Entr'acte of a Faltering Drive

A gust of wind blew the curtains causing the nearby small pot of succulents to fall. The sound of broken porcelain sounded harsh in such a quiet afternoon.

Halesia, who was gazing blankly at her bedroom ceiling, glanced at the scattered soil and frowned. Heaving a sigh, she dragged herself to clean the mess. She casually transferred the content to an extra pot and fixed the messy study table.

Looking at the various books randomly mounted on her previously neat table, she momentarily stopped as if brooding of something.

She ran her fingers on the cover of the textbook and scanned the other ones she had just finished tidying up.

It was only a few months but, it seemed so long.

She recalled burning the midnight oil studying numerous books to achieve a high score. In the end, she did accomplish her goal but, she wasn't happy. Her brows furrowed further, and a sour sensation bloomed on her chest as she recalled a particular figure.

Halesia knew she was inflicting unnecessary pain upon herself but, she couldn't stop comparing herself with Evangeline Tang. It's not merely on the intellectual basis or looks that disheartens her, but because Evangeline is Sarien's acquaintance. Fortunately, her friends distract her from sulking over such tragedy. It's just that there were times that those unreconciled feelings get the better of her-especially when she catches them together in and out of the campus.

There are moments when she wanted to run before Sarien and take the initiative to get close to him, but she was embarrassed. Her emotions conflicted between silently accepting her one-sided affection and making him look at her and like her.

She doesn't comprehend why she had such intense yearning for Sarien, but she can't help it. Everywhere she looks reminds her of him- his gentle smile, warm hands, and reassuring presence. She merely knew that she liked him, maybe even loved him.

Halesia sat on the chair after closing the window. Her mind, however, had wandered over Sarien and Evangeline.

If there is one thing that makes her feel a sense of balance for Evangeline's very fortunate destiny, it's one thing- she doesn't have a mother.

Evangeline may seem to have it all but, she lacks something that she has- a mother's love.

She heard her mother had passed away when she was a baby, and she didn't get to taste what it felt like to have a mother figure.

Smiling wryly, she shamed herself for having such a distasteful idea. But such a notion did soothe her unreconciled ego.

Halesia selectively forgot that she also didn't have a father figure since birth.

In her mind, her mother, despite neglecting her at times, still cherishes her. She doesn't lack monetary support, and when her mother is present, she likes to take her to different places to shop, dine and visit the spa or the like.

Her mother's behavior of entangling with several men indeed seems unsightly. However, Halesia understands her situation.

Her mother, Hemiura, is just too lonely. Thus, she looks for comfort and affection that she, as her daughter, can't provide. For whatever reasons her father abandoned them, it was still his fault. That is why she condones her mother's way of finding companionship from her "friends".

She's not that naive.

She knew those men had some intimate relationship with her mother. However, she decided to see through rose-colored glasses, understanding her mother's way despite it all. She wouldn't mind as long as her mother is happy and safe.

Halesia's one-of-a-kind rose-tinted glasses were so unique that she didn't care whether those were married men. That, or she entangles with several men all at the same time.

Talk about the effect of nurture and environment on her behavior.

A call brought Halesia back from her reverie.

She took her phone from the bed, and when she saw the caller's name, she smiled.

" Why did you call?" She gleefully answered.

" There's only a week left before school starts. Let's go on a trip, okay?" Yohan, on the other line, urged her to agree.

" I don't know. My mother might be back this week. It's not good if she arrives at an empty house."

" You've been saying that since last month but she hasn't arrived yet, has she? Come on, Halesia, say yes."

" Hmm." A faltering hum made the caller happy. He knew Halesia is wavering.

" Let's go, okay? You'll like it there."

" ...but." She hesitated.

" Your mom will understand, Halesia. You've been looking forward to this trip for so long. Your mom would surely want you to enjoy."

Not hearing a positive response, Yohan added another fact.

" Hey, wait. Didn't you say your mom went on a world cruise? Then it might take more than three or four months, you know."

" I'm not sure. My mother didn't specify."

" Come on, Halesia. Just say yes." Yohan coaxed.

" Yeah, come on, Halesia!" A nearby voice on the other line also cajoled.

Hearing Saino's voice, Halesia finally crumbled.

" I-I'll go if others will come too." Halesia, in truth, has been yearning to visit that place. It's also been a while since she went to the beach since her focus was her study.

" Okay. As long as you agree, those basta... those guys will come for sure."

The two said their farewells after a few more minutes.

Halesia then called her mother, attempting to ask permission. However, only a familiar mechanical voice saying she couldn't reach the other was all she heard.

A little guilty, she sighed.

[ Well, it's only a few days. I'm sure mother wouldn't mind.]

***

On the other side, the twins who sat in a room filled with the scent of smoke and alcohol exchanged glances.

" I thought we could spend time with her. Tsk." Yohan flicked his cigarette on the ashtray.

" Let her enjoy. She's been too decadent these past months." Saino, on the other hand, reached out for a bottle of beer and began drinking.

" Is it still because of that Lu?" A trace of annoyance flashed Yohan's face.

They comprehend full well Halesia's infatuation for that man. Still, no matter what they do, Halesia seems to lose half of her soul for that person.

