Drown

*****

"Is everything's fine?" Zach asked and I answered him a smile.

"Yes, I'll probably visit home before we go on a short vacation tomorrow" I said and he nod his head.

"Tell Flame, I'm sorry" He avoided my gaze. I chuckled, and muttered

"I will."

Back in the days, Zach and Flame were quite close. Zach will pamper my spoiled brat of a cousin with expensive dress and shoes, the later will just clung on him like a little sister she is.

She was kinda sort off our baby, but things doesn't always end well. We broke up and Flame saw how shattered I was, how much I suffered because of him.

Flame kept saying, he cheated with his feelings on me but I knew better. I was hurting a lot because from the very start, I knew what kind of sh*t I entered, yet I still gambled with everything I have.

I sighed, needed to say sorry too. I can't leave the country while having a bad blood with my bestfriend.

"I'll be back at six, you?" I asked him.

"Five, i'll finish my work early" and he gave me his crook smiled.

I pouted, Zach looks peaceful nowadays even though I know how stress he is with work. He rushed all his paper works just to fulfilled my request, and I appreciate that, although I feel rotting inside knowing what I'll do to him after.

I pouted my lips, asking for a kiss and he obliged. The kiss lasted and minute, it was soft and romantic. He rested his forehead on mine.

"You're getting sweeter" He said and i giggled.

"Don't you like it?" I teased.

"Of course, I do" Zach chuckled and he then cage me in his arms. My head fell on his chest. I was busy listening to the sound of his heartbeat while he was kissing the top of my head.

"I should go, I'll see you on dinner" I slightly push him away.

"Fine, take care."

After bidding my goodbye, I went to Casa Roan.

When the security found that it was me, shock was evident in their eyes but nevertheless they let me in.

It's been about a year since I last visited and that was last Christmas.

I knew Flame will be here, Unlike me. Flame situation is different, The Roan's are more uptight with her, she can't have her own condo (After f.u.c.king things up last year), and bodyguards are with her 24/7.

After a five minute drive, I finally stopped the car. When I entered, the front maids were lining up, my brow furrowed but whatever, I could only careless. No matter what we do, nothing will change in this house.

"Flame?"

I asked one of the maids for my cousin's whereabouts, who's bowing down her head. I rolled my eyes.

"Etertaining room, Madam" she answered politely, as if they were all trained to be like that.

Gahh! This stupid thing keeps p.i.s.sing me off. Seriously, the manner pa.s.sed down by generations should end. We're not in 10th century to act like n.o.ble bloods! It's 21st!

In the end, I ignored them. Talking and ranting will do me no good in this house anyway.

"Flame Audrey" I called her, she stopped playing bowling and looked at my direction..

Her brows creased, as if she didn't expected to see me.

"What?" she b.i.t.c.hily asked that made me smirk. Of course, Flame is Flame. She will never lose that att.i.tude of hers no matter what situation she faces.

"I'm....I'm here to ask for forgiveness?" I murmur, both of us stop on our track. We were just staring at each other, weighing the situation... Until she wrinkle her nose and ran into my arms.

"You're so annoying!" she whispered while burying her face on my neck.

This kid, she grew a lot.

"Well, am i forgiven?"

She punched me and I winced. "No, first you need to buy me something and we're good"

My brow arched. What do I expect? we get away with anything as long as we bribe her. I laugh mentally.

"What kind?"

"A place to stay" She said firmly.

I was processing what she was saying until I realize what she meant about 'Place'

"No!" Just a big NO.

"Yes! Please? You could give it as my graduation gift?"

"You're not graduating yet!"

"What?!" she exclaimed exaggeratedly. "Have you lost count?! I've been in college for four years already and four months from now, I'll be graduating. I've even finished my Thesis study last month"

"Thesis? Second semester haven't started yet" I was confuse, what was she saying?

"So? that doesn't mean I can't finish it in advance, duh" and she rolled her eyes then continued saying. "In case you fvckng forgot, well clearly you did. I'll be graduating this year."

My jaw drop. "You're only 19" I said while calculating the years I spent in school (Med school not included). She's supposed to graduate by 22 not 19.

"G.o.d!" she stomped her foot, "h.e.l.lo! I graduated in senior high at 15! and I'm my last year in college! So stop changing the topic, I want my own place! Grams doesn't want to buy me one." and she stomped

Oh, h.e.l.l yes! I mentally smacked my head, I was so focus on my life that I forgot Flame is a genius, and she took advance cla.s.ses when she was a kid.

"We'll get caught. You know I can't do that" I seriously said.

"Nah. I got grams permission but my problem is, she won't give me money to buy me a unit and she said the moment I go out. She'll cut my cards!"

"And you still want to push it?" I asked confused, that's so unlike her.

"Yes, I want a life. Before I take this name legally" Her voice lays sarcasm.

"How can you survive without money, hmm? Flame, we both know who you are. You spend a lot. Like A LOT!"

She just shrug me off. "You don't need to stick your nose with that, and I got King. Why worry? I just need a condo or something and all is settled".

I sighed. Fine, I just hope she won't get into trouble with this. I know how much she longed for an ordinary life but couldn't so she entertain herself by spending too much money. It's her way of rebelling.

"Okay, I'll arrange things for you" The moment I said that, she squealed and jump excitedly. I shook my head.

