"Catarina," a cold voice called out from behind the female. The platinum blond turned around for her ice blue eyes to meet another pair of cold ice blue eyes.

"Onii-sama," She was staring at her elder brother Camus ,who also stared coldly.

"I did hear about your runaway, however never had I expected you to pursue becoming a musician." Catarina stared silently at her brother trying to remain calm.

"You have no idea how much you've disappointed the queen," Camus narrows his eyes.

Again about the queen.

" Nevertheless you can still atone for your mistakes. Return back to Permafrost and ask for the queen's forgiveness." That made Catarina lose her temper and raises her voice.

She narrows her eyes," My mistakes? Atone?So it is my mistake to become a composer?! If following my dream is a mistake then why are you an idol?!

"Do not use that tone. Unlike you I'm following the queen's orders. You disobeyed her highness which is a great offence. "

"So not becoming the mistress of an already married man, who is also the double of my age is my offense?!"

"Indeed it is. Do not forget he is the queen's younger brother. It should be a great honour for you that the duke himself has chosen you to be his mistress."

"Brother or not ,he is 40 while I'm only 19 years old !No way I'm going to become that old man's 2nd mistress!"

"Be mindful of how you speak! Father and the queen herself approved of this proposal. Don't be self-centered and wed him . That way all can be happy, including you," Camus' cold glare never left .

"Happy? I'm happier than I've ever been in my whole life just by being HEAVENS' composer! And that queen just wants to comply to her brother's wish. She doesn't give a damn about my happiness!!"

Camus scoffs at Catarina, " You truly are selfish to lower her highness like that. You belittled her when she only thought about your well-being. You've brought shame on our family name."

" If family name is what you're worried about then fret not. Before leaving that place I made sure to cut all the ties I had with father and relatives; father even wanted to willingly abandon me!"

Camus heaves a sigh," Catarina, acknowledge your wrongdoings before it is too late. Although I'm wondering if my words will mean anything considering how self centered you've become."

"Onii-sama if anyone's being selfish then that's father, the queen ,that duke.....and even you." A shadow falls over her eyes.

The count glares coldly at the female, " I suppose now that you leaving was a better thing. People will be better off without the presence of an individual like you. You were nothing but a burden for all of us." He adds again, "Also if you have cut all ties then stop calling me 'Onii-sama' from this instance. You are no longer my sister."
Catarina's blue eyes flash with hurt at his words ;which goes unnoticed by the brother.

No longer your sister? I probably never was to begin with...

Camus starts walking away opposite to her when Catarina asks a question to stop him.

"Answer my one question....since you are so loyal to your queen....if she had asked you to offer my life,would you have done so?"

Without a second delay Camus replied ,his voice cold like a blizzard, "Without any hesitation. " With that he walks away. Catarina felt a pang in her chest and feels a lump in her throat.

No! I'm not sad !I'm not gonna cry! I've stopped caring about him from that day he abandoned me. The woman began calming herself. Unbeknownst to her, a black haired idol has seen the whole exchange and went away .

After cooling down she bought herself a bottle of water and returned to HEAVENS' waiting room. By the time she reached the break room, their photoshoot was already over.

"Oh...you're done?" She was a bit surprised since the photoshoot was supposed to take a while.

"Yeah..." Yamato trailed off not sure how to act around her now. The room too was quiet .

"What's wrong?" The woman again asked tilting her head.

"Catarina," Eiichi's serious voice takes her attention. "You met him, didn't you?" He wasn't liking the fact that one of his dear person was trying to hide her pain instead of telling him.

"...Yes. But how did you-" She was cut off by Kira.

"I...saw everything and told them," Catarina was surprised since she didn't expect anyone else would be there to listen.

"Rin -chan."Worry was visible in Eiji's purple orbs.

Catarina showed him a weak smile, "I'm fine. If not ,I will be. Just like he doesnt care for me,I don't care for him either." The boys weren't convinced at her words. "If you're all done then let's return home." While all of them were getting ready to head back, Eiichi whispered something to Kira.

After returning home, Kira freshened up faster and went to the kitchen. Catarina leaned against her bathroom's door after closing it. She sighed  before rubbing her temples. She was starting to get a headache and her heart felt heavy. In a way ,it was a good thing that Kira overheard their conversation. She didn't have to explain everything , to which she was grateful. Opening the shower ,she stood under it as the cold water touches her bare skin. At the back of her mind she suddenly sees two siblings - the nine years old elder brother carrying his five year old sister in his back. Both of the children were smiling so brightly. Catarina shook her head to erase that image from her mind.

All you did was probably just an act. An act to show that you cared about me .Since I'm nothing but a burden to you.

The blue eyed woman entered the kitchen,wearing lavender jersey and white pajama to see Kira and Eiichi cooking. She was about to go to help them when suddenly Yamato grabbed her from behind and made her sit between Shion and Eiji in the dining room.The rest of them were also there. The girl gave a confused look.

Kira came over to her and placed a plate with spoon in front of her. "Extra spicy curry for you," Kira smiled gently. Van added ," Early dinner for you angel." The female became even more confused.

