"Tinay" Sam called, I sighed while Drei pulled me forward.
They look at Drei in confusion before looking back at me, I look down at my feet mumbling a few curses when Drei suddenly squeezed my hand, I look at him.
"Talk to them" he whispered softly.
"I don't want to" I furrowed my eyebrows at him, he chuckled and shook his head, I pinched his side before smiling awkwardly at them.
"Tehee, uh long time no see-? you never again" I gritted my teeth while 'smiling', muttering the last phrase to myself.
My eyes squinted when I heard my fiancee faked a cough but didn't bother arguing with him more.
"H-how have you been?" Liz asked in a low voice.
I glance at Drei before looking at her calmly uttering a simple 'I'm doing fine' before taking the courage to speak up my mind.
"It's great seeing you all fine and well, really, but I hope that this will be the last time I'll see your faces, I'm fine now and happy with my life, can you give me that?" I ranted.
"Love, calm down. I'm sorry guys, it still hurts her" he hugged me as he apologized to them.
"Tine, we're sorry, really, w-we badly want to tell you- I cut Annie off.
"What is done is done, I don't wanna hear it" I sighed and look at them one by one.
A lot of things change in those five years, am I bad when I always chose not to hear their side of the story? Whatever reason they have, that won't change anything, it was done.
Trust is like breaking a glass, you can build it up again but it will never be the same, same goes with forgiving them, but everything that they did in the past won't be erased from my memories.
"It was fun back then but I'm sorry too, I, no, really, we, we should get over it and move on, hmm? Let's go Drei, I'm tired" I gave them a smile- I wasn't even sure if it was real or not.
"Things won't end if you keep on avoiding them, love. Give them a chance to tell their tale" Drei held my shoulder in a comforting manner and I tense up.
A bit my lower lip and glance at them before frowning at my lover so seems to be ruining my mood for the night.
"Don't make me start an argument with you again Adrian, you know how it ends" I threatened him coldly, he sighed and kissed my forehead.
"Trust me, I don't want to get back to it, but just hear them out, after that, let's go home" he insisted, I raised an eyebrow at him then suddenly took notice of my older sister near the window from inside, she's busy talking to another female anyways. 
I stared right back at him as he smiled, what's up with him? He then ushered me to make up my choice which was letting them explain their side, and that- I can't say no.
"Fine, 5 minutes, and we're going home" I fished my phone out my purse and stared down to look at the time, five minutes won't hurt, right? What could possibly happened in that time?
"Let's take the conversation here, it's a private matter anyways, besides my family doesn't need to know anything about this" I said.
"Well to start things off, yes we did hid everything from you, including the fact that we know about the mafia blood running through your veins, despite of your innocence back then, but things were not well in the mafia world that time so we can't figure which option to choose" Icer pinched the bridge of his nose.
They know? My eyes narrowed on the ground, this is ridiculous, the only thing they knew was my family serving in the military for generations, and aside from the photos of my cousins I've shown Sam and the others nothing else was shown. 
"You haven't even met my parents" I scoffed.
"Your face didn't differ much from your mother Tine, I saw a picture of your mom once when we visited Death's home, and when we asked him about it, he simply said that she was his dad's ex-fiancé who ran away before the wedding so we looked up the possible things that concluded to the fact that she is your mother, the missing princess of this empire" he explained.
"About why we didn't tell you this was because it will make things harder for you and Death, as he is the heir to their clan, a lot of conflicts are present even our families were included, we took advantage of the situation to settle things first without you getting involve, the reason why Death broke up with you even though he's madly in love with you" Troy finished the story.
Do they really need to say that word in front of me? Us? I don't know about them but I'm glad Drei was just silent beside me and didn't bother to give reactions. 
"And you girls knew except me" I pushed off the topic, I don't want to hear anything about that guy any further, and no matter what they'll say, I'm not changing my mind.
It's already enough for me to have Xiena hiding her mafia background but that was hard for me to accept the fact that despite of trusting her, they still blinded me with the truth.
I accepted her because she was my friend and that she was still one of us, we still paint the same color, but betrayal was worst to happen, especially when it wasn't just the person you love, but the people who swore to always have your back. 
"We only knew about the mafia when you two got together, we didn't know about the whole thing, not until we got married," Liz paused.
"That's all? Five minutes is done" I set my phone down.
"We explained our side, you should get the rest of the details on Death, besides, he's the one who planned everything for you" Sam said softly.
Ask him? As if, I was about to open my mouth to answer when Drei set his hand on my shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze as he spoke.
"I'm sorry but I can't permit her to talk to him again, as promised, you explained now it's time for us to go home" he said sternly.
"Tinay! Drei! There you are, come on here for a moment, Cristine wants your presence inside" Liam called for us.
"We'll get going" I told them before walking past them with Drei following suit.
