Chapter 1: Home

Inhaling the fresh breeze of air through the window of the bus felt so refreshing and calming while the sun's rays were slightly squinting in my eyes. It was a welcome change from the city's fast pace, the constant honking, and the endless traffic. Here, the sweet, earthy smell of trees, damp moss, and wildflowers filled my nose. It felt so relaxing, heartwarming, and heartbreaking at the same time. How could I ever forget this scent? This was the place I grew up, the place I left behind for a new life.

After almost eight years in France, I was finally heading back to my hometown. I was hesitant and a bit worried, but I just decided to ignore it. My sister is expecting me to attend and be a part of the most special event of her life. She sent the invitation last month, inviting me to her wedding day with a message that she was expecting me to come home and attend her upcoming wedding. Although I didn't understand why she ended up marrying a different man when all along I thought she was in love with my best friend Kyle, I still chose to support her decision. I just don't understand why she can easily throw away the relationship she had with Kyle and decide to marry another man? It suddenly made me wonder what happened between them after I left.

Just two weeks ago, I ran into Kyle at a bar in Paris. I was shocked to see him there. He looked so sad and lost. He was even more shocked to see me, and before I knew it, he kissed me on the lips, which surprised me and made me unable to react for a moment. Unfortunately, he mistook me for my twin sister, Alexa. He apologized when he realized his mistake. Seeing him after so long and looking so heartbroken made me angry at my sister. We talked that night, and he expressed his resentment to me. He told me how miserable he was because my twin sister was getting married. Drunk, he even asked me to help him forget her and date him. It was a crazy idea, but a part of me, after all these years, realized that he still had a place in my heart. I let him stay at my place, but the next morning, he apologized for the trouble he caused and decided to leave and go back to the country. I haven't seen him since then. 

I'm not gonna lie, one of the reasons I decided to come home is to take a chance on him. Who knows, he will eventually learn to love me and realize that I was the right woman for him?

Eight years ago, I left for Paris to chase my dreams. I left when Kyle rejected me, and my twin sister betrayed me at the same time. I felt my world collapse when I told Kyle how I felt, only for him to say he loved Alexa, my twin. I just couldn't understand... We may have the same face and almost the same features, but I was the one closer to Kyle, not my twin sister. I was even Kyle's best friend since fifth grade. We share the same passion, and I cared so much for him, the reason I couldn't understand why did he choose to love Alexa instead of me? It really seems you can't choose who you fall in love with. Some are lucky enough to be loved by the ones they desire, while others end up heartbroken just like me.

Having a twin sister sometimes felt like a curse. I loved Alexa, but people always compared us, and it felt like a constant competition. She was always the favorite-the kind, smart, and sweet and I always felt like I was in my sister's shadow. Everyone expected me to be like her, but I have my own personality, my own identity. While Alexa shone brilliantly in academics, openly embracing her desire to run the family business, my heart yearned for the vibrant world of painting and arts. I loved painting and art, but my parents didn't like that. They thought I wouldn't make a living from it. They just saw painting and art as a waste of time. I wanted to Fine Arts in college, but my Dad made me take Business Administration, just like Alexa and since my passion is not really into business, I failed and ended up disappointing my parents. 

Even with all the comparisons, Alexa was a good sister and a friend to me. She knew about my hidden feelings for Kyle and supported me all the way. Unfortunately, I didn't know my silly sister had feelings for Kyle too and just kept it to herself so she wouldn't hurt me. I wish she had just told me the truth instead of hiding it. I would have appreciated it more than feeling betrayed by someone I trusted the most. We both met Kyle in elementary school because he used to be our classmate, and he lived in the same village with us. Kyle was much closer to me because we both loved painting, arts, and music, while Alexa hated Kyle because she felt like she was competing with him for my attention. All along I knew they hated each other, but I realized they just made me believe that way to hide their true relationship. Unfortunately, on the same night I confessed and got rejected by Kyle is the same night I found out that the woman he loves is my twin sister. I caught them making out in Alexa's room because Kyle secretly used to sneak into her room. They had been hiding their relationship for months, and I didn't have any clue about it.

That night, I felt betrayed, lost, and so alone. It felt like I lost Alexa too, the one person I could always count on besides Kyle. She betrayed me not just by loving the man I loved but by keeping it a secret and making a fool out of me. Knowing they loved each other and not wanting to interfere, I yielded and decided to leave the country to study in Paris, France. I had already lost my best friend by confessing my true feelings, so there was no hope of rebuilding our friendship anyway. This situation also created a rift between my twin sister and me, leaving me feeling empty and prompting my decision to leave. My parents tried to dissuade me, with my father even threatening to withdraw financial support if I left the country. Studying and developing my talent in France had always been a dream of mine, one I once shared with Kyle. However, I realized I would have to embark on this journey alone. Despite my parents' disapproval, I left everything behind to pursue my dreams, as it was the only thing I had left after being betrayed and losing the two people I trusted most.

Life in France wasn't easy at first. Living in a strange country was tough. I came from a rich family, so learning to stand on my own two feet was a huge change. I had to work double shifts to pay for school and rent. There were times I wanted to give up, feeling lonely and without family nearby. I missed them and secretly hoped they would call, asking me to come home, but they never did. Sometimes, I wonder if my parents have already forgotten about me or if they see me as such a huge failure that they can't even bring themselves to call and ask how I'm doing. The silence between us feels like a heavy weight on my heart, making me question if I still matter to them at all. How can they just disown me and stop their support without remorse and guilt feelings? Maybe because they think I'll realize I made the wrong decision. But I never did, it's the best decision I have ever made in my life. And then I came to a point where I stopped hoping I would soon be understood by them. One thing for sure, there is not a single day I prayed for their good health and happiness. 

Despite everything, life has been good. Maybe it's because all those experiences, all those trials, forged me into someone who wouldn't break. I'm so glad I didn't give up, because all the hard work, all the pain, led to good things. I finally graduated and established my name as an artist in Paris. I even launched successful exhibits and recently established my dream Art gallery. Everything happened just exactly how I planned my life, and I was thankful for that.

A month ago, I was overjoyed when my sister reached out to me, ending our long estrangement with an invitation to her wedding. Although I didn't know how she found me, I was deeply touched that she remembered to include me in the most special event of her life. She said my parents were no longer upset and were eagerly anticipating my return home for the wedding. The truth is, I had long anticipated this reconciliation - the chance to come home and be accepted by my parents again. While I was curious about how Alexa ended up marrying someone else, I was genuinely happy for my sister and wished her nothing but the best.

After clearing my schedule and entrusting the gallery to a dear friend, I took a flight two days before my sister's wedding, expecting to arrive in my hometown the night before. I called Alexa on the day of my arrival and requested that the driver not pick me up, wanting to surprise our parents. I decided to take public transportation for the final leg of my journey, hoping to enjoy the trip home, and I was glad I did, as I found the solo travel surprisingly enjoyable. I planned to stay in the country for a month before returning to Paris, or perhaps even stay for good if things went well with Kyle. Deep down, I secretly hoped for a chance with him upon my return, wondering if he might finally learn to love me and give me a chance this time.

As I traveled, I couldn't help but grow emotional as the bus passed each place I had missed. Though some changes were evident - the town had become more developed, with new structures and establishments - the overall vibe and atmosphere remained the same. Seeing those familiar places suddenly made me nostalgic, and I reminisced about the bittersweet moments and events of my childhood. It felt wonderful to finally return to the town I once called home, and I eagerly anticipated arriving at the mansion and seeing my family. I silently prayed for a warm welcome from my parents, hoping they had longed for my return and missed me as much as I had missed them.