You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So don't keep saying our hands are tied
You claim it's not in the cards
But fate is pulling you miles away
And out of reach from me
But you're here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?

— Zac Efron, Zendaya, Rewrite The Stars

FRAZIER

I woke up late the next day and cursed myself. I spent the next half an hour hurriedly taking a shower and putting on the suits. Knowing how I sucked at doing a tie, I simply clung it on my neck and focused on socks and shoes.

The hotel receptionist recognized me and quickly called the car. I would've driven the car myself if it had not been for the fact that I was clueless about the road in D.C. and it would take me more time to check the map and drive.

"Where to, Mr. Ronan?"

I read the address on Autumn's wedding invitation that I had captured on my phone to him and told him to press the pedal. Leaning back against the seat, I went through all the messages and missed calls left by my cousin dearest, William. I was too lazy to type so I hit the call button and waited until he picked it up.

"Fray!" William greeted me. "Are you okay?"

I frowned. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you didn't come to the party last night and went MIA."

Honestly, I did not expect him to notice my absence. "I didn't think you would notice," I chuckled. "I mean, surely there are tons of girls occupying your night."

This time, it was his turn to laugh. "You're not wrong but I think I was being an idiot last night."

Staring outside the window, I narrowed my eyes as I watched the busy D.C. street. It was not as hectic as New York but it was definitely not quiet. Every time the car moved past a building or cafe, my mind would tell me this was where she grew up. It was nearly impossible not to think of her every second of the day. I shook those thoughts away and paid more attention to my conversation with William. "How's so?"

"Don't tell anyone," said William, sounding nervous, unlike his usual self. I could also detect guilt in his voice, "Especially the boys."

Like that even a question. I rolled my eyes. "You know I don't talk to your friends that much. What's going on?"

He was quiet for several seconds, I almost thought that the call was dropped and had to check the screen. "I kissed Niel's sister."

My brain tried to figure out which one was that. "Nathaniel's? Which one was his sister? The blonde girl?"

"No," answered William, still sounding miserable. "The brunette."

"Oh" was all that I managed to say since I had no clue which one was that. If Margo and I were not on and off, I would've forgotten her name. I was not good at remembering names, especially girls. Yet I remembered her name and face since I had met her. Damn. I forced my mind to think of William and his dilemma. "Does he know?"

"No." William groaned. "And it's killing me cos he's my buddy. Darn it. Why did I kiss her?!"

"Well, do you like her?" I asked the most important question. Kisses happened from time to time but what mattered most was whether you liked the person and wanted to pursue them or not.

"Yes," he replied then quickly rectified it, "I mean no. She's a kid. I'm not into younger girls and you know it."

I was going to say that he was also a kid and the fact that he was into older girls worried me but I kept my lips tightly shut.

"I don't know what to do." I heard him groan in frustration again. "Have you ever kissed your mates' sister?"

"No." My brows furrowed at the idea. "I don't usually hang out with my mates' sisters."

"Well, me neither. To my defense, I didn't know it was her until she took off her mask."

"What?" I knew he was in misery but I was glad this whole thing had happened because his story was distracting my mind from thinking of Autumn. "What mask?"

"Last night was a mask party. I know you're into those sorts of stuff so I added a little twist in the invitation. Anyone without a mask is not invited."

"What the—" I ran my hand through my hair. "Since when I'm into masks and those sorts of stuff?" I borrowed his exact words.

"You told me about that mysterious girl you have been having a crush on. Didn't you say that she was wearing a mask when you guys met?"

Oh, right. I hadn't told William or anyone about Autumn being my crush so I made up a story about meeting her in a masked ball hence I had no idea who she was.

The car pulled at the curb and the driver gave me a nod, implicitly telling me that we had arrived. He went outside then opened the door for me and I got out. "Hey, are you coming to the wedding?"

"Bernucci's wedding? Yeah. Why? Are you?"

"Yeah." It felt weird to go to the wedding of someone you did not know and without an invitation. "I'm outside the venue. Where are you?" I figured it would be easier to go in with him, then to find Autumn later.

My eyes surveyed the surrounding and fell on the two figures standing across the lot. I couldn't hear William's answer because I was too busy looking at Autumn and her ex. A frown when they started arguing.

