Bodies froze mid-action. 

Another series of knocks, more insistent than the earlier one, preceded the soft, feminine voice I knew so well. Gio's grip on me tightened, followed by a frustrated sigh. He didn't move though. He just laid his head on the crook of my neck.  

"I hate your sister right now," he whispered, his warm breath tickling the sensitive spot just below my ears.

"Quick, get off. I need to open the door," I said, ignoring the delicious warmth of his body on mine.  

"No. Stay. Maybe if we ignore her--"

"Onee-chan?" Quin's voice was followed by stronger knocks. "Are you alright? Did something happen?" Quin's voice started to rise. She was clearly starting to panic. I pushed Gio off gently but he still would not budge. 

"She'll break down that door. I'm not kidding." Gio raised his head to look at me, his face was so pouty and miserable that I was not able to repress a chuckle. I gave his back a series of pats in consolation. 

Gio pouted some more. "Tell her to go away." 

Something jingled behind the door, eliciting confusion in me. "Quin has a key to my apartment?"  

"No. But she knows how to pick a lock. Shit." Gio scrambled to get up that he almost fell on the floor. He recovered quickly and sat at the edge of the bed just in time before the door of my apartment burst open, ushering a pale-faced Quin. Her worried eyes quickly found me.

"Onee! Are you alright?" 

I sat up too, smoothing my top as much as possible and making sure it was covering the right places. "Yes, Quin. I was just...sleeping." Ms. Yin hooted in my head, adding certain phrases to complete my sentence. I shushed her. 

Quin turned to Gio and asked, "Oh, were you sleeping too?" 

"About to. You interrupted." Gio muttered under his breath, all the while glaring at Quin. 

"Oh, carry on then. Don't mind me." 

I choked on my own spit. Gio's pouty expression warped into one of amusement as he turned to me with a cheeky grin forming on his face. I kicked him. It only amused him more, so I doled out another strike. He caught my foot though and gave it a suggestive squeeze. Quin, who had by then proceeded to my mini kitchen counter, was mercifully unaware of our exchanges. She set down several boxes and a rich, savory aroma wafted across my little studio apartment. My mouth instantly watered, followed by the grumbling of my stomach. I had no idea when I last ate, and my stomach was on a full-on riot. 

"I think you should move to a one-bedroom apartment, at least," Gio said and leaned on me. "We will not be disturbed there."   

I rolled my eyes. "I like it here. It's small and I can see every corner from any vantage point. 

And there are no hidden spots for murderous enemies to hide in.

I let that last statement go unsaid. I had a feeling that it would not help my cause in the least. Stretching my back which was starting to ache because of my bad reading posture earlier, I got up from my bed and followed the savory trail. 

"What have you got there?" I sniffed the air and basked in the meaty aroma. 

"Your favorite, of course." Quin set the table, then pulled a chair and pushed me down to sit. She skewered a piece of the sausage with a fork and handed it to me. I nibbled on it, letting the contrasting flavors flood my mouth. My tummy growled in response, demanding more. From somewhere behind me, utensils clanged with activity, followed by the rich aroma of coffee. 

"Onee, I don't know if this is the time to ask, but...have you remembered everything now?" Quin, who likewise took a sit, hesitantly asked. Gio approached and sat, placing steaming mugs of coffee on the table. He eyed me with the same inquisitive look as Quin.

Any desire for food was gone in an instant. It felt like I got splashed from head to toe with a bucketful of cold water, erasing the warmth of my current company and tossing me straight into that cold place which held us on that fateful night. Time passed in silence while I forced my demeanor to remain stoic, willing my hands not to shake so much that I basically strangled my fork to death. All the while, I could feel the anticipating stares of Gio and Quin, patiently waiting for my answer.

I must not lose control again. 

Forcing my body to relax, I took several deep calming breaths and nibbled the sausage. Here and now. Focus on the here and now. 

Quin must have felt my distress, because she grasped my free hand and squeezed. "You don't have to answer, Onee. It's okay."   

"It's fine Quin. I remember most of my childhood now. The night mom and I disappeared, however, is still very...blurry."

A lie. 

And it hurt me to say it straight to their faces. 

Feigning normalcy, I took the mug nearest me and took a sip. The hot beverage which I normally enjoy seemed tasteless. Beside me, Quin sighed. 

