Eleven

Older brother Ryker walked with us first. Theon and Lexus were walking with me while Ridge was behind us. It was as if they were constantly surrounding me. The guests always greeted us as we walked.

We sat in the seat reserved for the five of us. I saw aunt Heires and daddy approaching so I just picked up my phone and distracted myself there. I thought more of his text. I gasped and looked up.

"Son, come let me introduce you to something," mommy's nanny was by my side. He smiled. His arm was wrapped around daddy's arm who was just staring at me.

I immediately shook. "Sorry, mom. I'm not interested in meeting new people. Afraid that they might hurt me." I said then I showed a raw grin.

"Hi, Treya!"

I turned to the source of the voice. Run it closer to me. He didn't care what stilleto he was wearing. I stood up and greeted him then we kissed each other.

"Omg! I didn't expect that you we're here! I thought you're busy with your studies." said Kisses, my co-artist.

I smiled. "I can't miss this since this is very special to my aunt and my uncle. Good to see you, here. How are you and Andrew?"

He frowned at my question. I was still guilty. "Okay, trying to fix our relationship. Thank you for the help last time, Treya. By the way, I'll introduce you to something."

I just drifted in his tow. If mommy is rejected by me, let's talk about Kisses! We approached the tuxedo

and still busy talking to a woman. Kisses touched him and the messages were quick. I looked back at him and he was smirking right now.

He approached me. Too close. I can already feel the heat of his body near us. When I felt his breath close to my ear I closed my eyes. My heart pounded. The butterflies in my stomach also began to fly and fly away. "I'll make sure that you'll be mine. Mark my words, Hescavio. I'll make you fall deep and hard. Those who will have a hard time getting up because of drowning. You'll learn to focus on me, just me. " he then left in front of me.

My hair stood on end. It was as if something had stuck in my throat that kept me from saying what was on my mind. I just stood there, shocked. I bit my lip so hard that I was caught in my chest losing the speed of my heartbeat.

Am I really starting to drown?

I said goodbye to Kisses afterwards. I went back to our table and I caught up with the laughing Theon and Ridge while looking at the beautiful woman sitting at the other table. It looks like they have a bet again, a bet on whether one can flirt with the woman they are staring at. Brother Ryker was not in his seat so I sat in brother Ryker's seat near the Lexus.

I touched Lex. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay," he answered. "Will you be with me tomorrow? You can avoid your daddy and there is a good cause for that."

I reached for the water that was facing my chair and drank it before turning back to Lex. "Where?"

“In the church,” he said. "Hey, it's Sunday tomorrow." he raised an eyebrow at me. "So, are you like that?"

I nodded. “Sure, I’m like, Lex,” he grinned. “Okay, I’ll pick you up around 7:30 am. Cast all your worries to him. Pray, Treya. He's listening. "

"Treya,"

I turned to the person who spoke behind me. I stood up and adjusted the long gown I was wearing. I plastered a fake smile to them.

"Hi," Maris greeted me with a smile and a wave.

"Hello. Uhm ..." I paused. I turned to daddy then I looked back at Maris. "Dad invited you?"

He nodded and grinned. "Yes. I'm glad to be here."

I was so bitten on the lower lip. Oh, please, someone please save my ass from this scene!

Someone sneezed behind me. I was out of breath. Thank God. I will no longer plasticize the two. It carried me on my shoulders. "Tito, I'll excuse Treya. Grandma and aunt Heires are looking for him. You too, uncle, have a family picture on the front." Ridge led me to the stage. The twins and older brother Ryker were already standing in front. Mommy, aunt, grandfather and grandmother are just going up the stage. Ridge backs me up. Grandma and grandpa in the middle, next to grandpa is uncle Rhaiden, followed by uncle Theus and brother Ryker, followed by Ridge and the twins. Grandma was next to aunt Heires, followed by aunt Eriz, mommy and me.

"Where's your dad?" mommy asked me when she noticed daddy wasn't on stage yet.

I shrugged. "Maybe he is with his daughter."

Mommy's forehead furrowed. "Daughter? You are his daughter."

"Well, mom, for her I'm not just her child," I looked around. "There they are, mom," I whispered while pointing at the two.

