Sitting anxiously on the chaise longue in my bedroom, I heard footsteps thudding on the floor in fast pacings. It's a quarter to three a.m, and my weary eyes still couldn't put themselves to sleep. My mind has been going on in circles, pondering on the whys and hows of things; my thoughts drilled on the recent revelations that have been made known to me way too late.

Sneakily, he lifted the door lock, like an experienced thief breaking in by greed and stealth. Little did he know, I've been waiting for him the entire night, so I've learned. He wouldn't be able to reason out to me this time. Sternly, I watched the door as it gently opened before me.

"Hey, Eric," I said, switching on the lampshade. "You've been sneaking in and out of the house for days now. What's so top secret that you don't want me to know, huh? When are you telling me what you're up to?"

"Avery..." he replied, chuckling nervously, "it's late, how are you still up?"

"Couldn't sleep, stressed with family drama and all."

Eric stood still nervous and clueless. Bothered by my suspicion, he removed his tie, next was his suit, and then walked inside the restroom, obviously looking for ways to ride on the topic. "Am I missing something?" He asked.

When he came out, I continued to stare at his face, looking for clues to support the theories implanted in my brain. "I just discovered I had a sister from another father. My mom was in pretty bad shape last night. She was embarrassed for herself for keeping secrets from me."

"So William Alexander van Carter isn't your father?"

"Yes? No? Honestly, I don't even know. And I'm not in the mood to care if I have to."

Standing up, I crossed my arms. "But please, where are my manners, I bet what you're hiding from me is far more interesting than my long lost resurrected sister. By all means, speak."

"Look, I'm not hiding anything. I'm sorry I had to —"

"Eric," I scoff, "We're not married."

"As a matter of fact, we are," he said, removing his socks.

"No, I meant, we aren't really married. Meaning I can do whatever I want, and the same goes with you. But, although this is all a mere, professional arrangement, the least we can do, as childhood friends, is to be honest to one another," I said. "Don't you agree?"

"Of course, no objections there. I just, uh, am busy with some things."

"Hey...you know you can tell me anything, right?" I said, patting his shoulders. "You've been there for me since we were kids. Just know I got your back too."

"I know you do."

He hugged me and went to bed. On the other hand, I thought it would be a good way to relieve stress through the art of writing. With droopy eyes, I opened my journal and saw a photo of me and Sarah with ice cream cones in our hands pasted on the very first page. Then I flipped to the next pages and wrote everything I know about the secrets of my family that are about to unfold.

Thinking about making amends, I picked up my phone and decided to call Audrey. I offered her something she wouldn't be able to refuse.

Morning had come but strangely Eric was still tucked up in bed. Meanwhile, Lydia came up to my room telling me my visitor has arrived. I opened the front door with much welcome but quite frankly I was pinned with arrogance too early. Audrey came barging in without a care in the world, and said, "Now, where are my shoes? A deal is a deal."

"Here. Two limited-edition Louboutins, customized into the exact shade of color and design you requested. One for giving me time at the restaurant and the other for forcing you to have dinner with us," I said, handing to her a huge paper bag.

"Good. Consider your debt paid and your apology taken. Quick, pack your bags. We're going on a road trip."

"What are you talking about? We had a deal, Audrey."

"Right. You wanted to get to know me, right? You give me my shoes and in exchange, I spare some of my time with you," she said, giggling over her footwear. "How boring your life must be, you having the need to buy someone to spend some time with you. Now I get why you ran away."

Despite wanting to talk back, I chose to ignore the insult she had thrown. "What I meant by getting to know you was for you to stay over for lunch and talk."

She stood still with a straight face, crossing her arms and pointing her heels. Looking over her watch, she let out a bored sigh. I scoffed and said, "Okay fine, let me just call my Lydia to get the chauffeur."

"No need. I'm driving," she said, playing with the car keys on her index finger.

"Do you even have a driver's license?"

"For a very long time I have made it in life without anybody questioning my choices, something you can't relate to, I believe," she said, "So zip it, you're not my mother."

Arguing, I followed her to the door. At first glance, I saw Nathan chewing some gum whilst sitting on the front seat with the car door open, and his shoes rested atop the dashboard.

"Wh—Wha... Who says you're coming?" He asked, taking his legs off the dashboard.

"The question is, why are you here? Don't you have anything else better to do besides bugging me everywhere I go?"

"This was supposed to be a date," he said, removing his sunglasses. "I'd offer a menage but I just remembered you're sisters." He let out a faint chuckle, then he spat out his gum. "What is she doing here, anyway? I thought it's only gonna be the two of us."

"You know what they say, Nate, the more, the merrier," she said, turning on the engine, "And don't pretend you don't want her here. You kept talking about Avery the whole ride."

The three of us got inside the black SUV, and we hit the road the entire morning. I seated at the back, descending the car window. A vast curtain of nature's flesh in different shades shimmered as the sun generously kissed on them. The cool breeze and strong winds swooned into my nostrils, and my hair just couldn't stay put.

"You know, the first time —" Audrey turned up the rock music on the stereo the second I opened my mouth and tried making small talk.