"It must be the trauma. Memory loss has been associated with traumatic experiences." Quin gave my hand another squeeze. "That is fine, Onee. We can talk about this some other time." 

I nodded and muttered words of gratitude under my breath, keeping my eyes glued on the mug in front of me. I may have looked calm on the outside, by my insides were anything but. Confused feelings of rage and disgust mingled with self-loathing.

I am very sorry, Quin. You were always there for me and this is how I repay you.

15 Years Ago  

I trembled at the sight of the riding crop on Father's hands. The scowl on his face deepened more when I started to cry, my eyes darting across our spacious living room for help. I must have looked so guilty to him. I knew I did not do anything wrong, but I couldn't help the fear that paralyzes my body whenever he was mad at me. 

"Explain yourself." Father's voice was deep. Serious. Commanding. I trembled and he grew angrier. I wanted to explain. I did. But my mouth was frozen shut and it would not form the words I wanted to say. My eyes kept darting from the whip in Father's hand and his angry face, jumbling the thoughts in my head. 

Father must have had enough of me because he suddenly strode towards me. I instinctively stepped back. 

"I'm sorry. It would not happen again!" I practically shouted whatever was at the top of my head, shutting my eyes shut and wanting it to be over as soon as possible. He would not believe me anyway. They never did, that somewhere along the way, it was easier to just accept the punishment rather than to explain myself.  

The blow never came.

"Ranya!" the voice of my Father thundered in the living room. I opened my eyes to my Father's figure towering over me, a look of intense disapproval etched on his face. 

"Is this how the eldest Nas should act? Have you not learned anything at all? Stand up straight and stop crying!" His heavy hand struck my face and I fell on the floor, clutching my cheeks as tears sprung anew from my eyes. 

"Tch. This would not have happened if I had a son." 

Father turned away, headed to the bar at the corner of the living room and poured himself a drink, tossing the riding crop on top of the bar counter. I took it as a sign that I was already being dismissed and got up. From the corner of my eyes, I saw figures emerged from the upstairs hallways and down the winding staircase--Quin was leading Mom down towards the living room with Bunny still tightly clutched in her arms.

"Mom, tell Dad, please. Onee didn't do anything wrong. My classmates said Clarissa was being mean to her." 

"Reynald, Hon, what happened?" my Mom's voice,  made soft by sleepiness, floated in the room. Quin must have dragged her off a nap so she could convince Father to let me go. 

Father downed the contents of his glass in one go and faced Mom. "There was an accident in Ranya's school. We'd have to pull her out before it gets out of control." Father sighed before pouring himself another drink. 

My mom's inquiring eyes turned to me.  "Ranya, did you remove your gloves again?" 

"She didn't!" Quin answered on my behalf.  Mom patted her head in consolation.  

"Well? Ranya? Did you?" 

"I--I didn't, Mom. I swear! She put tacks on my seat and I got angry and pushed her and she--"

Almost died. 

My breathing hitched and I embraced myself. What I left unsaid seemed to overshadow my justifications.  Why did it matter if Clarissa was cruel when she almost died because of me? Suddenly,  any justification I had seemed to pale in comparison.  

"I'm sorry. I'll just stay here. I don't have to go to school," I blurted as I ran to my room, holding back tears before Father's temper flared once again.  

My mother called me back but I ignored her, banging the door of my room shut behind me.  I sat and hugged my knees, crying my heart out. I would always be in the wrong no matter what I said or happened because I hurt people. I could kill them. It was wrong for me to insist and stay in school when I was a danger to everyone. Clarissa wasn't the first to get hurt and she would not be the last. Burying my head on my arms, anguished whimpers escaped from my throat no matter how hard I tried to suppress them.

Then there were faint knocks which were followed by the sound of my door opening. I quickly dried my tears. 

"Onee? Are you okay?" 

"Quin. I'm fine."

"Mom and Dad aren't really angry. Daddy is just stressed, that's all. I heard a business partner is visiting today. Maybe that's why," Quin gently explained as she sat crossed-leg before me.  I merely nodded in acknowledgment. Even if that was true, even if Father and Mother weren't angry at me, I still should not go out there. Not until I control my powers.  

"Onee,  Bunny wants to shake hands." Quin excitedly offered Bunny's stuffed paws to me. Even though I didn't feel like playing at the moment, I humored her and shook Bunny's paws.  

