I remember last New Year's Eve as an adorable moment I shared with Maria. The Borjas invited us to spend it with them, but we didn't want to inconvenience anyone. It was Lucia's own initiative to crash our improvised celebration and cook us a lavish dinner.
We really only had each other. Maria might have seemed distant, or even like she didn't understand much of what was going on around her—but in reality, I think she understood it better than anyone, and that's why she locked herself in her room.
I wouldn't say it was a bad year. In fact, Maria made it her New Year's resolution to go out more, and she started right then, voluntarily stepping out to watch the fireworks and exchange greetings with the neighbors.
Meanwhile, on that January 1st, with the sky still rumbling, the music, alcohol, and partying—it was a joyful night. Yet, in moments like that, I couldn't help but overthink life, alone in my room with my computer.
Maria fell asleep a few hours ago.
[Prince Stev][3:02] What are you doing awake?
[Luvnb][3:03] Playing.
[Prince Stev][3:03] Kids like that kind of stuff, right?
[Luvnb][3:03] You say you're an adult, but honestly, I don't believe you.
[Prince Stev][3:03] I gain nothing by saying I'm an adult, idiot. If I pretended to be a 15-year-old girl, that'd be a different story.
[Luvnb][3:04] Then shouldn't you be getting ready for tomorrow to feed your divorced family, old man?
[Prince Stev][3:04] Unlike you, I'm pretty successful in life, so I can afford things like this.
[Luvnb][3:05] Success is relative.
[Luvnb][3:06] How was your New Year's?
[Prince Stev][3:06] In France, it's a bit earlier, but yeah, there was a good party.
[Luvnb][3:06] You mean on Francia Street, right?
[Prince Stev][3:06] Your envy feeds my ego.
[Prince Stev][3:06] Anyway, if I had the money to go to France for New Year's, what would you do?
[Luvnb][3:07] I'd pay for my sister's education and live off her.
[Prince Stev][3:07] You wouldn't say something like, "I'd pay for my own education and my sister's"?
[Luvnb][3:08] If I had all the money in the world, I wouldn't need to work.
[Luvnb][3:08] And you?
[Prince Stev][3:08] A vocal cord transplant.
[Luvnb][3:08] LOL
[Luvnb][3:08] What, do you have a squeaky mouse voice or something? Is that why you won't join the voice chat with me?
[Prince Stev][3:09] My voice isn't that pathetic, I just don't like it.
[Prince Stev][3:09] I only called to say Happy New Year, but I see you don't feel the same way about me.
[Luvnb][3:09] LOL
[Luvnb][3:10] No.
[Luvnb][3:10] No.
[Luvnb][3:10] Okay, sorry. Thanks, bro. Happy New Year. And thanks for helping me with the sound on my music project.
[Prince Stev][3:10] No problem. You've got something good going—wouldn't surprise me if the singer became famous.
[Prince Stev][3:10] Is she your girlfriend?
[Luvnb][3:10] My cousin, and don't say shit like that, that's disgusting.
[Prince Stev][3:11] The vocals sound floaty, they need more body. Try a subtle double or a 120ms slap delay to anchor them in the mix.
[Luvnb][3:11] I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'll tell my cousin.
[Prince Stev][3:11] I taught you this a week ago.
[Luvnb][3:11] Just kidding, though honestly, I barely remember.
[Luvnb][3:11] Hey, you there?
[Luvnb][3:20] Hey.
[Luvnb][3:46] Well, looks like you fell asleep, old man. Thanks for being patient with me.
I noticed a hint of resentment in his voice.
It seems you're aware of your sister's artistic quality, but that's a lie. When I saw the secrets behind her composition in my hands, I told myself I couldn't let such talent slip away. I think you understand—your sister is special, and it's unfair that the world doesn't get to know her.
"And yet, that's Maria's decision. You're a stranger, no matter how famous you are. Who knows what you could do to us? Or if this is all a scam?"
"You'd be wasting the chance to give your family a dream life—to be famous, adored, to never go hungry again…"
He seemed slightly annoyed. Maybe he couldn't fathom why anyone would cling to this stance for so long.
"Like I said…"
"I want to do it."
My blood ran cold. I could feel the sharpness in her voice.
I turned to look at her—timid, unconsciously hiding behind me, her hair covering her face as usual. Even if it weren't, I wouldn't have been able to read her expression. But her voice alone carried an emotion I hadn't heard from her in a long time.
"Maria, if it's about the money, you don't have to—"
"No. I want to do it… Sorry for giving you a hard time when you tried to sell my songs. I know you work so hard, and I'm just… like this. I'm sorry."
Her tone was half-dry, but her words snapped me out of my trance. I'd never seen my sister so decisive about anything. I was the one who chose her clothes, her meals—the only thing she ever asserted herself on was music.
"I also know you want me to study… but I don't have the courage. Still, even if it's hard, I'll try… Yeah, I'll try…"
Those last words didn't sound very convincing, even with her indifferent tone. Villaran noticed it too.
"Mr. 'Luvnb'—"
"Lucas."
"Mr. Lucas, you see… I realize you and Miss Maria share a very close bond. Miss, you'd be more comfortable if you attended school with your brother, in the same class."
What he said sounded completely improvised. It was obvious he didn't want to let my sister go. Why else would he strip away the opportunity of a fully paid education from a real talent and give it to me—whose only skill was being the brother of the sniffling girl beside me, whose only friend was a dog?
"If it's with Lucas, I can do it."
Before I could even process any doubts or assumptions about how I'd suddenly be attending high school again, my sister looked at me questioningly—clueless about what she was getting into.
I hadn't finished high school. After middle school, I started working in construction for a few years before hopping between odd jobs.
I sighed.
I was tired, but I couldn't say no to my sister—especially when I hadn't heard that tone in her voice in so long.
"Alright, Mr. Villaran… We accept."
Before I could add anything else, the man shook my hand.
"Good, good. You've made the right decision. You're sharp negotiators—if I didn't trust you, I'd think this was all an act to get two scholarships and extra pay. All the paperwork and uniforms will be sent to you. Don't worry about a thing. You start next week."
Without waiting for a response, he just… left.
The sound of the engine left us stunned—me more than her, since she'd already lost interest and gone back to petting the Borjas' dog. What had just happened defied all logic, so I decided not to think about it anymore.
"Brother… is Ricardo Obregon famous?"
My little sister had no idea what kind of world she'd just stepped into.
I'd known Stev for a year, and he wasn't the type to do things for free or out of pure altruism. Maybe he'd help and teach me, but after what just happened, it only confirmed my suspicions—he wanted Maria's compositions in his hands. Althoug , he helped myself by buying them at a premium.
Yes, without a doubt, the truths in real life are too contradictory and difficult to find.