Chapter 10: Enjoy
Zein's Point of View
I looked up at the sky, watching the stars that seemed to shimmer. I stepped outside for a while to get some fresh air. Mom and Ate were watching TV inside, while Dad was in his office room here at home.
I closed my eyes and smiled as the cool night air wrapped around me. I kept my eyes shut, letting myself feel the surroundings.
I miss him…
I wonder what he's doing right now?
Is he frowning while organizing papers? Talking seriously with Raze? Making deals with their business partners? Damn it!
I opened my eyes and stared at the Christmas tree standing at the corner of our house. The blinking, multicolored lights were mesmerizing. Christmas is getting near, and I want to spend it with my whole family, and of course… with him.
I smiled when I remembered the first Christmas I spent with Ace, when I almost poured water on him just to make him wake up for Noche Buena.
"Ace…"
"Hmmm?"
I pouted because he wrapped himself tighter in the blanket. Dad had let him sleep here since it would've been risky for them to travel at midnight just to come over. We had already agreed that he and Raze would spend Christmas here. Raze was outside, laughing loudly.
"Ace! It's Christmas! Wake up!" I said impatiently.
I pulled his comforter away, making him pout. I smiled when he slowly opened his sleepy eyes. He rubbed both of them and looked at me in confusion.
"Why?" he asked.
I smacked a pillow against his face, which only made him laugh. He sat up in front of me.
"Noche Buena…" I said. "Merry Christmas," I whispered.
He glanced at the wall clock. "Twelve o'clock? It's still Christmas even if I wake up at eight, you know?" he complained.
I could only stomp my foot in frustration. UGH! Raze was even better, he didn't sleep at all and had been laughing the whole night while chatting with Dad.
"I don't know with you…"
I turned around, pretending to leave, when he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. I blushed as I felt his body wrapped around mine.
"Merry Christmas, darling…"
I closed my eyes when he planted a kiss on my forehead. This is so damn sweet and, uhm… I love it.
Ace and I both jolted when the door suddenly burst open. It revealed Ate, one eyebrow raised.
"I thought you were just going to wake him up? Why are you hugging each other?"
I blushed and quickly got off the bed to fix my wrinkled clothes. This woman's instincts are seriously sharp, it's like she knew something like this would happen just so she could interrupt it.
Raze peeked from behind her, holding a hotdog on a stick. He even had a Santa Claus hat on his head and a wide grin on his face.
"Merry Christmas!" he shouted, but Ate quickly covered his mouth with her hand.
"Sshhh… Shut up, I couldn't sleep because of your laughing."
Annoyed, she walked away, and Raze quickly followed her, laughing loudly. I just shook my head and glanced at Ace, who was fixing the bed.
"Just come out already…" I said before stepping out of his room.
I found Ate carrying a tray of hotdogs, keeping it away from Raze who was still trying to grab more. Tita Mira could only laugh at the two of them.
Mom and Dad had just come downstairs, holding hands. Big smiles were on their faces as they slowly made their way down the steps.
"Merry Christmas," Mom greeted.
Ate and I kissed both Mom and Dad on the cheek as we greeted them back.
Ate grabbed Raze's shirt when he was about to kiss our parents too.
"A simple greeting will do," she said firmly.
Raze scratched the back of his head. "Merry Christmas, po," he said, even giving a slight bow, which made Dad and Mom chuckle softly.
"Where is Ace?" Dad asked just as the guest room door opened.
Ace came out, his hair still wet. He smiled at us when he saw everyone. He kissed Mom and Dad on the cheek as he greeted them.
"Unfair…" Raze muttered while biting into his hotdog.
"Come on, let's eat," Tita called from the kitchen doorway.
Mom and Dad headed there first, followed by Ate, still holding onto the hem of Raze's shirt.
I just smiled. Our Christmases were already happy before, but they're even happier now because of the two who joined us.
My gaze shifted to Ace, and I caught him looking at me.
"What?" I asked.
He stepped closer and tucked the loose strands of my hair behind my ear. "Someday, we'll celebrate our wedding anniversary too," he said with a smile.
I bit my lip because I want that too. We'll celebrate every occasion together with our kids… someday.
"Are you two going to eat or not?" Ate called from the kitchen doorway.
She rolled her eyes at us before going back inside. I tried to pull my hand away from Ace's, but he just held it again. I didn't resist anymore, so we walked hand in hand to the dining area.
"Hand in hand, I won't leave you on this journey~" Raze sang while staring at the lechon.
We sat beside Raze. Dad was in the middle, while across from us were Ate and Mom, watching us.
"Tita, can we start?" Raze asked, pouting at the lechon.
Ate Allison made a face at him. Mom and Dad chuckled softly at Raze, who was already eagerly pinching the crispy skin of the lechon.
"Kuya…"
Raze shot Ace a sideways glance while pouting. Ace was probably embarrassed by his brother's behavior, while Raze just innocently kept chewing.
"Hmmm? You want some?" Raze offered Ace.
