Chapter 5 5

FIFTH

SAVANNAH

"What the hell?!" I almost shouted when I opened the door to our summer house in Olongapo.

"Savannah?!"

My twin, Sabina, pushed Claude off of her. They quickly covered themselves with a blanket. I glared at my sister.

"What does this mean, Sabina?!" I almost shouted. Is she cheating? Is she deceiving Xander? For Pete's sake!! They're about to get married!

She just bowed her head. I looked at Claude.

"Savannah. Please. We can explain."

"You better do!! Are you deceiving my best friend, Sabina?!" I shouted at her. She looked at me defiantly.

"What if I say yes, Savannah. What will you do?" she smiled wickedly. My vision darkened, but I held on to my patience.

"Are you cheating?" I asked again. She looked at me boldly.

"Yes. Yes, Savannah!! Are you happy now? I am not perfect!! I am not like you, the saintly one!!" she yelled. I immediately approached her and slapped her hard.

"You're crazy!! Why did you do that to Xander!!! Why, Sabina!! Why did you have to deceive him?!!" I pulled at her hair. She just took all my blows. When I got tired, she laughed like a maniac.

"Do you think Xander will stop loving me just because you hurt me? Do you think he'll leave me because I deceived him? Well, Savannah, you're wrong. Xander won't leave me. He loves me. The man you love, loves me."

I was stunned by what she said. My tears started falling one by one.

She's the one Xander loves. And no matter what I do, he sees me only as a friend.

"Go ahead, Savannah. Tell on me. Do you think Daddy or Xander will believe you? You'll just look like a fool in what you're going to do, Vannie." She taunted me again. I winced.

Dad would only think that I'm lying. Sabina is his favorite child, always right in his eyes. Xander wouldn't believe me even though I'm his best friend because he loves Sabina. Whichever way I look at it, in this game, I'm the loser against my twin.

"Have you ever considered, Vannie? No matter what you do, I'll always be chosen by everyone, and you, my dear sister... you will always be my substitute..."

I turned around and walked away. Sabina was right. I'm always second to everyone when it comes to the people around us.

"Hey!! Vannah!! Savannah!!"

I turned to Pier. He suddenly shouted while we were on Skype.

"Come on, Pier! You might wake up the kids!" I hissed at him, looking at the two soundly asleep.

"Do you want me to bring the laptop closer to them?" Ericka asked me. I nodded. She got up and adjusted the laptop for my babies. Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw them holding each other's hands. Sandro's arms were around Alexa, and they were sleeping so peacefully.

"When Sandro gets older, I'll have him undergo plastic surgery, Vannie." Pier said. It caught my attention. Ericka brought the laptop back, and she also looked at him.

"Why, ha?" I asked him. He pouted.

"Because he looks so much like his damn father. That's not allowed---OUCH!!" Ericka hit Pier on the head. I couldn't help but laugh, but I gave them a stern look when I noticed Sandro move a bit.

"What's with all the noise, you two! I'll scold both of you!"

They just flashed peace signs at the same time. I could only smile, but Ericka's serious expression brought me back to reality.

"Aren't you going to tell him?"

I looked up.

"What?"

"About the kids."

She gave me a simple answer. Pier pulled her hair.

"Ericka Sandoval!! What are you saying?!" he hissed. Ericka just rolled her eyes.

"You grew up without receiving love from your father, Savannah. You know how hard that is. Would you do the same to your children?"

Pier and I fell silent. I looked at him and he shook his head.

"I can be their father while Vannah doesn't have a husband yet." He said. If he wasn't so serious, I would have laughed.

"But--"

I was cut off by the ringing of my phone. I looked at it.

"Who's that?"

"Unknown number." I replied. I said goodbye to Pier and answered the call. I immediately spoke.

"Who's this?"

It took a while before someone answered. I looked at my phone again. The call might have disconnected, but it hadn't.

"Who's this?" I repeated.

"Savannah?"

I froze when I heard Xander's drunken voice.

"Savannah please... talk to me..."

He slurred. I rolled my eyes even though I knew he couldn't see me.

"I'm hanging up."

"NO!! please... don't."

I took a deep breath and went to the window. I looked at the whole Metro. It hasn't changed.

"What do you need, Xander?"

"I need you..." he said. My breathing hitched. I was about to answer back when the doorbell rang in my unit. I rushed to open it.

"Xander!" I shouted. I accidentally dropped my phone when he stumbled and almost fell. I embraced him tightly.

"What are you doing here?" I scolded him. He looked into my eyes.

"Let's go home, Van. Please?" he caressed my cheeks. I felt his warmth, and it unsettled me. I pushed him away, but his grip on my waist was firm, causing me to fall onto the couch.

"Xander, please--"

I couldn't finish my sentence as I saw tears welling up in his eyes. He didn't even blink. They fell naturally. He didn't force them.

"What do I have to do to make you love me again?" his voice cracked. I shook my head and tried to break free from his hold.

"Leave," he tightened his grip on me and pulled me closer.

"I'm sorry."

I stood up. I assisted him to stand as well. He slurred again, nearly stumbling. I observed him. He was clearly drunk. He was perfectly fine when I left him at his house earlier.

"Can you drive?" I asked. He simply stared at me, then shook his head.

I sighed. I guided him to my bed and helped him lie down. But before I could leave, he grabbed my hand.

"Where are you going?!" he panicked. He tried to get up, causing him to fall back onto the bed. I supported him once more, helping him back onto the bed.

"I'm not leaving, Xander. I'm just getting something for you to freshen up," I assured him, gently pulling my hand away. I went straight to the bathroom and filled a basin with water. I pointed it towards him and began to fill it.

"You grew up without receiving love from your father, Savannah. You know how hard that is. Would you do the same to your children?" Ericka's words echoed in my mind. I shook my head. No, I couldn't risk Alexa and Sandro's happiness. They might just get hurt.

But I also couldn't deny them the chance to know their real father. I couldn't deny them that.

I took a deep breath. No, he had no right to them. He was the reason I almost lost my children. I wouldn't let him get close to them. I'd make sure of it. After this, I'd go back to California and keep my distance.

I returned to find him still lying there, fast asleep. I started unbuttoning his suit and wiped him down with a damp towel. He sighed and even smiled, maybe he was dreaming.

I was about to stand up after I finished when he suddenly spoke.

"I love you, Savannah..."

I smiled bitterly. You're still the greatest liar, Xander Montreal.