Friendly Reminder

Please be reminded that everything I publish on my blog is pure fiction and my own work. No one can ever reproduce it without my approval. I give all the photo credits to the owners.

UNEXPECTED LOVE: Chapter 3

Photo From: Google

I held my bathrobe tightly as I felt another wave of nervousness. I was dreading for the wedding to come, and it was happening within an hour. Random thoughts came running in my mind. 'Will Adrian cry when I walk down the aisle?' I asked myself with that question. 'Of course not, silly girl.' I answered back to my myself.

"Gale!" My mom snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Mom?" I just stared at her. I noticed that the make up artist was already done with my hair and makeup. It was time for me to wear my wedding gown.

"Are you alright?" She asked me as she assisted me with my gown.

"Yes mom, I'm just a little bit nervous." I sighed.

"It's going to be fine sweetie." She let out a smile.

"Are you ready?" Em asked as she opened the door. She helped us with my gown and I was ready in no time.

"Yes," I simply answered.

"I think we need to go now Auntie, they're all waiting at the venue." She said to us.

"Okay, let's go sweetie."

I glanced at myself in the mirror once again before exiting the room. I was going to be Mrs. Paul Adrian Collins within an hour. The feeling was so crazy and scary.

"Hey Gale," Em squeezed my left hand.

"Hey," I smiled.

"It's going to be fine, Adrian is, somehow, a good person."

"I know but we don't love each other."

"Soon, you will do." She gave me a warm smile.

I felt that my eyes were teary and it was so hard to battle with the  . After several minutes, we finally arrived at the church and I felt like I almost wanted to pee. There were some guests outside and the thought that there were even more guests inside gave me chills.

"This is it." Mom said as Catherine opened the door.

"Good morning Auntie." She gave mom a peck on both cheeks and turned her attention to me.

"You're so beautiful." She gave me a light hug.

"Thanks."

"Are you nervous?" She asked me.

I just gave her a worried look while Em answered for me. "She's so nervous that she almost want to puke."

We all let out a small giggle and after a couple of minutes, I guess, the ceremony started. They started walking down the aisle and I didn't even notice that my turn was coming. Em was already walking and I was coming next. Yes, I almost wanted to puke... on my dress so that the wedding would be cancelled. But, it was no turning back.

Mom and Dad walked me down the aisle and as we approached the altar, I saw Adrian standing in front. His face was unreadable. He was so perfect standing there but then reality ruined everything, it was just a fixed marriage. 

'What if I run now?' I mentally asked myself. 'Stupid Gale, you cannot abandon your family here.' The other part of me answered. I was being weird again.

It felt like forever to walk down the aisle but when we reached the altar, I felt my whole body freeze. I wanted to collapse but I just cannot do it.

After the wedding ceremony we headed to the reception. The tables were covered with teal and the napkins were peach. The chairs also had peach ribbons. It was my dream motif. Unfortunately, it was not my dream wedding.

The reception was traditional. We shared our first dance as Man and Wife and some of our family, relatives and friends shared a speech for us.  We acted cool in front of everyone but the truth was, my blood was boiling because of him. I did not even want to remember the details.

After that, we headed to our own hotel rooms to change into proper clothes for our flight. Our parents said that we should spend the rest of the summer in our beach resort. It was located somewhere south of the country.

"Be careful, okay?" My mom reminded me as the driver lifted my last suitcase and placed it in the trunk. I was not even sure if I was ready to spend my summer with a stranger.

"Yes mom," I smiled.

"We'll miss our baby," Dad said as he hugged me.

"I'm your baby." Kevin showed a fake pout.

"Fine, baby." I teased as I hugged him. "I'll miss you," I added.

"Have fun, Gale." Aunt said as she hugged me.

"Of course Auntie." I hid the sarcasm in my voice.

"Just call me mom."

"And call me dad, have fun and be careful," Uncle- Erm Dad said. It was really awkward.

"Okay erm uhm dad." I said as I hugged him back. Jeez, I was so uncomfortable.

"Finally I have a baby sister." Catherine smiled as she gave me a warm hug.

"Yeah," I simply said, it was really awkward. Adrian was just standing there, staring at us as we said our goodbyes.

"Bye Gale, I will miss you," Em said.

"Bye, I will miss you too." We hugged each other.

"Be careful son," his dad told him as we closed the door.

"Yes dad," he simply said as he slipped his sunglasses on.

