Perfect Harmony

I tried to open my eyes, but they won't cooperate. I slept late last night because I was too excited for today. The loud ringtone of my phone filled my ears, and it made me get out of bed. Still, with my eyes closed, I reached it even though I don't know where exactly it is.

The call suddenly ended. I thought of going back to bed, but it rang again.

"What do you want?" I said to whoever is trying to ruin my day.

I heard a chuckle from the other line.

"Still in your pajamas? Maybe you want to consider getting ready?"

I glanced at the wall clock of my room and saw that's it just seven in the morning.

"I might want to go back to bed, Rueben," I answered.

"You can but-"

"Hello?"

I gave up as soon as I heard Sara's voice.

"Jael, do you know what time it is? Get up now and get ready! We have a lot of things to buy at the mall. We should be home before dinner," she stopped for a while as if she said something wrong. "No. We should be home before preparing for dinner."

I let out a sigh and ended the call.

Seems like my siblings are way more excited than me.

I have no choice but to leave my precious bed. Before taking a bath, I went to my Youtube channel and saw that I already surpassed 98,000 subscribers. I'm not sure if this will reach a hundred thousand before the day ends, but my family is claiming it already.

I left my room and asked one of our maids where is everybody.

"Sir Rueben and Ma'am Sara are already at the clubhouse," she answered me politely.

"Okay. What about my parents?"

"They're-"

My attention was caught because my mother surprisingly came out of their room and shut the door behind her really loud.

"Mom," I called her with an amused look.

She was surprised to see me. My eyes landed on the envelope she was holding, and she immediately put it behind her.

"Where are you going? I thought you have no plans for today?"

We're supposed to celebrate my achievement tonight, but she's all dressed up.

The door opened and closed again, and this time, it was my father.

"You're going, too?"

With half mouth opened, he walked towards us and get the envelope from Mom.

"Are you headed to the clubhouse?" He asked.

I nodded and can't take off my eyes from what he's holding.

"Your mother and I will be back before dinner," he said with a smile.

I wanted to ask why and where they are going, but I think they're having a fight based on my mother's look.

"You promise?" I asked for assurance instead.

"Of course, love. We won't miss this," and he planted a kiss on my forehead.

My mother left first. She ignored me and went downstairs in a swift.

"She's just not in the mood. Don't worry," Daddy said like he's sure of it.

I headed to the clubhouse even though the scene earlier won't leave my mind. As expected, my cousins are in complete attendance except for the kids, of course.

"Advance congratulations!" David welcomed me with a kiss on the cheek.

"Stop. I condemn you for saying that," I said while pointing at him.

"Woah!"

"I should not let you spend time with my brother anymore. You're starting to be like a walking dictionary," Aaron put his right arm around my shoulders.

"Okay, let's go! No time to waste!" Sara led everybody to the car.

We decided to form groups and split up so we could go home early and prepare.

"The boys will be assigned to choose the menu for our dinner later. Hana and I will buy the decorations. Abigail will buy the gifts-"

"Gifts? There are gifts?" I asked excitedly.

"Of course," Rueben said.

"Aw!"

"And you, Ms. Elizabeth Jael Valmonte," my sister pointed at me. "Can do whatever you want except coming with us."

"So why did you even bother waking me up?" I frowned.

"Because we have to make sure that you'll leave your bed and live like everyone else, Jael."

All of them laughed at Abigail's sarcasm.

What's wrong with sleeping? I love my bed.

I saw them disappear before my eyes. My brother looked back at me once again and gave me a sign that he'll call me.

I ignored him because he always does that.

So where can I go while I wait for them?

I decided to enter the department store. If it's true that I'll reach a hundred thousand subscribers before this day ends, it won't hurt if I get myself something as a gift. But what could I give to myself? What could I possibly want at the moment?

I went to the bags section and browse the designs. Maybe I can buy a new one for the upcoming school year, right?

I chose the Logo Print ECONYL Backpack of Burberry in Dark Birch Brown. Then I proceeded to the shoe section afterward.

"Are these the only designs available?" I asked someone to accompany me.