"At least consider..." I heard Liz muttered.
"Never mind her Liz, we've done our part" Sam comforted her, I sighed.
Walking back inside, I saw my parents together with mom's siblings and our cousins gathered on the side, probably waiting for us.
"Mom, you called?" I asked her when we got near them, catching their attention, they acknowledged our presence in their circle.
"Ah yes, your sister and brother-in-law is about to go home and I was wondering if you two would want to stay or at least join the after party" mom said, look at her, she looks so happy tonight, I feel bad if we're going home as well, who would keep her company then?
"After party?" Drei asked her.
"Oh nothing much, just to meet the other members of the family" she hummed then I turned to my sister.
"I'll see you soon then, be careful driving guys, Liam take care of sis" I hugged them. 
"Likewise Tine, do introduce me to the others on our behalf, have a good night" she patted my back gently before letting go.
I nod and watched the two couple leave the room, I suddenly stiffed when mom slowly let her smile off, so did dad, I was supposed to ask them if something wrong when she welcomed someone on the circle.
"Irmea! Good to see you" she held out her hand and the other woman took it, she turned to me and smiled while I slightly bowed my head to acknowledge her presence.
"Uh, mom? What's this all of a sudden?" I asked her.
"Sweetie, I think it's time to settle things between you and Death once and for all, besides, you and Drei will be wed soon, don't you think it's time to clear things up before that? And that Drei is also here to accompany you" my mother eyed me from the side of her eyes, noting that she is still facing my ex's mother.
My eyebrows furrowed and the temperature of the corner that we're in suddenly dropped, I was supposed to be enjoying this night to celebrate mom's return but why? Why does the history between us keeps crawling out the grave?
Drei cleared his throat and I shot my head to my right, only to be welcomed by his worried yet warm eyes, telling me that it was okay to discuss it in front of him, my past with that guy in front of the guy that I am marrying after the year ends.
Then again, why is he so supportive and all? Other guys may be getting jealous and angry but here he is, assuring me that my mother is right and I asked myself once again.
'Do I deserve someone like him?'
I felt the sides of my eyes heat up as it gets blurry by my tears, attempting to fall out but I decided against it, turning my head back to the front and looked at my heels, he chuckled and held my shoulders.
"Now, now, don't cry love, you'll ruin your look" he whispered to me and I hissed at him.
"Stop teasing me!" I pouted, he laughed.
I punched his shoulder lightly making him cough and dad laughed at us, now what?
"Aww, Tine stop bullying Drei, knowing your strength- he might break a rib or two" mom smirked, I bit my tongue inside my mouth lightly, fighting a smile to form while Drei acted to be hurt deeply.
"Oh no! I think my organs got mixed up, I can't go on" he sarcasly exclaimed while holding his chest as he lean on the wall on his side.
I turn to my parents and shrugged. "At least he's alive right?" I questioned.
They both laughed, now look at this guy, he lifted up the heavy atmosphere in a second, that, may be his hidden talent- I suppose most doctors are like this to help their patients to stay calm during their consultations or check ups.
As of what is suppose to happen soon enough, he indeed came in cue, with his father on his side, the smile that lingers on my lips suddenly disappeared.
My fiancée may have noticed and came eyeing the newly arrived people, seeing that my ex is looking at me- us rather, he too, eyed him coldly with a sarcastic smile on his lips, and believe it or not this is the first time that I have seen this side of him.
Whoever dared to enter Drei's body— he should stop, he's too hot when he's acting out this villain attitude of him, tss. I cleared my throat purposely and he shot his gaze down at me in an instant, I raised my eyebrow at him.
"Who said you can pick up a fight?" I arrogantly nudged him, he pinched my ear making me wince.
"Shut up woman, you're ruining my play" he grinned, I quickly turn to my mother while holding my 'aching' ear.
"Alright let's stop this play and get serious" as if the wind suddenly blew and the warm temperature of the room suddenly dropped a few degrees.
I've always hated tensions like this, it just reminds me of something I badly want to escape from the past and to think that I was spending my time back at the Academy unknowingly surrounded by these kind of people.
"Tinay, you're getting married soon with Drei, are you sure about your feelings for Adrian and that you don't have any more feeling towards Death?" my father fired the question.
It’s odd to think that they would run lapses about my relationship between these guys, and to be honest, I sometimes think that they don't want me to get married at all.
"Obviously dad, what do you expect me to do? Go back to him? He had his chance but failed to commit to it, I understand that mom also belongs to this family but I would choose to live my life as it is" I answered in a calm voice, I felt Drei set his hand over my shoulder making me turn to him. 
"There, you have your answer son, she made up her mind, now can you just stop-"
"Why should I?" I snapped my head back at him, his mother frowned at his stubbornness and tap her husbands chest for help.
"Because she's getting married with me" Drei suddenly joined the conversation.
