Chapter 9

 

"Oh, My God!"

Aunt Meryl screamed as soon as she recognized me. She tackled me with a hug, which I didn't expect from her. 

"Hi, Auntie." I awkwardly bit my lip and hug her back. Fortunately, before she can ask me her offensive questions like, 'Why are you so skinny?' Marco Levin interrupted by faking a cough. 

Thank you. 

"Oh! Is that Marco?" 

Finally! I have escaped from her hug. She walked towards Marco, who's already opened his arms to welcome Auntie's warm embrace. I rolled my eyes to insult him, but he just smirks.

"I am so glad that Lucia's daughter brought you here!" Auntie exclaimed. She even mentioned me as her older sister's daughter, which is awkward. I am the only daughter my mother and father have in their five kids. 

"Yeah," Marco replied. 

"Why don't we come inside?" I grabbed their attention. Aunt Meryl immediately shook her hips as her favorite music is being played on the speakers. 

"Oh, la la! Si! Si!" she sang and used her hands to guide us inside the mansion. 

The lights from the disco ball and the booming sound from the speakers welcomed us upon entering the Dona Eloiza Hall. This is the part of the mansion where we held our parties and such. 

I glanced to my left and saw my cousins getting wild like animals. Some even have their little ones on the dance floor, dancing the cha-cha even if the music is in the pop genre. My uncles and aunts are on the opposite side of the hall where the counter is located. Drinks and food are everywhere, and I bet my companion is now drooling.

"Where is my mum, Auntie?" I asked her when I realized that my mum is not with them. My auntie looked at me, confused too. She hasn't realized that my mum is not participating in their drinking session. 

"She's maybe in her room, taking a rest," she speculated. "You know, it's a big day tomorrow!"

I shrug as I hear her cheery voice. She giggled and dance through the chorus of her favorite pop song. I don't know how she can be so hype about the newly released song these days. It is not inclined with her generation, and most people her age hate these kinds of music. 

I don't blame them. Music these days can be pure of shit. I mean, who likes to listen to songs about sex and dance like a stripper at parties? The lyrics suck, admit or not. I never wanted to hear any of it, even for a second. 

"Don't you think it is time to eat dinner?" Marco whispered in my ear. I glared at him. He immediately scratches his nape. 

"You tell me," I whispered while gritting my teeth. Marco closed his eyes for a moment. I bet he is making a sign of the cross mentally.

"Miss Meryl, I am quite famished." He awkwardly bit his lip and point his growling stomach. "Can we feast on the buffet?" 

"Ah, right! Goodness me." She scolds herself. Then she dragged Marco and I to sit on the chair beside the table. A ceramic plate, a spoon, and a fork made of pure were placed on top of the white table cloth. 

"Why don't you eat first while I call your mom?" Aunt Meryl suggested when she saw Marco feeling hungry. I gave her a nod, and she immediately left us.

"Your aunt is really the coolest aunt I've ever met," Marco giggled while picking his food. I shrug and just picked my choice of food. 

I settled with a chicken salad and red wine while my friend has every food from the buffet to his plate. 

"Are you that hungry?" I asked, raising my brow while sipping from the vintage wine. 

He pouts. "Yes, you didn't even bother to stop by the road to let us eat lunch."

"Says the one who didn't even bother to replace me on the driver seat just so I can rest from a ten-hour drive," I countered. He flinched and silently resigned on the seat beside mine. 

"You are really mean since I came back from-"

Before he says a thing, I used to raise my right palm. "I don't want to hear any of it, Marco."

"But-"

I rolled my eyes. Why is he so annoying?! Can't he understand that I need some time alone too? I just drove miles away from my luxury apartment to attend a clan reunion that I never wanted to participate in the first place. He's inconsiderate now. 

"Emilia, don't be so harsh on your friend." A soft voice butted in. I looked at the owner with wide eyes. She smiled and hugged me from my seat.

"Mom." I breathe her scent. She smells like roses from her garden outside this mansion. How I miss this woman who introduced me to this world I am now living in. 

"I am going to leave you three here in the buffet. I have some requested songs that require dancing." Aunt Meryl shook her hips while walking away from us. Yes, I can agree that she is cool sometimes. 

"How was your trip?" she asked. I sighed and put down the fork that I am holding just to shift my body towards her.

"Tiresome," I replied and yawned. My mother laughs and hugs me. I hug back and lean on her shoulders. 

"You really are all grown up." She kissed my forehead. And tuck me in as if she is tucking a baby to sleep.

I really miss my mom. It's been two years since we last saw each other. I was too busy with my career, and she's also busy taking care of this household and my four brothers. Now that I am here, I will make up for my absence. 

"Awe, you two look so adorable." I heard Marco squealed. Then I heard a click, and a light flashes in our direction. He took a photo. 

"I am going to post this on my social media accounts!" He announced excitedly. 