AUTUMN

It was quite a challenge to escape from my brother yet somehow I managed. As I slipped through the building crowd, I spotted Tyler standing by the punch bowl. The wedding has yet to start and everyone was either sitting or standing with a glass in their hands, waiting until the bride arrived and the event organizer asked them to sit.

There was a scowl on his handsome face and I wondered why he looked so pissed off at his mom's wedding. Following his gaze, my eyes landed on the groom who was happily laughing with two men in dark suits. I was struck by the sight. It was not every day you saw your high school's principal having a jolly time and laughing freely. In fact, I did not recall ever seeing him like this. He was about to marry the love of his life, it should not be a surprise that the man was this happy.

My eyes went back to Tyler and without giving it too much of a thought, I approached him. Out of the corner of my left eye, I could see Steven trying to catch up with me but he must've figured out where I was heading because he then turned on his heels. He made it obvious that he was team Tyler.

"What's that face for?" I asked once we were facing each other.

He lifted one arrogant brow. "What?"

"You. Aren't you happy that your mother finally getting married to your father?" My hand grabbed one empty glass and filled it with fruit punch. 

Tyler rolled his eyes. "Seriously. What's so good about that douchebag?"

I blinked twice. Thrice. Maybe I misheard what he had said. "What?"

Instead of answering, he walked away after saying, "Whatever."

I followed him all the way to the parking lot. "Hey, I am not done talking to you. I still have lots of questions!" I knew I had told myself to ask him tomorrow or the day after instead of at his mom's wedding but his earlier attitude had provoked me. He looked like Tyler Vincent that I knew yet he did not behave like one. What the hell was wrong with him?

Shoving one hand into the pocket of his pants, he turned and pointed at me. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do I even know you?"

That last question was a punch in the stomach and I was going to say something hurtful until I saw another Tyler walking with her blonde ex. Again, I blinked twice. Thrice. And when it did not seem to wake me up, I rubbed my eyes, not caring what that would do to my mascara.

The Tyler standing in front of me seemed to notice my abrupt silence and turned around. "Oh for fuck sake. Don't tell me you thought I was my idiot brother."

"B-brother?" 

"Tyler," he called out to the other Tyler walking a few feet behind him. "What took you so long? I thought the best man is not supposed to be late."

The other Tyler glanced up, about to answer when his eyes fell on me and he grew silent. "Autumn," he greeted.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. If by the time I opened my eyes, there were still two Tylers, this proved that I was not going insane. I opened my eyes slowly and two identical guys stood before me. One was wearing a silver tie, looking bored with the whole situation, while the other was wearing a dark blue tie and a grim face. "Care to explain," I finally managed to ask.

The Tyler with dark blue tie flinched. "Autumn, this is my twin brother Tyson."

"By Tyson, he meant Flynn Ascott." The other Tyler nodded. "Pleasure's mine. Are you his girlfriend?" He tilted his head to one side as his eyes regarded me up and down. "Fuck, I don't know a nerd could get a hottie." 

I decided at that time that I did not like this other Tyler. Tyson or whatever his name was. He was acting like a complete ass and unlike Tyler, he was a tad shorter, maybe one or two inches, and quite muscular. I should have been able to see that he was not Tyler. Yet that face though, they looked exactly the same. Almost like an exact replica and that was the mystery of twins. 

Tyler groaned. "Tyson, could you give us a minute?"

Tyson smirked then wiggled his eyebrows at Tyler. "Sure. I have to look for Kelsey anyway." He gave me a small smile which I was not sure if that was even a smile before leaving the scene. 

"I'll see you inside, Faith," Ty spoke to the blonde girl behind him. She nodded and then followed Tyson across the parking lot. Tyler's eyes were on her back for a while before he slid his gaze back to me. "What did you want to talk about when you thought my brother was me?"

"I know you're hiding things from me, Tyler," I started, keeping our eyes locked. "And I want you to tell me everything. Tell me so I would understand why you did the things that you've done. So I would understand why you broke my heart and ruined what we had."

He took a sharp breath, closing his eyes for a brief second. "I can't."

One of the event organizers ran towards us and then informed us that the wedding was going to start soon. She wanted us to get to our places before the wedding march was played. 

"We'll talk later," I held his gaze again. "Meet me after the wedding."

