Chapter 36

: Alternate Endearment
Suddenly someone called Riguel's cellphone so he walked away from me and you answered immediately. He moved away from me a bit so I couldn't hear what they were talking about when they called him but that isn't my concern right now! I grabbed my forehead and immediately closed my eyes.
Tangina talaga. I lowered my hand and folded it. What went into his brain and he did that? Is he crazy?
Riguel looked at me and put down his cellphone. "I need to go back inside, I need to talk to some investors. So if you get cold here, go inside too, right?"
"There's a fountain in front, if you want to take a look, just go okay? I'll try to be quick ..." He said and patted my head and left immediately.
I rested loosely because of Riguel"s departure. Thank you! I don't want to be awkward next to him no! Besides, I don't know what to say to him after what he did.
But my nervousness returned immediately when I saw Jizan walking towards me, his face was serious and he looked angry. I was immediately nervous, my heart was beating so fast and I didn"t know what to do.
It's more awkward when it's Jizan!
"I saw what he did." He said and sat down next to me. I immediately backed away.
"W-what?" I stuttered the question.
"I saw that Riguel did, is he already your boyfriend?" He asked, using a very deep tone. While his adam's apple is moving up and down.
"Where did that come from?" I asked her. I averted my gaze from Jizan, as I couldn't seem to look into his eyes. Seems intoxicating.
"He kissed you. What do you want me to expect?" He asked.
"He's not my boyfriend! I really don't want him." I said. Annoyingly, what is the trip of these two? Riguel thought I wanted Jizan, then Jizan thought I wanted Riguel!
"So you're letting anyone to kiss you?" He couldn't believe what he said.
"What ?! No!"
"Then why did you let him kiss you?" Jizan asked again. I just fell in love with him.
Tsk! "You weren't paying attention before, and now you're bothering me." I whispered.
"I can hear that." He said calmly.
"I don't care, get out of here! Riguel might get caught and you two will fight—"
"So you prefer staying with him than me?" There was a mixture of annoyance in Jizan's voice but I just ignored it.
"What? No! I mean, I never said that!" Really annoying. What does he want to convey?
He took a deep breath and faced me with him while holding both my shoulders. My eyes widened at what he did but he just stared at me.
He held my forehead and you immediately stroked it firmly as if there was dirt that had been on my forehead for a long time.
"What the fuck are you doing?" I said in disgust.
"Shut up. Don't curse." My fist clenched because of what Jizan said. He continued caressing my forehead hard and I could no longer speak.
And when he's contented he finally stopped and looked at me.
"Listen Eveanna, don't you ever date someone that is close to me. I won't allow it." He said hardly. I was more nervous than he said and I couldn't move.
Why am I fucking scared of him? I am Eveanna Santillana! I shouldn't be scared of him!
He looked at me with full authorization and caressed my face gently.
"Do you understand me? Princess?" He asked again.
I nodded gently at him. He smirked at my response and turned away from me. That I was relieved to see that he was far away from me, damn him.
I averted my gaze in his direction and caught my breath.
"I'm sorry about earlier ..." He said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry for being rude to you earlier." Ah yeah! He's being so mean to me earlier! Annoying!
"Uh, yeah. It's okay .."
"And Soren told me about you being bossy to Catalina earlier ..." Wtf Soren? I thought you were my brother?
"What ?! I am not being bossy with her! She is just so 'fc' and you know I hate fc's!" I said in disgust, while rolling my eyes.
"Oh really? As fas as I know you are just jealous of her because she is close to me." There was a mixture of sarcasm in his voice as he said that.
"The hell? You're assuming!" I almost shouted at him because of the annoyance I was feeling.
"I bet it's true though ..."
"Which?!"
"That you have a crush on me." I immediately laughed because of what Jizan said. The thickness of the net face.
"You know ... you're very assuming! Why would I like you? We're not even close!" I told him.
"Not close really? We already slept beside each other in the car. And you're telling me we aren't that close?" He says laughing. I immediately turned to him and stared at him wickedly.
He looked at me and immediately smiled foolishly.
"I admit it you're kinda clingy when asleep. You tend to hug." He said with a smile.
"What the fuck, Jizan! You are such a perv!" I said in disgust.
"I said no cursing. And what? Me a perv? Ang gwapo ko naman manyak." He buffed.
I got a bruise on my forehead because of what Jizan said. Tangina neto.
"You're annoying ..." I whispered softly.
"No, princess I am not ..." He said laughing.
"Don't call me that ..." I said.
"Why? What do you want me to call you huh?" He asked.
I looked at him and there was still the smile that had been on his face before. He raised both his eyebrows while still smiling and looking at me.
"Just call me whatever you want but not that one." I told him. I averted my gaze again and turned my attention to the plants.
"Why? Calling you princess is cute. You are a real princess by the way, you grew like one." He says.
"Tss." I hissed.
