Chapter 8 G

[Chapter 7]

I got home early, except for my cousins, who still had classes. It seems that out of all the school strands, SPA (Special Program in the Arts) always has free time. Sometimes there's no class, but we still get activities.

I called Alessandra to tell her to send her bodyguard home and take the car because I left first. I didn't want to wait for them at school; I'd only get bored.

Once she parked the car, I immediately got out and walked away, entering the house. My bodyguard followed me, carrying my bag. I don't know why he always insists on taking my bag when it's time to go home. It's not heavy, and it's not like I'd get injured carrying it myself.

"Mama!" I called out as soon as I entered. When I glanced at the living room, I saw my sister buried in a book again. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up becoming a lawyer.

She's aiming for valedictorian. Between the two of us, she's the smarter one. Because of her intelligence, she sometimes uses my occasional cluelessness to blackmail me.

Look at her. She really has a bad attitude, but she's scared of me when I get mad. It's a good thing I'm a kind older sister; otherwise, I don't know what I'd do. She even punched me once when she was little! She was only four, but she grew up tough. She wanted a toy, but Mom was busy, so I told her to wait until tomorrow. But the brat punched me in the stomach!

She was so young then, but her punch was heavy! I was lying on the couch at the time, and she charged at me. My sister's tall now, probably got it from our dad, who was tall too. But I hope that's all I inherited from him-just the height.

Sometimes I tease her that she's tall because she's adopted. But she shot back with, "You're just jealous because I'm taller than you. You're trying to distract me from the fact that you might be the real adopted one, not me." What nerve! Doesn't she know I take after Mom when it comes to height? Both of us are short. I'm only 5'2", and Mom's 4'11".

When she grows up, I'm sure she'll be a lawyer. Even I, her older sister, can't win against her. What a brat!

"Lucille," I called her attention as I approached. She looked up, her face expressionless as always.

"Why?" she asked. She's even speaking in English now. My bodyguard already speaks English; now she's joining in.

"What are you doing?"

"Studying? Isn't it obvious?" I grimaced at her response. Well, yes, but could she at least be nice when I'm talking to her properly?

"Nevermind. Where's Mom?" I asked, feeling the urge to whack this kid on the head. She's lucky I love her. She can be sweet, but only when she needs something big-especially money. She's extra sweet when asking for money since Mom only gives her a small allowance, like 15 pesos a day. It's tough for her, especially since she eats a lot, and who knows what else she might eat.

I give her money sometimes because I feel sorry for her. But of course, only when she really needs it. She doesn't ask often because she understands the things we tell her.

"She's in the garden. I don't know what she's doing there." I nodded. Then I glanced at my bodyguard, who was standing behind me, looking serious while carrying my bag.

"Could you please put my bag in my room? Thank you!" I said with a smile. He nodded and turned away. I went to the garden to find Mom, who was busy watering the flowers.

"Mom!" I called out happily, running toward her. She turned to me with a smile.

"My daughter! You're home early again?" I hugged her when I got close, then pulled away.

"We had vacant time, so there were no more classes since there were no teachers," I explained.

"Is that so? By the way, I made strawberry cupcakes. They're in the fridge. Help yourself if you want. I'll finish up here first." I nodded. She kissed my forehead before letting me go.

I headed to the kitchen, grabbed three cupcakes, and went back to the living room to join my sister.

"Have you eaten these, Lucille?" I asked, sitting down on the long sofa while she remained on the carpet, writing at the center table.

"No, I haven't," she replied.

"Huh? Why not? I thought you already ate some. Mom said she made 20, but there are only 5 left in the fridge." I teased, keeping a serious expression to sell the joke.

As I ate my cupcake, I noticed her glance at me with a sharp look.

"You're so annoying, Ate. Why don't you go bug your bodyguard instead?" I rolled my eyes. Why does she have to speak so much English? It's Mom's fault for making her practice it all the time.

"Tsk, he doesn't talk to me either. He even said, 'I'm sorry, Miss Madeline, but I'm your bodyguard, not your friend. If you want someone to talk to, call your friends. It's not my duty to interfere in your doings; I'm only here to guard and keep you safe.' Tsk!" I said, trying to mimic his deep, cold voice.

"He's right, though. His job is to keep you safe. If anything happens to you again, he'll lose his job for sure. You know how strict Grandpa is," she said without even looking at me.

I shrugged and continued eating while watching her work. I didn't say anything more.

Once I finished my snack, I checked the time on my phone. It was still early, so I decided to go for a swim.

I went upstairs to my room, changed into a bikini, put on a robe, and headed back down. I passed by my sister but didn't look at her, heading to the kitchen to grab some snacks and drinks.

I didn't see my bodyguard anymore. Maybe he was resting.

After getting my snacks, I went outside to the pool in front of the house. I placed my food on a table, took off my robe, and put it on a nearby chair.

I walked to the edge of the pool, dove in, and swam underwater. When I reached the far end, I turned around, kicked off the tiles, and swam back.

