San Diego, California
(Caleb)
“BUDDY, don’t you think you are focusing too much on your past that you are actually missing your future?” I was about to pour some wine in my glass when I heard Evan, my best friend, asked me that question. He was a Filipino-American like me.
For a while, my hand froze. We were currently standing on the balcony of his mansion, watching as the kids play around the lawn. It was Evan’s son’s first birthday today.
I looked away when I saw the contented look on Evan’s face as he watched his wife held their baby in her arms. I could have had my own family now, too. I could have had a child of my own, too, if only someone did not heartlessly mess up with my whole life.
“Caleb?”
“Must we really talk about this every single time we meet?” I said when I got back on my senses. Ever since Evan got married, he had made it his life goal to introduce me to different women just because he wanted me to forget the past and experience the happiness that he felt when he started a family.
I smiled bitterly. If only Evan knew that my past was the only thing that was keeping me alive right now.
Evan was about to respond when my phone rang. My forehead creased when I saw Rex’s name on the screen. He was the private investigator that I hired back in the Philippines.
“This has to be good news, Rex.” I said upon answering. I hate beating around the bush. “You know how much I hate to waste my time.”
“Don’t worry. This is good news, Sir. Your brother is getting married.”
For the first time after six long years, a genuine smile formed on my lips. “That’s good news indeed, Rex. When is the wedding?”
“Next month, Sir. It seems like Alaric is in a rush. It’s only been four days after he proposed to Gianna, his bride-to-be.”
My smile widened. “Is that so?”
“I will send the other information together with the woman’s pictures via mail, Sir.”
I shook my head. “No need. I know my twin brother’s taste. I will know it’s Gianna once I see her.”
“Roger that, Sir. The woman has a creamy-white skin, just so you know. It’d be easier for you to distinguish her once you know at least one thing about what she looks like.”
“Oh,” I emptied the wine from my glass and grinned. “So it’s going to be Snow White and the Beast nuptial, huh? That’s interesting.”
Rex just laughed.
“I don’t like that evil spark in your eyes, man.” Evan said when I turned to look at him after I put my phone back in my pocket.
I shrugged. “An eye for an eye, a bride for a bride. It’s revenge time, buddy.”
“So, Alaric is finally getting married.” He confirmed. “Does this mean that you are going back to the Philippines?” I nodded. “And what do you plan to do? Hurt his fiancée? Or torture her perhaps?”
“Oh, come on.” I grinned. I could sense the heat slowly rushing into my veins. After several years, I’m finally back in the game. “You know that I don’t hurt women as punishment. I kiss them instead.”

(Gianna)
“I HAVE A PROBLEM.”
My forehead creased after hearing the man’s voice on the other line. He was my third and last caller for the night; they were the callers who wanted to share their problems in my program at the radio station where I worked at as a Disk Jockey. The segment, “Ask Gi” aired from seven to nine in the evening on weekdays.
The man’s voice on the other line could pass as a DJ, too. He had a very refined voice. It fact, it was similar to my fiance’s voice that’s why I don’t understand why I felt a shiver ran down my spine the second I heard his voice.
I shook my head to drive the thought away before answering, “All right. Do you mind sharing your story first so I can help? But before that, may I know your name?”
“Well, others call me ‘Jerk’. But since this is our first time talking, you can call me by my real name. I’m Caleb.”
I gasped. “You let others call you ‘jerk’?”
“Yeah.” He said as if it was nothing. “And I don’t mind because I really am.”
“Oh,” That was the only thing I could manage to say. I’ve been working as a Disk Jockey for three years now but I’ve never encountered a man like him before. I don’t know why but I have a bad feeling about him. I cleared my throat before I proceeded. “So, what is your story, Caleb?”
“Well, I just got back from California. And I’m here on a mission.”
“Mission, huh? And what is that?”
“You will find out soon.” My forehead creased once more. Why do I feel like the caller knew me personally? But before I could even ask, he added, “I’m a fan of yours. I will surely call you again to let you know, DJ Gi.”
There’s no need. That was what I wanted to say. But at the last minute, I changed my mind. I’m currently on air. I could not afford to say such thing. “Really? Thank you then-“
“You’re welcome.” He responded, deliberately cutting me off. “Now, back to my problem. You see, there is this woman who will be a collateral damage once I continue this mission I was talking about. And I don’t know how to apologize to her for all the changes that will occur in her life from now on.”
“Well... you can start apologizing to her now.”
“That’s a good idea.” He quickly said, “Do you mind if I dedicate her a message?”
“Not really.”
“Okay. To Gianna,” This time, I felt like all the hairs on my body went up after discovering that the woman who was going to be the collateral damage in the mission this strange man was talking about had the same name as me. Caleb was really starting to sound... creepy.