"Okay then if you don't like it, I'll call you my alternate endearment for you."
"What? Alternate Endearment?" I'm confused question.
"Yeah .."
"What's that?"
"Secret. You'll hear it soon."
I was just stunned by what Jizan said. Whatever Jizan, whatever.

: The Call
Time flew fast and it's been already a week since that birthday celebration of both Riguel and Jizan. I was also a bit busy with school works because I had a lot of requirements to pursue because I left school for a week because of their birthday.
And when I returned to SIA, many issues came up for me. First, is Riguel's instagram post. Secondly, Avie posted that Riguel was also with us when we were eating.
Lastly, Jizan's post is just my picture! The picture there is the one he took when we were in the van. When the ugly ugly I look! So there you have it, many issues that fill the school today!
One of them is my flirtatious nature and being a two-timer. I'm disgusted! Bwisit! The problem is that people tend to make up stories! Annoying!
"M-Miss S-Santillana, p-given p-po n-by Senior K-Kylie." Kylie is another one! Very feelingera! He really feels like he's really Jizan!
I looked at a young student. I looked down at her and when I saw her ID lace I was shocked. Seriously, Kylie ?! Grade 8 student ?!
I immediately took the paper he was holding and you immediately opened it. While that Grade 8 student was already running away. Tsk.
'WE NEED TO TALK. AFTER CLASS, GYMNASIUM. '
That"s what was written on the paper, I crumpled the paper and threw it. I don't have time of dealing with her.
"What's that?" I looked at Riguel next to me who was still chewing food.
Lunch today and we're just the two of us together because we're grade 12s early lunch today. I don't know why but it says early dismissals as well.
"Nothing. Just don't think about it." I said.
"Weh? You look bothered." He said as he looked at me.
"Me? Bothered? Come on, Riguel." I laughed saying. He put down his cutlery and looked at me seriously.
"Is there something wrong?" He asked. Oh right, he doesn't know anything about the issues because it doesn't get to him.
Or even to Jizan. I don't know why they haven't reached it yet, it's so widespread in the whole school. But they said they did not inform the men of the issue.
Because they said I might beg the boys and kidnap all the boys at school. Like what the fuck ?! How is that even possible ?!
"No, just don't mind me." I said and avoided looking at him.
"If something is bothering you don't hesitate to tell me okay?" He said and I nodded at him.
"I got you, Evie. I got you." He added.
"Besides, if you need help, I'm just here, you don't need to be problematic." He said and went back to eating.
"Who said I'm problematic?" When I talk to him, I need to bring my energy back so that he doesn't become even more suspicious and he knows what's going on.
"Nothing. You look in trouble, so avoid the problems! The first semester isn't over yet, there will be more problems at school." He says. The first semester isn't over yet but I have an issue!
I'm only in my second month in Grade 12 but it's like this, just touch it. I thought this school was different from my past schools, but it's still the same.
"Right. I am not problematic in the first place!" I said.
"Okay, you are not problematic then." He says laughing.
Suddenly my cell phone rang so I looked at it and almost lost my breath at what I read.
From: Dad
Come home immediately. Soren is in danger, he needs our help.
Soren ... what happened to Soren. I know he's on the OS and he's studying there but I don't get why he's still doomed to run. Moreover, the OS is tight now, especially Santillana and Soren. So it is impossible for him to perish.
"Hey, what happened?" I looked back at Riguel.
"I need to leave ..." I said softly.
"What?" He couldn't believe what he said.
"Please make an excuse for me, I need to go home. I need to go .." I said in a hurry and I immediately stood up.
I was running towards the exit and I was surprised to see Jizan also talking on his cellphone. I stopped running and looked at Jizan, he looks problematic also.
"What! Fuck off, Harold! Don't you ever hurt anyone who's close to me!" He was furious. And did he just curse?
Harold? Who is Harold?
"You don't know me ... don't you ever try testing my patience." He said firmly and dropped the call.
He grabbed her by the nape of her neck and I could see how she was calming herself.
Later I was also surprised to see Riguel also running out of school. He also looks troubled, and he seems nervous.
"Evie? Riguel?" Jizan called us in question. We both looked at him and I saw that he was quite calm.
"Why are you both here?" He asked.
"My Dad send me a text and he is telling me to go home for some emergency." I said.
"Dad called, there's something urgent happened. How about you? Why are you out here?" Riguel asked.
"Dad also called me to handle some things .." he said.
"Are you coming home yet?" I couldn't help but ask him, he then looked at me and I saw how his face became calmer when he looked at me.
"Yes ... you like to come with me?" I blinked at what he said and I felt my chest tremble.
"No, she's coming with me." I looked at Riguel when he suddenly spoke.
I heard Jizan sigh. I looked at him again and I saw disappointment in his eyes.
"I should get going, just go with Riguel." He said and immediately got inside his car.
I looked at Riguel and I saw him just looking at me.