Nonetheless saying her prayer she took a spoonful amount of the food into her mouth. The spicy sensation spread through her mouth. Taking more bites, her eyes soon became watery. A tear rolls down her cheek and was followed by some more. Soon she finished eating ; Kira took the plate away and Van passed her water which she chugged down. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and was going to wipe her tears with her hands when Eiichi,sitting across from her, grabbed her hand.

"Let it all out, Catarina," His voice was gentler than usual," Let the spiciness take everything out."

""Wh-what are you saying?"

"Rinna,you can cry all you want after eating spicy food. So don't hold it in," Nagi adds. Catarina understands what they have been trying to do, all for her.

You guys! Tears pooled at the corner of her eyes until they eventually start falling.

"I-I..." The waterworks started not because of the spiciness but because of the pain and grief she faced without ever admitting it. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as her sobbing could be heard. All her friends were by her side, giving silent comfort.

Shion put his hand on the back her head for comfort and Eiji rubbed circles in her back. The young brunette's heart clenched thinking about the pain she had been holding. If his own brother had abandoned him, he wouldn't have been able to bear it and probably break down right there. But seeing that the female had been holding that pain for years , always smiling to not worry anyone , deeply saddens him.

"Why does he- he hate me....so much?" Catarina cried out between her sobs. "He wasn't like th-this...What did I..?" All the males could only stay silent at her words and help her let out her bottled up feelings.

After some time, Catarina finally stops crying and starts wiping her tears, "Sorry.....that you had to see me like this."

"You didn't do anything wrong," Kira softly speaks.

"We're always here for each other angel," the eldest member smiles.

"To be honest, I just wanna punch the lights outta his face," Yamato clenched his fists," But I know you wouldn't let me."

"Rinna, you don't have to be sad. After all you have the world's cutest younger brother," Catarina smiles at that.

"Thank you ,all of you. I feel a lot better now."

I'm really grateful to you. As thanks I'll do my best to not let this matter get me down anymore. I'll stand strongly and proudly as HEAVENS' composer.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Catarina sighed for the umpteenth time that night while walking to HEAVENS' shared dorm .It has been a few days since she met her brother Camus. She has returned back to her usual self,putting everything behind. But just remembering the conversation she had minutes ago makes her sigh again.

She opens the door and enters the penthouse," I'm back." Keeping the files she was carrying back to her room,she makes her way to the kitchen to see Eiji.

"Sorry for leaving everything in your own, Eiji." Catarina washes her hands.

"Rin -chan ,why did father call for you at this hour?" Eiji asks while he cooks.

"Duet project,"Catarina begins helping Eiji , "Has the others returned yet?"

"Nope,"The brunette replied popping the p, "Nii-san called and said they already had dinner."

"I'll tell you what happened after everyone gets back," the girl flashed him a smile.The brunette smiles back.

"Where's Yamato and Nagi?"

"They're in their rooms." She nods at his words. Soon the four of them ate dinner and cleaned afterwards. The remaining four members also came some time later. They were all gathered in the living room as per Catarina said.

"Guys,Raging finally gave the details of the duet project." At Catarina's words all of them except Shion shift their attention to the girl.

"Before I tell you, wake Shion up." She turned to Kira . The yellow eyed idol nods and starts shaking sleeping Shion who was leaning on him. But it didn't wake the pale blond.

"Shiiion!! Wake up! Rinna's gonna tell us about the duet project," Nagi joins Kira which wakes Shion up. Shion rubs his eyes to make the remnants of his sleep disappear.

So Adorable!

"So,what did dad tell you?" The elder Otori asks. She starts telling them what happened earlier that might.

Flashback

"You will compose songs for Eiichi , Yamato and Shion while collaborating on Eiji's duet," Raging said to the point and gave her a schedule for the songs.

"One more thing," Raging gives her a file. She took it and opens to read the contents. Her eyes widen at what she read," This..."

"That's right. You will write two duets for Quartet Night. Make sure that your songs doesn't lose to Saotome's Nanami."

On the file was written 'Quartet Night Duet Project' in bold letters. Apparently they will be split into two groups twice,which makes four duet songs.  Catarina will handle half of it with Nanami. It was already decided who will write songs for which duets.  Her name was written besides these two :

Kotobuki Reiji and Camus
Kurosaki Ranmaru and Camus

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"...And that's the whole case."

"So...you'll have to write songs also for Quartet Night, "Kira silently commented.

"What is he thinking making you write songs for them?" Eiichi sighs.

"Well..it's not like I dislike them. The only problem is...you understand, right ?"

Of all the things, I'll have to work with him in both songs.

Shion suddenly says," Amakusa will sing Rin's song. Amakusa is delighted." Eiji ,Yamato and Eiichi nods.

"Too bad I can't get Na-Chan's song." Kira and Nagi agree with Van. She smiles lightly at them.

"Catarina," Eiichi calls out," don't worry .You'll somehow manage to work with your brother."

"I hope so too,Eiichi. I hope so."

                                        To be Continued.