Torn Between Twin Brothers - Chapter 102

Sophia walked in looking like the Diva that she was. Although she had already aged, she was still as beautiful as ever. She aged gracefully. She approached her granddaughter and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Oh, how I’m going to miss you, my baby is all grown up. I can’t believe that you will be starting college already at the age of fifteen.” She said sadly, tears fighting to come out of her beautifully made-up eyes.

“Although, back in the days before they changed the school system, at sixteen, you would be graduating high school already and begin college at seventeen. Nevertheless, I’m so proud of you, and that you’re a genius, you must have taken after me.” She bantered as she gave her granddaughter a fat hug.

Ava was touched after hearing her grandmother comparing her to herself. She always idolized her famous grandmother and mother for their accomplishments. It was one of the reasons she had tried the entertainment business when she was still young. Then, however, she learned that it was not for her. It was not what she wanted to do when she grew up.

“You’re right grandma, who else would I have taken after if not you.” Replied Ava while kissing her grandmother on both her cheeks. That made Sophia so elated.

However, she had an issue with her grandchildren calling her grandmother, so she smirked, “What did I tell you about calling me, grandma. Ms. Sophia, please!” Her brows were raised while speaking with seriousness as she kissed her granddaughter back.

After releasing Ava from a fat hug, she walked away from Ava, packing her belongings. Then, she picked up some of the clothes pieces by piece and lifted them into the air, and held them up as if they were dirty garbage. Then, with brows almost colliding with each other, she started ranting.

“What are all these? You should get a whole new wardrobe, why are you taking old clothes? All these are…” She then turned around to face Ann to scold her instead.

“Joanna Wen-Tan-Go! Why didn’t you arrange for new sets of clothes for my granddaughter to take with her? What would people think when they see her wearing last year’s trends? I can’t believe you! Of course, you wouldn’t wear anything outdated, but…” She sternly told Ann, who was still trying to calm herself down and wiping tears from her reddened eyes.

“I’m sorry! Mom, I was out of my mind thinking about her living on her own. I forgot about that. It’s alright; I will arrange to have someone bring new outfits for her right now.” Explained Ann while she began looking at the clothes that Ava packed.

After seeing what her daughter had packed, she dumped it all on the top of the bed and started picking one by one asking Ava why she wanted to take it with her.

Sophia started again, “Also, why is she doing her own packing? Where’s her nanny? That old woman, she should’ve been helping her charge.” Sophia was now angrier than she was a moment ago.

===

Meanwhile, back in the Kingdom of Stonasia, James was speaking with the guidance counselor regarding withdrawing from all his classes. After carefully thinking over his situation and relationship with Ava that went sour somehow, he decided not to attend Imperial college.

“Are you sure it’s what you want to do?” Asked the guidance counselor after reading the withdrawal sheets in front of him. He needed to make sure since James was an exceptional student and was recommended by the King himself.

James only nodded as a response. His decision wasn’t a last-minute one, he had been contemplating about this a lot over the past few days. Just like Ava, he wanted to concentrate on his studies and not worry about the agreement their parents had made before they were even born. They still had many years to wait.

Until then he would just concentrate on his studies, and the best way to do that was to not have any distractions, meaning he had to be as far away as he could from Ava.

“Alright then, I will discuss your request with the Dean and will update you.” That ended the discussion and James got up to leave.

Prince Edward, who was outside at the waiting area stood up when he saw James come out of the guidance counselor’s office, “So? What did he say to you? Are you going to be able to withdraw? Come on! I need to know so I could make my request to my brother as well.” He was shaking James as he anxiously asked.

James hated anyone touching him, so he was trying to pull himself away from Prince Edward’s tight grip on both his shoulders, “Why don’t you let me go first and I will tell you what he said!” He sternly growled at his friend.

“I apologize, I’m too anxious and didn’t realize what I was doing.” He then let go of James and stepped back. He stood a distance away waiting for James to start speaking.

However, instead of James starting to talk, he slowly made his way out of the office without uttering a word. There was nothing Prince Edward could do but to follow in his footsteps.

While they were walking towards where their vehicle was parked, Prince Edward couldn’t wait any longer. He jerked James’s arms,  “Hold it! You said you were going to tell me what the guidance counselor said, but you haven’t uttered a word. What’s going on?” He sounded anxious from the tone of his voice.

“Couldn’t you wait until we get into the car? What’s another second?” James irritably replied.

He clicked the open button on his car key and the door unlocked. He opened the door and went inside on the driver’s side. There was nothing Prince Edward could do but go to the other side of the vehicle in the passenger side and get in as fast as could or James would leave him. He could tell that he was in a bad mood.

As soon as both of them strapped with their seatbelts, James turned the engine on and sped off… Still not uttering a word. He was not in the mood to talk and not planning to either.

===

Once they arrived at James’ apartment, he slumped down on the sofa, then leaned his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes. Prince Edward, who was following behind, silently sat down on another couch and stared at James, still confused.

Since he arrived a couple of months ago, all James has done was work at the hotel and come home. Whenever he tried and asked him to hang out, he always gave some kind of excuse. Then today, he called him to accompany him to the school to speak to the guidance counselor. He then learned that he planned on transferring to another college. That was a piece of news to him that got him uneasy.

He finally had a friend, and now he was telling him that he was leaving. He needed to find out what James was planning so he could make the same plan.

“Err, James… Man, don’t leave me hanging like this. I need to know what’s on your mind so I can make up my plans as well. So, can you please tell me what you are planning to do?” He was solemn as he looked at his friend, who still had his eyes closed.

James opened his eyes and sat up straight, and turned to face him. He first touched the bridge of his nose, a headache was starting to brew, and the stress level in his body was shooting up in the sky.

Maybe it’s good that Prince Edward was there, he can let it all out, and perhaps his friend would have some advice that could help him calm himself. So he decided to tell him everything, including the agreement his parents had.

“I was planning to let her know that I don’t see her as a younger sister, but it didn’t come out that way. So, instead, I made her feel the opposite, and she put on a brave face and basically told me to f*ck off. So, we separated on bad terms. She basically told me that she didn’t want to have anything to do with me now.” His face was filled with sadness thinking of that moment…

Prince Edward was stunned and unable to utter a word. He knew that James liked Ava, and he was hoping that it could grow to something more once they started college. But after hearing what he said, he wasn’t sure anymore. Especially now that he was planning to transfer to another college, that would be more impossible now.

Once he found his voice, he tried to console James hoping that he would change his mind and not transfer.

“Well, the school hasn’t officially started yet. Who knows what would happen once school starts and we start hanging out together? You can try to woo her then. I know! I know. She’s still young. But what I meant was that you can prevent other boys from hanging around with her if we stick together. Right?”

Even to himself, he didn’t sound convincing. Prince Edward could only shake his head afterward.

===

James got up to go to the kitchen to look for something heavy to drink. But, unfortunately, he could only find water and juice inside the refrigerator. Frustrated, he went back to the living room.

“Do you know any place where they would allow us to drink? I mean alcohol to drink.” His face was stone cold while waiting for Prince Edward to respond.

After hearing what James asked, Prince Edward briskly got up. “I know the best place! Let’s go!”