Wooowww @TheGirlWhoLovesTeal! Thank you very much for this cover you made for ETTHH! It's superb! I love it! 😍😍😍 Selena is queen!

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~~~ CHAPTER 6 - EIGHTEEN ~~~

"Let's go to the cemetery today," Mommy Carol announced as we were treading the hallway situated in the second floor of the palacio. It was one silent morning and the sound of our footsteps reverberated the floor.

It was Annie's death anniversary, exactly three weeks before my birthday.

"Will Nigel come home today, mommy?" I still bothered to ask even if I knew the answer already. It was all the same since he moved out to the city. He never came to The Fields every death anniversary of his sister.

"Like we wait for a miracle?" mommy gasped. "It was so hard for him when he lost Annie. He couldn't accept it. Until now, I can still feel the remorse in him. It isn't easy for him to be reminded of his sister's death."

I sighed.

It was definitely not easy to be reminded of your loved one's loss... like how I felt when my parents were gone... At first, I was mad with the whole world. The acceptance process had been one heck of a roller coaster ride. It was terrible. I was thankful that Mommy Carol and Nigel, of course, made the process bearable...

"What was that for?" mom asked about my deep sigh.

"Uhm, nothing... I just feel his pain," I partially lied. I didn't want mom to know that I was still grieving for my mama and papa. "He really loved her so much."

"Yes. That's why when our Anita died, he started to become aloof. He started to make a world of his own. Somehow, I've come to think that I've lost my cheerful Nigelito. You should understand why he's like that, darling."

I nodded.

"It was hard for Nigelito to grow up without a father, too," she ceased walking and gazed at a large framed picture hanged on the wall. It was actually one of the several pictures of the great ancestors of the Sarmientos lined on that wall. I made a stop as well.

It surprised me to hear what mom just said. This was the first time she talked about Nigel's dad.

I followed her gaze and learned that she was looking at a picture of a man who had almost the same facial features with Nigel. It was the picture of Nigel's father, the late Señor Federigo Sarmiento and the original owner of The Fields.

Looking at his picture, I recalled mama's story about him and Mommy Carol. According to my mama when she was still alive, her best friend, whom I now called Mommy Carol, married one of the wealthiest men in the country. It was an arranged marriage. At first, Mommy Carol was not agreeable to it for Señor Federigo was twenty-two years older than she was. But his persistence and love won her heart eventually. Señor Federigo died, however, leaving her two young children, Nigel was still five years old then while Annie was one. He died of heart stroke. He was fifty-four.

"I didn't know then how to handle the both of them after their father died. I was so messed up without Federigo at my side. Fortunately, your mama was always there to help me get through with life. That's why, when she went to marry your father and moved to another province, I was a little depressed again because of the distance that separated your mama and me. But I was happy for her to find such a fine man that was your father. So, eventually, I learned to stand on my own, pulled myself together, and learned how to care for my kids. It was hard but I made it," mom was now teary-eyed as she tried to reminisce the past. "Nigelito and Anita grew up very, very close to each other. One couldn't survive without the other especially when Anita was diagnosed with cancer. She was still very, very young. But she managed to have a normal life. Thanks to her love on painting. She was a tough child... really tough. Anita would always make you feel that there was nothing wrong... until she died..."

I went closer to mom and hugged her. I knew it wasn't easy for her too.

She hugged me back.

"It was something that was too hard to bear. But, Nigelito was the most affected. I don't know how he is surviving right now... but I'm just too happy he is doing well. I don't know, darling, but I really do think that it's you who is helping him to survive..."

My eyes opened widely of what I had just heard. She might not be serious.

I gave her a lazy smile, "That couldn't be possible, mommy. Nigel hates me so much he wants me out of this house."

