Torn Between Twin Brothers

Once the twin brothers were at the beach where no one was around, James stopped Ashton from continuing. Instead, he jerked his arm to face him. 

"Stop! We are far enough. What do you need to talk to me about?" James's voice was hostile, and his face was void of any emotion. That scares Asthon a little. For a moment, James looked like their father when he was mad.

"Cool it, bro! I just wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with you. You don't need to be hostile." Complained Ashton as he pulled his arm away from James's tight grip. 

James's brows knitted, almost colliding with one another. He had a feeling that he knew what Ashton wanted to talk to him about. It was surely about Ava. He had learned long ago that Ashton liked Ava, but the only reason he wasn't pursuing her was that he thought that she was betrothed to him.

If Ashton ever found out that she's actually betrothed to him rather than himself, James was unsure what his twin brother would do in the future. However, he didn't show what he was thinking. Instead, he played it cool.

"Alright, I'm all ears. What do you want to speak to me about?" His face was dead serious, and Ashton was kind of afraid of him at the moment. So he first tested the waters, "James, if... I'm saying if... I decided to fight you for Ava in the future. What would you do?" He was half smiling and half afraid after he said it out loud. He couldn't look his twin brother straight in his eyes. So instead, he kicked an imaginary pebble on the ground.

"Are you telling me that you're interested in Ava? She's still young, how can you say that you are interested in her? Also, why are you asking me? Is it because of the agreement our father has with her father? Is that it?" His voice was a little stern as he spoke.

Ashton could only nod, afraid that it might not bode well with him if he said it out loud, and he didn't know what he would do.

James was in deep thought about how to properly reply to Ashton without digging a hole for himself. He thought the best way was, "Well, the only thing I can tell you right now is to do what you must. I can't tell Ava who to like. If someday, when she's old enough to be in a relationship and chooses you, then so be it. I will not stop you or her. If that's what worries you." He said sincerely. 

"Furthermore, we are brothers. I will not fight you because of a girl." He followed by saying.

Ashton let out a sigh of relief after hearing what his twin brother said. He put his arm on his shoulders, forgetting that James hated it. However, James didn't move and let him, which surprised him afterward. 

"I will take your word for it. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what I feel for her right now. All I know is that she's interesting and I like that about her. Now, if it's puppy love or real love, I don't know. Only time could tell when she's old enough to make that decision. For now, I just wanted to know how you feel about it. I feel relieved that we got that out of the way." He then ushered James towards the hotel to join the others.

===

When Ava saw Prince Edward walking in with his Royal guards, she greeted him politely while looking behind him if James was with him. When she didn't see James, her face suddenly dropped, and a cloud of sadness was visible.

"Welcome to the Philippines, Prince Edward!" She greeted him cordially.

Prince Edward greeted her back while greeting the others after. Curiosity got to him, and he wanted to know if she would ask him about James. But when Ava stepped back a little and let the others greet him without saying anything, he wondered if the girl really liked James or not.

"The resort is magnificent, it's almost as beautiful as the one in Stonasia." He said nonchalantly to no one in particular. He was only polite as a guest.

"Thank you! I'm sure our parents will appreciate hearing that." Interject Jeffrey from behind him.

Prince Philip, Lady Crystal, Prince Edmund all approached him and shook hands.

Then Prince Edward was surprised to hear what Akira said standing next to Jeffrey. 

"Prince Edward, I thought my older brother was coming with you. Where is he?" Akira asked curiously because her uncle Arman told her before leaving Japan that James had decided to come. But she couldn't see him anywhere, so she asked him.

Just as Prince Edward was about to reply, James and Ashton came walking in.

"Hello! Hello! Hello, everyone! Look who I found!" Ashton bantered while pointing at James. His arm was still on his shoulder.

The twins looked dashing together side by side.

Ava's face lit up when she saw both young men. Her heart fluttered seeing them together. They both had their own traits that she found attractive. One was cold and the other one bright as sunshine, if and when the day came that it was time for her to marry into their family, she wouldn't mind either one. A thought that made her smile silly. She had no idea that it would become a problem someday. 

===

Since it was their last get-together before the school year started, everyone wanted to make it a memorable story for them to keep. So, they put aside their differences with one another and did their best to enjoy their time together.

After settling into their villas, a feast was prepared for them by the beach clubhouse.

Although Lady Crystal was not very close to them, the girls decided to be friendly with her for the sake of Prince Philip. So the girls invited her to stay with them at their villa so she wouldn't feel left out. Lady Crystal hesitated at first but agreed nonetheless.

It was decided since it was the only free day for EXODUS, they will all go all out and have fun all day and night.

Pearl asked everyone if it was alright for her to video their time together. Her reason was she wanted it for her collection. It was a reasonable request. So no one declined.. Arria and Princess Rose helped Pearl set up her equipment with the help of the other EXODUS members.