I sighed.
"Alright, let's go."
I said and walked with him to his car.
: Just the Both of Us
When I got home, Mommy, crying, came up to me. I was immediately worried about Soren's condition. Is it really that dangerous? Only now have I seen Mom's soft side again.
Dad is busy hugging Mom while comforting her, and telling her that every thing will be alright. Avie on the other hand was just quiet on the side while watching Mom and Dad.
"Mom ... Dad ..." I said softly, they looked at me and they both immediately stood up.
"Finally, you're here .." Dad said while caressing Mom's back.
"What happened to Soren, Mom?" I asked her as I approached them, they sat back on the couch while I sat on the next couch.
"He's held as a hostage ... Soren was kidnapped." Mom said softly, what? Soren was what?
"No! That's impossible to happen! Soren is very strong and we all know that, he's almost on par with Dad Mom. And it's impossible to get him that easily." I said.
"Yes, I know..but the person who kidnapped him is the person who used to be your Dad's opponent." I was confused by what Mom said, I couldn't understand it.
"But ... I thought he's dead?" I asked her.
"He is, but their bloodline isn't." Said Dad.
"What does that supposed to mean?" I asked again.
"Remember Patrick Sudalga? The one we told you who's our enemy in the past?" Dad said. Avie and I both nodded at what Dad said.
Dad often talked about his past with Mom. And we've met many that we haven't seen, Patrick Sudalga is one of them.
"I found out that he has another child." Dad's promise.
"Who?" Avie asked this time.
"Harold Sudalga." Harold?
I don't want to overthink but I can't think of anything else. Jizan was talking to a person named Harold earlier, I heard they are talking about not hurting anyone who's close to Jizan.
He said earlier that Tito Manzo ordered him to settle some things, I don't want to be suspicious but maybe Tito Manzo can't do that to our family, right? He is Dad's close friend afterall! And it is impossible for their family to be traitors!
"I called you both home so that you would be aware of what was happening to your brother. And so that, you'll know why me and your Mom will be away from you for a long time. We need to go to the OS and get your brother. " Said Dad. I nodded slowly at him.
"But don't worry, I already called your Tita Savienna together with your Tito Ignatius to be here with you both." Mom said.
"Please comeback safe Mom and Dad ..." Avie said as if she was still crying.
"Don't worry sweeties, we will be back as soon as possible." Mom and Dad kissed our forehead and immediately walked up to their room to prepare their belongings.
"Evie ... I am scared .." Avie said softly. I said why was he scared, he had been quiet before and just listened to our conversation with Mom and Dad.
She's really a soft-hearted person.
"Don't worry Avie, Mom and Dad will be safe. Just don't worry okay?" I'm making sure of him.
He immediately approached me and hugged me. In terms of a situation like this, I can't be afraid either. Because if Avie and I are both scared we can't lean on each other ... one of us needs to be brave and I know in myself that I should be that. Because of Avie's personality, I am the one who is more capable of being brave.
I caressed her back like how Mom caressed our backs if something bad happens or if we're sad.
"Even if Soren and I aren't close, I'm still worried for him ... I don't want to lose a family .." Avie said gently.
"Don't worry Avionna, nothing bad will happen to Soren." I felt my shoulder get wet so I immediately turned Avie to me.
"Don't cry! You know I don't want you to cry!" Disgusted I said, I immediately removed the tears that were in her eyes.
"I can't help it, I'm so worried about Soren. Even if sometimes I feel like he likes you better ... I don't complain, all of the people around like you better ..." he said while tears kept flowing in her eyes.
"Come on Avie, we know Soren likes us both. He just can't keep up with you because his trip is different ... but I swear he cares for you too." I told him.
"You don't need to envy me, in fact you're easier to get along with than me. And you have more great fashion sense than me, and you look more like a role model of our family than me." I said. Trying to calm her.
"You're just saying that naman e .." Usal niya.
"We're sisters Avie, and there's no high and no low. We are equal." I said. He nodded slowly at what I said and slowly he also smiled.
"Am I ugly when I cry?" She asked. I just laughed.
"Yes you are." I said and jokingly squeezed both his cheeks.
She sighed. "What would I even do without you Evie .."
"We have each other, we're sisters afterall." I said with a smile as I hugged Avie again.
"We're going now kids .." Avie and I both looked at Mom and Dad who were ready to leave.
"You want to go on the rooftop?" Mom asked, Avie nodded at us immediately.
We accompanied Mom and Dad on the walk to the rooftop where a chopper would pick them up. Immediately the sunshine and the cold wind blew on us.
"Be good okay? The both of you." Mom reminded me, I immediately nodded.
"Take care of your sister, Eveanna." I gave Dad a thumbs up.
They both kissed our forehead once again and rode inside the chopper. Avie and I watched them as they flew away of our mansion.
I look at Avie and she starts crying again. I guess it's just the both of us for a mean time ..