"Here in the department store, Ma'am, yes. But if you want, we have a physical store on the ground floor. I'm sure you can choose something from our variety of designs. The limited-edition ones are also there."

"Okay, thank you."

I bit my lower lip as I walked away from the lady.

I entered the store and immediately wander my eyes. What should I choose between sneakers, flats, or heels?

Should I buy heels? I don't have one yet.

"What specific color and design do you want, Ma'am?" Someone went to me.

I smiled. "None. As long as it caught my attention, I'll buy it."

She understood what I meant, so she stayed behind me the whole time while I was looking at the shoes. They are all beautiful, and they look sophisticated. But they lack something. They lack impact.

"What's that?"

I went to the pair of heels displayed in the middle of the store. It has lights surrounding it.

It's gorgeous. It has structured heels in antique gold-toned metal that says "YSL." The color's black, but it's terrific.

"Do you want to try it on, Ma'am? It's the latest piece from our collection," she said to me. It's the same lady earlier, but some of her colleagues surrounded me, too, when they saw that I was interested in this.

"Size 9, please."

I looked around the store as I wait for her and my heels. I noticed a guy entered, and he went straight to the same pair of heels I just adored.

"I want a size 9 of this," I heard him say, too.

What a coincidence. Maybe her girlfriend and I have the same size?

The sales lady he just asked to assist him entered the same door where the lady who asked for my size entered earlier. I sat down on the couch, and he did, too, at the sofa across me.

When he removed his cap and ran his fingers through his hair, I heard the gasps of the other staff behind the counter. Wearing a black polo shirt and maong pants paired with white shoes, he looks young, but I'm not sure.

He sat and looked so manly in front of me. I pursued my lips, preventing myself from smiling as I saw how the female staff gushed over him. I get that he's handsome, but how can they be head over heels over a stranger? Unless he's a regular customer?

He suddenly lifts his face, and our eyes met. He looked at me with strange eyes, so I raised my eyebrow at him and looked away.

He might assume I am checking him. Boys nowadays are very unpredictable.

The sales lady who assists me came back with a box in her hands, and she went to me with a wide smile.

"This is our last stock for size 9, Ma'am."

I happily removed my sneakers and fit them. The sales lady who assists the guy in front of me went back and looked disappointed.

Oh, I think I know what will happen.

"I'm sorry, Sir. We just ran out of size 9 stocks. Would you like to see our size 10?"

I saw in the corner of my eye that the guy looked at me, so I looked back at him, too.

What are you staring at? This is mine. I got my hands on this first.

"No. I need a size 9," he said in a serious voice.

"Sir, if you like, we can place an order for you. You can come back next week-"

"I need it today," he cut her off.

"We're sorry, Sir," they all looked scared because of him.

I don't know who he is but a woman wearing a suit in her late 20's came to him and asked him if he wants to look at the other designs.

Maybe he's a big shot?

"Did you see me looked at other designs except for this?" It's like he pointed a sword at the shoes I'm wearing with his eyes.

I put back the heels inside the box and placed them beside me.

"Go to another store and find a pair that looks exactly like what you need. It is very inappropriate to create a fuss over something this small. Stop making them feel like it's their fault," I said to myself while wearing my sneakers.

I really hate it when people like him use their authority or power to get what they want.

I might not know who he is, but I know exactly what he's like. I've encountered a lot like him before.

"Checking inventories of products that are fast-moving in a store is a must. Of course, a lazy businesswoman wouldn't think of that."

All of the staff looked at me. When I looked at him, his eyes are focused on me, but he suddenly switched it to the manager.

"I'm talking to you," he said to her.

I gritted my teeth and licked my lower lip before biting it and running my fingers through my hair abruptly because I just felt annoyed.

"We're sorry, Sir. We'll keep it in mind."

After scolding the manager, I thought he'll leave immediately, but he stayed and just sat there. Everyone in the store except him is confused.

"A-are you interested in looking at other designs, Sir?" One of the salesladies nervously asked when they realized what is going on.

He looked straight at me. "I told you before. I'm not interested in those. I. Want. That. Only."

His stares are giving me the chills.

"Besides, you cannot tell me that you're out of stock because I still see a pair of them in my desired size," he added.