"I don't know... but I remember fully well when I first brought you here, he was at that time in the library where he did his usual sketching. Actually, he stopped painting for months when Anita died and he just settled on his sketching... but, I guess, he realized later that painting was his way of communicating to her... so he went back doing what he loved," mom narrated like she was into some monologue. "Anyway, when I introduced you to him in the library, you were still that adorable eigth-year-old cutie, I saw the glimmer in the eyes of my thirteen-year-old Nigelito like he was seeing someone in you. It was the first time that I saw that kind of glimmer in his eyes, darling. I thought instantly that he was seeing our dear Anita in you because that was how I felt when I first saw you in that hospital room while you were trying to recover from that..." she paused and stared at me. It was obvious she was avoiding to utter the word accident.

I grew speechless. I didn't know what to say. It wasn't because I remembered the accident but because I was stunned about Nigel seeing Annie in me. Was it really true? If that was the case, why did he make it clear in my face before that I would never ever replace Annie's place in this family? Why was he furiously angry telling me to decline from mom's plan of adopting me legally? Why?

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When mommy and I stepped into the car to visit Annie's grave, I was astounded to see Diego in the driver's seat.

"What the hell are you doing here, Diego?" I exclaimed.

"He's going to be our new driver, darling," mom explained. "Well, Pedrito has finally retired and so we now need a new one."

"What? This is unbelievable! Does he have a driver's license?"

Oh, I couldn't believe this! Apart from driving a bicycle, I didn't know Diego could drive a car. This was absolutely insane!

"Why, will I hire him if he doesn't have any?"

"Mommy..." I wanted to complain that I couldn't stay in the same car with Diego. I wanted to tell her that he was a traitor to the Young Master.

"What's wrong with Diego, darling?"

"N-no.... nothing..." I retreated. It wouldn't be good to Diego if I'd tell mommy what he did. "I was just after of the driver's license."

I caught sight of Diego's grinning face in the mirror.

The jerk!

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That was the start of Diego's pestering in my life. Wherever and whenever I traveled, there he was. He was always visible and was always so available that it almost made me sick. Though Diego never bothered me about reciprocating his love for me, his face and actions would always remind me of his feelings.

"Quit looking at me like that, Diego," I told him one time when I caught him looking at me in the rearview mirror as he drove me alone to La Carlota. I always sat on the back seat whenever I rode the car with him. "Concentrate on your driving."

"I just can't help it, Thea," he mumbled. He always called me by my name which really annoyed me. He never called me señorita except when other people were around. "Please don't forbid me to do the only thing I can do with you," he continued.

"You sound desperate," I criticized.

"I am indeed desperate," he said while looking at the road ahead.

"Don't be."

"Only if you like me."

"That's so full of bull---" I reacted but, somehow, managed to control myself. "There are other girls around. Many girls in The Fields like you. I know that," I said while scrutinizing his face in the mirror.

Diego was a handsome guy. He was a boy of nineteen who always wore a cute smile with a dimple on his left cheek. He was fun and full of life, only irritating. I was irritated with him because I didn't like him to be liking me.

Maybe, if he would stop admiring me, then I could give him a chance to be my friend.

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On the night of my eighteenth birthday, Mommy Carol gave me a humongous debut party. It was held at the palacio yard. It was where the C-shaped swimming pool was located.

The party, with its Hawaiian concept, was at the same time a send-off for me because I'd be going finally to the capital next month. All my visitors, my high school classmates and friends, wore Hawaiian outfit; while I wore a stunning yellow-hibiscus inspired dress completely bare on the back, low-cut on the front showing my cleavage, and skimpy in length showing my thighs --- sexy voluptuous thighs as described by Mommy Carol. She actually asked a famous designer in the capital to do the dress for me. When she finally saw me wearing that delicate dress, she cried in astonishment. She said, "You're the most beautiful thing on earth, darling. I wish Nigel were here to see how lovely you are tonight."

We hugged each other and with a soothing smile, I told her, "Don't worry, mommy. Nigel will be seeing more of me in the next months."

"But it's your debut party... It's your first day of officially claiming the term woman, no longer a girl. Besides, he should see you wearing that dress. It's just so perfect for you. You look really gorgeous."

"He knows about my party... but he isn't here," I sounded gloomy as I scanned the people below us. We were both standing in the balcony overlooking the palacio yard. I was preparing myself for my walk downstairs and met my guests.

