Mafia Enslaved

23

"I have my surfboard beside me while watching the waves. I'm checking if it's a good time to surf while Marshan is busy taking photos of me, and Raphael is eating some coconut salad.

We woke up early in the morning because of the loud honking of the Fortuner she just bought. Of course, we took turns driving until we reached La Union.

I'm wearing a plain black two-piece bikini.

"Let's do the banana boat later," Marshan said as she took a portrait shot. She's wearing the same design of bikini as mine, but hers is white.

"What will you do, and who will watch over Paeng?" I asked her while she checked her gallery.

"He'll be fine as long as you leave him with food," she said. I waded into the water, and so did Marshan. I don't know where she gets her waterproof mirrorless camera. But knowing her, she doesn't buy stuff in the market; she designs her own gadgets, so she has unique ones.

We surfed together. It took us a few minutes until we started feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin.

"It's getting hot!" Marshan exclaimed as she climbed on her diving board.

"We should go back then," I said.

"They're not here yet," she mumbled, which I heard.

"Who? Did you invite more people?" I asked.

"Yup! I invited Monique, your boyfriend, Raven, and Christian," she winked. Raphael furrowed his brows at her words and followed her to where Paeng was, busy eating watermelon.

"Why?" I asked.

"Uuuy! You didn't deny that he's your boyfriend!" She giggled. I didn't know if I blushed because of the heat or because of what Marshan said. She handed me a towel, and I chuckled a bit.

"Tssss. Shut up," I hissed.

"Oh! They're here!" Marshan quickly wore her cover-up and ran towards Monique, greeting her as if they were best friends.

I wore my cover-up after I dried myself.

"Hi! Sorry, we're late. It's our first time here in La Union," Monique approached me and placed their belongings on the benches.

"You're not fully covered," Waldrin interjected, covering me with the towel I already had on, even though I had a see-through cover-up on.

"I'm fine—"

"Well, I'm not," he hissed. I didn't know why, but his attitude made me smile a bit.

The three of them are wearing tank tops and board shorts. They even wore aviators, making them look like resort models. No wonder Marshan has been taking pictures.

I glanced at Raven, who quickly looked away. I could sense that he was avoiding me, maybe because of Waldrin.

"May I say something?" He whispered to me. I blinked, looking at him and noticing the bruises on the sides of his eyes and lips. "When we argue about things, it always ends up in a fight. We fought about you. He likes you, I like you, and even Christian likes you. I ended up beating the two of them," he hissed.

My eyes widened at what he said. I was at a loss for words.

"T-That's—"

"I know this is too sudden. I don't want to rush you; I just want you to know," he said. I was still in shock at what he suddenly blurted out. I took a deep breath before looking at him, feeling nervous.

"I-I don't know what to say..." I said.

"I know you don't like me. It's like I'm forcing myself on you, but what can I do? It's the first time I want something to be mine, to be mine alone. I've never been selfish towards the two of them; they are my best friends, but you are... You are the one I want to keep only to myself."

I slightly bowed my head due to the sudden heat on my cheeks. He just said something that wasn't easy to express. I took a deep breath before looking at him again.

"I-I don't know how to kiss yet. You're my first," he sighed. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling widely. I don't know why my heart was so delighted by what I heard and saw.

"It's okay." I cupped his face and gently caressed the bruises on his face. "Does it hurt?"

He smiled slightly; it was the first time I saw him smile. It felt like something touched my heart.

"It's worth it," he smiled.

"Maureen." I quickly stood up and looked in the direction where my name was called. I can't be mistaken. I'm too familiar with his voice.

"K-Kuya Spencer." I gasped and ran towards him, hugging him. He slightly moved back and laughed at my sudden hug.

"Kuya! I miss you! I miss you, Kuya!" I was on the verge of tears. Of all the people on earth, he's the only one I can rely on. We may not be blood-related, but he never made us feel like strangers.

"I know, shhh, don't cry. Aren't you the one who doesn't cry often?" He chuckled, cupping my face and wiping my tears.

"Eeehhhh! I want a hug too!" Marshan squeezed herself between me and Kuya Spencer, while Raphael just watched and chewed on some corn.

"You're giving him too much food," I scolded Marshan.

"That's the only way to make him still and quiet," she pouted.

"Look at the two of you," Kuya Spencer held our shoulders, placing us side by side. "There! Twins are meant to be together always. You smile the brightest when you're near each other," he said.

Marshan and I exchanged glances and smiled.

"But, Maureen, won't you introduce me to your boyfriend?" Kuya Spencer asked. My smile disappeared at his words. I quickly looked at Waldrin, and it seemed like he's irritated. I held Marshan's arm to stop her from saying something rude. It seemed like Raven and Christian were also avoiding me, probably because of Waldrin.

"Nice to meet you; I'm Waldrin Zekovia," Waldrin extended his hand to Kuya Spencer.

"Zekovia of Venom?" Kuya Spencer asked.

Waldrin withdrew his hand. I felt him grip my shoulders tighter.

"Excuse us, I just need to talk to my sisters first." I wasn't surprised when Kuya Spencer pulled us away from Waldrin and far from the cottage.

"WHAT'S THIS MAUREEN?!" He shouted at me. I closed my eyes tightly; I know how fierce Kuya Spencer can be when he's angry. The last time we fought, he pointed a gun at me and looked at me as if he could kill me anytime.

"Sorry, maybe you should leave again, Maureen. Just make sure, then, that Lolo won't find out," Kuya Spencer sighed.

"Sorry, Kuya." I hugged him back. I felt him kiss my forehead before letting us go.

"I need to go back; I have a lot of work at the office. I came here just to see my runaway sister." He smiled at me and slightly pinched my cheek.

He left, and I held Marshan's hand as we walked back to the cottage.

"Are you okay? It's like he was scolding you earlier," Monique approached us. I still noticed that Raven and Christian were avoiding me, maybe because of Waldrin.

"Kind of..." Marshan sighed.

Waldrin approached me and held my elbow.

"Your brother doesn't like me," he said.

"Your family is intimidating, that's what he said," I lied. I noticed that Waldrin didn't like what I said.

"Do you find me intimidating?" He asked.

"A bit," I honestly told him. He sighed and pulled me closer to him.

"I'll try not to be intimidating," he whispered, kissing my temple. I heard the shutter sound from Marshan's camera, so I looked at her.

"Uuuyyy! Sweet!" She giggled. I looked at Raven, who came out of the cottage. I don't know what I feel right now. I also glanced at Monique and Christian.

Monique was feeding Christian some coconut salad while Christian and Raphael were playing with a PSP.

This is one thing I am very stupid about: understanding other people's feelings and realizing my own. And when I finally figure out what I truly feel, it might be too late.--