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26 / The Forgotten Fortune
"I'm going to tell you a story," Logan announced as I took the chair across from him.
Even though no words came out of my mouth in reply, Logan still continued, "Once upon a time, there were three teenager boys venturing off the city of Paris, France. They didn't know where they were going at the time. The eldest suggested that the three should call someone to pick them up, but the youngest found joy and insisted to keep going. The middle didn't mind. He was eager for some adventure in an unfamiliar city."
"As the three continued on, the youngest pointed out a fortune teller shop from across the street. He told the two that they should test their luck and get readings. So they did. It was stupid in their eyes, but they wanted to do something stupid at the time. One by one, the fortune teller told them what would come in the near future. The middle simply thought it was all lies, and the fortune teller was just repeating the same things to different customers."
"That was until the fortune teller predicted the youngest one's future. The fortune teller asked the youngest if he loved drinking hazelnut coffee. The three all looked at each other in confusion from her question, but the youngest nodded his head. It was indeed true. The fortune teller grew a smirk on her lips and announced that in a point of his life, he would fall in love with a girl who loves hazelnut coffee as much as he does. The three teenagers all bursted into laughter, not believing the silly words of the fortune teller."
"The youngest had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard and told the fortune teller that she needed to get help. The eldest and middle had enough of her games, so they all stood up from the raggedy chairs and walked out of the shop, still laughing with one another. However, the middle caught something that the two didn't hear. The fortune teller muttered under her breathe that it would happen, and nothing or no one would be able to change that."
"Seven years passed, and that same moment replayed in the middle's mind when he met a girl who liked hazelnut coffee. The middle even thought of doing something silly and pretend to like the drink he never appreciated like the youngest. The middle grew scared that it was all too late because it seemed like the fortune teller was right. The middle didn't want to believe that the youngest found that girl first before him, and he didn't want to believe that she would be the one the fortune teller predicted."
As Logan ended his story, a small grin grew on his lips when he saw my reaction.
Logan chuckled out, "It's a bittersweet tale, isn't it?"
Taking this whole story in, I soon realized that Logan was talking about him and his cousins. The eldest was David, the middle was Logan, and the youngest was Bryce. When the fortune teller predicted Bryce's future about finding someone who liked hazelnut coffee as much as he did, and the girl —
I stopped.
A tiny laugh of disbelief escaped from me as I widened my eyes.
"You're kidding me?"
Sure, I was expecting a more serious talk, but this story Logan just told me had me even more curious.
"I... actually asked Vanessa earlier that day what drink you liked just so I would be prepared when we met up. When I drank it with you though, it tasted decent. But Maisie, I can't tell you the reason why right now."
Was this the reason why Logan pretended to like hazelnut coffee around me?
Shrugging in return, Logan's dark blue eyes roamed.
"I probably am, I'm probably not. What do you think, Maisie?"
Tapping my fingers on the arms of the chair, I stammered, "I mean, if that really happened, that's an extremely weird lady you three met. You don't honestly think she was telling the truth, right?"
Logan soon settled his eyes back to me, letting out a sigh.
"I know what I think. The question is, do you think she was telling the truth?"
With the direction this conversation was going, Logan was having me indirectly cornered.
My eyes fell to my lap, and I firmly spoke, "She probably tells that to anyone who likes something. I'm sure there's other hazelnut coffee lovers out there too."
"You could say that, but if you look at it right now, maybe the fortune teller was right," Logan replied in a low murmur.
Glancing back at Logan, this was his way of telling me that I was hurting him. The notion was killing me.
Looking at him in the eyes, I gave him a sincere apology, "Logan, you're an amazing person, and I see you as one of my closest friends. But, I just — I'm really sorry, I really am."
After a moment of silence, Logan replied, "It's okay..."
He was lying. His midnight blue eyes were betraying him at this very moment.
"I just realized how stupid I sound right now. The world is starting to spin on me," Logan quietly revealed, his hand reaching for his head.
Fixing my position on the seat, I inched closer and asked, "Logan, are you okay?"
That was when I noticed that Logan was experiencing pain... and the smell of alcohol. Logan tightly clutched onto his head and hissed.
My voice rang.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
He shook his head and insisted, "I'm okay, Maisie, I just had a little to drink."
"No, you're not okay! Wait, you're drunk?" I unintentionally exclaimed.
Logan gritted his teeth together.
"A little. I don't take alcohol that well."
Before I could say anything, Logan collapsed on me.
Quickly, I pulled him back to his chair and started to panic. Logan passed out! Doesn't this remind you of the time Bryce passed out sick on me? At least this time, I was much more smarter and called for everyone's attention as I rushed back inside the villa, shouting for help. In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but pound myself with guilt seeing Logan like this.
It was all my fault, right?
"What the — I just had to use the bathroom, and now he's gone!"
Zack was peering over his mother's shoulders as Logan was placed snugly in the bed of his designated room.
