��Hernan!�� Troy, Gabrielle, and Trevor spoke up at once in Danica��s defense.
Hernan shook his head, smiling. ��I am babysitting her brother. She will enjoy being with you guys. None of you should have any issues. But just keep in mind. Kenji is my boyfriend, and he is moving in tomorrow, whether you all like it or not. I am only informing you guys.�� With that, Hernan was about to walk away, but when his blue eyes met Danica��s watery hazel eyes, he immediately realized what he did. A bucket of guilt splashed over him. However, his stubbornness wouldn't let him apologize, so he went to his room.
��Dani,�� Troy called out and turned to face her, but she was already on her way to her room. Troy was never so angry at Hernan like he was at that moment. How could Hernan forget that Danica was one of their closest friends?
��How can he even compare that Kenji with my Dani?�� Gabrielle let out in disbelief. ��I am going to shoot that fucking Kenji as soon as he steps inside my house tomorrow.��
��We can do that together,�� Trevor commented and entwined his hands with her small ones. ��Let��s go and plan the murder together.�� With that, they walked to Gabrielle��s room.
Troy made his way to his room as well, but his footsteps stopped when he stood near Danica��s room. His knuckles reached her door, wanting to knock and tell her how precious she was, but he didn��t want to see her cry. Because if he did, he might end up throwing a hard punch at Hernan, which still wouldn't satisfy him. So he controlled himself and closed the door of his room with a huge thud.
Within a few seconds, a group of happy and loving friends broke apart, even before the arrival of Kenji Abraham.
___
��Aziel, come on. We have to sleep,�� Danica said, standing outside the door of Hernan��s room.
Aziel was playing video games with Hernan until the two of them looked at Danica. A frown covered up over Aziel��s face. ��Why, Dani? I want to stay with Hernan. He is fun.��
Danica gave an intense glare to Aziel, putting her hands on her hips. ��Are you coming? I don��t want anyone else to babysit you because your sister is alive to do that.��
It stung Hernan��s heart, hearing the same words from Danica which he used during lunchtime. He shouldn��t have done this. He enjoyed Aziel��s company and Danica was his childhood friend; she was an exception. He couldn��t compare Danica with Kenji.
Keeping the remote control on the small table, Hernan got up and walked to Danica. ��Why don��t you come in?�� he offered with a smile on his lips.
Avoiding him, Danica looked at Aziel. ��Aziel Waylon.��
Immediately, Aziel��s eyes grew bigger as he kept the remote and ran to Danica. He knew that he would land up in great trouble if he didn��t listen to his elder sister.
��Hazel, we need to talk,�� Hernan told her.
��Aziel, go to my room and freshen up. I want you to be asleep before I step into the room. Capisce?�� she instructed Aziel, who nodded his head and ran to the room. After Aziel went away, Danica waited for Hernan to speak.
��Hazel, I am sorry. I said all that in a fit of rage. I didn��t mea���� Danica interrupted Hernan.
��Say all these to the ones you have hurt, Hernan. I know I was away for three years, which might have made me less valuable in your eyes, but you have hurt Gabrielle, Trevor, and most importantly, Troy.��
Hernan held Danica��s hand as a tear slid through his eyes. ��You mean a lot to me too, Hazel. When I was exposed as gay, you were the one who supported me from the beginning. I know I have hurt others too, but I want your apology at first. I am ashamed of myself.��
Controlling her tears, Danica said with a smile, ��I will forgive you, silly. But first, apologize to Troy and calm his anger.��
��I will,�� said Hernan. ��I need a little help from you though.�� He grinned at her, which made her arch an eyebrow. ��Talk to Troy first before I go to him, please.��
Instantly, Danica shook her head in denial. ��Have you gone crazy? Why will I take in his rants and anger which are meant for you?��
��Please. He will hit me for sure if I go now,�� Hernan begged.
Rolling her eyes, Danica groaned, ��Fine.��
After agreeing to Hernan, Danica went to the terrace because she knew Troy would be there, sulking while sitting in a beanbag. And she was correct when she stepped into the terrace. So she sat on another beanbag.
��Can you sulk after our conversation?�� she started, and Troy looked at her, ��If you sulk while I talk, you cannot reply to me because you will be busy sulking. And I, Danica Waylon, need the full attention of Troy Kingston.�� She gave her precious smile, which made a small smile appear over Troy��s lips as well.
��Why do I feel you are here to talk in Hernan��s defense?�� he asked her, and she cleared her throat.
��Okay, your feelings are correct.�� She said, ��Troy, Hernan loves Kenji. Can��t you do this for Hernan?��
��Dani, what if Kenji harms you? If this was only about me, I wouldn��t have given a fuck. But I can��t put my family at risk.��
Danica was amused when she heard Troy calling her his family. She wanted to tease him but now was not the time. ��Just do this for Hernan, please. You are there to protect all of us. Also, maybe Kenji has changed for Hernan for good. Love changes people, Troy. I am in love with you and I can do anything for you. Similarly, Kenji might have changed for Hernan.��
Troy knew that Danica had no idea how much her blunt confession melted him. He nodded his head and said, ��I will give it a try then. Now, where is that idiot who sent you at first so that I don��t beat him in a pulp?��
Both of them burst into laughter. They all knew each other so well. Controlling her giggles, Danica said, ��I will text him to come to the terrace.��
Later that night, Hernan hugged Troy and apologized to him. Danica, Troy, Gabrielle, Trevor, and Hernan relished their childhood memories by gossiping and laughing about the past.
Soon, it was a bright morning. A black-haired man stepped into the Rose mansion with a big grin plastered on his face as he dragged his luggage inside. He mumbled to himself, ��Welcome to the Rose mansion, Kenji Abraham.��
