Page 31 of TAINTED by TWINS

"Indeed she did," Jonah agrees, "And you've also worked so hard for her, watching Lian Miller all these years. It would be a shame if ever she'll find out about your relationship... right?"

"You're still caught up with that? We're both adults, Jonah."

"That doesn't mean you will still mess with him... after knowing who he truly is," Jonah tilts his head. Dr Wayne didn't say anything, but he glared at Jonah for that familiar move. "It's one thing messing with my mother, uncle... but Lord Deveroux? Do you really want him to get mad at you?"

His breath is caught in his throat. "What do you want, Jonah?"

Jonah Deveroux simply smiled at him.

Jade took Lian by the hand and earned a couple of judging eyes from faculty and students. Lian exhales nervously, "I don't think we should be in public..."

"Why not? Are you ashamed?"

"Because your brother invited them against my will, and now I feel naked!" But Jade forced him into a waltz. "Jade... people are watching..."

"So what? It's a party, some students are dancing with teachers." Jade dismissed, "Besides, stop worrying... Jonah has stuff under control."

"I don't understand how cornering me like this is supposed to make things better," Lian mutters.

"People say I'm confusing and difficult, but it's Jonah that's really hard to understand.

He shows everyone what he wants them to see, but nobody really knows him except me.

" Jade dances with him by the catering table, landing right on the tile with the painted rose.

"Jonathan is difficult to understand, but you have to put a little trust in him. "

"Do you trust him?"

"No," Jade whispers. "But if something goes wrong, the guy knows how to bring the train back into its tracks... always right where he wants it. So as much as I want to throw acid on my classmates right now, we have to put our faith in Jonah. He knows what he's doing."

Lian finds himself smiling while Jade had both hands on his waist, swaying lazily to the music like the night belonged to them. "You love him, don't you Jade?"

"Disgusting, that's gay."

Lian laughs this time, which Jade can't look away from. "You're not confusing, Jade. You act like you hate everyone but it's very clear when you actually love someone."

"I do hate everyone."

Lian pouts, "Even me?"

"I don't hate you that much..." Jade avoid his eyes. "I'm okay being in a room with everyone I hate. As long as you're with me."

Lian blushed, unable to hold down a smile. "Jade..."

It was as if only the two of them existed. It was—until they heard giggling from the side.

"Look who decided to mess with the other twin this time!" It was Sasha with his two friends Tiffany and Amanda. His voice was so loud it caught the attention of the people around them. "I wasn't aware birthday boys can get a pass on the rules."

Everyone started to whisper. Amanda giggled, "So did you get the twins to pay for the venue? Smart move, honestly."

"The twins paid?"

"So they're canon?"

"What's a canon?"

"You're late, Sasha... I was wondering why I didn't see a walking brain aneurysm in this place," Jade scoffs, ignoring the shame and embarrassment Lian is going through. Or maybe, he's shielding him from them. "Someone was looking for you."

"Of course Jade, everyone's looking at me—"

"Sasha?" That familiar voice made him freeze.

His pink hair, shadowed by dark roots, was swept back to reveal a collarbone dusted in shimmer and the subtle glint of diamond studs.

He wore a deep burgundy velvet blazer over a silk pink shirt, unbuttoned just enough to tease—all of those flushed by a fluster when Sasha turned his head to a familiar smiling man. "Sasha, you're here!"

Sasha turned, blinking. His uncle was already halfway to him, arms wide, face glowing like a proud father. "Wh-why are you here?! Uncle?!"

"I received an invitation," the man held Sasha by his shoulders before pulling him into a hug, much to Sasha's embarrassment. "You are beautiful, my boy. You made me so proud."

But it wasn't the little hug and snickers from his classmates that made him turn red. It was the woman behind his uncle... heavily pregnant, blooming with a child.

Jade didn't let go of Lian's hand even when he walked towards Sasha Petrovna to whisper to him, "Instead of buying poison from me... why don't you buy my silence instead, hmm?"

Sasha's jaw locked. Air is escaping his lungs faster than he can supply it. Jade stepped back, returning to Lian.

"I didn't know Sasha has an uncle," his classmates whisper. "He never talks about him... he doesn't seem too important."

"You shouldn't be here," Sasha muttered to his uncle, whose eyes showed a bit of shame and confusion. "What are you doing here with her? Did Jonah invite you?"

"I did," Jade admits, tilting his head at Sasha which gave him a flash image of the other twin in his mind. Lian stares at him, doubting if the twins really are different from each other.

"You and your wife shouldn't be here, you're no one to Lian! No one to me as well, after you gave me to that man!"

"Sasha..." his Uncle reached for him, "I don't know what you're talking about but—"

"You brought her here! I don't ever want to see you again, Uncle." He needs to leave. Sasha's hands are trembling. "LEAVE. Right now! You're embarrassing me!"

Everyone was whispering, some snickering, and even Tiffany is nudging Amanda for the entertaining scene. Meanwhile, Sasha's facade is cracking. "Don't talk to me again, uncle. You left me with the Petrovnas, there's no reason for you to be talking to me! LEAVE!"

