The One and Only

"Is everything alright?" Xian inquired as he gazes at Diana who is staring at the communicator she got from Savikar.

Xian's feet have completely healed.

"Yes, it's just," she paused. "I did try calling Rexford but it seems that I cannot reach him. And I think that was good because I'm not ready yet."

"I know it's hard. He became a part of your life. He became your friend. But you know that he must pay the consequences."

She recalled the night when Darryl came to the office, drunk.

"Even if, let's say, you did something that really upsets him, it isn't an excuse to hurt you."

She tried to understand Darryl's intent but she couldn't.

"I think something happened. I saw fear and pain in his eyes. That might have pushed him to drink. Darryl isn't an alcoholic. I have never seen him drink not even once," she said in bafflement.

That was also the time when she saw Darryl so mad and cried in front of her.

"He might have a problem or something," she mumbled. "But I couldn't imagine that he would want me dead because of that."

"Sorry for bringing it up. But Diana, just remembers, we are always here at your side."

"I know you're busy but I want you to come with us," Xian requested. "Athenia wanted to show Xyreine our favorite spot."

"…"

"Come on, just this time," Xian persuaded.

Diana stares at the communicator. Xian stood up and sigh in defeat.

"But if you change your mind, we're at the brook. You'll know where it is. Just follow the signs," Xian instructed.

Diana watches Xian leaving the room. She thought for a moment and glance again at her communicator and continues with what she is doing. She is kinda having second thoughts of calling Rexford to ask for help. She decided to maybe just call him some other time. She isn't ready yet to make Darryl pay for what he had done. She then remembered the picnic and decided to come along. She left the house and went to the brook where Xian mentioned.

The brook is a bit far. She just followed the trail and the signs leading to the brook. She walks past through a small forest and a hill. It sounds exhausting, still, Diana enjoyed the peaceful and calm environment. As she continues to walk, she marveled at how beautiful and quiet the place is. She found Xian and Athenia relaxing under a tree near the brook while Xyreine was chasing some butterflies. They had already set everything up.

"Athenia, this place is wonderful," she marveled.

"I'm glad you came. This is our special place. We weekly visit this place, to relieve ourselves from stress and stuff," Athenia informed.

"Sister! Come with me! There are lots of pretty flowers and butterflies in here!" Xyreine shouted with excitement as she chases a red butterfly.

Diana followed her sister and enjoyed the view. The place was surrounded by different kinds of colorful flowers. There were Anemones, Asters, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Daffodils, Gerberas, Hydrangeas, Dandelions, Iris, lisianthus, Peony, Snapdragons, Stocks, Tulips, and Waxflowers. There are also pink and purple dahlia blossoms the size of dinner plates, orange trumpet vines, red and white begonias, white daisies, sunflowers, and pink gladiolas. There's a flower for every taste in this flower paradise. She marveled at the beauty of the place. She had never seen this kind of beauty in her life. She then laid down on the carpet of flowers. As she crouched down, dandelions flew up in the air as the wind carries them away.

"Sister! This place is so amazing!" Xyreine exclaimed with enthusiasm.

"Yes! Yes, it is!" she agreed, showing her a smile.

She hugs Xyreine and kisses her forehead. She felt relief and was glad to see her little sister happy.

"Hey! Come here now! Food's ready!" Xian called out.

As the two arrived, Athenia handed each one of them a sandwich. As they consume their food, Xyreine went back into the field and tried to catch a butterfly. Diana watches her sister run all around the field. Seeing her sister happy makes her feel the same.

"I hope this lasts forever," she mumbled.

She watches Xyreine run all around as she tried to catch a butterfly.

"How does a barbeque party sounds?" Xian proposed.

Diana gazes at Xian.

"That would be great! Xyreine loves barbeque," she agreed.

"I will cook some of her favorite dishes too while Xian does the grilling," Athenia said.

"I'll help you too, Athenia," she offered her assistance.

"How sweet of you."

Diana was filled with gratitude. She didn't expect that they will treat them like their own family although they are not related in blood.

"I'll be inviting our son to come and eat with us tomorrow," Athenia excitingly announced.

Before they could head back to the farmhouse, Athenia and Xian wanted to show Diana and Xyreine their favorite spot.

"Diana? Xyreine? There is something we wanted you to see. But first, we must climb that hill," Xian said as he pointed to a small hill.

