Chapter 33

Twenty: How Social Media Works
I'm done buying gifts for Jizan and Riguel and so do Mom and Dad. Even Avie bought it, except for Soren because he didn't close Riguel and Jizan.
We used the private airplane of Riguel's family. And according to them, traveling from Antique to Cavite is only 45 minutes. It is said that we can drive but it might take us a long time.
When I saw Riguel I smiled at him.
"Happy Birthday." Bati ko, he smiled at me too.
"Thanks. Any gifts?" He asked with a smile.
"Gifts right away? I'll give them later." I said, he nodded at me and their family immediately approached us. Also Tito Manzo.
Dad and Mom greeted Mr. and Mrs. Traspe. I also saw Jurielle talking to Soren and her other friends.
Jurielle is the only girl that Tito Manzo is adopting, maybe she will be the one to engage? But, he's still underage, so that's not impossible for him.
"Good morning Evie and Avie, this is my other sons, Ruel and Rahul." Said Mr. Traspe while teaching his two other children one by one.
Actually I already saw them on Lacsamana Anniversary, but I don't know them yet. Ruel is just the same age as Soren, while Rahul is still young, I think he is still 9 years old.
"Rah, Rue, come here." I turned to Ryl when he called his brother, who followed Ryl.
When we entered inside the private airplane the seniors were just talking about business in the underworld. They even mentioned Tito Ignatius and Tita Savienna, sadly they can't go because of the mess that happened to the OS.
I was next to Avie in our seat. Of course he would choose the one near the window but I didn't yell. We were in first class airplane so we sat comfortably.
They even have a TV infornt so I won't get bored. Because Riguel said to take a bath tomorrow on the beach Avie and I actually prepared swim wear to wear.
I think he will wear an orange two piece while I will wear a backless and black one piece.
I turned my phone to airplane mode and connected to the airplane wifi.
"Sis, I've heard a lot about this social networking app called Instagram. What if we try?" I heard Avie ask.
I looked at her phone, and I saw she showed me a color gradient app that looked like instax.
"Yeah, sure."
We downloaded the app and created accounts. Mom and Dad were using instaface then, I don't know but it's an old app. And instagram is the trend now.
"Hey guys! Follow us on instagram!" Avie shouted and everyone immediately approved.
I'm not sure about my ip-profile so the stolen shot is just that I'm reading a book on my net. That was taken by Soren at the library in our mansion.
I followed Avie's account and I was surprised that she immediately had 700+ followers. But I just shrugged my shoulders.
I was about to switch iTunes but I was surprised to see the notification.
"Avionna.s, _jizan, & rigotraspe just followed you!"
I followed them back and changed the app. But I was shocked when Riguel suddenly came to me.
rigotraspe: Why did you think of making ig?
eveanna.k: Avie & I wanted to try.
I stalked Riguel's account and there I saw that Riguel was really known in this town. He has almost 400k followers! While mine is just in 800+.
It's all new. But I still can't believe that so many people know Riguel and his only followers are Jizan, Ryl, Avie, Jurielle, Jax, Me, and Catalina ?!
My eyes widened when I saw Catalina's account. Her username is (@mcatalina) I checked her account and I was shocked.
She is very pretty, regardless of the foreign blood with her. She is so beautiful! And only now did I find out that he was a model. She has a lot of fans, and her account is even verified!
She has around 3.4M followers so I can say she is really famous. Woah. I never thought Jizan had such a beautiful ex. But why did he hit Kylie? Weird naman. After all, it's not really based on looks when it comes to love.
All night I just stalked Catalina. I can't control myself so I'll finollow him. And I was shocked when he immediately followed back to me. Does he know me?
I also saw in his following that he finollowed Avie, and the other people with instagram inside this plane. This really amazes me.
"Look Evie, the Spain's supermodel just followed me." Avie said smiling as she showed me Catalina's profile.
"Me too." I said and showed him as well.
"Does he know us?" Avie asked.
"I don't have an idea." I said.
When I reached the very end of Catalina"s posts I was surprised at what I saw. There are three pictures that Jizan and I have posted.
That was posted 4 years ago. And it was only then that I saw Jizan smile so wide, and I could clearly see the pleasure on his face.
The caption says: The best thing that happened to me ♡.
So they became really Jizan ha. I thought it was just Riguel's joke, it's true.
I decided to stalk Jizan's account but there were only two posts. One picture is his wallpaper and the other is a picture of heaven.
