Okay, I’m Overreacting
BLAINE
Oh, my God!
I couldn’t believe Xandry brought us here to the Marina. I’ve seen sailboats and ships but not a real yacht—A luxurious, world-class freaking yacht. Damn rich people!
“Hey, guys. I’m here!” Saph called out, waving her hand at us.
I thought all the rich city girls were bitchy. Gladly, Saph was not one of those people. She was funny, smart, outspoken, and babbly. I could see the female version of Xandry on her.
“Blaine!”
Oh hell, no. Can I go home now?
No matter how I wanted to experience this yacht, the insecurities hovered over me like thick, dark smoke. She was not just gorgeous like her brother, but she was the definition of perfect, wearing hefty price tags of dress and just her bag, oh, Lord, I’ve been drooling over it for a month now since I first saw it at the official global site.
“Saph.” We instantly hugged, kissing each others’ cheeks like we’re best friends and nothing like we just met twenty-four hours ago.
“Hey, Ben. I didn’t get a chance to meet you yesterday, but I’m Saph, your mom’s friend,” she cajoled, but Ben clung to my leg tighter, shoving his face against my coat.
“Mommy?” I heard Ben calling my name, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of Xandry, rubbing the back of his neck as if he was not expecting Saph to be here.
“It’s okay, Ben. She’s Xandry’s sister.”
“But she’s a girl,” Ben murmured, and I ran my fingers through his curly hair.
“Yeah, I’m Xandry’s sister, see?” Saph turned her face left and right, convincing Ben to see the similarity between them.
“But Uncle Ri and Uncle Vin are guys, and you and Auntie B are girls.” His voice was shaky and barely audible.
“Sometimes it’s like that, Ben, but I’m a good girl, you know, and I love kids.” She laughed with amazement.
“Since when?” I almost jumped to Xandry’s voice. He was already on my front, towering me with a heart-stopping smile on his face.
“Oh, stop it, Xandry. I’m trying to talk to Ben.” Saph playfully slapped her twin’s leg.
“He doesn’t trust anyone easily, Saph. Give the kid a break.” Xandry looked down at Saph in front of Ben.
“Sorry about this, Blaine. I don’t know my sister will actually be here.” Xandry gave me an apologetic looked.
“I heard that.”
“It’s okay. I’d loved her to join us. The more, the merrier,” I said truthfully, though my stomach quivered at the thought of Saph around. I’m trying to avoid questions about what was going on between me and Xandry because I absolutely had no idea what was going on between me and him.
“Let’s go, sweetheart.”
“Let’s go, guys,” Saph told us with a grin.
“What was that all about?” I asked Xandry as I watched my family marching to the deck with his sister.
“Don’t mind Saphoera.” He took Ben’s hand, and my son willingly grabbed Xandry’s.
“You go ahead, Xandry. I’ll follow you.”
“Why?”
“Your sister is here. Don’t you think you should be with her?”
“Blaine, I didn’t invite her to this dinner, and even so, she doesn’t want to be with me. You and your family are my guests.”
I shut my mouth up when Ben started talking to Xandry like they were old buddies. Considering my heart haven’t go back to a normal beat, I didn’t have the guts to argue with him. This dinner had cost Xandry thousands of dollars.
Xandry toured us around the yacht. The upper deck had the master and VIP suites with an open balcony, the main bar, and a dip pool, a helipad on the sun deck. Guest suites, mini gym, massage, sauna, and Jacuzzi were at the lower part. The dining area, minibar, and kitchen were on the main deck. That was how huge this yacht was.
“This is incredible, Xandry. Do you own this?” Mom asked as we reached the upper deck. Everyone was awed in amazement.
“How I wish I can afford one, Brenda. My friend, Sean asks my opinion about this one. This is the third one we checked and hopefully the last,” Xandry answered.
So, this is all about, huh? We’re here because of his friend.
***
“How do you like this, Blaine?” he asked me as he gazed around the dining area surrounded by glass windows showcasing the peaceful sea and twinkling lights from the city.
We settled on the long elegant table. Everything looked perfect, from the China wares to the cutlery sets, wine glasses, and single-crystal candle holders. But one thing that caught my eyes was the WR intricately embroidered on the table napkin with a red and golden thread. The green and white hydrangeas and pink garden roses as tall centerpieces made my mom’s eyes gleam in wonderment. No doubt, Xandry definitely came from a rich family.
“Sweetie, Xandry is asking you.” Mom grasped my knee under the table as pairs of eyes pinned on me, waiting for my answer.
“It’s not that I can afford to buy one, but this is actually ravishing,” I praised. The cold weather outside and the room was air-conditioned, his stare still made me sweaty. Where does my confidence go?
