Rain’s Point of View
I still remember when I was young. My granny Aitana and I often go here. I help her every time she waters the plants or otherwise; we get flowers and arrange them to be placed on the altar or in flower vases throughout the mansion. I sat on the steel chair near my mommy’s place. I smiled when she pulled out a book hidden on the side of the wheelchair.This is where I inherited my passion for reading books. We are also both introverts and Mommy’s personality is quiet. A lot of people say that I copy the likeness of her face.I took out the cell phone and started taking pictures of the garden. I stood up and slightly approached a pot with a rose flower planted in it. I smiled when I saw that I had taken a pleasant picture. I stepped closer to the other plants there. I was having fun taking pictures of them but it stopped me when suddenly someone spoke to me.“Do you also like flowers?” Aga asked. He wasn’t looking at me, but his eyes were on the plants.In a quick way, I observed Aga’s entire body. He was wearing jeans, a blue V-neck shirt, and shoes. I retreated. I secretly scolded myself. I took a deep breath and was about to turn away when Aga spoke again.“Don’t say you’re leaving, Ember?”I faced it. “Excuse me?”He looked at me now. “Are you avoiding me?” Aga asked. His voice is full and masculine. It also seems to have authority in the tone of speech.“Why would I do that?” I asked him again.“Because maybe I offended you the other day?” He looked straight into my eyes.I first turned to Mommy’s place and when I saw that she was with my Daddy, I met Aga’s gaze. I still smiled, but it was obviously fake. “You think things like that’d offend me?”“Is it not?” He asked with a smirk.The smile disappeared from my lips. “What’s wrong with you, Mr. Gardener?” I still stressed the last word I called him.Aga’s jaw clenched, and I could see it. I secretly smiled. His chest also rose and fell slightly. I bravely met the gaze of the person in front of me.But later, he looked away. “Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll just leave.” Aga turned away, and he left me full of annoyance and wonder.“The thick face! The arrogance!” I feel bad about what he went through.I returned to the place where my mommy and daddy were. They were talking, but when I got close, they immediately stopped and smiled at me. “It’s good that you and Aga are talking, Ember,” my daddy said.I frowned. “What’s so good about it?”Daddy was surprised, then looked at Mommy. “Ah, because you already have a friend here, anyway. I noticed that you are so aloof to your cousins.”“We are not friends.”“Ember-““I’ll go back to the room first. You go to Butterfly Haven first. I’ll just follow you there later.I walked into the mansion. I just walked slowly while looking at the picture of the flowers. I didn’t notice that I was in trouble.I dropped the cell phone from the force of bumping into the person I didn’t immediately recognize. But I didn’t immediately pick it up when I saw Azariah crying. She’s standing in front of me now and her eyes are full of tears.My eyes widened when she hugged me. At first, I was really shocked, but I felt pity for it. I hugged my cousin back, then rubbed her back. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to comfort or ease other people’s feelings. I don’t even know why she is like this now. ‘What happened to her?’After a while, Azariah pulled away from me and still sobbing. “S-sorry, Ember.” That is what picked up my cell phone that fell on the floor.It was still intact, but my attention was not there. Because the redness of her right cheek did not escape my sight. I looked at her carefully. “What happened, Azariah?”She cried again but shook her head.I held her by the arm. At first, I was hesitant, but my compassion prevailed for this. “I-if you need someone to talk to, I’m here. I’ll listen,” I said, to ease her feelings somehow.Azariah nodded. She pulled me upstairs to my room and locked the door before sitting on the bed. “Sorry, Ember, if I’m bothering you,” somehow she stopped crying.I sat next to her. “Is there a problem?”My cousin nodded. “Mommy and I fought again. Well, for your information, we always fight,” she said with a bitter smile.I frowned and wondered. “Aren’t you close?”She shook her head. “Yes, we’re not close. Because I can be a daddy.”I nodded. I don’t want to ask anymore because I don’t want to gossip anymore.“You and Auntie Cathy are good. You’re close, aren’t you? It’s envious.”I smiled. “But my dad and I are not close.”“No? For real?”