This is a story that no one, not even Quincey and Serenity knew. As Galene lay in Drystan's bed, eyes still hadn't been visited by sleep, memories of how she had first met him invaded her mind.
She was always a sucker for a man with good looks, but a gentle and wise man was her most ideal. So when she met Drystan who had all three of the qualities, she instantly knew that she was attracted. But the more she got closer to him, the more she understood that the attraction she felt was getting deeper and she didn't like the idea of it.
The idea of falling in love was never in her vocabulary. She never believed in it after all. Her concept of love was feeble and easy to change, she didn't like that. That was why she never dated someone she liked, she went after those who she knew she would never fall for.
So she who used all her might to annoy and bicker with him slowly hid her feelings behind those arguments. But when things started to change between them, those moments where Drystan's presence suddenly started to grow more within her life, the ties to her feelings unraveled one by one.
Now, it reached the place where she could never hide them anymore. Just a little more and every one of it would start to burst out.
She was in love with Drystan.
"Damn it"
Galene covered her eyes with her right arm as thoughts started to invade them once more. She let out a sigh as she pondered on every possible outcome if she were to confess to him.
"It'll be difficult right?"
Galene's family situation isn't normal right now. it never has been. If she were to enter into a relationship with Drystan, she was scared that it would put him in a difficult situation. With how nice and kind Drystan's family is, even though she wants to be a part of it, it would be selfish of her to drag them into her problems.
"Why did I have to be born into that family anyway?"
Galene closed her eyes as anger and sadness started to blossom through her heart once more. That night, she wished for all of her problems to disappear. She wished her life was like that of a fairytale where she didn't have to worry about being with the one she truly loved.
But this was her reality.
🎙🎶🎙
"Astraea do you want to tell the others about this? Even Serenity doesn't know, does she? They really were worried about you"
Drystan asked as he walked side by side with Galene. He had accompanied Galene home to get changed and walked with her towards school. He wasn't particularly relieved to let her go alone yet. Judging by how her neighbors were fuming earlier, he had anticipated that her father might have caused another scene when she was out of the house.
Galene contemplated for a while before looking up at Drystan who was just worriedly staring at her.
"Then, let's do it later at the club room"
Drystan smiled at Galene and ruffled her hair lightly. Galene found it endearing rather than annoying. To think that that smile was meant for her, made her heart flutter.
"Alright let's do that"
"Ahh but Zael, aren't you concerned that the other kids might talk about this?"
"Hmm talk about what?"
"Talk about us going to school together like this"
"Ahhh they can talk about it, I'll even appreciate it if it becomes known to the whole school"
"HEY YOU!"
Galene blushed when she saw how Drystan was smiling so proudly. He wants to deliberately show off that something is going on between the two of them.
"Ahh but Astraea if you don't want it to be that way, you can go ahead"
The way Drystan's mood suddenly dropped when he asked this made Galene a bit guilty. She doesn't really mind if rumors between them circulate.
"No, I'm fine with it"
Drystan smiled widely when he saw how Galene blushed. He wanted to ask Galene how she feels about him right now but he was afraid that it'll only put more pressure on her.
She had been through so much and the problem with her family hasn't been resolved just yet. He wanted to give her some room to breathe. He wouldn't want to put more stress and pressure on her, that's why he'll swallow everything right now.
He did promise her that he would wait and he intends to stand by that promise and besides he has one more date.
Drystan's thoughts were interrupted when Galene stopped walking when they were right in front of the school gate. His gaze went to follow hers. Outside their school gate stood a man wearing a suit and tie and a pair of eyeglasses.
"Astraea you okay?"
Drystan tapped Galene on the shoulders, she looked up at him and instantly he knew that there was something wrong.
"Alene"
Both Galene and Drystan's attention was drawn to the man who was now standing in front of them. It was then that Drystan noticed how similar he looked to Galene.
"Brother? Why are you here?"
Drystan's gaze went to Galene then back to her so-called brother.
"We need to talk, do you think you can spare me some time? Just a little would also be alright"
Galene's brother sent a short gaze towards Drystan where he eyed him head to toe. Drystan found this insulting but he couldn't butt in.
"Ahh then Zael…"
Drystan looked at Galene before letting out a sigh. He knew what that look meant.
"Are you going to be alright Astraea?"
Galene's brother stared at Drystan as Galene's second name was brought up. Galene only nodded at Drystan.
