28 | Pistachio Ice Cream

For the first time, I wasn't going because of Dad's summons, but because someone actually ordered from the shop.

Sticking out like a sore thumb among the mass of gray and black was an easy part to play as I weaved my way through the people. A box of red velvet cupcakes sat safely in my hands and on top of that was coffee from our shop. The elevator was blocked out, and it was because of these office workers who rushed outside to see the street parade.

Thankfully, I finally released myself from suffocation and hopped into an elevator. Of all the places which asked for Sweet Moments delivery, it just had to be Reynold Records. And I just had to be the girl to be sent here.

Floor five. The order was from floor five. The elevator was packed with people as well, and all that body order in one box was killing me. Nevertheless, I kept a straight face.

Up to floor two, then three, and four. And here we were, floor five. Going around the best I could, I followed the door numbers. Floor five, room two hundred three, I memorized from the receipt. I knocked, once, twice and then thrice.

"Come in!" A guy's voice yelled from the outside. Carefully, I pushed the door and I was greeted by a random office with the usual couches, desk and mini-kitchen.

"Should've known it's you," I dropped my tensed up stance as soon as I saw him. But then I quickly regained it when I saw that his father was also in the room.

"Mr. Blakely!" I bowed low at the aged man sitting there.

"Come in, come in," Royce chuckled at my flustered expression. "Close the door behind you." I did as I was told and set down the box of cupcakes and the cups of coffee on the table.

"I told Dad here that your shop is the best of desserts stores. Just called to prove my point," Royce looked proud of himself to share that fact.

"Well, the cupcakes are warm," I shrugged.

"It better be," said Mr. Blakely, "Have to feed this huge stomach. Now, how much will that be?"

After collecting the money, Royce showed me out. It felt different to come here for another reason besides my father. He hadn't told my Mom anything so far, and he hadn't called in yet. But he will soon, I could feel it.

"How are things?" Royce asked me. We were out of the room and into the empty corridor.

"Eh, the usual." And by usual I meant that everything could fall apart at any second. I was heading off to the Dales' after this, and I was dying to see Jackson. For the past few days, I was enjoying his company very much, and working was made better for me.

Royce fished out a twenty for tip. My fingers crept to it, but I didn't take it yet. "Are you sure, uh, the bus money isn't that much."

"You know you want it," he wagged his eyebrows up and down. Laughing, I gave in and took the precious bill. Now, this wasn't something I'm going to share with the shop. Only for three people: my, myself and I.

"Thanks for the cupcakes. Dad's favorite, you see," said Royce, "You sure you don't want to join us?"

"No, I wish I could, but I have – uh – work to do." And by work I meant a Doctor Who marathon with Jackson, with popcorn I would microwave. Jackson had called me a while ago, saying Brennan wasn't home so no one to pester us. I wanted to hurry to the house right there and then.

"Bummer," Royce frowned. "See you around, I guess?"

"You have to order another batch for that," I shook the bill in front of him before putting it in my pocket. He smiled broadly and I trotted off.

Just my luck, I was lost through the halls again. The numbers on the doors became confusing and I did wish that my sister was here to show me around again. Damn this building. I bet if I had a tour guide lead me, I'd forget the directions the next day. How could these people memorize a whole map of this place?

Before I could pull off the 'Marco Polo' trick, I luckily spotted Mony's blonde head. Wow, her hairdo. Straightened smoothly with slight curls at the ends. I couldn't believe my eight-year-old sister had better hair than me.

And I was about to hop up to her when a hideous thing blocked my view.

And by hideous thing, I meant my other sister, glaring down at me in her spiky heels. I backed away a bit as Montana sneered at me. I was afraid if I stayed in her presence frequently, her face would freeze permanently into that look.

"Stay away from her," Montana hissed at me, "You're not good for her."

"Look," I put my hands up in mock surrender, "I'm just lost and I need help around. She seems like the only decent person around here."

She pushed past me, "Follow me."