"Why would you let Lian's guest leave, Sasha?" Jade calls him out, but his Uncle just smiled at the young Deveroux.

"It is alright, Mr Deveroux. Thank you for inviting me anyway. Mr Miller, we wish you the happiest birthday." He held his wife, "Sasha... I love you, please live happy."

Knowing Dr Wayne is here, Lian hid behind Jade, "I-I don't have anything to do with this, Sasha. They invited him!"

"Don't blame Lian, Pinky Pie. Sometimes.. we just don't get what we want," Jade tells Sasha. "Lian doesn't want you. Your uncle doesn't as well."

Sasha huffs and runs to Dr Wayne, "Look at what they did, Chris—!"

"This is an event, Mr Petrovna, I suggest you don't use my first name..." he politely tells Sasha under his breath, eyes scanning the crowd for that blonde Deveroux. As requested, he cuts off Sasha.

As the young man looks at him in shock, Dr Wayne slips a paper in his hand. The man whispers, "We can't continue this arrangement. The deal is off."

"Wh-what?" Even Dr Wayne is withdrawing from him? He spits in a whisper, "You can't do this, I'll ruin you! I'll expose you and Lian, you and me!"

"And you think I won't get away with that?" Dr Wayne made sure no one is listening. They're all occupied with the party. "You're welcomed to go against the Deverouxs, Sasha. But I wash my hands with that... you have forgotten who they are, and I won't fight a loosing war."

"What's going on?" The students wonder, "Sasha?"

"Uhm, bestie are you okay? Your eyeliner..."

"I didn't burn the paper, Jade!" Sasha yelled at him in front of everyone, in front of Lian who stood there confused. Jade now looks a bit scared, which made Sasha smile as he held up the paper Dr Wayne gave him. "Why would you have a relationship with Lian knowing you are forbidden?"

"Sasha..." Lian stepped forward, but Jade held him back, keeping themselves in the rose tile, "Sasha please... enough of this. Don't do this..."

"Jade too?!" Everyone whispered, "Jonah's and Jade—what?!"

"Mr Miller's been busy..."

"No wonder Jade only listens to him..."

Lian is trembling now, especially when the Principal asks him, "Is it true, Mr Miller?"

"It can't be," Mrs Garcia stepped forward, "Mr Miller would never..."

But the principal waited for his answer.

So did Dr Wayne, so did Jade, who released his hand in attempt to put a droplet of water into the fire.

Lian would deny it. It's not like he's gonna admit to their relationship, his career is on the line.

Dr Wayne looks at him, knowing he can't pull Lian out of this mess.

Not when two of the twins are involved, and Sasha is outright exposing them.

Jade looks at him as well, knowing Lian will never choose Jade over his career. Lian wont ever choose Jade over his life. Nobody would ever sacrifice their life for someone like Jade—

But Lian held his hand and announced, "Yes, it's true."

Everyone's mouths fell open, except Dr Wayne whose fist clenched up. Even Sasha looks shocked.

"I love Jade and Jonah. I can't lie about us, not when they've done so much for me.

Not when they've been there for me when I felt so alone.

I'm not alone... because of them. So yes, I'm with them.

And I've always loved them..." he admits to a quiet ball room with nothing but music, just as Jonah made an appearance leaning against a pillar, away from the crowd.

He proudly smiles at Lian as he looks up at the ceiling.

The teachers gasp in shock, "This is a scandal!"

"So you lied?!" / "This is unacceptable behavior from a teacher!"

"Sasha was right after all..."

The principal looked down. "I'm sorry," he said. "This goes against the rules. I will dutifully wait for your resignation letter, Mr Miller. Unfortunately, this incident will stain your report and you will be unable to get a job as a teacher in Carvalle."

Lian closed his eyes as his world came crashing down.

The principal adds, "I'm so sorry."

The principal left, and the teachers followed after him, one by one. No one said anything except for Mrs Garcia who stayed behind. She had recently given birth and will sadly replace Lian. She held his hand sincerely.

"Happy birthday, Mr Miller. Your mother was a friend of mine, and you match her beauty and grace so well," she whispered, hugging him before she let go and walked out with the principal. Dr Wayne silently followed them outside, eyes darkening in intent.

Still impulsive, still immature. Until now you're transparent as glass, Lian. You could never survive this world alone, Dr Wayne thinks as he leaves.

The students didn't stop ridiculing Lian with their judgmental eyes and running mouths.

It was as if everyone were shadows—a darkness surrounding Lian, only their glowing eyes and mouths visible.

His tears run down, I never should've agreed to this party.

I never should've come... I never should've existed. ..

"What's happening to the party? People are leaving already?

" Jonah strides in with a wide smile as if nothing happened.

The girls squealed seeing him in a creamy beige military-Prince suit with a red sash making him look like royalty.

He is holding a black walking cane, making him look like a true duke while Jade looks like a knight. It's Jonah Deveroux's first appearance.

"Lian will no longer be teaching," Sasha scoffs at him, throwing the paper to his feet. "And this is your fault."

"Oh?" Jonah doesn't seem too bothered as he picks up the paper, which confused everyone including Lian. Jade is just rolling his eyes at his twins' theatrics. Jonah exclaims, "Well, that's refreshing. Finally, huh?"

