Chapter 6 EIGHTEEN

Mama Celeste soft voice broke the morning silence, "Let's visit the cemetery today."

Our footsteps echoed through the empty halls, and I knew what this day meant.

It was Arielle's death anniversary and my birthday was in two weeks.

"Will Elias come home today, Mom?" I still asked, even though I knew the answer. It certainly was not a routine anymore; ever since he moved to the capital.

Mom looked wistful now. "As if we're expecting a miracle?" she asked softly.

"He is still hurting from the loss of Arielle. He has a hard time facing those memories."

I sighed, feeling a twinge of understanding. I've been there too..the emotional pain, the anger, the struggle to heal. I could understand what he was feeling.

Mom caught my sigh. "What is on your mind?" she asked gently.

"Just feeling Nigel's pain," I said, hoping I could mask my emotions.

Mom nodded knowingly. "He loved Arielle so much. Losing her changed him. You should understand why he is distant sometimes."

I nodded, feeling sympathetic toward Elias's struggles.

"Growing up without a father was tough for Elias, too." Mom said, as she stopped walking, her eyes fixed on a large framed photo on the wall , one of many showcasing the Rosario family's legacy.

I paused beside her, surprised by the mention of Elias's dad. It was a rare topic, it was the first time she talked about since I came to Rosevale, and I felt a pang of curiosity.

As I followed her gaze, I saw a familiar face- -Elias's doppelganger, Señor Desmond Rosario, the original owner of Rosevale."

As I stared at the photo, I remembered the stories my mom told me about her best friend whom I now call Mama Celeste, had married into wealth through an arranged marriage.

Apparently, Mama Celeste had been hesitant about marrying Señor Desmond due to their age gap, he was 25 years older than her, but his devotion and love eventually captured her heart.

Mom had always spoken fondly about their love story.

Mom could not help but have her eyes filled with tears as some of her thoughts and memories flooded her brain. "It was a huge blow to lose Desmond," she said, her voice trembling. "He was just 57 when he died, of a heart attack, and I was left to raise Elias and Arielle on my own.

I was losing my sanity, and your mom was keeping me sane. She has always been there for me to support me and to show the way."

Mama Celeste paused to take a deep breath and collect her thoughts. "I was a little sad when your mom got married and moved away, and I remembered it. It was hard to be away; I was happy for her. She had found herself a gem, and I knew she was in good hands. As for me, I had to pull it together for the sake of my children. It was difficult, but I found a way to pull it together and care for them.

She smiled wanly as she descended into memory. "Elias and Arielle were very attached to one another and when Arielle got sick with cancer, Elias was her faithful anchor. Arielle It wasn't easy, but all in all, Arielle had a relatively normal life, thanks to her passion for painting. Her escape, her solace, for tough times."

When Mom spoke about Arielle, her voice broke with emotions. "She was a tough kid, wanting to keep a good, positive attitude always... even when things got tough." I hugged her tightly and hoped it was some comfort to her.

Tightly, she squeezed me back, soft words coming again in a whisper.

It was tough for all of us, but Elias..." She paused again and closed her eyes for a moment, a defeated expression on her face.

"I'm just glad he's doing much better now. I'm thinking maybe you're a big reason for why he's not losing his mind."

I backed up slightly, staring at her in shock. Did she really think that? I smiled wryly. "Mama, I do not believe Elias is of the same mind. He's been pretty explicit about not wanting me here."

Mom continued, she spoke about the past with a nostalgic tone in her voice. "I remember bringing you home, and Elias was drawing in the library. After Arielle died, he had quit painting but eventually found his way back to it. Painting was essentially his way of communicating to her, you know?" She smiled subtly, her eyes far apart.

" When I introduced you to him, you were only a little girl. I saw something in his eyes...a sparkle of familiarity, as though he recognized something familiar in you". "I figured perhaps it was because you reminded him of Arielle. When I first met you at the hospital after... that time,"

Mom's voice faltered and she turned toward me with a mixture of sadness and love, deciding not to speak the phrases hanging in the air.

I was speechless. not sure how to respond. I became silent not because of the memories evoked but rather because of the discovery of Elias seeing Arielle in me.

Might it really be true? If so, why had he been so adamant that I could never take her place in the family? And why had he responded so furiously when Mother recommended adopting me legally? His words and behavior seem to oppose the notion that he saw his sister in me.