"Ah, much better," she said, holding the steering wheel with both hands with a condescending grin, gazing on the front mirror where she saw me rolling my eyes.

"Sick car, by the way," Nate said proudly, admiring the dashboard.

"Thanks. My boyfriend chose it."

"You have a boyfriend?" I asked.

"Do you honestly think you're the only one who can have it all?" Audrey spat.

"I'm just asking. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Well, you sounded too judge-y. Like it would rain blood if I ever have a shot at happiness." Audrey kept her eyes on the road while constantly glancing over to the rear mirror.

"So do you?" I insisted.

"Used to," she said dryly.

"So why did he dump you?"

"You know you're really getting into my nerves, little sister," Audrey clenched her teeth while gripping on the steering wheel. "Just giving you a taste of your own medicine."

"So where is the lucky guy?" Nathan asked.

"Dead," she replied, changing the radio station on the stereo.

"Uh...Audrey, I— I'm sorry," I said.

And here I thought I would finally grasp the chance to give Audrey the same amount of sass she usually gave to me.

"No, you're not. You don't even know the guy. Don't go all mushy on me. You're only grossing me out."

"If you want someone to talk to, Nate and I are —"

"Raymond was an orphan, Avery. He had no real family, just like me."

"Two hurt hearts in desperate need to be loved, both deprived of a real family, and cursed by life with the inability to give love to another than ourselves. Turned out we both came from the wrong place, and when feelings started to interfere, the more we invited disaster to each other's lives."

Looking at her, Nathan rubbed Audrey's shoulder in an attempt to comfort. The wind made me drowsy as we've gone farther. We stopped over to get some gas. I woke up from a short nap and found the place very familiar to my eyes. "What are we doing here in Treposienne?" I asked.

"It's where you and I were born, little sister. I'm a genius, right? Don't you get nostalgic just by being here?"

"I've stayed in Treposienne for two years with my best friend. If I get a sudden feeling of nostalgia, it's because of her, not you."

"I'm sorry about Sarah. Trust me, I know loss like no other. I understand grief," she said. "But did it ever occur to you that maybe you felt so drawn to this place because you actually belonged here?"

Nathan got back inside the car and said, "Okay, ladies, the tank's loaded. Where are we headed?"

"Lion's Den," Audrey replied.

"A nightclub? That's the ideal place you plan to pour your hearts in your sobby reunion?"

Adamant on going there, Audrey hit back on the road and continued driving. After passing by how many miles, we have finally arrived at Lion's Den. She unbuckled her seat belt and said, "This isn't just some bar. It's where the elites like to party."

The nightclub was full of filthy rich men and women all looking for some fun. The line was too long, but for some reason Audrey got us to cut in. Seeing them let loose as they got wasted on the booze, I felt like I wanted to be part of it all myself.

"Well then what better way to dive in those pesky little secrets than with alcohol," Audrey said, calling the bartender, "Unless you want me to torture it out of you, that would be cool too."

"No way. I've seen our little princess here drunk. Her alcohol tolerance isn't that impressive."

"But I wanna party."

"Not on my watch," he said, holding my arm.

"What's your problem? You're not my boyfriend." I let go of his grip and dove into the crowd.

My mind was on a trance of wildness overwhelming my rationality to behave as I should. The loud, deafening music has taken control of my body. So we danced along, my hips swaying with strangers, and my hands wandering wherever they pleased. Sweat had dripped across my skin, but the stickiness never bothered me; it was rather a determinant of the extravagant fun and I considered it a challenge.

"Hey!" Nate shouted at the man grinding on me, to which I didn't mind. He walked through the crowd and pushed him away from me. "You don't wanna mess with me, big guy," he said, grabbing the collar, "especially when she's watching."

"She's mine," he said, glaring at the stranger.

"Let's go, Avery. He's about to call on the bigger ones," he added, putting his hand on my waist.

"So much for not messing with you, huh?" I said, laughing at his tough-guy act.

Angry, Nate pulled my arm and forced me to sit down beside Audrey. There was a whole assortment of drinks to choose from, all laid down on the table.

"Audrey, about time," said a woman with curly hair and a thin layer of mustache in between her nose and her upper lip.

"Not now, Diane." Audrey scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"You've been avoiding me for days. You don't even return my calls."

"Excuse me, what's this about?" I asked, looking at the woman.

"Get your nose off my business," Audrey said, glaring at me. "I've been busy, Diane. I need more time," she said.

"Sorry, Audrey. But busy isn't going to cut it this time. If you want to keep your club, then you gotta pay up."

Audrey got pissed and went to get another drink. Curious, I asked Diane what's going on. "This establishment has been drowning in debt for over nine months, give or take, and right now the bank's planning to foreclose this club if Audrey fails to settle her debts before the redemption period. And the bank's getting cranky," she said.

"Don't say another word to her," said Audrey, walking towards us hurriedly.

"Do you want to save your club or not?" I said, looking at her intently. She stopped talking then she nodded. "Then swallow your pride and let me help you."

"I am not your charity case. I don't need anyone's pity. I can handle this myself."

"You're going to pay me back, don't worry," I said.

"You promise?"

"I give you my word," I said, shaking her hand.