This guy is just unbelievable!

"I already have it. It's mine! What else are you after for?" I scowled.

I failed to keep those thoughts inside my head because he pisses me even more.

"I haven't seen you pay for it," he answered back.

"I will pay for it! I'll choose a couple more shoes, and I'll pay for everything at the counter!"

"Then let me see it with my own two eyes. After that, I'd be more willing to leave," he said with a smirk.

Let's see whose time will go to waste, then.

I checked every shoe from shelf to shelf and in every single corner of the store. I picked out everything that meets my preference, and I made sure to waste time. I asked the sales lady to get a size 9 for every pair of shoes I picked. It will not be a waste because I can give this a gift for Hana, Sara, and Abi. For my Mom and my Aunties, too. I want to prove to this guy in front of me that I'll definitely buy the pair he wanted the most!

"How old are you?" Someone asked while I fit a pair of flats.

When I looked at the sales lady beside me, she shook her head and used her lips to point the guy in front of me. My eyebrows meet when I saw him looking down at his cellphone.

What? Who asked the question?

"We're the only customers here. None of the staff here are interested in your age. They only want your money," he suddenly said.

I squinted my eyes before answering his question. If I tell him that I'm still a minor, maybe he'll belittle me and take advantage of me.

I have to outsmart him.

"I'm 22," I proudly lied.

I heard him chuckled. My forehead creased. The staff near me smiled, too.

"You look like a kid to me," and then he scanned me from head to toe.

"Stop staring!" I shouted.

"And you act like a kid, too...."

Seventeen is already a teen, not a kid, Mister.

"If I'm still a kid, my parents will not let me buy all of these shoes in a single visit," I answered back. "That would make me a brat."

"Exactly."

He stopped for a moment.

"So, where are your parents?" He asked.

I remembered the scene earlier at our house. I wonder where my parents are right now. Are they back at home? Are they still fighting? I erased all of those thoughts in my head and stood up.

"You should leave. I'm going to pay for these now, and it might hurt you, so...."

He smirked and licked his lower lip because of the insult I gave him.

He didn't leave as I expected, so I ignored him and paid attention to my shoes while they fall in line towards the counter. Everything was going well when my phone rang, and it's Abigail who's calling.

"Where are you? We have to leave," Abigail sounds different.

"What? Why?"

"I'll tell you once you got here. Just come here-"

"Wait, I can't understand. What exactly is going-"

"Now, Jael! I need you to leave now!"

I panicked out of the blue. I gathered my things and was about to pass by everyone, but I stumble on a pile of shoeboxes, and my face almost hit the poor, but the guy in front of me was able to catch me.

I felt his firm hold on my hand and the other on my waist.

"I-I have to go...."

"What about the-"

"I said I have to go!" I pushed him and left the store immediately.

I was running so fast to get to where my cousins are. I bumped into many persons, and I didn't have the chance to say sorry because I was so nervous to the point I couldn't breathe properly.

Why is Abigail like that? What happened?

The tips of my hair are pounding against my shoulder because of my high pony. From afar, I saw Aaron and Rueben waiting for me outside the car. They looked disturbed, and it made me scared even more.

"W-what's happening?"

"Get inside now," Rueben commanded.

Aaron opened the door for me. Abigail is crying, and Sara immediately hugged me.

"H-hey... what's wrong? Why are y-you all being like this?!"

No one's answering me. I feel like I'm about to go crazy!

"Drive now, David!"

I started crying. Hana is comforting Abigail because she keeps on sobbing even though my cousins already told her to stop.

They all rushed inside the house when the car stopped. Rueben held me because my knees are weak to even walk. What on earth is happening? No one is even summarizing it for me!

"Go, go, go!"

Rueben and I were the last to enter the house because of my small steps.

He opened the door, and darkness welcomed us.

"W-what?"

The light was suddenly lit, and a giant banner that's hanging across the whole living room shouts, "Happy 100 000 subscribers!".

I don't know what to feel. It felt like something gigantic fell from the sky and hit my head.

The maids were positioned in a straight line. Some of them hold cakes with single big letters on them that say, "100 000". Others are holding balloons.

