Pic Above: Ramos' Provincial House
Glaiza's eyes were getting droopy as she stared at the cars and the people passing by outside of the window. She had been gazing out for a while now, her head absentmindedly sliding down from her palm and was about to close her eyes, had it not from the sudden squeal from her side.
"Huh?" Glaiza bolted, from her almost sleepy state of mind. "What's happening?"
"Next! Next!" Chloe said bouncing excitedly on Rhian's lap.
Rhian chuckled and click the next episode of Adventure Time. It turns out that Glaiza's little sister had been gushing out the characters she love on the said cartoon show. So imagine the excitement on Chloe's face when Rhian said that they could watch it on her phone. Now, they're onto the next 5th episode.
"We're watching Adventure Time and she got excited." Rhian turned to Glaiza. "Sorry for disturbing your sleep."
Glaiza straightened on her seat. "Oh I wasn't sleeping. I was just resting. Anyway, I should be the one saying sorry. It looks likes you're the one Chloe's bothering now." She was about to take her sister away from her, when she was stopped by Rhian.
"Its fine, I don't mind. I promised her that we'd watch Adventure Time together. Besides, you can take your rest. I could see that you didn't really get any sleep last night. Don't worry, I'll handle Chloe." Rhian said.
"Are you sure? For your information, Chloe doesn't lose her energy when it comes to her favourite show. So it might annoy you." Glaiza replied, unsure.
"I've handle worse. Really, its alright." Rhian smiled reassuringly.
Glaiza didn't argued more mainly because she really wants to rest. After giving a last look to the two, she went back to propping her elbow near the window and rest her head on it. A minute later, her eyes closed and before she knew it, she was whisked away to dreamland.
During her sleep, she shifts in her seat, looking for a more comfortable position. Of course, it didn't go unnoticed to the brown-haired girl sitting beside her. During the 7th episode, Chloe had somehow fallen asleep on her lap.
As Rhian was carefully putting her phone on her pocket without making too much movement, she felt a weight on her left shoulder. Slowly, she turn and saw Glaiza leaning on her. Watching the short-haired girl, she noticed her breathing and the small sighs she releases, indicating that the girl is indeed in deep sleep.
Her gazing was cut short when she heard loud laughter and giggling from the front. It seems that Glaiza's friends and Rhian's have been getting along. What with Lovi being the center of attention, conveying her words through her expressions and hand gestures, to which the rest would laugh. Sometimes, attention would divert to Julie-Anne who would sometimes add or disagree with whatever it is that Lovi was saying.
Rhian turned to look at two girls sleeping on her lap and beside her, surprised that the two were still knocked off despite the loud noise.
"Hey couz! You okay back there?" Lovi called, making the others chuckle at the brown-haired girl's position right now.
"I would be, if you tone your voices down a bit. You're gonna wake them up." Rhian whisper-shouted, glaring a little at her cousin's high-pitch voice.
"That wouldn't be necessary. Disturb them hoewever you like, they wouldn't budge. Those two are heavy sleepers." Chynna said while eating her chips.
Hearing the familiar crunch, Rhian suddenly felt hungry. But how could she divulge into food with the two sleeping persons preventing her?
"Hey Rhian! Heads up!" Dennis said and tossed her a large pack of cheese-flavored Piattos.
Rhian smiled gratefully and sighed contentedly as she took a bite of the delicious snack.
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After two hours on the road, the black van finally stopped. Upon stepping outside, Glaiza couldn't help but marvel at the sight before them.
Because they were far from the city, the place was full of nature. Trees so tall it could almost touch the sky. Grass so green that it almost look like it was painted. Flowers sit among it, creating a very freshy feeling. There were also different kinds of waterforms: lakes, ponds, and a waterfall not far from them. Beyond that are the brown hills.
"Wow! Everything is just so... clean." Katrina said.
"And so... fresh." Brian continued.
The rest agreed to which Rhian smiled. They followed her until they came across a huge white gate with black edges. Rhian made a phone call and seconds later, the gate opened.
Huge two-story white house with blue roof before them. Two stoney white paths are seen from the sides towards the house. Trees surrounded the sides and a mini garden situated on the left. A blue fountain is on the center with a path towards it.