Even though Galene wasn't trembling and was acting like normal, Drystan still had his doubts. The man in front of him was still a part of Galene's family, if he was anything like her father then Drystan wouldn't be relieved to leave her alone with him.
"Alright, I'll wait for you at the gate"
Drystan patted Galene's head before sending one last glance at her brother and proceeding to go near the gate where he stood watch from afar.
"Your boyfriend?"
Galene blushed at her brother's question.
"No, at least not yet"
Galene looked up at her brother and saw that he was looking at her with worry in his eyes.
"Brother Aslan you must have heard about it, that's why you're here"
"Are you alright then Alene?"
"I got a few bruises here and there but I'm fine"
"Must be because someone was finally there for you huh?"
Galene saw how her brother smiled sadly. Galene had two siblings, one older and one younger, both male and all three of them suffered at the hands of their parents. Her older brother is already married and is living far away from this town along with their younger brother.
The reason why she didn't go with him even though he still insists is because Quincey and Serenity are here. That's why her brother got her apartment and would send her a monthly allowance for her living expenses.
"Do you still refuse to live with us Alene? I don't want to see you suffering anymore. If you are out of this town then those people won't find you anymore"
"I know, but.. I still want to be with my friends."
She admitted that she was stubborn and that what her brother was saying was true but she had no intention of leaving her friends.
"Why are you still so stubborn? I do wonder who you got it from"
"I wonder that too"
"Then that young man might be an additional reason too? You are fond of him no?"
Galene smiled sadly, even her brother could see right through her feelings for Drystan now. That was how much her feelings had started to seep out. Aslan ruffled her hair.
"Don't think too much of our problem Alene, date whom you want to date, regardless of our problems, you shouldn't hurt yourself that much."
"Was that the same for you then brother?"
"Why did you think I married my wife? If our problems were a hindrance, then I wouldn't even think of proposing to her."
That's right, Aslan married his wife despite their family problems. So what was it that was stopping her after all? Something so little was keeping her from being happy, she was so stupid.
"That being said you should stay away from your current apartment for the meantime. I'll find you another one, you can just stay over at Quincey's or Serenity's right?"
Galene nodded at him to which he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"And about that boyfriend of yours"
"AHHH I TOLD YOU NOT YET"
Drystan looked at the siblings quizically who in turn looked at him too. He saw how Galene's brother smiled while Galene blushed so hard.
"Anyway, I won't get in between since he looked like he's of a good character but please refrain from getting pregnant young"
Galene blushed harder as her brother let out a not-needed advice.
"I told you it's not like that!!!"
Aslan laughed as he stared at Galene's flustered face. Truthfully he was worried when the landlady contacted him. There were multiple complaints from Galene's neighbors about a man running amok every night in front of her door.
"Then take care of yourself, little sister. I'll contact you once I find another apartment, stay hidden until then alright? Also, come visit us next time and bring that young man along with you"
Galene only nodded even though she found it embarrassing how her brother was starting to get the wrong idea about them. Aslan gave her a light kiss on the top of her head before bidding her goodbye.
"I'll go now, you should go to class now"
"Alright, take care brother"
"You too"
Drystan watched with curious eyes as Galene went in her direction, face as red as a tomato.
"I'm guessing it went well?"
Galene nodded at him with a small smile plastered on her face.
"I didn't know you had a brother"
"I have two, one older and one younger although they live in a different town now"
Drystan was taking note of how Galene was rather cheerful when talking about her siblings.
"Then do they not hurt you?"
Galene finally understood why Drystan had a worried look at him earlier. She smiled widely at him.
"No, they're good, sorry if I worried you Zael"
"Ha that's good then"
"Also brother said to bring you along the next time I visit them"
Drystan stopped walking which made Galene look at his wide-eyed expression. Too many thoughts were running through his mind. Why did they want to meet him? Why did they invite him? Does her brother know that he's courting Galene? Did she tell him? Then what did she tell them?
"Hey Astraea, do you know what I'm thinking right now?"
Galene felt nervous the moment her eyes met with Drystan's expecting gaze.
"That the moment I get to meet your brothers would mean that you…"
Drystan's heart started beating louder when he didn't hear Galene say anything but he couldn't dare to say it himself. Galene saw this, she smiled at him lightly before saying.
"We still have our third date don't we?"
Drystan couldn't nod at what she said but she continued nonetheless.
"Let me sort everything out first, after that I'll tell you what you wanted to hear and what I always wanted to say to you"