CHAPTER TWO

“This is a double celebration for us,” Mr. Garcia said, holding a glass of wine.

“A toast to Zayan and Annalise and, most importantly, to the contract awarded to our company." Mr. Jackson cheer

Mr. Kelvin Jackson clicked his glass of wine with Mr. Benjamin Garcia; they were happy over the admission of both children and the contract awarded to their company. The celebration was taking place at the Garcia's home.

Annalise was not happy; rather, she was angry and was absent-minded during the celebration. She was wondering why her family would hold a family dinner with her devious uncle and his son Zayan.

Annalise and Zayan were known to always be at each other’s throats since they were kids.

Zayan Jackson is the only son of Kelvin Jackson. He is a handsome seventeen-year-old boy with blond hair and blue eyes just like Annalise; the resemblance between Zayan and Annalise is uncanny. He is a bit taller than her. No doubt he was brilliant and an athlete. What Annalise mostly despised about him was that he was a playboy who thought he was better than everyone, better known as a spoilt rich kid. 

Her uncle, on the other hand, was her mother’s older brother. He was a lousy type who had no regard for anyone, especially people with lower status. Well, as the saying goes, “Like father, like son.”

Their presence in her home made her feel uncomfortable; she wished she could ask them to leave. She thought about the comfort of her bed; rather than having time wasted, the anger in her was top-notch, and knowing fully well Zayan was at the University of Antares with her made her blood boil. She imagined how uneasy Zayan was going to make her life.

“What a bully,” Annalise whispered.

She became determined to make life unbearable for Zayan instead.

“Someone is building up her facial muscle.”

The voice came from behind her. Annalise turned and realized it was Zayan. She didn’t look pleased.

“What do you want?” Annalise asked.

“Well, I came to say hi,” Zayan replied.

“I think it will be best you let me be,” Annalise pleaded.

“What is going on with you, cousin?” Zayan asked.

“I said let me be,” Annalise demanded.

“Well, I don’t know why you hate me. Now that we both got admitted to the same university, I expect that we start getting along; don’t you think Mackayla?” Zayan asked.

Annalise knew what Zayan was trying to do; by calling her by her middle name, he was purposely calling on trouble. And trying to open her pain. The only person who called her by her middle name was Skye.

"Look, I know what you are trying to do; whatever it is that you are cooking up, better be ready for whatever it is you are going to get,” Annalise warned.

They both looked into each other’s eyes. Zayan could see the bloody stare in Annalise's eyes and was starting to enjoy it. He was willing to dare Annalise to push her to her limits, to see what she was capable of.

“For some time now, I have been wondering what happened between you and Skye; you both were almost inseparable from what I can remember. You had your first kiss with him; I wonder if the rumors are true. Did you know your love story was popular at Champions High School? It was highly rated in my school, and with each new episode, one of my favorites was about a breakup, and there was an episode where there was speculation that you gave him your body too,” Zayan explained, laughing.

Annalise was gradually turning red; she felt hurt inside; there was a sudden rush of adrenalin; and she felt flames engulfing her hands, ready to burn Zayan with them. The rage had taken over her completely when Zayan was about to utter another word. Like lightning accompanied by the sound of thunder, she slapped Zayan at both sides of his cheeks, which got everyone’s attention. He lost his balance and became dizzy.

Everyone was surprised, including Annalise herself. Before anyone could say a word, Annalise ran to her room. She placed her hands on her chest as she panted heavily. She looked at her hands, wondering if she slapped Zayan. She goes to her window; the skies are starting to drop rain, and it soon begins to rain heavily. She felt relieved.

“He asked for it and received it,” Annalise said.

Everyone was shocked; Zayan was still trying to get out of whatever universe he was sent to.

“Are you okay, Zayan?” Mrs. Garcia asked.

“I am fine, Aunt Katherina,” Zayan responded weakly.

“We are so sorry, Zayan; we apologize for my daughter's behavior,” Mr. Garcia apologized.

“Annalise should be the one apologizing Benjamin, not you; how can a woman raise her hand on her man?” Mr. Jackson responded angrily.

"Kelvin, I am equally surprised at Annalise's reaction tonight; she does not react that way. Please forgive her,” Mr. Garcia pleaded.

Mrs. Garcia turned to Zayan. “What happened?”