A series of wow's and woah's were heard from both Rhian and Glaiza's friends as they stare at what's in front of them.
"You might want to save those words when we go inside the house. Trust me, its so much better." Lovi said and knocked on the door.
The door was opened by a stout man in a suit and a bow tie. Lovi and Rhian greeted him and was introduced to the group. However, the two stopped when they noticed that their friends' attention was elsewhere.
Just like everybody else, Glaiza roam her eyes on the interior of the house. Everything was a mix of grey and white, making it seems like you wouldn't want to have dirt or stain on it. Two long stairs spiralled from both sides all the way to the second floor. A beautiful silver chandelier dangling at the center from above. Living room from the side with comfy cloud-like couches. The other side was the kitchen bearing two large grey refrigerators, white cupboards, and aesthetic jars filled with different kinds of sweets.
Wow!
"I think I'm in heaven."
"This would be a memorable summer."
"Damn, if I've known that Rhian was this rich, I would've ask for much more on my birthday."
"I wouldn't mine spending my life here."
"I'm so convince that their family is freaking rich."
"Can't believe I'm in Rhian's house!"
"This is so fucking awesome!"
Were some of the compliments the group said, still amazed at the inside of the house.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?!" Rhian exclaimed rubbing her right shoulder from where Julie-Anne punched her.
"I'm pissed at you! Why didn't you tell me about this? If I have known all along, I would be spending the rest of the summers here. I'm so piss that Lovi knows all of this and not me!" Julie-Anne creased her forehead and crossed her arms.
"Yeah Rhian, why's that?" Dennis added.
"I thought we were friends." Josh said, playfully glaring at Rhian.
Lovi smirked at her friends being dramatic.
"Well first off, Lovi knew about this because she's my cousin and we practically grew up here. Second, this house was strictly for family members only. But recently, they allowed me to bring you guys here. Sooo, yeah." Rhian reasoned out.
Her friends nodded understandingly. She told them that they should settle in first, before they roam around.
"So all in all we have six rooms. Three rooms on the second floor and three downstairs. So pair up and find your chosen rooms." Rhian said.
All of them began calling out to their pair, pulling, and calling shotgun on the it chosen room. Glaiza quickly followed her younger sister who was giggling, taking the stairs to the second floor.
"Hey slow down, baby!" Glaiza called out as she saw Chloe making her way up to the farthest corner of the room. Glaiza panted as she went inside, plopping down three heavy bags.
She roam her eyes and marveled at how spacious the room is. Just like the interior of the house, the room was all white and grey. The carpet and the couch was furry white. A desk across the bed. A mini library on the right corner. A huge walk-in closet and a clean and big bathroom.
But what grab Glaiza's attention is the terrace across from her, hiding behind closed sliding doors. She walked to it and slide the doors open. Her eyes widened at the scenery in front of her. She could see that not far from the house is a beach with clear blue ocean and white sands being enjoyed by some people. On her left she could see the endless green trees and the cute hills. On her right is mini resort to which it looked like an occassion is being held.
"I guess you found my room." A voice spoke startling her. She turn around to see Rhian dragging her luggage.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know this was yours." Glaiza said picking up their bag and called out her sister who was lying contentedly on the bed.
"Chloe come on." Glaiza said but the little girl made no move.
Rhian chuckled. "Its alright, you guys can take it."
"Don't be silly, this is your room. We'll just pick another one." Glaiza replied.
"No really, you can stay. This isn't technically mine. Its just one of my favorite room. You can have it though. Besides, it looks like she wouldn't be getting out of there for a while." Rhian nodded at Chloe who was moving her hands and feet sideways, as if making a snow angel.
Glaiza smiled thankfully.
"Settle your things and meet me downstairs. We'll be having our lunch elsewhere then I'll be touring you guys on this town." Rhian said and dissapeared.
Glaiza began unzipping their bag and putting out their clothes. She folded some of it while hanging the others. Sometimes, she would get distracted when Chloe would climb on her back, wrapping her tiny arms around her neck or would attempt to help her fold but end up messing it.
By the time she was done, she carried Chloe and head downstairs, only to see Rhian there.