"You guys are so..." I couldn't finish my statement because I'm about to burst out in laughter.

They all clapped and laughed. David even jumped from couch to couch.

"I didn't know I'll be needing these many tears just to make you happy, Jael," Abigail said sarcastically while wiping off the tears from her face.

"I was about to laugh when I saw her tearing up," my sister said.

"Hey!"

"Have you seen Aaron's face when he shouted, "Drive now, David!" Hana narrated and burst into laughter, too.

My brother hugged me tightly and kissed me on the forehead.

"Congratulations. We are all proud of you."

I am so grateful I get to share this achievement with them. My life would probably be so dull without them.

It turned out I already reached my goal while we're at the mall, and they prepared everything, including their acting behind my back.

We shared the food with all the household helpers, and I sang a song for them, too. After having a great time, we all just stayed in the living room. We honestly occupy the whole of it when we are complete because we are everywhere.

"Oh, shoot!"

I suddenly remembered the shoes. My precious heels!

"Why? What's the matter?" They asked.

I told them everything. From how that guy spits his arrogant aura to the staffs to looking down on me because I looked like a kid to him

"You should've called me," David said.

"Stop it, David. It's all over now," Sara stopped him.

"Maybe the heels were for her girlfriend," Hana commented.

"But I liked it first! I asked for assistance first, but I'm sure he already bought it because I left the store...."

I assured them that it's not their fault. I can order those heels anytime online, but the surprise they prepared for me is, of course, irreplaceable.

"Hana, is that a new book?" Aaron suddenly asked.

"Yes..." Hana answered.

"When did you buy that?" I asked.

"Earlier at the mall when I managed to escape from your sister," she said it out loud for Sara to hear.

"Haha," my sister rolled her eyes.

"Title?" It's Aaron again.

"Saudade."

"Saudade?" We all asked together.

Is that even a word? Surprisingly, I haven't heard of it.

"It means both happy and sad at the same time," David gave the answer.

Sara put down what she's eating and looked at David to confirm what he just said.

"There's a word for that?"

I pouted my lips and think about it. I turned to Hana and gave her a confusing look.

"Is that possible? To be happy and sad at the same time? One of the two should weigh more, right?"

Hana closed her eyes and the book.

"That is exactly why I'm reading it. Silence people!"

We let Hana have some time alone with her new book. They decided to watch a movie before going home, but I insisted on watching a Korean drama instead. They were all busy browsing on Netflix, so I decided to go to Rueben and ask him if he knew what Mom and Dad might be fighting about.

"Where's Mom and Dad?" I asked while eating the cake.

"They haven't replied to my texts yet."

"Did you try calling them?" I asked.

"Not yet," Rueben said.

I glanced at Sara, and she's just sitting behind David waiting for my cousins to pick out a drama.

"Earlier... before I left the house, Mom seemed mad about something. They look like they're fighting."

Rueben checked his phone for any replies, but still, he received none.

"Are you sure? Maybe you just misunderstood her actions?"

I shrugged my shoulders and get my phone to dial Dad's number.

"I think he will not pick up, Jael. I've been trying-"

Surprisingly, he answered the call in no time. Rueben went near me because of it.

"Hello? Dad? Where are you?"

"May I ask what's your relationship to Mr. Arthur Valmonte, Ma'am?"

An unfamiliar voice of a girl enveloped my ear.

"I... I'm his daughter. Who's this? Where's my father?"

I didn't know my voice went loud a little bit because of shock. All of my cousins turned their heads to me.

"Mr. Arthur and Ms. Harriett Valmonte are inside the operating rooms. They are brought here after their car crashed on a tree. Will you be able to go here, Ma'am or do you have someone in your family that is available to fill in the necessary details?"

"Who's that, Jael?" Sara asked.

My cellphone fell to the ground.

Rueben acted immediately. He picked up my phone to continue talking to the nurse and get his keys to start the car's engine.

The boys joined him while the girls went to me and ask endless questions. Abigail is panicking. Sara is shaking me to spill the situation while Hana is just standing in front of me, observing me and trying to grasp the situation.

So this is what saudade feels like, huh?

I don't like the feeling it gives.