"Yes, I told him about the party when I called him last Tuesday. He said he can't come. He's busy," mom also said gloomily.

My heart felt the pain when I heard it from mom herself. I realized it was more painful when you heard it loud and clear.

However, I tried not to show the pain I felt. Mom would be disappointed. She wanted me to be happy.

"Don't worry about me, mom," I told her as I waved my hands to my friends I spotted below. "I'll be doing fine." My friends waved back at me.

We hugged each other before she went downstairs to welcome her guests --- mostly her friends in the town.

I scanned the yard again and I was elated that most of my invited friends and classmates were here. Then, my gaze rested on somebody who was standing below as confident as ever in jeans and Hawaiian polo that was slightly opened in the chest. Well, I must say that with the disco lights on, he looked pretty stunning.

Javier Suarez. The mayor's son was here. Who invited him here?

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After my entrance to the party venue was announced, the shindig immediately started. It wasn't a formal one. It was the kind of party that didn't have a formal dance routine like the cotillion. It was only for pure and sheer enjoyment. Everyone enjoyed the grilled food, the live band and the bonfire. We danced and sang and made merry. Some even dipped themselves in the pool. I had to admit this was the coolest party I ever had.

All my friends and classmates were given each an opportunity to dance with me. It was actually crazy. We partied and danced all night.

And, yeah, Javier was there but he seemed different. He was just watching me from afar and he didn't offer me a dance. Probably, he knew that he was in the Sarmiento vicinity. One annoying act and I would call the guards.

However, when I left the dance ground and stood alone by the buffet table to pick a glass of refreshment, Javier went to my side.

"Happy birthday, Althea," he greeted me.

"Thank you," I replied, "but I don't remember inviting you though." Perhaps it was harsh but I didn't really care.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not invited but my mom is," he said with a slight smile on his lips.

His mother? The mayor's wife was invited? Oh, she might be one of Mommy Carol's guests right now. No matter what, he still deserved my cold treatment.

"Okay," I shrugged my shoulders and gulped the glass of refreshment in my hand.

When I was about to leave him, he held my left arm.

"What?"

"Where are you going to college?" Javier asked. His eyes were pleading, so full of, what, bizarre emotions.

"Like it's your business? Come on, Javier, you can't be trailing behind me all the time," I said trying to insult him.

Even in college, he actually planned to follow me?

"Just tell me, okay?" he asked, his voice sounded very desperate to know.

"The hell, Javier! Should I call the guards now?" I glared at him. "Now, let go of me."

He finally let his hand off me. "I'm sorry, Althea."

"Behave or else I'll forget you're the mayor's son," I stressed and left him.

Javier no longer bothered me after that. He joined the group of my boy classmates and stayed with them all night.

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When it was almost midnight, that was the time when the palacio servants joined the fun. Each of them, just like my friends and classmates, danced with me. When Diego stood in front of me on the dance ground near the bonfire, I had no choice. I just had to deal with him. What would the people think if I'd walk out on him?

Diego was obviously hysterical with happiness when he paired with me. Because it was a disco beat, he yelled and jumped and laughed. He looked like a madman to me. I couldn't help myself to laugh at the same time. I had no choice. The laugh just came out naturally from me. Then, the other servants came circling me. I even became happier.

I was in that ecstatic plight when Elena came to my side. She said something I couldn't understand because of the blaring sounds, then she pointed to the patio. There, I saw a tall shadow... a familiar figure who was silently watching the frenzied scene in the ground.

I blinked my eyes several times. Was I dreaming or imagining? This couldn't be possible!

"Señorita, the señorito's here!" Elena made her voice louder and giggled at my side. I squeezed her arm in return. I was giggling, too.

Wow! Nigel! Nigel came after all!

Then, he disappeared to where he was standing. I lost sight of him. Where could he be?

I excused to the dear people I danced with and ran to the patio. Nigel was not there anymore. I ran inside the mansion, looked around the living room yet all I saw were just some of the visitors. I went to the drawing room where Mommy Carol was entertaining her guests. She hugged me tightly when she spotted me and she happily announced that Nigel indeed had just come home!