"Huh? Why?"

Jonah walks toward Lian and Jade with a smile, looking down at the circular rose tile they're on. Despite the paper on his hand, he holds Lian's head affectionately. "We're free to love him, now."

Click.

Jonah and Jade opens their cane—actually an umbrella, as the sprinklers activated and rained thick red liquid on everyone in the dance floor.

Women screamed as pig's blood from the ceiling descended to stain their expensive clothes, and everyone panics as they get drenched in thick stinky blood.

Sasha stood there in shock, until Amanda and Tiffany dragged him out of the bloodbath.

"AHHHH DISGUSTING!" / "Sasha, let's go!" He stood there watching the twins' holding Lian possessive, refusing to let him go. Amanda and Tiffany had to tear him away because they're turning red from all the blood.

Meanwhile, Jonah softly kisses Lian while Jade hides them with the umbrella.

Velomina has Lei on her lap and feeding her chocolate covered chocolates, wiping her lips off any chocolate, but with her own.

"You know Mina, I used to dream about us meeting together... I can't believe it came true. Hehe, you were so cute in my dreams..."

Velomina's eye twitched. "Wow... you manifested me into your life then, huh? Or you just missed me too much?"

"More like you scared me so much, I keep thinking about you," Lei Ann giggles. Velomina raised an eyebrow, until Lei picks up a strawberry to feed the Lady. Despite being offended, she can't help but take the fruit, and even taking Lei Ann's fingers into her mouth. "Mina, don't bite!"

Lei Ann giggles at her until he tried to pull her hand away, but Velomina held her wrist. In a whisper, Lady Deveroux savors her fingers until the last millimeter of her nails slides off her lips.

"Mmm..." Lei hums, "Being here with you... honestly feels nice. I wish I can see you again and again..."

"Why again, when you can just see me all the time?" Velomina suggests.

"We can't, silly..." Lei Ann replies, "You're busy. We have our own families..."

"That is not a problem, our sons are grown. You should just stay with me."

"You... w-want me to stay?" Lei Ann's smile dropped.

"Please," Velomina held her hand as if releasing it will take her away. She begs, "Lei Ann... stay with me. I can't live just being in your dreams anymore, I can't live without breathing the same air you exhaled. Live with me. You and Lian! We can be together, I will take care of your son!"

Lei Ann's expression was neutral. Not against it, but also... not for it. The way her eyes wander for something to say, doesn't indicate that she will accept.

"Mina..." Lei sighs, pulling her hand away. "I can't... my son..."

Why that tone? "Why do you look scared, Lei Ann? Lian isn't Khalid's son, so there isn't anything to fear."

Lei refused to look at Velomina, suddenly excusing herself. "Uhm... I'm uhh... thirsty."

She's hiding something, transparently obvious now that she's sober. Mina watches her hop off the chair, "Lei? There isn't anything to fear, right? Lei Ann!"

Lei was now crying, ruining her makeup, "Lian... I need my Lian. I'm sorry, Mina. But I'm a mother now. And my son is everything to me... I have to go to him, I have to protect him!"

"LEI ANN!" She had already ran out of the penthouse so Velomina runs after her.

Lian pulls away just to watch everyone panic while rushing outside, some crying and slipping on the blood. As much as Lian doesn't want anyone to get hurt, he can't help but slightly laugh, which he covered his mouth for.

"What did you do Jonah?!" Lian yells at him through the screams and panic.

Jonah was laughing, "Something Jade would do!"

"Wrong, I could've used acid!" Jade yells back, bus he softly looks at a smiling Lian Miller, watching everyone scramble outside. Lian chose me. He chose us over... everything.

When the place slowly empties out of people, the twins removed the umbrellas. Lian asks Jonah, "Wait, what was the paper Sasha said he didn't burn? That paper..."

"Uhm... nothing my darling, it's just a paper," Jonah dismisses it too fast as he hands Jade the paper, making Lian suspicious.

He was about to question further until Jonah looked at his phone and seemed to feel fear for the first time in his life. "We need to get out."

"Huh? Why?" Lian is being tugged away but he's being careful around the bloody floor.

"We need to get out! Jade, your motorcycle?" Jonah seemed to be rushing as Jade understood exactly why. "Lian rides with you, you go straight to the parking lot."

"What's going on?!" Lian starts to worry as well, especially when they started mumbling about how to get him out of here.

"Did you tell him, Jade?" / "No I did not!"

"Tell me what?!" Lian yells.

"Not you..." Jonah doesn't look so calm right now. "Listen, you take Lian to his home and pack up his and his mom's stuff. I'll stall him—"

But when they get to the lobby, they were too late. Lian had already laid his eyes on the truth. The truth, who walked into the lobby with a glowing aura, and upon seeing Lian, gave a smile that made everything fit into the puzzle.

It all makes sense now. Lian doesn't look like his mother: he looks like his father, Mongolian-French Khalid Deveroux. As stated by the DNA results in Sasha's hands, now in Jade's, the information that is meant to be burned. But the genes cannot hide.