TROUBLE [II]

Evie watched quietly as Joanna sprawled across the floor reading a novel. She had been bored all day long as she didn't go to school so when Joanna asked her to keep her company in her room, she gladly accepted.

She picked a picture album and quietly flipped through the pages. She smiled when she saw some pictures of Isabel as a toddler and a young child. She was amused by the fact that Isabel who always seemed so sensible and serious was once childish and playful.

As she looked through the pictures, she noticed three strange people. One of them looked a lot like Isabel and she guessed it was her late mother. The identity of the second and third women were unknown and she was scared to ask as she felt that Joanna might get suspicious if she didn't know them.

She swallowed her curiosity and continued flipping when she saw a picture which young Isabel had dressed baby Mike as a girl and Mike was crying as he struggled to take the clothes off. She giggled softly and reached for her phone to take a picture which she would use to tease him.

As she unlocked the phone, she saw the video of David and Eloisa that she had been watching hours ago. She glanced at Joanna and back at the video. David was trying to kill her. She probably knew.

"Mom, between Aunt Isabel and Sir David, who do you trust more?" She asked and Joanna aided her head from the novel and looked at her.

"About that... They hate each other so no matter what they say about each other, it would be exaggerated." A sweet smile appeared on her face. "But on every other aspect, I trust only Isabel. She's very reliable. David's not."

"I see. But do you believe Sir David is capable of harming you?" Evie asked, trying to be careful.

"He is ready to do anything to get get what he wants. I won't be surprised if he tries to hurt me or Mike to get it."

"You know he is that bad?" Joanna nods. "So why aren't you trying to stop him?" Evie asked thoughtfully yet curiously.

"You won't understand." Joanna answered nonchalantly as she waved her hand.

"Try me." Evie persisted.

"No, Evie. I can't burden you with this. The lesser you know the safer you are." Joanna smiled sweetly at her and looked back into her novel.

Evie watched as she set all her concentration in her novel. Joanna surely had her plans for David. She was smart. Also she was very kind. It certainly wasn't right to deceive her like they were. She made up her mind to persuade Isabel to tell her the truth. And if Isabel didn't agree, she would take matters into her own hands.

***** ***** *****

Evie giggled as Mike told her the events that had happened in school. She had found it funny yet touching when he told her that her friend, Tori, had threatened to beat him up if he had anything to do with why she hadn't been attending school since the past week. Mike knew not to blame her as she - as well as everyone else in school - was completely oblivious of the fact that Evie almost died. But he was actually happy that there was someone who cared for her as much as he did.

"Stop laughing already." He said as Evie's soft giggles gradually grew into loud laughter.

"But it's just so funny. What could she possibly do to you?" Evie said amidst laughter.

"I don't know but it's a good thing." Mike said as he stood up from the bed where they had both been sitting.

"How is a girl threatening you a good thing?" She said and laughed harder. The image in her head of Tori who couldn't kill a cockroach threatening Mike made her laugh even more.

"Stop laughing, silly." Mike picked up a pillow and hit her gently with it. She immediately stopped laughing and pouted as she rubbed her head. Seeing her that way, Mike became satisfied. "I said it's a good thing because she stood up for you. She's always ready to protect you. With her around, I no longer have to worry so much about you."

"Oh! I see. I just remembered something important." Evie said and adjusted herself in a comfortable sitting position. "Come closer, let me tell you."

"What is it?" Mike asked, looking concerned as he moved closer to Evie. She beckoned him to come closer and as soon as his face was only inches away from hers, she hit his head with a pillow.

"I'm a vengeful person, just so you know. So I advise you not to do anything to anger me." She smirked victoriously as she saw him pout unhappily.

"And what if I do?" Mike grinned mischievously as he raised a pillow.

"No, Mike! You'll regret this! I promise." Evie screamed as she ran around the room in an effort to avoid getting hit with the pillow. She soon got tired and sat on the bed with her hands up to imply that she had surrendered.

"You can hit me all you want but I will pay you back." She emphasized on the latter phrase.

