Jane's POV
PRESENT
The tragic beauty of this sleeping place became my new valid territory, this place echoed with unbearable grief. Birds swinging on the strands of melancholy, the sun couldn't outshine the emptiness of the heartfelt loss.
In every direction, I was surrounded by lined monuments, left to right, back, and front. There was a new hut waiting for its new owner and yet my mind couldn't find a more perfect habitat to keep our everlasting bond alive.
" You wanna listen to the good news? " I asked, excited to report to him.
" I'm officially a fifth-year electronic engineering student. Still can't believe it myself.
Granny says that I'm becoming a grown beautiful woman " I giggled. " I think some might agree that I'm more beautiful than you right now, and that is why she still insists I need a boyfriend. "
I tossed a large portion of chips in my mouth. From the other side of the cemetery, a vertical wrinkle formed between Cesar's eyebrows, as he narrowed his eyes looking my way.
Cesar is the gravedigger, we are pretty close, maybe because I'm always here. He likes ignoring me most of the time, but deep down, very deep almost finding petrol, I know he enjoys my presence. He says that I'm weird, but hey, he is the gravedigger, not me.
" Actually it's all your fault I don't have a boyfriend" I continued with my mouth full. " Whenever I go to Granny's she cooks for two, then I've to eat for the both of us"
"So the extra pound I've been putting on is also your fault, I miss my skinny self "
I brought my knees to my chest, wrapped my arms around the legs, and buried my head on them.
" Happy 21st birthday to us twin " I whispered.
After his death, I drowned deep in depression. I went to several therapists but didn't help. Most of the time I would just sit in front of them, staring at the wall never saying a word.
Our house became dreadful, we didn't know what to say to each other for a long time, I guess he was the glue that kept us together.
First-year mom didn't want me to go to college, she said I was not ready yet, but I went anyway. I needed something to occupy my mind, to prevent myself from going insane. I changed from medicine to Electronic engineering, that way I felt closer to him.
Everyone else has moved on, I guess I'm the only one who couldn't. Luke is dating Annabelle, they actually look cute together. Ailee is in a long-distance relationship with Kim Yong and I was just trying to bury myself in the books.
Ailee chose Journalism, Luke is doing mechanical engineering and Annabelle is doing business management, we are just praying that she will make it out alive.
It became a habit to visit his grave and talk about everything that was going on. I would always sit back to back with his grave and talk non stop. I think it made me feel like he was still involved in my life.
I either spent our birthdays here or at Granny's. I couldn't be at home because the atmosphere was melancholic. I wouldn't know if we should celebrate or morn. I know that as a family we were trying to make things go back to normal, but this date wasn't the best.
After a few months, we found out from the police that he was shot by a group of guys that stopped him in the middle of the road pretending to have a problem with their motorcycle. The CCTV captured Jaden stopping the car to try and help them, but when he walked out of the car one of the guys grabbed him by the collar and he tried to fight him off, when he finally managed the other guy shot him.
I couldn't understand why they shot him. It was strange because it seemed like they wanted to kill him, but why? They could've just taken the car and leave.
" Sometimes I feel like when mom and dad look at me, they see you " I frowned at the thought " I'm a constant reminder that you are gone "
" I better go, granny is waiting for me. Now that holidays started if I don't visit her, she will be on my case " I grabbed my bag moved in front of the gravestone.
" Love you, big guy" I told him, more like reminding myself.
" Goodbye Cesar" I told Cesar, that seemed to enjoy the fact that I was finally leaving. I decided to walked to granny's as it was just a few blocks from here, so I would be there in no time.
" Look who decided to show up " Granny mumbled.
I chirped throwing my bag on the couch and hugged her." Grumpy as ever "
She let go of me, went straight to the kitchen, and came out with a birthday cake " Happy birthday pumpkins "
I blew the candles out and we started eating.
For some reason, she always says ' Pumpkins 'on our birthday as if saying it to Jaden as well. I guess I'm not the only one who didn't move on.
She arched an eyebrow shaking her head " You are coming from his grave right? "
" No " I replied without looking at her, I knew what she was about to say.
" You need to start living my child, you can't be stuck in the past forever "
" I'm living, I just went there because is our birthday "
" You go there almost everyday Jane, it's killing you. You are hurting, hiding your emotions will only just makes it worse. Since that day, you didn't cry, not even once "
" Sometimes, I wake up and I swear I can hear his voice " My voice squeaked. " I feel like if I start crying I'll never be able to stop "
" Oh my child, come here " She opened her arms to welcome me for a warm embrace " You have been through soo much. Allow yourself to breathe "
" After all these years, I still have no idea of what to do, every plan I had involved him, every inch of it, and now, I've nothing "
--
As the holidays dwelled between nature's gravest foe, day and night, soon enough, a brilliant orange flared down into quiet gleaming stars, announcing
the majestic arrival of a new freshly baked year.
My last year as a student, I couldn't wait to finish.
The first week of classes was enjoyable, I had only three modules, all part-time. So I had time to spend with my Aliens.
Being around Annabelle and Luke was mesmerizing. She was always arguing about something and he always replied with 'okays'.
Ailee was always on her phone, chatting with her boyfriend. We still didn't know him personally, we only talked through video calls, but he was already part of the crew, personally, he was like a brother.
After classes, I took new flowers to Jaden's grave. I wanted to stay but the weather was gray and cloudy threatening to rain. I decided to walk to granny's house before it rains.
I was halfway there when the rain drizzled down, stinging my skin.
" Good! Just what I needed " I took a deep breath. " I knew water was the enemy of progress since Titanic "
I arrived soaked, my pale skin missing heat. I stormed into the house, there was no one in the living room, I didn't bother to look behind me.