I continued to stare at Mony, who was talking to Glenda. When Montana realized I wasn't following, I heard her shout, "Oliver!"

It wasn't probably a good idea to follow her to wherever, but she was my best option at the moment. But I was a hundred percent sure she could lead me to the dumpster area, which was you know, her home. I watched my sister's tall figure as she walked down the halls. What was that behind her back? A cape?

No capes, didn't Edna say?

Montana cocked one finger to beckon me over. And resisting the temptation to trip her, I went up beside her. She had a grim look on her face and I tried to make mine more passive. "You shouldn't be doing this," she said lowly.

"Excuse me?" My eyebrows shot up.

"This. You working for Dad. You can only hurt Brennan and his family."

The nerve of this girl. I scoffed, "You think I don't know that? For the record, I'm being careful here. I know the consequences of doing it and the consequences of not. You just don't see it, do you? I don't have any choice. He threatened to have us out of business."

"I do see it, but I don't care," Montana spared me a sideways glance, "Stop being selfish. We both know how Dad is like. Stop this before it blows up and both sides get hurt. I thought we both don't want to see him win?"

"Yes, you are right. But I don't want to see our mother let down either! You should care that I'm not doing this for myself but for my family. Oh no! But you couldn't care because you have no idea what family means!"

She didn't even know it meant Ohana.

She narrowed her eyes at me, and then released a long heavy breath. "We're passing by a room first. I'm going to pick up something." Then she added, "And I know what having a complete family is like. Don't ever think otherwise. I'm just looking out for Brennan."

"News flash, Barbie!" I threw my arms up in exasperation. Cool it, Ollie, you still have that twenty-dollar in your pocket. "Your boyfriend doesn't care! I thought you both weren't in any side in this."

"But that doesn't mean he'll – we'll – get affected!"

Montana continued, "You shouldn't be following him because this rivalry is just about – "

"About a dead girl, I know." She looked surprised at my knowledge about that topic. "Yes, I know about Elise, and the whole story. I'm surprised you know about it. And yes, that changes everything. But do you really think that will stop Dad? No! He has power to do anything. Unless you're thinking of backing me up or you have something to hold against him, then don't talk to me."

"Don't talk . . . !" I swore that was a growl coming from her. "You could do something against him! And what are you doing now? Being Dad's good child and doing what he says? You think he'll take you back for that?"

"I couldn't care less about him!" My voice raised notch after notch. "You have no idea what's going on, Montana, and you stay out of it!"

"What are you doing now? Sleeping with the other brother to get information from him?"

I grabbed her in a tight grip to stop us both. After looking around for any spectators, I glared at my sister, looking straight at her. "Don't you ever say that about my relationship with Jackson," I said lowly, softly and menacingly, "Don't ever assume I'm like that. Shut your mouth before I pull it out of your fake face."

She tore her arm away from me, rubbing it and taking two steps farther from me. Only little light filtered into the corridor, but this boiling rage from me might illuminate the whole building and set it on fire. Dad might step over me, but I'm not letting my sister do the same like the bastard told her.

"Okay you had your shot," I titled my head, "You know what I think of you? You only hate me because it impresses Daddy dearest. That was all taught to you – to look at me like I'm a piece of crap. Let me tell you that I don't hate you back – I pity you, in fact. And God forbid Harmony ends up like you."

She was about to lunge at me when she held herself back. Her eyes glazed over with unshed tears and her face was redder than ever. Montana gave a scream, "You shut up! You shut up, right now!"

I crossed my arms, "Ha, you're only acting like that because you know it's true – "

"It's not true. It's not true! You – you . . ." she sputtered and gasped, overwhelmed, "You are going to regret that!"

"No thanks. I already regret a lot of things," I managed to keep my face hard and stony. Come on, Ollie. Be emotionless. That should be the upper hand.

She tried to lunge for me, trying to attack and scream at me again. But once more, she held back.

"Go on, go on to me. I won't stop you. You're the one at fault here, anyway and we both know that," I threatened.

