Chapter 3 Swimsuit and Sass

She fixed her things first before heading out. She made sure she had the room card with her before walking toward the pool area while dialing Ate Bel.

"[Hello, Ate Bel]," she greeted. "[What time are you arriving?]"

"[Tet, we'll have to come tomorrow instead]," her sister replied. "[I'm expecting more customers at the afternoon, I'll lose a lot of sales if I close the eatery early]."

"[Oh, I see. That's alright, I understand. Just try to come early tomorrow]," she answered softly. She truly understood. Their small eatery was their main source of income-skipping a busy day meant skipping meals too. That was more important than goofing off. Not that this was goofing off... it was vacation, technically.

"[We'll be there tomorrow for sure. Yanyan and Mark are already itching to go. I told them to wait. I won't open shop tomorrow so we can leave early]," Ate Bel added.

"[Okay, I'll wait for you at the reception desk so you won't have a hard time finding us]."

"[Perfect. Alright, I've got a customer waiting-talk later]," she said before ending the call.

Matet walked toward the pool area. She spotted her kids and family having fun at the water play zone. She smiled as she watched them-seeing them happy made it all worth it.

"Good thing you're here, Tet! I'm going to explore the resort. Wanna come?" her mother offered.

"You go ahead, Nay. I'll stay here with the kids and join them," she replied with a wide smile.

"Alright, I'll come back later," her mother said and walked off.

"Mama! Come here!" her youngest called out.

"Coming!" She was about to step into the water when the lifeguard gently stopped her.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. You'll need to change into proper swimwear first," he said with a polite smile.

She halted and looked at the lifeguard, brows furrowing. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" She was in shorts and a t-shirt.

"Sorry, Ma'am. We require proper swimwear here-resort policy," he explained.

She looked around. True enough, everyone was in proper swimsuits-one-pieces, bikinis, swim trunks. Even her own kids were dressed for it. She bought them swimwear, but didn't think to get anything for herself. She figured t-shirt and shorts would do.

"Can I just wear this, please?" she asked hopefully.

"I'm really sorry, Ma'am. But the rules are strictly enforced. If we make exceptions, we'll get scolded by Boss Javi."

"Can't you bend the rule this once?" she pleaded.

"I wish I could, Ma'am, but I might lose my job. I have kids to feed too."

She sighed. She didn't want to make things harder for anyone. "Alright, I guess I really have to change. I didn't bring a swimsuit. Where can I buy one?"

"You can check the resort store, Ma'am," he said, pointing the way.

"Thanks." She excused herself from Lea and headed to the shop.

---

At the Resort Store

She walked into the store and scanned the racks of swimwear. Her eyes landed on the row of one-piece suits, and she started browsing.

"Ugh, this is hard," she muttered under her breath. "I don't even like these things. Why can't they just allow shorts and a shirt?"

A cheerful saleslady noticed her dilemma and walked over.

"Good day, Ma'am! Having a hard time picking a swimsuit?" she asked with a warm smile.

Matet turned to her and smiled back.

"Not exactly. I'm just not used to wearing these things... and honestly, I feel awkward. I might end up looking like a whale," she whispered the last part.

The saleslady chuckled softly. "I can help you pick something if you like."

"Really? But nothing too revealing, okay? I don't want anything that shows everything," she said shyly. "I don't want to be mistaken for a beluga."

"Oh, ma'am, you're funny!" the saleslady laughed as she scanned the rack.

"Try this swim dress," she handed her a blue piece. "Great for conservative types like you, but still flatters your figure."

"Or this blouson suit-it's perfect if you want to hide the tummy. Though honestly, you don't need it. You've got a great figure, ma'am. Definitely not whale or manatee level," she added, lowering her voice as she gave Matet a quick once-over.

"If I had to guess your stats... 34-25-36? Did I get it right?" she asked, half-serious.

Matet just smiled and took the offered suit, going through the options before picking one.

The saleslady eyed her again. "Ma'am, if I had a body like yours? I'd be strutting in a two-piece without shame!"

"Wanna swap bodies?" she added with a wink.

