Chapter 4

Frankly, I didn't get enough of sleep. I don't know what comes into me, I was just totally disturbed by the message. Hindi ko alam kung sino 'yon. And I don't think so may nakakaalam ng number ko just to say my name, right? Even if 'yong boyfriend naman ni Eria iyon, he won't do that, malalagot siya sa girlfriend niya and we don't even interact that much kaya bakit siya magte-text diba?

I tried to reply the number but I got to wait until four in the morning just to get some sleep. I wait but nothing comes, iniisip kong tulog na siya or prank lang iyon. You know, maraming pwedeng mangyari and the bad things always comes first in my head.

Minsan nakakamiss ding magising sa nakasanayan mong kwarto. I feel so secured. Siguro dahil madalas noon, taong bahay lang talaga ako. Yes, I've been too many places but with the parents, I'm not leaving them into my sights. Also, kapag may family gathering, like darating 'yong iba naming relatives. I have these cousins na happy go lucky, enjoy lang talaga and I wish, I was her pero iyon, pinapanood ko lang siya sa isang tabi, earphone onset, keeping out myself to these family noises.

Mayamaya lamang ay may kumatok sa pinto.

"Ley, wake up now, be ready for breakfast... see you downstair." It's my mom.

"I'll be there..." I answered.

Bumangon naman ako sa kama, directly headed to the bathroom para maligo na rin. I miss this one bathroom privacy rin, well, Eria and I shared one bathroom or else, try to use the public one but it is not good for everyone.

After the morning bath, I pick my usual clothes, shorts and loose shirt. That's make me comfortable to move. Though these shirts are from my brother and they don't bother, kaya naman nila bumili no'n.

I headed downstairs, straight to the kitchen, welcomed by the smell of garlic rice. Mom were busy putting plates while assisted by our maids. She's good at this, but I notice something.

"Mom, is this too enough for us?" I asked to her while scanning the breakfast plates of bacon, scrambled eggs, hotdogs, meat loaf, bread and so on.

She smiled as she pointed me at my sit, "just the usual, honey..."

I chuckles, "okay, but what's with the smile Mom?"

She grinned and so I thought, something is going to happen. It is good, I can feel it. "You will be surprised."

I giggled, "how can it be a surprise when you just told me it is a surprise?"

"Did I?" she says mockingly. Lumapit naman iyong maid kay mama at inabot ang phone nito. "Excuse me, Ley..."

I nodded to her as she left the dining.

However, my brother came in and goes of screwing my brushed hair. He grabbed a hotdog on the plate and easily took a bite.

"How could you do that?! Mom, will not forgive you!" I scowled.

He laughed, "I'm hungry, Ley and its just a hotdog!"

"I am too but I did not get tempted." I said, "there's something Mom wanna show us..."

"Oh." Then he got quiet and seated on the chair.

My eyes narrowed on him, "you know something, do you?" I asked but he didn't looked at me, "that's why you're here, right? Please, tell what is it going?"

"Veronica!" mabilis naman kaming napalingon ni kuya sa nagsalitang babae and when we saw the kid running off, she took a deep breath when she sees us. "Please, help me..."

Natawa na lang din kami ni Kuya kay ate. She's the second eldest and I'm the youngest followed by Lexus. Her son came to me and gave me a hug. Loira came and give us both hug.

"Where's the hubby?" Lexus asked.

She rolled her eyes, "don't you ever speak about him again. He's lost." Halata namang nanggigil siya, well, I don't really know her husband, I once to meet him pero dahil takot ako sa tao. I never get to know my sister's husband.

"How come you're here ate? Did Mom called you?"

"Don't answer that, she's doesn't know." Lexus said.

Loira chuckles, "well, maybe, you'll be happy."

I nodded, just to keep on thinking what's really going to happen. I have no idea, maybe it's a good timing na umuwi muna ako dito, to see my family as one again.

Nang bumalik naman si mama sa kusina ay lumawak pa ang ngiti nito ng makita si Loira at ang apo nitong si Veronica.

"They're here!" mom bubbly announced.

"Who are they?" I asked but nothing answered me. "Oh, shello, thank you for that." I sarcastically said.

"Well, Ley, it's a good thing you come home for this..."

I nodded. Yes, maybe it is.

