LOGINREINA“Oh my God.” I gasp, dangling the diamond neckpiece in the air. It’s such a sight! I notice the small locket on it and open it eagerly. A chuckle escapes me when I see the picture inside. It’s a picture of all of us I took during my earlier days here. Alan looking like a grump while Ethan and I stuck out our tongue like goofs… Quickly, my laughter turns to a a small sob. I glance at Alan who’s laughing at me. I swat his chest, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.“You know, back then, I was sure you were going to drive me nuts.” He tells me, holding out his hand for the neckpiece. I give it to him and turn around.“So I didn’t end up driving you nuts?” I can’t help asking. He laughs. I feel his arm graze my skin, and just the slight touch causes my body to tingle. The coldness of the metal directly contrasts with the heat of his hands on my skin.When he takes a while to respond, I know this is affecting him too.“Oh you did.” He finally says, moving back after he’s clasped
REINA It’s lights out for everyone as soon as we get home. It’s been a long day, an eventful one too. One that has me smiling in my sleep until the next morning. “Reina! Presents!” My sleep is abruptly interrupted by Ethan’s screaming. I struggle to peel my eyes open, my bones heavy with exhaustion. The sun from the curtains I didn’t remember to pull closed last night almost blinds me. “Huh?” I mumble, still very much sleep-drunk. He jumps on the bed now, shaking my arm. “Presents under the Christmas tree! Don’t you know? It’s Boxing Day today!” I finally open my eyes. Ethan’s clutching my hand whilst sitting beside me on the bed, wearing the cute Christmas-themed onesie I picked out for him last night and his favorite Kaio neckpiece. It doesn’t take long for me to start getting excited about the presents. I got Ethan and Alan something days ago, but I wanted them under the tree until it’s time to unwrap presents. Finally. It’s nothing expensive, but I put a lot of tho
REINATee and Gramma don’t stay long even after they arrive an hour after us. Tee wants to—I can see it written all over his face—but Gramma is thoroughly tired, and we both know we have to let her rest. I walk back from escorting them to the car Alan provided outside, trying to maintain keeping my chin up.“Your dress is gorgeous. You look like a real life doll.” I turn around to see who’s given me my first compliment for the night. She smiles brightly at me, then raises her camera to get a shot.She rushes to me and shows me the shot she took. I gasp. It’s clearly an unaware picture. My eyes are wide as I look at her, giving me the impression of having the cutest doe eyes. My hair is only a bit messier but it just makes me look more real. My hands grab at my dress… I just look like a princess!“Like it?” She squeaks against my ear. My smile takes over my whole face.“Like it? I love it!” I gush. “Let me take more!”She goes back a few steps and takes more pictures, while I change
ALANI can’t keep my hands off her. Ethan’s obviously having the same problem—even he is attached to her by the hip.He’s smiling more than I’ve ever seen him smile in a while. He looks at Reina like she’s glass, careful to touch her like he usually would, like he’s afraid she’ll break.I can’t blame him. She’s exquisite. Worth every single penny I spent putting all these together. I wonder if the adoration in his eyes matches the one in mine. No. Mine would definitely be darker, more cynical.I pull the car door for her when we get outside. Ethan helps her get the rest of her dress inside the car. She blows him a kiss.“Thank you, gentleman.” I pause a second longer at the door, like I’m waiting for my own appraisal. My own thanks… but she only manages a glance at me and looks away with a rosy blush on her cheeks.That’s enough.I shut the door and go over to the driver’s seat, starting the engine.“What do I say?” I hear her suddenly ask beside me, and I turn to acknowledge her. “
REINA“She always liked to suck her dirty, little thumb! We were so done with her. We all took turns trying different methods to get her to stop.” Gramma spills to everyone on the table, leaving me blushing with embarrassment and my face in my hands, while Alan and the rest laugh at everything she says.Our family picture album lies on the table, open for all to see. This particular page had me on a bed, my eyes droopy as I ducked on my thumb.“Gramma, you really don’t have to say all that.” I groan. She ignores me, turning over to the next page of the album. This time, it’s Tee on the page, but he’s looking really dope to say anything but. I suck it in as we keep flipping the pages, getting a laugh or two, adoring the rest.Eventually, we finish the album and Tee flicks on the TV with a bright smile still etched on his face.“Let’s watch some Christmas classics!” He calls back at us. Alan and I’s eyes meet across the room and after a brief, heated stare at each other, we try to focus
REINAThere’s a Christmas tree in front of our house.A big ass Christmas tree with shining lights and expensive ornaments, and there’s also a huge snowman by its side. A group of children stand at a corner, watching the Christmas lights on our door. I have one question—how?I rush towards the house after paying the Uber driver, my mind racing with different ideas. The children call out my name on my way inside.“Hey Reina!”“It’s Reina! Will you give us treats, Reina?”“Can I come eat, Reina?”I stop completely at the last request, turning to the little girl who hides behind her older brother—who has a protective stance on. He has cuts all over his arms and even a few on his face. The girl has few wounds on her face too, and she looks severely malnourished with sullen eyes.Maliya… that’s her name. The last time I talked to her, she said she’s three… I guess.“You can come eat at our place whenever you want, Maliya. Come. I’ll give you some snacks.” I hold out my hand and she takes i
REINAMy mind isn’t focused these days. No matter what we do, Gramma isn’t getting any better. I offer to help Thelma with the chores, but in reality, I’m just trying to get my mind off things.Ethan has a lesson teacher now, as Alan doesn’t want him completely idle during these holidays. This mean
REINAAlan hasn’t been home for two days now.I don’t take down the decorations in those two days, at least, not all. Thelma took out more than I would’ve liked, telling me it’s a bad idea to even keep any of these decorations but I cannot completely break Ethan’s heart.We were doing so well. He w
REINA“He’s home?”Thelma does not look up at me as she answers, “Hours ago. Managed to hide away but I could tell he looked really pissed.”“Oh my God.” I whisper, turning away at the same time the clanking of the knife on the table causes me to jump. It’s Thelma, I realize when I spin back around
ALANI must be dreaming.My house looks like a fucking circus. I get down from my car, seeing red. The security in front of the house shift their feet uncomfortably.“What the hell happened here?” I glance around again, my eyes meeting the fake snow, wreath and snowmen that litter around. My door’s