"Be safe if you're not yet ready to be parents," Catherine said, talking with no one in particular. I just rolled my eyes and plugged my earphones on. Adrian closed the window and the car started moving.

We arrived at the airport after an hour and we immediately checked in. I did not even dare to look at him. He helped me with my suitcases and he pushed the cart by himself, at least he was a gentleman. I just walked with my own bag and fell in line waiting for our turn to check-in. Again, Adrian took care of our suitcases as I talked to the clerk, at least I didn't have any trouble carrying my own heavy suitcases. After checking in, we headed towards the waiting area.

"I'm going to buy some snacks, do you want something?" I asked him as I stood up from my seat, breaking the silence.

"If I want something I'll buy it for myself." He simply said, not even caring to face me, his eyes were glued on his Ipad. What a great husband, I thought.

"Fine," I mumbled. He was acting so rude to me like I wanted this to happen. Reminder number 1: Don't even dare to break the silence, just talk to him when he's talking to you.

I headed towards Starbucks and bought myself a Venti Caramel Frappe. I asked for a no whipped cream and less caramel kind of frappe. I also bought some Pizza from Sbarro and finally I headed back to my seat.

After an hour, I heard our flight number from the announcer. "Flight 386, now boarding." We stood up and headed towards the designated gate for our flight. We were flying first class so we got in first.

I plopped down on my sit and glued my eyes on my phone to check some updates. Soon, I got bored and eventually I fell asleep.

UNEXPECTED LOVE: Chapter 2

Photo From: Google

I cannot believe I was with him, in his car. I promised myself not to agree with the marriage, but before I knew it I was planning the wedding with my parents and his parents, my soon to be in-laws.

Sometimes, I'm stuck daydreaming about Adrian. How would we live beside each other? I did not even know who he really was. He was from a decent family, but there was something more about him. Did he believe in love? Did he know how to respect other people other than his family and friends? I was sure that we were not friends. I was afraid of the thought that he would be mean to me.

"Why did you agree to marry me?" My question popped out from nowhere.

"What do you mean?" He answered me with another question.

"I just want to know why did you agree with the contract?" I rolled my eyes at him. Was it hard to understand what I was asking? I bet not.

"Why would not I? It was just a marriage."

"Are you kidding me? Marriage is for people who loves each other. It is sacred."

"There is no such thing as love. Love does not exist." He said, coldness was obvious in his voice.

"Aren't you mad that you will marry me? I mean, we don't really know each other." I asked again. I wished I was not getting annoying.

"Like I said, it is just marriage. I do not care if I know you or not, as long as my parents want you for me."

I did not bother to ask another question because it was clear that he was getting annoyed with me.

He was almost good because he obeyed his parents but it was just almost. He did not believe in love. He did not even believe in the power of marriage. Adrian was so unbelievable.

I always wished for someone to court me and to propose marriage in front of me, but it was not what I got. I got a marriage made out of a useless contract. If it was not for my parents, I could have gone far away from them.

"Stop daydreaming, we are here." I was distracted with his cold voice and with a sudden stop. I almost bumped my head.

"Jeez, don't you know how to drive safely?" I almost shouted at him.

"It's your fault." He said as he opened his door. "Stupid," he whispered but it was enough for me to hear it.

I rolled my eyes with what he said and got out of his car. I slammed the door hard and walked faster than him. He was an asshole.

"What is about that face, Gale?" Mom asked me as soon as we got inside of the room.

"Adrian said that I'm stupid." I sat on a chair and crossed my legs.

"Because you were not in yourself awhile ago," he said.

"Jerk," I whispered to myself.

Mom and Aunt Tin laughed at our attitude like it was normal. "You two are so funny, come sit here Adrian. We need to talk about your wedding."

He unwillingly sat beside me and gave me a glare. I rolled my eyes at him, of course.

"What color do you want, Gale?" They asked me.

"I want pink."

"Are you serious?" He glared at me again.

"Yes," I simply said.

"You should just marry yourself."

A knock at the door stopped us from arguing. "Hi, it's me again. Sorry for the delay." It was Teresa, the wedding coordinator. "Did you come up with a color motif?" She added.

"Oh, I think I want it to be peach and teal." I said, remembering the motif I saw on Tumblr a few days ago. It was really good.

"That sounds fantastic," aunt Tin said.

I let out a victorious smile and stuck out my tongue at him.

After hours of discussion about the color motif and decorations, they decided to proceed to the food tasting while I decided to leave and go to school.

