Four years ago
Russell
“You’re showing too much skin. Get changed!”
As we prepared for prom, Ryker cast an intrigued gaze my way, taking note of my trendy outfit. He gave me a look that made me feel younger than my actual age. He never seems to approve of my clothing choices, as if he believes that revealing outfits leave me vulnerable to the weather.
“Kuya, prom dresses aren’t in style anymore. This looks okay,” I said. I’m wearing a dress that fits snugly and features vibrant shades of red and black. The back reveals a tasteful amount of skin, with a subtle hint of cleavage. Ryker has an impeccable fashion sense. He is 12 years older than me. Despite his polished demeanor, he falls short in everyday situations.
“You should consider changing your outfit.” Ryker raised his voice once more in my direction.
“Ryker, you seem a bit out of touch with the latest fashion trends for women,” Mom remarked. “That seems to be the typical style of dress for many women I encounter.”
“Of course, Mom, I’m well aware.”
“I’m surprised that Kuya didn’t know. He has a reputation for being quite the ladies’ man; when Daniel is around, they make quite the mischievous pair.” I continued to playfully taunt my older sibling.
“Would you like a guy who’s not bothered by a little drool and finds it endearing? She’s putting herself out there, like...” Ryker attempted to speak, but our mother cut him off before he could finish.
“Like what, Ryker? Hurt your sister’s feelings.”
Ryker looked dissatisfied. “She seems to have developed a sense of entitlement due to the consistent fulfillment of her desires.”
I playfully teased Kuya by sticking my tongue out and rolling my eyes. I can sense his jealousy creeping in once more.
“Wow, my date is stunning,” Daniel exclaimed, a smile lighting up his face as he gazed in my direction.
Ryker and Mom both glanced at Daniel, the newcomer. Daniel glanced briefly at my mom. “Hello Auntie, good evening.”
“Daniel, you have the final say. Is Russell revealing too much?”
I caught another glance from Daniel. I noticed his gaze fixed on me, and it dawned on me that he recognized Ryker and seemed to appreciate my choice of attire. Daniel is quite the ladies’ man, with a preference for attractive women like Kuya. However, it’s worth noting that Daniel possesses a contemporary sense of style.
“Well?” I asked, and my eyebrows arched in curiosity. His gaze lingers on me as if undressing me with his eyes.
“I don’t notice any issues with her attire, auntie.” Daniel grinned and told my mother, “Even though no one can lay a finger on her or even catch a glimpse of her as her date, men can’t help but be captivated by her.”
I glanced in Daniel’s direction. What more could one anticipate from someone like Daniel, known for his womanizing ways?
“Am I not judged based on my clothing choices, as if I were a prostitute?”
Daniel’s expression shifted from confusion to surprise as his gaze shifted between Kuya and me. “No. Your appearance is a reflection of your behavior. And another point to consider: even if that job doesn’t meet the expectations of others, it’s not our place to pass judgment on them.”
“Alright, I suppose. If you feel like wearing it, go ahead. After all, Daniel is your date. Show him kindness.”
I glanced at Daniel briefly. His wide smile guarantees that my prom night will be unforgettable. I released a brief exhale.
“Okay, let’s go. Maybe my date is waiting for me,” Ryker said.
Ryker guided me towards the garage, gently holding my back.
***
Claire leaned in and whispered to me, “Ryker is quite the looker.”
As we settled into the backseat, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Despite receiving numerous invitations from other guys to be my date for prom night, Ryker insisted that I couldn’t have someone my age as my companion. Instead, he entrusted me to his closest friend, who happened to be twelve years my senior.
“What are your thoughts on my brother, someone with unconventional interests and a unique profession?” I softly murmured. “Hey, let’s spend time with fellow teenagers our age on prom night. What a missed opportunity, completely wasted.”
“I’m okay with it.” Ryker’s youthful appearance remains as captivating as ever. “As well as Daniel,” Claire whispered. “Why not acknowledge Daniel’s hard work? Despite his hectic schedule, he always manages to prioritize spending time with you. And another thing: our date will shine brightly throughout the night. They are quite attractive! When our classmates inquire about their numbers, I will, as usual, provide a different one when they request Ryker’s number.”
I remained silent. I couldn’t help but wear a constant frown until we arrived at school.
Immediately, Daniel came to my aid and assisted me in exiting the vehicle. A somber expression overtook my face. A smile spread across Daniel’s face as he realized that I had no intention of asking him to be my prom date. Imagine a scenario where all my classmates are enjoying the night while we are accompanied by bodyguards.
Daniel softly murmured, “Smile, babe. Embrace the beauty of this evening.”
The warmth of his breath startled me, sending a shiver down my spine. I gave Daniel a little nudge.
“Quiet down, Daniel. Just a friendly reminder: I’m still a minor. You have quite an interesting perspective,” I said, slightly irritated.
Daniel let out a soft laugh. “I’m not doing anything. Can you please just smile for me?”
I muttered, “Quiet, keep your mouth shut.”
As we made our grand entrance, all eyes were drawn to us, creating a buzz of excitement in the room. They appeared unfazed by the fact that our date was outdated for us. That evening, all eyes were fixed on us. My older brother and Daniel seem to have quite a bit of charisma.
My surprise was evident as Daniel placed my wine glasses on the cocktail table.
“Let’s dance,” Daniel said.
“I’d rather not dance with you,” I murmured.