" It's not just him. Have you forgotten about that girl?" Saino sank deeper on the couch, his aura full of indolence.

" The blue-eyed one? What was her name? Evangeline was it?"

" Yeah, the Tang girl."

" Should we...teach her a lesson then?" Yohan squinted as he mindlessly asked.

Saino did not respond but gazed at his twin as he fixed his posture.

" What lesson would you want to do? Not to mention that girl didn't do anything to Halesia per se, but, just considering her family, we won't be able to deal with her."

" Huh, are they that powerful?" Yohan snorted.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Saino mused that his twin sometimes acts like his head had been kicked by a donkey. As the older one, he chastised him.

" Yohan, the Tang's isn't that simple. Even the oldest and exalted families must show them respect. Do you know what that implies?"

Yohan was silent but had an answer in his heart. He contemplated going back to the old mansion to pester his gramps to reveal about the Tangs. He doesn't believe that the old man wouldn't give in to him, his favorite grandchild.

Yes, even twins have sibling rivalry.

Seeing his brother stop babbling, Saino resumed drinking.

He couldn't help but recall the figure of that girl.

Both of them had a good impression of Evangeline at first. Nonetheless, seeing Halesia's increasingly downcasted expression changed their views about her.

Just look at Yohan.

Initially, Saino even assumed that Yohan got smitten by her alluring face. But, as Halesia's tear-streaked face showed up more often, he became biased and now actually wanted to deal with her.

He liked Halesia and likes indulging her. But, that doesn't mean that he got blinded by his infatuation. He understood that the other girl didn't do anything to Halesia. It was not her fault for having a suitor that somebody covets.

In any case, if the Tang girl accepts Sarien Lu's pursuit, then that would be better for them. At least, it would douse Halesia's hope of being with him.

" Hey, do you think that bastard Maxilleam would deal with her?" Yohan, who finished smoking, took a bottle and started bleeping as soon as he drank.

Not hiding the disdain in his eyes, Saino smirked.

" Just him? He hasn't even grasped the whole Yun family. What could he do towards the Tang's?" He chuckled, then as if remembering something, he spoke,

" That Rhamsen might be able to pull some strings though."

" That delinquent?" Yohan, who heard Saino's speculation, sneered, not believing his brother's speculation.

" He's the one and only heir to that place." Saino lit a cigarette and took a quick puff.

" And, so? Aren't we also the heirs to ours? Why couldn't we contend with that ruffian?" A particular memory flashed in Yohan's mind, annoying him.

The pesky Freon has been pushed out of the second spot for the most annoying stinkers in his list by that disgusting thug Rhamsen.

" The power of his family had already spread to half of Xia. Don't you think he'll have some weight if he threw a punch?" He flicked the ash off and cracked his neck.

Hearing the word punch made Yohan recall an incident that made his jaw hurt.

[ Fxcking bastard. I must teach him next time.] He evilly planned.

Not knowing that his twin's mind has flown to some other place, Saino continued,

" In any case, I don't think he's the type of man to get back at someone who hasn't provoked him. More so, an innocent girl."

" Tsk. I didn't know you think highly of that bastard."

Saino answered rather helplessly after glancing at Yohan's disdainful expression.

" I'm simply stating based on my observation of him."

Yohan heard such a ridiculous response and snorted,

" Based on observation? Haven't you seen him beat me? Tsk, now I remember you only helped after my ass had been handed to me that day." He grudgingly extended his leg to kick the other.

" Eh, this fucker. Wasn't it because you provoked him first?" Saino hurriedly defended himself.

The bottle in Yohan's hand had already been lying aside as he pounced on his brother, trying to throw a cheap punch.

" What the fuck are you doing!?" Of course, Saino wouldn't passively accept Yohan's fist. He dodged, thinking: [ Damn, I knew this brat had been aiming at my face again.]

" Just wait 'til I strike your face!" Yohan roared.

The siblings have already boxed each other, testing who among them is better. They have simple brawls now and then, like a weird way of getting along. At times, the two may seem to bash each other to death but, they tacitly choose not to hit each other's face. After all, the other's appearance is the mirror image of their own. No one wanted to see such a sorry version of their face. However, there are times when they simply yearned to be better than the other. And what better way to do that than sabotaging the other's face.

When two were at the climax of their fight, a loud notification chimed.

" Wait, it's for me." Yohan took his phone and read the message.

Saino fixed his collar and resumed drinking as if nothing had happened.

" Fuck, that Freon! Ugh! That pretentious little shit!" Yohan started spouting curses.

" What happened?" Saino asked.

Yohan grumpily shoved his phone before Saino's eyes. It's a video of Freon's dandy expression and Halesia's helpless appearance.

" Damn it! I'm going to Halesia's house right now!" Yohan strode towards the door. Then before crossing the doorway, he stopped. He glanced at his brother and questioned,

" You won't come?"

" Nah. I'll stay here for now. You go. Be careful." Saino shooed him away.

Casting him a suspicious glance, Yohan wanted to ask something but didn't utter it in the end.

" Okay."

With that, he finally left.

Saino took another cigarette and fell into deep contemplation.

[ Heh. It's kind of tiring now.]