CHAPTER NINE

WHEN BLUE OPENED his social media account, various comments immediately popped up about him—screenshots of his s*x scandal with Teressa. It had even been turned into memes for people’s amusement and used as a joke. He also opened his favorite p*rn site, which he often visited, to check if the video had already been uploaded there. He could only pout when he saw that the video was already on the trending list.

He didn’t care what others would say about him. He was already used to being judged. What truly worried him was his girlfriend, Teressa.

He called her because he couldn’t sit still.

“Babe?” Blue said sadly.

“Sorry, babe, if I lost my phone,” Teressa replied, crying.

“It’s not your fault, okay? You didn’t mean for that to happen, but I’m really worried about you. I’ll visit Auntie tomorrow. I want to ask for forgiveness and explain everything.”

“No need, babe.”

“Why?”

“We’re leaving the country tomorrow.”

Teressa lived a luxurious life. She was the daughter of a businessman who ran a major shipping line in Cebu. Because her family was powerful and had many connections in the Philippines, they quickly arranged their departure.

“W-What? B-But what about me? Are you leaving me? Are you breaking up with me?”

“Yes. That would be best for everyone. This is also my decision. I’m not brave enough to face this. In the States, no one will know me. I can start over there.”

“Alright, if that’s what you want. I’m sorry for everything, babe.” Blue’s tears welled up as he remembered that day. He had been the one to convince Teressa until she finally agreed.

“Don’t take all the blame, Blue. I’m also at fault. At least now we both realized how wrong what we did was. These are the consequences.”

“Exactly. I’m really sorry. I know your parents hate me. Can I talk to them?”

“They’re still furious, Blue. But when I feel it’s the right time, I’ll explain things to them myself.”

“I’m sorry again, Teressa. I just want you to know that you made me really happy when we were together. I’ll miss you. I hope you find someone there who will love you—unlike me, who only wanted one thing from you.”

“I know. From the start, I was the only one who truly loved, but even so, I still felt that you were genuine. You still treated me special. Thank you for that. You’re a good person. I’ll miss you too. I’ll miss your craziness.”

“You’ll miss my face.”

“You’re so silly. Just remember this—you are loved by many. I’m one of them.”

Blue’s tears finally fell when he heard what Teressa said. He couldn’t believe that there was a woman like her—someone who didn’t know how to hold grudges.

“Thank you. Take care in the States. Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Thank you. Goodbye, Blue.”

When Teressa ended the call, Blue couldn’t stop himself from bursting into tears. Guilt was eating him up. He knew that their sex scandal video was the reason why she had decided to leave.

The door to the room opened, and Red entered. He smiled when he saw Blue hiding under the blanket.

“I know you’re still awake, so get up. I have something for you.”

“I don’t want to. I don’t have the appetite.”

“I brought your favorite.”

Blue raised an eyebrow. “What is it? P*ssy or Chuckie?”

Red laughed. “Didn’t you just say you had no appetite?”

Blue immediately got up. “I guess I have an appetite now. I just remembered.”

Red couldn’t stop grinning as he handed over three Chuckie drinks to his twin. “I know you’re strong. We’ll get through this. But for now, what you need to do is apologize to our parents.”

Blue nodded. “Okay, but let me drink this first.”

“Go ahead. I love you, Blue.”

“I love you more than I love myself. Remember that.” Blue looked at his brother while sipping the Chuckie. “Aren’t you ashamed of me, Red?”

“Why would I be ashamed of you? Just because of that? It was just a mistake, and all mistakes can be corrected.”

“But I’m afraid of Dad.”

“I’m here. I will protect you no matter what happens.”

Blue finished all the Chuckie drinks Red gave him before they left the room. Minutes later, the two were already in the living room. When Red saw Blue’s trembling legs, he wrapped an arm around his twin to calm him down. Blue turned to him and smiled.

“Thank you,” Blue said.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go talk to them,” Red said. The two were now standing in front of their parents.

“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry for what I did. I’m sorry if I brought shame to you. I promise I’ll be better from now on,” Blue said.

“Mom, Dad, I hope you give Blue another chance. He’s doing his best to make you proud. I hope you see that,” Red added.

Blue turned to his twin and smiled. “That’s right, Mom. And it’s also true that I have high grades.”

“Go to sleep,” Crezelda said flatly.

“I understand that you’re still angry about what I did, but I’ll show you that I can change.” Blue looked at each of his parents. “We’ll head upstairs now. I’m sorry again.”

The two returned to their room. Blue couldn’t stop himself from rolling around on the bed out of pure joy.

“Do you think they’ll ever forgive me, Red?”

“Of course. But it takes time. Just do your best. Make them proud.”

“Okay. Let’s sleep.”

          ***

RED AND BLUE visited Rosa’s mansion. Blue apologized for what he had done, and Rosa forgave him. Her only request was that he never repeat the same mistake. Blue promised the old woman that she could count on him. They stopped talking when Belinda arrived, her eyes filled with fury.

