Ten

Biting the piece of a chocolate bar as I wait for Grandma to answer my call. It keeps ringing. Why would Uncle Tyrone think Giovanni is the one I am marrying?

Grandma told me it was Zach, or did she not tell me the truth?

I look at Giovanni's photo on the internet through my laptop. He is handsome, having similarities to Zach though the man is lean. His pierced jade eyes stared at my soul. A type of man you don't want to mess with. He doesn't look friendly. Rather I see him as that rugged man. Though I prefer Zach, being easy with his calm, pleasant countenance and outgoing one. It seems Gio is a specific man who talks less and has that deep voice you'll be afraid of.

Mika was right. No mention of his other family on the internet besides his father, from whom he inherited his eye.

'Hello, Sweetie?'

I looked at my cell phone. Thanks, she answered my call.

"Are you busy, Grandma?" I lowered the half chocolate and leaned my back in my chair.

'No, I am striding in my garden. The weather is good here. Is there a problem?'

"I am asking about Giovanni Del Fiore. Why would Uncle Tyrone assume I am marrying him?" I point out.

The sighs of Grandma on the line. "We thought back then Cairen was marrying Gio and looking forward to it, but Zach had the favor of Alex, their Grandfather of marrying Cairen, and your sister accepted. For what reason, I don't know. Cairen's decision hurt that poor young man. They seem in love.”

Seems in love? A ball of anger lumped my throat. How did Cairen not give these details to me? I don't think I can handle being her. It's so hard knowing many things she didn't tell me. Not fair! She was not fair!

"Are you alright, Sweetie?" Grandma must have noticed that I stopped breathing. I am not okay, and I am mad. Iffin mad!

I took a deep breath to calm my anger and screamed in annoyance. Iffin.

"Yes, Grandma," I say, trying to sound fine. Even though I want to complain and tell her I can't do this anymore, I want to stay longer with my parents. And I agreed upon knowing I was carrying an empty bag. Any minute anyone would know I am not Cairen.

'Is there anything you want to tell me, Sweetie?'

"Nothing, Grandma. How are you?”

“I am better. The fresh air of my garden made me feel fine. Your Uncle Eric was here yesterday, and we talked about the new project he plans to build in Mexico. But I can't entirely agree until I see the possibility of the project venture's success in the area. I am going there tomorrow, and I hope you are with me,' the worries in her voice.

"I can leave for a week, but if it is tomorrow, the trip will take half a day.” That means I won't be there on time, less at night.

'No need, Sweetie, you should be there, and Uncle Tyrone will accompany me with your Aunt Diana. You won't survive a day without rest from jetlag,' Grandma reasoned. And she was right.

Grandma and I talked for almost an hour, and then I accompanied Mama and Mikaella to the grocery store owned by my parents across the terminal. There were many people inside, and some glanced as we entered.

My father was at the counter where there was a line of people waiting to pay for their items. The grocery store was bigger than I expected—many things on the shelves.

"It's busy here," Mika commented, gazing at the place and snaking her arm on me. We went through the other corridor with two grocery shelves in between, more kitchen equipment, and things.

After reaching the counter, Papa told me to help him at the counter and Mikaella to help Mama in the warehouse. And I noticed the excited face of my cousin.

"Aren't you and your cousin busy right now?" Dad asked.

I am handing him the exchange of the amount and counting how much it's all with the list Papa had given me with the price.

"No, but later we're going to the cafe," I answered, and it seemed like I wanted to be a cashier. It was fun.

Until lunch came, there were still many people. Mama took over from Papa, and I helped Mikaella put canned goods on the shelves. I can see how Mikaella enjoys what she is doing, and she posted it on i***a, hashtag, and I am working hard, including her tweet account.

My phone pinged, noticing Mika tagged me with my sweaty face beside her photo.

“Seriously, Mika?” I showed her the photo, and she laughed like it was funny. It was not amusing on my behalf. I glared at her.

“You don't look bad in the picture, don't give me that stare.”

"Cairen?" A baritone voice at my side interrupted. Mika lifted her head, staring at him, and her flirty smile emerged.

I saw a tall man, powerfully built and with tan skin, as he had never had the effort to make it that way. He was stunning, adding the round glasses on him, looking geeky, wearing a white polo shirt paired with black pants and derby shoes. His long brown hair was messy from keeping it raked with his fingers whenever he seemed uncomfortable, just now, the way Mika grazes him with her eyes.

I stood crouching, facing him while trying to remember his face. "Do I know you?" I wondered.

And his eyes widened. He was lost for words. Swallowing, he says, "It's me, Evan."

Evan... The name looks familiar. I frowned until I slowly remembered that name. Evan David Villareal. Cairen's high school crush.

"Evan! Oh, it's you! You look so different and handsome,” I blurted out softly, laughing. Waving my hand. "Sorry for that. I didn't know you. How are you?”

"Did I change that much?" he asked, smiling, showing his two dimples. I know why Cairen likes him. He was so charming with his dimples. I was refraining not to poke that deep flesh on his cheeks.

Mikaella is eyeing me, giving me a look, and telling me can you introduce me to this hot guy. I shrugged my shoulders at her. I have no plan of her getting Evan, not now, that I need to have time with him.

"Yes, you changed. What are you doing here?" I asked, landing my attention on his hand, a four-rolled toilet paper and a pack of can juice.

"Always buy things here. When did you come home? Wow, you changed," he muttered and eyed me from head to toe, then back to my face with appreciation.

"Last week, five days ago, as I remember. Well, is that all you needed?"

"Yes. Grace is waiting for me outside." Then he looked at the glass door where a woman with short hair, wearing a white shirt tucked into jeans and white sneakers. She was not looking inside. Instead, her attention was on her phone and a headset on her head.

She was taller than I thought, having a petite body with a tan complexion.

"Grace..." I whispered, and Evan took another toilet paper at his back.

"I don't think she will ever forgive you for leaving her without saying goodbye." His head moved over his shoulder with contemplation in his eyes. "It makes me wonder why you left, never saying a word to anyone nor reaching out for social media. You never had social media, did you?”

I looked at Evan. Something caught my throat. If I could tell the truth, why did Cairen do that? If only I could.

He faced me, apparently waiting for my answer. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I smile despite my pain. "No, and I don't know what comes to me then. Sometimes I made a sudden decision that I didn't think about. I know that Grace is upset with me. There are things I want to get away with, and staying here makes it hard for me to move on.”

Evan looked away from me, and maybe he saw the pain in my eyes. Inhaling, I pointed to the counter. "I can help you with that."

"No, I can manage, and you look busy," he said with a smile, and I nodded, watching him walk towards the counter.

I glanced at Grace, looking at the terminal and how I wished to embrace her for Cairen's sake. What life Cairen was here, half of it I don't know, and she never told me everything. That leaves me wondering.

"Why don't you introduce me to that hot guy?" Mikaella snaps and scowls at me. "You are not fun, Kay-kay." She pouted.

"He is off limits, Mika."

Are Grace and Evan friends? What if they are more than that? Maybe Grace had moved on with her feelings. It's been five years, and emotions have changed.

"You like him, don't you?" Mikaella says. And continue putting the can on the shelves.

Cairen likes him so much, and I am not Cairen. I want to voice it out. And I choose to walk in the direction of the counter. It will be best if I talk to Evan and ask for his number.

In that way, I can get closer to Grace and ask for her forgiveness. Although my heart was so heavy and my eyes rim warmed. Because being Cairen was not easy, never did.

I set my smile while I approached Evan turning in my direction.