The Zodiac Sister - Gemini (The Pretty Genius)

Chapter-2

Gemini's POV

As they walked inside the mansion, Gemini’s vision blurred. The world seemed to spin around her, and in an instant, she lost her balance. She collapsed, her consciousness slipping away like water through her fingers.

Thankfully, a strong arm caught her—Cassian was right behind her, steady and warm, ready to support her in every moment.

Cassian's POV

Alam naming nahimatay si Gemini dahil sa sobrang pagod at pag-aalala sa kanyang ama. Dinala siya ni Cassian sa kanyang silid. Binilin ni Gino si Gemini kay Cassian.

“Huwag mo siyang iwanan. Bantayan mo siya hanggang sa magising.”

Walang nagawa si Cassian kundi sundin ang utos ng kanyang ama. Habang natutulog si Gemini, nakaupo siya sa tabi ng kama, tahimik, hawak ang kamay ng dalaga, habang iniisip ang bawat pangamba at takot na bumabalot sa puso niya. Ang bawat paghinga ni Gemini ay parang musika sa katahimikan.

Watching her now, he couldn’t help but be struck by the contradiction of her presence. They had met once before, back when he attended her 18th birthday party — though judging by her expression, she clearly didn’t remember him.

I remember that night, Cassian thought.

Flashback

She was introduced to me — to all of us — but she barely had a moment to spare. She was surrounded by important guests, her attention pulled in every direction. Still… I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Late that night, I stepped out onto the veranda to get some fresh air. That’s when Gemini suddenly appeared. She was clearly drunk and talking to herself. I still remember how she mumbled:

“Damn, these people won’t give me peace. God, they won’t leave me alone! It’s my birthday and I couldn’t even enjoy it…”

Nakita ko siyang umupo sa isang sulok, parang naubos ang lakas niya. I remember that night vividly — the way her hair was messy and falling over her face, the faint smell of wine in the air. For the first time, I saw her not as the perfect, untouchable Gemini Sullivan… but as someone tired, vulnerable, and human.

I slowly walked toward her, crouching down so I could see her face.

“Gemini…” I whispered softly, careful not to startle her.

She looked up at me, her eyes glassy from the alcohol.

“Who…? Ohh, you’re Cassian, right? Ninong Gino’s son? Why are you here?”

My chest tightened. I had seen her strong and fierce countless times, but this — this was different. She looked so small, so fragile.

I sat beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You deserve to be happy, sweetpea. And I’ll make sure one day, no one will bother you again.”

She blinked at me, a little confused.

“Hmmm? What is it?”

“Nothing… Why are you hiding here?” I asked gently, then slowly pulled her into my arms. She let herself fall against me, her head resting on my chest. In that moment, I swore I would protect her — not just because it was my duty, but because I couldn’t bear to see her like that ever again.

She sighed softly, her voice barely audible.

“I just wanted to celebrate my birthday, Cassian. Pero ang daming humihila sa akin. I feel like I can’t breathe sometimes.”

I tightened my arms around her.

“You don’t have to go through it alone… you have me.”

She tilted her head, looking up at me with tired, teary eyes.

“Why do you care so much?”

I swallowed hard. Because I’ve cared about you since the first day I saw you. But I didn’t say it out loud. Not yet. Instead, I smiled faintly.

“Because you’re worth caring about.”

For a moment, she just stared at me, then closed her eyes and completely relaxed in my arms.

“Don’t leave me tonight,” she murmured.

“I won’t,” I promised.

Carefully, I stood up and carried her bridal-style back to her room. She was light in my arms, and I remember how my heart pounded as I laid her gently on the bed. I couldn’t help myself — I kissed her. And I was surprised, almost amused, when she kissed me back.

That was the night I realized: I didn’t just want to protect her. I wanted to be the reason she smiled again.

End of Flashback

Now, at twenty-five, she had already surpassed her father’s fortune. She owned multiple companies across the U.S., including TESRA, ZSS (Zodiac Security System), and was a partner of Elon Murk — the country’s top billionaire and owner of SpaceR and TwitterR. Yet, her fame wasn’t built on money alone.

Gemini was known as the “Pretty Genius,” a title that captured both her ethereal beauty — an angelic face framed by perfection, an hourglass figure that seemed sculpted by art — and the razor-sharp intelligence that commanded respect in boardrooms and laboratories alike.

And now, as he watched her sleep — unaware of his gaze — Cassian felt a strange mix of admiration and curiosity. There was something magnetic about her, a blend of brilliance and grace that made it impossible to look away. Despite the chaos surrounding her family and the danger she faced, she seemed untouchably composed, even in sleep — a puzzle he wanted to understand.

He stayed there quietly, a silent guardian, letting the stillness of the room settle around them, while outside, the mansion seemed to hold its breath — waiting for the storm of events that had only just begun.

