Chapter 5

James couldn’t continue eating because he’s being bombarded with questions by his twin brother. He glanced over at his girlfriend and she doesn’t even look amused about what’s going on. Jason wanted answers from his brother but James obviously doesn’t want to give in as if he’s hiding something… protecting it. All three of them are now at the edge of their seats, not even touching their food anymore. Geraldine’s just staring at her boyfriend, who was visibly sweating in fear.

“I just don’t want things to get worse,” James finally answered, breaking the silence. “That pool incident happened exactly last year. You weren’t even dating Jess that time. Carla was still your girlfriend. I don’t want you to know what Carla did because that would make you angry. You would lash out on Carla and she’ll just get angry at Jessica. Who knows what bad things would happen? I don’t want the two of them fighting over you.”

“But what happened?” Geraldine asked “You said that you just don’t want things to get worse. And now, my sister is dead. Isn’t that the worst? I thought you only want what’s best for me. You think losing my sister is best?” She then started crying. She covered her face with her hands and continued sobbing quietly.

Their table suddenly went silent. You could only hear the noise from the clicking of forks and knives from the other table, and the bossa nova playing through the restaurant’s speakers. James couldn’t do anything. Jason just continued with his food, stress-eating. He finished his burger and chips and now he took his brother’s plate to finish his truffle pasta as well. Geraldine and James just froze. The silence is too loud.

“I still don’t know why the police ruled it out as an accident.” Jason finally spoke after finishing his brother’s meal. “Obviously, Carla has the motive. Why didn’t they investigate more? Could it be that it’s because Carla’s dad was the chief of police that time? He’s now transferred to another state. Maybe we could reopen the case.”

“We could do that?” Geraldine asked, finally exposing her face.

“I’m not sure.” Jason answered “I don’t know anything about the law. I only know one thing… and that is we should continue seeking justice for Jessica’s death.”

“I am with you.” Geraldine answered. James clearly didn’t like what he’s hearing.

James sighed. His hands are fidgeting. Like he’s been trying to keep himself from going on hysterics.

Jason and Geraldine looked at each other and stood at the same time like they were having some sort of telepathy going on. They walked out of the restaurant and left James with their unpaid meals. James just froze on his seat, not knowing what to do.

The two hopped inside the Volvo and Jason started the engine. Both are unsure of what they’re doing but they’re only sure about one thing - to hold Carla accountable for murdering Jessica. They need to gather evidence that would prove that Carla was the one who pushed Jess to her death.

They first went to the cliff where Jessica fell from. It was hard for Geraldine because the mere sight of the place brings back a lot of traumatic memories. She instantly broke down the moment they hopped out of the car. Even the cold air breeze is familiar, and the smell. Geraldine buried herself in Jason’s arms thinking that her boyfriend was the one who should be there with her trying to find clues to finally get the justice her sister deserved. But no. It was his twin brother who went there to support her. It was his brother who believed in her when no one else did. The weather was nice and the sky was a bright baby blue filled with cumulus clouds that looked like cotton candies. It was supposed to be a good day to relax and chill while staring at the beautiful view of the ocean and the mountains that can also be seen from afar. But for them, this place is tragic. This place ended a life that was precious. This place left a wound on a lot of people’s hearts. A wound that may or may not heal but definitely would leave a scar so deep that nobody could ever erase.

Geraldine and Jason stayed there until dusk. The sunset was majestic and the blue sky turned pink but they couldn’t enjoy the view. All of their strength was drained out of them, they couldn’t continue on with the reason why they were there. It was just an added opportunity for them to mourn in silence.

“Do you think we’d die if we fell from here?” Geraldine asked

“I think so.” Jason answered. “That would approximately be sixteen meters from up here.”

“But is it possible to survive a fall from that height?”

“Yes. If only she didn’t hit her head then she might’ve had the chance.”

“Why did you let this happen?” Geraldine asked, trying to put a subtle blame on Jason.

“What do you mean?” Jason is confused.

“Maybe if you didn’t break up with Carla, she wouldn’t do this to Jessica.” she answered, her face blank.

Jason sighed. He didn’t expect that Geraldine would ask him that. What happened was out of his control. Even if he didn’t end things with his ex-girlfriend, Carla might’ve still done what she did.

“You heard what James said,” Jason replied “Carla tried to drown Jess even when we weren’t together. What made you think that anything could stop her, huh? What Carla wants, Carla gets.”

“But she still doesn’t have you.” Geraldine answered back before walking away and hopping back into the car. It is now dark and they have to go home.

Jason followed her and started the engine. He drove Geraldine back to her house where James was patiently waiting.

“Where have you been?” James asked when Geraldine and Jason both got out of the car. “I’ve been trying to call you.”

“I left my phone in the car.” Geraldine replied coldly before walking straight inside the house without a single glance at James.

“We were at the cliff.” Jason said.

That made James more worried. “What?!” He exclaimed. “What were you doing there? It’s dangerous.”

“We were trying to find clues. But we got distracted.” Jason answered.

Geraldine went straight up to her room to change clothes and rest. The twins were left downstairs.

“Are you out of your mind?” James asked.

“We were desperate.” says his brother “You were supposed to be there. Instead of me, I think it’s you who should be there with Geraldine. You should’ve seen the look on her face the moment she saw the cliff.”

“Why did you even bring her there?”

“BECAUSE!” Jason yelled “You didn’t let her mourn over her sister’s death! We were just trying to seek justice but we got distracted. I gave her an opportunity to grieve, instead.”

“You just reopened the traumas that should’ve been already dead.” James explained, wiping his face with both his hands in full frustration. “Don’t you understand why we sent her there to that hospital? Didn’t you think how hard it was for me to send my girlfriend away and not be with her for six long months?”

“And how about me, huh?!” Jason shouted. The two are now fighting. “Do you even know…” he paused to exhale. His breaths are short and heavy “Do you even know the pain of losing someone you love and knowing that you can NEVER… EVER… be with her again? You’re lucky that Geraldine was only sent to a hospital. AND. NOT. DEAD.”

Mr. Matthews arrived and was greeted by the sight of twins fighting against each other. He rushed to stop the two and told them to respect his household. He requested them to go home immediately. James refused to go inside Jason’s car so Jason drove off without him. James apologized to Mr. Matthews and walked himself out of their residence.