"You're still threatening. Say sorry already." Mike towered above her with his pillow in hand, ready to hit her.

"Why would I?" Evie retorted, wide eyed.

"Because. You. Hit. Me." Mike stressed each word as he leaned toward her, looking straight into her eyes.

"I had a reason to. Besides you hit me first." Evie reiterated, looking into Mike's eyes with all sternness she could muster.

Mike felt stuck as he stared into her eyes. Her hazel colored eyes were common but hers seemed to be pulling him in. Even though she was glaring at him, he still thought she looked beautiful. At the thought of her being beautiful, his hiccups started.

He turned his face away from her looking embarrassed while covering him mouth with his free hand. Throwing the pillow on the bed, he watched as she stood up and left the room before sitting on the bed and trying to assess his feelings. It was definitely not anger or hate so why did he feel nervous when he was with her.

His mind drifted and he began thinking of how beautiful he noticed she was. Then it hit him. It probably was love. It then made sense to him how he always got so nervous when he got close to or even had physical contact with her. It made sense to him why he had been so concerned that day when he couldn't find her.

But she was his sister. Or rather, would be soon. He shouldn't feel that way toward her. It was totally wrong. He had to stop liking her. He had to avoid her. Even if it meant he would never see her again, he still had to do the right thing.

***** ***** *****

Evie tapped her feet anxiously as she waited for Mike outside the door. Eva had asked her out to the seaside as she had something very important to tell her. It seemed urgent and she decided to act on it. And fortunately for her, Mike agreed to drive her there.

He walked out with the keys to one of the cars that Joanna had let him use. Soon enough they were in the car driving to the seaside in silence. As they arrived at the seaside, Evie hopped out of the car and ran to where Eva was standing.

"Evie, you're here. Thank goodness!" Eva said as she heaved a sigh of relief.

"Get to the point, Eva. I need to get back home before they notice I'm gone. Why did you call me here?" Evie asked as she beckoned Mike to come over.

"It's about Mom. This morning she said she was going to meet up with one Mr David Garcia to discuss about you and Caleb. I know you said I shouldn't tell anyone about you so I felt that I should let you know about this."

"David Garcia? Did she tell you exactly what she wanted to discuss with him?" Evie asked, worry written all over her face.

"Not exactly..." Eva hesitates as she stares at Mike who had just come to stand beside Evie.

"Don't worry. You can say anything around him. He's a friend."

"Okay. She didn't give details but she mentioned that she would be making a lot of money from you two. And that you had become a swindler."

"Oh my God! Michael, where's Mom?" Evie exclaimed.

"She went out with David this morning. Are you implying that...." Mike swallowed the rest of his question when he saw her nod. "Oh no! I shouldn't have let her go with him!"

"What's wrong? Evie, can you please explain to me what you got yourself involved in?" Eva asked anxiously.

"If David is paying aunt Veron for information about us, it means he has a plan. I don't know what it is but it is certainly not good." Evie explained.

"Do you need to let Isabel know about this?" Mike asked Evie.

"Yes. I have to call her immediately."

"Call her and tell her you're coming over. Things like this shouldn't be discussed over the phone."

"Okay." Evie dials Isabel's number as she walks over to the car.

"Uhm... Eva, take this." Mike offers Eva some money.

"No, thanks. I'm not here to sell information. I don't want the money." Eva declined politely.

"I'm not paying you for information. You made a great sacrifice coming all the way here to help Evie. Since I can't offer you a ride home, I should at least give you enough money to get yourself home."

"If you say so." She reaches out and takes one note and tucks some change into his hands while holding up the note she had collected earlier. "This will be enough to take a taxi home."

"Are you sure? Don't you need money for other things?" Mike asked, surprised.

"I do. But I'll earn it myself. In the right way." Eva said with determination.

"You're a good person, Eva." Mike said with a smile.

"Thank you. Even if I know you don't mean it, it's the first time someone has said that to me. Goodbye." Eva said as she waved at him. She immediately ran off with a faint blush on her cheeks.