Chapter 2

“Good morning Madam, you have a meeting with the manager of Abela Entertainment.”

I looked at my assistant and just give her a nod. I massaged my temples while looking on my laptop. It’s been ages, but I still couldn’t finish editing the photo magazine for my client.

“Ms. Rojas?”

My eyes drop on the woman who looks like a librarian for me. She has a big eyeglass and her hair was done in a tight ponytail. I couldn’t help but to notice her outfit. She’s wearing a white floral long sleeve shirt and a black trouser. I look at her from head to toe before I stand up from my seat.

“Please take a sit, Miss?”

“Just call me Jam, Ms. Rojas.”

“Okay.”

I gestured her to seat as I open the folder that she gave me. It’s a new project where we will conduct a photoshoot for their boyband’s upcoming album. I flipped the paper until I saw a familiar name that made my lips parted.

“This is for Elite Band?” I cleared my throat and fix my posture.

Jam nodded at me. “We want you and your team to be in charge to this project.”

Sighing, I closed the folder and look at her. “When will we start?”

“Tomorrow Ms. Rojas.”

I was left alone in my office. My eyes settled on the folder and squeezed my eyes tightly. This is not what I am expecting. I released a loud breath as a bitter smile placed against my lips. Didn’t know that our paths will cross again.

“Cassidy Amber Vidal Rojas!”

The loud voice snapped me back to reality. Adira’s frustrated face met my sight. I raised a brow at her but she just snorted at me. I look outside the window and mentally face palmed when I realized that it’s already time to go home.

“You’re spacing out,” her eyebrows knitted in a frown. “What did the manager tell you?”

“She chose my team for their boyband’s photoshoot.”

“Oh! What a destiny!

My eyes roll automatically. Destiny my ass. This is my job and they are my client. No strings attached.

“Worth’s already here,” Adira look at me. “Drive safely, okay?”

I nodded. “Tell him to act formal tomorrow. I don’t want to be embarrass because of his loud mouth. I can’t still accept the fact that he’s my cousin.”

She laughed hysterically. “Noted Ms. Editor.”

My lips formed into thin line and growled softly. “Oh, shut up.”

Adira playfully wiggled her eyebrows. “Does it bring back memories?” She then chuckled when she saw my reaction and hold the doorknob.

“You’re still stuck, Amber.” Was her last words before she left me alone in the office.

I always find the night to be a comforting presence. Out here, far from the cities whose bright lights were still visible on the horizon, more stars were visible than anywhere else, bar maybe the arctic circle. The darkness might have hidden most of my world, but it revealed its most beautiful aspects.

I inhaled the fresh air and look at the view laid in front of me. I always love to travel far from the loud and busy city. I always find comfort and peace whenever I go here.

To our secret place.

I wonder how we ended up like this. From being lovers…to being strangers with memories.

“Move the lights here.”

“Place it to the right.”

“There.”

My eyebrows sloped downwards in a serious expression as I once again travel my eyes on the set. I tilted my head and observe the staffs busy placing the props. We’re in the resort. The photoshoot concept is Hawaiian.

“They’re here, Madam.”

I nodded my head and turn around.

“Oh! It’s my cousin’s team!”

“Woah! Is that Amber?!”

“Howdy Amber!”

I stop my urge to roll my eyes and just stare at them with my emotionless face. Worth grinned and even motioned his hand to the man beside him. I cleared my throat and shot him a glare as I called my assistant.

“Let’s begin.”

Embry our photographer began giving instructions to them. I couldn’t help but to look at their outfits. Seems like gym became their second home.

Abs everywhere geez.

“Linus tilt your head and open your mouth like you’re seducing someone.”

I puckered my lips and watch them. They could pass as models in New York Times magazine. They have a future, alright.

“Worth cross your arms and look at the camera with playfulness,” Embry instructed. “Alas play with your lips and Shaun give us a seducing look.”

I look at their photos and I must say they’re much hotter than the sun.

“Jethro put your hands on your shorts pockets and grin while looking straight at the camera.”

With that, my eyes widen as I gasp audibly. Dayum hot! I think I just lost myself.

He’s showing his bare chest and wearing only his blue board shorts in broad daylight! Who the hell will not get affected?! I bit my lip trying to regain my consciousness. Fuck, he’s going to be the death of me.

For an hour I keep motioning myself to calm. I’m having a trouble fixing my posture because of that man. Seriously, this is a job! Be professional Amber!

“Good job team!”

“Let’s wrap it up!”

“This looks good!”

I massaged my temples while looking at the photos. Their looks were making my head ache. Argh, this is so frustrating.

“Cousin!”

My lips twitched. Oh great. His loudness was still the same but much louder than before. Why did Adira marry him?

“Shut up.” I hissed.

Worth pouted his lips and look at me with his emerald eyes. “Don’t you miss me?”

“I don’t.”

His lips parted in shock and act like he got hurt from my answer. Stupid. I roll my eyes. If I can just replace him as my cousin, I would have done it a long time ago.

“When did you got back?” he asked. “I thought you’ll stay in Spain for good.”

