DEIVE and his friends were arguing about what movie to watch. They were inside the entertainment room and had just finished dinner. Callea thought they would go home right away after dinner and they would be scared of the mansion. But they were so at home and comfortable that they had no plans to leave yet. They were having so much fun.
Each of them had their own choices. They were even defending why it was good when they already watched their choices. They were like little kids who wanted to best everyone. To think that they were grown, men. She was just observing the four of them.
"I apologize for their ruckus," said Lucian. "Is it okay if we stay overnight? We will just stay here in the entertainment room. They miss Deive. They want to catch up."
"You also miss him," Sidney teased their serious friend.
"Shut up!" Lucian picked up a throw pillow and hit Sydney's face. But Sydney just laughed at him. They were really as thick as brothers.
When was the last time she laughed like that with friends? She couldn't remember when. It was like a distant dream. She missed the sound of the laughter inside that house. Their presence made her feel lonely somehow.
"Are you sure?" Deive queried. "I can easily throw them out if you want. They are too noisy."
"No problem. I will prepare the guestrooms for you so you can rest if you want to." Callea tried to smile. She hoped it didn't look creepy though.
"What do you want to eat while watching?" Callea asked.
Sidney gave a paper bag to Callea. "There's a prawn cracker inside. It is Deive's favorite. For the rest, it is up to you. You may eat them while you work. There's chocolate and crackers there..."
Callea nodded her head. "Okay. I will ask Marina to cook it." She smiled at him. Not a forced smile but a real one. It was a smile from the heart.
Her heart felt lighter now. She was more comfortable around Deive's friends. Despite the awkward introduction, she realized that they were not snobs nor judgmental. According to Deive, they like talented and intelligent people. And they had great respect for artists like her. If she was another woman, they wouldn't pass Lucian's scrutinization. For a short fun, any woman would do. But for the prospective bride of his friends, Deive was very particular and critical. They didn't even mind if she dressed up weirdly. They were even amused.
She went back to the kitchen and helped Marina prepare the midnight snack. There are nachos at the pack so they just have to prepare a dip for it and there's pita, too. "The prawn crackers if Deive's favorite. Make sure you will cook that one."
"I think you smile more frequently today, Señorita."
"Well, I have a deal with Deive. He wants me to smile more often."
"You look better when you smile. You are beautiful." Marina covered her mouth with her palm. "Ooopps! I am sorry. It just slipped."
"That's fine. It is just the two of us." Maybe it was okay to look beautiful in front of those who were close to her like Marina and Deive. Maybe because Deive saw right through her. It was not about the physical beauty but what's inside her heart that must radiate. That was enough to make her feel beautiful.
She returned to the entertainment room with food. Averill helped her carry it to the entertainment room. Lucian won because they were watching Chernobyl on Netflix. She noticed that Deive and his brother were not in the room. "Where's Deive and Keiran?" she asked Sidney who attacked the nachos with gusto.
"I think they are out at the verandah to breathe some fresh air," said Lucian.
"I will just call them so they can eat, too," she said then walked to the verandah. The night was a bit chilly. Maybe the brothers were catching up. They could bring them some food if they wanted to eat at the verandah.
She noticed that Deive and Keiran were serious as they talked. She stopped dead on her tracks and was about to call them when she heard Keiran speak. "Are you sure that you want to marry her? She's out of your league, Kuya (big brother). If you need money, I can lend you some. My investment in stock market since I was eighteen is doing great. I could sell it while the market is still good. Use it to to invest on your pirate ship."
So, Keiran doesn't like her. He didn't talk much a while ago. He was just smiling and observing.
"The last time we talked, you said you would help me so Callea and I will get along," Deive reminded him.
"This is not what I expected. How will you have a normal life? Our grandfather is wrong for doing this to you. If you want, you can turn me into a silent business partner. Just pay me back when you are earning. You don't have to marry a woman you don't like. You don't deserve to suffer for a lifetime."
Callea bit her lip. She felt pain as if someone stabbed her heart. Before, she didn't care about other people's opinions about her. She could easily brush it off or use it as fuel to make scary creatures. She had her own little world where they were not significant. But if Deive would decide to stay away from her, it would blow her heart into pieces.
She started to drag herself away from them. She didn't want to hear Deive's answer. If he would accept Keiran's offer, she would let him go. But as long as he stayed beside her, she won't ask him anything. She would just pretend that she didn't hear a thing.
She was selfish, she knew. She couldn't let go of the man who finally accepted who she really was. She just wanted to spend a little more time with Deive.