I stroll through the gardens making my way to the corridor outlets where Texas said he last saw my brother. I didn't want to leave without speaking with him, I know we've had rough times between us but we still share this tiny twin bond that's unspeakably present.
I promised I was gonna stay just a day but the thought of being very far from Emma was tormenting me. Not that she isn't safe with my brother, but I was secretly and desperately hoping that my presence would ignite the spark between us. I was so sure of it until tonight at the beach when I saw her with Eric. It was an eye opener.
Phil decided giving me a cold shoulder was his act of disapproval. He thinks a douche bag with shit load of confused emotions shouldn't feel anything. I rub my chest, my broken heart. Who's to say that bad boys can't love?.
I climb the stairs leading to the outlet and feel the night breeze spray all over my skin, causing my hairs to rise. Hawaii is a beautiful city filled with nature. It's the home of hospitality and for lovers looking for a vacation site.
The smell of steamed onions fills my nostrils drawing me back to the first time I toured here with dad.
He was a great traveler, not because he was a renown architect who had clients all over the country but because he had a gypsy mind.
He brought me on one of his many business trips, I'm not sure why it's Hawaii but I know for certain it was the best days of my life, in Hawaii? With my role model.
We went sightseeing in a helicopter to see the magnificent emerald green cliffs of Nā pali. It was one of the untouched ravines since the ancient Hawaiian settlers. Then we surfed at Waikiki and had an invigorating lomi lomi massage at a nice hotel.
It made me feel sad as I thought about it, so I decided to let the thoughts go.
I round the corner to the corridors to find two people instead of one.
"What the hell?!" I bark in anger.
Eric shrugs her off and sits himself up. "Einstein" he says in a surprised tone.
"What's the meaning of this shit I just saw?" I command, my heart is beating so fast as I step closer. Cheryl crawls behind him.
"Hey calm down bro, it's not what it seems. We... We were just making out"
"Making out?... Does Emma know it's cool for her boyfriend to make out with her best friend?" I challenge.
My brother jerks his head in resignation. He's flexing his palms perhaps thinking of a better lie.
"Stein please you can't tell her_" before he could get another word out of his dirty mouth, I grab Cheryl's silk nightie and with my other hand trap folds of her hair, twisting her neck at an awkward arch.
She yelps in pain but I don't care.
She's a traitor, bitch!
That's all I can think of. How she's been lying face to her friend, and have become an incurable disease to my brother. It's her fault, it's all her doing.
Eric intervenes, unclenching my hand from her body.
"Einstein, listen!... Listen to me it's not her fault, it's all mine okay? Let me explain" he begs, tugging at me until I shove her over, making sure she lands on her butt because that's my specialty.
"I'm listening!" I whisper, fuming.
"You have to calm down, violence would only lead to more problems. She's a girl yuuno?_"
"Are you gonna stand here defending that bitch or speak some sense?!" I bark, my gaze follows the idiot as she picks her disarrayed self and rushes off.
Everywhere turns quiet but my furious gaze is on my brother who has just broken the remaining dignity and regard I had for him. He used to be someone I looked up to after dad left.
How he was so strong and unaffected by the gap.
When mum seemed shattered by the prospect, he was there to console her. When I became the prodigal son, he was the mature one. I didn't think he still had an intimate relationship with her after he and Emma started dating. I thought it was all in the past.
"How long?" I broke the silence.
"I'm scared" he blurts in a stammer.
"I didn't ask you that, I asked how long have you two been at it?... Tell me or I'll rush up those stairs and tell your girlfriend everything I saw and believe me Eric, you know how it'll end" I threaten, but really doubt the possibility.
He moves to a cushion with tear filled eyes and slumps on it.
"We stopped being friends after a serious altercation between us. I didn't like how possessive she became, so I cut ties. Then I met Emma, unfortunately she was already friends with Cheryl. I don't know if it was part of her conniving plans to get to me, I dunno. I couldn't... I can't just get her off of me!" He yells in despair.
"You're so pitiable now" I retort.
"I know and I hate it"
"I warned you, didn't I?... I warned you about Cheryl way before things got out of hand. She's a fuckin leech just like the rest of them. Hard to get off, but you thought I was being a cock blocker" I shrug. "Well, it's the stupidest excuse to cheat on your girlfriend. You have to tell her" I state.
His eyes sparkle at my words and he jumps from his seat. "I can't, Emma will hate me forever, I betrayed her. Even after knowing how many betrayals she's experienced, I don't wanna see that look on her face when she finds out, ''No" he shakes his head.
"Look at you, I thought you were better than this" I mock. "Sneaking around with your girl's best friend and keeping dirty secrets huh?"
A shattering sound interrupts us, we turn to see Emma in the corner, her eyes filled with horror.
"Emma!" We both yell at the same time.
She moves out of the shadows into the lit area.
Her steps are very slow and calculated, like she doesn't trust any of us with her life. I pray in my heart she didn't overhear us.
"Emma, what are you doing here? Are you alright?" Eric tries to go over to her but she stops him with her hand stretched out.
"Is it true?..." She asks, watching her boyfriend. "What he said, is true?... You, with Cheryl?" Her voice is shaking and the tears aren't helping at all.
"Emma please listen to me, I'll explain everything_"
"Kenny tried to tell me but I didn't believe her" she murmurs with seething eyes.
"Oh God!!!" She sobs clutching at her hair, suddenly she turns to me in betrayal.
"And you knew all along but you didn't say a word. You both are scumbags, cheaters!" She cries, flinging her hands all the way.
Eric tries to get close but her loud shrill causes him to stop.
"Don't fuckin touch me! I loved you Eric, Cheryl was my friend. Where is she?..." Her eyes move around in search of her. "Where is that bitch?"
"Emma please calm down, it's not what you think" I intervene finally finding my mouth useful.
"I don't wanna see you again, I don't ever wanna see either of you again in my life!" She says running down the stairs and into the dark. With an eye signal, Eric and I chase after her, the bloody prints on the white marbled was an easy trail.
***
"Emma pick up please!!" I murmur, glancing through my phone.
I search around the premises covering every possible place she would've headed to.
Eric went over to her room to check if she was there. I round a corner and see a breathless girl coming my way.
"Hey! Aurora, what's going on?" I noticed how shocked her expression went at the mention of her name.
I'm sure she thinks I don't know who she is. I used to have a thing for her in the past but a cold me didn't approach girls.
I watch as she exhales softly, her wet hair dripped of water. I snap out of admiring her in a bikini. Emma is my focus.
"It's Eric's girlfriend, she..."
"Emma? Where is she?"
"She fell beside the pool and there's blood everywhere" she sobs, trembling.
"Fuck!!!" I ran as fast as my heart thumped.