My head was questions and I was baffled.

When Mama and I stepped into the car to visit Arielle's grave, I was astounded to see Jackson in the driver's seat.

"What the hell are you doing here, Jackson?" I exclaimed.

"He's going to be our new driver, darling," mom explained. "Well, Fredrick has finally retired and so we now need a new one."

"What? This is unbelievable! Does he have a driver's license?"

Oh, I couldn't believe this! Apart from driving a bicycle, I didn't know Jackson could drive a car.

This was absolutely insane!

"Why, will I hire him if he doesn't have any?"

"Mama..." I wanted to complain that I couldn't stay in the same car with Jackson. I wanted to tell her that he was a traitor to the Young Master.

"What's wrong with Jackson, sweetheart?"

"N-no.... nothing..." I retreated. It wouldn't be good to Jackson if I'd tell mama what he did. "I was just after of the driver's license."

I caught sight of Jackson's grinning face in the mirror.

That jerk!"

That was the start of Jackson's pestering in my life. Wherever and whenever I traveled, there he was. He was always visible and was always so available that it almost made me sick.

Though Jackson never bothered me about reciprocating his love for me, his face and actions would always remind me of his feelings.

"Quit looking at me like that, Jackson," I told him one time when I caught him looking at me in the rearview mirror as he drove me alone to Santa Rosalía. I always sat on the back seat whenever I rode the car with him. "Concentrate on your driving."

"I just can't help it, Liana," he murmur. He always called me by my name anytime we are alone except of My lady. The only times he calls me My lady is when people are around, which always irritated me. "Please don't forbid me to do the only thing I can do with you," he continued.

"You sound desperate," I criticized.

"I am indeed desperate," he said while looking at the road ahead.

"Don't be."

"Only if you like me."

"That's so full of non--" I responded, but somehow kept control.

"There are other girls about." Many girls in Rosevale adore you. I know that," I said while staring intently at his face in the mirror. Jackson is a really attractive man.

At eighteen, he wore a lovely grin with a dimple on his left cheek every time. Only annoying, he was vivacious and fun.

I was frustrated with him as I didn't want him to be liking me. Maybe I might let him be my friend if he would stop admiring me.

Mama Celeste threw a massive debut celebration on the evening of my eighteenth birthday.

It took place on the grounds of the villa. This was near the C-shaped swimming pool. The party with its Hawaiian theme was also a send-off for me as I would be going eventually to the capital next month.

While I wore a beautiful yellow-hibiscus inspired dress totally bare on the rear, low-cut on the front showing my cleavage, and short in length showing my thighs...sexy voluptuous thighs as defined by Mama Celeste, all my guests, my high school friends and friends, wore Hawaiian outfit.

She actually requested that a well-known designer in the city create the dress for me.

She cried in amazement when she finally saw me dressed in that delicate gown.

She added, "Darling, you are the most gorgeous thing on earth, I wish Elias were here to witness how lovely you are tonight."

We embraced one another and with a calming grin, I said, "Don't worry, mama. Elias will be seeing more of me in the following months."

"Yes sweetheart, but it's your eighteen birthday party. It's your first day of officially claiming the word woman, no longer a girl. And besides, he has to see you in this dress. It's just that perfect for you. You look absolutely gorgeous."

"He knows my party. but he is not here," I had a dismal tone while I gazed down at the people on the ground below us. Both of us were in the balcony looking over the grounds of the villa. I was preparing to head downstairs and greet my guests.

"Yes, I told him about the birthday celebration when I called him last Tuesday. He stated he couldn't come."

Mama also said darkly, "He's busy."

Hearing it from mother herself brought my heart anguish. Still, I resisted showing the anguish I felt.

Mom would feel let down. She wished me happiness. As I waved my hands to my friends who were waiting downstairs, I told her, "Don't worry about me, mom." "I will be doing good." My friends waved back at me.

We embraced each other before she hurried downstairs to greet her guests, mostly her local friends. Once more, I surveyed the yard and was pleased that most of my invited friends and classmates were here.

My eyes next fell on someone standing beneath confidently as ever in jeans and a Hawaiian polo shirt left somewhat open in the chest. With the disco lights on, he looked rather amazing, actually.

Naftali Ethan. The son of the mayor was present.

Who invited him here? The party started right after I was let into the venue.