"Where are the others?" Glaiza sked as took a sit across from Rhian.
"Still unpacking. I didn't really bring a lot of clothes since I have some of it here." Rhian said. There was awkward silence after that since Rhian was on her phone typing something.
Before the situation could get any more uncomfortable, the rest appeared and said that they're all done. Rhian told them that they'll be dining at the resort to which all was surprised, owned by her.
"The title was given to me by father, and I've been handling it for two years now. With the supervision of him, of course." Rhian explained. As they were walking towards the resort, they passed by a couple of things the rich girl's family owns.
A farm filled with crops and barn full of animals, strawberry fields, ranches filled with all kinds of beautiful horses, and a park which is now slightly abandoned saved from the two old couple sitting by the bench.
As soon as they reached their destination, Rhian requested to prepare all their specialty and the most sought out foods. A waiter lead them to a more private area, since most of the tables are taken. On the way, they saw the kitchen filled by busy chefs and was amazed at how precise and quick they all are.
"Daddy!" Chloe exclaimed. Glaiza turn around and was shocked to see her father with a white apron on, with Chloe hugging him by the knees. She lunge forward and also gave him a hug to which her old man gave a chuckle.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were working on some fancy restaurant and wouldn't be back for a month?" Glaiza said confused.
"Well, I am. Why else would I be wearing this?" Her dad said pointing at his white apron. "Margaret and I bumped with each other the other day at the grocery store and was able to catch up with things. When I mentioned about me finding a job, she immediately hired me, saying she needed someone to bake desserts which is basically my area of expertise. Coincidence right?" Glaiza nodded and chuckled.
"What about you? What brings you here? I didn't recall saying where I'm working, am I?" Her dad asked.
"Oh! Well it just so happened that Rhian's provincial house is located in this town, across from this resort." Glaiza explained.
Her dad gasped. "You mean that huge house is owned by the Ramos' family?" Glaiza nodded.
"You know Benjamin is also here." Glaiza widened and before she could ask where, she felt hands on her waist and squealed when she was lifted and swirled around.
"Ben!" She beamed when she was put down. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged me.
Benjamin chuckled. "Well, someone misses me."
Glaiza smiled and pulled away. "This is a surprise! I thought you'll be spending your summer helping your mom at her clinic?"
"Remember when I told you that my mom has two branches of her clinic? Well, one of which is here." Benjamin said carrying Chloe on his arms.
"That's great! We'll be seeing more of each other then." Glaiza said to which Benjamin winked.
"Glaiza, the food is- Oh!" Rhian stopped mid-track when she saw that Glaiza was busy with someone.
"You should head back, text me if you ever want to meet, okay?" Benjamin said to which Glaiza nodded. He gave a side-hug to Glaiza and a nod at Rhian before he went away.
"Papa Vin, how's baking treating you?" Rhian asked.
"Oh, I couldn't be happier! Thank your mom again, will you?" Rhian smiled and nodded.
Rhian reminded Glaiza again that the food is served and that other are waiting. Glaiza was about to grab Chloe's hand when the little girl spoke.
"But I want to stay with dad." Chloe whined.
"Baby not now, daddy's still working. Maybe later, okay?" Glaiza said.
"Actually, my shift has just ended. She can come with me." Glaiza's dad reassured and carried her youngest daughter on his arms.
Glaiza nodded before following Rhian back to their seats.
After a bellyful meal, Rhian permitted the group to roam around, but not too far away from the house so they wouldn't be lost. She knows the town like the back of her hand. There are some places lurking in danger that she doesn't want the group to encounter.
She left Lovi to tour the others, since she have things to do. Reaching the house, she ordered the maids and the butlers to tidy up the house: cleaning, polishing, replacing old with new, and adding more that are once less.
She had also helped in tidying up the rooms, making sure everything is clean and comfortable for her friends' stay. During this, a maid has informed her about the arrival of Jason and his parents.
"Tita, tito, what a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Rhian greeted. Before anyone of those two could reply Jason come up to her and hold both of her hands.
"Rhian, sweetheart. Its really nice to see you. You look particularly sexy today, with how you're face is glistening with sweat." Jason said. Rhian offered a tight smile before pulling her hands away.