“Mom, you forgave that boy so quickly? He brought disgrace to our company! That’s why he turned out that way—rude and ill-mannered—because you keep tolerating his behavior!”

Rosa clutched her chest. “Why do you always pick on my grandson? He already apologized to me. What do you expect me to do? Disown him? Beat him like your twin twin did? Slap him like Crezelda did? Judge him the same way you’re doing now?”

“If that’s what it takes!” Belinda shouted, glaring at Blue with eyes burning with rage. “You raised a demon!”

Rosa let out a deep sigh. She felt hurt for Blue.

“Auntie, you’re going too far! Don’t speak to my twin like that. Yes, he made a mistake, but he already regrets it,” Red said, pulling Blue behind him protectively.

“You too! If you had taught him proper manners, he wouldn’t have turned out like this!”

“Then what am I, Auntie?” Blue asked, visibly irritated.

Red turned to him. “Don’t talk, Blue. Please.”

“No, Red! Don’t stop me.” Blue looked at Rosa. “Sorry, Grandma, if I talk back to Auntie. She’s going too far.” He pulled Red aside so he could look Belinda directly in the face. “So what am I, Auntie?”

“You really don’t know? Rude! Disrespectful!” Belinda shouted, pointing a finger at him.

“Rude? Disrespectful? The way you’re yelling at Grandma—isn’t that disrespectful too? And comparing me to my twin ever since we were little—is that good behavior? I never talked back to you despite everything you did to me, Auntie, because I respected you. Like Grandma said, never talk back to your elders. But how can I respect you when you treat me like trash? I’ve been doing my best, haven’t I? Yes, I’m mischievous, but you? You, Daddy, Mommy—even Uncle—all of you pushed me to become like this! You all see me as a failure. I’m not in some competition to constantly be compared to my brother!”

“Don’t change the topic, Blue! We’re talking about your video scandal! You are such a disgrace to this family!” Belinda shouted.

“Disgrace your face! Should I send you part two?!” Blue yelled, causing Belinda to faint. His eyes widened when he saw her collapsed on the floor.

“Belinda!” Rosa screamed and rushed to her daughter.

“I’m sorry, Grandma,” Blue said, visibly nervous.

Rosa turned to Blue. “I understand you, baby, but what you did was wrong, okay? Don’t ever do that again.”

“I know. I’m really sorry.”

Belinda was rushed to the hospital. She couldn’t handle being talked back to by Blue.

When the twins returned to the mansion, their parents scolded Blue, but they didn’t lay a hand on him. He apologized for what he had done. Thanks to Red’s help, the scolding didn’t escalate. Red explained the situation, and their parents began to understand why Blue had acted that way.

Earlier that afternoon, the person who had leaked the video was finally caught, with the help of their father’s friend who was an IT expert. The culprit was now in police custody and had been charged. They wanted the perpetrator to face justice. The damage caused by the leak was severe—especially since the two involved were still students.

          ***

THREE MONTHS PASSED, and Blue still longed for attention from their parents, despite doing everything he could. His test scores had significantly improved since he started studying diligently. But even if they continued to ignore him, he never gave up trying to be noticed. Every day, he gave his best. He didn’t even go out with friends anymore during night-outs.

Blue had changed so much about himself. Red continued guiding him in making decisions, and Blue always listened to his twin.

***

THE SOLID FRIENDS—Red, Blue, Grey, and Green were still at the university. The Miss Montenegro University pageant was about to take place, and the boys were excited to see the stunning candidates of their school.

The emcee, a Mass Communication student, took the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers as they introduced the event. The venue was packed, with hardly any seats left.

The pageant began, and twelve candidates from different departments walked onto the stage, dancing to DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki” for the opening number. It was obvious that the event had been well-prepared.

One by one, the candidates introduced themselves.

“A pleasant evening to everyone! I’m Katleya Yellownora Marie C. Quizo, nineteen, College of Engineering!”

The crowd screamed—except for Red and Blue, who stood frozen in awe at her beauty. Among all the candidates, Katleya stood out the most. She was absolutely elegant—like a goddess.

Grey turned to Blue. “Damn, she’s gorgeous.”

“You said it,” Blue replied with a grin, his hand unconsciously resting over his crotch. He had gotten hard.

“Look at Red,” Grey whispered to Blue.

Blue glanced to his left and smiled when he saw Red’s intense gaze fixed on Katleya.

He nudged Red in the side. “Ooh, someone’s in love!”

“No, I’m not,” Red replied, eyes still glued to the stage.

“You got turned on, didn’t you?” Blue teased.

Red looked at his twin. “Idiot.”

Blue laughed as he watched his annoyed brother. After teasing him, he moved behind Red and hugged him from the back.

“You’re my life, twin,” Blue thought to himself.