Mrs. Romano wasn't pleased with the outcome of Zack and Logan's little drinking charade.
She shook her head, placing her hands on her hips as she scolded, "Zackary Romano, I could have sworn I taught you to be more responsible. You're twenty-five yet you're being careless. I will definitely tell Kelsey about this."
Zack's voice shifted seriously towards his mother.
"Come on Mom, I'm not going to hear the end of it from Kelsey. I told her that I wouldn't do any of that stuff, but we just wanted to have a little fun. Logan needed to ease himself up."
Mrs. Romano's blue eyes were still expressing disapproval.
"And, look at what has become of Sir Logan. Zackary, I understand the boy's twenty-one, but you of all people know this isn't always the right way of having fun."
The whole time, I felt my body grow cold, seeing Logan in his deep slumber. When Logan passed out, Bryce and David helped support him up the stairs, and they both looked at me with the most confused expressions. Hearing what Zack said didn't make things any better. Zack eventually nodded his head, acknowledging his faults and took full responsibility.
Mrs. Romano then told us that Logan needed his rest and how we should all get some rest too. Before exiting out of the room, Mrs. Romano pulled Zack's ear lightly in a half joking matter which caused us to cease our laughs.
Zack laughed brokenly when he turned back to us.
"Sorry you had to see that, kiddos, but yeah, it's late. Get some sleep".
David folded his arms and teased, "Being responsible, huh?"
"Hey now, Logan looked down this whole day, and I thought a drink or two would cheer him up," Zack returned as he waved his hands in defense.
We all heard Vanessa announce, "You practically killed him."
"Hey, don't poke him!" David playfully warned Vanessa as she was poking Logan's cheek like a science specimen.
Vanessa looked back at us in entertainment and laughed. Zack groaned after his chuckling.
"Alright, alright. I think my mom already got it in my head. Let's give the guy some rest."
Zack walked towards the door, opening it as he used his right arm to usher us out. Looking back at Logan one more time, I couldn't help but release an upset sigh. Turning back straight ahead, I found Bryce observing me this whole time. As Bryce gently placed his hand behind my back, we both walked outside the hallway together. I exchanged glances with Zack, and his blue eyes flickered with knowledge and sympathy.
He knew everything.
Once Zack closed the door, he questioned all of us, "Oh yeah, where has Reynolds been?"
That was when everybody nodded their heads, finally realizing that she wasn't with us this whole day.
I replied, "She decided to sleep in."
Vanessa flashed me a 'how do you know' grin, and I quickly shot her an 'I'll explain all later' look.
After years of friendship, shares of simple glances were an easy way of communicating with one another.
Yawning lightly, Vanessa then decided she was heading to bed. Being the kind boyfriend he was, David offered to escort her even though it was just a few doors down. What an amusing couple. This was Zack's signal to call it a night too. As the three said good night to Bryce and me, we both gave them smiles,and then, it was down to two.
It wasn't my intention to look bothered, but Bryce immediately caught on. His voice bought my mind in the right state.
"You want to talk about it?"
Sighing, I dropped my tensed shoulders.
"Logan just told me something,and I feel like it's my fault."
Bryce scoffed out, "What did he do?"
My eyes looked up at Bryce, and he was getting the wrong signs again. Logan wasn't the bad guy.
As I shook my head, I explained, "I don't know if you remember, but Logan told me a story when you three were younger. You met some fortune teller that told you you'd fall in love with a girl who likes hazelnut coffee."
When Bryce listened to my explanation, his eyebrows slowly raised in surprise. Did he remember? Instead, Bryce released a laugh.
"Wow, was Logan that drunk? He'll be back to normal tomorrow. Anyway, let's call it a night, Daisie. You look tired as hell right now."
There was something in Bryce's blue eyes and tone of voice that made me question what he really said. It was like Bryce really did remember, but he pretended not to.
Because like me, Bryce knew that us being together was hurting his cousin too.
. . .
As soon as I woke up the next morning, I prepped myself up for the day and immediately waited outside for Logan. Anxiety was taking over me. I couldn't sleep or think clearly because of Logan. Leaning against the wall, I was tapping my fingers against the villa's main doors, wondering if Logan was already awake and with everyone else.
Instead, I literally jumped when something or someone whisked against my side. Logan was walking along, fixing his mildly damp hair with his fingers. He didn't realize I was there.
Taking a deep breath, I called out his name confidently. The moment Logan heard me, his entire body stiffened into place. He eventually motioned his full attention to me.
I couldn't read his facial expression. If he was annoyed, mad, upset — I couldn't tell. Logan's eyes were simply blank even though he had a closed smile upon his lips.
"Hey..."
My voice was weaker and accidentally scared.
Logan gave me a short nod and greeted me back, not saying anything else.
Okay, I started the conversation. I had to say something!
