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armins-main-hoe · 9 months

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Odd socks | chapter 6

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(I’m alive I swear guys)

His fingers went over the scars on her skin, his touch soft and gentle. She didn’t like the way her body leaned into his touch a little, as if she liked it.

“What are you doing?” Y/n asked Ao’nung. His eyes left her skin and looked up into hers. He does that face she hates, that dumb one with his dumb smirk.

“You know scars like these take years to fade. You’ll probably still have them by the time you’ve had kids. That is if there is any man unfortunate enough to have you as his wife.”

Y/n wanted to throw another shell at him so bad right now. It was a week ago when she had both her brothers came out of the sea with fish bites, though it seemed Y/n got the most out of the three. Now most of the bites had healed but left behind scars. She already had scars from previous fish bites so now it seems as if her whole body is littered with them.

“Shut up.” She stood up from her spot on the sand, dusting herself off.

“Am I lying though?” There was a small laugh in his tone as he got up as well.

“Go annoy someone else, I don’t have time for you.” She scowled, walking in the direction back to her marui but he kept taunting her, teasing her. How is she supposed to not punch him? Her patience wore thin and she then shoved him away from her, making him stumble back and fall down.

“Vonvä’” She mumbles and continues walking away.

Ao’nung blinks away the shock from his fall and glares at the forest girl’s back as she walks away from him. Sure, he was being a jerk to her, he knows but he believes his actions are justified, sort of.

Ever since that forest family came to stay, his life has been nothing but hell. Y/n and her family have made a rather good impression on the clan already despite what they themselves might think. Ao’nung hears what his friends and the other kids say about them, at first it was words that made fun of the forest kids, which was perfect, it still had everyone looking up to him and looking down on them or rather her. However, she was a quick learner, she can ride an Ilu, weave baskets, braid hair, make accessories with what the sea provides, make healing pastes. In other words, she was perfect. It was as if everything was second nature to her.

He heard others start to talk differently about them. Even during family meal times, he would have to endure his parents and Tsireya praising the forest family. Praising her. He hates it. He has had dreams where she is standing before him, everyone praising her and looking down on him. He’d die before it ever comes to that in real life. She is a forest person and she has no business here with the sea.

Oh Ewya she annoyed his very being, the corners of his mouth turned up to let out a snarl as he watched her dark blue figure enter her Mauri. He got up and walked the other way, he was pissed. So pissed at her, and her family, and his father and at himself.

“Ao’nung!” He heard someone call out to him. He looked over at it was his friend.

“What.” He was irritated already, if his friend decides to be annoying he’ll actually-

“You got to check this forest girl out, she’s actually lost it.”

What-

Now ao’nung was interested. He followed his friend who led him back to the direction of the forest family’s mauri, just below was very shallow water where a forest girl was laying on her stomach, head in the water.

‘Is that y/n?’ Ao’nung thought as he watched from afar. His other friends were watching her, laughing quietly amongst themselves. When ao’nung approached them, they made space for him to stand in the middle of the group, a clear view of a dark blue girl minding her own business.

Ao’nung smirked.

“Let’s go closer” he said, his friends let out a few excited words, laughing quietly again, following ao’nung as he walked closer and closer to Y/n.

He was going to get back at her.

“She’s just looking at the sand”

Wait…

“Ahahaha”

Wait no that’s not-

“Huh?” The forest girl lifted her head and ao’nung had to hold in his shock when he saw that it wasn’t Y/n but her sister, Titi. No.. Piri? Oh he can’t remember.

“What you’d say?” She shook the water off her face and stood up. Ao’nung can’t back down now though.. not when his friends are watching. He really did think it was Y/n so he was fine with teasing and annoying her. But it isn’t y/n. It’s her sister.

So what? They’re both the same. Both are forest aliens.

“Are you some kind of freak?” Ao’nung asked.

“He asked if you are a freak.” His friend clarified.

Y/N’s sister sighed and shook her head. “No.” She began walking away but ao’nung and his friends followed her.

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re not even real Na’vi.” Ao’nung smirked, walking around her. When she didn’t say anything, he tried provoking her further. “Look at this hands.” He tried grabbing her hand but she pulled it away.

So he went to grab them again.

“I mean look at them” he emphasises.

“HEY!”

Ao’nung and his friends turned around at the voice. It was Y/N’s younger brother, noah. No. It began with L right?

“Back off fish lips.”

Whatever, his name is irrelevant anyway.

“Oh~ another four fingered freak!” Ao’nung laughed, the smaller forest boy may have came acting like the hero but he was greatly outnumbered, ao’nung and his friends began to tease and taunt him.

“Leave us alone!” Piri or titi, whatever her name is shouted. But her voice was ignored. Ao’nung kept laughing.