Gasping for air, I pulled myself up by the pool railing. But I froze when I saw my bodyguard standing in front of me, holding my robe.

Slowly, I reached out and took the robe from him.

"Were you here the whole time?"

"I just arrived, Miss Madeline."

I nodded, walked past him, and sat down to eat.

While eating, I grabbed my phone and took a selfie, adjusting my robe to show off my bikini. I posted the selfie on Instagram with an emoji caption of someone swimming.

After posting, I turned off my phone and sipped my juice. I could feel my bodyguard nearby, but I ignored him and went back into the pool, doing a back float to relax.

I couldn't help but notice my bodyguard's gaze, which made me secretly grin.

Enjoying the view.

I wonder what his real name is. I don't believe his name is Juan. With his face, his height, and his well-built body, especially his unusual eye color, there's no way he's from around here. Or maybe he's from an orphanage?

I took a deep breath and listened to the water around me. The wind was strong and cold, but I didn't mind, and I closed my eyes.

After a few more minutes in that position, I decided to get out since it was getting late.

As I climbed out, there he was again, standing by the railing, holding my robe. I put it on, grabbed my snacks and drinks, and walked away with him following behind.

As I left the pool area, two cars arrived. They stopped, and my loud cousins piled out.

"Ate Mady!"

"Mady!"

They called out to me in unison, and I shook my head. I didn't wait for them to catch up because I was cold and wet.

.

.

.

After changing clothes, I lay on my bed. Dinner was still a while away, so I stayed put for now.

I turned on my phone and activated my data. My Messenger immediately blew up with group chats from various subjects. I knew they were all gossip, so I ignored them and checked our group chat, which had a ton of messages.

Natha Lie:

So earlier, I tried taking a tricycle home, and I was the first passenger. We waited for other students to fill the seats, and oh my goodness! The driver was such a sad boy. He played depressing music and even sang along. It was so annoying.

Amber:

HAHAHA, you're just not used to it, but trust me, there's worse. Sometimes when the tricycle is full and there's no more space in the back, you have to sit beside the driver, and here's the worst part: sometimes they smell weird.

Lyra:

@amber, yup, true. I had that experience too. But I understand; they're driving all day in the heat and the pollution.

Natha Lie:

Speaking of, why don't we go to MGG Resort?

Lyra:

The one that's super cold like ice?

Natha Lie:

Yup

Amber:

Yeah, it's so hot these days. I want to relax. Let me know if we're going, so I can

Lyra:

Good idea, Mady. How about you? I know you like it too because you enjoy cold water.

That was their last chat, and I was even mentioned. Well, it's good to relax while we haven't graduated yet. So, I immediately replied.

Me:

Sure, just set the schedule.

Lyra:

So when?

Natha Lie:

What about this Saturday?

Amber:

I'm in.

Natha Lie:

Yay! It's settled then, Saturday at 10 a.m. Let's just bring our own lunch, then snacks, okay?

Lyra:

Okay!

Amber:

Agreed.

Me:

I'm in!

After that, their conversation shifted again. They started talking about their flings, "MUs" (mutual understandings), and boyfriends, so I exited. When their conversations turn that way, I don't belong to that group because I don't have anyone like that. Tsk!

"Miss Mady, it's time to eat."

"I'm coming!" I shouted, getting up from the bed. I turned off my room's light and went downstairs to eat.

"Good evening," I greeted as I entered the dining room. Everyone was already there, and dinner was about to start, so I sat down too.

Nothing had changed-we ate in silence, and no one spoke. Grandpa was very strict when it came to meals. He said we should behave because the table we ate at was like an altar.

Once we were done, my cousins and I helped clean up the table, then we all went our separate ways to do our own things. I, on the other hand, went outside to the swimming pool to hang out for a bit.

It was cold outside, so I wore a cardigan and pajamas to keep myself warm and avoid mosquito bites.

When I got to the lounger, I sat down and started using my phone. There was enough light here, so it was bright.

While I was deep in thought, I sensed someone approaching me. I furrowed my brows when I didn't hear any footsteps, so I turned around unexpectedly.

I sighed in relief when I saw it was my bodyguard approaching. I thought it was someone else. I became more comfortable knowing he was there, so I quietly went back to using my phone.

The surroundings were quiet until I heard a phone ring. It was a bit far away, but loud enough for us to hear. We both turned toward the house at the same time and saw someone wearing a black suit. The person had their back turned, heading toward the back of the house while glancing around.

I furrowed my brows, remembering something. Was that him?

"You have to go back inside now, Miss Madeline," my bodyguard said seriously and coldly.

I looked at him and noticed he was also looking in the same direction as me earlier, with a serious expression and a furrowed brow.

"Alright, take a rest too," I said and walked away from there.

I took a deep breath once I lay down. I glanced at the window that had been broken but was now fixed.

I listened to my surroundings, but I didn't hear any more noises. Was it him? Whose bodyguard was that?

I pushed the thoughts away and went to sleep.