The Best Mistake (GL)

Just The Way You Are

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"FAIR enough." Arqui commented after reading the contract.

It was stated there that the farmers should have the authority to live for as long as they wanted, but there were certain conditions. It was still her property, and she had the right to decide about the rules. They could break it and leave, or they could agree and stay. They only fought for their rights. What else would they want not to follow what's in the contract, an inheritance? Anyway, her rules were not that difficult to obey. She made sure of that.

She sneered. "Yeah. Finally, I've done a great thing in my life." She said proudly while stretching her arms over the armrest of the couch where she lay.

"Congratulations, then." Arqui said nonchalantly, as usual.

She rolled to the side to look at her sister. "Have I told you about the girl who challenged me?"

"A girl?"

Her head bobbed. "Yes, a girl. Well, she's a farmer's daughter. The extraordinary one who dared me."

Arqui chuckled. "What the... She's gotta be something."

"I couldn't agree more. I actually had a chance to talk to her, but you know what? She kept firing me with her outwitting remarks. Could she be at least thankful for my reconsideration?" She complained, lying on her back again. Her mind was set on the time when she and Ayen had a conversation.

Ayen was indeed a tough girl, and she did not know how to feel about it. Would she be annoyed because the girl knew how to mock her back, which nobody dared to do? Never before had she encountered such a witty girl. Ayen was magnificent.

"Well, in your case, you lost a bet. And it's normal that she treats you that way. You never knew each other until that night. So expect that you will be her enemy forever. Even if you're not saying it, I know you're playing with her." Arqui grinned.

She shrugged her shoulders. She could not stop herself from teasing Ayen. It was like taunting words would easily escape from her mouth whenever she saw her. Besides, she found Ayen interesting— the reason why she purposely talked to her earlier. But it did not do any good.

Arqui might be right. She would never be her enemy. Ayen was probably proud of herself for winning over her, and it was honestly her first time losing a bet. She never thought that some naive girl would take away her pride.

"Heathe," Arqui snapped.

She blinked her eyes several times to get back to reality. She spun her head toward her sister, who had clearly been waiting for her attention. She was obviously daydreaming.

"Yeah?"

Arqui rolled her eyes. "I thought you didn't like her?"

"I never said I liked her, either." She rolled her eyes back at her sister.

It was one thing they both hated to do for them. If other people rolled their eyes at them, they would certainly punish them. But because they were sisters, they did not take it as a big deal.

"You are thinking about her. I can sense that."

She scowled. "As if. I'm not thinking about her. She's such a meanie. Besides, you know me. If I like a girl, I wouldn't deny it. I'mma show off!"

"You're only saying that because she trudged over your ego. Trust me, sooner or later you'll realize that you like her. Or worse, love her."

Her eyes broadened. Arqui was insane to think of such things. She threw a pillow at her, which only made her sister giggle, dodging the cushion.

"You're such a meanie as well, Arqui. You and Ayen could make the best couple!"

Arqui smiled unaffectedly before waving goodbye to her. She shook her head, realizing how she was affected by her sister's statement. She shouldn't be so defensive because Arqui would not stop teasing her about Ayen.

She pulled herself upright into a sitting position. Diverting her thoughts to the things she must do tonight. Her friends did not call her, which was unusual. They used to go out every night, and if they weren't calling her, something was wrong. Anyway, she had not thought of flirting tonight. It seemed that this was not her night at all. She had to think of something else to do, and staying in their house was the least of her choices. She'd die.

Also, she couldn't expect Arqui to be with her, hunting girls to flirt with. Her sister always had something worth doing in her life while she kept being a happy-go-lucky brat. Arqui always preferred to be with guy friends rather than girlfriends, which made her sister look like a gangster. Not the low-class kind because she and her guy friends were all stunning.

Coleen de Graciaz from the last night was her mortal enemy. Cole's brother was actually Arqui's best friend. She was fond of the brother but not of the sister, ever. When Arqui found out about their loathing towards each other, her sister teased her that she might eventually find herself attracted to Cole.

And that would never happen. Hence, she was sure that no matter how many times Arq would taunt her with Ayen, they would not get real.

Suddenly, she got an idea!

She stood up and climbed up to her room. Taking her favorite leather jacket and motorcycle key, she moved in a hurry all of a sudden as if she had an important thing to get done.

On her way past the living room, she saw Arqui again and noticed that she changed her clothes. Might be going somewhere as well.

"Racing again?" Arqui asked.

She shook her head. "Nope. I have to go somewhere, Arqui."

"Oh, I just thought you needed a gorgeous audience."

She chuckled. "Miss watching me burning up the racetrack?"

"Alright, let me pretend that I did not know you lost."

Her eyes squinted. "What the hell? Aren't you done mocking me, yet?"

Arqui put an arm around her, and playfully kissed her cheek. She deliberately wiped it off, showing how it made her irritated. Arqui was annoyingly clingy!

