Two Of Hearts

4.1 - The Sisters

Seyren's POV

"Wala pa rin?"

"Nothing, nada, worthless"

I said to my team as I stepped out of the hotel. It was our last day of the search operation here, and tomorrow the hotel would reopen to the public.

Even though it was already night, we were still here. It was almost 10:30 in the evening, and I hadn't had dinner or lunch yet.

The exhaustion was beginning to set in, but the adrenaline from the case kept me going.

I found myself staring at the round, pale moon.

It was the only thing visible in the dark sky, as the stars were absent, covered by thick clouds.

The moon hung there, like a silent witness to the events unfolding below.

It felt oddly symbolic, the lone moon in the vast darkness, much like how I felt at that moment-isolated in my thoughts amidst the chaos of the investigation.

A strong breeze made me shiver.

I wasn't wearing a leather jacket, just a simple long sleeve shirt.

The cold wind seemed to cut through the fabric, making me hug myself for warmth.

The hotel's surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the city.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice Detective Skyler approaching until she was right next to me. Her presence was always a mix of reassurance and intensity.

"Anong ginagawa mo pa dito ? Your sister has been looking for you." said Detective Skyler.

I looked at her with a furrowed brow, trying to shake off the daze from my moonlit contemplation.

"You mentioned that a psychopath might have killed Mr. Alvarez. What do you think about Mr. Kim's murderer?" I asked, trying to redirect my thoughts to the case.

The curiosity on her face vanished, replaced by an anger I couldn't understand.

"A normal killer or someone who had a grudge against him. We investigated Mr. Kim's background and found that he had many enemies because he was a thief who loved gold, like the ones you saw." She spoke with a sharp edge in her voice. I nodded, absorbing her words.

"But I'm sure a psychopath killed Mr. Alvarez," she added, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if expecting the killer to emerge from the shadows at any moment.

"What's so special about psychopaths, and why are they so brutal and elusive?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

She sighed, her breath visible in the cold night air, and looked me in the eye with a seriousness that made me shiver more than the wind.

"Psychopaths have no heart, soul, or conscience, so they don't feel emotions. They are elusive because they plan everything they do. Most of them are extremely intelligent, so sometimes, don't be too impressed by the smart people you know," her last statement had a joking tone, making me smile because she still managed to make a joke even in such a grim conversation.

"Buti nalang average lang ako." I joked back, and she laughed, a rare sound that lightened the mood slightly.

"Okay, you should go home now. Elowen has been calling me nonstop, and she might come to get you if you don't leave. Do you want your team to find out you're a Cameron?" I shook my head at her remark.

The last thing I needed was for my colleagues to find out about my personal life.

I said goodbye to her and went inside the hotel to bid farewell to my team.

As I walked quietly down the hallway to the third floor, the dim lighting made it feel eerie.

The flickering lights cast long, shifting shadows on the walls, adding to the sense of unease.

For some reason, I felt a growing heaviness, as if someone was following and constantly watching me.

The sensation was unsettling, making me quicken my pace.

At first, I ignored it.

I went to the room where my team was, said my goodbyes, and they appreciated that I made the effort to see them before leaving.

The camaraderie among us was palpable, a small comfort in the midst of a grueling investigation.

As I turned to leave, the feeling of being watched intensified.

I couldn't shake the sense that eyes were on me, studying my every move.

I glanced over my shoulder, but the hallway was empty.

Dismissing it as paranoia from exhaustion, I made my way to the exit, eager to finally get some rest.

When I arrived at the parking lot where my moped was parked, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

The day's events had been exhausting, and I was eager to get home. Just as I was about to put my helmet on, my phone rang.

I took my phone out of my trouser pocket and saw that it was my sister Elowen calling.

Her name flashing on the screen made me feel a mix of guilt and warmth.

I knew she was worried, and I should have contacted her sooner.

When I answered, her voice immediately filled with concern as she bombarded me with questions.

Her tone was a blend of worry and frustration, and I could almost picture her pacing back and forth, her brows furrowed with anxiety.