But in fairness, Jizan has many followers even though the post is small. He has 600k+ e.
I went back to Riguel and I's dm.
rigotraspe: that's nice to hear. but do you know how social media works?
eveanna.k: how?
rigotraspe: aside from communication, it is to flex the things that you cannot flex in person. : ›
I couldn"t help but laugh because of the cute emoji placed at the end of her message. Its cute!
eveanna.k: really? were you flexing here some things?
rigotraspe: check my latest post.
I immediately followed what he said and looked at his latest post, I almost stopped breathing because I saw his post.
It's me. At the ferris-wheel, I was holding my phone while capturing the scenes outside the ferris-wheel, not knowing that he had taken a picture of me then.
I've read the caption and I'm even more surprised.
"The best view I've ever had."
I was tagged in that photo, and my hand was shaking heartily in the picture. This is so, shocking.
I saw some comments like asking if I am his girlfriend.
And I immediately remembered his message earlier.
'aside from communication, it is to flex the things that you can't flex in person.'
He is flexing me? Is that how social media works?

Twenty-One: Old Memories
We arrived at Cavite at exactly 9AM in the morning. I was amazed at the simplicity of the town I see, it"s already over the news that the Mayor of Antique is here. Vice Mayor, Ate Mary of Antique so she was the first to manage there.
Since Jizan and Riguel's family had no place to stay, Dad offered to stay at his old mansion. I can't stop being excited because it's my first time going there.
We are traveling to the mansion using our respective family vans.
"Mom! How many rooms are there?" Avie suddenly asked.
"How many is that, Saint?" Mom asked Dad.
"As far as I can remember my room, Dad and mom's room, your room, Ate Mary's room, and 13 guest rooms in all."
Woah, that guy? The one in our mansion in Antique has only 10 guest rooms, then my room, Avie's room and Mom and Dad's.
"Yay !! I want Mom's Room!" Avie said immediately. Mom looked at us and smiled.
"How about you Evie? Where do you want to stay?" Mom asked me.
"In Dad's room." I said.
They looked at each other and Dad nodded as a sign of approval.
"How about the security? Saint?" Mom asked Dad, is Dad's room secure? That's amazing!
"I'll just disable it." Mom nodded because of what Dad said.
"Eh you Soren?" Mom asked Soren.
"I want Dad's room." Mom looked at me.
"I'll take Aunt Mary's room, then." Mom smiled at me because of my decision.
I looked at Soren and he just smiled foolishly at me, and I just rolled my eyes.
After several minutes we entered a subdivision. Luxury Subdivision, the mansions here are too large. And the mansions are so far apart.
We stopped in a very big mansion. Dad rolled the windows down and a butler immediately greeted us.
"Oh! Is that you, Saint son?" I heard the butler say.
"Yes, Manang Cilia. Please open the gate." The butler was very friendly and immediately opened the massive gate.
Dad drove inside and I was almost stunned, this is thrice bigger than our home! Even Avie is in shock and seems unbelievable.
We went down in front of the double doors while the driver parked the van in the garage.
Jizan and Riguel also arrived and got out of their van. I can see amazement in their eyes, and I am also amazed at the size of the mansion owned by Grandpa and Grandma.
Santillana's are damn rich. Huh?
"Let's go inside." Dad said and opened the double doors of the mansion.
If it was amazing on the outside I was even more amazed in the courtyard of the mansion. The floor is marble and a marvelous chandelier is hanging above the ceiling. So beautiful.
"The guest's rooms are in the 3rd Floor, feel free to choose okay? And, the keys are with Manang Cilia sasamhan nila kayo." Dad ordered.
"We very appreciate this hospitality, Mayor. Thank you very much." Promise of Mrs. Traspe.
"No need to thank me, plus the mansion is really huge for us. The more the merrier." Dad said, and smiled a little.
I saw Tito Manzo sitting at the very huge couch. I can see that he has memorized the mansion, at least he and Dad have been friends since then.
I was accompanied by one of the maids to Aunt Mary"s room. Aunt Mary's room is just as huge as mine.
I couldn"t help but walk inside Aunt Mary"s walk-in closet and I was amazed at its size. And with the amount of clothes, I thought it wasn't here anymore?
"Evie !!!!" I immediately went out to Aunt Mary's closet and immediately met Avie who was so excited to go inside.
"Woah! This is also big huh? But, this is not my concern. Come on! Mom found their old album, and there are their teenager pictures!" I smiled at what Avie said and immediately followed her walking pace.