Yes. This is it. Make everyone look down on them so they can look up at him. This is how it should be. This is perfect.

Ao’nung felt a hard hand grab his shoulder and force him to turn around. It was neteyam. His friends and lo’ak stopped squabbling. Ao’nung glared silently at the older boy.

“You heard what she said.” Neteyam’s voice was alarmingly calm. “Leave them alone”

“Aww~ big brother coming-“ ao’nung’s friend spoke up, his voice taunting but ao’nung stopped him for speaking any further. He hated the sully’s that’s true. But he isn’t a fool. He knew it would be unwise to start a fight with the eldest son of the sully’s.

“Back off.” Neteyam let out his last word through his teeth. “Now.”

Ao’nung smirked and put his hands up, mimicking surrender.

Neteyam kept his eyes on ao’nung as he spoke again. “Smart choice.” He looked at his friends. “And from now on, I need you to respect my sister. Both my sisters.”

Ao’nung said nothing but kept glaring. That dumb friend let out a hiss as if still wanting to fight, ao’nung held him back with a single hand.

“Let’s go.” Neteyam took his two siblings and walked away.

—-

Y/n had been sent out by her father to go catch fish, enough for dinner to feed the whole family. She was only allowed to hunt by the shore line so she was limited with how many fish she could hunt.

By the time she came back, 10 fishes in her large pouch and a few fruits she found, she was confused when she couldn’t find her dad.

“Dad?” She called out in the empty mauri, putting her bag down to the side. She was about to go and look outside the marui pod when she heard footsteps nearby, her dad’s footsteps. She turned around and within seconds Jake came in with her brothers.

She gasped at the sight of them.

Both had looked like they were beaten up, neteyam sporting a busted lip, lo’ak’s skin having patches of dark red, irritated skin that will bruise over night.

“What happened?” She muttered as she walked over to them.

“What was the one thing I asked? One thing.” Jake ignored Y/N’s question, his mind too busy buzzing around with the thought of his idiotic sons.

“Stay out of trouble.” Both boys whispered. Y/n inspected both her brothers, she went to lo’ak first, holding his chin and making him look at her so she she could see his injuries closer. His nose was bleeding. Lo’ak shook her off.

“It was my fault.” Neteyam stepped forward.

“I don’t think so. You got to stop taking the heat for this knuckle head” Jake glared at his youngest son.

Y/n moved over to Neteyam, too shocked and worried to even remember that she and him had argued and had not spoken to each other for days.

“Ao’nung was picking on Kiri, called her a freak.” Lo’ak explained himself, Jake sucked in air through his teeth, looking away.

“He did what?!?” Y/n is was mid inspecting Neteyam’s injuries when she turned her head sharply to look at lo’ak when she heard what happened. “He called her what??” She need to hear lo’ak say it again. She was gonna fuck that sea Bitch up.

“Go apologise to Ao’nung.” Jake spoke softly.

“What.” Both lo’ak and Y/n spoke. Clearly ao’nung is in fault, why should lo’ak apologise.

“He’s the chief’s son. Do you understand.” Y/n looked at her father in disbelief. Neteyam held onto her arm to stop her from going out to find ao’nung herself.

“Just go. I don’t care how you do it, just go make peace.” Jake sighed and lo’ak went out to go find Ao’nung.

“Socks, you will stay put.” Jake warned her.

“Whaaat???”

Neteyam’s hold on her hand tightened.

“Let lo’ak do it himself. You stay here in the marui. Patch neteyam up or something.” Jake then left after giving her a final warning.

Once her father left she looked at neteyam in disbelief.

“Did you hear what I heard?” She asked him.

“Socks..”

“Dad is unbelievable.” She moved to go through a few small pots in the corner.

“Y/n listen-“

“That dumb overgrown fish decided to flap his tiny flippers at you and Lo’ak and it’s your fault?” She pulled neteyam down to sit next to her.

“I said listen-“

“Why should lo’ak apologise? It’s that son of a bit-“

“Y/n!” Neteyam held her shoulder and pushed to make her torso turn and face him. She stopped talking at looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears that barely clung to her waterline.

“It’s not fair.” Her voice came out quieter than before. She looked down and picked up a clean rag and dampened it in a bowl of water.

“Y/n, dad knew it isn’t our fault.” Neteyam spoke softly. This probably is the first real conversation they have had since their argument. Before it was just small words and quick replies, most of the time they would avoid and ignore each other.

“Then why did he go and say all that?” She tried blinking away tears as she cleaned off dry blood on his face.

“He had to. He’s doing what he can to help our family fit in here.” Neteyam watched as his sister held in her tears. He moved a hand to hold her face.

“Y/n, sister, why are you crying?”

Her hand trembled as she continued cleaning his cuts.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Neteyam I’m-“

“You said it.”

