QUEEN
I glance at Ace, who has been unusually quiet since the burial. Months have passed, yet the memory of that day is still fresh. Besides being silent and gloomy, thankfully, he hasn’t done anything reckless. If he ever dared to follow her, I don’t think I’d forgive him—or myself.
As time passes, I notice a glimmer of acceptance in Ace, a sign he’s slowly starting get by Aphrodite’s absence. It’s not easy for him but there’s hope, and I hold on to it for him.
Yesterday, we enrolled for the new academic year. I was entering my second year, pursuing a degree in Accountancy, while King was in his second year studying Business Administration, and Ace was a freshman having a same program with King.
Classes were scheduled to start next week, and I'm getting excited and scared at the same time. Half of me wanted the time to slow down and the other half want the time to get fast. Lately, though, I’ve been anxious about Ace and King. They’ve been sneaking out to bars together, and I can’t shake the fear that Ace might become King 2.0 in no time.
I want Ace to move on, yes—but if he starts mimicking King’s playboy antics, I might just faint on the spot. It would be too much.
King is already a headache. Two of him? That would be the end of my sanity and possibly our parents’.
That evening, King informs me, "Queen, Dinner's at Linus tonight."
I nod and pick out a gray dress, pairing it with black doll shoes. With time to spare, I bury myself in my accounting books. I need to really understand my law subject because we have a recitation tomorrow. And as time passed by a knock interrupts me. Ace peeks in, looking slightly impatient.
"Let’s go now," he says.
"Mmkay."
At Linus Hotel, we are immediately escorted to our table. Mom and Dad are already there, chatting with Carlene and Junno, a celebrity couple that is basking in fame.
"Good evening," I greet them politely.
"Hi, we are not late, right? Hi mom." King asked and kissed mom's cheek.
"No, we also arrive a while ago," said Carlene and look at me. Carlene’s smile is wide—too wide—and I can sense the unspoken tension beneath her sugary words. "Long time no see, Queen," she says.
"Yup, how are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"Good, thanks." We both fake smiles, hers laced with arrogance. She was smiling widely but I bet that she was already killing me in her mind. Such a plastic bitch.
"You're beautiful tonight," she remarks.
"Just tonight?" I counter with a raised brow.
She chuckles, shaking her head. "There isn’t a day you don’t look fabulous." I smiled at her.
Junno said in with a grin, "She’s right, you’re stunning every day."
"I know, right?" I say, flashing my most insincere smile.
The dinner continues, filled with congratulatory remarks about Carlene and Junno’s back-to-back 1.1-billion-grossing films. I clap along but stay mostly silent, focusing on my food. The couple basks in the spotlight, but I couldn’t care less.
"Congrats!"
"Yeah, this one really calls for a celebration."
"Congrats." I said and Carlene look at me and boastfully smiled.
"Thank you very much. Thank you." Ugh, I really want to remove that arrogant smile of hers.
Enjoy your fame, you fake bitch, just one scandal and it will eat you alive.
"Cheers," I said and smiled. As they were enjoying the dinner, talking about the awards they achieved. The couple were really the main characters tonight and I just sat there silently not minding them while I solely focusing on my meal.
The president of OC entertainment was a good friend of my parents, that is why we are invited here. Our family business is comprised of chain of hotels spread across the country, as well as a large casino operation.
When the dinner's done, everyone immediately went home as they still have work the next day. The actors still want to go on a bar to extend their celebration but their managers forbid them.
"Good night, Carlene, Junno."
"Good night Mr. and Mrs. Imperial," said Junno and look at us. "Bye. Have a goodnight, Queen." I just nod and watched them get in the car.
We are all silent in the car on our way back to the mansion. When I saw Ace who was irritated as he was focused on his phone. Curious about what he was doing, I tried to peek at his phone but he easily caught me. He immediately closed his phone, then squinted his eyes.
"Queen, what are you doing?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.
'What are you hiding though?
"Peeking at your phone. What’s the big secret?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? But I notice that you look irritated, just want to know why."
"Haha Queen, I'm just playing." He coughed and I look at him unbelievably.
"Sure." He didn't open his phone after that and I lean on the car window, watching the cars that were passing by, I sighed. "King, Ace, don't make babies huh? It's still early." I warn them.
"Haha, don’t worry," King reassures me. "We don’t have girlfriends." I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, no girlfriend just a dozen flings," I retort, glaring. "I mean it—no nieces or nephews before I graduate. I don't want to became an aunt at such a young age. I will really kill you two if you do."
They laugh, but I’m dead serious.
When we arrive at the house, I watch Ace rush inside and I snapped and pointed the door.
"He's definitely hiding something," I muttered. "Maybe a girl."
"Huh?" King asked, confused. "You said something, Queen?"
“No, it was nothing." I replied dismissively. We entered the mansion together, and I go straight to the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of milk and I smiled as I watched King patiently waiting for me to finish. Once I was done, we headed upstairs.
"Good night, Queen, sweet dreams. I love you." King said and I smiled when he kissed my forehead.
"Sweet dreams Queen, I love you." we were both surprised when Ace suddenly appeared. I smiled at both of them and utter...
"I love you too, King, Ace. Lucky me to have you both, my sweet brothers."
The next day I'm starting to prepare my things. Tomorrow is the start of class and I suddenly got a cold feet. I tried to think positively but my mind wasn’t cooperating. I think I’m still not ready to face other people.
Thoughts continued to flood my mind throughout the day, and I didn't sleep well that night. I woke up early, having only gotten three hours of sleep. When I saw the maids busy cooking, I waited for them to leave so while waiting I headed to the garden to water the flowers.
"Good morning." I greet King, I sighed at him as he was just wearing boxers. So early in the morning and you're showing your abs to us, King, really?