“Yes.”This is the one who nodded. “Maybe there really isn’t a perfect family, right?” she asked me. “Mommy and I are like cats and dogs when we fight.”I didn’t move, and I kept quiet and listened to my cousin. According to Azariah, she and her mommy have opposite attitudes. Her mommy is too strict, and this is Azariah, who wants freedom. Something that her daddy always gave her when she was still with her.“If Daddy hadn’t come home to Canada, I might still be there with him today.”I just nodded. That’s why I only meet her now, because she wasn’t there during the times when our mothers used to argue.I secretly studied the entirety of Azariah. Her skin is smooth even though she has a tan. It’s tall and doesn’t catch me. Her face is also gentle and looks like an angel.“By the way, thank you for listening to me. I’ve been bothering you,” she said as she stood up.I just nodded.“But I have to admit, I’m happy even though I talked to you. We really want you to be close. I’m kind, as are Apollo and Aliona.”I smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m not really active. Being quiet is in my personality.”“It’s obvious.” She laughed and so did I. “But I hope when we invite you, you’ll be with us sometime. We’re bonding.”“I-I will try.”“That’s great! Let’s bring Aga along for more, more fun!” The joy and excitement is obvious on her face.My face gradually became serious. “Aga?”Azariah nodded. “Yes! Our gardener. He’s handsome, isn’t he?”I didn’t say a word. I seem to be wondering how handsome that man is. I secretly winced.‘He’s still a gardener even though he’s handsome,’ I said in my mind.Rain’s Point of View“I’m sure you’ve talked before. He’s smart, isn’t he? Besides, his body is beautiful. He’s hot!” said Azariah who seemed to be still thrilled.I frowned. “Is he your crush?”She suddenly slapped my shoulder. It’s like a worm, salted with thrill. “You’re terrible! Is it obvious?” her language is weak.I looked away. Now, I can say that Azariah is indeed kind. It seems that she does not see Aga’s state for us. I took a deep breath and smiled when my cousin said goodbye to me.Azariah left me in the room alone. I lay there on the bed for a while before deciding to go downstairs to go to Butterfly Haven.I was in the living room and was about to go out the big door when I spotted Aga outside. This guy is talking to someone I don’t know. They seemed to be talking seriously.I don’t know how long I stood there and just kept looking at the two. I can’t be sure what they are talking about. I almost jumped in shock when my cousin Aliona suddenly appeared behind me. She smi
CHAPTER 9Rain’s Point of ViewThe two of them didn’t move, and I was suddenly troubled by what was happening. I don’t want to be scolded. I don’t want to be involved in things that have nothing to do with me.“Are you really like that?” Apollo suddenly asked me. I must admit that I was surprised, but I did not show that I was affected.I looked at Apollo. There was a trace of annoyance on his face. His eyebrows are also raised, and he is obviously holding back. “Because I don’t tolerate the things you do, okay?”“What did you say?”“Apollo, that’s enough. Let’s just follow Azariah,” said Aliona.“That’s very good,” Apollo said before looking at me again. “And you, go home! We don’t need you! Let’s go.” He said and already walked. Aliona gave me a hesitant look. I ignored that and started walking back. I just sighed. Fortunately, it was a little overcast, and the sun wasn’t that hot.I turned back to where Aliona was earlier, but they were gone now. I just shook my head. I am disguste
CHAPTER 10Azariah’s Point of ViewAn hour had passed, the rain had eased a bit and we could walk home. I said goodbye to Felix first and my cousin and I did not hesitate as we made our way back to the mansion. It’s five o’clock in the afternoon. It was getting a bit dark, so we sped up our walk. When we got to the mansion, they passed behind.“Azariah?” Aga called me.I turned there. “Hi!” I said.My cousins also stopped and faced our gardener.“I was just going to ask if you have seen Ember. Her mommy has been looking for her for a while now.”The three of us looked at each other. “I-isn’t he here yet?”“Not yet. You are the ones I saw with her earlier in the living room. I thought she was with you,” he said.Anxiety rose in my chest. I looked at Apollo and Aliona, who I knew were nervous too.“Azariah, where is my son?” asked Auntie Cathy, who was next to Aga.“Ah... B-because...” I looked at Apollo. Asking for help.Until my mommy also entered the kitchen. There is a trace of anno
