Chapter 3

Through the years, not just humans are getting older, even unresolved personal and global problems too. Summer Season in the Philippines used to shine in April to May. Now, it has changed. Probably because of the recently defeated pandemic or the effect of climate change globally. Classes whether for elementary, high school, and colleges will start during September. Before, it was in June. Nevertheless, people should have not cursed Mother Nature for this predicament. All of these misfortunes and haul of miseries are what they caused to themselves. They cannot be tossing out blame for the wrath of their own cruelty. She scolded herself for thinking outside the box. She is supposedly wondering of the escapade she will have for the month of August.

Fresh air, green mountains, rice fields, vegetable gardens, and the jaw-dropping view of waterfalls. These are just few of those golden treasures that a countryside could offer and the features that Mary Emily Trañilla has been looking for upon deciding to spend their summer vacation at Simone's province place. 

Simone Kennedy Garcia is a family friend of her since high school. They are both college students now. Their both parents are beyond in good terms that they even made an agreement for their children to get married when they will graduate college soon.

For Mary Emily, it is not something to worry about as long as it is okay with Simone. His decision matters to her. If he would refuse, she would not allow this to happen as well. But since they are on the same page, their fixed marriage would not accelerate but rather, run smoothly 'til the end of its course. 

She knew and understood that their parents badly wanted this to happen for their future's sake. It is not new in their world. They have been exposed and witnessed how other friends and relatives got the same fate as them. Doing this lessen the threat of more heartaches and being passed down by the wrong arms in the process of finding the right love for you. Eventually, they believed in learning to love each others and the children that they will soon have. 

Just last week, a dinner date with both families happened. They are planning on their engagement party and where to spend the vacation before the resumption of classes.

And now, everything is set and packed. Emily and Simone are finally heading to San Vega. It is where Simone's father used to live most of his life. They are both used to wander in places surrounded by tall buildings and noisy clubs. Thus, excitement is evident on their faces. For sure, it would be an August full of adventure and a raw experience. 

It took about 2 hours until they passed by an arc with a scuplted-like lettering of a phrase saying, “Welcome to San Vega.” That even makes her more awakened. She slept awhile ago right after they left the airport. 

“Are we finally at our destination?,” she asks Simone who only take a glance at her while driving. 

“Yes, Emi,” he answers and give her an assuring smile. Probably, he thought she is tired and itching to lay in a comfortable bed.

She look at the coconut trees that are lining up near the edge of the wide cemented road. She noticed how clear the lane is—no other vehicles or branches of coconut and other trees. She spotted small houses, but they are distance away from the street and other's houses. No sound from establishments or factories, but sound of how the wind blows and birds tweeting. 

She turns on her phone and takes a glimpse at the time. It is already 3:28 o'clock in the afternoon. When the coconut trees disappears, a weed that could be an animal food follows. It is like gating the edge of each side of the road. Hence, they are like moving in an alley way. After few more minutes, the car goes up and runs in a plain road area, then slowly get in the already open high gate. She blinks twice at the mansion's view that welcomes them. It is like a foreign house in the mountainous countryside. How come that she did not seen it while they are from afar? The mansion was like constructed at the peak of Mt. Everest. People would notice it even if they choose not to, but she did not. Not until they are now at its front yard.

“This is your family's mansion?,” she asks with wide eyes open. 

“Yes, Emi,” he replies and winks at her.

She wander around her sight again. Their own house in Manila is big and classical, but this one screams similarity to western treasure. 

“Is this an ancestral mansion?” 

“Yes. From my father's great grandfather.”

“Really?” 

“Yeah, it has been renovated again and again, ” that makes her more stoke to go inside and check its interior design.

“For years, my brother did a really great job in keeping the beauty of the mansion,” now that he is mentioning about his brother, Emily's thought is instantly filled with questions of curiosity about Simone's half-brother. She did know about his existence. She knew his name, but she never ever meet him personally. 