Daddy and Maris were about to go up when grandma spoke. "Hija, I'm not in the habit of embarrassing people but you inherited it from your mother? Your face isn't as thick. I'll just remind you that you're no longer part of this family, 9 years ago."

Maris stepped aside shyly. Daddy, on the other hand, has risen, obviously annoyed by what grandma said. Daddy is in the middle of Uncle Rhaiden and Uncle Theus.

We took a few shots as well. Then, Ridge immediately approached me to help me down. Descending, I saw Thyro looking at us, observing. We approached him and Ridge and I fist bumped.

"Treya, he's my friend. He's your classmate, isn't he?" and Ridge. They are both looking at me now.

My mouth fell open. "What a coincidence. He's your friend. And yes, he's my classmate." i look at Thyro and smiled at him. Surprisingly, he was also looking at me.

"And a suitor," Thyro added. "You're right, dude." he laughed, turning his gaze to Ridge. "I've seen your cousin you're telling me about. Dude, I'm obsessed with your race." they both laughed and gave another high five.

I slapped Ridge hard on the arm when I realized what Thyro meant. "Jerk! You're betraying me!"

"Chill, Treya. My friend is handsome." he said with a laugh.

"Treya, Ridge! Sit down, the program is about to start." that grandmother's voice. Ridge reached out again to help me back to our seat. I stared at him before accepting it. "GOOD evening, ladies and gentlemen," said Aunt Heires. She was standing on stage, wearing her black long gown. His smile was also wide. "This night was very important to me and to my husband as a celebration for our newly opened resort. Also, the Alast resort was currently the number two famous resort in the Philippines."

The people applauded. My eyes widened at the other table near us. There he was, staring at me. I smiled at him. His jaw dropped. Maybe because he didn't expect that I'll smile to him. He also recovered quickly and smiled back. We stayed like that. That only stopped when aunt spoke again.

I woke up just before the sun was shining. Around 2 am we got home and I still lacked sleep but I can't help but keep our conversation with Lexus. I wore black jeans and a printed white shirt. I was just wearing my rubber shoes when I heard a knock outside my room.

"Are you done, Treya?" that's Lex's voice.

I got up and fixed the clothes that were tangled when I put on my rubber shoes. I slung the shoulder bag over my shoulder before exiting. We walked downstairs together. He was wearing a white polo shirt folded to the elbow and black jeans like me.

The mass was just about to begin when we arrived. We approached the people in the front and prepared for mass. Lexus had a fist bump with a man there.

"Get ready, Lex. The mass is about to begin," the man looked at me. "Your sibling?"

Lexus nodded. "No. My cousin. Treya, Miguel. Miguel, Treya."

Miguel offered his hand which I accepted. He smiled at me. "You look familliar. Are you the actress? Chantrea?" I nodded. "Nice to meet you. You can join here and serve to God. Just like your cousin."

"I'll try," I said once grinning at him.

I sat in the back as the Lexus went to the front. She is now wearing a choir gown. First they even sang. I just clap but don't sing. My jaw dropped at what i saw. Thyro was playing a damn guitar infront of the church. He really feels that and is obviously very used to it.

"REALLY? Did you see him?" Nia couldn't believe what I told them the next day as we sat on the bench. Snacking while waiting for time for the next subject.

"Thyro is really a member of that. Man of God but he's still a bit stupid because he's being bullied. I don't know this year, it looks like no one is being bullied." Evie groaned. He was drinking softdrinks we had bought earlier in the cafeteria.

"Whoa. That's amazing. He's serving God by using his talent." Yara said while chewing chips. "He's been a member of that church for a long time. So, Treya, you're half lucky, half you're not with that man. Luckily, I think he'll take care of you and half not because he might hurt you like he used to turn women around. "Or maybe you're the one to change that man," Evie said.

I sighed. "Even though he was there when I was so sad, I still have doubts about him. I have my past trauma of meeting new people and he is no different from the new people I met." I smiled at the three of them. "Honestly, I don't trust people. Especially boys because they are harmful. Really harmful."

"The computer engineer made a new update for the system we are currently using ..."