She looked up at him, confused.

“What?”

He smiled softly.

“You said my name. It’s been a while since I heard you say it.”

She continued to look at him confused as he grinned stupidly at her. Her bottom lip wobbled and she smacked his shoulder.

“Ow!” He flinched back, rubbing his shoulder and lifting his eyes to glare at his sister but his eyes softened immediately when he saw a stream of tears running down her face. “Socks..” he moved closer to her, holding her in his arms even though he was still sore from the fight.

She cried for a while before calming down, her sobs reduced so small hiccups.

“What’s wrong? Are you crying because me and Lo’ak got hurt?” Neteyam asked.

“I’m never there.”

Now neteyam looked at her confused.

“What? Where do you need to be?”

“With you! With Kiri, Lo’ak and Tuk! I’m never there when I need to be.” Her voice wavered and neteyam brushed away her tears. “Even back when we are in the forest. I wasn’t there when… when you four were attacked by those human na’vi. I wasn’t there today when something as bad as a whole physical fight broke out. I know I’m not as reliable as you but I still want to be the big sister and protect you all…”

Neteyam closed his eyes and held his sister’s hands.

“Socks.. no.. Y/n, you do know that the younger three look up to you as much as they look up to me, right? If not then more.”

Y/n let out a small hiccup and looked up at him. Neteyam continued.

“We are twins, sister. You and me. However that does not mean we must compare ourselves to every little thing. You are Y/N. You are socks. You are the first daughter of Toruk makto. You protected our siblings from ao’nung before I even stepped in and did anything. You hit him with that shell remember? You protected Tuk and all I did was shout at you for it.”

Y/n felt her eyes water again, Neteyam kept holding her hands.

“I am sorry. I got too caught up in trying to do everything in a strategic way, my way, that I forgot to understand your way. I even refused to understand where you were coming from. You are amazing Y/n and I’m sorry I got too blind to see it.”

Neteyam looked into her eyes. Her eyes that were the exact same as his. Same shape, size and colour. He looked at her. He looked at his sister, his twin sister, his other half.

“I see you, sister.” He whispered.

Y/n chocked back on a sob and blinked away tears. She hated arguing with neteyam the most out of all of her siblings because it hurts the most. They hadn’t even spoken or looked at each other properly since their argument and it took neteyam getting physically hurt for her to talk to him again.

“I see you, brother.” She whispered back. Her arms wrapping around his body as she hugged him. He hugged her back and they stayed like that for a while.

“So how badly did you beat up ao’nung?” She asked, pulling away from him.

Neteyam chuckled.

“Well he is the cheif’s son, so I didn’t hurt him too bad but his friends however…” he trailed off but Y/n knew what he meant.

She lightly smacked him this time.

“Those poor boys. They probably don’t even know what a punch was, much less the types of punches. You should have gone easy on them.” She teased.

“I did go easy on them!”

She laughed. “Yeah right. You probably gave it your all, I know you weren’t holding back.”

“No socks, believe me, I was still holding my true strength in. I was holding my mighty warrior strength back.”

She laughed even more while going back to tending to his cuts and bruises.

After she was done patching neteyam up she was about to put all the healing paste and blood stained cloths away before she remembered she has another beaten up brother. She looked out of the marui and saw it was late already, the light of the day was gone and now stars littered the sky.

Y/n looked back at Neteyam.

“Lo’ak should be back by now, right? I was going to help him with that bloody nose of his.” She sighed.

Neteyam got up. “I’ll go get him, you should probably make more paste, he has bruises on his legs everywhere.”

Y/n nodded and went further in to the marui pod while neteyam went out, his steps calm as he went. Time passed and Neytiri came in with Tuk, chopping up the fish Y/n had caught earlier, however Neteyam still didn’t arrive.

Being a little worried that perhaps another fight broke out, and if that was the case then Y/n would not hesitate to jump in and fight as well, so she was about to head out of the mauri pod when she saw her father and Kiri talking.

“Mighty..” she heard Kiri say. What was mighty?

Just then Y/n heard footsteps and turned her head to see who it was. It was Neteyam and Ao’nung. Y/n couldn’t help the disgusted look on her face when her eyes landed on the sea boy. Why is he here?

Neteyam pulled Ao’nung over to Jake.

“Tell him. Tell him what you told me!” Neteyam’s voice wasn’t calm like it always was, no this time Y/n could hear the pure fear in his voice.

As she heard Ao’nung talk, she quickly understood why. Each word made her heart drop.

Lo’ak. Lost in sea. Alone. Missing.

Ao’nung you son of a bitch-

—-

Taglist- @heart-an0n

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3schia · 11 days

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CHAPTER 4

“Chapter Closed. The Beginning”

As time passes, the lessons are becoming harder.

