Franco stepped on the gas as Castor busied on his phone. The smile on his face indicated that he was texting Callista. To think they parted just thirty minutes ago. He wanted to roll his eyes but he was somewhat glad too.

At least now, he didn't have to see all those pining looks they were giving each other. Honestly, their sexual tension was getting ridiculous. Though he sincerely prayed that they wouldn't be the type of couple who worships PDA.

"You just saw each other," Franco quipped.

"Yeah, well, I miss her," Castor replied with a shrug.

He chuckled.

Franco cringed at his past actions. He had never fathomed why he thought he could get between Caly and Castor. Damn, he was too stupid to even question his father.

As Franco thought of his parents, his heart pounded in anxiety. Castor had assured him of Celeste Luciano's accommodation but he remained nervous. He touched the necklace that Callista had given him and a rush of air filled his lungs.

"That...necklace..." Castor frowned. "Is that from Caly?"

Franco straightened and set his hand back on the wheel. His first instinct was to lie. What if Castor was jealous? Their relationship wasn't fragile but it wasn't solid either. Fuck.

"She gave that to you?" his brother inquired.

"Y-yes..." Franco licked his lips as he changed gears. "But she said that—"

"I'm not angry. I just..." Franco turned to see Castor fold his arms. He was in deep thought before he shook his head. "Nevermind. Don't lose that."

Franco was about to protest when Castor groaned again. "What is that shit playing in my car?"

Castor bent forward to change the music when Franco swatted his hand. "Hey. Drivers pick the music. That's a rule."

Beethoven's Für Elise blasted through the speakers. It calmed him down but his brother wasn't amused.

"Christ! How nerdy can you get?" Cas grumbled before he focused on his phone.

The drive was smooth aside from Castor's pleas of changing the music. But Franco wouldn't budge. He was too sure that Survivor couldn't calm his nerves. But Mozart could.

Franco was proven wrong as they reached Luciano's mansion. The pit in his stomach was larger than before. He parked the car and Castor went out pretty fast while he froze.

Cas knocked at the windshield. "What are you waiting for? An invitation?"

Franco clicked his tongue and shoved the door open. He laughed as Castor rubbed his forehead and glared at him.

"Come on."

He followed his brother inside. It was lunchtime so Franco wasn't surprised at the smell that engulfed the air. He took another deep breath as they reached the dining room. His eyes settled on the woman who had the same features as him. Blue eyes and golden hair.

"Dad, Mother... This is Franco. I'm sure you know him." Castor broke the silence as he pulled a chair and sat down.

Nicholas Luciano strode forward. He forced a smile and offered his hand. "Welcome to our home, son."

Franco hesitated before he shook his hand. "Thank you for inviting me, sir."

His gaze flitted to his mother to see her smiling. Franco looked away and sat beside his brother. The older Luciano sat at the head of the wooden table while Celeste sat in front of Castor. The atmosphere was tense and Franco couldn't help but think that it was his presence.

His apprehension was back in full force. Should he talk? He was damn clueless.

"Mother, why don't you show Franco to the garden later? He's interested in flowers," Castor mumbled with nonchalance.

"Ah, yes..." Franco didn't know what to call Celeste. He didn't even know anything about flowers. Everything was awkward but he didn't want to waste Castor's effort. "If that's okay."

Celeste nodded with a brilliant smile. "Of course, it's okay. You're my son after all."

"How is your business doing, Franco?" Nicholas asked and the conversation flowed. They asked about his work, his hobbies, and his favorite food which was a shortlist. Thankfully, Franco had remembered Caly's interrogation so his answers were now precise.

"Any plans of getting married?" Celeste asked. It wasn't a harmful question until she added, "You're together with Miss Genovese, right?"

Franco bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted to cuss. "No. She's..." He took a glance at his brother but Castor continued eating. "Caly is Castor's girlfriend."

Several 'what' echoed in the dining hall as Cas' choked on his food.

Nicholas Luciano was the most amused. He looked at his son. "Really? You managed that?"

Castor drank his water and leaned backward. "Your confidence in me is astounding, Dad."

Nicholas laughed. "I was just asking!"

"What was that we heard?" Someone yelled followed with heavy footsteps.

"Shit." Castor stood up but not before squeezing Franco's left shoulder. "Good luck."

Franco was bewildered but he understood what he meant as his phone pinged. He opened it and a book about flowers graced his eyes.

✘✘

Franco couldn't help but smile as sounds of raucous laughter reached his ears. He had caught a glimpse of Vincent and PJ. He immediately deduced that they had gathered to make fun of Castor.

He was torn. He wanted to see what would happen but his mother was waiting for him.

He sighed and walked next to Celeste Luciano. They passed a garden of roses before they reached the greenhouse. Franco had read the book Castor sent him. Of course, he could only remember the popular ones but he hoped it would be enough to keep the mood acceptable.

"These are my favorite." Celeste adjusted her hat as they got closer to the line of sunflowers. "Do you know why?"

Franco clenched his jaw. He knew where the conversation was going.

"Because they always face the sun." She turned to him, blinking the tears that formed on her eyes. Celeste grasped his hands. "I never stopped thinking about you, Apollo."

Franco felt warmth burst at his chest.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you had a hard time." His mother's hand settled on his cheek. "Can I hug you?"

He nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. And Celeste embraced him tightly.

Franco was unsure of what to do. As a child, he hadn't received a lot of hugs. As a boy, it had been embarrassing to do it. And as a man, he did not need it.

And Franco realized that he had missed out a lot. His throat burned at the pitiful situation they were forced to live. He hugged her back that his mother wepth louder.

Celeste refused to let go of him. She apologized repeatedly and Franco accepted everything. It wasn't enough to heal all the rips and cracks in his heart but it's a start.

They walked back to the house, exchanging stories. No matter what he said, his mother listened attentively. It was the first time someone was so thrilled to see him.

Suddenly, Celeste stopped with a curious look on her sapphire eyes. "Your necklace...? Is that from Castor?"

"Huh? No." Franco played with the cross pendant, feeling the ridges of the roses that wrapped around it. "Caly said—"

He stopped, clicking his tongue as his eyes opened to the truth. His father had once told him of something extraordinary that he clamied he did. Of saving a girl. He couldn't remember it but he knew he couldn't recall a lot so he believed Francisco Castellano's words. He had used that knowledge to get Callista's favor... he had even planted that ribbon his father had given him.

To think those were all lies.

It wasn't him who had saved Callista.

Franco gritted his teeth in anger. He had taken another thing from his brother.

"Franco?" Celeste eyed him with concern.

"It's nothing. You gave this Castor?" he asked instead.

A melancholic smile spread her on her face. "Yes. When everything was perfect, when... It was the only thing I had given him. That boy... I owe him a lot." Celeste quickly swiveled to face him. "I owe you both a lot."

"It's in the past though..." Franco sighed. "You know, I'd like it if you and Castor will be okay."

Celeste flushed with shame. "Is that what you want?"

Franco faltered. He wanted her mother's love for Castor to be genuine. But Celeste was too scared and she needed a nudge.

"Yes. Please get along for my sake."

It was the little things for now but Franco vowed that he would correct every mistake his father did.

✘✘

short chapter. so I might update again on Monday.

poor Franco. this started as romance, but damn, I think this story is all about him hehe

as usual, votes and comments are appreciated.

xx, lucci