A mechanical voice that sounded like Quin's erupted the moment I did. "Nice to meet you, best Onee-chan in the world.  I'm Bunny!"

Despite everything, I chuckled. "Cute. I didn't know it records." 

"I know right?  I love it!" 

Quin excitedly showed me the buttons to push to get Bunny to record our voices. I let Quin ease my worries and played with her and Bunny for quite some time. I must admit,  playing with Quin made me feel like everything was alright in the world. Her laughter was so free and careless, so pure,  that it felt my mood lighten as well.  

After some time though, Quin and I looked at each other when we heard foreign voices from downstairs.  Out of curiosity, I and Quin decided to check what was happening.  With Bunny in tow, we got out of my room and peeked from behind the wooden balustrade of the upstairs balcony, both of us trying to be as quiet as possible.  

It seemed Father and Mother had visitors--a silver-haired woman about the age of my mom with a pale, sickly face. She moved gracefully, greeting Mom with kisses on her cheeks. Mom returned the greeting,  although her movements seemed a little stiff. Beside the woman was a brown haired burly man who was engrossed in a discussion with Father. I couldn't catch what they were talking about because of how fast and animated they talked. Eventually, after several more minutes of small talks,  they decided to move to my Father's office. 

A little kid was left alone in our living. His hair was of the same color as the woman.  He was quietly sitting on our sofa while reading a book. Feet shuffled beside me and the next moment,  Quin was running down the stairs. 

"Quin!  Don't run you'll--" 

Quin tripped when she was about to reach the first-floor landing and fell on her butt. 

"--fall." 

I followed closely after, helping her get up. 

"Yay! Onee!  Now, we both sprained our ankles!" 

I flicked her nose. "Don't run when going up or down the stairs!" I huffed.  

"Ouch." Quin clutched her nose and had the gall to appear incensed. I glowered at her.  She could have been badly hurt.  

"Is there anything I can do to help?" 

Quin and I turned our heads to the silver-haired kid. I noticed his eyes were of the same tantalizing silver as his hair. He didn't wait for us to answer as he guided Quin to the sofa and gently pushed her down to sit. He knelt before her and inspected her ankle.  

"Hmm.  It isn't bruised badly.  It should heal on its own.  Just be careful you don't injure it again." The silver-haired boy straightened and looked at Quin and then to me.  "I'm Ran, by the way." 

"I'm Ranya.  And this is my little sister,  Quin." 

Quin whispered something to Bunny and got up the sofa.  "This is Bunny. She wants to shake hands." Quin offered Bunny's paws to Ran,  who hesitantly took it and gave it a shake. 

"Hello, Ran.  Thank you for helping Quin!" a mechanical voice sounded. 

Ran was mildly taken aback  and then amused. "What a nice toy you have here." 

"You can play with it.  Just press his ears and whisper to it. She'll repeat whatever you say!" Quin enthusiastically showed Ran how Bunny works. Ran appears genuinely interested. 

"It's amazing how they turn a recorder into a toy. It's an interesting business concept," Ran mused.

I noticed Ran's book which was lying on the sofa,  so I took it. It was a big book on Molecular Biology. "Wow.  You understand this? What grade are you in?" I was genuinely impressed.  I had a photographic memory, which was quite impressive too. But I learned early on that remembering things did not mean understanding them too.

"I... uh..." Ran looked shy and stared at the ground. "I am homeschooled."

"Wow. Sister, you got competition." I patted Quin. 

Quin seized the book in my hand and leafed through the pages. "It's hardly a competition, Onee. I'm just in Second Grade." 

"Oh, hush. You're in the same grade as me! You're making me feel dumb." I poked her side which earned me a squeal.

"Stop! Onee!" Quin's laughter and my jeering echoed throughout the living room.

"Can I have my book back now?" Ran sheepishly asked, still bashfully staring at the floor, cutting my playful banter with Quin.  

"Of course," Quin said as she handed the book back to Ran.  

Then Ran's eyes caught something and suddenly lit up. Curious, me and Quin simultaneously turned our head towards the direction Ran was looking at, and saw Gio.  

Then to top everything surreal that happened that day, Ran darted past us and towards Gio, tugging at Gio's sleeves. 

"Gi! Look at this! It records!" Ran showed Gio the Bunny." Ran shook Bunny's hands and the recorded message played again. "Maybe I can make it record longer, then I'll record my formulas in them. What do you think, Gi?"