I am listening to the recorded audio of my assigned job for transcription, while sitting here on the floor of my treehouse.

It's Wednesday, a weekday, but I decided to work here because I want to enjoy the fresh air.

After I had breakfast and took a bath earlier, I immediately went here. I just realized that the Suarez brothers were no longer at home before I left.

I'm taking advantage of the remaining days that I'm still free because next week the class will start again. I am in my fourth year. I'm about to finish. Just two sems.

After this, I still don't know what will happen to me. Either, I will work or I will go to law school or both.

But I want if I go to law school, I don't work. Because for sure I will have a hard time. I can't focus properly because I think about my job while I'm at school and I think about school while I'm at work.

Suarez family can actually finance me for law school, but I'm embarrassed.

I can be a scholar as well if ever, but I am also tired of the pressure of being a scholar.

You have a lot of complaints, Carla.

I just shook myself and continued transcribing.

I'll cross the bridge when I get there.

It's already 12:30 pm and I'm feeling sleepy. I already ate my lunch earlier which I bought at fast food earlier before I went here. opened the spotify app on my laptop and played my playlist. I will sleep for an hour or two before transcribing again.

I laid out the blanket hidden in the little cabinet here in the tree house and I also took out the pillow. When I lay down, I thought again of the perfect ones in my life. Especially at home ... until I fell asleep. I don't know how many hours I slept but I can hear a crackle here in the tree house. My mind was awake but I could still close my eyes. I am trying to think what or who caused the crackle.

I feel like the perpetrator is in front of me so I'm a little scared to stare because maybe later I'll be grabbed or something.

But, Carla you'll die if you don't look! My panicky self is making me more nervous.

I slightly and slowly open my eyes so I know what's there. When I opened my eyes, I saw shoes ... A male shoe to be specific which made me panic even more so I opened my eyes widely and got up abruptly.

I backed away from the person who owned the shoe. Your man also retreats.

I looked at the person and I don't know if I will get mad or nervous or relieved when I see who he is ...

"W-why? Are you okay?" He asked me.

I catch my breath looking at him.

I want to shout at him or stone him with anything I can touch but I stop him.

"Carla ... You okay?" He asked me again.

I let out a deep breath before answering him.

"Zach ..." I sighed again. "Y-yeah. I'm okay."

I lied. I am not okay. I was very nervous.

"I'm sorry. Seems like I surprised you. I wasn't planning on waking you up."

He was still scratching his head as he carefully held his camera.

"I-It's okay." I said to him and I adjusted myself because I feel like I still look stupid. I just woke up.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I was just surprised. I wasn't expecting anyone because I'm here."

I checked my laptop after saying that to him and turned off the music that is still playing on it.

"I'm sorry. I barged in here again. I just want to rest for a while. I'm sorry too kasi tumambay ako kahit nandito ka. You look peaceful when you were sleeping earlier." He said to me with a hint of guilt.

I looked at him and my gaze turned to his hand that was still holding a camera.

"You do photography?" I asked him ... I finally realized how close you were feeling when I asked him.

"Never--"

"Yeah. I do." he cut me off.

I nodded.

I want to ask him more about it. But I chose not to.

I love photography. I'm a fan of it. But I don't pay much attention because I don't have time. But, I do watch photography tutorial on YouTube sometimes. I also love looking at pictures on I*******m.

"You?" He asked me.

I frowned at him. "Huh?" He raised his camera. "You do photography, too?"

I nodded to him, "but you do take pictures using your phone right?"

I nodded at him. "Sometimes. If I see a good view."

I do that. Most especially when Jessie and I go to a good place in the Metro or in the nearby provinces.

"Landscape or portrait?" He is curious. I can feel it.

"Landscape. Not really good with portraits. You?" I want to know, though for sure he does both. He got a good camera with him.

"I do both. But these past few weeks I have been doing more portraits."

"Job?" I asked him.

Honestly, it wasn’t obvious to him that he was a full-time photographer. He looks more like an office man.

Even though he's wearing a t-shirt, jeans pants and sneakers now, I can imagine him working inside an office. Probably a higher up in a company.

He shook his head at me. "No. Just part-time if I'm tired of cooking." He smiled at me.