"I'll be off for a week. I bet you're gonna miss me teasing you."

She halted and turned to her, surprised. "Where are you going?"

"Davao. I have an important thing to do with the CLL, that's all."

"Davao? It's too far! What the hell are you gonna do there?"

Arqui patted her while laughing. "Just have to sort things out. You know me."

"And why should it be that far?"

"Has our mother just arrived?" Arqui was not being serious, she just kept on giggling. "Don't worry about me. What's the sense of being twins if you fail to feel I'm not okay?"

Before she could respond again, Arqui turned back to her in an instant. She shrugged it off. Even though she was worried, Arqui was already old enough to take care of herself. In fact, once her sister had gotten into trouble, she would solve it all alone.

She went to the garage to get her big bike. When they were both in the driveway, she honked the horn to signal Arqui that she was leaving. They headed in the opposite direction. Unlike the way she drove the car, she's more careful carrying a motorcycle since the day she witnessed a live motorcycle accident. Both the driver's and passenger's demeanors were unimaginable. She never wished to die with a mangled body or smashed face. But still, being a racer was already in her blood and she was too stubborn to stop it. Racing was a different case. At least for her.

It took her more than an hour to arrive at the place. A smile curled on her lips when she caught the people having a good time. Singing at the top of their lungs, to be exact. She glanced at her wristwatch and was surprised, knowing that it was almost late, yet everyone was still up at that hour.

Normally, people in their town fall asleep at eight in the evening. Too early, right? Because they also need to get up early to run their errands.

Everyone was too busy to even hear the sound of her motorcycle. With her helmet between her arm and hip, she walked toward them. The sound of what she presumed was coming from a guitar abruptly stopped. Almost all of them turned their heads to her. But what she instantly noticed was the girl who was holding the guitar. They both stared at each other.

She can play guitar...

She honestly did not know how to greet everybody, especially seeing Ayen's very intimidating appearance.

"Uhm... G-good evening, Señorita. What can I do for you?" A woman stuttered as she greeted her and broke the silence.

She averted her eyes from Ayen to take notice of the woman. "Good evening. Did I disturb your.. umm, gathering?"

A man in his mid-40s stood up, brushing his hands in the air. "N-no, Señorita. We're just having fun like we're accustomed to."

She nodded. "I see. I'm just passing by to check something here. But I'll be off right away." She lied. Even if it was against her will, she spun around to walk away, just a little drama to support the lie and, hopefully, convince them.

She was praying that somebody would speak up and make her stay, to be honest. After taking a few steps, her prayer was answered. She couldn't have been happier. Once again, she turned to them, feigning a curious look on her face as soon as she heard somebody was stopping her from leaving.

"Could you stay a little longer, Señorita? Have fun with us." Another old man suggested. "Well, if it's not too much to ask from you. We know you are a busy person. We don't want to ruin your schedule. But we'd be pleased if you joined us. Take this as our thank you for reconsidering our proposal."

She looked around at everyone, trying to read their facial expressions. What convinced her was seeing all of them agree to the idea that she should stay. She did not miss the displeasure painted on Ayen's face. But as a courtesy to the elderly, most especially, to piss Ayen off, she nodded, accepting their invitation.

People cheered like it was something great. She gaily sat down on the space provided by one of the farmers on a long bamboo chair. There she noticed that she was actually facing Ayen, which was good. She could see how pissed off Ayen was and obviously trying to leave if it was not only for the girl beside her.

"Señorita, have you tried our coconut vodka?" asked the lady whom she thought was in her early twenties.

She smiled and gently shook her head. "Not yet. But I want to try it."

"Of course, Señorita!" The lady blurted before she poured the coconut wine into a shot glass.

The girl kept a cute smile on her lips while pouring a glass of coconut wine. She noticed that there was only one glass being shared by the group. Not that she was being sensitive, she sometimes did it with her sister and best friends. It was just the first time she would drink through the glass that was also being used by other people.

Besides, she couldn't be picky at the moment if she intended to impress Ayen. In fact, she was the one who wanted to stay.

"Enough with the courtesy. Just call me Heathe." She reminded them politely. She did not want to be called Señorirta unless it was necessary.

The lady paused for a moment with hesitation painted on her innocent face, which, by the way, she found cute. "Uhmm.."

"It's okay." she giggled. "Can I try it now?"

The lady served her the drink. Without further hesitation, she quaffed off the drink in one straight-up. Her mouth was snapped shut, keeping the liquid inside. At a young age, she was already used to drinking hard drinks, but what she had at the moment was new to her taste. It had a strong tang at first, which made her cringe but left a sweet aftertaste. She blew a heavy breath.

Everyone was looking at her with amusement. They could be waiting for her comment about the coconut vodka. She beamed at them. They all cheered in triumph when she raised her glass, asking for another shot, as if it was an immense achievement.

