The Twins Obsession

CHAPTER 4

Daddy stared at me for the longest time before cracking a defeated smile. “You really are just like Lucas,” he murmured to himself.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Is that a bad thing?” I hoped not.

He shook his head and looked away from me. “No, of course not. Your father has always been…bold. He won’t take no for an answer. Just like you.”

I pouted. That’s not bold. That’s being stubborn.

“I know you’re tired of hearing us say that everything we’re doing is for your safety, but the world out there is…very dangerous. Especially to us, Dylan.” Daddy looked up at the sky and was quiet for a second as if he’s reminiscing a memory he didn’t want to remember.

“And that’s why I think it’s best for you to prepare us,” I said. I knew I’m stepping over my boundary, but I’m not giving up. “You’re not seriously going to keep us on this island for the rest of our lives, right?” I reasoned out, my voice coming out gruff.

Daddy shrugged his shoulders. “If that’s what’s going to keep you safe…”

I gasped a bit too dramatically. “You can’t do that!” I jumped out of the seat and glared at him. “I can’t live with Diana until I’m old and grey, come on!”

“Well, you’re also going to live with us and watch us grow old,” daddy teased, a slight smirk appearing on his face.

I whined. “That’s not funny!”

“Tell me,” he started, “what are you expecting out there, Dylan?”

I stared back at him. “What? I…all the things that are not on this island, daddy,” I answered.

The only time I could leave this place was whenever we go visit either the Blaises or the Boikovs. Though the Boikovs could only meet us whenever they go out of the country for vacation as daddy wouldn’t let us go to Russia, the country where he was from. Of course, I understand why he didn’t want to visit that place. Even after all the years that passed, there’s no telling whether people from the mob could still recognize daddy. He was, after all, the infamous Pakhan. He left a legend in the Russian Mafia. What he did was the impossible, and no one on this Earth would be able to follow in his footsteps.

“And?” daddy urged, “what will you do with all the things that are not here?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I can…find myself. I want to know what to do with my life. And…meet many people other than my sister, or you…or dad, or the Blaise…” I hated to sound desperate but at this point, I didn’t really care. Daddy was right. I’m just like dad—stubborn and bold. “I want to live like a normal person.”

He stared at me, his gaze somber. “Come here,” he said.

I walked to where he was. He gently pulled me to make me sit on his lap, his arms wrapping around my body to hug me tightly. “You can never be normal, Dylan. You…Diana and Clark,” he whispered.

I gulped.

I knew that.

It was harder to understand things back when I was younger. I kept asking why we’re the only people in this world only to realize that there’s more to explore outside this island. The ocean barred me from seeing what was beyond. Seeing the tall buildings that light so brightly every night in New York City, the crowd that would gather in every restaurant, eating and having fun, the hundreds of vehicles that drove on the road—it was as if I stepped into a completely new world that changed my perspective.

I wanted to see more.

“What can I do to convince you to let me go?” I asked, pushing back away from daddy to look him in the eye.

He was quiet for a second only to let out a cocky smirk that irked me. It didn’t even take him a minute to think, damn it. “Alright, if you’re so insistent on leaving, I’ll play along.”

My body stiffened. s**t. That gaze he’s giving me could only mean trouble. “W-what?” I dared to ask.

“Tomorrow, I’ll teach you how to use a gun.”

My heart skipped a beat. “R-really?!”

“Yes. And if you manage to hit the target, I’ll let you leave.”

All the excitement that I had just now disappeared. “Wait, what?” I asked. “What target?”

Daddy smirked. “You’ll see. But for now, let’s just enjoy this night together, huh?”

I snuggled close to him, thinking what he’s planning for me tomorrow.

Knowing daddy, I’m sure he’s up to no good.

--

Diana was already awake when we returned to the house. She was in the dining room, drinking coffee. Her hair was tied in a lazy bun above her head. “How was the little overnight trip?” she asked.

I really didn’t have a great time, except when we watched the meteor shower. After that, daddy and I played a game of chess where he obliterated me to the point that I was on the verge of throwing the board game out in the sea.

“Very…enlightening,” I said, rolling my eyes at my twin sister.

She could tell the yacht trip was a disaster. “Let me guess, daddy said no,” she said, smirking at me.