His smile is really beautiful. Even if he just gave me a small smile, it was still nice.

Wait ... "Cooking?" Confused I asked him.

"Yeah," he nodded at me. "I'm a chef by profession."

Wow! Away higher up in a company I think.

"Not obvious ..." I bent down to whisper to myself

I heard him chuckled. "Why? What do you think is my job?"

My eyes widened ... Did he hear that ?!

He chuckled again, "so cute."

I turned to him. "Huh?"

He chuckled again. I think it's crazy.

I look flatly at him who made him laugh again.

"Is anything funny?" I asked him with mixed annoyance in my voice.

He sneezed, "No-- nothing." There was a shake as he smiled in response.

"So? What do you think is my job?"

I nodded again, "I thought you work in a company with a high position or what."

I do not know. It's not really obvious to him.

I can even think that he is just a student. But Kuya Cali looks the same age as him.

I can't say he's a vagabond because he's wearing a Gucci shirt for pete's sake. Plus his camera, obviously expensive.

My t-shirt that I just bought from a shopee for 90 pesos is a shame. I heard him chuckle again. Its tendency to laugh even when nothing is funny.

"I'm not. But quite the case I turned it down. I'm not really that good at handling business. Unless, it's cooking."

I just nodded at him.

I grabbed my laptop and placed it on my lap to check if there was a new job available on the site so I could take notes and do it at home later.

It's already past 3 p.m. I need to go home. Maybe Nana is already looking for me.

I also need to prepare because there will be dinner later. Today, the Suarez couple came home from another country.

After checking the site, I turned my laptop off and placed it inside the tote bag I have with me together with the portable charger I have with me. I also fixed the blanket and pillow I used when I slept earlier.

"You're going?" I heard Zach's voice while I was putting the blanket and pillow on the cabinet.

"Yeah. I need to go home. Maybe they're looking for me." I answered him and picked up my tote bag.

I looked at him, "you can stay here as long as you want."

He stood up and grabbed his phone from the floor. "No. I'm leaving as well."

"Why?" Why is he leaving? When will he be alone in the tree house

 then he leaves.

He smiled at me, "need to go back to the resto. Mommy might kill me. She told me I should go back for dinner's service."

"You own the resto you're working in?" I asked him while going down from the tree house.

"Not really. My parents own it."

When he got down he walked beside me.

He is tall. Probably a 6 foot or more. I was only up to his neck, thinking that I was also tall.

"Still yours."

"Not really. I Want to own one soon, though." He looks at me, still having that glow in his eyes.

That glow in his eyes makes him more good looking. His brown eyes became even more noticeable because of the sunlight that penetrated the trees.

He looks peaceful and pleasing.

When I look into his eyes all I can see is peace and kindness. I don't know what's in his eyes but they make me calm.

But when he looks deeply at me, my heart beats faster. I'm nervous.

"Why?"

I stopped in my tracks. "H-huh?"

He stopped his tracks and stood in front of me, which made me stop from walking.

"You've been staring at me for more than a minute now. Why?"

I felt embarrassed. It's embarrassing ... The depth of my thoughts again. It's the fault of his eyes. He tilted his head while still looking at me ... "Well?"

I nodded, "Nothing. I just thought of something."

"What is it?"

I nodded again, "not really a big deal."

He frowned at what I said. "You're making me more curious. Care to share? I won't mind even if it's not a big deal."

I wanted to smile at him because of his cuteness. I can hardly think of him as a child.

From being a manly person earlier, he is more of a kid now in front of me.

"Brother ... Nothing." I avoided where he was standing and continued walking.

We are close to the highway.

I felt he was stunned so I smiled secretly.

Seems like his daily goal of making me smile is done for today.

"Can you please stop calling me Kuya ..." He pouted at me.

Kuya Cali has a counterpart in being a child!

"Why? I know for sure you are older than me. I should just call you Kuya." I told him with full of sincerity but in my heart I just wanted to tease him.

"Just call me Zach. I'm not old. I'm just 24."

Kuya Cali is so old. He is 4 years older than me, still, he is still older.

I looked at him. "Still a brother. You're years older than me."