It was not a formal one. It was the sort of celebration without a structured dance choreography like the cotillion supplied. It was just for utter and sheer pleasure. The grilled meal, the live music, and the bonfire all were enjoyed by everyone. We sang, danced, and made merry. Some also swam in the swimming pool. I had to concede this was the most amazing party I ever had.

Everyone among my friends and classmates was given a chance to dance with me.

Actually, it was absolutely wild. We partied and danced all through the night.

And, yeah, Naftali was present but he seemed different. He was just watching from afar and made no dance offer. He possibly knew he was in the Rosario proximity. one bothersome act, I would call the guards.

But Naftali came to my side as I left the dance area and stood alone at the buffet table to choose a drink.

"Happy birthday, Liana," he said to me.

I responded, "Thank you, but I don't recall inviting you though."

Though it may have been severe, I didn't particularly mind.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not invited but my mother is," he replied with a tiny grin on his lips.

His mother? Was the mayor's wife invited? Oh, she could be among Mama Celeste's visitors presently.

He nevertheless deserved my frigid treatment whatever else.

"Okay," I brushed off and drank my juice I collected from one of the servants.

As I initiated my departure he unexpectedly grasped my left arm.

"What? "

What educational institution have you selected for your future studies? " Naftali asked.

His eyes appeared innocently desperate for attention.

"Does this matter concern you in any way? "Naftali, stop trailing my every step," I declared with deliberate intent to incite his reaction.

He still desires to follow me even during our college years?

"Please, tell me? Naftali's voice reached an extreme level of desperation as he spoke.

The hell, Naftali! I think it's time to contact the security personnel? My face contorted into an unnatural scowl directed at him. Cease disturbing me."

He finally let my hands. "I'm sorry, Liana."

Behave yourself or else! The fact that you are the mayor's son does not concern me and I will summon the guards on you! I issued a warning then abandoned him at that location.

Following that incident Naftali ceased all interactions with me. He went and mingled with some male classmates' group and remained with them throughout the night.

The clock reached midnight when villa workers entered the party space to mingle with my friends and classmates.

While I moved with the crowd near the bonfire Jackson emerged before me causing a sense of duty to dance with him.

How would people react if I decided to leave abruptly? Jackson's joyful expression emerged when we became partners, spreading his contagious enthusiasm to me.

His wild shouts and jumps to retro tunes mixed with laughter made me giggle uncontrollably against my will. The servants formed a circle around us and their infectious energy caused me to start laughing while distributing fun.

During my moment of immersion Isabella materialized beside me her whispering voice barely reached my ears through the musical barrage.

Her hand moved toward the patio space where I noticed him standing....a towering presence whose inscrutable gaze watched us.

As I blinked repeatedly my heart skipped a beat while I questioned the reality of my vision.

Was it really him? Was it really possible? The sensation of dreaming enveloped me while music and laughter became distant echoes as I strained to identify the mysterious figure.

I was merrily dancing with a few girl friends when I was startled by Elena's pleasantly high voice, "The young master just arrived!" Oh my good lord, oh look there is... As I searched for Elias in the room? I made my excuses from the dance floor and went running to the patio but he wasn't there.

I ran back inside, into the crowded house, scanning the rooms until I found Mama Celeste. She was greeting well-wishers when she caught sight of me, she enveloped me in a tight hug and whispered, "Elias is here!" I couldn't contain my excitement. "Where is he?" I said, jumping up and down.

"He's in his room," she replied, smiling. "Why don't you go get him."

I ran up to upstairs, heart pounding. Elias presence today was the best birthday gift I could receive. I knocked his door when I got to his room with a little shake in my hands.

There was no response, so I knocked once more. The door creaked open and Elias was before me, my Prince Charming, looking tired and stressed but dashing in his lose gray shirt and baggy joggers. His hair was dishevelled and he had his eyes partly shut.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection. Then I thought "If he just arrived now, that means he was driving this late to Rosevale. Was he here for my birthday? For me?"

He gave me that look he always does, like he could read my mind.

Even when he looked tired and stressed, his eyes locked on mine. I stared back, soaking up every detail of his face. I've known him forever, but being this close still gets to me.

I just needed to hug him, like, right then. After standing and staring at each other there for ages.

Suddenly, I just went for it and put my arms around his neck.