So, I have to study more. Luckily, I now have my study buddy, Faith.

So, studying is getting way easier, and I’m having more fun.

We help each other a lot, so we’re able to perform better in class.

From being regular students in the previous semester, we’re now able to have the dean’s list award. We treat ourselves to different restaurants and travel a lot every time we pass the exams and have other awards.

What’s best is that Auntie also surprises us with gifts.

Despite being busy with my studies, with charitable activities, and with my friendship with Faith, I make sure that I also spend some time with my family and Bruce as well.

I visit home once a month, and I keep having dates with Bruce on some weekends. We tried to become more understanding of each other as we now have more responsibilities in our studies.

We kept giving presents every time there was an occasion.

And this has been my life for a couple of years.

[JULY 2011]

Tadaaa! ~

Here’s the day of graduation!

We’re reaping the fruits of our labor.

Thanks to my professors and friends, especially to my family, Bruce, Auntie, and Faith, for making this journey even more meaningful.

Most importantly, thanks to the Man from Above for the guidance and strength given to me all throughout. Chapter Closed.

---

[SEPTEMBER 2011]

And we are now working professionals.

Yap. That quick!

Welcome, Faith and self, to GT Blue Corporación. ~

We’re so lucky! It’s one of the best companies for finance graduates!

Here in Castellón de la Plana, Spain.

New apartment, new environment, and new people.

Again and again.

New experiences are approaching.

At first, I couldn’t find any satisfaction in my job.

But I tried to enjoy this new chapter of my life by traveling to different places, either alone or with my friends, such as parks, museums, libraries, malls, bars, and restaurants.

We even went to high class hotels just to take some pictures there.

A point in my life came when I felt too occupied.

I didn’t know what to do first.

I am finally earning my own money, but the work didn’t give me any satisfaction.

Since many people say that it’s really a good company for finance graduates, they recommended that I stay here, so I did.

Then, I felt so lost. I didn’t know what I really wanted in life.

So many problems arose. I realized and remembered a lot about my past...

There were pains still hiding, which again came out. There were things I couldn’t accept. Until a time came when I finally broke up with Bruce because I wanted to be alone this time.

E n d o f o u r l o v e s t o r y .

After almost a year of working here, a time came when I finally decided to resign.

I have my savings anyway.

[AUGUST 2012]

Then, I looked for some other companies to apply to.

I made sure that this time I would be liking the nature of the job.

It took me only two weeks to find this one.

Hola, ZTN Corporación! Just here again in Castellón.

What a lucky girl! The salary is just as good as the benefits.

I was doing well at work for a couple of months.

So, I got a lot of praise from my employer, managers, and a few coworkers.

---

One day, I’d received a message from Hernan, a schoolmate who’s also working here in Castellón.

HERNAN: Buenos días

ISLA: Buenos días también

HERNAN: Are you working at ZTN Corporación? I saw your stories.

ISLA: Yes.

HERNAN: Nice. It’s a good company.

ISLA: Hehe.

HERNAN: I’m also working here in Castellón.

ISLA: In what company?

HERNAN: Viola Corporación

ISLA: Nice.

HERNAN: Can we meet sometimes when you have time?

ISLA: Yeah.

---

After a couple of months, Hernan and I fell in love with each other.

So, he became my boyfriend.

We traveled a lot after work.

We usually go to coffee shops.

And we tried eating a variety of foods at different restaurants.

After a few months of dating Hernan,

he asked me if I could lend him money for his mother.

I didn’t hesitate to lend him.

Another week has passed, and he asked for more money.

He told me that there’s just an emergency.

Because I really care for him, I lent him money again.

I notice that he dates and updates me less often.

I thought he’d just been busy these past few days, but something is bothering me.

So, I decided to go near his office after work.

I saw him with another woman, so I followed them, and they ate at a restaurant.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt by asking him...

ISLA: Hi, love, can we meet today?

HERNAN: Hmm, let’s just meet tomorrow. I’m busy right now, so much work.

ISLA: Okay. Love you!

I didn’t even receive a response to that last message.

So, I guess something is wrong.

On the next day, I went again near his office. And guess what?

He’s with that woman again.

They even eat at a fine dining restaurant with so much sweetness, like a real couple.

Then I messaged him...

ISLA: I’m here now at Viola Park.

HERNAN: Wait, I’m still at work.

ISLA: Okay. I’ll just wait.

What a liar!

Let’s see what I can do.

ISLA: Love, where are you now?

HERNAN: I’m on my way.

Then here he is...

ISLA: I guess you’re doing great in your job.

HERNAN: Not really. What makes you say that?

ISLA: Because you seem busier now.

HERNAN: Oh. There’s just lots of work this period.

