SAVANNAH
“Or you can tell him yourself…” Carter spun to the side. His sinfully delicious brother had appeared on the shaded side of the front porch. Even in the shadows, he was still beautiful that it hurt.
“Where the hell were you?” he raged, marching toward me.
“Hey, man,” Carter announced, but Rafe ignored him.
“Alright. That’s my signal.” My boss raised his hands and made an exit.
Rafe waited until his brother was out of the picture so he could grab my shoulders. “Why would you do that?”
Crap. This was the time I hoped we weren’t alone.
“Do what? You look busy with your friend.”
“I don’t have a friend. Erin is certainly not my friend. I told you I don’t have any friends.”
“Yes, because she’s just someone you had a—” I swallowed dryly “—whatever the hell that was. Honestly, I don’t want to care anymore.”
He heaved a sigh. “If you have a problem, you can ask me instead of walking away. You’re driving me insane.”
“Would you answer me if I asked you?”
Blood drained from his face. He couldn’t answer.
“See? You can’t. Because you always held back. And I respect that, Rafe.” I sniffed back the tears that were looming to come out. “I want to continue to respect that. Give you space. Time. But what’s the point of this trial if we’re like this?”
“Let’s not do this now,” he murmured, his voice tormented. He brought his arm down and slipped them to my waist to pull me close. “Please, Savi. My mother will look for us. You didn’t even eat.”
He really wasn’t going to give himself a chance to explain.
I pushed his chest. “You go. You’re more important here than I am. I want to rest.”
“Why would you say that? You’re more important to me than any of this.”
“You’re only saying that.” I managed to pull away. “They’re still your family. These people are your people. So, please, Rafe. I just need to think.”
He caught my arm. “Think about it with me.”
“That’s the problem. All we do is think. Overthink because we don’t really communicate those things necessary to make this work.” I inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. “I’m going to bed, and let me sleep. We leave tomorrow morning. I’m sorry.”
He was about to say something else, but he stopped and nodded.
I rushed back inside, hoping he wouldn’t follow because I really wished to be alone.
I thought we’d finally understood each other. I was trying hard to. I was trying so hard to be considerate of his feelings because this was new to him, but I was a human that could feel exhaustion. I was tired. Sometimes I just wanted to give myself space and a moment to think.
“Sorry.” I bumped into someone as I was exiting, hiding my red face because I didn’t want the guests to think I was being melodramatic.
“Savi? Where are you going?” It was Benjamin. Oh, God. Not him, of all people.
“Hey, um, I’ve got a really terrible headache. I can hardly open my eyes, so I might need to rest a bit. I’m really sorry.”
He frowned, suspicious. “Where’s Rafe?”
I didn’t want him to notice there was an issue, so I came up with another excuse. “He’s talking to some friends, but I don’t want to spoil his evening. I already let him know, so it’s fine. I had fun.” I forced a smile. “It was a splendid party.”
“Are you sure? Do you need anything?” he asked kindly.
“Maybe meds for the headache? But it’s okay.”
“I’ll have the maids bring something to your room.”
“That’s very kind.”
“I guess things like this happen. It’s a shame. I was looking forward to dancing with you. Anyway, take care of yourself, Savi. I’ll just tell Rachel.”
“Thank you.”
I left before he asked something else.
I went back to my bedroom… his bedroom because I had nowhere else to go. I hurried to the bathroom, undressed, and showered. Then I rummaged into my suitcase and put on some nightwear. Shortly, I collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
I wished to stay. Skip a few days at work, and spend more time with him, but the mixed emotion inside me was too much. It was selfish and immature, but I needed an escape. If Rafe wasn’t ready to speak to me, so be it. I hated demanding things from people. I didn’t want to put them into difficult situations because of our differences.
I wanted to understand, understand, and understand.
But sometimes I thought maybe that was wrong with me. When I consider them too much, I get to carry the pain alone.
I rolled to the side to grab my phone. It was past midnight, so I assumed my friends were asleep by now. I averted my busy mind to check my notifications.
To my bewilderment, I got twelve of them from Brett. The other nine were from missed calls.