"Mom, I have to go. I still have to get my school card, you know."

"Adrian will drive you to school." Aunt Tin said.

"Oh, no need auntie, I can just take the taxi." I stood up and fixed my things, I was ready to go.

"Come one, I'll get my card too." Adrian stood up from the chair and went out of the room.

"Text me, sweetie, okay?" Mom said as I headed towards the door.

"Yes, mom." I smiled and headed out.

"Hey, girl, where are you now?" Margaux asked me once she picked up my call.

"I'm on my way now, just wait for me." I answered.

"Woah, what's with the seriousness?"

"A jerk ruined my day." I said, glaring at Adrian who was already waiting outside his car. "Let's talk later," I added.

"Okay, bye."

I walked towards his car and looked at him. I saw his irritation behind his shades. "Can you move faster?"

I ignored his question and got in immediately. Of course, I managed to roll my eyes at him.

He also got in and started driving. "You are so stupid," he whispered again.

"Why are you saying that? For your information, I can hear it, jerk." I spat.

He ignored me and drove faster than before. He was getting in my nerves. What was his problem?

Before I knew it, he already parked his car and ordered me to get out. I opened the door and got out immediately without saying anything.

I walked towards the school gate and spotted Margaux waiting for me. She looked shocked. "Did Adrian just drove you to school?" She almost shouted. Some girls gave me a glare.

"I will tell you everything okay? Just wait until we get our cards." I said, grabbing her hand.

After getting our cards, Em, short for Margaux, and I went straight to the mall to unwind. We visited different shops to buy some new clothes before deciding to eat at Starbucks.

"So, what's with you and Adrian?" She asked while eating her french toast.

Of course I took a sip from my caramel frappe before explaining everything. "I.. ah, I don't know where to start."

"Start from the beginning."

"Last month, my family and his family met at a Chinese restaurant. You know that our families are close friends, right?" I started talking, remembering every detail of that bad day. "Our grandfathers from the mother side made a contract. They put us in an arranged marriage."

I saw her facial expression change from normal to shocked. "Are you kidding me you, bitch?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Why did not you tell me right away?"

"Because I had to wait for the right time, I'm sorry."

"Oh, how about your happily eve after?" She looked so depressed. She was really my best friend.

"I don't really know." I sat still while sipping my frappe.

"When is the wedding?"

"Next week is the wedding. They are rushing everything. We just chose the color motif awhile ago and when I left, they were just about to taste some food for the event. Right now, the guests are being measured for their attires. By the way, tomorrow is your turn and you are the maid of honor. You cannot say no." I said, catching my breath when I finished talking.

"Woah, that's a lot to take in but of course I will be your maid of honor." She looked really stressed just like me.

It was so hard to think about what was happening and what was about to happen. There was no turning back.

UNEXPECTED LOVE: Chapter 1

Photo From: Google

I checked myself in front of the mirror before heading downstairs to meet my family.

"Good Morning," I greeted my parents and my brother, they were already waiting for me downstairs.

"Good Morning," they greeted in unison.

"Ready to go?" Dad asked us.

"Yes, dad. Where are we going by the way?" I asked them as we approached the door and headed towards the car. Honestly, I didn't know where we were going. My Nanny just woke me up telling me to get ready.

"Your Aunt Christine and Uncle Paul just arrived from a business trip in London and they want to meet us," mom replied. I just nodded and got inside the car. We'll meet them, will I see Adrian too?

Aunt Christine was my mom's best friend while Uncle Paul was daddy's best friend that's why our families were really close. Adrian was their son and Catherine was his older sibling. Adrian and I attended the same school and same level but different sections that's why we were not close, we did not even talk to each other. Speaking of Adrian, I secretly had a crush on him but I didn't really pay much attention to it since it's nearly impossible for him to notice me.

"Gale!" Kevin, my younger brother, pushed me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked with confusion.

"We're already here, mom and dad are already waiting outside," I searched for mom and dad, they were already waiting in front of a Chinese Restaurant and our car was parked just in front of it.

"Sorry, let's go." I said, as I opened the door.

"That's what you get when you daydream all of the time," he teased me.

"I'm not daydreaming," I snapped him out.

"And what was that called?"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

"Shut up," I spat.

"You're quarreling again," My mom told us before we entered the door.

"No mom," we said in unison. We were greeted by a kind receptionist.