I can buy her a new condo, or I can just let her stay on my place. Mine will be empty the moment I leave, so this is a good chance too. Plus, the security in there is tight. I won't worry about her safety.

"Will you be having dinner here?" She turn to me.

"No, I'll leave by five. Meet me at the dining, I'll just greet Abuela."

"Okay" then she continued playing.

I went to the masters bedroom, knock a few times before entering. I saw my Abuela sitting at the porch while sipping her tea.

"Grams" I called her. She turn around to look at me. Her serious face greeted my sight. I wasn't bothered by it, she's like this eversince.

"Come, my child." as she motioned me to sit besides her.

When I sat, I felt her frail hands pat my head. My lips broke in to a smile.

"What is it that you needed to tell me?" Pa.s.sive voice, no hint of sympathy or emotions. Thats her trademark, and funny how she immediately knew i have something to say.

"I'll be leaving" That escalated quickly from my mouth.

"Where to?"

I sighed once again.

"I can't tell you." And I smiled at her apologetically.

She wasn't saying anything and only staring at me. Silence enveloped us.

"Okay, for how long?" she asked again, no sign of oppression.

"I don't know, but until I'm all healed" I said truthfully, for a moment, I was waiting for her reaction, but I got nothing extraordinary. She simply nod her head with understanding. My eyes moistened, she saw it.

"Poor child, I will let you go. I can feel that you needed it. I know you Audelia, you don't seem like one but you are strong willed woman, I watched you grow and among all your cousins. I even considered you as the next candidate but..."

I giggled. "We both know I can't handle it"

She smiled proudly. "True to that, but unlike your other cousins, you were a gambler. Something that Flame lack off, which I'm worried about by the way. But you.. You, Wyett Audelia is my Grand daughter, from head to toe you got the Roan blood.. And I know how big of a woman you are, you never asked me for favors and now.. You, telling me you need to heal, I got no rights to stop you. You won't make this kind of decision if you're not broken and no matter how much I wanted to know what causes you to be like this, I won't. So go, claim your old self Audelia, or better yet. Build a new Roan in you. A more Better Roan, I trust you, my child. "

With eyes swelled with tears, I hug Abuela. She caress my back that only made me cried my heart out.

This cry.... is different from the past cries. This time, it's cry of healing. I'm finally taking the first step... It felt heartbreaking but I also felt like a block of stone left my shoulder.

"Thank you, Grams" I said with all honesty.

"Come back to me when you're all better. I'll be waiting for you."

And all I could do is to swear an unspoken promise between us.

"You're going home?" T'was Flame who asked.

Kayleigh was also here, the three of us are gathered in the dining table.

"Yes, I'll be visiting King in his office. It's been a while since I last talked to him and the last time, we were at each other's throat."

"Okay, I'll come with you. "

I refused her. "No, I got no time to drop you here again. " Flame pouted.

"Ahem." I look at Kayleigh and raise a brow.

She smiled sweetly at me. I rolled my eyes, If I didn't know her att.i.tude, I would have believe this facade of hers.

Kayleigh is a b*tch, blinded by her own insecurity and greed. She kept rivaling with Flame when we all know she can't beat her. For pete's sake she's 24 now, not 4 but here she is. Still caught up with some unreliable things and back stabbing her cousins.

Not that I'm siding Flame, It's just that I experience Kayleigh two face b*tchiness.

I once liked her. Once.

"I gotta go, Take care of yourself Flame. I'll send you the doc.u.ments to your new unit a week from now." I said and bid my Goodbye.

I stood proud while Looking at the empire of King Espresso Moreau.

I sighed and proceeded inside.

Some old employees recognize me and greeted me a good day, I simply nod at them.

Ten minutes later, I arrived on the last floor where his office is located.

I greeted Martha, King secretary who is sitting outside his office.

"Good afternoon, Miss Roan." And she gave me her professional smile.

"h.e.l.lo to you too, Martha. Is King inside?"

"Yes, Miss. He's on the phone right now but you can enter." She opened the door for me. I muttered my thanks.

True to that, King was indeed busy on his Phone. His back is facing me as he's seriously standing near his all gla.s.s bullet proof window, and sky sc.r.a.pers are on the view.

I cleared my throat. He turn around to see me and I can say, he's shock base on his expression.

"I'll... Hey, gonna call you later, Baby. Uhuh. Something came up." He immediately hung up.

My brow arched. 'Baby' huh? Was that the girl his doctor friend hinted me about?

"And what can I do to you, eldest Roan?" He greeted while clasping both of his hands.

"Tss, nothing. Who's that? I didn't know you have a 'child' " I said smirking.

His face turn sour and he glared at me. Oh, look at this cousin of mine.

He's clearly hiding something.

"Shut it, what can I do to you Roan?" He mocked.

"Nothing, I was just bored and I thought of pestering you. "

"Yeah, right. As if..." He sighed heavily. " How are you? heard you're really back with that son of a b*tch ex of yours."

I ignored the insult. "I'm fine, and yeah, sort off." Half lie, I don't want to explain anything or say any unnecessary information.

Silenced envelop us... Until i cleared my throat.

"I want you to be happy, I hope she can make you happy kupal "

His mouth parted and forehead frowned. "What---" I cut him off.

"Bye, I was just really touring around your company. By the way.. send my regards to your friend. I'm thankful to all the help he did, truly."

And then, I left.