PART 3.
"You?!! Why are you here?!!" I shouted loudly at the man who clearly didn't belong to our family. This is a family gathering, and it's expected that ONLY family members are invited. So why is he here?! Why is Tyler John Fortuego here?
"Manners, Xyrel," my dad scolded me.
"Sit down and please be respectful," my mom said, so I followed her wish. I sat down while still glaring at Tyler.
"Don't embarrass us," my mom whispered in my ear.
Okay. I kept quiet. I didn't want my parents to be angry with me, and of course, I didn't want to embarrass them.
"I'm sorry, but I believe this is the first time you've met my son, Tyler," Hades' dad introduced Tyler. His son? How is it possible that Tyler is his son? And why am I only finding out now? Huh?! I've never been introduced to him, and I've never seen him before, so how can he be his son?? What's going on here?!
I looked at Hades, who was beside me, and just like my reaction, he was also surprised. But he chose to remain silent instead of speaking up. He closed his fist and clenched his jaw. I reached out to hold his hand, trying to comfort him, but he just pulled it away.
"But in Xyrel's case, maybe not. May I know where you met Tyler?" I turned to Hades' dad again when I heard him mention my name.
I looked at Tyler, who was also looking at me. He just winked and smirked. I want to slap him. Ugh.
"We're classmates, Dad. In my first subject in the morning," I replied to my dad's question.
"Okay, that's why. Uhm... as I was saying, this is the first time I'm announcing Tyler as my son, and he will soon take my surname. He is actually... Hades' twin brother," Hades' dad announced, which surprised all of us. Twin brother? But why do they look so different? I can't even see any resemblance between the two of them. It's not like I'm saying Tyler is ugly or anything, but his looks and features are more masculine than Hades', yet I still prefer Hades more than anything else!
"You have a twin brother?" I asked Hades, but he ignored me again.
"He's a good-looking man. He grew up so well," my dad commented.
"Uhm, can I ask a question, Alexander?" my mom asked.
"Please do, Lacy," Hades' dad replied with a smile, while Hades' mom was already tearing up. Her overwhelming joy was evident in her eyes.
"Why did you only let us meet him now?"
"To be honest, we lost Tyler when he was young. Hades may have forgotten about his twin brother, but not us. We've been looking for him secretly, and after 14 years of searching, we found him in a rural area. He's been brought up well by the people who adopted him," Hades' dad explained.
I was shocked, seriously. So that's why I never knew Tyler as part of the Lavisca family because that's what happened to him when he was young. We heard Tyler suddenly chuckle, so all of us looked at him.
"Oh, sorry-sorry. I was just amused by the reaction of Hades' wife. Hahaha," he replied, noticing that everyone's attention was now on him. Do I look like a clown? I just gave him an angry look.
"So, I guess it's time for us to eat now, shall we?" Hades' mom finally spoke. I nodded, and we began to eat.
The whole table was silent. No one intended to speak and break the silence. Only the sound of utensils could be heard. This garden is actually our family's garden. We are the so-called Fortolejo family. Influential and wealthy. Actually, Hades' family is also wealthy. But not to boast or discriminate, our family is wealthier than Hades' family. And I'm not really sure how my mom and dad convinced Hades' family to agree to our marriage. I'm also not sure why Hades agreed to marry me. I'm just happy that I got what I wanted.
"Hades' wife, are you done eating?" Tyler interrupted the silence. Confused about Tyler's intention, I nodded.
"Uhm, Aunt and Uncle, as well as Dad and Mom, may I borrow Hades' wife for a little while? I want to roam around the garden, and I'm not familiar with the place here. It's best if I have someone to accompany me, and I find Hades' wife suitable since their family owns this place," Tyler asked, seeking the parents' consent.
I wonder what he's up to again. I looked at Hades, hoping he would say no. But he didn't care. After finishing his meal, he suddenly stood up.
"I also want to excuse myself. I have somewhere important to go," he said, without waiting for the parents' consent, and walked out of the garden without looking back.
I sighed. He left me here again. Where could he be going? Could it be Angela? I think so. He doesn't have anywhere else to go, except to see his girlfriend.
"So, Hades' wife, let's go," Tyler brought me back to reality with his words. I looked at our parents, and they all had the same expression. They were giving me the 'go' look. So, I sighed and stood up from my seat to accompany Tyler. As we walked together, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. It was an awkward silence.
"So, you're my husband's sibling?" I started the conversation. Even though I wasn't in the mood to talk to him, I just didn't want us to be consumed by awkwardness while walking.
"Yes, turns out I am," he replied simply.
"When did you find out?"
"Two days ago," he answered while touching the flowers on the side of the hallway.
"So, you approached me knowing that I'm HIS wife and HE'S your brother?" I asked again. Sorry, I can be persistent sometimes.
"Yes. But don't worry. It's not like I have romantic feelings for you. I just want to get to know my twin, and I want him to acknowledge me as well."
