"I am Hebiana."

I stared at her and then back at the woman who was beside me.

"What?" I whispered too softly, almost making my voice inaudible but it was also loud enough to be heard by the woman who was claiming she was Hebiana.

"Bud," I looked at Monie who was behind the woman. "This woman, standing in front of you, is the real Hebiana. That woman with you is her twin sister, Eviana."

My eyes widened as I lightly pushed Eviana away from me, "You lied to me?"

She looked down and sighed, "Why would I lie to you?"

"You liar!" Hebiana went to Eviana and harshly pulled her hair.

Monie and I immediately went towards the two women. I pulled Hebiana away as Monie pulled Eviana from her.

"Let me go!" Hebiana exclaimed.

"Calm down," I whispered.

"Are you asking me to calm down?!" she yelled at me as she pulled her arms from my grip. "You, being with my sister does, do not calm me down at all!"

I looked down, "I am sorry. I didn--"

"You didn't know?!" Hebiana yelled again.

Seconds later, I felt a stinging pain on my cheek. I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress the tears that were forming in my eyes.

"I AM WITH YOU FOR A YEAR! HOW COULD YOU FORGET ME?" she yelled again.

I shook my head slowly, not being able to tell her the words that I wanted to say.

"I am sorry."

She faced Eviana and pointed a finger at her, "What the hell do you want?"

Monie went between them. "Hebiana, calm down--"

"Are you asking me to calm down?" Hebiana chuckled sarcastically. "My sister lured my boyfriend into thinking that she is me. Do you want me to sit here and act like nothing?!"

Monie shook his head, "That is not what I meant."

"Answer me, Eviana! What are you doing here and why are you doing this to me?!"

Eviana pushed Monie aside and went to Hebiana.

"I am taking my revenge, Sister."

Hebiana raised her hand to slap Eviana but the latter held her sister's hand tightly as they locked their gazes on each other.

If they were to wear the same clothes, I would really find it difficult to distinguish which from which. I exhaled loudly due to how sad and disappointed was I to myself for not being able to recognize my own Sunshine.

"I am just doing what you have done to me, Hebiana."

"What the hell are you saying?"

Eviana harshly let go of Hebiana's hand as she backed away from her, "Andrew could have been my husband if you did not steal him away from me."

"I did not steal him away from you!" Hebiana pointed a finger on her sister. "He thought that I WAS YOU! He talked to me and told me that he wanted to break up with me because he mistook me as someone else, not knowing that I was not Eviana. After finding out the truth, he told you right away!"

"HE didn't tell me! I saw you kissing in front of the house!"

"I did not betray you," Hebiana yelled back. "Why are you bringing this up, didn't Andrew cheat on me? Was not that enough as a payment for what happened to your toxic relationship with him?!"

"He wouldn't do that if you did not support him in breaking up with me," Eviana said with a sad tone.

Hebiana shook her head, "He would still cheat on you because he wanted to do so, and because you are so possessive and controlling."

Eviana pushed Monie aside and walked towards the door. Before fully walking out of the house, she stopped.

"I am not yet done. I am not satisfied. You ruined me, Hebiana. I will ruin you too."

"You piece of sh--"

Before Hebiana could run to Eviana, the latter had already shut the door.

"Ugh!" Hebiana exclaimed and faced me.

I raised my hands as a sign of defeat, "Please forgive me."

I slowly knelt in front of her, "I do not know what to say or how to explain anything. All I am going to ask is to please forgive me, Sunshine."

Hebiana ruffled her hair in frustration, "What do you want me to do? Forgive you that easily?"

I shook my head, "I am not going to force you--"

"Let's a break-up."

Those three words made my heart stop beating. It was as if my whole body systems broke down. My brain was not able to process what she said as my heart was not able to take in the pain.

"What?" I whispered.

"I need some space," Hebiana said.

I immediately grabbed her legs, "Please do not leave me. I could give you all the time and space that you need but I won't want to break up with you."

Hebiana pulled me to stand up, "Please, please. Understand." She smiled a little at me, "Please leave." She went upstairs as I followed her with my gaze. I was about to run to chase her but then a hand stopped me.

"Leave her to think, Bud." Monie held my forearm. He gave me a small smile as he nodded slowly, "She needs time and space to think."

I shifted my gaze from the staircase towards him. I nodded slowly as I let him drag me out of the house.

-

When we got home, Monie went to the fridge and grabbed a pitcher of cold water. He was silent as if he was processing everything.

"I won't force you to tell me what happened, but please do enlighten me, Cody," he said as he leaned on the counter table.

"I-I don't know," I lowered my head as I was feeling guilty, embarrassed, and disappointed about myself.

"It's fine. It's fine," Monie said as I felt his hand patting my shoulder. "I know that you were duped. It's not your fault."

"Something happened between us."

I looked at him apologetically. Tears were brimming out of my eyes as fear and disappointment clouded my system.

"What?" Monie whispered but it was audible. "What... What do you mean?"

"I am sorry..."

The tears that were brimming out finally fell on my cheeks. I sobbed unconsciously as I felt Monie hug me.

"Bud, I am here. I will not judge you. I will not reveal your secret. I will stay by your side no matter what happens, alright?"

I nodded while crying and hugging him back.

I had never been so soft and vulnerable in front of Monie, but hearing him say that he won't judge me was already enough for me to release every ounce of sadness and negativity that was lurking in my head.

"I need Hebiana. I need my Sunshine."

-

I was standing in front of Hebiana's front door. I could not stand getting in arguments with her. A day without her was bearable, but being away from her for two weeks was putting me into a death bed.

"I do not want to speak with you, Cody."

"Please, Sunshine," I begged.

The door opened revealing Hebiana who was crossing her arms.

I raised a box of caramel cake and a caramel macchiato frappe, "Please?"

She nodded and grabbed the foods from my hand. She walked inside then towards the dining room.

I brought out a red velvet box from my pocket and knelt on where I was standing, waiting for her to come back.

"Cody?" she called.

I was quiet. I wanted her to come to me.

"Cody!"

I did not respond.

"Cody, where are--"

She was standing a foot away from me. I could tell by her gaze that she was shocked.

"Hebiana, will you marry me?"

End of Chapter 8.