Zein's Point of View
I looked up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. I stepped outside for a moment to catch some fresh air. Inside, Mom and Ate Allison were watching T.V., and Dad was in his home office. I closed my eyes and smiled as the cold night air embraced me.
I miss him...
What is he doing right now? Is he frowning over some papers? Talking business with Raze?
I opened my eyes and looked at the Christmas tree standing on our porch, its colorful lights dazzling. Christmas is coming, and I want to spend it with my family and, of course... with him. I smiled, remembering our first Christmas together when I almost poured water on him just to wake him up for *Noche Buena*.
"Ace..."
"Hmmm?"
He had been buried under a mountain of blankets. Dad made him sleep over because it was too late to travel. Raze was already outside, laughing with Dad.
"Ace! It's Christmas! Wake up!" I had pulled at his comforter. He slowly opened his puffy eyes, rubbing them in surprise.
"Why?" he asked. I hit him with a pillow, making him laugh as he sat up.
"Noche Buena," I whispered. "Merry Christmas."
He looked at the clock. "Twelve o'clock? It's still Christmas if I wake up at eight, right?"
I just groaned in frustration. At least Raze was being helpful; he stayed up all night chatting with Dad. I turned to leave, but Ace grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. I blushed at the feeling of his arms around me.
"Merry Christmas, darling..." he whispered, kissing my forehead. It was so sweet, I couldn't help but love it.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Ate Allison stood there with raised eyebrows. "I thought you were just waking him up. Why are you hugging?"
I turned beet red and scrambled to fix my clothes. Her timing was always impeccable. Raze peeked in behind her, wearing a Santa hat and holding a hotdog on a stick.
"Merry Christmas!" he shouted, and Ate quickly covered his mouth.
"Shut up! I'm trying to sleep!" She dragged him away while he laughed.
Later, we all gathered in the kitchen. Mommy and Daddy came down the stairs, holding hands and smiling. After we all exchanged greetings and Ate finished teasing Raze, Ace joined us. His hair was still wet from a quick shower, and he looked at me with a soft smile.
"Someday, we will celebrate our own wedding anniversary," he whispered into my ear, tidying a stray strand of hair. My heart melted. I want that, too.
During dinner, Raze sat by the sink, chatting with Tita Mira and eating *lechon* skin, while Ace and I sat quietly.
"Are you a vegetarian too, Ace?" Ate Allison asked, noticing his salad.
"Influenced," he said, glancing at me.
"You don't eat spinach?" Ate asked.
"Allergic," I answered for him.
"You and Mr. Red Eye are the same," Ate said sarcastically, looking at Raze.
After dinner, Ace pulled me into the guest room and took a heart-shaped candy from under the bed.
"Why candy?" I asked.
"It's my favorite," he said simply. I laughed and broke it in half. "Let's share."
Remembering that Christmas makes me smile. It was so simple, yet so thrilling.
Ate Allison sat next to me on the porch, breaking my daydream. "When is your deal with Raze happening?" I asked. I want to see that race. I have a feeling she'll win; she's built for that kind of thing.
"We haven't set the date yet," she said. "You're probably praying I lose."
"I hope you do," I teased.
She grinned. "We'll see. Go to sleep. I'm taking you training tomorrow."
My heart sank. Training? She wasn't joking. I went to bed praying that tomorrow would never come.
Ace's Point of View
I tried to ignore my older brother's smirking face.
"Alas..."
"I don't want to go, Raze."
He tugged at my sleeve. I kept my eyes on the paperwork in front of me. "Just this once," he pleaded. "If you don't, I'll call Zein."
My head snapped up. He knew he had me. I sighed and got into his car, listening to him whistle while he drove.
"This is a warning," I muttered. "If you call Zein even once, I'm never helping you again."
"Whoa, easy... I love you, bro!"
He parked at a bar where the guards clearly knew him. As soon as we walked in, the music was deafening. The bass made the floor shake.
"You suck at this, dude," I joked as he started dancing.
"You're just boring! Learn to live a little!"
I laughed and headed toward the back, sitting in a quiet corner. I pulled out my phone to pass the time. I smiled when I saw a new text from Zein.
> "Are you asleep? I want to talk to you."
>
My heart raced with excitement as I typed back:
> "Can't sleep... thinking of you."
>
I felt a bit guilty for being at a bar, but I planned to tell her later. Suddenly, someone touched my thigh. I jumped, seeing a woman biting her lip.
"Don't touch me," I said firmly, moving away. I felt sick.
"Alone?" she asked, leaning in. "You want to have some fun?"
I shook my head and tried to stand up, but she suddenly hugged me, pressing herself against me. I cursed under my breath, trying to push her off. My phone started ringing in my pocket—it was Zein. My heart hammered.
I pushed the woman away roughly. "Leave me alone!"
"Babe, it's free... for you," she persisted.
I bolted for the exit, my stomach turning. As I got outside, I looked at my phone and realized the call had already been connected. The timer was ticking. She had heard everything.
I leaned against the wall, staring at the screen in horror. I was terrified to put it to my ear.
"Zein?"
The call ended. A second later, a message appeared.
> "Enjoy."
>