CHAPTER 2

Tamara

After what felt like an eternity, the plane finally landed. And God, was I glad.

"Finally!" I heard the pink-haired girl exclaim with a deep sigh.

I hope I don't fly again anytime soon. Reading a thrilling book while sitting in the same spot for hours is not my idea of fun.

The flight attendants escorted us out. After getting my luggage, I made my way to the exit while glancing all around the airport searching for my cousins, who were supposed to pick me up. Aren't they here yet or...?

"Hey, Tammy!"

I whipped my head to where the familiar voice came from, my lips curling into a bright smile as soon as my eyes landed on my cousins, Andrew and Susan.

Without further ado, I broke into a run and threw myself on Andy's arms. Sheesh, I guess I jumped too hard because he nearly fell when he caught me.

Nevertheless, he regained his balance and spun me around in the air, both of us laughing in the process.

He finally dropped me on the floor, giving me the chance to hug Sue.

"Come here, you little brat!" Sue squealed in excitement, forcefully pulling me into a very tight hug. She was literally choking me.

"Sue, let her go." Andy separated the two of us, "You're squeezing the air out of her."

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just a little excited." Sue giggled, tucking strands of blonde hair behind her ear. "OMG!"

"A little?" Andy asked.

"Okay, too excited. You're going to live with us! Ahhh!" She exclaimed, doing a little jump, spreading her arms wide. "I've always wanted a sister."

"Aww, I've missed you guys."

"We've missed you, too." The siblings replied in synchrony.

"Wow! Who knew you'd look awesome with black hair?" Sue stated, running her fingers through my hair. "Hmm! I adore this new look, and I could get used to a black haired Tammy."

Andy grabbed my luggage, "Come on, let's get you home, or Mom's not gonna let me hear anything else but her rambles."

I giggled, following them to the car while Sue talked and talked.

Andrew is the oldest of the two. He just turned twenty-two a week ago, or so, he's tall and blonde haired. He's also really smart, emotionally intelligent, but a little too overprotective if you ask me, especially with Sue when it comes to boys.

Susan is nineteen. We were age mates. Talks a lot, too friendly, outgoing and such a ray of sunshine. Trust me, where there's Sue, there's no moody atmosphere.

"Turn on the music!" She shouted as Andy started driving down the road.

Andy obliged and turned the music on. While music blasted in our car, Sue made me join her in singing along. She wasn't going to leave me alone if I didn't.

You can't imagine how grateful I was when Andy pulled up by their house.

"Here we are." Andy announced, cutting the engine.

"Come on, Mom's so excited to see you!" Sue squeaked, half-dragging me inside.

"But... my luggage!"

"Andy will bring it!"

Their house was a whole lot smaller than ours. There were no big acres of land, no gigantic gate, no spacious garage, no fancy maids or paintings or some stupid art on the wall.

It felt like what a real happy home would feel like.

Aunt Kate was in the kitchen, making dinner, her eyes lit up the moment she saw me.

"Aunty!"

"Oh, my God, Tammy! Come here, you!" She spread out her arms and gave me the warmest embrace. "You made it!"

I shrugged with a little laugh, "I guess I did."

"How was your flight?" She asked.

"Her flight was great! Come on, let me show you your room!" Sue dragged me out of the kitchen and up the stairs before I could get the chance to answer.

Yeah, Sue can be a little crazy and annoying sometimes. Scratch that. Most times. So you'd better get used to it.

"It's really nice to see you, Aunty!" I shouted.

Sue dragged me into my supposed new room.

"So, what do you think?" She enquired eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.

The room was... great, I guess. I mean, I'm in no position to complain, and also I'm not very hard to please.

"It's fabulous, Sue! I love it!" I answered, keeping my tone cheerfully bliss to match Sue's energy.

"Aww, I knew you'd love it." She rambled on, "I picked the wallpaper, the bed, the wardrobe, and the closet."

"Thanks, Sue."

"Anything for you, cuz. Mwah!" She kissed me on the cheek. "Now, I'm gonna leave alone and help Mom with dinner. You can freshen up and join us."