It twisted my heart when she faced away from me, panicked. But she didn't attack me with her claws or whatsoever. She went on and walked through the quiet hall, sealing the fight in thick silence. After a few seconds, I followed after her. I had to get out of this building, after all. I stayed back paces behind her.

The tension was sickening. It was always Montana who got me like this, like she was born to do so. I didn't understand why. Before, we got along fine. We got along perfectly and it was something other pairs of sister would envy. And now, things crumbled into dust and this was a remnant.

Montana stopped in front of the door she'd pick up something from. And I stopped as she saw it. And when she opened it, she screamed. Not the high-pitched scream I always heard from her. This one was like a scream of shock and agony and that finished her. She cried and sobbed that it made my heart ache.

I marched over to the door and gaped at the scene. I swallowed and I wanted to wash my eyes. No, this wasn't happening. No. No. No.

But my breathing got all clogged up, and I felt like a thousand pricks launched to my chest. To me, Montana's cries beside me sounded muffled and I couldn't exactly register what was happening in front of me.

Brennan. On a couch. Making out. With a girl.

"Who is that?" Montana whispered weakly beside me.

The dreaded name fell out of my lips. Even though I didn't believe it. Even though I wanted this all to be a bad dream.

"Mitch."

The couple noticed us in the middle of their frenzy. Brennan, half-naked and on top of my best friend, looked at us with wide eyes. I swore I saw his face fall when he noticed Montana was with me. He looked like the whole world collapsed in front of him and he had to bear the whole weight.

But when Mitch saw us, it was a whole different story. She chuckled and smirked, stroking Brennan's hair, "Hello there, you."

Montana was still crying beside me. I could hear the pain through her sobs. Brennan quickly pushed her away but Mitch wasn't bothered at all. She shamelessly sat up on the couch still in her underwear and smiled at me. "Aren't you proud of me?" she said sweetly, running down a finger on Brennan's arm, "Finally got some from him, huh?"

Brennan hung his head in shame. I kept my eyes on Mitch.

"What . . . what are you doing?" my hand trembled on the doorknob. I couldn't believe my voice was still working.

Mitch rolled her eyes, "What does it look like? Haven't you got any eyes?"

"But – but you're my friend." Or so I thought she was. "What do you think you're doing, huh? This is wrong!" I moved my hand to my sister's shoulder to keep myself from exploding.

"It's not what you think it is – " Brennan started.

I cut him off, "Shut up!"

"Oh, it's exactly what you think it is," Mitch nodded, "Aren't you supposed to be happy? Do you think I could let that skank stay with Brennan? No. He's better off with me."

"My sister is not a whore," I said through gritted teeth, "It's you."

Unfazed, she smugly sashayed from the couch and towards me. And when she stepped in front of me, I wanted nothing more but to kill her right there and then. "You are my best friend," she pulled on a look of disappointment, "You should be on my side."

"You're not my best friend anymore," I shook my head slowly, "And I was on your side, but don't think for once second that I'm like you."

She glowered at me and shut the door in front of my face. Judging from the sounds that followed after, she was back on her adventure with Brennan. I didn't even want to acknowledge my feelings or thoughts anymore. No use crying outside the door with my sister.

Seeing Montana had taken her heels off and she now looked so hurting, I wordlessly wrapped my arm around her shoulders and guided her away from here. I was still hoping this was a nightmare and I would wake up anytime soon.

But I realized it was better getting hurt with the truth than live in a whole lie.

I was awakened now, and that was what mattered. Priority number one now wasn't getting to the Dales' anymore. Priority one was getting my sister home safely. I decided to lead us through the winding corridors because she was in no state to act tour guide. Finally, I found the elevators and we went inside.

She was still sniveling the whole way down the building and out to the parking lot but I said no comment about it. She just got cheated on and she needed to cry. I led us to her car, where her driver was.

"Uh, Dex right? We need to get home to the condo right now," I said to her driver as soon as we were in.