My eyes roamed the island's surroundings, not daring to look at Logan directly.
"How are you feeling?"
All of a sudden, there was a trace of soft laughter from Logan. When I found confidence to fix my sight at him, my lips fell as I wondered why he laughed.
Logan grinned lightly.
"I'm sorry for laughing. You're just being really awkward right now, Maisie. If anything, I should be the one embarrassed that you had to see me like that."
"I'm sorry."
Why was I being so uneasy?
He raised both eyebrows and questioned, "Sorry for what exactly?"
Letting out a sigh, I explained through a mumble, "For last night — for being awkward — for everything."
"You have nothing to apologize for. I guess it's my fault for not acting sooner, right? Even if I did try, I guess it wasn't enough."
Logan looked away momentarily but soon gave me a comforting smile. My lips couldn't help but drop into a frown again hearing that.
"Logan, I'm sor —"
Lifting his hand up, Logan interrupted, "I don't want you to apologize to me, Maisie. It's all right."
Observing Logan's body language, it appeared like he was serious about what he said. Still. My gut was telling me that he couldn't forgive me. My eyes fell to the floor, and I felt failure. It just seemed like things wouldn't be the same anymore between us.
Why was I being so pessimistic?
Challenging the negativity in my head, I had to make sure everything would be okay before we left this island.
Staring at Logan directly in the eyes, I gulped down before stating in a sincere tone, "Logan, I just don't want anything to change between us."
After what felt like forever, Logan finally responded by nodding his head.
Following after, he replied in a stern tone, "Nothing will change unless we make it change."
"You're right," I replied, "can I ask you something though? It's been bothering me for the longest time."
Logan's dark blue eyes deepened in reply before he nodded once more.
I stammered, "Why... are you telling me to stay away from Bryce? The moment I walked out of the doors after the presentation, you appeared different."
The voice in my head scolded, "Seriously, Maisie? You think this will help your current situation with Logan?"
His jaw clenched before Logan responded, "I just... thought he wouldn't be good for you, that's all. I have no right to tell you what to do. It's your choice."
Taken back from his answer, I furrowed my eyebrows together in confusion.
"And why's that?"
Logan's eyes drifted down to the ground until he finally spoke up, "Because it's obvious, isn't it? Or you still can't see it, Maisie?"
Suddenly, he switched the topic, "Maisie, just forget about what I said, okay? If you're happy, then that's okay with me."
Blinking my eyes, Logan's words and actions were troubling me. Behind those dark blue eyes were telling me that Logan — himself — couldn't forget about it. What was I going to do? Just looking at Logan right now, the way he tried to hold a strong front was so clear to me. I knew what he meant, but there was nothing that could come out of my mouth. I hated this feeling and being stuck in this position. Logan would make me feel frustrated one moment, and guilty the next.
When I didn't reply, Logan smiled in an encouraging effort and suggested, "Don't worry about me. Your happiness matters too, remember that."
Logan went on like nothing happened.
"Let's go meet up with the rest. It's our last day here before we leave in the morning. We should make the best of it, Maisie."
Even if everything did seem resolved between us, my heart was dying to etch it in my brain that it was all fabricated.
Throughout the day, it was like everything was back to normal — like the first time I met the Valentino's.
The Valentino boys looked closer than these past few weeks combined. Bryce and Logan were getting along, even joking with one another after so long which was storming a thought tornado in my head. Even though witnessing something like this should be relaxing, it was tensing me up even more.
Despite my doubts, I did have a good time during our last moments at the island. All of us spent the day swimming in the crystal clear waters and climbing up the tropical lush mountains because city life would never look like this.
I couldn't help but laugh when Vanessa told me that Candace probably got hit hard in the head by a coconut, and that was why Candace was being unusually nice the moment she woke up today. Everybody was shocked to see the renewed Candace in action. I was happy to see that she was opening up.
Of course, she still had that essence of "Candace" in her when it came to being glamourous.
The moment I found Bryce and Candace having a regular conversation for once, I broke into a smile when I saw how ecstatic Candace's large blue-green eyes lit up when Bryce said that it was pretty cool that she liked golf.
All my worries seemed to have disappeared when all of us were standing or sitting together in the beach, watching the sunset.
This made me wish that we were stuck in this moment. Everything seemed perfect. It was absolutely beautiful, watching the golden sphere slowly cast away as it offered the moon its turn to shine. The shades of deep oranges, red and yellows stretched across the sky, painting an astonishing canvas.
My heartstrings were tugged when Bryce surprisingly grabbed my hand and smiled warmly at me as we took in the beauty. Flushing out red, I sheepishly looked down before gazing back up at him, smiling back.
Zack had his hand against his forehead, looking out at the sea as he announced proudly, "Take this in, kids. These kind of moments won't be lived again."
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Dedicating this chapter to the amazing and supportive stilludonotanswer — so thankful for everything you've done.