"Good Morning Ma'am and Sir," he greeted us.

"Good Morning, reservation for Mr. Aquino," Dad greeted him back while we just smiled.

"This way Sir," he said.

We just followed the receptionist and he led us inside the function room. We arrived earlier so we waited for Aunt Christine and her family for some minutes. I played with my phone for awhile before the door finally opened, revealing our companions.

"Good Morning," they greeted us as soon as they arrived. My heart skipped a bit when I realized that Adrian was with them but what else can I do? We greeted them back and soon we were all seated around the table.

"How are you Gale?" Aunt Christine asked me.

"I'm great, thanks Aunt Christine. How about you?" I simply said.

"I'm great, you've grown into a beautiful girl. Do you have a boyfriend?" she asked me.

"I don't have a boyfriend," I simply smiled.

"How about a lover?" she asked again.

"I don't have any lover," I replied. I wondered why they were asking those questions.

"Who's the boy in your wallpaper?" My brother asked and teased me, he knows that I have a big crush on Adrian.

"My wallpaper is a cat," I lied as I sent him a death glare. My wallpaper was Adrian, actually.

"So your crush looks like a cat?" He laughed at me. I just glared at him while the others just laughed over our little argument.

Finally, they ordered our food.

"How is Adrian? Is he doing well?" Uncle Paul asked me.

"We are not in the same block so I don't really know but I think he's doing just great." I turned to look at Adrian but he wasn't aware about the conversation because he was busy with his phone.

We were just eating and everything was just normal until we talked about something unexpected and I didn't see it coming.

"I think we should talk about the exact reason why we came here," Uncle Paul said.

"I agree," Dad said.

"Okay, I'll start it," Aunt Christine said.

"Gale, my dad and your mom's dad were best friends too," she said and I just nodded.

"They made a deal that if I ever have a son and if ever your mom has a daughter and viceversa," she stopped and took a sip from her water. What was happening?

"They had a contract that when both of our children reach the right age for marriage, they'll get married and Gale that's you and Adrian." My mom rephrased auntie's unfinished sentence. I almost choked with their words. Did I just hear it right?

I snapped out of the conversation the second I heard what they said. I didn't want to do it, I want to marry a boy that I love and a boy who loves me back but I guess it won't happen anymore. Just great, grandpa arranged all of this for me? Just great.

"I'm sorry but I will not marry him." I said firmly. How could they do that to me?

"Sweetie, you are just shocked. We can talk about..."

"No, mom, we cannot talk about this. I don't want to marry someone I do not love." I cut her off. I knew I was being impolite, but they were ruining my life.

Kevin coughed with what I said and he got nothing but a glare from me. Sure thing I liked him, but like was way too different from love. Besides, even if I loved him, he did not love me back so what's the point? But then again, like was different from love.

I was so mad at them while Adrian was just seating there, texting. I thought it was going to be a good day, but it turned out to be the worst day of my life.

How about my dream to get married with the one I loved? How about my happily ever after? I did not even see my future with Adrian. Sure they were rich, but love was not all about money. It was all about happiness and understanding. How would I be happy with him? How would we understand each other of I barely knew him?

My life is so messed up.

UNEXPECTED LOVE

Photo From: Google

Gale was a typical teenage girl who believed in fairytale and happily ever after, but everything she wished for slowly faded away when she found herself stuck in a small cage of a contract she did not like. Will she find a way out?

HE'S THE ONE: Chapter 3

Photo From: Google

I finished frosting the last batch of cupcakes before deciding to make some for myself. I took the basic ingredients to make a cupcake and took my recipe book from the counter top. I was not a professional baker at all so having a recipe book beside me was a way out of danger zone in case I needed to check If I was doing everything right.

I decided to make a red velvet cupcake that was not red at all. Basically it's just a normal cupcake with chocolate velvet flavor. It was not meant to be sold so I omitted the red food coloring out of the way.

I preheated the oven to 350 degrees F and prepared one muffin pan with cupcake papers. After that, I started to sift together the flour, sugar, baking  soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a medium mixing bowl. Then, in a large mixing bowl I gently beat together the  oil, buttermilk, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla with a  handheld electric mixer. Next, I added the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and  mixed it until everything was smooth and thoroughly combined.

I spooned the batter into each cupcake papers until each was 2/3 filled. I popped it in the oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way  through. Once done, I let it cool completely before putting on the frosting.