“Which part do you like most, Blaine?” Saph asked excitedly.
“Um, the dip pool?” My brow arched as I wasn’t sure about my answer.
“I like one of the guest rooms,” Finley said.
“Of course, brother,” Riley agreed, and I could feel he was inwardly rolling his eyes.
“How about you, Ben? Do you like anything here?” Xandry asked him.
“I like all,” he mumbled.
“Of course, you do.” Dad ruffled his hair, and Ben giggled with gaiety.
We moved to the lounge area with a dim-lit interior with a famous classic piano piece softly played in the background. Two L-shaped maroon seats on the opposite side with a dark glass center table. A grand piano on the corner and double bass on its side. The bar was in the far corner. One bartender was with dark skin, and another one was Asian.
Ben yawned beside me. I knew it was past his bedtime. I excused them from them to avail one of the suites.
“I’ll put him to bed, sweetie,” Mom volunteered.
“No, Brenda, stay here, please. Let me put him on the bed.” Saph stood up.
“No, Saph. I’ll do it.” Xandry scooped Ben, placing Ben’s head on his shoulder before I could blink.
My jaw dropped at his kind gesture, followed by the thousand butterflies fluttering on my stomach, and never in a million years, I thought of Xandry tucking my son to the bed.
Okay, I’m overreacting. But, hey. That’s Xandry we are talking about. That was kinda hot watching him reading bedtime storybooks to kids.
“Sit down, Blaine. Let him put Ben to sleep. Ben seems close to my brother, and he doesn’t like me.” Saph pouted.
Riley shook his head. “It’s not that he doesn’t like you, it’s just he has Blaine, and he’s looking for a daddy figure.”
A gasp escaped my mouth. My face heated with embarrassment. I wasn’t thinking of Xandry playing the daddy role, but the absence of a father figure for Ben made my heartbreak.
“He doesn’t mean like that, sweetie,” Mom cooed.
Dad cleared his throat. “Blaine is fine with it, but she can’t stay single all her life, Darlin’. Sooner, she will realize what we are trying to say is for her own good.”
“Dad,” I groaned.
Why can’t he just stop?
I’m quite edgy because, in an instant, I was the hot topic of the night. I was thankful that they talked about this without Xandry around or else I wanted to jump into the sea and swam back to the port.
“Oh, silly. You’re still young and attractive, and I’m not telling you to go out on a date with random guys, but at least meet new people like Xandry, Saph, and Megan.” Mom smiled with mischief.
I just stared at my parents utterly shocked. And what did they think I was doing? Not having friends?
“You really should move here, Blaine. I know one empty apartment just next door to mine. You might wanna extend your stay, and I’d love to show you around,” Saph suggested gleefully.
“I’m sorry, Saph, but I can’t leave them. Thanks for the offer, though,” I answered genuinely.
“We can take care of ourselves.” Dad nudged Mom. “And I always take care of Queen if that’s what you’re worried about, right, honey?”
Mom nodded. A warm smile curved on her lips.
“No way. I have a new home, and I love it there,” I answered stubbornly.
“Ben will go to school next school year, Blaine. Don’t you have a plan to enroll him at the exclusive school? We can definitely afford to pay for his tuition, and it’s my grandson we are talking about,” Mom insisted.
“Of course, I have. I learned just right from the college in town, so what’s wrong with it this time?”
“You still have a lot of time to plan and change your mind, Blaine. Don’t rush things, but think about your parents’ suggestion, honey.” Auntie Miranda grasped my knee.
I nodded. “Thanks, guys.”
“I was just like you, Blaine. Stubborn and always stuck to my opinion, but sometimes I was a little bit impulsive. I also came from a small town before I met Max.” Aunt Miranda’s words made me think of the opportunity to apply my four years of college degree to a proper job.
“Thank you, Auntie. I’ll think about it.”
She smiled. “Oh, honey, I know you want what’s best for your son.”
“My twins’ mom died during labor, and I promised myself that I will never re-marry again, and it was hard to take care of my two sons then running the bar at the same time, and I struggled a lot. Don’t think I regretted having you, boys.” Uncle Max looked at his twins, and they just grinned like idiots in return. “But the moment I met Miranda walking into the bar and asked if I could give her a job, I knew she was the one for me. And let me tell you, Blainie. My twins instantly got closer to her, and they even called her mama.” So, what exactly is this all about?
“If I ever move in here, it’s because I want a good life for Ben and me, but I’m not looking for a relationship, Uncle.” Then I met the cerulean eyes as soon as the last word came out of my mouth.
Mortified.