I rubbed my face, frustrated. “Don’t ask if you already know.” I walked in and went straight to the fridge to pour myself some orange juice. I needed something cold and sour to wake me up. I could get coffee, but I didn’t really like the taste of it in the morning. It makes my stomach upset. “Where’s Dom?”

“Still sleeping,” Diana said. She was busy with her phone, probably talking to Kurt again.

I sat across from where she was, putting my glass of juice down on the table. “So, what did your boyfriend said?”

She raised a brow, confused. “What?”

“Kurt.”

Her cheeks flushed all of a sudden. “D-do you really think he’s my boyfriend?” she asked, acting like a giddy teenager.

“Gross!” I yelled, appalled by her behavior.

Diana pouted. “Let’s see when you fall in love, Dy. I’m sure you’ll act like a clingy little puppy who’s always desperate for attention that your lover will get tired of your face!”

I laughed, hard. With every comeback that Diana says, I’m sure there’s one that would make me lose it. “You are just so into that little crybaby! What’s even give about him anyway?”

Diana scoffed. “Kurt is very sweet and adorable. What’s not to love about him?” she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“I’m warning you, sis. Falling in love with a Blaise will be your biggest mistake,” I warned, sneering at her.

“Shut up. You don’t even know what it’s like to be in love,” she retorted.

“Anyway,” I took a sip of my orange juice before continuing, “will the Blaise invite us again for another vacation?”

Diana sighed. “Unfortunately, Kurt said Matthias and Earl haven’t been coming home the past few days. He couldn’t ask them yet.”

I raised a brow. “So, who’s taking care of him?”

“Mia,” she said.

Oh, right. Mia Bennoit, the Blaise’s all-around nanny. She was their babysitter, teacher, cook, and stand-in parent whenever Matthias and Earl were not around.

“Right,” I said, rolling my eyes in annoyance. I forgot all about the situation with Dominik, the Boyce guy, and the Blaise twins. “Is Matthias involved with whatever is going on with Dom?”

Diana shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe. I don’t know what kind of relationship Matthias has with his twin brothers, but it’s safe to assume that he’s helping them sort their problem.”

I slumped back on the chair.

Our conversation was interrupted when Dominik appeared by the door. “Hey, kids. Good morning,” he greeted while rubbing his stomach. His hair was disheveled, and he was still wearing his pajamas. I immediately noticed the dark bags under his eyes. It looked like I’m not the only one who didn’t sleep last night.

“Good morning,” Diana said, grinning at him.

I watched Dominik walk to the coffee bar where there were different kinds of beans displayed in large glass jars. Daddy loved his coffee, while dad would prefer alcohol over other drinks. Though his addiction towards liquor gradually slowed down over the years, thanks to daddy’s intervention. He was not allowed to drink unless there’s a celebration or if it’s the holidays.

“Let me guess,” I started, smirking at him, “rough night?”

“Is it that obvious?” Dominik grumbled.

“Yeah, you look like s**t,” I snapped.

Diana flashed me a warning glare, silently berating me for teasing his favorite person. Dominik had always adored Diana’s sweetness while Diana liked Dominik for being, well, Dominik.

“You’re not worried about what’s happening with Boyce and the Blaise twins, right?” she asked with furrowed brows.

Dominik looked surprised but quickly remembered that he told Diana why he had to stay here with us. He finished fixing himself a cup of coffee before sitting down with us. “Yes,” he said. He didn’t even bother lying. If there’s one thing I liked about this guy, it’s that he tried not to isolate us just because we’re kids. He’d always include us in the conversation like we’re part of the adults. “I’m worried that this will turn into something…big.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “And why do you think it will?” I asked.

“Mr. Boyce is…” He stopped to find the right word to describe this Mr. Boyce, “a persistent man.”

“How persistent?” Diana inquired with a raised brow.

“Dangerously persistent,” Dominik replied, sighing begrudgingly. “Very stubborn too. I don’t think even father can negotiate with him.”

Alexi was the master of negotiating as he had been in the business for a long time. “Do you think this Mr. Boyce will do something…drastic? Because of this deal, he didn’t get?”