ISLA: Alright, let’s eat?

HERNAN: Yeah.

Hernan, the liar cheater!

But yeah, not my loss.

He’s not that handsome, lol.

----

[JUNE 2013]

And then here’s the weekend.

Due to boredom, I replied to random men on my dating app.

And here I met the libra man, Apollo Gray.

GRAY: Ughhhhhhhhhh!!!

ISLA: UGHHHHH UGHHHH UGHHHH!

GRAY: I’m c ü mm!nğg ... I’m c ü mm!n ğ g ...

ISLA: Boooooogshhhhhhhhh!

GRAY: My turn!

ISLA: Ughhh... Right there, right there...

GRAY: Yumyumyumyumyum...

ISLA: Yamete kudasaiii... Yamete kudasaiii... Yameteeeeeeee

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This is it...

GRAY: Hi, I’m Gray.

ISLA: Is that your real name?

GRAY: Yeah. How about you, Miss Pisces?

ISLA: Yeah. I’m Isla.

GRAY: So, why don’t you have a boyfriend?

ISLA: I have.

GRAY: How many?

ISLA: Just one. And you?

GRAY: Just two. Can you be the third?

ISLA: HAHAHA. Cheater.

GRAY: If I’m a cheater, then what do you call yourself?

ISLA: I have a reason why I’m here.

GRAY: What?

ISLA: He’s the one who cheated first.

GRAY: So, that means you’re not looking for someone else. You just want a revenge.

ISLA: Hmm, maybe. But I’m also a bit bored.

GRAY: Alright. I’m actually a polyamorous person, that’s why I have two girlfriends.

ISLA: Really? Why?

GRAY: I’m tired of getting jealous.

ISLA: Me, too!

GRAY: Oh, you’re also a poly?

ISLA: Nope, I mean, I’m also tired of getting jealous... But I think it’s better to have a relationship with only one person.

GRAY: That’s how most people think about it.

ISLA: Maybe you’re just bothered by jealousy.

GRAY: Pros and cons of both, I don’t think one is inherently better than the other. In my opinion, it’s more on the people involved.

ISLA: Well, it depends on every person.

GRAY: Like if you’re with one person who abuses you, that’s bad. But if you’re with two people who actually love you, that’s good.

ISLA: It’s a matter of perspective and experience. But yeah, that makes sense.

GRAY: Mhmm!

ISLA: Are you happy with that?

GRAY: Of course! So, can I date you?

ISLA: Let’s try! You’re easy to talk to. A Sagittarius zodiac sign suits you better.

GRAY: How did you say?

ISLA: Straightforward! LOL.

GRAY: HAHA! When and where can we meet?

ISLA: You choose.

GRAY: Okay. Where do you live?

ISLA: Here in Castellón. And you?

GRAY: I’m here in Barcelona. Okay, let’s meet today, 3PM at Castellón Park.

ISLA: All right!

GRAY: Ughhhh. See you, honey!

#GoodbyeBruce

#LongTimeBoyfriend

#ThanksForEverything

#ChapterClosed

#IHopeThisFinallyHelpsAllOfUsMoveForward

#IWon’tBeEntertainingQuestionsRegardingThisAnymore

#ThankYouForUnderstanding

#ALifeWithoutAThrillAin’tLifeAtAll

#ThisIsTheBeginning

CHAPTER 5

“Victory”

While riding in public transportation, going to our meet-up place. I texted Faith...

ISLA: Hey, got a soon-to-be boyfriend!

FAITH: Again? When did you guys break up?

ISLA: I'm not breaking up with Hernan yet.

FAITH: Why?

ISLA: He cheated on me.

FAITH: Oh. That’s why you have another date?

ISLA: Yap. But it’s not a serious one.

FAITH: Just a play again?

ISLA: Mhmm! We’re going to meet today.

FAITH: Alright!

---

I honestly feel a little bit nervous. He’s quicker than me.

Then...

Here he is...

Relax, Isla... He’s just a person......

Yeah, so why would you be afraid, Isla?

He’s just a person, and you’re a demon. XD

GRAY: Honey!

ISLA: Hey!

GRAY: How are you?

ISLA: I’m good. How about you?

GRAY: I feel so good. So, where do you want to eat?

ISLA: Anywhere you want. No problem for me.

GRAY: Hmm. In the Victory Hotel?

ISLA: Oh!

GRAY: Don’t you want to eat there?

ISLA: What are we going to eat there?

GRAY: What do you want to eat?

ISLA: How about you?

GRAY: You answer first.

ISLA: Of course, food.

GRAY: Yeah, but what food?

ISLA: Hmm.

GRAY: A hotdog?

Then, our laughter just exploded.

Like wtf? The connection is just so strong XD

GRAY: Let’s go?