She rushed out downstairs. The moment she left, it felt like the room darkened. What did I say about Sue lighting up the room?

I lay on the bed and stared up at the painted ceiling. The bed too was a lot smaller to my own, though still comfortable. And I'm not complaining.

A sigh escaped my lips.

Here we are. My new home.

Can I even fit in? Will I be able to make new friends? My social skills are terrible. What if they don't like me? What if they find out who I am and what my dad allegedly did?

I'm doing it again. I'm overthinking.

The little knock on the door broke into my thoughts. I sat up and turned, only to find Andy standing in the doorway with my luggage.

"May I come in?"

"You're already in."

"Fair." He strolled in and dropped my suitcase in the middle of the room. "So, how do you like your room? Mom wanted to do the decor herself but..." He trailed away and sighed, "You know Sue."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"That stubborn brat."

"It's okay." I replied, "I love it."

"Alrighty then. I'm gonna leave you to yourself." He turned and headed to the door, "Welcome to Palmridge, Tam."

"Thanks."

"Oh, and... if you need a tour around town, I'm down."

"Got it."

When he left, I pulled out my phone and texted Mom with a photo that I've arrived. I scrolled a bit on I***a, scrolling past reels of cute dogs, food recipes, skits and parodies.

After that, I freshened up and changed into something comfortable. I didn't have my own bathroom, but that was okay. And again, I'm in no way complaining.

Something burning hit my nose the moment I descended the stairs.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Sue was apologizing to Aunty as she tried to blow off the smoke.

"This is exactly why I don't let you into the kitchen!" Aunty was reprimanding her, anger in her voice. "You let it burn. Now I have to recook everything!"

"I'm so sorry."

"Can I help?" I asked, stepping in.

"No, this little brat will clean up the mess she caused." Aunty responded.

"Okay."

I returned upstairs, then knocked on Andy's room. He appeared at the door.

"Yes, Tam?"

"Hey. It looks like I'm gonna need that tour after all."

"But Mom's making dinner." He stated.

"Sue burnt it."

"And why am I not surprised?"

I laughed, "Cut her some slack."

We left the house and got into the car. Andy drove me around Palmridge. It was quite a beautiful, lovely town filled with nice-looking people.

He showed me the beach, which was a little crowded, the popular hangout spots, the malls, the best cafes and a lot of other places.

I had to admit. It was fun. I even forgot about the burden burning on my chest all day long. I love Sue, but Andy is my favorite cousin. Sue is a ray of sunshine and so sweet, but she's too much, even for Andy himself.

Andy suddenly parked the car in a parking lot.

"Um... why are we parking?" I enquired in surprise, glancing around the place, "Why are we at a stadium?"

"I saved the best for last. I know how much you love basketball," He said with a smile, alighting from the car, "A few of my guys are playing, come on."

There was no option for me here. I mean, I was the one who accepted the tour.

The noise in the stadium was overwhelming. I followed Andy closely behind. It was hard to find an empty seat, but we finally did after several minutes of watching.

Basketball. A weird game for a girl to love, I know. But I do. However, I don't think now's the appropriate time for me to be watching basketball.

The cameras kept capturing one player and displaying him on the screen as he moved with precision on the court, scoring several goals. With each goal he scored, there was this smirk of arrogance and ego plastered on his face.

I couldn't take my eyes off him. Not because of his looks, but because he looked weirdly familiar.

I'm sure I've seen him before somewhere, but can't place him.

Andy leaned into my ear, "You see that guy?"

"That one?" I pointed.

"Yeah, him." He confirmed, "That's Devin. He's a monster on the court. He's great, isn't he?"

My heart slammed against my ribs upon recognition. Of course. I knew I recognized him.

That's Devin Sinclair.

His father used to be a former NBA player signed by my dad's agency before he retired.

I heard that his father, David Sinclair, is the mastermind who instigated the allegation that caused the devastating scandal that broke our family apart. And Dad was eager to recruit Devin into the agency, but from what I know he wasn't interested.

The Sinclairs live in Palmridge? Oh, boy. I don't think this is good.