"Rhian dear! Its lovely to see- Oh! That's a lot of sweat." Jason's mother grimaced who was about to hug Rhian when she felt the girl's sweaty self.
"Sorry, I was cleaning out rooms for my friends." Rhian apologized, rubbing the sweat off of her forehead.
"Why? You can just ask one of your maids to do it. That is, after all, the purpose of having them, dear." Jason's mother said.
"Well, I figured-"
"Can we talk somewhere else? I can't stand all of this dusts, smell, and sweats of these people!" Jason's father interrupted while swatting his hand in the air.
The four went to the backyard where they settled on an ordinary couch.
"I was expecting more of an indoor place, but, oh well, this might do." Jason's father remarked, dusting off his seat before sitting.
"So uhm, why the sudden visit?" Rhian asked again.
"Well, your father mentioned that you'll be staying here for the summer. So we thought that we'll let Jason stay with you and spend some quality time together, knowing each other better. You are, after all, getting married two months later. Oh! We're so thrilled to know that you'll be the one marrying our son! You two are perfect for each other!" Jason's mother smiled.
Meanwhile, while walking back to the house, Glaiza admired the garden full of blossoming flowers with different colors. Just then, something furry brushed on her ankle. She look down and saw Poncho looking up at her, wagging its tail.
"Hey boy." Glaiza bent down and scratch the fur behind his ear. "I'm just following this trail of flowers. Wanna come?" This earned a bark from the dog to which Glaiza smiled.
The two kept walking, ocassionally stopping to sniff their fragrance, until they came across the backyard, where Glaiza saw Rhian talking to two people wearing fancy clothes, and Jason.
From what Glaiza is seeing, the two people were talking with smiles on their faces and would sometimes point at Jason who also had a grin on his face. But it seems that Rhian is uncomfortable with the way she shifts on her seat and the slight frown on her face.
Suddenly, their eyes met and Glaiza could swear she saw relief etched on her face before Rhian called her. Surprised, she slowly made her way to the porch, seeing the two couple's confused face and Jason's annoyed look.
"Oh, who's this?" Jason's father asked
"Glaiza, meet Mr. and Mrs. Ventura, Jason's parents. Tita, tito, this is Glaiza. She's the reason why my marriage with Jason would be cancelled." Rhian introduced. Glaiza held out her hand but either one of the couple didn't take it but instead roam their eyes on the short-haired girl, sizing her up. Hesitantly, Glaiza put down her hand, instantly feeling uncomfortable under the stares she's been given.
"She's my girlfriend." Rhian added. The couple froze. Suddenly, there was an awkward silence after that. Then the couple bursted out laughing.
"What a joker you are!" Mrs. Ventura said giggling.
"Yeah... that... that... was a good one." Mr. Ventura added, chuckling.
"Uhh... sorry?" Rhian said confused. She look at Glaiza but the latter only shrugged, just as confuse as she is.
"You?" Mrs. Ventura point at Rhian and then at Glaiza. "And her? Together?"
The couple once again howled in laughter, their heads thrown back, clutching their stomach.
Mr. Ventura wiped a tear on the corner of his eye. "Oh God, I think I'm gonna pee myself!" He put his shoulder at his son, Jason. "Rhian's a good one here son. Don't let her go, okay?"
"Okay, okay that's enough." Mrs. Ventura pants, catching her breath. "We'll be heading home now. You treat your future wife good, okay Jason?"
Jason nodded in response. When she turn to Rhian and Glaiza to bid goodbye, she couldn't help but giggle again. Not being able to contain herself, she just gave off a wave before she was lead back to the car with his husband by her side, also chuckling.
"Okay, that was weird." Glaiza muttered.
"Yeah." Rhian agreed, still looking at the retreating figures of Jason's parents.
Jason turned to them. "That's because they didn't believe you. I mean, do you really think you could fool us? Its so obvious that your relationship is fake, what with how you two are so stiff and awkward with each other. So why don't you stop this nonsense before you further embarass yourself." He remarked, before following her parents to bid farewell to them.
Glaiza sighed. That guy is so annoying.