She feels excited to see him. She is wondering what he is looking like? Is he a carbon copy of their father? Is there a part of him that reminds her of Simone's looks? Or he is different in all aspect because he inherited the features from his late mother?

“Oh! Sir Simone, ma'am,” a maid in her mid 40's called them as she is rushing down to come near where they are standing. 

“Mrs. Ramos, it has been awhile,” Simone said when he recognizes her. The woman's smile is too genuine for someone to say that she is faking it. 

“I am glad to see you again, sir. And of course, to this beautiful lady you are with, which is probably Ms.Trañilla?,” the maid is already informed about their arrival today. That is why everything is prepared for them. From the cooked foods, cleaned and sanitized rooms, and the overall orderliness of the mansion.

Two butlers appear and they are now busy lifting and pulling their baggages as they are following Mrs. Mercy Ramos towards their room upstairs. The spiraled-chandelier, the long staircase, the perfect furnitures in the sala, and the overall design inside made her more silent out from astonishment. Soon as they got inside their room, Mrs. Ramos bids her goodbye and reminds them of the meal that has been prepared for them downstairs.

“Alright, Mrs. Ramos. Thank you so much,” Simone, being a nice guy as ever.

“This will be your bedroom or do you prefer the other one?,” he said as he opens the door of the 2nd bedroom. 

“I will have this, Mond,” as fast as the lightning strikes when she tell him that.

“Alright, Emi. Imma leave you here then. Let us just change clothes and be downstairs for our early dinner?,” he uttered seriously and laugh at the end line 'cause it is not even 5:30 or 6:00 pm yet.

After he closed the door, her eyes wander on the details of the bedroom. For a minute, she find herself getting lost at the sight of a painting hanging on the wall above the head of the bed. It is quite big and eye-catching. It is a waterfall with green trees nearby. It seems a realism sort of art because of how attractive and good it is to look at to.

Does the artist have a reference on this piece of art? Or is it purely a masterpiece from the figment of the artist's imagination?

Even if she is not over with it yet, she has to deviate her attention to the other things. She gets her charger and plug it into the outlet closer to the bedside table. Then unzips the zipper of her luggage to pick up a simple crop top and shorts. 20 minutes later, she hears a knock at the door coming from Simone. She has arranged some of the things she brought up upon waiting for his signal to go out. 

“Emi, are you good to eat meal now?” 

“Yep, let's go. I bet the food has been waiting for us,” she giggles as he agrees. 

As the maids hear their footsteps coming, they stand and line up.

“Oh! These delicacies looks appetizing,” Simone complimented as they are welcomed by a bunch of servings in a rectangular moving dining table.

“All for you two, sir. Enjoy your meal,” Mrs. Ramos said with her usual genuine tone.

“And oh, by the way. It has been awhile since your last visitation. So I supposed you are not familiar with these newly-hired workers and so Miss Emily. Would you mind if they would introduce themselves to you both?,” Mrs. Ramos added.

“Yes, please. I would be glad to know the names of these people who are behind the greatness of keeping the beauty of this mansion,” Simone approved with sweetness and appreciation evident on his tone.

Emily and Simone just nodded and smiled as one by one, they have spoken up.

“Nice meeting you all. To formally introduce myself, I guess I need to do the same as well. I am Simone Kennedy Garcia, Apollo's younger brother.” 

“And if you are wondering who is this gorgeous woman beside me right now or I bet you already knew her name. She is one of my closest friends. Her name is Mary Emily Trañilla,” Simone proudly told them that and rested his arm on her shoulders.

“I am glad to meet you all,” Emily said.

“You look even more prettier in person, maam,” she blushes after hearing that. 

“I have only seen you on TV and newspapers before, maam. Your charm always screams elegance, no doubt about that,” another one butted in. 

She shake her head at their compliments and laugh uncomfortably as she heard Simone chuckling. Like he is teasing her and agreeing with the maids at the same time.

That moment was cut off when a butler informed Mrs. Ramos that Apollo have just arrived. Simone's eyes twinkled in excitement as they hear that, but Emily felt so nervous out of the blue.