We entered a very large room, I guess this is Grandpa and Grandma's bed room. I saw Mom, Dad and Soren sitting at the couch. When they saw us they immediately smiled.
I sat beside Mom, and Avie sat beside Dad. And Soren is in the middle. Soren is holding the album. They opened it and a family portrait opened up to me.
Dad is wearing an eyepatch, Dad is sitting on the lap of a man who looks exactly like Dad. While Mom is sitting beside an elegant gorgeous lady.
"This is your Grandparents, Grandpa Santino and Grandma Angela." Dad said. Woah, so it's really up to the race to be beautiful and handsome?
"Mom! You look like Evie when you were young." Smiling Avie said. Mom nodded while smiling.
The next picture is Mom being tutored, and Dad staring at her. I smiled at what I saw, when they were kids, Dad really liked Mom.
The next is a portrait of Mom and Dad. Dad is sitting while Mom is standing at his side.
"Mommy you look Evie, and I look like Dad." Avie said laughing, and I also laughed at what Avie said.
"Look at this one." I looked at what Mom had pointed out, and my eyes widened at what I saw.
A selfie picture of Mom and Dad, and Dad is not wearing his eyepatch. They both smiled from ear to ear and they were obviously very happy with each other.
"And this one." Dad taught again.
We looked there and I saw the picture of Mommy grumaduate on the OS. She is very very pretty with simple features.
"Here you see." Mom said and moved the album to the other page.
The picture that made us all laugh came to us. Dad is pouting! While Mom is staring at Dad's face as if inlove he is really inlove.
"Dad! You look stupid!" Laughing I said.
"Yes, you do!" Soren added.
Laughter filled the room as we looked at the old photos of Mom and Dad, I couldn't believe that it was really true what Dad said that Mom was really the one he loved since he was a child and until now.
I can't believe it. Their true love never dies, and for your candle never goes out.
When we got to the last picture it was their wedding picture at church. The one in the house is the wedding picture that was held underground. This one ... is very beautiful.
Mom is wearing an elegant while gown, while Dad is wearing a tux. They are smiling from ear to ear.
I looked at Mom and I saw tears welling up in her eyes, Dad is just staring at the picture.
"God, it's been a while since we've reached Saint. It seems like only yesterday that we were almost fighting for our lives, but now, we're here looking back through the memories with our kids." Crying Mom said.
I've heard about Mom and Dad's struggles just to fight for their love. And even if you repeat Mom's story a million times, I won't get tired, because for me, that was a very pure, heart aching, and beautiful story.
That was a story of true love.
"Yeah, and it's all worth it." Dad whispered to Mom but we heard it all.

Twenty-Two: She's Here
When we arrived at the venue, everything was very formal to look at. After all, this birthday celebration is very grand, and unique. It's ancient style, just like Riguel likes. He loves ancient things, I see.
"Evie! You already, arrived! Is that your gift for Rigo?" I looked at Mrs. Traspe, while smiling at me broadly.
"Ahm yes." I said while holding a black gift box.
"You can hand it to me so I can include it in other gifts." Said Mrs. Traspe, I nodded and gave him the gift I was carrying.
My eyes searched for Avie and I was shaken when I saw her with Jax, Jurielle, Ruel, and Ryl. I was about to approach there when suddenly someone grabbed my arm.
I looked at the hand holding my arm and looked up at that person.
"Jizan? What are you doing?" I asked annoyed.
"Let's sit over there." He said and pointed to the table where Riguel, Rahul, Soren, Leviathan, and Khadin were sitting.
Leviathan and Khadin are Soren's friends, and I think they know the Traspe.
I just followed Jizan who was walking closer to the table over there. Riguel looked at me and immediately smiled, I smiled back at him and sat beside him.
"Happy Birthday!" I said.
"Thanks, where's my gift?" He asked. I snickered at him so he laughed ..
"It's your mom, I gave it to her." He showed me an 'ok' sign and smiled broadly, I immediately saw his dimples appear. Cute.
I felt someone sitting next to me and I saw Jizan. He is busy texting someone, I guess it's Kylie?
I looked at Soren and I saw he was looking at Riguel seriously. What's the problem with this one?
"Are you dating my sister?" He suddenly asked while looking at Riguel wickedly. Wtf?
"Excuse me?" Riguel responded.
Soren sighed. "Are you dating my sister?" He asked again. I looked at Riguel and saw the uneasiness on his face.
"Soren, what's on your mind? Stop it." I said, Soren looked at me and immediately stared. Aba ?!