"Morning, Coffee please." He sat in front of me and I stared at him. "Why?"
"Usually, this time you are still asleep, why woke up early?" He yawned.
"We will play basketball later." he then yawned again.
"Ah, okay go and eat now." He nod and the next one to arrive is Ace who is still busy on his phone. Mom and dad were already in the office, they usually eat there or in the restaurant near the hotel. And if they do have some free time, we will be eating at Linus.
"Morning, Ace." I greeted him.
"Good morning, I'll just eat the pancakes."
"Here." I smiled and put some pancakes on his plate.
"Thanks." We silently ate after that when the telephone rings.
"Ma'am there is a call for you." A maid informed me. Confused I stand and receive the call.
"Hello, Queen speaking." I didn’t expecting any call from anyone.
(Hello, Where's King? Why did he block my number?!)
My eyebrows raised when the voice on the other end shouted. It was likely one of King's flings. I sighed and massage my temples. I’m already having a headache.
"Uhm, King is here. Why do want to know?" I asked, trying to remain calm.
(Please tell him, that I'm bearing his child.)
"What?!" I asked shocked and I coughed. She declares it confidently and I nearly dropped the phone. "Sorry, you are pregnant and King is the father?" I asked gently so I won’t get choke.
(Yes.)
Really what part of don’t make babies didn’t he understand?!
I continue to massage my temples and sighed. I just told them not to...
"Ok, if you are really pregnant with his child please go to our residence and we will help you," I said and dropped the call without hearing her answer, fuming mad I went to his side and pinched his arms.
"Ahh, O-Ouch. Queen! What’s your problem?" he exclaimed and touched his arms.
"There's a woman who told me that. She. Is. Pregnant!" I hysterically said and lightly punch his arm.
"Ouch." he pouted and gently smiled at me. "What child?"
"Didn't I tell to the both of you that don't make babies! But why the hell does that woman call here claiming that she Is pregnant!?"
"I don't know!"
"King Spade Imperial!" I shout when he started running away from me. I look at Ace and he raised both of his hands and shake his head.
"I don't know."
"Hmm." he nods and smile at me before leaving the table. I started looking for King but my idiot brother was nowhere to be found. He will be dead once I caught him.
The first day of classes is a blur of introductions and syllabus reviews. I keep my head down, avoiding attention.
Back then, I don't have friends, so I was already used to eating alone. Yeah, I was accustomed to eating and studying alone. But I'm good. I prefer being alone.
What about King and Ace? They're famous in our University and I'm not, as I’m keeping my identity lowkey. I always maintain my distance to them because I don't want the students to see me with them. Being the sister of King and Ace comes with its own set of challenges, and I prefer to stay alone.
Some of them know me, but If I didn't stop coming to school, I will be able to graduate this year. A few people know me as their sister so whenever they get a chance to see me they will try to ask for their number. So I will do my best to hide from their sights.
“Finally, Classes were done for today.” When I arrive at home, I saw dad's car and he ask to me where King is, I said I do not know and then I was surprised when I saw King hiding in my room.
"So, this is where you've been hiding. Get out.” I demanded.
"Queen, help me please." I rolled my eyes and shake my head.
"Why are you getting scared? Just go to dad's office and explain everything." I said and he shake his head. "If you really are innocent why are you scared?"
"Please." He held my hand and I rolled my eyes when he look at me with pleading eyes.
"Okay fine."
"I really didn't do it! It was impossible for me to have a child. I'm still a virgin you know!"
"Wow, what are you a woman?" I laugh and his face crumpled.
"Queen!"
"Okay, calm down. Let's go now."
We are now in front of Dad's office and King slightly pushed me. I glared at him and he look on the floor, I knocked, and then we heard dad's voice.
"Come in." he said. I gently open the door and face my parents first. "Sit down." I look at King and he flashes a nervous smile.
"King what is it this time, we got another call. This woman is claiming that he was bearing your child. I think five, ten women? I already lost the count. Can you explain that to us?"
Huh? So, this is not the first time that a woman called here?
I look at them and my mind started to float.
What do you expect Queen everything is still the same for those years that you were gone? Well, that makes me want to laugh at myself.
"Mom, King said that he was still a virgin. And if they were claiming that they were pregnant, they will agree to the DNA test, right?" I tried to mediate.
"Yes, I already said this the last time." It looks like they didn't believe in King. Dad nod and massage his temples.
"You're stressing me, King." Mom said and massage her neck. And after saying that she did leave the office, King apologized and Dad just nod.
"Sorry dad, sorry Queen." I sigh and hug my brother. "Thank you..."
"Don't do flings from now on." Dad stared at us and I awkwardly stand and avert my eyes. "I'll take my leave now." he nod and I immediately left the office and go straight to my room. As I lay down on my bed I stared at the ceiling that was full of glow-in-the-dark stars and moon.
“Such a scary thought I’m having these days.”
The next day some of my professors were not a able to attend class because of a seminar and just left homework. I immediately do it and when I was done, I submitted it into their office. During lunch, I bought a burger with fries and ate it while walking. When suddenly, we all came face to face with each other, and my heart started beating rapidly. I didn't expect this encounter, and my hands began to tremble as I took a step back.
"Queen, OMG your back!?" Their voices are loud and excited as they face me.
"It's nice to see you, Queen, I was surprised that you decide to continue studying here."
"How are you?" I shake my head and look at the ground.
"Sorry, I’m busy. I need to go, bye." After I said that I run as fast as I could.
What should I do? They knew me and now they know that I’m studying here again. I’m sure they will find a way to see me again. I should do my best to avoid them, nothing will do good once I made contact with them.
—IAmRoseee