"Don't forget to tag me, Marco," I reminded him, and he just giggled. 

"You need to rest from social media too, dear," my mom said. Concern was evident in her brown eyes. I smiled goofily while wiggling my brows. 

I only show this side with my mom. For me, she is the only person in this universe who can find me unique and cute, even if I am already in my late twenties. 

"Oh boy!" she laughed again and shake her body with the music in the background. "You need to disguise yourself from other people tomorrow, my dear."

I nod in agreement. Knowing that Marco, tagged in his post, many of my followers from this place will try their best to know my itinerary. I can handle them, and I need an excuse to walk away if everything goes sideways. 

"Where are we going tomorrow anyway?" I asked her.

She smiled. "We are going to spend two days in the resort nearby, you know the ones owned by the Buenavista?"

I nodded and vibed at the music. Oh, we're just going to a resort. I might as well pack my new swimsuits from Anastacia. Anastacia is a brand I am currently contracted with. They asked me to promote their swimsuits, and a resort is perfect! 

"Wait, what resort is it?" I asked confusedly. "Is it a beach resort or an inland resort?" 

"Silly dear, we are going to El Paraiso Resort, you know the one that's managed by your classmate from high school? What was his name again?" 

"What?" 

"Hey, Marco dear, what was the name of your classmate from high school?" She grabbed Marco's attention. The latter stopped giggling on his phone and faced us confusedly.

"Huh?" he asked. He met my gaze and asked for help with the question.

"What is it?" he mouthed. 

"Marco dear, who was your classmate from high school again? You know, Don Arturo's favorite grandson? The one with jet-black hair?" my mom continued to describe him. She knows his physique but not his name. Meanwhile, I can feel my butt froze in the spot in her description. 

"Was it, Cameron? Or Carlo?" she guessed more and more. I tapped the table a few times and sip my wine dry. 

Good thing drinks are invented, else mom would feel my tension. 

"I think you meant Cairo, Auntie," Marco expressed shyly. 

"Ah! Yes! Him!" She exclaimed like she just hit BINGO. "That boy grew to a handsome man. I can't believe he is still single."

My mom even shook her head in disappointment after complementing the devil. 

"How can he still be single?" she muttered. "He is handsome, rich, quick-witted. His appearance on Falcon's Billionaire Magazine made him chased by girls. Yet, hasn't seen any girls other than his sisters and his nieces. Poor boy!" 

"That's what I have been wondering too, Auntie!" Marco joined. 

I just scoffed and rolled my eyes all over again. They can choose any topic yet they decide to talk about the 'Great Cairo Jose.' I fished my phone and opened my ranting account on Timer. 

Why do people need to know you, idiot?!

-LucyEmcy

I posted. I gritted my teeth and tried my best to mute my two companion's voices just so I can get this irritation from my system. 

"Yeah, that is so true, Marco," my mom agreed when Marco had this little theory about why Cairo is still single. Like I care! Right?

"Anyway, we are going to have our reunion activities there?" I grabbed their attention. I am so fed up hearing things about that idiot. Even his name makes me nauseous. 

"Yes dear, bring your bikini for we are going to have fun acclivities there!" 

"OMG! I am so excited!"

I closed my eyes for a second just to conceal the irritation in me upon hearing their excitement. 

"Yeah, hooray." An low response was the only thing they have heard from me. 

"Yes!!!" My mom screamed happily and shake her body more. Marco did the same. I surpress my giggle and just shook at them. 

Knowing the Buenvsita's own the place, there's a chance that I can bump with that idiot. Maybe I can ask Marco to cut my long, rouse hair and dye it black. In that way, I can conceal my identity and fit in the crowd more. 

I excused myself from the party. I walked towards the third floor, where my room is located. With my luggage on the left and a backpack, I fished my old room key and unlock it. Upon twisting the knob, I smell lavender. A cologne I used to wear during high school. 

I switched the lights on. Pink painted walls and the red carpet beneath my shoes welcome me. I forced myself inside and tossed my bags on the side near my white cabinet. I scanned my eyes in the whole room while letting my feet lead me to my pink bed in the corner. 

I jumped in the sheets, and my nose inhales the lavender scent. It's good that my mom let the maids clean my room even though I don't stay here. Else I would be sleeping in the rooms along with my cousins who have their kids with them. 

I didn't let my memories disturb me. I don't want to think about those things again. I am good with my life now. Remembering those isn't even helpful, just like my plan on investigating that idiot!

"That idiot!" I exclaimed. 

There's a chance we'll bump to each other tomorrow! This is no fun! 

Nevertheless, I will just blend in with the crowd tomorrow. We'll be staying there until noon of the next day. So there's just a slight chance that I will see him.

I assure myself. 

"Tomorrow, let's hope I won't see his handsome devil face." I yawned and myself to enter wonderland.