Cassian remained seated quietly beside her as Gemini slowly stirred, her eyelids fluttering open.

Her voice trembled as she tried to focus.

“Cassian…? What happened? Did I… pass out?”

“You fainted,” he replied gently, his eyes filled with concern. “How are you feeling? Any pain or anything unusual?”

“I’m fine… just really tired. And… hungry,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Do you want me to call your helper to bring you something to eat, or would you like to go downstairs yourself?” Cassian asked, careful not to startle her.

“I think I’d better go downstairs… meet some of the people. I didn’t even realize a few of them were here. Are they still waiting?”

“Yes,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “They’ve been waiting for you… right up until you woke.”

“Okay then… let’s go,” Gemini said, pushing herself up with effort, her eyes brightening with renewed determination despite the lingering fatigue.

Nang tumayo na siya, agad akong umalalay. Inabot ko ang kamay ko para makatayo siya nang maayos. She looked at me for a second—tired, but steady—and placed her hand in mine.

She went into the bathroom. I waited silently, standing by the bed, listening to the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the muffled noise of people downstairs. I knew the moment she stepped back out—her presence filled the room instantly.

"Let's go, Cassian," she said, her voice calm, but I could still sense the heaviness beneath.

"Okay. Let’s go," I replied, matching her tone.

She was composed. Regal, almost. But I knew she was forcing herself to stay upright. There was a subtle tremble in her fingers every time she gripped the railing.

I kept my hand ready—just in case she needed it again. Not because she’s weak.

Because I refused to let her fall.

Gemini’s POV

Pagbaba namin ni Cassian sa grand staircase ng mansion, ramdam ko agad ang mga mata ng lahat na nakatingin sa amin. The warm glow from the chandeliers cast soft light across the living room, where my family and our closest allies had gathered.

Sa gilid, nakita ko agad sina Capri, Aries kasama na nila si Aqua — parehong mabilis na tumayo nang makita akong pababa.

“Ate!” halos sabay silang tumakbo palapit.

Napangiti ako kahit ramdam ko pa ang bigat sa ulo ko. “I’m fine,” sabi ko agad bago pa sila mag-panic.

“Medyo pagod lang siguro.”

Lumapit si Ninong Geller, ang kanyang presensya laging may halong authority at kabaitan. Nakasunod ang kanyang asawang si Ninang Rana, at ang mga anak nilang kambal na sina Kuya Max at Ate Maxem, pati na rin ang bunsong si Mara.

I met them before in the US — they’re my second cousins from my dad’s side.

“Gemini,” sabi ni Ninong Geller, “you gave everyone quite a scare.”

“I’m sorry po, Ninong,” mahina kong sagot. “I didn’t mean to worry everyone.”

Tumango lang siya, tapos bahagyang ngumiti.

“What matters is that you’re here now. But please, huwag mong abusuhin ang katawan mo. Hindi puwedeng ikaw ang bumagsak habang lahat umaasa sa’yo.”

“Yes, Ninong,” sagot ko, may bahid ng hiya.

Sa kabilang sofa, nakaupo naman si Ninong Gino kasama si Ninang Alexa, at ang dalawang lalaki na ngayon ko lang nakita. Nakatingin lang sila sa akin habang ngumiti si Ninong Gino.

“Gemini,” sabi niya, mababa at kalmado ang boses, “I told Cassian to stay by your side for a reason. Alam kong matigas ang ulo mo pagdating sa pahinga.”

Napatawa ako ng mahina. “You know me too well, Ninong.”

“By the way,” dagdag niya, “these are my other two sons, Carl and Darius. Hindi sila nakasama noong 18th birthday mo, kaya ngayon mo lang sila nakita.”

Nameet ko na si Cassian noon, pero hindi pa siya ganito katikas — kaya hindi ko siya nakilala sa airport kanina. Kaya tinanong ko pa siya kung kaninong anak siya, kasi kahit si Kuya Max, halos nakalimutan ko na rin ang itsura nila.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Cassian saglit — he didn’t say anything, but the concern in his eyes was louder than any words.

Umupo si Aqua sa tabi ko at inabot sa akin ang isang baso ng maligamgam na tubig.

“Salamat, bunso,” sabi ko, sabay pisil sa kamay niya.

“By the way,” singit ni Capri, “let’s go to the dining area and have some dinner. Gutom na kami! Hinintay ka talaga namin kahit gutom na kami.”

Nagkatawanan ang ilan sa paligid, at saglit na nawala ang bigat ng hangin. Pero kahit may halong tawa at mga ngiti, ramdam ko pa rin ang alon ng tensyon sa bawat isa.

Everyone knew this peace wouldn’t last long.