Tyler did not say anything and later that day, I found out that the not saying meant that he would not come. 

FRAZIER

"You're coming!" Autumn approached me with a small smile that did not reach her eyes. 

I nodded. "As promised." When she simply stared ahead, face blank and looking every bit distraught, I leaned forward and put one hand on her arm. "Autumn, are you okay?"

She blinked then tilted her head. Her brown eyes met mine. "Yeah. I just cannot believe I was a bridesmaid without preparation who did not accidentally ruin the event."

"You did great." I gave her an encouraging smile. "And you look beautiful too."

"Thanks," her response was automatic. A small frown formed on her smooth forehead. "Frazier, we need to talk about what happened."

I knew this was coming and I had prepared a speech for this. "Okay. Let's talk."

"Autumn, why aren't you dancing?" The bride came in the middle of us. "Are you not having a good time?"

I watched her lips turn into a smile. It was quite a convincing one but I could tell it was fake. "Yeah! I am. I will once I can persuade Frazier to join me."

The bride raised one brow, then turned to me, almost as if she just saw me. "Oh. Hi."

"Hi." I smiled and offered her one hand. "I'm Frazier Ronan. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." 

Although she wanted to be pleasant and polite, I could see the disapproval in her eyes. She was Tyler's mother, after all. Of course, she would want Autumn to be with her child no matter what. I meant, if Autumn was not that important, she would not have asked her to be the bridesmaid.

"Well, you succeed," I turned to Autumn and took her hand. "Shall we?"

After giving a see-you-later smile to the bride, we went to the dance floor. Thankfully, it was a slow, acoustic song. 

"Are we doing this?" Autumn asked under her breath. 

"Yes." I put one hand on her waist while the other pulled her closer. She was quick to follow and put her hand on my shoulder. We danced for a while before I asked, "What is it that you want to talk to me about?"

"Frazier, I want to say I'm sorry."

Well, that did not sound so bad. My first guess was she would tell me that our friendship was over and we shall never speak to each other again so this apology definitely sounded better. "For what?"

"For what I said last night." She paused and glanced up to meet my eyes. "And also, for using you."

I did not have anything in my mouth but I nearly choked. "Pardon?"

"I had an encounter with Tyler before I went to your room. He was mean and he told me that instead of trying to be friends with him, I should go and play with one of my boy toys. Maybe Joe or Ashton or--" She paused and let out a deep breath as if saying all this made her tired then added, "You."

Anger started building inside of me and I tried to repress it. "What did he say?" I growled.

Autumn jumped a bit which kind of ruined our dance tempo but she answered anyway, "he told me that instead of wasting my time to convince him, I should go to you. The guy that I dragged here to replace him."

I was appalled, hurt, and angry. "Is that what I am to you?"

"No," she said, sounding weak. "I mean, yes. I don't know. This is what I am trying to tell you, Frazier. I have no idea what I feel. I need to sort my feelings out. I need to figure things out, to find out how I feel about you and about him."

It was worse than being slapped. Hell, it was probably worse than being hit by a bat. Yet again, what did I expect, some great sex and we suddenly became a couple and lived happily ever after? Stupid. What a childish fantasy! Whatever I had prepared earlier, trying to tell her how much she meant to me was gone. I dropped my hands and took a step back. My voice was icy cold when I said, "Well, then I shall leave you to sort things out."

© All Rights Reserved 2018 Rosen

a/n: treeleavez was right, I have been updating more frequently than ever and I will try to keep doing this. Only a few more chapters left, after all. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts in comments and vote this chapter if you enjoy it! 

I am very sore at the moment. I was at the local mosque, doing some volunteer work in celebration of the Happy World Interfaith Harmony Week 2019. We handed fruits to people near the MRT station and there was a blood donation as well. Even though my back is sore, I am very happy. I love diversity in our community and how people live in harmony even when they are from different background and ethnicity. Our motto for this year is "One Blood, One Humanity" and the man who gave the speech said, "no matter who we are, Indian, Caucasian, Chinese or Malay, our blood is red, and the blood that we donate could save lives." God bless you, my angels! Loads of pizza, Agi x

p.s. can you believe this? It's CNY and I am eating McD lols I better find a source of income somehow XD hopefully a publisher / movie director approaches me (dream on, IKR) ♥