"Luscious!" She blurted.

Some even gave her a round of applause as if she set a world record. It was absurd, but she enjoyed the moment.

"Ayen, play another song for us!" Commanded by the older man, who invited her a while ago.

Ayen was curiously gaping at them but she could see that she did not like what was happening. She couldn't help that everyone liked her except that girl. Because she's fond of picking on her, she chose to be a good girl in the meantime.

"Miss, can I make a request?" She said, refraining from laughing.

Ayen grunted, leaving her no choice.

"Bruno Mars', Just the way you are."

Ayen glared at her, momentarily, which made her giggle. She was so easy to annoy.

She wasn't expecting Ayen would grant her simple request. Well, it was the chance she couldn't possibly have if not for the farmers, who also encouraged Ayen to play. Even if she refused to sing along with her, she didn't care anymore.

The truth was, no matter how much Ayen hated her, it didn't mean that she would stop teasing.

♦ Ayen ♦

HEATHE was obviously not going to stop pestering her. If she could get a chance to slam Heathe's head against her guitar, she would. She failed to foresee that Heathe would end up intoxicated after only four shots. She was also annoyed at her grandfather, who seemed oblivious to Heathe's state. He kept handing her the glass.

"I think she's had enough." She finally intervened before Heathe could've taken another shot.

Heathe was nothing like her grandfather and the farm guys. They never get drunk with just one bottle of coconut wine.

She stood up and was about to go inside their house when her father called her.

"Heathe is not gonna make it home. She can sleep in your room."

Her mouth was left ajar upon hearing her father. He trusted Heathe enough that he plainly stated she could sleep in her room. In her room. Not that Heathe was untrustworthy, but other than the fact that she was the owner of the farm, she still considered her a stranger. And a stranger was never welcome in her room.

She took another look at Heathe, who was sitting promptly with her head down. If she could recall, Heathe had been clamorous until she passed out. She sighed. "I'll tell kuya Kevin to bring Heathe inside."

"All right." Her father nodded in agreement.

With great annoyance, she went inside their house while stomping her feet like a child and cursing Heathe, inwardly. She saw her eldest brother in the living room as soon as she got inside their house.

"Kuya, father ordered me to allow Heathe to sleep in my room. She's wasted. Could you carry her?"

Kevin stood up with a lopsided smile. He came closer to her before pinching her cheek. "That explains the sour face."

She heaved a breath. "You know that I don't like to have somebody in my room. Let alone a stranger." She complained.

"I know. But we can't let her sleep in the living room, especially since she's practically our boss. And as much as I want to let her sleep in our room, she'd become uncomfortable."

She rolled her eyes heavenward to signify her contrariety about the fact that her brother stated. She really had no other option.

It didn't take long before Heathe was already sleeping comfortably in her bed. The bed was made from bamboo and only covered with a sleeping mat. If Heathe was not only sozzled, she would never want to sleep in that kind of bed. For all she knew, Heathe had the softest bed in their mansion, where she could feel like sleeping in the clouds. She had a feeling that Heathe would get back pain once she was up. That would not be her problem.

Carrying her pillow and blanket, she decided to just sleep in the living room. Her bed could actually accommodate three people. Unfortunately, Heathe already occupied all the spaces. Besides, it did not occur in her mind to sleep next to a stranger. She had to sacrifice tonight.

"You'll pay for this." She said between her gritted teeth before completely leaving her room.

She failed to sleep straightaway because her two brothers were still watching a movie. They even told her that she could sleep in their room, instead. But she candidly declined their offer because she knew how untidy their room was. She would only end up cleaning rather than sleeping if she had agreed. Might as well sleep on the sofa.

When they finally decided to sleep, she also noticed that the gathering outside was also finished. The night became peaceful as she wanted it to be. Unfortunately, she couldn't sleep anymore. She merely listened to the chirping of crickets while lying on the sofa. After a little while, Heathe was already on her mind.

The truth was, she knew her already long before they met. Cole and Trinity often talked about Heath, and they would blurt out nothing but all her bad habits. Heathe had a twin sister who was far more warm-hearted than her. She never butted in every time her best friends talked about their enemy by reason of because she was not interested in anything that had to do with the elites. Unless it really concerned her. Even so, Cole and Trinity had always been loud. Therefore, she would overhear their subject.

On the other hand, it had been known that the owner of the farm was the La Rivas clan. But she didn't have the idea that, oddly enough, it was Heathe. It wasn't a surprise that, at an early age, Heathe had already inherited fortunes. She only wondered, despite the abundance in life, whether Heathe seemed to have lacked better intellect. Not to lift her own chair, but at her age, she could say she was mature enough. But, Heathe?

She rolled to the other side and absentmindedly stared at the closed door of her room where Heathe was sleeping at the moment. She was expecting that her mood the next day would not be as good as it usually was.

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