Chapter 2: Not A Kid Anymore

Jasson's forehead was tangled as he adjusted his necktie, and when he got pissed, he took it off and threw it on his bed, which his sister Anastacia caught up with. 

“You should get married so you have someone to fix your necktie,” Anastacia teases Jasson as she picks up the tie and approaches her brother. She knew that Jasson didn't usually wear a necktie, even in the office. Her brother has no patience for wearing that piece of clothing, except during his relationship with Lucy, who was his necktie fixer. 

“You should dress nicely because I have a surprise for you,” she said as she put the necktie on him and handed him his black suit. 

But instead of asking, Jasson just nodded while wearing the black suit. “Thank you,” he responded, frowning. 

The two attended Peter Ross's wedding together. However, instead of heading to the function hall, they went straight to the chapel at the back, where the wedding ceremony would be held. Jasson felt bored as the wedding ceremony went by. And the moment the priest said, 'You may kiss your bride' to the couple, he stood up and proceeded to the function hall. 

“You, Kuya? When do you plan to get married?” Martin asked Jasson as he watched the newlyweds dancing in the middle of the reception hall. (Kuya means big brother). 

Jasson sighed and picked up the goblet lying on the table in front of him. Ignoring his brother’s question. 

“Maybe Kuya is still waiting for his future wife to grow up,” Anastacia replied and smiled meaningfully at her brother. “Samara, here!” Suddenly, Anastacia waved her hand and called a name, which made Jasson a bit taken aback from drinking his wine because of the name his sister had mentioned. He turned around to see who Anastacia had called and was surprised to see the young girl from the island. 

“I talked to Ms. Mara to let Samara have her vacation here. She just arrived this morning, so I told her to come here,” Anastacia announced as she stood up to greet the girl. 

“Ate Stacy, I miss you!” Samara exclaimed as she reciprocated Anastacia's hug. (Ate means elder sister, pronounced as ah-teh). 

“I missed you too! You've grown up, Ara!” 

“I'm already fourteen, Ate,” Samara answered cheerfully. 

“I know. But you're tall for your age.” 

“Yeah, Ara. I almost didn't recognize you. How are you?” Martin said as he stood up to greet the young lady. 

Samara stared at the man for a moment, and when she recognized him, she approached Martin with a wide smile. 

“Kuya Martin! I haven't seen you for so long!” She recalled the last time they met was on his honeymoon in Isla Lutherio with his wife, Lucy, five years ago. 

“It's good that you still remember me, Ara. Your Ate Lucy is there with Martina.” Martin pointed to the long table where his family was with the others. 

“Then why are you three doing here? Is there a World War III?” Samara asked, shifting her gaze to Anastacia. Martin and Anastacia laughed out loud. 

“Because someone here is upset,” Anastacia replied with a smile before glancing at their elder brother, who was back facing them. Samara's gaze followed whom Anastacia was referring to. And her wide smile widened even more when she saw the familiar build of a man. 

“Master!” Samara screamed and rushed at her master. She hugged him from behind and kissed his cheek. 

Jasson's expression darkened as he faced Samara. “We just talked last week. Why didn't you say you were going on vacation here?” he interrogated. 

Samara pulled the chair beside him and sat down. “It’s not a surprise anymore if I tell you about it, Master. And besides, I'm not sure that mama and papa will agree.” 

Jasson’s face slightly calmed down, but his jaw clenched when he observed Samara’s clothes. He took off his suit and laid it on her back to cover her exposed skin. 

“You are showing too much skin, Ara,” he commented and turned to his younger sister with sharp eyes. “She's too young for that kind of dress, Stacy. I hope you dressed her more modestly,” he preached to her. 

Taking a moment to suppress the threatening smile, Anastacia glanced at Samara, who did not hear her brother's sentiments due to engrossment in watching the wedding program. 

Samara, in her silky purple plunging neckline long dress, is not to be mistaken for fourteen years old. She has a good posture for her height of 5 feet 5 inches and slender frame. She also has golden-tanned skin, which ladies with pale complexions envy. 

“You are too overprotective, Kuya. You aren’t like that with us, are you?” a goofy smile flashed on Anastacia's lips as Jasson's forehead furrowed even more; she even caught him, avoiding her gaze. 

“But the dress you made her wear doesn't suit her age.” 

Anastacia, or Stacy for short, couldn’t suppress her laughter. She laughed out loud, which caused her to get the guests' attention at nearby tables. 

Samara leaned over to see Anastacia, but Jasson's quick hand pulled her back and inclined her back in the chair. His eyes didn’t leave the young lady, “You're not an eight-year-old kid anymore, Ara,” he warned her. 

Samara was obviously confused by what Jasson said while looking at her. But when she looked down where she saw him glimpsed– on her chest, she just said an “ah” and then adjusted the neckline of her dress. 

“Kuya is right, Samara. You are no longer the child we played with, so be careful with your every move. You didn't know you had a pervert with you,” Jasson sighed at Anastacia's term. He wanted to hit her head, but why was he affected? He’s not an asshole. He ignored the two again and just resumed drinking. 

After half an hour, they also moved to the long table where their other siblings and their families were. Anastacia and Samara approached the children and played with them. Out of boredom, Jasson decided to leave the reception. After all, the after-party seems to be over as well. 

“Kuya, take Ara with you!” Stacy chases after him after saying goodbye to their siblings and parents. (Kuya means big brother, Ate means big sister, read as a-teh) 

Jasson was frowning when he turned to his sister. 

“Can she stay with you for a week or two? I will be in Singapore, and no one will look after her.” Stacy replied to the question that could be read in his brother's eyes. 

“Wait. You invited Ara on vacation, and now you're leaving her with me. When else have I been a babysitter, Anastacia?” There was anger in his voice, but Anastacia ignored it. 

“Since you met Samara? Come on, Kuya. I don't want to leave her alone in my condo.” 

“Ate Stacy, it's okay, I can manage. I am grown up now. I can take care of—” Samara butted in, but Jasson interrupted her words. 

“Say goodbye and follow me in the car,” he said, turning his back on them. 

The two were silent as the vehicle drove on the road. Samara sighs whenever she sees her master’s biceps tighten whenever he maneuvers the steering wheel. Samara sat straight and… 

“Master, if you don't want me in your house, I'm fine in Ate Stacy's condo. I already know how to cook, so I will not starve.” 

Jasson did not answer, so she decided to keep quiet again. But then… 

“Is this what Manila looks like? I've only seen it in the picture and on G****e before,” she exclaimed in uncontrollable admiration as she looked around the streets. And when she saw the billboard ahead of them…

“OMG! That's Daniel Matsunaga, Master! Isn't he?” 

Jasson’s nerves twitched when he clenched his jaws as he peeked at the billboard of the model that Samara was referring to. That Daniel Matsunaga's body was out in his open black tuxedo and a black branded boxer. 

Suddenly, he felt the urge to ask someone to dispatch that billboard! 

“Daniel's really sexy! Did you see his abs, Master? As in, it was great!” 

“I'm alone in the mansion. I have my on-call servant. I'll let them stay in while you're there so you can have someone with you when I'm not home,” Jasson said, off-topic. 

“I'm really fine if I'm in Ate Stacy's condo, Master. We can go there, can't we? You can just drop me in front of the building.” 

“You are still a minor, Ara. Your mama and papa entrusted you to us, so we are responsible for you.” 

“But– I don't want to be a nuisance.” 

“Just behave, Ara.”