It took them a few minutes to get to the ridge. When the four reaches the peak of the hill, the two siblings were stunned by what they had seen.

"WOW! This is the most beautiful view I've ever seen in my whole life!" Diana expressed as both of them were left astounded by the beauty of the whole place.

They could see the picnic area. The brook compliments the colorful flowers, the butterflies make it more fascinating to look at, the contrast of colors blends perfectly, the wind makes the flowers dance so gracefully and makes it more beautiful to watch, and the sunset makes it even more stupendous and wonderful. It looks like a living painting.

"Words cannot explain how beautiful this place is, just like my Athenia," Xian asserted as he hugs and kisses Athenia on the forehead.

As they went home, Athenia calls their son via a weird-looking communicator. It looks like a small telephone but wireless with a smartphone-like appearance. She waited for a minute as it keeps ringing on the other side and then he answered.

"Hey, it's me Athenia… None. We're completely fine. I am just letting you know that we have a small celebration and I want you to come here tomorrow for dinner. We're celebrating a birthday party here… It's a long story, just come here. I'll be expecting you."

And then the call ended. Diana then asked Athenia about something.

"Athenia? What kind of phone is that?" she inquired.

"I also do not know. It was a small gift from our son. We use this thing whenever we need his help or invite him to come over for a meal or just wanted him to come home," Athenia replied.

The next day, Xian is already preparing the marinated meat which will be grilled later. Athenia and Diana started the cooking process and Xyreine helped by washing the ingredients, mixing them, and assisting them when they call for help. It was already afternoon when Xian started grilling the barbeque. The aroma lures Xyreine out of the house. She looked where that delicious smell is coming from.

"Whoa! This looks so good!" Xyreine exclaimed.

"Just wait until you tasted them. I can guarantee you that this is the best barbeque you would ever taste," Xian proudly bragged.

"I bet this will be good because you made it," Xyreine replied.

"Xyreine! May you please come in here and help me set up the table?" Diana asked for assistance.

"Coming!" Xyreine responded. The two siblings, including Athenia, are now setting the table. Xyreine sets the spoons and forks, Diana and Athenia prepare the dishes, while Xian prepared the barbeques. Everything is ready but they have to wait for one more person.

"Can we wait a bit more?" she requested.

"Yes, we'll wait for him!" Diana said.

Athenia went back into the kitchen and get something as they patiently waited for their son to arrived. Not long after, a car engine was resonating outside and was followed by a honk.

"That might be him! Xian, could you go and meet him for me, please?" Athenia asked.

"No, bother. I'll go and get him instead," Diana insisted as she sees Xian still busy doing something else.

"How nice. Thanks, dear!" Athenia thanked.

She walks towards the door as Xian and Athenia's son started knocking.

When she opens the door, a man was holding a box, waiting for the door to be opened for him. He looks familiar, way too familiar for her.

"You drop something!" the man said as he looks down on the floor.

Diana followed his gaze and then she asked, "Huh? What?"

"Hopefully your standards. What's up? I'm glad to see you again!" the man introduced.

"Trevor?" she surmised.

"The one and only!" Trevor retorted.

There was a long pause of silence between them.

"Are you just gonna stare at me and wouldn't let me in…" Trevor paused. "…to your life?" he continued as he smirks. "I know, your future husband is quite irresistible and I can't blame you for that!"

"You're pretty cocky, don't you think?" she retorted.

"Hey, is this how you treat your future life partner?" Trevor frowned.

"Is being a nuisance a hobby of yours or is it just in your blood?"

Trevor nodded in agreement and immediately scowls after hearing the word nuisance.

"Why are you always so sassy?" Trevor remarked.

She scowls at him as she crosses her hands while he shows her a grin.

"I am not against you being happy but could you please stop smiling!" she demanded.

Trevor didn't listen and he even smirks flirtatiously.

"So, we'll be just talking here and won't let me in?" Trevor asked.

"Oh, sorry— WAIT!" she exclaimed as she stops Trevor from entering.

"What?"

"Where is that monkey companion of yours?"

"You mean Arthur? He's in the garden. Probably eating some fruits," Trevor assured as he enters the house.

Xyreine suddenly appeared as she hides at her back.

"You must be the birthday girl?" Trevor said as he crouches down and smiled at Xyreine.

"Yeah!" Xyreine replied. "Who are you?"

