Chapter 5

The last time I saw my mom, she told me I was special. Not just because I am her only girl, but because she look out for me the most.

I used to be a crybaby and very fragile when I was a little. That's why they all observe their behavior when I am around and they never let me get hurt.

I was not used to befriending just anyone because my instinct is telling me that they will leave me someday. Some will talk behind my back because of my personality, some will use me for fame and power, and there would be people who'll aim to put me in danger because I'm weak.

I was taught to take precaution when it comes to socializing, that's why from being an annoying crybaby, I became too self centered and protective with my well being.

I didn't notice that because of my desire to avoid being hurt, I became different from other people. I don't know how to get along with many and I am often entitled as 'ill-mannered brat' when I was in my freshman days in high school.

They say I lack emotions, I don't know what's painful and what's not with my words. Until I met Cora who literally slapped me right in the face when I told her that her mom passed away because it's her time to die.

After a year then, my mom passed away, too. She was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer called 'Multiple myeloma' and she fought for her life for four years, but sadly, she didn't make it.

I already expected that Cora would laugh at me and tell the same thing I told her back then. But I was surprised when instead, she went to my mom's funeral and hugged me sincerely. No matter how much she wanted to lash out on me, she couldn't because she knew how it feels to lose a mother and she wouldn't want me to feel more down.

After that, we became friends and I apologized for what I've said.

"Don't worry, your mother is looking for you up there." Daddy said while wiping the tears on my cheeks. I am here at his office and we're sitting beside each other on his sofa. We're both silently looking at the huge portrait of my mother.

"I miss her, dad .." I whispered with my cracked voice. I couldn't help it, I cried out and hugged him. He tapped my head and caressed my back.

"I know .. and I miss her, too." he admitted. His voice is so low and relaxing. I could say that my father is strict and business minded, but he's the sweetest and the most calm person I know.

I never saw him cried even on my mother's funeral. He just stood there and stayed awake all day to manage everyone without showing us what he really felt at those moment. We stayed that way for minutes until I felt my eyelids getting heavy and I fell asleep.

I woke up in my room with sore eyes. I heard my cellphone vibrate on the side table, so I reached for it. I received a message from Brianna.

Brianna:

Let's hang out.

I rubbed my eyes before replying.

Me:

To where

It's already 4:15 in the afternoon and I haven't even eaten yet.

Brianna:

ABC. It's Nadia's birthday, she reserved the bar and we're allowed. C'mon!

My forehead frowned. Nadia? I don't even know her. Plus, I'm not in the mood to hang out right now. I just want to rest. And Wyatt is here so I also wanna be here.

Me:

I'm busy, you guys take care.

Yawning I got up and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. It took me half an hour before I finished and when I came out of the bathroom I did my body rituals. I wore a black tank top with a large gucci logo print and ripped denim shorts. I paired that with a black velcro sandals and gold minimal necklace.

Since I'm not busy, I did light make-up and curled my hair. When it was over, I sprayed my favorite perfume and left the room, but I was just as shocked to see brother Sage's bandmates in our living room.

"Hi, Lea!"

"Hey, Ricci! Lea, oh!"

To my surprise, it was a raw smile I gave them as they went down the stairs. Vincent, Luke, Ricci and Andrei are all here. Their group is called 5pm. I  did not see kuya Sage. When I finally got down I approached them.

"Hi" I greeted and hugged  them one by one.

"Smells good, huh," commented Andrei who was their drummer. He is Adam's younger brother, Adam the owner of ABC. When I hugged Ricci, they made a noise. He is the keyboardist and it is not hidden from my knowledge that he likes me but brother Sage is against with anyone in his band. Well I don't want him either, he's too kind and I can only hurt him.

"You're beautiful, Lea." He said after hugging so I smiled at him.

"Thanks, where's kuya?" I asked them.

"Ah, he's fixing  your studio upstairs first, he'll be here in a minute." Vincent replied, he's the bassist in their band, while Luke who just nodded at me is their lead guitarist.

Actually, I have a crush on him since when I was in high school. He's tall, smart, gentleman, but not so approachable like the other members. He's kinda cold, you know. He's so ideal but I don't know why I can't see myself with him even just for a fling. He's not initiating, anyway, so I'm not really interested on chasing him.

"Well then, feel at home." I bid my goodbye and went to the kitchen to find some food. I sat in the high chair and on the countertop to eat.

"Davi," I called our maid Davi who's washing the dishes.

