CHAPTER 10: corners of the second

　　Raffa’s POV

　　I just wanted to ask about how terrifying I can be when the time comes that Mara to get?the chance to manipulate me. But she suddenly tells me that she’ll be my genie? This woman… she’s full of wonders… she’s like the sun that suddenly lights up this mansion. I put down the can of beer and look at her. “Anything?” I ask. She nodded. “No exemptions?” I ask again. “Yes. Even if you tell me to jump on a bridge, I’ll do that.” That made me surprised and feel warmth for seconds. I held her cheeks and move my face closer. “A date with me in my favorite beach restaurant this Friday,” I whispered. She blushes which makes her prettier. “O…kay. Are you sure? I mean I can cook you meals for a whole year! Clean your room and so forth.” That made me laugh and sit properly. “Yup, that’s my wish. It's mine so the genie shouldn’t suggest it, right?” I remark. She simply nods. “Yes, that’s true.?But I am telling you, I’m not good in fashion and I might be the ugliest girl you ever dated,” she says. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She giggled and take her seat. “By the way, what’s the real reason why you knock on my door?” she asks. “I just wanted to know how monstrous I become after Mara starts manipulating me. I’m curious about it,” I murmured. “She will use you to face the authorities who tried to stop the production of her drug laboratory in a certain village of the next state from here. You killed several policemen. You and your men will ambush the police car before they reach that place,” she replied.

　　?“I see. Then my hands will be tainted by innocent blood until my very last breath,” I sip my drink. “Uhm, it's because that’s how I wrote your story. “Then how did the house of rose stop us from our devilish works?” I ask. “Rahim will kill Diego’s uncle because of a crossfire between them. I think Rahim was… hmm. Let me think about the reason,” she mumbles. After a few seconds, she snaps her finger. “Because Rahim has to follow Mara’s instruction of stealing the car parts that Grace’s company bought from Japan. I think that is worth $415 million? She’ll smuggle that to Canada. That’s when Grace will join hands with the authorities of bringing down camellia, poinsettia, and lily.” She gave me a chicken. I grab her wrist and take the chicken with my mouth. She blushes and takes her hand back. She’s transparent and shows her feelings which makes me happy. I feel like I can be true in front of her and she still looks at me with those pretty blazing eyes of hers. “I see. We are your perfect villain, right? But right now, you're turning the story different,” I murmured. “I know but I’m happy that I did. Because you guys are worth it,” she says. I stop eating and look at her. Her smile was wide and shows sincerity. “My goodness,” I whispered and I can’t stop myself from smiling because of joy. We stayed like this and talk about silly things. For the first time in many years, I found someone I can talk to with freedom and no judgment.

　　“You are taking her for a date today?” Rahim asks. I nodded. Raphael put down his phone. “Make sure that it won’t be too much for her. She’s still recovering,” he says. “I know. I am hoping that she’ll wear the clothes I bought for tonight,” I whispered. “Actually, I heard Mariz yelling at her because she chooses tacky clothes. I think Mariz will give your hopes into reality,” Rahim winked. I sigh. “Your opinions were making me more nervous,” I replied. “But I’m surprised at how Mariz trusts us easily,” Rahim says. “Because of her. Have you noticed how sunny she is that everyone was drawn to her that easily?” We look at Raphael. “That’s so new. I mean coming from you,” I remark. He sighs in irritation. “Shut up, Raffa.” We laugh at him until a cough broke the ambiance. “Here’s the girl!” Mariz says and moves to the other side. Our eyes widened in surprise. “What is the world!” Rahim says. “Wow. Beautiful,” I utter.

　　Gwen’s POV

　　?I blink when I saw their reaction. “Do I look weird with this type of clothes? I told you I’m good with jogging pants and a shirt,” I stated and look at Mariz. “No! How can you wear that for a date?! What are a fucking idiot?!” she talks back. “Wow. She’s scary Rahim,” I act like I’m scared and will cry soon. “You, woman!” she says with a pissed expression. I giggled and pet her. “Here you go. Sorry,” I mumbled and pet her. “I’m not a kid,” she whispered. “I know,” I stop petting her. “So? Did the boys like it?” she asked. We look at them. “Of course!” ?Their unified answers make me blush. I didn’t expect that. Mariz giggled. “Enjoy okay? Also, Mr. Raffa. Don’t make naughty things. If her cut opens, I’ll kill you.” Her scary expression was like those in anime. That made me smile because I feel like a younger sister being protected by my big sister. “Okay, I heard you. Guys, we’ll go ahead.” He grabs my palm and looks at his brothers. “Take care of her. Listen to Mariz,” Rahim says and winks. “Make sure that no one will ruin your night, okay? You two must enjoy,” Raphael says. He nodded and drag me with him. Raphael’s glance makes my heart pound like hell!?‘Damn, why am I affected by him the most? Cut the crap, Gwen!’?I tried to act normally when we leave the house.

　　?“Oh my gosh!” I remark while my eyes were glistening because of the beauty of this shore. We reach on time. The sunset is not kissing the sea! We are in the highest place of this 5-floor restaurant. We are on the window pane and we can see the sunset here. “I’m glad you like it,” he says. I nod several times and look at him. “Very much. Thank you, Raffa.” He smiled. In just five seconds the sun settles but the beauty and warmth it gives fill my heart. The waiter came and took our order. “I have a gift for you. Because of staying alive and recovering well,” he says. I grab the box and my eyes were surprised. “A bracelet? But this looks expensive.” He smiled. He held my hand and put on the bracelet. “I choose the one who represents your addiction to writing,” he says. I saw the design and I laugh. “It is, thank you.” I look at it. It has the design of doodling lines from a pen. “It was so beautiful,” I whispered. “I’m happy you like it,” he murmured. “No. I love it,” I replied. He blushes and so I did. We laugh after that.?When our order came, we start eating. He was cute when he talks about small things and freely speak what he have in mind. “So you punch Rahim when he is just 8 years old? Wow, you’re a cruel brother,” I tease. He laughs. “I’m more unfortunate. Big brother Raphael wrestled me when I was 7 and he was 8.” That made me laugh more. “My brother and I wrestled also when we are kids. We even have a bleeding nose in the end and our parents panic at that time. She thought we really hit each other because we get mad.” He laughs. “In winter, the three of us were playing the snowball fight,” he says. “We also do that! Mom will be his partner and dad was on my side,” I shared.

　　“When our parents join us, we fought altogether against them,” he added. We laugh as we shared our childhood memories. Some of their memories were based on mine but I’m happy they have a beautiful childhood like mine. That their parents loved them as much as mine. ?“I have one last surprised for you,” he said. He drags me to the beachside. He took something in his pocket and he bought fireworks that we can hold. He lights them up at once and we split them. We happily watch them burning and we even wave our hands forming smoke traces. He bought 30 pieces. After that, we seat on the sand and smell the salty breeze of the wind. “I’m happy, Raffa. This is a great day, I have. Thank you,” I whispered. I face him and kiss his cheeks. His blush made him look so cute. We are on our way to the parking lot when we bump one of his exes. “Can we talk, Raffa?” she asks. His face sours. This woman is the one who breaks his heart.