Gio smiled softly at Ran, ruffling his hair. "You're such a nerd. It was meant for play and fun, not studies." 

"But then I could pretend to play with it! I could get a stuffed tiger." 

My curiosity could no longer be ignored. Quietly, I approached them, with Quin following my steps. "You two know each other?"

Ran nodded. "We are--"

Gio's hand on his shoulder stopped him saying anything further.  

"Ma said you should all go to the patio for some snack. She made strawberry shortcake."

The mention of cake brought another surge of delight within me and Quin. Strawberry shortcake was her favorite. She tried eating a whole cake by herself before and got a stomach ache afterwards. Did it stop her from trying again?  No.  

We were on our way to the patio when the door of the study suddenly opened, and our parents stepped out. 

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for tea,  Faust? Joanne?" Mom asked Ran's parents. 

"It's okay, Cel. We have dinner to attend to and we're already running late," the silver-haired woman replied. She gestured to Ran, and he obediently gave Quin her Bunny and went to the woman's side.  

"We'll take our leave. Think about what we've told you," the burly man said,  patting my Father's back as he did so. My father merely nodded in reply, jaws set hard. He seemed tense. 

"Onee, let's go. The cake is waiting," Quin whispered to me.  I nodded at her, my eyes searching for Gio but he was nowhere to be found.  Perhaps he already went ahead of us. I let Quin drag me towards her precious cake. 

Present Day

Last fifteen minutes.  

I forced my hands to move across the pages of my blue book, trying my best to recollect whatever it was that I crammed inside my head for the past week. I just had to do this last exam then I could breathe and not think about law school during the summer break. 

Not that I relish what was coming for the next few days. Just thinking about them created a knot to form in my stomach and bile to rise up my throat.  

Jesus. Not now. 

Pass law school first. Worry about life later. 

I know right? Priorities.  

The bell rang, signifying the end of the exam. I stared at the last question which I was not able to answer and inwardly cursed. Left without any options, I handed in my paper, hoping that my other answers were enough to give me a passing grade at least.  

I massaged my hands which was aching due to five long hours of constant writing. In front, the exam proctor had collected the papers and bid us goodbye. I slumped, resting my head on the table and heaving a sigh of relief. At least that was over.  

My classmates had started to disperse. Most of them were partying tonight to celebrate the end of the school year. 

A hand patted my back. "Reianne, are you going to the party later?" 

I raised my head to the eager face of a classmate thirsty for alcohol.  "Uhm, yes." 

"Okay! See you later!" my classmate said as she went on to her next quarry. Our room had started to buzz with excited energy, all eager to start the fun and live the law student's motto of studying hard and partying harder. 

Perhaps drinking right now was not the best idea, especially with all the shitstorm that was in my head but I badly needed a distraction. 

My phone vibrated indicating an incoming call. I looked at the screen and grimaced. Yep, I needed a distraction.  

I let it ring without answering it. I had no energy to entertain Baron at the moment. 

I mentally smacked myself for forgetting to tell Gio about Baron's threat. It felt inconsequential that I put it so far back in my head,  I totally forgot about it. Nevertheless, Gio should know, at least, if a tabloid article of him having an affair would be written in the next few days.  

Ugh.  Why are things so damn complicated? 

I really missed the time when my problem revolved around hustling money to pay for my rent. Hell, I even missed Inspector Eugene right now.  

"Hey, Michael and I will get coffee,  wanna come?" Marie asked as she put her notebook in her bag.  

"Yeah, but you're not allowed to smooch while I'm there.  This third-wheeler has low fluff tolerance," I said as I start to put my things away too.

Ms. Yin rolled her eyes at me. 

"Pft. Okay. I'll just help Michael with some class beadle duties, then we can go. "

I nodded and I watched her approach Michael, who was coordinating with some of my classmates for year-end requirements.  I, in turn, searched up Musa Medical using my phone, wading through articles upon articles of journals, studies, awards, and notable researchers. I landed on a particular name and felt the thrill of the chase blossomed.  

My phone vibrated once again with an incoming call. Without looking at the screen, I answered it and listened for a while.  

"Yeah,  sure. Pick me up at eight o'clock," I answered him back.

Who wants strawberry shortcake? 

Were you surprised by this chapter?

Where should they date? 

Is the author planning something?

*snickers*

RF

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