Hiding the Billionaire's Twins (English)

Chapter 2

That evening, Zav and Zoe decided to spend the night. During dinner, a heavy silence hung over the table. I wasn't angry with either of them; I had no right to be. In fact, I owed them a debt of gratitude for sticking by me during the times I wanted to give up the most. All I asked was that we leave Rihav out of our conversations, especially with the twins around.

I was willing to do whatever it took to keep Rihav from ever laying eyes on them. It was impossible to completely stop the twins from asking about their father, but I always offered vague excuses, or Amer would tease them, saying their dad had drowned in a bowl of soup. That at least gave me a moment to breathe, as they didn't press the matter further.

Right now, I was sitting on the balcony of our house. It wasn't particularly large, but it was enough for the three of us. The ground floor was made of concrete, while the upper level was built of wood. It remained unfinished because I had left my job at the Madreal Mansion. The money I earned taking in laundry wasn't enough to complete the construction; I couldn't even afford my mother's medical treatments.

I sat in silence, taking in the surroundings. We lived in La Meyanda, a quiet corner of Isla Fera. Most of the locals here were farmers. We resided in a part of the island that was largely overlooked. Tourists rarely visited our area, as its natural beauty had yet to be fully discovered. It was also quite far from the main town center, La Fera.

Even so, it was peaceful and far removed from any chaos. The place might not have been famous, but what truly mattered was that we lived a quiet, decent life. With the upcoming school year approaching, I hoped to enroll the twins in a local school, though I worried about who would watch over them. There were only three of us left in the house, and there was no telling whether Amer would stay or move on.

Lost in thought, I sensed someone sitting beside me. It was Zoe.

I heard her take a deep breath before speaking. “I’m sorry about earlier. I’m really sorry for what I said, Fay. I know everything you've been through these past few years. I watched you cry so many times, watching you reach your breaking point over and over again.” She paused, gently reaching out to take my hand. “But please remember, Zav, I will always be here for you. I know how terribly Rihav treated you back then, and I know he doesn't deserve to see the twins... but I just hope they don't grow up feeling deprived.”

“They aren't deprived of anything here, Zoe. They eat three meals a day, and whatever else they want, I work hard to save up for. I know the blood running through their veins isn't ordinary, their eye color alone makes it obvious who their father is. But Zoe, it hurts...” I pointed to my chest. “The pain is still right here. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive him for everything, or if time will ever truly heal this wound.” I tried to hold back my tears, but in the end, I broke down.

The ache in my heart remained as sharp as ever. The cruel words he hurled at me were still deeply etched into my soul. Rihav was the only man I had ever loved, even though I had once promised myself never to fall for a wealthy man because I was just a simple girl from the province.

It was difficult to accept; people around us would judge. I wasn’t wrong about that, anyway.

I broke that very promise because of how deeply I loved him. It wasn't because of his handsome face, his money, his wealth, or his family's power, I loved him because I believed he was a good man. He possessed every single quality I had ever wanted in a partner, only for me to realize too late that he was hiding a dark side, that he was nothing more than a hypocrite.

That was what cut the deepest.

You pour all your love into someone, only to end up with nothing but heartache in the end. Perhaps that was just the reality of love, to open your heart meant risking it being broken.

“If the day ever comes when you have to face Rihav again, I just hope you'll give him a chance to speak. No matter what happened between you two, those children are still his. He may not deserve them, but I hope you two can finally get some clarity if your paths ever cross again.”

I shook my head firmly. “We are never going to see each other again, Zoe.”

Zoe let out a long sigh before nodding softly. “If that's what you want, Zav and I won't do anything against your wishes. We know your pain and struggles, Fay. I'm so sorry for bringing him up again, I know it brought back a lot of painful memories.”

I remained silent and wrapped Zoe in a tight embrace. I often wondered if she and Zav even considered Rihav their brother, given how much they cared for me. They treated me like a sister of their own. I couldn't imagine where the twins and I would be without the two of them.

As we pulled back from the hug, I was about to say something when a burst of squealing echoed from downstairs. Zoe and I immediately stood up and hurried down to the first floor.

Reaching the stairs, I clutched my chest and let out a sigh of relief, realizing nothing was wrong with the children after all.

“Fay!” Amer’s voice boomed with excitement.

He had brought presents for the twins, which explained their thrilled cheers. Goodness…

“Amer, I thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow?” I asked as I stepped off the stairs.

He handed the twins their respective gifts before turning to me.

“Excuse you! My name isn't Amer, it’s Amera!” he declared dramatically, rolling his eyes at me. “You’re unbelievable, girl! How many times do I have to tell you that I am a woman? I might dress like a guy, but I am Amera!” he added in a high-pitched voice, ending with a squeal.

Having known Amer since childhood, I had always known he was gay. He walked with a noticeable sway in his hips, and whenever we played as kids, he preferred hanging out with the girls instead of the boys. Over the years, his outgoing personality only brought us closer together.

Despite his identity, Amer dressed in typical men's clothing. He was handsome, tall, and well-built, so no one would ever suspect he was attracted to men.