Ace shook his head and gave me a shy smile. I couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face. "It's okay, we're used to it," I whispered to him with a chuckle.
We started eating. Ace and I quietly ate while Mom and Dad chatted. Meanwhile, Raze was sitting near the sink, holding a small plate of lechon, talking to Tita Mira, who was eating fruit salad.
"You're vegetarian too, Ace?" Ate Allison asked when she noticed the vegetable salad on his plate.
I stared at Ace as he wiped his mouth. "Nope, actually… influenced." He glanced at me.
My eyes dropped to his plate, which was full of vegetables.
"You don't eat spinach?" Ate asked when she noticed that Ace didn't take any.
"He's allergic to spinach," I answered.
Ate's mouth fell open, and her gaze shot toward Raze. "So you're the same as Mr. Red Eye," she said in surprise.
Raze looked at us. "I heard my handsome name," he called out proudly.
I just shook my head. Ace's brother is so full of himself. As for Ace? I don't even think he realizes how handsome he is—he doesn't seem to notice the girls' eyes following him whenever he walks by. Or maybe he does know, he just chooses to ignore it.
Ace pulled me into the guest room and took something from under the bed.
I almost jumped in excitement when I saw the heart-shaped candy he gave me.
"Why candy?" I asked.
"Uh? I love that." He pointed at the candy I was holding. "That's my favorite," he added.
I just stared at him because of his answer. Seriously? He gives me a gift and the reason is that he likes that gift? I shook my head even more when I saw him staring so intently at the candy in my hand.
I laughed and broke it in half.
"Let's share."
I can't help but shake my head whenever I remember what happened that Christmas. It was silly and at the same time heart-fluttering. Sometimes I even feel like the candy he gave me is still alive inside me.
I felt Ate sit down beside me.
"When will your deal happen?" I asked.
I want to watch and witness it. I don't know who will win, but I have a strong feeling it'll be Ate, she's already experienced in things like that.
"Uhmm… we haven't talked about it yet," she answered. "Maybe you should start praying now that I lose." She pouted.
"I hope you lose," I said.
She laughed. "Let's see…" she smiled. "Go to sleep now, because I'm taking you with me to training tomorrow," she said.
I looked at her, hoping she was joking, but she wasn't. She was serious. And right then, I started praying that tomorrow wouldn't come.
Ace's Point of View
I avoided the pleading look from my kuya, who was pouting while staring at me.
"Alas…"
"I don't want to…"
I felt him tug on my shirt, but I didn't budge and kept my eyes on the papers in front of me.
"Just this once," he said.
"You do it yourself."
"Like that? Okay, I'll call Zein."
My sticky eyes quickly shifted to my brother. He smiled as if he had already won the battle.
I just stared out the car window as he whistled while driving.
"This is a warning. Call Zein even just once, I won't help you again."
"Whoa. Easy… I love you, bro."
He parked the car immediately, and we went inside a bar. My brother was obviously well-known here, as the guards greeted him warmly.
The stereo inside was blasting so loudly I almost went deaf. The ground seemed to shake from the bass, while my brother was slightly bobbing to the beat.
I laughed. "You suck, dude," I teased.
"You dickless guy… don't know how to dance?"
I laughed again. He actually challenged me. I didn't bother responding and just headed to the far end. I sat down in a chair and felt for my phone in my pocket.
I'd just pass the time while waiting for my brother to enjoy himself here.
I smiled when I saw a text from Zein. It was recent.
"Are you asleep? I want to talk to you."
I quickly tapped on the keys to reply to her. My hands were shaking from excitement.
"Can't sleep… thinking of you."
I lied. Damn it! I would tell her the truth too later because I didn't want to keep secrets from her.
I waited for her reply. My eyes wandered around, and the crowd was making me feel dizzy. I nearly jumped when someone grabbed my thigh.
"Don't touch me," I managed to say, my lips pressed together as I bit down.
I stepped back slightly from her, it was dangerous. I almost stumbled from what she did.
"Alone?" she asked when she saw I was by myself. "You want?" She licked her lips. I literally flinched.
I shook my head and tried to push her away, but she suddenly hugged me. I cursed as she pressed her chest against me. Goosebumps ran down my body from what she did.
I hadn't even recovered when my phone rang. My body trembled when I saw Zein's name flashing, it was a call.
I shoved the girl away from me. I didn't care if she fell.
"Leave me alone!"
"Babe, it's free… for you," she called after me.
I bit my lip as I walked outside. Shit! This isn't good.
I was stepping out when I noticed my phone still running a timer. I closed my eyes, realizing I had probably answered her call earlier and that she must have heard everything.
I leaned against the wall, staring at the screen as the call timer kept running.
I was scared to even bring it to my ear. God! Zein.
As soon as I stepped outside, I quickly held the phone to my ear again, but she had already ended the call.
I felt even colder when I saw a new message from her. I hesitated, wondering if I should read it, but in the end, I opened it.
"Enjoy."