CHAPTER 11Rain's Point of ViewI was still a little surprised when Ali stared at me. He was serious and I could clearly see how his face darkened. His jaw also clenched. We both looked at each other but he avoided looking at me."I saw her on the way to San Simon.""The short cut? Isn't the road there paved?""Yes. There is a big rock that is the boundary of San Simon. That's where I saw her."My daddy turned to me. "Rain, how did you get there?"Mommy put her hand over her mouth."You said you were going to Butterfly Haven next but w-why did you go there?"I couldn't answer. My eyes searched for my cousins but they were not there."Maybe it's better that Azariah tell you about that later, Sir. Right now it's better for Rain to see a doctor," Ali said seriously.I felt my mommy's tight grip on my hands. "Rain, can you walk?"I shook my head because I really couldn't. My leg hurts a lot as well as the hip that hit the rocks earlier."I will take her to her room upstairs," said Ali.I
CHAPTER 12—ApologyRain's point of viewThe sun was high when I woke up. I didn't get up because I felt myself first. My head doesn't hurt anymore; I just have a bodyache. My foot is still in pain.I slowly sat on the bed. No one else was in the room I was in. I carefully removed the blanket from my body until I could see the foot that was really swollen.I sighed. I leaned back on the pillows and closed my eyes again. I still wanted to go to the bathroom.It looks like I really have to get up on my own. Even though my mommy is here, she can't support me either.That's when I suddenly remembered Ali. I remembered again how good he was to me from yesterday until his vigil this morning."What time did he leave?" I asked, dumbfounded.I smiled involuntarily, but it immediately disappeared when someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" I answered immediately.I smiled widely, thinking it might be Ali, but I was wrong. It turned out that it was Aliona with Azariah. Aliona was carrying a tray
Rain's point of viewAli was always with me while I was healing my leg. Aliona and Azariah were busy because Abuela's funeral was coming up, and they were the ones dealing with the sympathizers.I really wanted to go to Abuela's wake at Butterfly Haven, but Ali wouldn't let me. He said it was bad because I was sick. That's why I feel so sad because I'm here at the villa but I can't see Abuela."Can't I really take a peek? Let's just wait a moment," I said as I put down the book I was reading.I'm about to finish reading that book, but I don't understand anything. Because my mind is occupied. One reason for that is Ali's presence, because he never leaves my room.He only comes out when he gets my food, when I take a bath, or when he takes a shower.But all the time, he was inside the room and sitting on the sofa. Ali was facing the laptop and was reading something on it that I didn't know what it was."You can't. Your feet are still a little sore," he said without even looking at me.I
CHAPTER 14—Who is she?Rain's point of viewMy parents went to my room after Aliona left. But they were not with Ali. My dad helped mommy, and that's why I'm a little sad."Is your leg okay? How are you feeling?" Daddy asked me, sitting on the edge of the bed."I'm feeling okay, Daddy, but my foot is still a little sore, although I can walk," I said."Good to hear that. Do you want to peek later at your grandmother's wake?"I nodded immediately. "Maybe it's okay, daddy, since I don't have a fever anymore. I'm feeling okay."Daddy and Mommy looked at each other. Mommy smiled at me and then held my hand."Yes, Rain. Let's go."I immediately smiled at her. "I would also like to stay there until tomorrow? Aliona said tomorrow is Abuela's last night." Sadness was on my face as I spoke."Rain, you're not feeling that well yet. Even on the last night, you probably stayed up."I snort and ask mommy to look at me. "Mommy, I've only been here in the room for a few days. My abuela might sulk wit
CHAPTER 15—Authority and AudacityRain's point of viewI do not remember how long I was in front of my grandmother's casket. When I first saw it, I felt nothing but sadness. It's only now that I'm slowly realizing that my beloved abuela is gone.I felt the hand that held me. When I looked back to see who it was, I smiled slightly. That's my mommy with a worried face."Sit first, Rain," she said, then squeezed my hand.I just nodded and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I also turned to Aliona, who was on the other side of me. She rubbed my back."Are you okay?"I nodded slightly. "Yes.""Let's go. Let's sit down first." She still led me.Almost all eyes were on me. There was something about that, and I wasn't sure if it was pity or sadness. I breathed deeply.I was about to sit in a chair when I saw someone in the entrance. Ali was there, and Gianna was with him. They were wearing different clothes now, so I frowned."Rain," called mommy, who must have noticed my facial expression. "Are