“Whatever you say, Amer,” I chuckled, taking a seat on our bamboo chair.

“Aunt Amera, this is so pretty!” Hera exclaimed, proudly showing off a standard-sized Barbie doll.

Amer clapped his hands in delight at Hera’s words, not just because she liked the gift, but because of what she had called him.

“See? Your little girl actually respects who I am! Unlike you, calling me Amer all the time—” He cut himself off when he caught sight of two familiar faces. “Oh! You’re here, Madreal Twins! Are you sleeping over?” he asked casually.

They had first met during my mother's funeral four years ago. At the time, Amer could hardly believe that two Madreals were visiting our humble home in Fera Island. Fast forward to today, Zoe was helping manage their family business, while Zavia pursued her passion for modeling.

“Yes, we’re staying the night. I have some juicy gossip for you, Amera, a new model. Total eye candy...” I missed the rest of their conversation as Zavia dragged Amer toward the patio.

Amer never missed an opportunity when it came to handsome men. It was ironic considering how he used to avoid boys as a child. It almost felt like a waste given how tall and handsome he was, but his heart simply lay elsewhere.

“Mommy,” Hacov called out, sitting beside me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “Do you know what a cellphone is? I want to watch the videos Obet watches, but he said you can only see them on a cellphone,” he said softly.

I gently stroked his hair. “Do you even know how to use one? You’re not even four years old yet, Hacov, staring at a screen like that will ruin your eyes,” I murmured, kissing the top of his head.

“I want to try learning. The other kids won't let me watch with them because they say I’m the child of a monster,” he mumbled, burying his face against my chest.

I knitted my brows at his last words. “A monster? What are you talking about?” I asked, confused.

Ever since I returned to Fera Island pregnant, the entire neighborhood started gossiping about me. People mocked me, saying I put on a saintly act only to end up getting pregnant out of wedlock. I chose to ignore them because they didn't know the truth. They didn't know me, and only I knew my own story.

The only opinions I truly cared about disappointing were my family's and my own…

Whenever the twins played outside, there were days when they would come home in tears because the neighbors' kids teased them. Hera once even asked me what a "p********e" was because someone had called me one. I chose to remain silent and instead taught my children about self-respect and ignoring hurtful words.

We might not have money or wealth, but we certainly understood the meaning of respect.

“Because of our eye color,” Hacov explained, letting out a soft sigh. “Obet’s mother said our dad is a half-baked American. Where is Dad anyway, Mommy? Maybe if he were here, people wouldn't say mean things about us...”

I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, struggling with how to answer.

“You’re not the child of a monster, Hacov. And your father isn't some foreigner either. He’s just far away—”

“Your dad drowned in a bowl of soup, Hacov!” Amer interjected, having overheard us from nearby.

Thank goodness Amer was always around to save me whenever the twins asked about their father. Amer knew the whole truth about who their father was. He used to visit the Madreal Mansion to update me on my mother's health, and he would occasionally run into Rihav there, putting on a tough, manly persona whenever they spoke face-to-face.

“Since you two have been such good kids, we’re going to La Fera today!” Amer announced, swooping both of them up into his arms.

Hera’s jaw dropped in delight at the announcement. I couldn't help but smile at her reaction; she looked absolutely adorable.

The twins burst into happy laughter, squirming playfully in Amer’s arms. When my eyes met Amer’s, I shot him a stern look, but he just flashed me a playful wink and blew kisses on the kids' necks.

“Are Tata Zoe and Tata Zav coming with us?” Hera asked the twins.

Zoe gently took Hera from Amer’s arms and gave her a tight hug. “Sorry, Sweetie, Tata Zoe and Tata Zavia can't make it tomorrow; we have to work...” she replied apologetically, making a sad face.

“That’s okay, Tata! You can come with us next time!” Hera chirped back.

“Of course, Hera,” Zavia smiled.

“Alright, since we’re going out tomorrow, it’s time for bed!” Amer announced, carrying Hacov upstairs.

I could never quite keep up with Amer’s career changes. He used to work at a high-end restaurant, but now he was working as a fashion designer, frequently collaborating with Zavia for events. He often served as her assistant and stylist whenever she had overseas modeling gigs. He was making good money now, which was probably why he offered to take us to the mall.

The next morning, I woke up early to prepare breakfast before the Madreal twins headed back to the City. I made sure they ate well, knowing how long the drive back home would be. After eating, they went upstairs to kiss the kids goodbye before taking their leave.

I spent the rest of the morning tidying up the house until Amer finally woke up. He immediately looked for the twins, and I informed him they had already left. He made himself a cup of coffee and settled onto the bamboo chair before turning to me.

“You’re looking for a job, right?” he asked through a yawn.

“Yeah, do you know of any openings?”

He looked me over from head to toe. What was he up to now? Last time, he tried to get me a job as an executive secretary for a CEO, but as soon as I heard how short-tempered the man was, I backed out. While I could speak and understand English, I was terrified of being publicly berated in front of others.

