02 | Unmasked

For the first time since I started partying, I didn't wake up with a throbbing head and a foul mouth yet I was still restless. My mind immediately led me to Zev's image and the sound of his rich and deep British voice.

Even as a kid, I never had this kind of liking towards anyone. To think of someone who I just met last night first thing in the morning was truly out of my league. So what is it with Zev? What's so special about him that he's got me restless?

I was ripped from my train of thoughts when a gentle knock on my door startled me. I quickly covered myself with the sheets and pretended to be asleep. The knocking on my door continued and my pretentious state remained asleep.

“Anne, I know you're awake,” my eldest brother, Andro, said. “Breakfast is ready.”

I grunted in annoyance. “Fine!” I shouted and threw the covers off me.

I mentally and emotionally prepared myself for breakfast. For sure, my two older brothers will scold me. Well, I'm used to it. It's like a routine for me now.

When I was done getting ready, I headed downstairs and surely, they were already having breakfast, but this time, the usual empty seat of my father was not empty today. He was here and I'm sure as hell dead.

“Good morning,” I muttered and took my seat beside, Arlow, my other older brother.

The table was eerily quiet, making my heart race in panic. The only sound there was was the clinking of utensils against the plates and the sound of my father's newspaper being flipped.

“I heard you were out last night,” my father began, his voice sounding more pleasant than usual.

I took bite of my salad, taking my time to chew it so I don't have to talk. My father's face was welcoming, it surely was since he's United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary. I nodded at his statement, briefly glancing at my brothers who were minding their business.

“Care to tell us where you went?” my father inquired, his hands set on the table in a prayer-like manner.

I swallowed the unchewed tomato before answering him. “With some friends.”

He nodded. “So you were out with your friends instead of helping your brothers with the company?”

Now he's making me look like the villain. My brothers remained unbothered, not wanting my father's palpable growing rage directed at them.

“I already told you, dad, I don't want to work at our company. Our business has never been my kind of business—”

“What is it you exactly want, Anne? Don't say partying,” he intervened, his jaw clenching.

We already went through this a couple of times but no matter how many times I tell him where my heart's at, he'll still insist on what he wants.

“Art, dad. I want anything that has to do with art,” I said in defeat, followed by a sigh.

I lowered my head knowing where this conversation is headed. My brothers have always supported me with my passion that's why it's fine with them if I don't work at our company. They understand me unlike my father who has always remained blind and deaf to what my heart truly desires.

“What did I tell you about that, Anne? Where will that dream of yours get you?” he asked, his voice getting irritated and impatient.

I stood, not wanting to have a heated argument with my father as breakfast. “Please, excuse me.”

“Sit down, young lady! I am not done talking!”

“Dad, let Anne be,” Andro intervened.

“That's the problem with you and Arlow. You always let her go on without direction. Look where it's gotten her. She's become busy sneaking and partying!”

I sheepishly smiled at Andro. All he wanted to do was help, but my father's anger got redirected at him and Arlow.

“That club you were at last night, I'm shutting that down completely,” my father proclaimed, his voice laced with finality and authority.

My eyes widened in shock and I almost ran out of breath. “What? Why?”

“To teach you a lesson.”

Tears were brimming in the corners of my eyes as I felt helpless. Arlow's hand made its way to mine, grabbing a hold of it and maybe stopping me for challenging our father. Too late.

“What does that have to do with teaching me a lesson? Reprimand me not them!”

But he acted as if he didn't care. He began putting on his coat, ready to go to work.

“What about the people who work there? They didn't do anything! It should be me you should be punishing!”

“This is the only way I could think of, Anne.”

I yanked my hand away from Arlow and stormed towards my father. Through my peripheral vision, I saw my brothers stand, making their way to me.

“I'm leaving,” I said through gritted teeth with hot tears streaming down my face. “I'm not some kind of robot you can just command to do as you wish.”

“Then leave,” he said cooly. “You'll always come back here.”

I looked at Andro for help, but he just shook his head, stopping me from angering my father even more. I can't blame him. No one can win over our father over an argument. The best thing to do is to turn my back and hope for the better if there is one.

“Anne!” Arlow called me when I turned my heels. “Anne!”

“Let her, Arlow. You have better things to do in the company.”

I made my way upstairs, each step becoming heavier and the tears still streaming endlessly. What happened to our family? To my father? To my brothers? 5 years ago, we were seated at that table, dining happily and sharing stories we laughed at 'til our stomachs ached, but now, we barely talk at all, we never even sit at the same table together, just today. That's how fucked our family is now.

I slammed my bedroom door shut and my knees faltered when I felt the comfort of my room. My room is the only place I feel safe, where I get to be myself and not put up an act that I'm strong and indestructible. Truth be told, I'm fragile and words easily get to me. I'm just great at hiding it.

I took a deep breath and calmed my raging system. Nothing's going to happen if I stay here all day, crying and mourning over the past. I vigorously wiped the trails of weakness off my cheeks and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

When I was set, I grab hold of my purse and lunged through the window, landing with a soft thud on our green pastures. I glanced from side to side, making sure that Mason wasn't around. When the coast was clear, I hurriedly walked towards the back gate where our second garage was, where my car was parked.

“Let's go, baby,” I said, revving the engine of my Corvette.

I slammed my foot on the pedal and my car sped-off. It was only 10 in the morning so there's no way in hell that I'll be drinking this early. I guess I'll just have breakfast, I'm still kind of hungry.

I could head over to Lizie's, but she's still probably asleep and hungover from last night and she's definitely covered in the arms of her lover, Garret. I could head over to Derone's, but I'm still pissed at him and he isn't much of a talker when I head over to his apartment, if you know what I mean.