[Where are you, Seyren? Why are you taking so long to come home? Are you okay? Have you eaten? Did something bad happen to you? Why aren't you home yet?] she asked from the other end of the line, her voice rising with each question.

I smiled widely because it had been a long time since I felt this way.

In the seven years I had been apart from them, it was only now that I felt someone was genuinely worried about me.

Her concern, though overwhelming, was also comforting.

It reminded me of how much she cared.

"I'm on my way home, I just had to take care of something, sorry." I replied, trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

I heard her groan, and even though I couldn't see her, I knew she was rolling her eyes at me in exasperation.

"You should have at least told us you were going to be late. Azara and I were both worried." she said, her tone softening slightly.

I winced at her words, knowing that Elowen's concern was genuine, but Azara's supposed worry felt hard to believe.

It was unbelievable that Azara would be worried about me.

She despised me for reasons that were complex and painful.

The years of tension and unspoken words between us had created a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge.

"I believe that you're worried about me, but her? I doubt it pero thanks for trying. I'll end the call now and start driving," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

I didn't want to argue or dwell on the bitterness that lay between Azara and me.

I hung up before Elowen could respond, cutting off any further conversation.

As I was getting ready, adjusting my helmet and gloves, I felt again as if someone was watching me.

The sensation was unnerving, like a prickling on the back of my neck that wouldn't go away.

I looked around but saw nothing but the empty parking lot with almost no vehicles except for police cars and bikes.

The streetlights cast long, eerie shadows, and the silence was almost oppressive.

It felt like the calm before a storm, a moment of stillness that was unnaturally tense.

I ignored it and started my moped.

The engine's hum was a welcome sound, breaking the silence.

I glanced around one last time, convincing myself that it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.

As I drove away, the feeling of being watched lingered in the back of my mind, refusing to be dismissed entirely.

The night air was cool against my face, and the streets were mostly empty.

I focused on the road, pushing away the unsettling thoughts.

Maybe it was just my imagination.

---

No one's POV

"Bakit hindi kapa kumakain?" Azara asked her younger sister, who was sitting alone at the dining table, playing idly with her fork.

"I'm waiting for Seyren so we can eat together," Elowen replied, her eyes flickering with a mix of concern and determination.

Azara rolled her eyes at her sister's response, exasperated by her insistence on waiting.

"Suit yourself, keep waiting. I'm going out to buy something," Azara said, turning away with an air of impatience. As she spoke, Elowen stood up abruptly, causing her chair to fall over with a loud clatter.

"San ka pupunta?" Elowen asked, her voice rising to a high-pitched tone filled with anxiety. Azara frowned, irritated by her sister's aggressive tone.

"To the moon" pilosopong sagot ni Azara.

"Why so aggressive? Jeez, calm down." she replied nonchalantly, brushing off Elowen's concern.

"It's dangerous outside, and it's almost 11 PM. Are you still going out?" Elowen's worry was palpable, her eyes wide with fear for her sister's safety.

"Yes, Elowen, I'm going out, and it's not dangerous because no one will recognize me," Azara said with a hint of defiance.

She lifted her cap and face mask, showing them to her sister before putting them on.

"See, bye," Azara said, waving mockingly as she headed out the door.

Elowen wanted to stop her, but there was nothing she could do.

The door closed with a definitive click, leaving Elowen standing there, feeling helpless.

In the end, Elowen just prayed for her sister's safety, despite her careless attitude toward her own life.

She sighed deeply, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation.

Patiently, she waited for her stepsister. To pass the time and calm her nerves, she decided to bake some cookies.

The familiar act of mixing ingredients and shaping dough brought a small measure of comfort.

"Where could that girl be?" she wondered aloud, glancing at the clock as she placed the cookie tray in the oven.

The minutes seemed to crawl by, each one heightening her anxiety.

It was almost 11:30 PM, and Seyren still hadn't arrived.

Elowen tried to contact her but couldn't get through, as if Seyren was in a place with no signal. The lack of response only added to her worry.

Even though she was sleepy, she continued to wait for her two sisters to come home.