ISLA: Let’s go!

While going up to the floor where our room is... We’re still like...

holding our laughter while looking at each other.

We really have the same vibe.

Like yeah... This is it.

Then here we are, inside our room.

He ordered the food via phone...

“Hi.”

“Hi, sir. May I know your orders, please?”

Before making our orders, Gray looked at me with a smile on his face.

“Two jumbo hotdogs... two large eggs... two rice... and two beers”

“Anything else, sir?”

“Nothing,”

“Okay, sir. The waiting time is about 30 minutes.”

“Okay. Thanks!”

GRAY: Have you heard of that?

ISLA: What?

GRAY: The waiting time is about 30 minutes.

ISLA: Then?

GRAY: What can we do while waiting?

ISLA: Hmm. What do you want?

GRAY: Can I hug you?

ISLA: Sure.

Then, we hugged each other. It’s weird, but I really felt a kind of connection.

...

Then we e a t... e a t... and e a t...

... our ordered foods.

Then... We drink the beer while having long, deep talks about Hernan and his two girlfriends.

Yeah.

And...

We stared at each other for so long...

“Say sexy things.” Gray said

“Cum with me.” I answered.

“Ughhh...”

“Hmmmmmmm...”

He slowly kissed me on my cheeks...

...then on my lips.

I sucked his tongue...

... Then, he sucked mine.

Then...

I left a mark on his neck...

... and on his chest.

We slowly touched each other...

... from top...

....

.. to bottom.

And then...

I t h a p p e n e d .

Zzzzz~

Then, we woke up...

ISLA: I have not been like this before. I really am not. But pain really changes people.

GRAY: How’s our night to you?

ISLA: It’s wild. I will never forget that night.

GRAY: What comes to your mind? I thought we’re just joking about doing it?

ISLA: I don’t know. How about you?

GRAY: You don’t have to ask, of course I want it.

ISLA: That quick?

GRAY: Yeah. I already imagined that when I saw your profile.

ISLA: You seem used to having one-night stands.

GRAY: Yeah! Why not break up with your boyfriend? You’re done.

ISLA: I have something to do first.

GRAY: What?

ISLA: I want to get back my money first, plus double the interest. He owes me more.

GRAY: Did you lend him money?

ISLA: I cared for him, that’s why. He said that he just needs it for his mother.

GRAY: I will help you with your revenge.

ISLA: This is not revenge, only justice.

GRAY: Then I’ll help you get your justice. I want to be useful to you.

ISLA: Up to what extent?

GRAY: I will be an accessory to it. I will make you win... no matter what.

ISLA: How can I return the favor to you? How much do you want?

GRAY: Nothing, just you.

GRAY: So, what’s the plan?

ISLA: I feel like he has no plan of returning my money. We have to think of an idea of how I can get his money in his apartment.

GRAY: Yeah... Why not try to live with him?

ISLA: I can do that, but if he discovers that his money is missing, I’ll be the only one he will suspect because he’s the only one who has the key to his unit. The custodians don’t have it.

GRAY: You’re right... Hmm...

ISLA: But I can consider your idea.

GRAY: How?

ISLA: I’ll try to live with him, but I’m not the one who will steal his money.

GRAY: Then, who?

ISLA: Is there anyone else here?

GRAY: How can I?

ISLA: You have to pretend.

GRAY: As?

ISLA: Like a visitor... But you must cover your face because there are CCTVs outside his unit.

GRAY: A visitor?

ISLA: Not really a visitor. Like... We must make a scenario so you can enter his apartment with a purpose.

GRAY: I get it!

ISLA: I will act like I’m in a hurry to color my hair for the next day’s occasion at work. Then, you’ll act like a parlorist doing home services.

I will act like I have a cough, so you can wear a face mask without making you look suspicious.

GRAY: You’re wise, huh?

ISLA: Also, wear a volumized wig with a bang, eyeglasses, and girly clothes. Don’t forget gloves.

GRAY: When are we going to do that?

ISLA: It must be on a Friday night, after our work, so he would be tired. He told me that he’s just resting during the weekends, so he won’t need the money to buy anything. I just have to make sure that he has a lot of stock in his apartment, so he won’t buy groceries that coming weekend. And he just often watches TV every night, so he won’t be noticing you that much. Then, on the next day, after the made-up occasion, I will distract him more, so he won’t immediately find out that he lost his money.

GRAY: Alright.

ISLA: Don’t have your car on that day. Book a taxi, and don’t get off near his place. So, if he ever tried to detect where you came from, no vehicle would be reported. Come at around 8:30 PM, so the guard is not in there anymore. Then I’ll just open the main door for you.

GRAY: How about my record on your phone as a parlorist?