So, I opted for my favorite café. On my way to the café, my eye caught a banner that said 'coffee trailer.' I could use some fresh air with iced coffee and avocado toasts. I parked my car at the nearest convenience store and walked towards the coffee trailer.

There were 4 seats by the trailer and I was definitely their first customer. I approached the man inside the trailer who had his back on me.

“Excuse me,” I said, flashing a big smile.

He turned and he was an attractive redhead with ocean blue eyes. He warmly smiled back at me and leaned in.

“Good morning!” he greeted joyfully. “Here's our menu, but I do suggest trying our Full English Breakfast with a Twist.”

I took a seat at one of the high stools and propped my elbow on the table.

“Surprise me...” I glanced at his badge that had his name. “Surprise me, Jakob.”

He held his thumbs up and proceeded to making my breakfast.

“Coffee?”

“How 'bout iced mocha with almond milk?”

He winked at me and smiled widely. “Coming right up.”

“I'm Anne, by the way. Nice meeting you,” I said, genuinely meaning every word.

“Likewise, Anne.”

I definitely needed this kind of company as well as the open air. The sky was cloudless and vibrant and the lovely wind carressed my skin. I should do this more often.

As Jakob was cooking, I decided to scan their menu, knowing I'll come here more often and this'll probably be my new favorite café.

“Shit,” he suddenly muttered.

I set the menu down, looking at Jakob. “Is there a problem?”

“We have no eggs. Darn it.”

“It's alright, Jakob. I'll just have it with no eggs.”

He shook his head. “You'll have what I promised, I'll just grab some eggs by the convenience store. My friend will handle it from here, okay?”

I couldn't help but pout at his cuteness. “That's so nice of you, but are you really sure?”

He nodded and held his thumb up. “I'll be back.”

Jakob went towards the trailer's exit and talked to someone who was apparently at the back. I focused my eyes back on the menu when I heard Jakob's footsteps growing further and the trailer's door closing.

“What was your coffee order again?”

I literally froze on my seat when that voice registered in my head. Just when I thought that last night will be the last time I'll see him, the world manifested him here, in front of me.

I slowly set the menu down and without a doubt, it was Zev in the flesh, dressed in all black and a brown apron.

“Zev?”

He questioningly squinted his eyes at me, his forehead forming a knot. With just that, my shoulders dropped limply and the breath I was holding was released.

“Have we met?”

That made the undefined feeling inside me sink. I shook my head in response and continued reading the menu.

How could I be so foolish? Why did I expect that he'd remember me? He probably doesn't even remember what happened to him last night. The thought of him doing something else bugged the hell out of me.

“Hey,” he said. “What was your coffee order again?”

“Iced mocha with almond milk,” I said melancholy, still holding the menu up to cover my. disappointed face.

I was the only one who was bothered when we met last night. I was the only one who was restless because the sound of his voice and the sight of his face just wouldn't leave my mind. We remained silent the entire time 'til Jakob returned. Thank God! I can't stand being near Zev anymore.

“Thanks, man. I'll take it from here,” Jakob said when he got back inside the trailer.

“No worries, Jake. I'll handle it from here. You covered for me yesterday.”

That reason from him made my heart skip a beat. For a fraction of a second, my heart raced with false hope. It was enough spark to brigthen my mood. A small smile creeped on my face and I almost slapped myself for acting so silly.

“Here's your English breakfast,” Zev finally said and put the plate of mouth-watering breakfast in front of me. “Also, your iced coffee.”

I set the menu down and began eating, the flavors bursting in my mouth like fireworks. Just when Zev was about to leave, I quickly thought of an excuse to make him stay.

“Aren't you going to have breakfast?”

He raised his eyebrows at me, questioning my intention. “There's nothing for me to eat.”

“We could share,” I said, the words naturally spilling from my mouth. “I-I can't finish t-this on my own.”

He began to rub his chin when he got lost in his state of mind. I bit my lower lip as nervousness grew in my system. What the hell was I even saying? I can't believe those words came from me.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally moved and grabbed something from the fridge, then he took a stool, sitting across from me.

“You're having that as breakfast?” I asked, using my fork to point at his Jack and Coke.

A smirk appeared on his lips. “It gets me started.”

I nodded and thought of another topic to keep our conversation going. “D-do y-you sing?”

He stopped in the middle of his drinking and set his bottle down. Then he leaned in, our faces only a meter or so from each other. My heart started beating like a Cherokee drum from the closeness of our faces. I was finally able to make out the features of his face, the luminosity of his hazel eyes, the cherriness and plumpness of his lips, his pointy nose, and a lot more my mind couldn't process all at once.

“W-what?”

Slowly, a smile appeared on his lips. It was enticing—no, it was mischief or was it amusement? There was mystery lurking in those beautiful hazel orbs of his.

“So I really am the Zev you remember.”

What is he saying? Of course! It's not like I know anyone named Zev besides him.

“You're the only Zev I know.”

He stood and turned his back on me, removing his apron in the process. Is he leaving already?

“You still don't know my name,” I said, afterwards realizing how embarrassing that sounded.

My cheeks burned all the way to my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief moment to calm myself, not wanting to say anything stupid anymore.

“Vibe at 9pm.”

I squinted my eyes at him. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Before he left the trailer, he smiled at me, the kind of smile that sent tremors down my spine.

“Tell me your name tonight at Vibe.”

With that, he left the trailer, off to somewhere I don't know and probably will never know.

Zev was someone I couldn't quite tell what's going on inside that mind of his. The mystery he has is hard to unmask and it's going to be a challenge for me.