In a large mixing bowl, I beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla  together until the mixture was smooth. I added the sugar and beat it again on low speed. After which, I increased the speed to high and let it mix until it was very light and  fluffy.

I put the cream cheese frosting inside a plastic piping bag with a 2D piping tip. I started to pipe some frosting in the middle of each cupcake and going round to form a beautiful rose frosting.

I smiled with the beauty of what I made and took a photo of it. I thought it was good to post it on my online shop. I popped it in the fridge for a few minutes while I cleaned my mess in the kitchen. I looked at the clock and it was only nine in the evening. It was never too late for a single serving of cupcake.

"Mmmm, those cupcakes looks delicious." I heard my older brother, Rico, behind the door. He was not even in the room so why would he know that I was baking some cupcakes?

"Maybe we should head in the kitchen for some night snacks." I heard Kayla's voice too. No wonder why Rico knew about my cupcakes.

I stared at the door as they twisted the knob to open it. "Oh you are here," they said in unison.

"Of course I am here. So, you want some cupcakes?" I asked with an obvious tone that I heard what they were saying.

"We just wanted some chips." He said like I would believe him. Boys were not really good in lying.

"Oh come, you almost talked to the door before you opened it. You thought I would not know your plan to attack my cupcakes?" I said, shoving a cupcake to my sister's face.

"Hey, what was that for?" She was surely surprised.

"I know you were the one who wanted it badly." I smirked at her.

"Wow, this is really good." She devoured the delicious treat, not caring what she looked like.

Rico grabbed his share and ate it quickly. "Is this some kind of a red velvet cupcake that is not red?" He asked, staring at the empty cupcake paper.

"I didn't put some food coloring in it." I said as I ate mine. "Before I forget, where were you awhile ago?"

"Gemma and I went on a date. You know, we were so busy these past months because of school."

I nodded at his words while devouring my sweet treat. We were just talking when the door opened again. It was mom.

"You want some cupcakes?" Kayla offered.

"Oh no thanks, I brushed my teeth already." She refused while shaking her head. "I'm here to ask you if you are all free tomorrow?"

"I am free tomorrow." Rico raised his hand.

"Kayla and I are free tomorrow, mom."

"That's good, we are going to the beach tomorrow."  She smiled. "You two, go and pack your necessities. We'll stay there for three nights." She pointed at us. She knew that Kayla and I were pretty picky on what we wear and bring.

"Yes, mom." We said in unison.

"Before I forget, mom, I have deliveries tomorrow." I said with a worried look.

"Oh sweetie, don't worry. We'll let Joe deliver those for you."

"Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome, Andi."

She said good night to us and went upstairs. The three of us ate some more cupcakes before deciding to go upstairs too. Packing up was my favorite part of all.

"What will you bring tomorrow?" Andi asked me. We were in my room and talking about stuff that we should probably have for tomorrow's activity.

"I will bring three pairs of bikini." I opened my closet and looked for a nice bikini to wear for tomorrow. I spotted my favorite Triangl bikinis and showed it to her. "I'll bring these two."

"I'll wear my Triangl bikini too." She said while writing it down on a piece of paper.

"I'll wear a crop top and shorts for tomorrow and I'll bring another three pairs. I will also bring four beach dresses so that I will have extra clothes and of course three pairs of PJs." I mentally checked my imaginary checklist.

"Okay, got it." She said as she headed to her own room.

I grabbed my pink suitcase and put my things inside it. Of course, I also brought sunblock lotion, sunnies, and other necessities that a girl should have.

After a few minutes of packing, Kayla went to my room again. She was hugging her stuff. "Is your suitcase full?" She asked.

"Nope, we can still share."

We fixed our things and finally, we were done by midnight. It was really tiring but fun.



So get out, get out, get out of my head

 And fall into my arms instead

 I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

 But I need that one thing

 And you've got that one thing

I pressed my alarm before fixing my bed. I did not even need it to wake me up because I barely had sleep. I cannot even wait to go the beach so I woke up at five in the morning and took a bath that early.

As usual, I dried my hair in front of the mirror and stared at myself to analyze whether I looked okay or I looked 'I don't know'. I was wearing a peach crop top and a red shorts. I completed my outfit with a pair of peach jelly sandals.

I was ready to go by the time my mom called us downstairs. Kayla went to my room to help me with our suitcase. It was a bit heavy because we brought a lot of clothes and necessary things with us.