She paced the living room, occasionally glancing out the window, hoping to see them approaching.

When midnight struck, Azara was the first to return.

She found Elowen asleep on the sofa, the soft glow of the TV illuminating her peaceful face.

Not wanting to disturb her, Azara went straight to her room to take a shower.

The hot water felt soothing against her skin, washing away the grime and stress of the day.

She emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed, wrapping herself in a plush bathrobe.

Seconds and minutes passed, and Seyren finally arrived at around 12:55 AM.

She quietly opened the front door, careful not to make any noise.

She was surprised to see her sister sleeping on the sofa, cookies neatly arranged on the coffee table beside her.

"Aww, now I feel guilty," she murmured to herself, her heart aching at the sight. Instead of waking her sister, she decided to carry her.

Gently, she lifted Elowen in her arms, mindful not to disturb her slumber.

She brought Elowen to her room and laid her on the bed, tucking her in with care.

She kissed Elowen's forehead, a gesture filled with affection and regret, and turned off the lampshade before leaving the room.

As she was heading to her own room, Seyren was startled by the sudden appearance of Azara, who came out of her room wearing only a bathrobe.

The steam from her recent shower still lingered around her, making her look fresh and serene, a stark contrast to Seyren's stressed and weary appearance.

The two locked eyes, both showing no emotion, their gazes like an abyss filled with darkness.

The tension between them was palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken issues that lay between them.

"Why are you so late? Don't you know Elowen has been waiting for you?" Azara said sharply, her tone dripping with disapproval.

Seyren looked down, guilt washing over her. She knew she was at fault for making her sister worry.

"I ran out of gas. I tried to find a gasoline station but couldn't, so I walked-" Seyren began to explain, but Azara cut her off.

"I don't need your explanations because I don't care about you. I just wish you had told Elowen so she wouldn't have waited. I bet she hasn't even eaten. If she gets sick because of you, you'll get what's coming to you." Despite being taller, Seyren felt small in front of Azara, her words cutting deep.

She just nodded, feeling a mix of shame and resentment.

As Azara walked past her, Seyren watched her go, her eyes fixed on her sister as if she were the only person in the world.

Once Azara disappeared into her room, Seyren sighed deeply before turning around and heading to her own room.

The weight of the day and the tension with her sisters bore down on her, but she tried to push it aside as she prepared for bed.

She knew she needed rest, but her mind was still racing, filled with thoughts of what she could have done differently.

Azara proceeded to the kitchen, her footsteps echoing softly on the tiled floor.

As she entered, she noticed a batch of cookies neatly arranged on the countertop.

The sweet, comforting aroma filled the room, making her realize just how hungry she was.

She took one and bit into it, the familiar taste confirming her suspicions.

Elowen loved overly sweet pastries, and the sugary explosion on her taste buds was unmistakable.

Azara, on the other hand, had always preferred savory snacks.

Despite this, she continued to eat the cookie, her thoughts lingering on the effort her sister had put into baking them.

As she savored the cookie, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

Pulling it out, she glanced at the screen and saw a message from her boyfriend.

From: Liam

I just got home from an important meeting. I hope you're asleep by now. Good night.

Azara rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips. She felt a mix of irritation and resignation.

Pushing those feelings aside, she continued to eat the cookies, each bite a small comfort in the quiet kitchen.

After finishing her second cookie, she decided to save a few pieces for the next day.

Carefully, she placed them in a container and opened the fridge to store them.

As she did, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of nearly two dozen bottles of lemon juice taking up an entire shelf.

She grimaced in annoyance, her mind instantly knowing who was responsible.

"Of course, it had to be Seyren," she muttered under her breath.

Her sister had an inexplicable obsession with lemon juice, much to Azara's bemusement and occasional irritation.

She shook her head, wondering why anyone would need so much of the stuff.

She rearranged a few items in the fridge to make space for the cookies, her movements quick and efficient.

Despite her irritation, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Seyren's quirks, as exasperating as they could be, were also part of what made her unique.

"That b***h is still obsessed with lemon drink huh." Azara thought.

xxxxx

To be continued