“Well, I told her the bitter truth she has been running away from,” Zayan answered.

“And what truth is that?” she asked.

“I think Annalise is the only person in the right position to tell you, and do tell her she is forgiven,” Zayan replied.

“Well, Katherina, I have to get going. Benjamin, I think you should talk to your daughter and express my disappointment. I never expected the party made for her to be ruined by her. Son, let’s go home and enjoy your night,” Mr. Jackson said, walking towards the door with Zayan.

They soon left. Annalise's parents were not happy at all. Annalise was her father’s favorite. He was a man of peace; he hated anything that brought him to the edge of the cliff. He didn’t blame Annalise for reacting; they all knew Zayan was ill-mannered, just like his dad. That was why his wife divorced him and moved on away from the town, sad enough to leave Zayan behind to be spoiled by his father.

Annalise's mother was happy her daughter taught Zayan a lesson. She knew her brother was ill-mannered, and so was her nephew.

Many had always wondered if Kelvin and Katherina were siblings. Unlike her brother, Katherina was kind-hearted and beautiful inside and out; her blond hair was luxurious. It was a family gene that didn't go extinct from generation to generation; her daughters inherited her blond hair too. She was from a high-class family, yet she was a woman of elegance, dignity, and respect. She was, most importantly, a good mother.

"Well, that was embarrassing, and I know our daughter so well. And this is not the first time Annalise and Zayan get on each other's throats. Kelvin indirectly told us we did not raise our daughter well. Who does he think he is? He should talk to that ill-mannered son of his. Who does not know when and how to speak?" Mr. Garcia vented

“Annalise needs to avoid Zayan's trouble; that boy brings trouble wherever he goes,” Mrs. Garcia replied.

“She did that to Zayan for a very good reason. Zayan speaks terrible things. The law says to ask, and you shall receive. He deserves more slaps. Good night,” Meredith added.

Meredith was the second daughter; she was a fourteen-year-old, long-blond and curly-haired, blue-eyed, very beautiful girl. She is known as a person who listens more than talks.

Meredith having said that, left for her room, leaving Erica.

Erica was the third and last daughter. Like her sisters, she had blonde hair and was equally beautiful. She is known to be mischievous, silly, rude, and disrespectful. She loves Zayan more than her sisters. Like they say, birds of the same feather flock together.

“I hope Annalise is okay; should we talk to her?” Mr. Garcia asked.

“We should let her be for tonight; tomorrow we talk to her,” Mrs. Garcia suggested.

Annalise could not go to bed. She kept wondering what happened after she left. She got up from her bed and walked up to her reading table. She sat and picked up her diary from her drawer. Her diary had a lock; the key to the lock was on her neck as a pendant. She took out the neck chain and unlocked her diary. She flips through the pages, and as she reads most of the written words, she smiles, then laughs. She flips again and sees a picture of Skye taken two years ago at his high school graduation ceremony. It has been two years since she last heard from Skye; she missed him every day but could not understand the real reason he broke up with her. Telling her she was a distraction did not seem like the truth to Annalise. Calling her a distraction had hurt her deeply. Skye was her childhood friend and the only guy she had ever loved.

Annalise kept wondering if they would ever meet again and if she was ready to meet him. Annalise felt resentment for Skye for leaving her. He left her to go study abroad. Tears dropped from her eyes, wetting the picture she held in her hands. She was hurt, and his picture reminded her of the memories they had together.

“You will come back to me, won’t you? I miss you so much, Skye. I love you, and I need you. I am so pissed at you, and I am sure you know that. I want to believe you broke up with me for a good reason, a reason I hope someday you share with me,” Annalise whispered.

Annalise still sobbing returns his picture to her diary, locks her diary, and keeps it back in the drawer.

She goes to her bed and soon after sleeps off.

The rain continues to fall heavily.

Zayan kept on recalling what happened; he was so angry at himself for allowing that to happen. He regretted not hitting her back. He felt even more angry after being called a weakling by his father. He was determined to teach Annalise a lesson.

Zayan was not loved by many. He got whatever he wanted. His father was a strict man and also cruel. Zayan missed his mother and also resented her for leaving him behind to face the heat from his father. His father was bent on turning him into an invincible personality who was fit enough to take over his empire.