"What the heck did you bring with you?" Rico asked as soon as he saw what we were holding. He looked like it was so unimaginable for us to bring many clothes.

"We brought enough clothes with us." I said with a smile.

"Whatever." He shook his head and carried it for us. He only had a sports bag hanging on his right shoulder.

"Did you even bring enough clothes?" I asked him.

"Yeah, my things are just enough to keep me alive for three days." He smirked at us. It was obvious that he was teasing us for bringing a lot of things. "Unlike the two of you, you brought a suitcase and you also have a beach bag."

"But we need those." Kayla dramatically showed a pout.

"Girls," he simply said.

"Hey, Gemma is a girl too."

"Okay, fine, you win." He raised his right hand in surrender. We went downstairs and headed to the front door.

"Good morning, my angels, are you ready?" Mom greeted us with a warm hug and a good morning kiss.

"Yes mom," Kayla replied.

"Mom, look at your daughters' suitcase." Rico said with the same look he gave us awhile ago.

Mom let out a bright smile and said, "as if you are new to this attitude, Rico."

"I end up carrying this for them."

"We did not ask you to do it."

"Do I have a choice?" He said.

"I love you, brother." I said in a loud voice. He placed our suitcase at the back part of the van before heading to his own seat.

Kayla went to her seat in the middle while I went to the very back seat. It was my favorite spot. "Mom, where is dad?" I asked her. I was wondering why he was not around. We were about to go.

"He went inside to get his phone, sweetie." she settled in her seat in front of Kayla.

"Okay," I simply said. I grabbed my earphones from my bag and plugged it in my phone. I closed my eyes for a while and tried to take a nap.

It was only a few minutes when I felt that the van was already moving and about a minute later, it went to a stop. The door opened and I heard someone speaking.

 I opened my eyes when I felt that someone was seating beside me and I wasn't wrong. "Good morning Vivian." He greeted me with a grin.

HE'S THE ONE: Chapter 2

Photo: From Google

I mentally counted how many people were there in the dining room before slicing the cake I made. So, basically, there were ten persons. I also tried to slice the cake in my mind pretending not to know that the most convenient and generous way was to slice it in eight pieces.

"If I cut it that way, I would just skip dessert." I mentally talked to myself. "But it would not still be enough."

I scratched the thought and ended up slicing the cake in sixteen slices. The proportion was smaller than the usual serving size but it was enough. They could always get another slice if they desired to.

I solved the problem on how to slice the cake and I thought I was good to go but I realized I had no one to help me carry everything. Options ran in my mind. I could go back for the plates or I could just shout for Kayla to help me. I chose the latter and was just about to shout when Ivan, Tita Melissa and Tito Felix's eldest son, came in.

"Hey," he greeted me. Did I look like a dog?

"Hey," I just greeted him back."

"They asked me to go check on you. Do you need any help?"

"Oh, yeah, I need help with these plates and utensils." I said, pointing to the things on the counter top.

He placed the plates on his left hand and held the utensils in his right hand. I brought the cake and lead the way to the dining room.

"Finally! I thought you ate it all by yourself, again." Kayla exclaimed with a giggle.

"Said the girl who loves to eat what I bake!" I mimicked her not so exaggerated tone and let out a short giggle.

"What did you prepare for us this afternoon?" She asked, shrugging off the growing tension between us. We nearly ended up teasing each other again.

"A very colorful crepe cake to match this colorful day." I answered her question with a tensed happy face. I was not very goof in front of new faces but I was not that shy at all.

"You love baking?" Micah, Ivan's younger sister, asked me with full enthusiasm.

"Uhm, crepe cakes are not baked but yes, I love baking." I carefully placed a slice of cake on each of the plates and served it first to the guests and then to my parents. Lastly, I gave Kayla and myself a slice of our own.

"It tastes so good!" Jonas exclaimed. He was Ivan's younger brother.

"Well, your mom did not mention that you are good in the kitchen." Tita Melissa said with sweetness in her eyes.

"Did you mean good in the oven?" Mom teased me.

"Mom, I can cook." I pouted at her.

They let out a laugh and talked over dessert.

I politely exited the scene and went to my room. I opened the window and let the summer air get the best of me. It was so relaxing to feel the peace and serenity even just for a second. It was not that our house was in chaos but I was referring to the buzz in school that I just got away. It felt so good to be careless about homework and deadlines even just for two months.

I let out a bright smile and went to my closet to change my clothes. I chose to wear a red top and a pair of shorts. I also removed my flats and wore my red slippers.