ISLA: I’ll just tell him that I only got your details through a printed ad I saw somewhere here in Castellón that day when my friends and I are roaming around after work. I’ll just tell him that I suddenly got an idea of coloring my hair when I saw that printed ad. Then, I’ll tell him that I saved only your number and then just read your other details, which I’d tell him I couldn’t remember anymore since I’m tired and in a hurry. Then, you just have to deactivate that number after, so if he calls, the number will be unattended. With that, you’re the one he will only suspect.

GRAY: You’ll also be a little bit suspicious with that.

ISLA: I know, but if ever he finds me suspicious, he won’t have any evidence that I’m guilty. To make me look less suspicious, I have to live with him for about a month before we do that. His savings are just inside a cabinet.

---

After a week, Gray introduced me to his two girlfriends, Raquel and Cherry.

They both look gorgeous and have so much resemblance.

Fast forward ~

[JULY 2013]

*The Day of Revenge*

ISLA: Love, a parlorist will be in here in a few minutes.

HERNAN: All right.

I opened the main door for Gray, then we went straight to Hernan’s unit...

I tried hard to hold my laughter after seeing Gray dressed like that. XD

Hernan was just so busy watching TV.

A few minutes later, he went inside his bedroom to sleep.

So, this is it...

Hernan, the stupid bch. Here we goooooo...

ISLA: It’s just there inside the cabinet.

GRAY: Gotcha!

After stealing the money, Gray immediately went outside.

Yap, that quick. ~

On the next few days, after the made-up occasion, I distracted Hernan.

And...

The enemy has been slayed XD

Victory! ~

---

That was a mission accomplished, tho

Then again, it’s Monday...

After work, we celebrated the victory.

We went to a resto bar. Danced.

Went to my apartment and slept together.

#GrayTheParlorist

#IslaTheMasterMind

#HernanTheF*ck*gIdi0t

#AStup!dWifeSuitsYouWell

#SoYouWillAlwaysFeelBetter

#EffectsOfChildhoodPsychologicalIssues

#I'mSorryButYouNeedAPsychiatrist

#ThankMeLater

CHAPTER 6

“Small World”

*5 missed calls* (from Hernan)

ISLA: Hey, why are you calling? I’m still at work, celebrating a coworker's birthday.

HERNAN: My money is missing.

ISLA: Just look around. It’s just there.

HERNAN: I did. But it must only be here in the cabinet.

ISLA: Wait. I’ll get there later.

ISLA: Hey, what now? Have you found it?

HERNAN: No. It must be stolen

ISLA: Ha? Maybe it’s just here in your bedroom

HERNAN: I already checked it there.

ISLA: Maybe an apartment’s cleaner went inside here

HERNAN: No, the custodians are cleaning just the outside, they don’t have the key.

ISLA: Oh.

HERNAN: Wait, it must have been the parlorist last week. Have you observed him the whole time when he’s here?

ISLA: Hmm. Yeah.

HERNAN: Haven’t you gone to the comfort room while he’s here?

ISLA: Just once, when I had to po*p.

HERNAN: It must be him.

ISLA: How much money have you lost?

HERNAN: Almost €3,000.00

ISLA: Oh, sht.

HERNAN: What’s his name? Can you show me his details?

ISLA: I only got his number.

HERNAN: How about his name? You must know it.

ISLA: I only got his details through a printed ad I saw somewhere here in Castellón on that day when my friends and I were roaming around. Then, I saved only his number. I just read his other details. I couldn’t remember it anymore since I’m tired and in a hurry on that day.

HERNAN: Try to remember his name

ISLA: Hmm... It’s like... Ra...

HERNAN: Ra... what?

ISLA: I really couldn’t remember because I wasn’t myself that day.

HERNAN: Wat da fvk, Isla?!

ISLA: I’m sorry.

HERNAN: Show me his number.

ISLA: Here.

*Dialing...

Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt...Trtttt.

“The number you have dialed is now unattended. Please try your call later.”

HERNAN: Tsk, tsk, tsk. It must be him. Do you remember his face?

ISLA: He’s wearing a face mask since I told him I was coughing.

HERNAN: Tsk. I’ll check his face on the CCTV recording.

HERNAN: Tskkk. He was wearing it all along.

ISLA: Oh no. What if you try to see his car plate number on the CCTV record?

HERNAN: I checked the record outside the apartment. He was just walking when he was nearby. I��ll try to look at the other records on the other streets.

---

I texted Gray...

ISLA: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

GRAY: What? XD

ISLA: Hernan is now in so much distress

GRAY: Dasurv!

ISLA: Em0tional Damage!

GRAY: Double kill!

Two hours later...

HERNAN: I’ll check again tomorrow.

ISLA: But you have work.

HERNAN: This is more important. I’ll just be absent tomorrow.

