SAM
The two-story beach house owned by Abby is beautiful-it’s a gift for her husband on her nineteenth birthday. I can’t help but appreciated the magnificent view that catches my eyes. An azure blue sea in a seemingly calming current, and the sounds of the rippling of waves hitting the seashores. fluffy white clouds drifting up in the sky, the seagulls squabbling overhead. I can taste the salty smell of the breeze.
“This is the best part of the house,” Abby says proudly while we girls are leaning against the concrete balustrades of the balcony.
We run over here as soon as Abby announces that she will show us the patio, leaving the guys behind us.
“Aside from our bedrooms, this is the best,” Izzy agrees, giggling with Abby.
“You two stop with your innuendos. Sandy is single, and I need you two to arrange blind dates for her,” I retort.
Sandy elbow me with a grunt.
“Oh, sister-in-law it’s been taken care of. Thank me later, Sandy,” Izzy answer, winking at her.
Abby barks out laughing that makes me confused.
“What did you two planned for her?” I ask. Sandy doesn’t say a word and just looks at the two of them, just like I do.
“Our friends will be here. Maybe you’ve met them already, Sam, but you haven’t been introduced. I can feel that you,” Abby’s finger points at Sandy, “And he will be your perfect match.” Abby’s smile widens. Her eyes glimmer.
“Why do I feel that I’ve been set up?” Sandy finally talks.
“You will like him, I promise,” Izzy says. “Hawk will kill me if he finds out I and Abby planned this while we were on our way,” She adds
“What did you and Abby are planning?” We all turn and face Phoenix as soon as we hear his voice. He’s standing at the door with his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts. He scans our faces when nobody answers him.
“Abby?” After looking at Abby, his gaze moves to Izzy. “Izzy?” He waits patiently, then cock his brows.
“Princess?”
I startle when I hear my name. “H-huh?”
“Why are you all silent? Like you’ve been caught in the act.”
I cough. “Phoenix, we, um, we are just planning for tonight. Um, maybe we could all have a bonfire then-” Crap! I’m a terrible liar.
“Yes, brother dear, Izzy and Abby planned that maybe we could spread blankets and sleepover at the seashore tonight, right, girls?” Sandy buts in. We nod like battery-operated toys and agree with her.
Phoenix is not look convinced at all.
“Really? Why do I feel like that these two had another planned for Sandy just like how they poisoned you with mushrooms.”
The two both gasp.
“No no no! It’s not like that. I mean it’s like that. No, I mean not. Um, not like the-Abby bubbles and stutters. Izzy covers her mouth before she can continue.
I stare at them placing my hands on my hips. With raised brows, I ask, “Is it true?”
Abby shakes her head while her mouth is still covered with Izzy’s hand
“It’s not like that, Sam. I mean, um…” Izzy tries to explain, but she seems can’t just form a word.
Abby removes Izzy’s hand and takes a huge breath.
“Do tell, little sister.” Phoenix moves closer while focusing his eyes on Abby. He doesn’t look angry though, in fact, he looks amused at how they both panic and try to explain their plan.
“That was my idea, okay? Just to let Sam stay with us.”
“By poisoning her? How did you know she has allergies?” Phoenix raises his hand. “Don’t answer that, you hired one of White’s men to check on her, right?”
Abby nods and looks guilty.
“You will not do that again, Abby. She could get worse than just tummy upset. You could hurt someone. So, whatever you two are planning for Sandy, stop it now. She’s my sister.” Phoenix walks away, leaving us all stun.
“Phoenix!” I call him.
He stops and turns his head on me. “Yes, my love?”
I raise my brows, and he also raises his brows, then smiles at me before he walks away.
The two sigh deeply when Phoenix is gone.
“He’s not angry. You two guys can relax now,” I tell them.
“Are you sure?”
I nod.
“Thanks, by the way,” I tell them sincerely.
They exchange a look.
“For what?” Izzy asks.
“For that MO? Duh!”
“You’re thanking us?” Abby sounds surprised.
“Yeah. We won’t be back together if that didn’t happen. Maybe we will be but because I’m too stubborn I didn’t realize how much I missed him and how much I wanted him till that night.”
