heart raced with hope, my mind unable to comprehend the possibility.
As warmth brushed against my lips, I instinctively closed my eyes, yearning for the familiar sensation. But as quickly as it came, reality crashed down upon me. This... This wasn't how Alaric's kiss felt.
I opened my eyes to a horrifying realization, feeling my entire being freeze as I saw Alonzo with his eyes closed, kissing me forcefully. With a surge of adrenaline, I pushed him away with all my might, the sound of the slap reverberating through the garden.
His head remained unmoved even after my slap, shrouding his reaction in mystery.
Driven by frustration, I pushed him once more. “How dare you kiss me, Alonzo! I am your brother’s wife-”
I watched as his jaw clenched in response to my words. He gripped both of my shoulders firmly, his anger palpable.
“No, it should be, how dare you, Meraluna! How dare you mistake me for Alaric!” His voice was filled with restrained anger, as if he were holding himself back from further action.
I shook my head violently, tears streaming down my face, unable to break free from his grasp. “I swear, Alonzo, I saw him! I saw Alaric-"
His ears flushed red with anger. “How dare you mistake me for Alaric when clearly I’m not like him! How dare you make assumptions, Meraluna! How dare you play with my feelings! How dare you... choose my brother when it's clear that I love you more than he does! How dare you marry him! How... How dare you…” His voice trailed off, as if he were struggling to find the right words.
I froze at his accusations, feeling as though time had stopped with his revelation. Did he... What was he talking about..?
He released his grip on me and kicked the bench violently, causing it to splinter slightly as he cursed loudly. My heart raced even faster, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Disgust washed over me, leaving me feeling nauseated...
“You…” I struggled to find the right words to respond, though I had plenty in mind. But speaking them out loud felt daunting.
He turned to me with a forceful glare, a chilling grin spreading across his face. It sent shivers down my spine, a terrifying sight to behold.
“Yes, I do, Meraluna! Figure it out yourself,” he spat before storming off, leaving me breathless.
I flinched at the sudden interruption of a loud knock, snapping me back to reality. With a deep sigh, I rose to my feet and made my way to the door to see who was knocking.
“Mera, Ma’am Amelia is on her way. Madam is calling for you!” Maid Ellen, Alaric’s nanny since he was born, cheerfully shared the news as soon as I opened the door.
Oh, right, Amelia is coming home to the Philippines from another country today. How could I forget?
Maid Ellen pulled me out of the room, and I let her lead me. I don’t know, but reminiscing about that night still drains my energy.
I straightened up at the sound of Mama's faint cough behind me, signaling her recent arrival in the grand hall. Flinching slightly, I turned to face her, unable to mask the apprehension in my expression.
Her smile widened, her acting skills impeccable as always. “Amelia and Alonzo will be staying here for two weeks, so you'll return to being a Princess, just like when my dearest Alaric was still alive…”
Her whispered words carried a veiled threat, though her tone remained gentle. "Act well, Mera. Act well, Darling, okay?" The underlying message was crystal clear.
“For now, call me Mama,” she instructed, her sweet smile belying the weight of her words. With that, she stood upright beside me, poised and composed, awaiting Amelia's arrival.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Alonzo freezing at the sight of me. Relief flooded through me as he quickly averted his gaze. He greeted Mama with a kiss on the cheek before joining us, standing silently as we awaited Amelia's arrival.
Minutes later, a sleek black Lexus pulled up in front of us.
I put on a broad smile to greet Amelia. As soon as she saw me, she squealed and darted over to hug me tightly. I returned the embrace, feeling a rush of emotions at the sight of my best friend, Alaric's twin sister, after so long.
"I missed you so much, Mera!" she exclaimed joyfully.
“I miss you too, Amelia-" I began, but my sentence was cut short by Mama's cough beside me.
Amelia quickly turned to Mama. “Oh, I'm sorry, Mama! I've missed you terribly!”
I chuckled awkwardly and took a step back, giving them a moment together.
After four years of pursuing her studies abroad, Amelia is now back in the Philippines for good. I can't help but feel happy for her.
My forehead furrowed upon seeing Alonzo's lack of attention towards Amelia, and the same goes for his mother and sibling, who are now puzzled by his behavior. Alonzo might look like a ruthless beast, but I know he has a wide soft space for his only sister in his heart.
Curious, I followed his gaze, and a wave of disbelief washed over me.
Oh no... I felt like I might faint from the shock of encountering these people again today!
Amelia's awkward chuckle broke the tense silence. "Um, sorry, guys, I should've mentioned that I'm here with someone."
"It's okay, dear. So, who's this guy you're with?" Mama inquired.
"Everyone, this is Reese," Amelia introduced him with enthusiasm. "Reese, sweetheart, meet my family. My wonderful mother, Trinity Holland, my older brother Alonzo, and my twin brother's wife, Mera, who's also my closest friend."
For the past few months... Is this the boyfriend she's been mentioning, the one she met in Canada? It's obvious, Mera!
I'm genuinely happy for Amelia; she's finally found someone after being single for so long. But why... why does it have to be him? Oh, dear Lord.
- Writer