Dominik bit his lip. “I hope not. The twins didn’t just sell me a part of their business just because I’m affiliated with the Romans,” he said. “They trust that I can help them manage it better than they could. They didn’t take Matthias’ advice to let it go just for Mr. Boyce to ruin it.”

“What is this business anyway?” I asked.

Dominik sheepishly grinned at us. “A huge part of Fairbanks Hospital.”

I blinked, confused. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I heard it…ah!

“That hospital the Blaise owned…for like…decades?” Diana asked in sheer disbelief. “Why did they decide to sell that?”

No wonder why Dominik reacted like that. Fairbanks Hospital was a well-known medical institution across the country. They always boasted their advanced technology that would treat the most complicated illness known to men. Not only that, but only the best of the best doctors and medical staff could work there, as they pride themselves on being one of the most outstanding hospitals in America.

Fairbanks was one of the many businesses that the Blaise had outside of the mob. And it’s very successful too. Why would the twins sell them?

“Well, it’s a petty reason but…” Dominik seemed like he didn’t want to say it.

Diana and I stared at him, our curiosity piquing. “What?” we both asked.

“The twins were intimately involved with one of the CEO’s daughters, and her parents were not…happy.”

I almost dropped the cup I was holding after hearing the reason. “Excuse me?”

Dominik laughed nervously. “About the twins…they’re…a bit…how do I say it…” He chewed his lip and pretended to think for a second, “…wild.”

Diana blinked. “Wild? In what sense?”

“They’re easy to…fall in love with the girls that they won’t stop until they get whoever is it that they’re interested with,” Dominik explained to us while wearing that defeated smile.

I made a disgusted face. “Of course! What do you expect from the Blaise?” I asked sarcastically.

“They can’t be that bad, right?” Diana asked while forcing a smile at me.

“Leon and Gio can be mature when they want to. They’re the ones handling almost half of the Blaise’s business outside of the Mafia. Though Matthias is still having a hard time taming the two since they’re just like loose cannons. Their childishness is sometimes overwhelming that they get in trouble with it,” Dominik said as he shook his head.

“So, that’s why they want to sell Fairbanks? Because one of them is boning the CEO’s daughter?”

Dominik looked me in the eye. “Not one. Both of them.”

I dropped my mouth. “Wait, what?”

“The two are very close, and they often share their lovers,” he said nonchalantly.

“That’s…something,” was what Diana commented after hearing that fact.

“So…like three-way?” I coughed out.

“Yes. Three-way. And from what I heard, the daughter couldn’t handle them both and she…let’s just say she’s not in a good condition. Hence why the CEO is demanding the twins to take responsibility and marry her.”

“And they don’t want that?” Diana asked.

Dominik shook his head. “Nope. They’re just fooling around, obviously. The daughter’s hot, like model hot. Besides, they’re too young to get married. Matthias won’t allow anyone to get married into the family without knowing who and what they are. You know how he is, right?”

Always the overprotective guy, that Matthias.

“The Blaise twins do sound like they are wild,” Diana said.

Dominik nodded in agreement. “They are. Very.”

“I’m surprised Matthias didn’t hit them for doing something like that.”

He scoffed. “Oh, trust me. They received their punishment for pulling a stunt like that. They’re currently under house arrest. And they’re not allowed to leave until the thing with Mr. Boyce is dealt with.”

“Now I understand why the Boyce guy wants the hospital,” Diana murmured to herself. “Who wouldn’t want to grab an opportunity like that? And for a petty reason to sell it too? He’d surely hit a jackpot.”

“That’s what I thought too,” Dominik said, smiling brightly at us. “Gio told me what happened and offered me the hospital just to get that CEO out of their hair. The man won’t just let them go considering who they are and how much money he can get by marrying his daughter to the twins.”

Another good point. Though I highly doubt Matthias would allow that.

“I’m becoming more and more interested in the twins,” I whispered.

“Oh, well, that’s great. Because they’re scheduled to visit the island next week.”

Both Diana and I gasped out loud. “What?!”

“But I thought they’re under house arrest?” I asked.

Dominik nodded, his eyes wide open. “Yes. Here. In this island.”

I didn’t know what came over me but the idea of leaving this place suddenly flew out of the window. It’s always so exciting to meet other people, even if they’re a Blaise. Sure, they could be dangerous or annoying depending on their personalities. But hearing what Dominik just said about them made it sound like they’re fun to be with.