They hug each other, giggling.
“That’s why Phoenix is not angry with both of you. He’s just worried that it might make me sicker. And he figured out that you might have planned that all along.”
Sandy laughs beside me. “Jeez, you two are dangerous liaisons.”
We laugh at her.
“How about this man you are setting me up with?” Sandy sounds interested.
“Now, maybe Phoenix and Hawk will lock you both in the closet,” I tell them.
“Come on, Sam. I also wanna know who’s that hot piece of-”
“Hot piece of what, Sandy?” Phoenix shows up again.
“Phoenix, it’s rude to eavesdrop,” I tell him, but he doesn’t seem to care and just walks right in front of me to my face and gives me a loud peck on my lips. They all say eww in unison.
“Go find your husbands, and you Sandy, you will not gonna date one of my friends or cousins,” he announces.
“No? Why not? I don’t think I need your permission, brother. I may be a year younger than you, but the last time I checked I’m an independent woman and I’m an adult,” Sandy says with confidence.
Abby and Izzy wave their hands and walk away, winking at Sandy.
“Really?” Phoenix challenges.
“Really.” Sandy answers.
“Okay then, but ready yourself to see broken faces of your dates.”
Sandy’s mouth hangs open, wearing a shocked look on her face.
“You can’t do that, Phoenix, and you are scaring her away.” I hold his hands. He snorts.
“Why are you doing this?” Sandy asks.
“You are my sister, haven’t figure out yet?”
I hit his arm.
“You’re being sarcastic, Alexander Phoenix!” Sandy scowls.
“Do you know who they’re planning to set you up with?” he asks.
Sandy shakes her head.
“Paul Manwhore Hughes, Seb’s cousin, the owner of the Night Stalker.” Phoenix widens his eyes at her.
“It’s not that I’m gonna marry him today. Jeez! Calm down, brother. I don’t even know him, and I didn’t say I like him or maybe he doesn’t like me.”
“Oh, he likes everyone has-” He stops.
“Has what? Have vaginas? Have holes? Brother, that’s what men want, straight or not-”
I laugh at her bluntness. I suddenly remember her asking me about Phoenix’s size.
“Your mouth, Sandra Agnes.” Phoenix is caught off guard by her.
“You don’t know me well, Alexander Phoenix. Ask your sexy piece of a girl here.”
He groans, “I don’t wanna know what you guys talked about. Just be careful. Thank God, Abby is already married before she becomes my sister. You, on the other hand, will not be out of my sight. If anyone will hurt you should have his death wish written down.”
“What makes you think I go for a cock?”
I shake beside Sandy.
Phoenix’s face turns red. “Jesus, woman!”
“You prefer a dick, penis, junk-”
“Enough! Enough!” Phoenix raises his hand to surrender.
We burst laughing
“Found your match, Phoenix.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You will pay for that later,” he whispers in my ear which makes me giggle.
“Ugh! You two need a break. Aren’t you two running out of energy? That’s why I don’t wanna stay in your apartment, brother. I can’t help but think what the two of you did in each corner of that apartment,” she says, wrinkling her nose.
I and Phoenix laugh together. Phoenix arches back his head while holding his hand on his abdomen. The things we did in that apartment flashes back at me like in an old cinema.
“Ew, gross!” She laughs along with us.
“Let’s go down. I’m hungry,” Phoenix announces.
My stomach growls when I smell grilled meat in the air.
“Make sure you are hungry with food, Alexander Phoenix,” Sandy says, giggling.
“Isn’t it awkward to talk about sex with your brother, Sandy?” I ask.
She just rolls her eyes. “Like I care”
Phoenix chuckles, “You are really something, Sandra Agnes.”
“I love you too, brother dear. But…” We pause our steps in the middle of the stairs to face her.
“But if you will make her cry or hurt her again, either your my brother or not, I will use my Jiu-Jitsu between your legs,” she says seriously, pointing her finger at Phoenix’s crotch.
I laugh again and shake my head.
“Not happening intentionally, little sister. I’m gonna bring this woman to the altar with me.”
I freeze, my eyes always pop out.
