“Why didn’t you tell me? We could have gone there together.”
“It’s no big deal. I know you are tired so I decided to just go there on my own.”
“Have I told you how lucky I am to have you in my life, Ric?”
Alaric just laughed. He handed the rose-colored envelope to me before he started driving. Like an eager child, I checked the invitation right away and I was satisfied with the sample. Gwen followed the instructions Alaric and I told her. I was about to bring the envelope back in the dashboard when I noticed something. Alaric’s Uncle from his mother side was the only relative that would come for him.
That was when I remembered that the entire time that we were together, Alaric seldom talked about his family. All I know was that both of his parents died a long time ago. His mother died after giving birth to him while his Spanish-American father died in a plane crash when he was twenty years old. That made it more than a decade now because Alaric turned thirty-four months ago.
Alaric was the first to break the silence between us. “Is there something wrong?”
“I just realized that we don’t talk about your family often, Ric.”
“That’s because I don’t have any, Gianna. Well, I... used to have one but he’s on the other side of the world right now, too busy thinking the worst of me.”
My brows furrowed. We’ve been together for two years but this was the first time that Alaric talked about this. “You mean the only family you have left treats you like an enemy?”
Alaric did not respond. But when I glanced up, I caught a painful expression on his face. I took a deep breath. I didn’t know that talking about his family could make him feel this way. “You can tell me about it whenever you are ready, Ric. I’m willing to wait.”
He smiled, but the sadness in his eyes remained. “Thank you, Gianna.”

(Caleb)
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
A sarcastic smile flashed on my lips upon hearing what Alaric just said. It was pretty hard to believe that those words would be the first thing I would hear from him after six years. The surprise in his eyes cannot be denied when he saw me sitting on the couch inside the living room of the mansion we inherited from our parents.
“Ouch. Where are your manners, brother? You couldn’t even pretend to be happy to see me.” I said before I stood up and approached him. I was about to tap his shoulder when he flinched and avoided my hand.
“You haven’t answered me yet, Caleb. Why are you back?”
My forehead creased. “And why not? Last time I checked, this is also my house. Besides...” I straighten the leather jacket I was wearing. “Would you prefer it if I went straight to Gianna’s apartment instead and pretend to be you?” I grinned when Alaric narrowed his eyes. “Relax, Ric. I just came back for your wedding. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I don’t remember inviting you, Caleb.”
“Oh,” I feigned innocence. “And here I thought my invitation just got lost. You are hurting me, brother.”
Alaric was about to speak when a maid came and told him that there was an emergency call for him from the hospital. For a moment, he looked reluctant to leave.
“I will get back on you later.” He said on a threatening voice before he left and followed the maid.
I shrugged. I was planning to visit my old room when the door suddenly opened. Before I could turn around to face the visitor, I felt someone embraced me from behind. There was a sweet smell coming from her.
“Surprise!” The visitor said in a soft voice. “I missed you today, Ric.”
I could guess right away that the woman was Gianna based on her voice alone. I grinned. I removed her arms on my waist to face her. But I was surprised upon seeing her. Sure, I was expecting a beautiful woman but I was not expecting a woman as beautiful as the one I was actually seeing right now. Rex was right, Gianna had such a flawless Snow White skin, but he forgot to mention that she also had the face of a queen.
Damn you, Ric. So all these time that I was in pain, you were with this girl enjoying heaven.
The thought made blood rushed in my head.
“Is there a problem, Ric?”
“Oh, nothing, sweetheart. I’m just happy that you are here.” I said. Before she could open her mouth to answer, I held her tiny waist and kissed her fully on the lips. I could tell just how surprised she was but I was surprised, too, by the sweet sensation of her lips against mine. This woman was full of surprises. And I loved surprises.
I smiled inwardly while waiting for Alaric’s return.
Come on, brother. Where are you? It’s show time.

(Gianna)
SOMETHING WAS different. Alaric’s kisses were never like this before. Tonight, he was kissing me aggressively as if he was punishing me or something. I’m familiar with Alaric’s kisses. The way he kissed me always felt warm, tender, and light.
When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the dangerous glint in Alaric’s eyes that made me quiver. It was the same green eyes that I knew and yet, for some reason, they looked completely different. The look in his eyes made me push him away.
“What is happening to you, Ric?” I asked, confused.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile. “What do you think?”
His answer made me feel anxious. That was when I noticed the way he was dressed up. He was wearing simple maong jeans, a brown V-neck shirt, and a black leather jacket which he paired with black sneakers as well. But as far as I remember, Alaric never wore rugged attires. He was always formal in his signature long-sleeved polo, coat, and slacks. He was never into leather jackets and rubber shoes which were far from the look of the man in front of me right now.