The guy deadpanned. "It's Rex, Ms. Ridge," he said, "I'm Reg's cousin, remember?"

I scowled, "Hell if I care. Now, drive. Montana needs to get home." His eyes widened as he took in the sight of my sister crying. He began driving us out of the lot and to the condos, wherever that was. I looked at my sister, who had her head turned to the window. Dried tears, but the sadness was still there.

I should also be crying right now, but I didn't want to. I didn't want to be a burden for Montana, and there were better things to think about other than that lying prick.

My phone rang as we stopped in the traffic. I put it up on my ear and snapped, "What?"

"Sweets?" Jackson said, "You aren't here yet. Is something wrong?" His voice sounded so troubled.

My tongue darted out to lick my lips. What if Jackson would be like Brennan? Lying, cheating, doing things worthy of murder from me?

I chided myself. No, he wouldn't. He's different and he's better than his ass of a brother. And he'll understand my situation right now. He understood everything.

"Sorry," I sighed and put a knuckle against my head, "Something came up. I'm sorry. It's – uh – it's hard to explain, but I don't think I'll be coming tonight."

He sounded so troubled, "What? Why? What happened?"

"Look, can you do a favor for me?"

". . . Anything for you, sweets."

I glanced at Montana. Still not saying anything. The sky was getting darker by the minute. "If Maira asks, tell her there was an emergency so I couldn't come. And if – if Brennan ever gets home, do not talk to him, do not listen to him and do not let him call me. Better yet, take his phone so he couldn't call. Do you understand?"

"Yes . . . but what happened? Tell me, please."

I pursed my lips. Could I just spill everything to him while my betrayed sister was in the car? Finally, I gathered all the courage I could and told him, "He did something incredibly stupid. He cheated on Montana. There. I said it."

"Cheated? On Montana? Is it that big of a deal? They're not really dating."

"Of course it's still a big deal. A relationship is still a relationship and I definitely expect this from Brennan. And it's not okay when it's with my best friend. My former best friend."

Jackson sounded shocked. Yeah, me too, buddy. "Mitch? . . . Wow. I mean, uh, is she okay? Are you okay?"

"Me?"

"Yes. I mean, she was your best friend, wasn't she?"

"It doesn't matter now," I choked out, "Montana's going to be fine because I'll be with her tonight. I'll just see you tomorrow, I guess."

"Okay," said he, "I'll talk to you tomorrow, sweets. Just hang in there, alright?"

We both bade goodbye and the car was sucked back into quietness. Just great. I sent a quick text to Mom, trying to summarize everything in one sentence with lots of commas. I resorted then to just stare at Montana. Looking at her now, she seemed like a mess.

As the sky dimmed and the city lights flickered among the cars, we just sat there, without a word. I bathed in my meaningless thoughts. Despite being younger, I had to do this for Montana. She was hurting and even though I had no experience of being brokenhearted, I knew it was the worst.

"I loved him," Montana suddenly said. She was now facing me, and I saw her eyes were tired and stressed out.

"He was good in a lot of things and one of them is messing with emotions," she said calmly and I listened patiently, "I loved him. And I know he will never feel the same. But I still had hope that maybe one day . . ."

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

"Why, by the way?" she asked. "Why be here with me now and not her? She was your best friend, you know. You hated me forever."

"Just because she was my best friend, it didn't mean everything she does is already correct to me. She did that and I felt betrayed. I felt backstabbed. But hey, if I hadn't found out now, she would've already killed me and I still wouldn't know."

"Fair point," she nodded once. No trace of anger. None from me, too. "But it's just a fake relationship. Why be angrier at them than I am? Why?"

"You said it yourself, you loved him and I'm sure he somehow had an idea. Even if it's a fake relationship, you still have to faithful. I mean, he should know better. Imagine if it wasn't us who caught them. The press would have a field day. Montana and Brennan, split up? That's huge news."

"It's bound to happen sooner or later," Montana shrugged.

A smile slowly spread on her face. She leaned towards me and put a hand on mine. "Thank you so much, Ollie," she said. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"You deserve it," I told her, "Monty."