The two eyed each other as if anytime soon they would raise fists against each other and I'm afraid I should stop this mess before it gets a lot more worst.
"Death Jaxen Ace Salazar, mind you please" his name rolled out my mouth with stinging venom, it reached his ears and look at me, he seem to hold back his emotions well this time but I know he hated it when I call him his full name.
"You too Adrian Zae Watson, gosh why do I have to do this?" I pushed him back a bit and eyed the two of them.
I crossed my arms in front of me, because this situation I'm in is getting frustrating as seconds tick on the wall clock on the other side of the room we're in.
"First of all, this is my life and I have all the rights to make the choices I want, clearly that includes you questioning me about the way I live with it, second of all, both of you" I pointed at the two guys, my ex lover and present fiancé.
"Do you mind not start a fight here? Have some respect to the owner of the house. Lastly, I will say this one last time, Death, we already broke up years ago and I'm about to get married, so please stop this" I pleaded to him, and his jaw clenched.
I sighed and thought that it was all over when he suddenly laughed, I took a step back getting a little scared from how he acted after all the things I told him.
"You really think I would let you marry someone who you barely know? My Curse, if I was able to hide my mafia background very well until that day then perhaps you should consider getting to know that guy more?" he grinned.
My eyebrows met in the center of my forehead while Drei pulled my arm back.
"What are you talking about?" I glared at him.
"Oh nothing, really, he's good actually, but know this my little devil, don't think I betrayed you just for this guy to heal your heart, trust me, whether you like it or not, you'll always end up with me" his eyes darkened and looked at Drei.
"Don't think about it doctor, your fiancé might change her mind" he scoffed and when I looked at Drei, I was also taken a back when I saw how he looked like he was ready to kill him.
Unconsciously, I felt my heart clenched and I somehow find it hard to breathe, Ace's words kept playing in my head, and I was starting to get anxious, what does he mean by that? Does he know Drei? If he does, then how was that possible? They only met tonight.
"Don't worry, he's not in the mafia, nor are his family" he sneered and turn to his parents.
I snapped my head towards him and that same old smirk still lingers in his lips.
"I'm not changing my mind mom, dad" was all he said before walking away, approaching his friends' circle from the far corner of the room.
"You spoil him too much" his father manage to say.
"And you weren't?" his mother fought back.
I let out a sigh and tugged on Drei's coat catching his attention, it pretty odd to see him spaced out with what Death just said.
"Don't mind him, he's just insecure" I told him and he just nod his head.
As the night went by, I stayed with my parents and practically on Drei's side. It was close to midnight and some guests already left the mansion until someone got my attention.
In the midst of the crowd that was preparing to leave, a female wearing an Asian silk dress, the only silver bright color in the room stood out from them and not just that, she also looks familiar.
"What's wrong?" I diverted my eyes to my seatmate.
"Hmm? Nothing, I just..." I trailed off, looking back to where the girl was but she was nowhere to be found, my heart skipped a beat.
That was familiar, too oddly familiar, I felt a sudden rush of deja vu running through my memories, she disappeared.
In my years of military field, no one was able to disappear that fast like how it works on movies, unless it was that 'girl'.
The one who has a coffee black hair, a very rare type of color in this country but is a little common back in the Academy- sure students like to dye their hair but it was anything but coffee.
The weird thing is that, I haven't notice anyone wearing a silver dress except now, was my eyes tricking me? Perhaps not, I don't even experience having that even if I haven't got enough sleep on the battlefield.
"Drei, do you perhaps saw the girl wearing an odd silver dress, just now?" I asked carefully while scanning the area.
"What are you talking about, love? No one is wearing silver or white" he confusedly looked down at me and I just shook my head.
"Probably tired, yeah, I'm tired" I muttered to myself and decoded to excuse myself to get some fresh air on the balcony.
I sighed and watched as the full moon lit up the cloudy skies, with a discomfort of the chilly breeze, I hugged myself and approached the edge of the balcony.
"Ber months is fast approaching, so chilly" I hummed and suddenly caught a tingle as if someone was watching me.
I slowly averted my eyes below and my body froze, blood running cold, and the night breeze felt colder against my skin when I came face to face with a psychotic and threatening face of someone who is very familiar to me.
"N-no..." I shivered, she gave me a nasty grin and as I refuse to blink the wind blew hard forcing me to close my eyes and when it opened, no one was there.
I clenched my fists. How is she here? Wasn't she confined in an assylum after she killed that student? And of course, she also caused harm to me, I was sure that the Academy secured her on a rehab for another three years, so how can she be here?
A/N: Hi everyone! I apologize for not updating for a year, I've been busy at school because I'm about to graduate last school year, and I made it! Now I'm starting a new journey and I will try to update as soon as I can. Thank you for your love and support to my book <3