He kisses my slightly parted lips. We never talked about this, and he just drops it like a ticking time bomb
“Shock?” He smirks.
I close my mouth, swallowing the saliva that almost chokes me.
“Not really,” I answer silently.
Sandy claps her hand and dances down the stairs like a schoolgirl, leaving just the two of us.
“Why are you so surprise, Samantha? Are you still planning on looking for another man?”
The butterflies in my stomach turn into a dragon spitting fire. I hit his arm and walk away without saying anything.
“Samantha!” Phoenix calls me.
I raise my hand, showing my middle finger.
“Immature!” he yells.
I join the family on the huge lawn in front of the house. I can see the large indoor pool from the wall glasses windows. I sit silently in one of the empty chairs in front of the long table covered with a white cloth.
I can’t help but think about what Phoenix said earlier. Is he really marrying me? I love him so much, and if he will ask me to marry him I will definitely say yes. It doesn’t sound too soon, right?
“Do you like this place, darling?” Anna’s voice takes me back from Lala land.
“This place is marvelous, Anna. Thanks for having me here with your family.” I smile at her.
“Darling, we are family now. I just wanna say thank you for giving my son another chance, Sam.” She reaches out for my hand and squeezes it.
I squeeze her hand back. “I love him so much not to give us another chance, Anna. I would be a fool and regret each day of my life if I didn’t do it.” Anna breaks her eye contact and looks up at someone behind me.
I feel a pair of hands on my shoulder. I know exactly whose hands are these without looking at my back-the sensation that gives me and the touch that makes me feel safe and loved. I take his hands planting kisses on them. I look up to see Phoenix smirking down at me. I know he heard what I said to his mother.
“I love you too, Samantha. Just so you know, I would regret every second of my life if I didn’t chase you, and I don’t think I would be back to normal without you in my life. I love you so much, and I will love you every fucking second of my fucking life.” He moves to my side and kneels beside me. His eyes are dancing with so many emotions-love, amazement, happiness, contentment as he glances at me.
I feel my heart will combust in my chest each second. Is he going to propose now? Right here in front of his mother?
“I’m not gonna propose right now, Samantha. You can breathe now,” he chuckles.
I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until I finally release it. His mom giggles and I forget I’m talking to Anna.
“But I was serious with you earlier, Samantha. I mean it, and I wanna give you a proper proposal with a ring.” He smiles at me and kisses my knuckles
“Don’t you think it’s too soon?”
“Too soon my ass.”
“Son, your mouth.”
“Sorry, Mom. It’s not too soon, and we don’t have all the time in the world. We might have a heart attack or I might die tomorrow, and I wanna marry you. So why do we have to wait for all this kind of shit if we will end up getting married.”
My jaw drops.
“Don’t you believe in marriage?” his mom asks.
My head snaps to look at her.
“Yes. I believe in marriage. Dad marries my mom after they graduate from college, then they had me after a year,” I answer chirpily.
“See, now what is your problem?” Phoenix asks and takes a seat between me in his mom.
“I don’t have a problem, Phoenix, and I didn’t say I’m not gonna marry you. I only asked that it’s maybe too soon. What if you’ll regret it?”
He laughs and so does his mom.
I scowl at him.
“I will only regret if I will not marry you.”
“If you say it like you are so serious.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Am I?
“Are you?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes?”
“Yes!”
“Guys!” Phoenix stands up quickly and claps his hand to get everyone’s attention. Their eyes are on us now even the guys that don’t look familiar to me. I guess they are their friends that Abby was telling while we were on the balcony.
I grab Phoenix’s shirt for him to sit down, but he holds my hand instead.
“Guys, thanks for coming here today! And we will celebrate my Birthday later.”
I freeze and I feel the color drained from my face. What? It’s his birthday today?
Oh, my God!
I look up at him who’s so happy and smiling at everyone. My eyes scan at everyone who is already standing and clapping their hands. What is going on? What did he say? What did I miss?
Phoenix grabs my hand to let me stand up. I stand up and look at him, but before I can ask him, he cups the back of my head then presses his lips against mine.
“Happy birthday,” I say slowly.
“We’re engaged!”