Monty. That was my old nickname for her. I haven't called her that since she left with Dad and Harmony. In exchange, she was the one who first called me Ollie. And together, we had come up for a sister nickname for Harmony – Mony.

Tears appeared in her eyes, but I didn't think it was for sadness. She wiped them away and we went back to silence again. But it was good silence this time.

The night went on and finally, we arrived at the condominium. Montana and I entered and we went all the way up to her suite. It was the first time I've actually been to her so-called home and there were so many grand and unnecessary luxuries. And upon opening the room, it looked so classy and expensive. But it was huge – I couldn't believe she lived here all by herself.

"You can lie around and do whatever. I'm going to cook dinner," I pointed to the attractive kitchen. She nodded and followed me to the kitchen, where she took out a tub of ice cream from the fridge.

"Pistachio," Montana mumbled, "My favorite." She slowly walked to the living room, just within my sight, and flicked the TV on. Moping, she calmly ate the ice cream.

Then, I got started on my job. After exploring the area and absorbing in all I could, I got to work to cook for her. What did she eat if she didn't cook, anyway? Takeout salad? Or was she growing an indoor garden around here? It confused me.

As I cooked, my phone was bombarded with texts and calls, which I didn't bother to answer. There were some from Brennan, but the messages from him soon stopped and I guessed it was Jackson doing his job. There were a few from Mom, and also from Lawrence and Jess.

Lawrence and Jess. Did it mean they were my only close friends, now? Have I also lost Brennan?

About half an hour into cooking and for Montana, watching The Office, the 'doorbell' rang. It didn't sound like a bell, though, but a buzz that rang throughout the whole place. I told Montana I got it and I shuffled to the door.

Glenda was on the door, and behind her was Mony. "Do people know, now?" I asked her with wide eyes.

"No, not the press, thank God, but it's just as bad. Your father knows," she informed me. A quick glimpse behind me and I saw Montana watching us in curiosity.

I groaned. How could've anybody found out? And still, if people did know, it will eventually get to the paps. That was just how it went in Hollywood. I didn't know how either Brennan or my sister could explain themselves. "They'll find out, just we wait."

"I was just dropping Harmony home," Glenda said.

"Oh," my eyebrows rose, "She lives here?"

"Yes, she likes to be with Montana. Or maybe I can just take her to mine? Montana seems like she can use space for herself," she suggested.

"But I want to stay with Monty, mama," Mony pouted up at her stepmother. I stared at her. Well, Monty did need both of her sisters with her right now.

"I think Montana will love her here. Mony will help her out," I smiled at Glenda. Mony went over to me, taking my hand in hers.

"Okay, but if you need me, I'll be right next door," Glenda assured us. She gave Mony a quick kiss on the head before going off. I shut the door and went back to the kitchen.

Mony didn't go to Montana right away. She followed me to the kitchen and hopped on one of the counter stools. I grabbed my spatula and began stirring the soup. The roasted chicken sat on the other side of the stove.

"Did Brennan hurt Monty, Ollie?" Mony asked me.

I took a glance at her before returning to cooking. "Uh, yes he did. But I'm sure Monty's going to get through it, right? You just need to cheer her up, yes?"

"Did they break up?"

I stared speechlessly at my younger sister. Now how do you explain that to her?

"Mama says that if a girl is crying and eating ice cream and watching TV and crying, she got her heart broken by a boy," Mony explained. My tongue got tied up in my mouth.

"Um . . ." I trailed off, "Yes, they broke up, Mony. But remember, you don't have to mention it to her, alright? She doesn't like to think about it. Just act like everything is normal."

"Normal?"

Guess she was unfamiliar with the word, too.

"Yeah," I nodded encouragingly, "And after dinner's done, we can go make ice cream sandwiches. You want that, right? With Pistachio ice cream?"