"No, I'm not dating her. But maybe soon." I know what Riguel said was just a joke so I just didn't react.
"Why? Do you like her?" Soren asked again.
I secretly stepped on Soren's foot under the table to make him stop, but he acted like nothing. So I was bored.
"Ahm, yes." I immediately looked at Riguel because of what he said, but he just winked at me.
Crazy! He is making things up! A to is going crazy!
"How about you Ate? Do you like Rigo?" Soren asked me.
"Why are you fucking asking so many questions ?! Can you just shut the fuck up?" I can't help but say. I heard Jizan 'tsked' beside me so I also looked at him.
But he is still busy on his cellphone. Tss! Edi, please don't let him attend Riguel's birthday celebration if he only uses his cellphone!
"Whatever, Ate." Soren said and turned back to his friends.
I looked at Riguel. "Sorry about Soren, that's just the way it is. Malicious." I said. Riguel nodded at me.
"It's fine, he's just curious." She said smiling.
When the celebration started, I heard speeches by Riguel's parents, siblings, and other relatives. I am starting to get bored, and I can't talk to Jizan because he is listening to the speaker, while Riguel is already at the stage listening and smiling at them.
I almost fell asleep because I was really bored. I roamed my eyes around and looked for Mom and Dad, and I saw them talking to Mr. and Mrs. Traspe, with Tito Manzo.
Other families were also invited to the underground. But I don't know them very well.
"Are you dating Rigo?" I was surprised by Jizan's sudden speech next to me so I immediately looked at him.
"What the hell? No!" I said annoyed, is he too?
"Don't curse." He made a weak promise, but he was still looking ahead.
I bite my lower lip to prevent myself from cursing. He then looked at me with amused eyes.
"Are you following me?" He asked. I immediately rolled my eyes at him.
I felt him pinched my cheeks so I immediately removed his hand. He chuckled at me, and I stared at him. He sounds so mature.
"You shouldn't date, Rigo." His simple promise, I immediately frowned there.
"And why is that?" I asked him.
"You two are both too young for that." I can't help but laugh because of what Jizan told me ..
"Seriously, Jizan? I didn't let you know about your girlfriend Kylie, you shouldn't let me know either!" Annoyed, I averted my eyes from him and angrily pulled the hair that was blocking my face.
He chuckled at me and held my chin and guided my head to look at him again. "And who said my girlfriend is Kylie?" He asked.
"She! She herself. She bragged about it inside the washroom! We saw her comforting her while she was crying!" It's too late for this Jizan to admit it! Lots more excuses!
He moved my chair closer to him and placed one of his arms on the back of my chair.
"Uh-huh? Where did you get that information huh?" She whispered softly. I averted my eyes from him again and looked at the stage.
"To Kylie herself! To your girlfriend herself!" I said. I felt him get closer to me even more so I was nervous. Putangina, what about Jizan.
"I have a girlfriend? Who?" He just goes around talking to e!
"It's Kylie!"
"Oh? How did that happen? I don't like him." He whispered.
"Eh who do you like?" I asked.
"You."
I immediately looked at Jizan because of what he said, and I was surprised to realize how close we were. Holy fuck! We are so close!
I could not move because of the closeness of his face to mine, I grin appeared on his lips.
Jizan immediately walked away from me, having his grin on his face.
"I don't have a girlfriend, don't be jealous princess, 'kay?"
I no longer answered him and moved my seat away from him. And then I saw Riguel walking straightforward to our table. Are the speeches over?
Riguel smiled at me and sat down next to me.
"Then what?" I asked.
Riguel immediately shook his head.
"Mom still has an announcement." I nodded at Riguel.
I watched his Mom walked through the stage. It all smiled at us.
"Good evening, ladies and gents. I have a follow up announcement, I didn't expect her to be here since she's busy abroad. But she's special to my son, so I'd like to make an announcement for her arrival. " Smiling said Mrs. Traspe, what? The VIP, on the other hand.
"So, let's give her around of applause, Miss Catalina Marquez."
What ?! He's here?! People immediately applauded inside the venue, and there I saw her. Walking like a true super model, she's wearing an elegant fitted red long gown, and all I can say is, she is very pretty.
I looked at Riguel and saw his calm expression as if he expected this to happen.
I took a glance at Jizan and I saw how shocked he is, he blinked a couple of times and he adjusted his neck tie. He looked so shocked.
Jizan immediately stood up and left the venue.
So ... she's here.