I rushed downstairs without a single mark that I was walking past the guests in the living room. I went straight to the garden and saw my colorful flowering plants. The roses were my favorite. I loved sunflowers too but it was impossible to grow those flowers in the city where the weather is not too cold.

I battled with my own self for a moment before deciding not to wear any boots and went straight to the muddy garden, leaving my slippers behind. "Are you crazy?" I heard a voice behind me.

I turned around and tried to stop my eyes from rolling. He addressed me like a dog when we were in the kitchen and then he called me crazy. He was so unbelievable. "Did I do something that only crazy people would do?" I let out my most friendly but annoyed voice.

"It was raining last night so I am 100% sure that it is muddy right there."

"Yes, it is so muddy. Do you want some mud?" I asked. I was becoming silly.

"You are the only girl I know who looks good in a red dress but likes to step in the mud." I sensed that he was trying to compare me from other girls. Well, I took it as a complement.

"So, you think it is crazy? You think I am crazy for being so muddy?" I grinned at him.

"I think you are crazy." He let out a smile as he attempted to walk in the mud too.

"Wait, are you seriously walking in the mud too?"

"What do you think I'm doing?"

I rolled my eyes and ordered him to get the pair of boots in the Laundry. He disagreed at first but eventually decided to get it.

"Are you kidding me?" He raised his left eyebrow while looking at my pink boots with disgusted face.

"What is wrong with my pretty boots?"

"It is pink."

"Tough guys wear pink."

He gave me his 'fine I'm tough' look while a gave him a grin. I turned to the plants and started to remove some dead leaves.

"Do you need some help?" He sat beside me on a wooden stool.

"What kind of help are you offering?" It was my turn to raise an eyebrow.

"I could water the plants if you want."

I let out a short but sincere laugh "Now, are you kidding me?"

"I'm not kidding."

"It was raining last night so I am 100% sure that it is muddy right there." I mimicked what he said earlier.

"And what is the connection... oh, yes, my mistake." He laughed at his own silliness.

"Just remove the dead leaves and we are good to go."

"So, tell me something about yourself." He managed to say as he removed some brown colored leaves from the plants.

"Excuse me?" I was not sure if I heard his words right.

"Come one, I'm trying to be friendly. It is not easy for a handsome guy like me to be friendly. You know, girls are always the first one to approach me."

"You are arrogant." I commented at his words while rolling my eyes. I can't help but do it.

"Ouch," he dramatically held his chest. "I just want to know you more." Then he showed me his puppy eyes.

"You are so gay."

"Ouch, double strike."

"What do you want?" I shook my head and hid my smile. He was being silly.

"I want to know more about you, Andrea. I always see you walking around but I never had the chance to talk to you until now."

"What do you mean?"

"We live in the same subdivision, you know, I live just a few blocka away."

"Oh, I thought your family just came back from the US?"

"My parents and my siblings just came back, except for me. I have been here since first year high school and now my siblings are going to be high school too," he explained.

"Tell me more about it."

"My parents migrated to the US when they got married. At first, life was not that easy for them because they were just starting. They had the money but every start is a challenge, I guess. Now, they own a real estate company and they own a lot of houses for rent around the Metro."

"Wait, if that is the case, what are you doing here? I mean, your life there is good."

"My parents want us to learn the Filipino culture. They said that it is the key to success."

"They have a point but, is it okay to you? I mean, you have a life there." I asked as I removed some fallen leaves on the pot.

"Well, we are all family oriented. As long as it makes them happy, it makes me happy too. I could always go back there after college." My perspective on him changed the moment he said those words.

"Those words are... Interesting." I managed to say.

"I can see that you are amazed." He let out a smirk. "I think it is your turn to say something about you," he added.

"Well..." I searched for some words to say. "My goodness!" I exclaimed as I felt the itchiness in my feet.

"What happened?" Ivan nervously asked me.

"My feet!" I almost wanted to cry. I didn't know what to say.

I ran to the laundry area and washed my feet. I began crying when I saw how red my feet was.

"Are you allergic to mud?"

"No, I am not." I burried my face in my hands while crying. "My skin is sensitive."

"Why did you even think about walking in the mud?" His voice sounded like he was just about to laugh.

"I'm sorry for being so stupid in our first meeting. I have to go." I bitterly ignored his question and walked out. I felt so bad for showing him my childish side. We were not even friends.