"Okay," Mony hopped from the stool eagerly and ran to her elder sister. Montana was more than happy to let her sit and cuddle up beside her. She fed her a spoonful of ice cream and Mony began talking how it was a 'normal' day and 'normal' night.

Soon, dinner was done and I served it all up in bowls. We all huddled in the living room, eating and watching shows. And after that, I washed all the dishes. It felt different, hanging out with them like this. But it was a good different. I finally knew how it was to be a 'complete family'.

Mony was already nodding off beside Montana. "I'm going to tuck her to bed," I told Montana, shaking Mony awake.

Mony led me to her room, where her stuffed toys seemed to rule the place and her posters were all over the place. She jumped to her bed, tired after the day. I pulled the sheets over her body.

"Monty's going to stop being sad, right?" Mony asked me.

"Of course. She's strong. She can make it." I kissed her head. After a few minutes of stroking her hair, she drifted off to sleep.

Now back to Montana.

As soon as I was back on the couch, we started sharing the remains of the ice cream. "The next time you see that bastard, you dump him, like, to make it official. Don't listen to him, because he needs time to realize what he has done," I told her in between bites and licks. Naturally, I had to melt my ice cream first.

"You sure? Maybe he has a valid reason," she said in a small voice.

"Maybe, but let him suffer. Of all the stupid things Brennan did, this one is the low blow. Be mad and stay mad," I told her.

She laughed a little. She hadn't cried since we got here, but she was holding on, I knew it.

I looked down on my spoon, "I'm sorry for uh – all the things I said to you a while back. I was just so angry and then I – "

She interrupted, "No, I should be sorry. You were right – I didn't understand. I mean, I used to hate you because you got the better life. No society's pressuring, no diets, just a normal teenage life. I am, right here, jealous of everything I couldn't have. I guess I fell for Brennan because he made me happy among all these."

Déjà vu. Mom and Dad, that was more or less their story. My gut clenched.

But I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of it all. "What's funny is," I said, "I was jealous of you, too. I want to be like this, sometimes, to sing and show my talent. I didn't think you deserved to be up there, on the stages."

"I know I sing like a dying Chihuahua, by the way. You . . . you have the talent for it. Don't act like it's that much of a secret."

"Ah, I can't embrace it that much."

I remembered Brennan's concert. Montana looked so flustered and shy when Brennan sung to her. And I figured she really was, like the serenade was wholeheartedly for her. Brennan didn't know his effect on girls, did he? Did he even care what Montana felt?

"Ollie?"

I looked up at her.

"You remember when we'd watch Mom and Dad fight? When we'd go downstairs? And then after, we'd just lie in the same bed and wait until we fall asleep?"

I remembered it always. It was one memory I couldn't get rid of. Before the divorce, we'd watch Mom and Dad shout at each other when they thought we'd be sleeping. Montana was my hero back then. She assured me everything would get better and they were just going through a rough patch. She would be strong for the both of us.

Although Mony was born a while after the fights started, it was when their relationship fell apart altogether. Montana and I were forced to separate from each other. And that impact brought on our own sister rivalry. I couldn't believe I ever stopped loving her.

"Mom's favorite thing to throw was the blender," I recounted.

"Yes, I haven't felt this much since they split up. After we left, Dad didn't seem to care anymore. Most of the time it's just Mony and me. And I was always afraid she'd leave me too. Or she'd feel alone in this world."

"Hey, she has two big sisters to take care of her, doesn't she?" I pulled her close to me. "She'll be fine."

"Oh my God," Montana wiped away a few stray tears. "Thank you so much for this, Ollie, really. You have no idea . . . I'm so sorry about Mitch. You lost your best friend."

"I told you, none of that. I might have lost her but I have my sister back now, don't I?"

I didn't know where I would be if we didn't catch the both of them. I didn't what would have happened if that never did. And I was afraid to imagine it. Maybe if we hadn't found Mitch and Brennan, I'd be at the Dales', cuddled with Jackson. Maybe if we hadn't, then I would still be living in the guilt of yelling at my sister.

♫ ♫ ♫