"What, dear?"

"Uh .. did you, uhm .. perhaps saw Wyatt?" I asked.

Davi's forehead wrinkled. "Who's that? Sage's band mate?" I gasped when I realized only me and kuya Loren call him 'Wyatt'.

"I mean, Gavin. Did you see him?"

"Oh .. your cousin? He left. He didn't tell me where he will go." She replied with a shrug on her shoulders.

First she reminded me that we were cousins. Second, why did that brute left without telling us where he'd go? I mean, when I'm leaving I tell my older brothers, ah, just respect those with him at home, right?

I nodded slowly, "Thank you," I said to Davi and she continued washing. I, on the other hand, had no appetite, I was so slow that it was already six o'clock when I looked at the wall clock in the kitchen. I already drank water.

When I finished, I went back to the living room and saw Kuya coming downstairs without his shirt.

"Hey, you're up."

"No, actually, I'm sleeping." I rolled my eyes and sat down beside Luke. He was crossing his arms and wearing a white polo shirt and black pants. He looks so clean, the tribal tattoo on his right shoulder also suits him.

My older brother frowned. "Are you in a bad mood, or what?"

They all looked at me so I just sighed. "Are you going to rehearse?" When I changed the subject, my kuya nodded.

"Yes, for kuya Loren's wedding. We'll play." He replied.

"But you're the vocalist, how can you sing when you're the best man, too?" I asked.

"Luke will take my place, and besides, we can all sing." He explained and I was amazed. I often hear only my older brother. Sometimes, Vincent, but I didn’t expect that all of them can actually sing. There are people like that, good at instruments and tuned.

I turned to Luke and raised an eyebrow at him, he met my gaze and raised an eyebrow as well. I laughed and he drew a smile on his lips.

"I'll watch you then." I said before standing.

"Aren't you going somewhere, Lea?" Andrei asked.

I shook my head. "Let's go." I draggedthem and went up to the studio first.

I sat on the long sofa in front of the stage where the four were seated. Older brother Sage was standing next to me and folded his arms.

"One, two, three." Kuya Sage gave the cue and Luke started to strum his guitar.

"What day is it? And in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive

I can't keep up and I can't back down

I've been losing so much time "

When he spoke the first words, I was horrified by the beauty of his voice. Older brother Sage is still better, but they have different voice quality.

I didn't realize that I had closed my eyes while listening, I kept my eyes closed and savored the taste of his voice in my ear. The song suits his voice and it felt so natural to hear the lyrics from him.

When I opened up my eyes , Luke and I had the right vision. I smiled at him to let him know that he's doing it right and I'm enjoying the song.

I just smiled as I put my feet and head together in the song. Well, I can already imagine Celine's sister walking down the aisle while they play. Or will they sing there? Maybe at the reception? Nevermind. I'm terrified. When I got to the last part of the song, I couldn't stop myself and I kept up, but only weakly. My voice is ugly. And that's just ugly about 'kin!

It's past eight when they finish and they've done five songs. I stood up and clapped my hands to compliment them.

"Oh my God, that was so good! Congrats!" I told them.

"Really?" Andrei asked so I nodded.

"Damn, Ricci, she said it was great oh." Vincent put his arm around Ricci who shyly bowed and smiled.

Luke went straight to his older brother to talk to him. I said goodbye and went down first to prepare dinner.

As I went down the stairs I felt my cellphone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw Cora's dm for me.

'Please go get this man home, it's too attracting for the girls in the bar!'

My forehead frowned when he sent me the picture, even though it was dark I recognized what was in the picture. It was Wyatt with his two friends I saw on ABC last time. Their couch is filled with girls. There were two women attached to him and one of them looked familiar but I don’t remember.

He had three buttons open on the top of his dress shirt and his eyes were also wide as he talked to the woman next to him.

He looked serious and his eyes are dark. Even though he wasn't facing the camera, the bulge in his eyes was noticeable. His angled head gave me the best view of his sharp jaw. I was swallowed.

Doesn't he have a girlfriend? The girl named Sadie, right? Did they fight? Did they break up already?

I couldn't think anymore and I ran down the stairs and went straight outside. Davi will prepare dinner for them.

I called our driver and quickly delivered to ABC. I told him not to tell my dad where we will go and he nodded.

The wind blew me away and bit my lip so hard. What the hell, I refused to go to that party to be with him here but he was the one who went and had fun? I fucking regret my decision! Damn it.