Amer had recommended several jobs to me in the past, but none of them worked out; some were too far away, while others involved dealing with difficult people. Eventually, I stopped trying and stuck to taking odd jobs here in Fera Island just to keep us afloat.

“Have you taken a good look at yourself in the mirror lately, Fay?” he asked, spinning me around. “You have a slim, stunning figure! You could easily be a model—”

“Don't start with your nonsense, Amer,” I cut him off with a roll of my eyes.

He had been pushing me to try modeling for the longest time, but I never considered myself particularly attractive. I didn't wear makeup or care much for fancy clothes. Modeling held no interest for me, and I knew how chaotic that industry could be.

I knew nothing about the modeling world, and I had no intention of ever stepping foot into it.

“It’s Amera! You are so frustrating, Fayre! You’ve always been pretty! Honestly, if I had met Rihav first, we might have been the ones having kids together!” he dramatically complained.

“You don't have a uterus, Amer,” I retorted flatly.

He gasped dramatically, clutching his heart as if deeply wounded by my words, before rolling his eyes and taking another sip of his coffee.

“On a serious note, I do know of a job opening, but I’m worried you might not be able to handle it. You’ve gotten so thin lately; I don't want you getting sick.”

I looked at him, noticing the serious tone in his voice. “How else am I supposed to buy Hacov what he wants if I don't work? I’ll take any job, as long as it’s decent and honorable.” I reached out to touch his arm.

He squealed and quickly pulled his arm away. “Hey, don't touch me! I’m still a virgin!” He recoiled playfully before continuing. “I’ll look after the twins while you’re at work. I’ve missed them so much during these past three months. I’ll stay here at your place while you’re away.”

“What kind of job is it?”

“A waitress position at a club in La Fera Dos. That’s the only opening I know of right now; anything else would be too demanding for you. It’s a respectable place, and the management is solid. I already gave your name to Tessa, the manager. She knows what role you’re applying for and will walk you through the rules. Just hand this paper to her, she and I are good friends.”

Unable to contain my gratitude, I threw my arms around him. Amer was one of the few people who never gave up on me. He helped me keep my chin up when everything fell apart. No matter how difficult life became, God always provided people I could lean on.

“Hey, no hugging!” he complained playfully, gently pushing me away.

By one in the afternoon, we left the house to head toward La Fera. Amer mentioned that a brand-new mall had opened there, the largest on Fera Island. It had only been open for two weeks, so it was still drawing huge crowds.

We rode in Amer’s car. Even though he was doing well financially, I refused to rely solely on his or the Madreal twins' generosity. I needed to stand on my own two feet.

The drive to La Fera took about an hour and a half. The twins kept their faces glued to the open windows the entire ride; they weren't used to the car's air conditioning, so Amer rolled the windows down for them. Their eyes sparkled with awe as we pulled up to the massive structure.

The words "RMall" were displayed prominently across the top of the building.

The moment Amer parked the car, the kids scrambled out in excitement. It was their very first time setting foot in La Fera, as we rarely left our village unless Amer was around to drive us.

Holding them firmly by their hands, we walked into the mall together. Their eyes darted around in pure wonder as we explored the floors, eventually making our way to the toy store, their main destination. While they happily picked out toys with Amer, I stepped outside to glance around.

The mall was undeniably impressive compared to the older ones in La Fera. The entire city was developing rapidly as its tourism potential began to take off. New hotels and commercial buildings were popping up across both La Fera Dos and Uno. I let out a soft sigh before turning my attention back toward the kids.

Since they were busy picking out items with Amer, I decided to step out of the store for a moment. The place was bustling with shoppers drawn by the grand opening and modern facilities.

Suddenly, a crowd began gathering to my left, heading straight in my direction. I instinctively stepped back to avoid getting caught in the rush. Knitting my brows, I stood on tiptoes to see who everyone was surrounding.

My eyes landed on a tall man dressed in a sharp tuxedo. Even from a side profile, he looked strikingly familiar. I narrowed my eyes, trying to get a clearer view. When he turned slightly toward my direction, my heart stopped—it was Rihav. Panic seized me as our eyes briefly met. Without wasting a single second, I bolted back into the store.

“We need to leave right now,” I urged Amer. Fortunately, he had already paid for the toys

I scooped up Hera while Amer lifted Hacov into his arms. Confusion washed over Amer’s face, but he followed me without question. He called out my name repeatedly, but I rushed straight to the car without uttering another word.

“What happened back there, Girl? We weren't even done shopping yet,” he complained as soon as we got inside the car.

I let out a shaky breath, glancing at the twins in the backseat. Thankfully, they were completely absorbed in their new toys and didn't pay much attention to us.

“I saw Rihav inside; he’s here at the mall!” I whispered urgently, my voice trembling.

If we had stayed any longer, there was a chance he might have seen the twins. No... he could never find out about them. He had no right to be in their lives, not after the terrible things he said to me, and certainly not after announcing his marriage to someone else. It was as if he had thrown me away himself.