ISLA: Okay. Let’s sleep now, I’m tired.

HERNAN: I’ll also try the DNA test.

ISLA: It costs a lot

HERNAN: Yeah, I know. But if there are no records of him that will show his face and where he came from, it will only be the last solution I can use to find him.

---

A few weeks later...

CCTV records failed...

No other fingerprints were detected...

So, Hernan finally gave up finding the culprit.

->>> First blood! <<<-

[AUGUST 2013]

Fast forward...

Gray and I were watching a movie at my apartment when Faith called...

Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt

FAITH: Hey, can we go outside?

ISLA: I’m with Gray right now.

FAITH: Where?

ISLA: Here at my apartment. Wait for us outside, then let’s eat somewhere.

FAITH: Alright!

GRAY: Who is Faith?

ISLA: My best friend since college. She’s the daughter of this apartment’s lessor, Auntie Mercedes. She’s working at GT Blue Corporación.

GRAY: Oh.

ISLA: Let’s go!

ISLA: Hi, Faith!

FAITH: Hi Isla! Is he the one you’re talking about?

ISLA: Yeah. He’s Gray, my boyfriend. And Gray, she’s Faith.

GRAY: Hi, Faith. Nice to meet you.

FAITH: Hi, Gray. It’s nice to meet you, too.

GRAY: So, where’s your province, Faith?

FAITH: At Toledo.

GRAY: Oh, we also lived there before.

FAITH: With whom?

GRAY: My family.

FAITH: Where are they now?

GRAY: My parents are now living in Seville. And my half-brother is in Córdoba.

FAITH: You only have one sibling? And just a half?

GRAY: I actually have an older half-sister on my mother’s side.

FAITH: Oh. Both are half siblings.

GRAY: Yap. But it’s fine.

FAITH: Where is your half-sister now?

GRAY: On my biological father. He and mom got separated when I was two, and my sister was fifteen at that time. So, yeah, I was raised by a stepfather.

FAITH: How about your real dad? Is he not visiting you?

GRAY: Mom said they were visiting me once a month when I was a child. But a year after they separated, he died of lung cancer.

FAITH: How about your half-sister?

GRAY: Hmm, she’s still young back then, so maybe she didn’t know how to get to our home.

FAITH: Have you asked your mom about your sister?

GRAY: She doesn’t want to talk about it. So, I couldn’t do anything. She didn’t even tell me their names. So, I hated mom for that.

FAITH: That is similar to mom’s case. She also has a half-brother on her father’s side. They were visiting him after her dad and stepmom got separated. But when her father died, she couldn’t see his half- brother since then. She couldn’t know where his half-brother now is. She couldn’t find it on social media either.

GRAY: What’s the name?

FAITH: Apollo?

GRAY: Apollo, what?

FAITH: Hmm.

As I remember, the surname sounds like a restaurant... Apollooo...

Mcdowney?

Then...

Gray and I were both in shock.

Like... We literally stared at each other for almost fifteen seconds...

FAITH: Hey!

Are you guys, okay?

GRAY: Where’s your mom?

FAITH: At home.

---

FAITH: Hey, what?!

ISLA: Wait!

FAITH: Why did you react like that?

---

When we arrived at their home...

Gray suddenly knocked at the door...

Then Auntie Mercedes opened it...

GRAY: Do you know Elizabeth Mcdowney?

AUNTIE: She was my stepmom before.

And Gray immediately hugged Auntie...

Faith seems to finally understand what’s happening.

Auntie seems really confused.

GRAY: I will explain everything

AUNTIE: What?

GRAY: You have a half-brother on your father’s side, right?

AUNTIE: Yeah!

GRAY: He was two and you were fifteen when your dad and stepmom got separated, right?

AUNTIE: Yeah. How did you know?

GRAY: Elizabeth Mcdowney is my mom. She told me I have a half-sister.

AUNTIE: Oh.

Then, Auntie just had a reaction that I couldn't explain.

Like... She’s confused but is laughing and has teary eyes.

AUNTIE: So, that means... You are my half-brother?

GRAY: Yeah. Mom didn’t tell me your names, that’s why I couldn’t find you on social media. And I hated mom for that. I did everything to convince her to tell me. But she just didn’t want to because they were not on good terms when they got separated.

AUNTIE: I also tried finding you on social media.

GRAY: I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan of it. I’m just using dating apps. So, yeah. That’s where I met Isla.

Then, we all just laughed.

And... They hugged again.

Gray also hugged Faith.

“My niece!”

“My uncle!”

I was so happy for all of you.

“Hey, were you just chatting random girls in dating app?” I asked.

“Nope. I’m choosing, of course.” Gray answered.

“So, why did you chat with me?”

“Well, I find you attractive, but there’s a deeper reason why I chat you.”