Chapter 5

Sylvia Pov

     " H-hi.." I muttered, scratching my hair. He still wore the surprised look.

     " What are you doing here?" He asked me, but I was toi tongue-tied to reply. Did Alex just speak to me??

   " She came to deliver a parcel." Hazel replied, then gazed at her brother, her brows scrunched up. " Are you going out?"

   " Um... Yes. " He replied, glancing at me.

   " But what about me? " She asked, pouting.

   " Mum's going to be home soon. Besides, you have the maids and nanny Patricia to keep you company. I won't take long, I promise." He said.

   " Whatever... She muttered and stomped out of the room. Alex sighed and shrugged. He then turned to me. 

   " I-i have to go now. My mum's probably waiting for me." I began when I finally got a hold of myself, moving backwards.

   " Okay." 

    Due to my nervousness, I bumped into one of the chairs on my way out. " Sorry." I whispered, my cheeks reddening.

   Alex chuckled, amused. I hurriedly snatched my bags and sprinted out of the room, mounting on my bicycle and speeding. If you saw me, you'd think something was chasing after me.

   Wow, what a splendid way to meet your crush.

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           Alex's P. O. V

      After pacifying hazel with apologies and lots of sweets, I made my way out of the house to Tasha. Yeah, she's my girlfriend. We got together sometime last summer and although I'm not exactly freaky about this relationship, it's a great way to pass the time. 

   I rang the doorbell, and she opened it, all smiles. She immediately wrapped her hands around me, kissing me on the cheek.

   " You came! Was expecting you." She muttered. I rolled my eyes.

  " I told you I would." I said. We disengaged from the hug and she ordered me in.

   Sitting on the couch, I glanced around. " Where are your parents?"

   " My parents? They went out on a business trip." She replied.

   " Wow. When last did I see them like last month?? "

   " It's much easier to have snow in summer than to see my parents around. Always traveling, forgetting that they have a daughter." She said, adding the last bit rather sadly. For a second there, I felt kind of sorry for her.

   " Anyway, I'm here. So why'd you call me?"

   She beamed, her face radiating.

   " The house was awfully boring,, so I thought we could spend some time together. Plus, there's this new movie I thought we could watch together.... "

   And the rest, they say, is history.

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    Hours later, after watching the movie and doing a little chit chat, I made to leave.

   " Leaving so soon?" She complained. " Why don't we spend some more time together? "

  " I can't. I promised Hazel I'll read her bed time story tonight. "

   " Oh... I almost forgot. Hazel's there. "

   " She's my sister Tasha. Be nice. "

   " Whatever... " She mumbled but I heard it all the same. 

   " Bye... Have a goodnight." I muttered, walking away when she stopped me.

    " So... I'm not going to get my goodnight kiss?" She asked, looking horrified.

    " Sorry, almost forgot." I went back and kissed her full on the lips.

    " Happy now? "

     "A little." She muttered, smiling sheepishly. I smiled and left, this time around, getting into my car and driving home.

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    When I arrived, Hazel had already slept and I  made a mental note to read it for her tomorrow cause I know she'll be angry with me come morning.

    I was on my way to my room when I saw my mom on the balcony, staring into the night, lost in thought. On an impulse, I went over to see her.

   " Hey mom." I greeted when I got closer. She seemed startled but when she saw it was me, relaxed.

   " Hey there. You're already back. "

   " Yeah... Wanted to read Hazel her bedtime story. Apparently, she couldn't wait for that. " I said chuckling.

   " Yeah, she's really mad at you for not keeping your promise. I told her you'll read it for her tomorrow, come sun, come rain. "

   " I know that, right? " 

   We laughed and lapsed into silence.

   " So why are you here..." I began, glancing. " Thinking? I hope it's not about 'him'? I asked, referring to my step dad.

   " Oh no, it's not about him. It's something else."

   " Okay... That's a relief. " I said. "What is about then?" 

   " It's better if you don't know." She said instead, but her lips quivered. That instantly made me worried.

    " You know, you should learn to be nicer to Edward. He has good intentions, you know... And it's been years,I expected you to have softened up by now. You're still being hard on him and it's not fair."

    " I don't want to talk about that now." I replied, waving off the memories that came with talking about my stepdad. It reminded me of my real dad and I didn't like being reminded of him.

   " It's okay... I won't force you to." She said, sounding somewhat disappointed. " You should get some rest, to wake up early for school tomorrow."

    " Okay Mom. Have a goodnight. "

    " You too honey." 

     I kissed her forehead and headed to my room. Having my night shower, I thought of what my mom said. What does she want to not know? 

    I should ask my mom what's wrong. She looks really worried. I'll do that later, when she's ready to tell me.

    I laid my head to sleep that night but i couldn't. Memories that I buried a long time kept stirring up, replaying in my head. I pinned my eyes shut, but they still didn't go away.

   Oh well... Looks like this is going to be a long night.