Matet laughed. The woman was a riot-like an old friend you didn't know you had.

"I mean, you're hiding that hot body anyway. Or at least lend it to me for an hour-I just want my crush to notice me. I've tried everything, but he still ignores me. Maybe if I had your curves, I'd finally get a second glance."

"Oh wow, using my body to bait a crush?" Matet teased, laughing at the saleslady's boldness.

"Oh no, sorry ma'am," the saleslady said, realizing she might've gone too far. "I got a little carried away."

"It's fine. I actually enjoyed it. You're fun to talk to-makes the shopping less boring. This is the one I'll get," she said, handing over her chosen suit. It had a black-and-white top and a skirt with hints of purple.

The saleslady brought it to the counter. Matet followed to pay.

"Thank you, Ma'am," the cashier greeted, handing her the bag.Matet turned to thank the saleslady too, but she was already assisting another customer. She smiled at the cashier instead, then made her way to the changing area.

---

Water Play Area Scene

"Where's Ate?" Ronnie asked Lea as he walked up to the water play area. He wanted to ask for money-his stomach was already grumbling.

"There she is," Lea said, gesturing with her chin toward the path.

Ronnie turned-and nearly dropped his jaw. There came his sister, and so did every pair of eyes from the male population. The guys nearby were ogling like hungry wolves.

He couldn't blame them. Even after two kids, she still had it-a full chest, slim waist, curvy hips. Add to that her round face, soft almond-shaped eyes, kissable lips, and a perfectly shaped nose. In his opinion, she could pass as a model, even without the makeup.

He whistled sharply to catch the men's attention.

They all turned. So did Matet.

"Wow, chickzzz!" he teased as she came closer, shooting a glare at the oglers-his silent warning.

"Damn, Ate. Where's your runway? You're looking hot!" he added with a grin.

---

Matet's POV

From a distance, she saw Ronnie grinning like an idiot. He even whistled when she got close.

"Wow, chickzzz!" he teased.

She smacked him with the clothes she just took off.

"Ow!" he yelped, backing away while laughing.

"You're so annoying, Ronnie!"

"It's just a joke, Ate. But seriously, I thought a model was walking up."

"Ugh, liar. You're just buttering me up. You probably want something."

"Oh wow, are you psychic now? How'd you guess?"

"I knew it. What is it?"

"Do you have cash? I'm starving. Just want to grab some food."

She chuckled, seeing him lower his voice in embarrassment. He was already a grown man, but still asking for money.

"So that's what this flattery's for?" she said, swatting him again while reaching for her wallet.

"It wasn't flattery! I really thought you looked like a model. You didn't notice, but all the guys were checking you out."

"I've never seen you wear something like that," he added. "You've never dressed that way. Shows off your curves."

Like I had a choice? The lifeguard wouldn't let me in with just a T-shirt. He said resort policy, apparently-strict dress code," she grumbled.

"Ah, makes sense now," he nodded. "Well, at least the creeps here had something nice to look at."

"You jerk! You want me to get groped by those creeps?" She lunged, but he darted away.

"Just grabbing some chips! Be right back!" he yelled while running off.

She shook her head at her brother's mischief and turned to Lea, who had been smiling and watching them the whole time.

"Don't you want to take a dip, Le?" she asked.

"Later, Sis. It looks too chilly," Lea said, shivering dramatically.

A mischievous idea crossed her mind. She waded into the water, then scooped a splash toward her sister-in-law.

"Too cold, huh?" she teased, splashing her again.

"Sissy!!!" Lea squealed, shielding herself from the water.

"If you don't get in, I won't stop splashing you," Matet said with a wicked grin.

Her youngest child and their cousin Monmon saw the scene and hurried over to help with the water attack.

"Come on, Mama!" Monmon called, tugging at her mother to join them in the pool.

Left with no choice, Lea surrendered with a laugh and followed.

"You're so impossible, sissy," she grumbled, while Matet was laughing uncontrollably.

"Just go along with the kids! For once, let's act like we're their age. They'll enjoy the vacation more if we do."

The group began playing together in the water-laughing, splashing, and letting go of their worries as if they were children again.