"Where is he, mommy?" I asked excitedly.

"He's in his room. Go tell him to join the fun."

Well, you would know by now how excited I was. Of all the gifts I received today, Nigel's presence was the best of all!

Immediately, I ran upstairs... The sound of my footsteps would tell the excitement I was feeling right now. When I reached his room, I paused and gazed at the closed door. I first drew a deep, deep breath before knocking the door.

I knocked three times. There was no answer from inside. I paused and wondered what to do as I stared at the door.

I knocked again... twice...

The door swung open and, there, before my very eyes, stood the man of my dreams in a loose white shirt and rugged jeans. With his ruffled hair and heavy eyes, he looked like he had just really arrived...

Arrived at midnight? Really? Could you believe that?

He stared at me but he looked sleepy.

If he just arrived, it only meant that he was driving to The Fields very, very late already. Oh, my Nigel! Did he purposely do it to see me on my birthday?

If there was something that did not change about him, it was the way he stared at me. Within his sleepy and tired looks was his intent gaze on my face.

I did nothing but to look at his face as well. I could always memorize his face even if he was not there... but his being there just made me lose my mind. Suddenly, out of nowhere came my intense desire of hugging him real tight. After staring at each other for like years in the doorway, I rushed to him and clang my arms around his neck. His manly scent met my nostrils as I embraced him hard. There was nothing else I'd like to do now but this!

I felt his rigid body close to mine. He didn't move a bit. He didn't embrace me back. He was just like a lifeless dummy enclosed in my arms.

No matter how ecstatic I was at this moment, I could feel Nigel's indifference and coldness towards me and the situation. It was clear enough to conclude that he hated my embrace.

That made me pull myself away from him. What was the use of greeting him with a passionate embrace if he didn't like it?

I saw his surprised countenance when I suddenly pulled away.

"When are you going to stop being cold to me, Nigel? I've already grown up. Can't you see? I can now be officially engaged to you. I'm already eighteen. You can now give me the ring," I uttered, and well, yeah, I admitted, I sounded very desperate. It peeved me to realize that I sounded like Javier a while ago.

"I don't know what you are, stupid or insane? I guess, both," he stated bluntly.

I didn't have the guts to speak. His words hit me big time.

"Why are you here? What do you want?" he asked later as he scrutinized my whole appearance.

That question gave me the opportunity to speak again.

"Okay... I... I just want to say thank you for coming home tonight. It really means a lot to me."

Still scrutinizing my Hawaiian-inspired yellow dress, he didn't speak a word. It was as if he was still waiting for another statement from me. Then, his gaze travelled and rested on my bare cleavage. It made me so ashamed that I immediately covered it with my right hand.

"Would you like to join us downstairs?" I asked in order to conceal the awkwardness I felt because of the way he inspected my body as if he was weighing if I was already grown up enough.

He diverted his eyes to his bed, "I'm sleepy. Can't join you there."

"Uh, well, would you like me to bring you some food instead?"

"I'm not hungry," he said coldly as he walked to his bed leaving me in the doorway.

He sat on the bed. Bending down his upper trunk, he brushed his hair with his fingers. He looked aggravated. "Well, I'm going to sleep now. Are you going to remain standing there and watch me sleep?"

Nigel, why are you treating me this way? Am I not still grown up enough as to your scrutiny?

"O-okay, I'm sorry... Uh, good night," I muttered timidly as I turned to leave.

With a heavy heart, I closed his door and left him inside. I went back to the yard to where the party kept going. One by one, the visitors bade their goodbyes and left. It was past two o'clock when the party finally ended.

I slept in mom's bed later together with her. I slept hugging her really tight for I was too afraid that if I wouldn't, I might break down and cry.

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A/N

Finally, she's eighteen... of legal age already, huh? Yay!!! So what do you think will happen the day after the party? Well, 'til next update, guys! Thank you so much, every one!

Please VOTE and COMMENT.

Lovelotz,
(sapphiregirl22) ~_^