I groaned. What the hell was wrong with him? If I didn’t know him, I’d think he was obsessing. He was exactly just like Edward.
I read the messages.
I think I found your brother’s family. Someone agreed to meet Elliot this week. Are you free?
But you can’t tell Michael yet until we’re sure.
Can I call so I can explain?
Why aren’t you answering?
This is urgent.
Can you make it tomorrow?
I THINK I KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
ANSWER THE GODDAMN PHONE.
Oh, God. The last message was sent two hours ago. Using phones while at the party was rude, so I set it on silent mode.
Brett was so into this he probably thought I wasn’t interested now.
Of course, I was interested. This was Michael we were talking about. I sent a reply right away.
Me: Still there? I’m sorry I was busy.
Brett’s reply came in a minute.
Brett: I’ve already grown mushrooms waiting for your response. Are you free this week or not?
Me: When and where should we meet?
My phone rang after I sent the message.
“When are you returning?” Brett said as soon as I pressed answer.
“Tomorrow. But does Edward know this?”
“No, but it’s fine if you tell him later. We’re not telling anyone until we’re sure it’s them. If it’s not, just search again.”
I still couldn’t understand how he was so into this. “How will you even know that?”
“I guess we’ll just have to see. I’ll let you know the date and time this week. We’re just following schedules.”
“Fine. What else?”
“So, are you enjoying your new life now, huh? Having fun with the Sebastians?” He sounded sarcastic.
“Are we going to talk about this?” I rolled my eyes. “It’s none of your business.”
“I didn’t think you actually left Edward, but let me tell you something.” I heard a creaking sound from a chair in the background.
“No, thanks. I won’t talk to you about anything, but only about Michael.”
I suddenly remembered what he did to Rafe. They were only young and immature then, but his unfathomable jealousy had reached this point that he still couldn’t forget the past. Both of them had to move on. It wasn’t healthy.
“That world you’re getting into is unknown to someone like you, Savi,” he continued. “Be careful. Sure, there are good things, but bad things are bound to happen if you date that guy, and it will eat you alive. Congratulations if it worked out, though.” He laughed at the end of his sentence.
Oh, God. I was so done talking to him. “Can we hang up now if you’re not going to say something I’d actually care about?”
“Well, I warned you. I’ll call again.”
He hung up.
Talking to Brett was more exhausting than thinking about my issues. I wasn’t sure if associating with him was right, but I’d do anything for Michael. If Brett was only pranking me, he could go to hell, and I’d just continue the search myself.
On the other hand, I contemplated what if the person I was meeting tomorrow was really my brother’s family? What would they be like? Were they going to take my brother back?
But I was confident Michael wouldn’t leave me. Because Michael was Michael. I was his only real family all his life. He held me as a baby when he was a kid himself.
A lot happened these past several weeks. Things that were unimaginable ever since I met Rafe. Was this what Brett was talking about? A world that was so unknown I didn’t even have time to breathe.
I tossed away the phone when there was a knock on the door. I hopped down from the bed to open it.
Two young maids were pushing a trolley with a full-course dinner and snacks from the party, a pitcher of water and a glass, and a saucer with a medicine capsule.
“Mr. Sebastian asked me to bring this,” the short-haired girl said softly.
“Benjamin?”
“No, it’s the eldest, miss. Mr. Rafael.”
Oh.
“May we come in?” the other maid asked.
“Yeah, sure.” I held the door open so they could freely walk inside. They carefully placed the trays on the nightstand, and the short-haired girl gave me a warm smile.
“Have a good night, miss.”
“You too.”
I shut the door, rushed to the nightstand, and nibbled a piece of the finger snack. I instantly felt relief in my stomach. Angry as hell or not, I wasn’t going to let myself starve. I wasn’t that immature.
At the side of the tray, I noticed a small note with beautiful cursive handwriting.
Dad told me you needed this. Eat everything on the plate, please. Get a rest, and I’ll join you later.
Yours,
Rafael
I smiled. My heart melted.
Somehow, despite our problems, Rafe knew exactly how to make me feel better.