" Granny, can you help me with a towel " I shouted my lungs out. " I'm drowning in these clothes "
' I need to get out of these clothes, like yesterday '
I threw my bag on the floor, took off my shirt then I heard a noise coming from upstairs.
Niklaus's POV I walked out of the car, and I was welcomed by leaves caught in the wind as a cold breeze replaced the warmth in my body. I still can't believe my father convinced me to come back here. It has been almost twenty years since we left this place, yet I found myself back in the one place I tried to run away from. It reminds me of her. After everything that happened, I decided to make England my home. I buried myself in the family business to help my father and made my little princess my top priority. Working became my new hobby more like an addiction, one could call me a workaholic if they dared to. I had no time or interest in relationships, women were all the same, they all had that same smitten gaze towards me, I find it repelling. That might be one of the reasons why I never go out with the same woman twice and earned the nickname ' Cold prince ' it pretty much
Jane's POV Looking up, I saw a little girl in a pink dress coming down the stairs. She must be six or seven years old, her brownish hair was in a ponytail and her blue eyes were glowing with amusement as she smiled at me. " Hello, my name is Nora, what is your name? " She introduced herself. It took me a moment to process her presence, I'm sure I had never seen her before. " Jane " I replied. Wow, this is awkward, she will think I'm probably a crazy person with no shirt on. " Hi Jane " She said, then peeked behind me. " She is cute, isn't she Nik?" I turned around to see who she was talking to, and I felt the warmth of the blush as it crawled up my cheeks. A leaning against the door frame. He wore in black sweatpants, a short sleeve t-shirt, and the white material exposed the ink that
Niklaus's POV " Say that again?? " I roughly stood up and walked around my desk." Who is responsible for this? " The two men standing in front of me, looked at each other as if debating who should answer. " Sr we... still recruiting staff members as we are short of employees in the legal Department " The tall guy explained " It will be solved soon " " I'll give you two working days to solve it, if not, I want your resignation letter on my desk " " But sir it's__ " We were interrupted when Charles walked into the office. " I see, you still got that temper " He said patting one of the guy's shoulders." Can you please give me a moment with my son? " They both walked out leaving me with the old man. " You still come unannounced like always" I grumbled. " You need to
Jane's POV " My day couldn't be better " I smiled enjoying the sunset. I closed my eyes and felt the breeze. We were all at Granny's garden eating laughing just like before. Jaden ran towards me and started tickling me. I couldn't stop laughing, tears forming as I laughed harder. There was music playing but I could see where it was coming from. " Stop, stop it" I begged him. His expression suddenly changed. He looked at me, sadness in his eyes." I'm sorry Jane " I was so confused. " Why are you sorry Jaden " I looked around and everyone was gone, we were no longer in the garden we were in a dark room I can only see his face. I glanced back at my twin, his eyes tearing up." Wait, ...don't.. wait for me Jaden, do-don't go please ." Ipleaded feeling like my chest was shrinking.
Niklaus's POV " He should decrease salt intake, and exercise more" The doctor said handing out few tablets." this will help bring his blood pressure down" "Should I hire someone to make sure you take your meds, or you'll save both our time and do it willingly ?" I attempted to reason with Charles when we entered the car. " I'll personally take my medication, you need a distraction to keep you away from my life. You are young, don't you have any other hobbies apart from fixing your nose in your old man's life?" he muttered non stop. "Next, we'll be having lunch with some old friends" he added and the ' WE ' part didn't make its way through my brain. "Just give me the address, I'll drop you there." I tried simulating that his previous statement didn't involve me. " Niklaus you are coming with me" "I've too man
Jane's POV Who are the Salvatores ? Wait!!" I walked back inside and as I suspected there was a guy standing there, I barely saw him when I came flying downstairs. Show off!! Is this guy running for Mister world competition or something?! why does he have to look like he is ready for a photoshoot. And why on earth do I always check him out?. It took only a second for my cheeks to betray me and turn ruddy when I meet his cold yet warm gaze. I returned the glance nonchalantly even though my heart was acting in an opposite state. This guy had the audacity to wiggled his brows while eying me up and down with his stoic expression. I swear I already ripped the smirk out of his face ten times in my head. Couldn't help to feel like the air in here congealed around him. Well! He did wear this black crew neck tee that hugged his
Niklaus's POV "It won't happen!" I tried talking sense into my father. "You know Sarah will need help, with all the changes the company is facing she won't manage " He was right but this is totally not the solution. " I made my decision, so you can save your lecture for some other day " I informed him my patience running on a piece of very thin ice. " Well! I already instructed Sarah to take care of it. By Monday Jane will be your personal assistant. " he notified making me angry. I clenched my jaw in frustration finding it difficult to understand why is he insisting. Not willing to discuss I kept myself calm although he was testing the waters. " I don't recall you being in charge of who should or shouldn't work for me" I said trying to sound as civil as possible. "Is the company a playground for you to make
Jane's POV Before starting the day I knew today was bound to be one of those days where I just had to survive. I knew I would be late for my appointment because my car would act up, I would spend too much time in a queue to get a decent caffeine source and end up walking away empty-handed. But somehow I was here in front of a company, holding the creamiest of our expresso 'latte', and on time for my appointment. Guess my superpowers betrayed me today. It might be the nightmares because I always feel trapped in a mental ward, I feel the restrictions imprisoning my soul every time the nightmares materializes. But I always welcome it again and again because only then I can hear you laughing, I feel the warmth of our bond, finally, I can once again breath, and even for a split second, I have a brother. Before I