"I'm Trevor. Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too, Trevor!"

Xyreine smiled at him, looking shy.

"Is that for me?" Xyreine asked as she points at the box which he was holding.

"Yes! Actually, this is a cake I bought for you. I didn't know what flavor you like. I forgot to ask Athenia about it. I hope you'll like it," Trevor replied as he put the box on the table.

Xyreine opened the box.

"I love chocolate!" she exclaimed in joy.

Xyreine runs towards Trevor and hugs him tightly.

"Thank you very much!" Xyreine exclaimed.

"You're welcome. It isn't every day that there's a birthday party in here," Trevor responded with a smile.

"Trevor! I'm glad you came," Athenia exclaimed as she welcomes him with a hug.

"I am also glad that I really came," Trevor told her while glancing at Diana.

"I really missed you," Athenia added. "Anyway, this is Diana and Xyreine—" Athenia said as she introduces the two siblings to him. "—and they are keeping us company."

Trevor smiled at Xyreine and showed a smirk at Diana that made her raise an eyebrow.

Athenia noticed it and said, "It seems that you two already knew each other!"

Athenia smiled. She seems amused.

"Yeah, actually, I am the one who helped her at Tradesville," Trevor answered.

"That's great. I bet you two have a great time back there."

Diana cringes the moment she evokes some memory.

"Yeah! We really had a good time back there," Trevor lied, glaring at Diana as he recalled a painful memory.

"Now that you're here, we can begin the celebration."

They went to the dining area where the food was prepared. They sang the 'Happy Birthday' song and then ate everything on the table.

"Yum! Athenia, Xian, it is so delicious! Especially the barbecue! I've never tasted anything like this before!" Xyreine complimented.

"See, I told ya!"

Xian is very vain with his great barbecuing skills. You can't blame him for that. He is a great barbecuer.

"She's right! This is flavorful and tasty. Are you a professional chef or something, Xian?" Diana inquired as she takes another bite of the barbecue.

"It's just years of training, I guess?" Xian replied.

"Trev, Sweetie? How are you?" Athenia asked.

"I'm fine. Actually, it was an exhausting day today. Savikar gave me a never-ending list of errands," Trevor complained.

"How's Savikar doing?" Diana interrupted.

"Oh, he's doing fine," he replied with a smile as he keeps staring at her which makes her feel uncomfortable.

"What?" she asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't you gonna ask me too?" Trevor replied.

"And why on Earth would I do that?" she retorted.

"I dunno?" Trevor quickly replied.

"Is there something you two wanted to tell me?" Athenia asked all of a sudden.

"Huh?" Diana confusingly replied.

Athenia didn't respond and just smiled at them. She glances at Trevor but he immediately looks away. She saw him blushing and she has no idea why. Xyreine and Xian didn't pay any attention to their discussion because they are busy pigging out.

"Hey, Xian?" Trevor called.

"Yeah?" Xian responded.

"Do you know anything about a map leading to a treasure which was hidden inside a geography book on page 112 in Savikar's rotten bookshelf in front of the cabin?" Trevor inquired.

Xian stops eating and stared at the ceiling for a moment, trying to recall something.

"You know, that map that will lead people on top of Mt.Drues where the treasure hunter will find a chest with a note kept inside stating, 'friendship is the real treasure'," Trevor further explained with a beaming smile on his face. "Does that ring any bell?"

Xian closed his eyes and tried his best to remember when all of a sudden...

"AHH! I remember it now!" Xian exclaimed in realization. "Yeah, I do remember writing a note and hiding it in a geography book two years ago hoping that some idiot would be fooled with it. Ha! Ha! Ha! But no one fell for it since everyone who finds it keeps saying it's a trap or just a prank."

Trevor remained smiling at Xian as he continue his explanation.

"Wait, how did you know what was written on the note?" Xian inquired in wonder.

Trevor continued smiling at him but his smile has nothing to do with joy. Diana already knows where this is going and is trying not to laugh.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Xian burst out into laughter after he connected the dots. "I already lost hope that someone will be fooled by it but what do you know, someone actually did. Knowing that it took two years for someone to be fooled made it even funnier!"

"Because of that shi— I mean, note," Trevor immediately corrected himself as he remembers that there's a kid around and then continue, "Savikar keeps making fun of me every single day because of that! I spent a week for it but all I got was that ridiculous note!"

It was a fun night.