A moment later, Mom welcomed my eldest brother. I was shocked to see my brother for almost six years, I think. It is good to see him, so this is the surprise they're talking about and they're good at it because I am. Father came after him, I know they were not in good terms, but too see this brought us together. I am happy, truly.

Loira and Lexus hugged him, and then I run into him and give him a tight hug.

"You do miss me, Ley?"

I nodded, "I do..."

"Good to see you again."

"Okay, let's sit now and have a breakfast." Mom said.

While we were taking out seats, I raised my hand and said that Lexus stole one hotdog. They laughed, but as it is, they took it as a joke. I pouted just like a child but when I'm with them, I can get out of my shell.

"Anyway, Ley, your mother told me you needed a job? Why need to ask? I can give you a position already." My father said, it is a like, he can do in whatever he said. A total manipulation.

I nodded, "yes father but I don't need be in your company."

"It's family company, why not?" he asked.

"I wanna try something new," I said to him, "being in the company feels like I'm still home. Boxed and trying to hide."

"Dad, she wanted job out the company." Loira said, "you know, I have a friend whose needing staffs, give me your resume and I'll do the rest, okay?"

I nodded, "thanks ate." I smiled.

"Ley, do you want to come with me tonight? It's my friends' party, I can bring you and make some friends there."

I immediately shook my head, "no thanks, Lexus."

"Let's get back to the company," we look at my brother, Larrione, well, we usually him Larry, easier to say. "Can I get a position there? It's okay if it's on a lower position, a janitor or anything else." He said.

"Would you do that Larry? Clean the building? Because the last time you did was to messed up this family." Lexus said out of nowhere, "oh, sorry, did I get too straight?" he smirked.

"You can leave the table now, Lexus," my father said, "it is not your attitude we need here."

Tatayo na sana si Lexus nang magsalita si kuya Larry.

"No, it's okay, it's true whatever he says, I messed up everything." he said, "one thing, I'm not going to stay here..."

"Oh, Larry, I have a friend whose selling condominiums—" Loira stopped when she came to said that, "I was just helping my friend..." dahilan naman niya saka niya binalingan ng pansin si Veronica.

She was just helping her friend.

I need a friend, and I don't know how to do it.

The breakfast came into silence. As usual, nanahimik na lang din naman ako at pinanood ko silang lahat. I saw Mom's face earlier, she's gonna broke out kung hindi lang nagsalita si Loira. Everyone thought that this family was good, I mean, masaya kung iyon ang inaakala nila but the thing is, sobrang layo 'yon.

Lexus first left the table after he finishes his plate.

"You know you have to understand, Lexus, he has gone through enough." Larry said.

"But always a pain in the ass." My father said, "don't mind him Larrione, you're my son, you deserved to be in the company." He patted Larry's shoulder, "I should go now, I got a meeting in an hour."

"See you later, dear..." Mom said and leave the dining with dad.

"Hey Loira, where's your husband?" Larry asked.

Loira grunted, "I've got nothing to said about him..."

"Oh, okay..." he laughed.

After the breakfast, Loira and Larrione are at the pool side, Veronica's swimming, so she got to watch her. And they talk, usually, they understand each other. I think, Lexus and I are the outcasts, I don't know why I said that but I think, we're left out.

I headed to Lexus room, it's not locked, so I came inside.

"Hey..." I started.

He just looked at me from his bed, taking his water—wine I must say.

"That's not good in morning, Lexus..." I said.

"I just had breakfast, and so its okay." he smirked. "What do you need?"

I grinned, and he just at look me confused. "Can I come with you at the party tonight?"

Its almost like, minutes before he got what I intended to say and then he laughed, "what's in the change of mind, little sister?"

"I need friends..."

He smirks, "well, you ask the right person for that." He winks, "okay, you can leave my room now."

I chuckles, but I before left his room, I glared at him, "don't call me little sister again, brother." I smirked and then I shut the door.

I don't know what comes to me to join Lexus at that social party when I don't usually come up to meet new people. I'm not afraid of them, I was just afraid of getting treated or this anxiety will attack me no matter what I do.

Maybe, this is how I change my perspective.

When I got into my room, I found my phone received one message and it comes from the same unknown number, I immediately jump onto bed when I saw that but when I read the message, it really confuses me...

Unknown number:

Hey! You need a job?