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
CHAPTER 16—Rain's point of viewIt seemed like cold water was poured on me when Ali pushed me. My eyes widened when he stood up and turned his back on me. I could clearly see how Ali clenched his fists."Get some rest," he said, then took a step, but I immediately called him."Ali, just a moment!"He stopped but didn't look at me and kept his back to me.I breathed deeply. I bit my lower lip. I'm not sure where I'm getting the courage from now, but here goes."I'm sorry if I kissed you. Just forget about it." I arranged a place on top of the bed.Ali looked up and shook his head slightly. It seems that something pinched in my heart, and now I am filled with shame. I regret kissing him.When Ali still didn't leave the stand, I looked at him. I have his eyes. He's not angry anymore, but his eyes are wide when he's with me. Our eyes met."I'm fine here. Leave me alone. I'm going to rest," I just said.He nodded, then turned back. When Ali got out, tears started to form in my eyes. It sh
CHAPTER 17— He's Lying Rain's POVI was choosing something to wear when I noticed that my two cousins, who were both sitting on the edge of the bed, were staring at me. I was standing in front of them and holding the two hangers where the two dresses that I chose to wear tonight were hanging."Why are you staring like that? I said. Which of these two should I wear later?" I asked as I raised the hangers again."Dark blue is okay with me," said Aliona, who was lying on the bed."The black one is better, Rain." Azariah pointed to the hanger on my right.I frowned. "Can't you both choose?"Azariah made me suffer. "I bet the black one is better.""You can wear the black one tomorrow because it's a funeral," Aliona said.I suddenly felt sad when Aliona mentioned the word 'funeral'. I dropped the hanger on top of the bed and stood next to my two cousins."May I ask?" I asked them, and they nodded."Shoot!" Azariah said.I breathed deeply. "How was Abuela when she was alive?"Aliona sat dow