"Ah..." I nodded in response, and we fell silent again. I tried to think of something to talk about. "So, you grew up in the province?" I asked again.
"You ask too many questions, you know?" he replied, somewhat irritated. I couldn't help but chuckle. They really are siblings. Easily annoyed.
"Don't laugh. And anyway, it's my turn to ask." He crossed his arms and abruptly stopped walking, causing me to stop and face him.
"Why did you marry my brother? I mean, what did you see in him? Why did you choose to marry him? From what I heard, you were the one who forced your parents to arrange the marriage with my brother. Tell me, Mrs. Lavisca, why?" He moved his face closer to mine. I could feel his warm breath against my skin.
"The simple answer is that I love him." I confidently replied. He smirked, and I furrowed my brows.
"You love him? Then why do you punish him? If you truly love someone, you shouldn't be hurting them." He held onto my shoulders.
"I love him, Tyler." And tears started to fall from my eyes.
"That's just a selfish kind of love. Just because you love him doesn't mean he's going to love you back. Wake up, Xyrel. My brother loves someone else. You're not only hurting him, but you're also hurting yourself. It's best if you let go of him."
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It felt like cold water was poured over me with Tyler's words. He was right. I am selfish. Hades doesn't love me, and he never will. And besides, I'm not only hurting Hades, but I'm also hurting myself.
"Are you okay?" Mom asked me, holding my hand. She looked worried about me. Dad was driving the car.
"They will drop me off at mine and Hades' house now."
"Yes, Mom. I'm fine," I said with a smile. She smiled back at me and let go of my hand.
I looked out the window, lost in deep thought. Soon, we arrived in front of the gate to mine and Hades' house, so I bid farewell to my parents. I got out of the car and went inside the house. I was about to head straight to my room when I noticed that the lights in the dining area were on, so I made my way there. I found Hades there, drunk.
"Oh my, Hades?! Why?!" I immediately approached him. He was still drinking alcohol even though he was already heavily intoxicated.
"Argg... He's back... He's back... **hicks** He's back," he kept saying repeatedly while looking at me. He was really drunk. He looked wasted. Tears streamed down his face, so I wiped them away.
"Shhh... I'm here," I said, hugging him.
"An... Angela... **hicks** Do you know... **hicks** It's my fault... **hicks** It's my fault why we lost Tyler..." He sobbed while holding onto me. He mistook me for Angela.
"Shhh... Calm down... It's okay... You saw Tyler, right? Everything will be okay," I tried to comfort him even though I didn't know the whole story.
"I love you **hicks** so much, Angela... **hicks** I can't lose you **hicks**," he continued to cry.
"It's okay... I will never leave you," I said, gently stroking his back.
"Let's go upstairs to the bedroom. Stop drinking now, you're already drunk. Rest, okay?" I calmed him down, and he slowly nodded.
I helped him up the stairs until he was lying on the bed. This would be the first time he would be lying in our shared bedroom. And even though I really wanted something to happen between us, I wouldn't attempt it. I didn't want anything to happen against his will. So I left him in the room and slept on the sofa instead.
..... The next day.....
"Ouch, my body hurts..." As I woke up, I immediately felt the pain in my body. I wasn't used to sleeping on the sofa, so my whole body ached now.
"Hades?!" I was surprised to find Hades staring at me. "Have you been there all this time?!"
He didn't answer me and headed straight to the kitchen. I pouted and shrugged as I went upstairs. I took a shower and quickly got dressed. I had work today, even though it was already Saturday.
After I finished getting ready, I was about to leave the house when Hades called me, "Hey."
I turned around and asked, "What?" while giving him my sweetest smile.
He offered me the teacup he was holding. I gladly took it and happily drank from it.
"Thank you." I smiled at him and immediately returned the cup to him before turning away.
I glanced back and said, "I have a surprise for you later."
I drove my car and went to school. As I was walking towards my classroom, I caught a glimpse of Tyler playing basketball in the covered court. He looked at me, so I quickly avoided his gaze and hurriedly left. I hate this.
"Hey! Are you avoiding me?" He suddenly grabbed my arm. Apparently, he followed me. I looked at him and gave him a fake smile.
"Don't make a scene, Tyler. I'm still Hades' wife. I don't want any rumors about us to occur. You know how people are, they create stories even if they're not true." I made an excuse for avoiding him, which is true. I really am avoiding him. I felt annoyed by what he said because deep down, I knew he had a point.
"You? No way." He expressed himself as if he was disgusted. I felt hurt. I'm not a virus. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"What the h*ll, and you act so high and mighty, being a provincial!" I said while giving him a slap. He just laughed.
"I hope you take my word by heart." He messed up my hair even more.
"Come on, Tyler! Don't mess up my hairstyle. I spent hours fixing it!" I scolded him.
"*chuckles* Bye Xyrel, I hope you made up your mind." Then he turned around and left. It was the first time I heard him call me by my name. He called me by my name.
"I already did!" I shouted after him. He didn't turn around, so I continued walking towards my classroom.