“I—”

“Dylan.”

I was startled after hearing daddy call my name. I turned around and saw him standing outside the dining room. From the looks of it, he seemed like he just finished taking a bath. His hair was damp and pushed back and was wearing a grey shirt and white shorts. He furrowed his brows when he saw the three of us gathered in the dining room.

“I thought I told you to get ready,” he said.

“I-I am! I drank juice,” I said, standing up to go to where he was. “Let’s go?”

“Where are you going?” Dominik asked.

Daddy smirked at him. “I’m going to teach him what’s it like to be outside,” he said before pulling me out of the house.

Did he really have to phrase it like that? He’s talking as if I’m a child. Again. I mean, I am, but still…!

Daddy led me to the garage where one of his jeeps was parked. They only usually use vehicles whenever they needed to go to the factory.

So, were we going there now?

Daddy wouldn’t use it unless we’re just going out for a walk. We did have an amazing field behind the house to plant whatever we wanted to plant there. There were some gardeners, and by gardeners, I meant the people who chose to live here on the island with us in exchange for protecting them from the outside world. We were not allowed to talk to them, and I’m sure they’re also prohibited from even making contact with us. That must have been in the contract they signed before coming here.

“I thought you’re going to train me how to use a gun,” I said.

“I will,” daddy murmured. He urged me to get in the car and I did. It’s not every day I get to ride one of these, I couldn’t help but feel giddy.

“Where are we going then? Shouldn’t we go to the basement?” I asked.

I had never seen that place, but dad told us before that the basement was used to train Hiro and Clark when they were still kids. I didn’t know where the stairs were to this place. Daddy always hides things like that from us. He kept saying Diana and I didn’t need to see what kind of training the two went through since we’re not the same as them.

Which was bullshit.

As I said, it’s not like daddy could keep me and Diana in this place until we grow old. That’s just absurd.

I watched daddy sat on the passenger seat. “Put your seatbelt on,” he reminded me.

I pouted at him. “Do I really have to?” I bemoaned.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Yes, Dylan. Put it on, now,” he said through gritted teeth.

I shuddered. “Okay, okay!”

Putting on my seatbelt, the garage door rolled open. Daddy pulled the gear stick and began to drive on the pathway that would bring us to where their little empire was—a factory hidden in the thick jungle of the island.

Through the opened window, I stuck my head out and admired a view different from what I always see. For daddy to suddenly bring me to the factory, was this a sign that he’s going to say yes and let me leave the island?

I sure hope so.

“Sit properly, Dylan,” he chided.

I pouted. He’s still strict, that wouldn’t change. “Sorry,” I grumbled.

Settling back down, I just let the fresh air enter the jeep as I sat comfortably on the leather seat. “Dom…is not in any kind of danger, right?” I asked.

Daddy didn’t tear his gaze off the slightly rocky road. “No. What makes you say that?”

“There’s no hiding why he’s here,” I said, playfully glaring at him. “He told us everything.”

He scoffed. “The kid still doesn’t know when to zip it, huh?” he said. “He won’t be in danger. I assure you that.”

“Because dad’s going to fix everything.”

Daddy’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He just realized that I knew he didn’t go to New York for the photography contest. “Yes,” he said. “Your dad is strong.”

“I know that,” I mumbled. “If I become strong like dad, I can go and live life the way I want to, right?”

Daddy laughed a little. “That’s a big talk coming from a kid like you.”

I grunted. “I’m not a kid anymore! I-I…I’m already old enough to grow pubes, daddy!”

“Yes, yes. But you’ll always be a kid to me, Dylan. You and your sister.”

“But we’re not going to be kids forever,” I retorted.

He stayed quiet after that.

I played with the hem of my shirt, debating whether I should talk to relieve the awkward air between us. “I heard…about the Blaise twins. They’re really doing whatever they want out there, huh?”

“They’re eccentric for sure. But nothing Matthias can’t control,” daddy commented.

“They’re going to stay here on the island too, right?”

Daddy smiled. “Yes. I accepted Matthias’ suggestion to let them live here on the island to teach them a lesson.”

I froze. “Lesson? What lesson?”

“You’ll see,” daddy said, a little smirk appearing on his face.

--