e the morning silence, "Let'

ugh the empty halls, and I

anniversary and my bi

en though I knew the answer. It certainly was not a

"As if we're expecting a

loss of Arielle. He has a har

en there too..the emotional pain, the anger, the stru

"What is on your min

pain," I said, hoping I

o much. Losing her changed him. You should

sympathetic toward

, as she stopped walking, her eyes fixed on a large framed photo

d. It was a rare topic, it was the first time she talked abo

face- -Elias's doppelganger, Señor Desmond

told me about her best friend whom I now call Mama Celes

ñor Desmond due to their age gap, he was 25 years older than

poken fondly abou

ooded her brain. "It was a huge blow to lose Desmond," she said, her voice trembling. "He was

eeping me sane. She has always been there

I remembered it. It was hard to be away; I was happy for her. She had found herself a gem, and I knew she was in good hands. As for

Arielle got sick with cancer, Elias was her faithful anchor. Arielle It wasn't easy, but all in all, Ariell

ugh kid, wanting to keep a good, positive attitude always... even when th

me back, soft words co

She paused again and closed her eyes for a

now. I'm thinking maybe you're a big re

ink that? I smiled wryly. "Mama, I do not believe Elias is of the

Elias was drawing in the library. After Arielle died, he had quit painting but eventually found his way back to

rkle of familiarity, as though he recognized something familiar in you". "I figured perhaps it w

with a mixture of sadness and love, deciding

ilent not because of the memories evoked but rather be

ce in the family? And why had he responded so furiously when Mother recommended adopting m

uestions and

o visit Arielle's grave, I was astound

you doing here, Jac

" mom explained. "Well, Fredrick has fina

ievable! Does he hav

t from driving a bicycle, I didn'

absolutel

re him if he do

tay in the same car with Jackson. I wanted to te

with Jackson

be good to Jackson if I'd tell mama what he d

Jackson's grinning

t j

er and whenever I traveled, there he was. He was always visi

procating his love for me, his face and act

ing at me in the rearview mirror as he drove me alone to Santa Rosalía. I always sa

except of My lady. The only times he calls me My lady is when people are around, which alway

esperate," I

e," he said while loo

't b

you lik

n--" I responded, but

e you. I know that," I said while staring intently at his

a dimple on his left cheek every time.

him to be liking me. Maybe I might let h

debut celebration on the even

d swimming pool. The party with its Hawaiian theme was also a send-o

front showing my cleavage, and short in length showing my thighs...sexy voluptuous thighs as de

a well-known designer in the

n she finally saw me dress

eous thing on earth, I wish Elias were her

rin, I said, "Don't worry, mama. Elias will

fficially claiming the word woman, no longer a girl. And besides, he has to see

t the people on the ground below us. Both of us were in the balcony looking over

celebration when I called him last T

aid darkly, "

ught my heart anguish. Still, I re

s to my friends who were waiting downstairs, I told her, "Don't worry

ests, mostly her local friends. Once more, I surveyed the yard and

in jeans and a Hawaiian polo shirt left somewhat open in the che

he son of the ma

party started right after

It was just for utter and sheer pleasure. The grilled meal, the live music, and the bonfire all were enjoyed by everyone. We

and classmates was given a

y wild. We partied and dan

watching from afar and made no dance offer. He possibly knew he was

ft the dance area and stood alone a

ay, Liana," h

u, but I don't recall

been severe, I didn

but my mother is," he replied

invited? Oh, she could be among M

erved my frigid tre

drank my juice I collected

arture he unexpectedl

at?

have you selected for your fu

innocently despera

tali, stop trailing my every step," I declared

follow me even durin

voice reached an extreme leve

he security personnel? My face contorted into an unn

my hands. "I'm

son does not concern me and I will summon the guards on yo

s with me. He went and mingled with some male classma

workers entered the party space to m

bonfire Jackson emerged before me caus

? Jackson's joyful expression emerged when we became

uncontrollably against my will. The servants formed a circle around us and

alized beside me her whispering voice barely

re I noticed him standing....a towering p

t skipped a beat while I questi

dreaming enveloped me while music and laughter became dist

"The young master just arrived!" Oh my good lord, oh look there is... As I searched for Elias in t

greeting well-wishers when she caught sight of me, she enveloped me in a tight hug and whispered

replied, smiling. "Why

was the best birthday gift I could receive. I knocked his d

efore me, my Prince Charming, looking tired and stressed but dashing in his lose gra

ought "If he just arrived now, that means he was driving

he always does, like

ine. I stared back, soaking up every detail of his face. I'v

ght then. After standing and stari

t for it and put my