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37
PHOENIX
I wake up with the warm limbs draping over me. Samantha is still snoring in my arms. I slowly slip out my body from her warm cuddle. No matter how much I want to stay and cuddle her all day, I already have plans for today and for the whole weekend.
I’m secretly talking with Sandy for these last three days. I still didn’t tell her that I knew she is my sister. Hawk will kick my ass to the other part of the continent if he will find out I’m hiding this kind of secret from him.
I start packing our clothes that’s good for three days. I bought some clothes and swimsuits for Samantha and tanning or sunscreen lotions women these days are using. I drag our two travel bags to the front door.
I pick up my phone and scan Sandy’s contact that I stole from Samantha’s phone.
Phoenix: Get your ass ready. We’ll be there in about an hour.
A few seconds later my phone buzzes signifying a message.
S
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Teasing Phoenix 40
PHOENIX It’s almost sunset—the colors of blue and violet scattering the sky with yellow-orange and red are covering most of it. Everyone gathers at the shore, sitting at the beach chairs to witness the sunset. The chopped woods are already piled for the bonfire later. The smooth sand caresses my bare-foot in every step I make. The sound of waves rippling softly at the shores is so calm as I walk hand in hand with my fiancée, Samantha through the shoreline. This is the best feeling in the world—at this moment all I can think is I am such a lucky man—being loved and in love with the same woman. She is kicking the small waves every time they reach our feet—it feels like a soft massage. I can’t help but smile at how she laughs when the seawater hits me. “Childish,” I mutter, grinning. She doesn’t care. I can see how much she enjoys doing it, and I’m beyond happy watching her laughing freely because i
Teasing Phoenix 41
SAM My body is shaking with fury when I see Gabrielle at my apartment door. Those things she did to my relationship, to Phoenix, and to myself make me want to strike into her, grab her hair, and drag her down to the lobby, then kick her to hell. I don’t know what stops me from doing things like that, perhaps I’m a better person than her? If this only happens before Phoenix is back into my life I already punch her face. But she is not the bitchy Gabrielle—the insensitive, empathetic, and vicious woman. Right now, she cowers down while Phoenix is grabbing her and growling on her face. “Let her talk, Phoenix,” I say calmly to Phoenix while rubbing his back. He is losing his temper on her, but I can’t blame him though because we both had suffered a lot in her hands. “I’m done listening to her, Samantha. She almost ruined our relationship, and now that we are back together, she shows up again, and this time on our do
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PHOENIX My heart is still pounding in my chest since I saw the News about an hour ago. I don’t know why I feel guilty even if I’m not the one who hurt her—maybe because we had a history, and I loved her once somehow? Or perhaps I’m one of the reasons why that woman manipulated her into doing something horrible? I feel Samantha gripping my hand tightly. She kept telling me that Gabrielle will be okay throughout the ride to the hospital. I take a deep breath when we step inside the hospital lobby. According to the News, Gabrielle was the one who called 911 before the drug dealer killed Suzanne right in front of her own eyes. She must be so terrified and shocked, and she will never forget that extreme brutality of the murder of once she believed was her mother. I feel so bad for her, and I can see based on that News earlier that she was also beaten by those assholes. “Phoenix, are you ready? That’s her room.”
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SAM Mom looks in my direction and smiles when she notices me approaching. “Morning sweetie, I didn’t hear you came home last night. I must be in a deep sleep when you arrived,” Mom says, pouring coffee into my mug. “I’m sorry, mom. It was Amy’s birthday party last night. I couldn’t come home early because I carpooled with Maya and Garrett.” I take my plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and two strips of bacon she offers. She hands me a cup of coffee. “You didn’t mention to me about going to a birthday party, sweetie. You also forgot to send me a message.” She looks at me with her famous worried look. I sit on the stool of our small kitchen counter and start sipping my coffee. “Yeah, you worry too much. Did forget I’m twenty-one and not a twelve anymore? Don’t you have duty tonight?” I munch my breakfast quickly. I only have twenty minutes to get to the coffee shop where I work as a part-time waitress.
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