“Last week,” I look at him. “I changed my mind.”

My cousin let out a grin. “Or someone did?”

“Worth.”

I gritted my teeth. I turn around at Worth when I saw who called him. His presence didn’t fail to suffocate me.

Get a hold of yourself Amber!

From where I was sitting I saw him that causes my chest to throb. I swallowed. He’s still half naked. His eight pack abs were in full show. It was like inviting you to touch it. I simply pinched my arm to wake up myself. I'm already infected with Maisie's dirty mind.

"Amber."

Biting my lip, I turned to Worth who has a playful smile on his lips. I stared at him, annoyed. I couldn't help but look at the person next to him who was already staring at me that stunned me.

I hiccup as I avoided my eyes on him. My hands are sweaty and cold. My heart was pounding so hard that at any moment it would explode. I kept looking at my fingers and played with it.

“Cassidy Amber.”

At that moment, I knew… it was still him.

I slowly lifted my head and met his icy gaze. His pair of grey eyes met my amber eyes. From that moment the memories from where it all started flash like a movie.

 “I want to pee,” my seatmate groaned.

“Just hold it for a minute!”

“But I need to pee!”

I let out a sigh as I played the pen with my fingers. Despite of the boring lecture of our science teacher I still put my attention on it. My eyes roamed around the corner of our room shaking my head. The half of our class was doing their own things; not minding our teacher while the others are doing their best to listen on our teacher like me.

“Amber I want to pee!”

I turned my head on Adira who looks like she’s going to let out what she’s holding in. She drinks too much milk tea once again. Maisie chuckles and shakes her head. She can just pee in her skirt no one will know.

“Then pee,” I whispered because our science teacher was talking in front and might hear us. “You can just pee in your skirt.”

She gave me an unbelievable look and gasp audibly. “Amber!”

My lips twitched when I saw Ms. Jones look at us. She arched her eyebrows and pointed our direction. Oh great. Ms. Jones sashayed her way to our direction and stop in front of us.

“What’s the matter Ms. Lucero?”

I cleared my throat and fix my seat. The side of my lips lifted when I saw Adira’s panic face. I can imagine her yelling my full name in her mind.

“I-I want to pee Ms. Jones,” she bit her lip. “Can I?”

“You may.”

Adira have a victory smile on her face when she stood up. She stuck her tongue out on us before running outside the room. So childish. You can’t tell if she’s already eighteen years old with the way she acts.

“Let’s go to the Music club!”

“We’ll have to go to the Sports club first!”

“But I need to say something to Worth!”

My brows furrowed. “Stop arguing,” I wrinkled my nose. “Their club rooms were just next to each other dummies.”

Both of them gave me an awkward smile. Certainly, I don’t have any idea how and why did I get myself a friend like them. I just kept walking and just ignored their quarreling. We stopped in front of the Sports club. I didn’t try to knock and just open the door.

“Hi Ms. Classy! ”

I roll my eyes when Arya’s face welcomed me. She chuckled. I went straight near the window and sat there. I look outside the window as I put my chin on my palm. I looked at Arya who’s playing ball with Maisie.

“Where’s Sadie?” I asked.

That girl has always been nowhere to be found. She’s like a mushroom. She’ll just appear without permission or without any sign.

“As usual stalking her crush,” Arya said in a singsong voice while dribbling a ball.

I looked around the corner of the club room. At this time the members of the Sports club are training in the gym. Arya should be in the gym, but this woman was being lazy again and prefers to hang out in their club room.

“Aren’t you going to join your teammates?” I raised a brow.

“I’m waiting for Adira,” She rolls her eyes. “She’s still talking to your cousin.”

My forehead creased. “What’s with them?”

Arya just gave me a half shrug. I snorted and stood up from my seat. For all I know, they’re rival enemies. My cousin and Adira doesn’t know the word ‘get along’ or any words related to it because they always create disaster whenever they cross their paths.

My cousin seemed to be having fun talking with my friend when I enter their club room. His bandmates look surprise from my sudden appearance. Who wouldn’t, right? After all, this is my first time entering their club room.

“Am I hallucinating?” Worth gasps while eyeing me.

“Ask yourself,” I retorted and look at the woman beside him, “are you done talking?”

Adira pouted her lips then shakes her head. I arched my eyebrow from her response. What’s really with them? They seemed to be like having a very serious conversation.

“Arya’s waiting for you, dummy.” I tsk-ed. “You can just talk to him after your training.”

“But this is important!”

“More important than your training?” I folded my arms. “Why? Are you asking him a proposal?”

I look like a mother picking up her daughter who's dating her boyfriend. Adira’s eyes narrowed and shakes her head continuously. A grin formed against my lips as I eyed her straight into her crystal eyes.

“Am I missing something?”

Before she can even answer my question; a loud bang echoed in the corner of the room.

“Let’s practice.”

My eyes settled onto the man seating in front of the drum set. He was looking at us with his cold eyes. He was playing the drumsticks with his hands. He has those eyes that can take your breath away and even your soul.