I noticed Ryan and Monique gracefully moving across the dance floor. As I watched them, a heavy sigh escaped me. Ryan was, apparently, my date. Unfortunately, my bothersome brother orchestrated his commitment to another woman, which prevented him from dancing with me. It feels like an insurmountable task, despite my longing to solidify our relationship tonight after two weeks of playful interactions.
“Come on, Russell. Let’s savor the evening. It only happens once,” Daniel said. “It was quite amusing to witness the swarm of eager youngsters vying for the opportunity to dance with me. However, I graciously declined all their requests, ensuring that you would not be left standing on the sidelines tonight. If you refuse to dance, I’ll easily find another partner, leaving you to simply stand there.”
“Hey, what do you mean by that? Is there anyone else with a beautiful face like yours? I have a multitude of admirers.”
“I understand, but I will make sure they don’t come near you or ask you to dance. I am your date for the evening. I demand your undivided attention and exclusive company for the evening.”
I was suddenly pulled towards the center, my heart racing as I took a deep breath. The unexpected gesture as he tenderly drew me closer by wrapping his arm around my waist surprised me. I instinctively rested my hand on his shoulder, deliberately averting my eyes. Ryker and Claire were also present, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“It shouldn’t look like you hate me,” Daniel said. “Hold me right.”
“That’s how I feel tonight,” I said, clearly annoyed. “I clearly expressed my reluctance to dance, yet you persisted.”
Daniel remained silent. Instead, I was taken aback when I felt the gentle touch of Daniel’s hand on my exposed skin.
“It seems like you’ve shed a lot of weight since your waistline was 32 inches before,” Daniel said.
“I know I have an undeniable allure,” Russell declared confidently. “You don’t need to say that to me.”
Daniel let out a soft laugh.
“You really shouldn’t pay any attention to what my brother says,” I said. “Our animosity towards each other ensures that our time together will be far from enjoyable.”
“I don’t dislike you; in fact, I...”
“Hey, is it possible for me to dance with Russell?”
Daniel turned around, and I swiftly released my grip on him. Ryan has requested that I join him for a dance.
“Sure,” I replied with a smile.
Daniel firmly took hold of my wrist, preventing me from moving any further. “Hold on, Russell...”
I forcefully pulled Daniel’s hand away from me, feeling annoyed. “Many women are eager to dance with you. Feel free to select from the options available. Have a great evening!” I grinned mischievously as I abandoned him on the busy dance floor.
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my story! I appreciate it! You can add it to your library if you like it!
Russell“You look absolutely stunning, Rus...”A wave of embarrassment washed over me upon hearing Ryan’s words. In addition to being my suitor, he is also the center of my affection. We have been acquainted for quite some time, yet our relationship has not yet evolved into a friendship. During my junior high years, countless memories were made that will stay with me forever.“The place is quite packed. Would you like to venture outdoors?” Ryan leans in close and speaks softly to me.I glanced over at Daniel, who was engaged in conversation with my classmates. A group of girls gathered around him, providing the perfect distraction for me to slip away unnoticed.Reluctantly, I acquiesced to Ryan’s request, allowing him to guide me away from the bustling hall.After Ryan and I made our escape, we found ourselves unable to contain our laughter. The relief of leaving Daniel and my brother behind was simply too much. We found a secluded spot in the hall, tucked away from prying eyes. I coll
Present TimeDaniel“Happy birthday!”Russell’s expression turned sour as I presented her with the bouquet. I promptly took a seat beside Ryker. At a quaint restaurant, we gathered to commemorate Russell’s special day with a delightful dinner. At the age of nineteen, she has blossomed into a stunning young woman.“I thought it was solely limited to family. What is the reason for the presence of an outsider?” Russell was irritated.“Hija, Daniel is not an outsider.” Her father responded, “He’s a member of the family.”She said in a whisper, “I will never accept him as part of the family,” but I could hear her well since I had a keen hearing.Even though I felt a little upset, I didn’t say anything. I’ll catch up with Russell later, once we’ve had dinner.The dinner proceeded without any hiccups. Russell usually scowled at me, even though we joked and told stories together. She rolled her eyes at me, too. But sh*t, rather than being irritated... How come she can be so lovely even when sh
RussellKonna koto ii na, Dekitara ii na. Anna yume konna yume ippai aru kedo. Minna minna minna. Kanaete kureru. Fushigina Pokke de kanaete kureru. Sora wo jiyuu ni tobitai na.As the phone rings, the familiar melody of my beloved Doraemon song fills the air.“Oh, how frustrating!”The shrill sound of my phone ringing abruptly interrupted my deep sleep as I lay in bed. The person who stays awake at night shows no concern for my well-being, despite my efforts to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for an upcoming test. With a surge of anger, I snatched the phone from the table next to my bed, eager to see who was interrupting me. The screen’s brightness was causing me difficulty seeing.“What did I do to deserve to be punished by this obnoxious pervert?” I complained, irritated. I let out a tired yawn.“Do you have any free time on your hands? Did you know that.....” I heard a gunshot on the other end of the phone and dropped it before I could say anything more.I was frightened an
Daniel“We need a break, sir.”As we sat in the back seat of the car, I found the soft foam of the rear seat to be quite comfortable against my back. As I closed my eyes, I gently massaged my neck.“Hey, why don’t we head straight to the spa?” Kim asked.I grinned and replied, “I enjoy engaging in activities that uplift my spirits.”“Where is it, sir? Perhaps I could venture to that place. I’m exhausted and need a break.”“Having you around won’t bring me any comfort. It will get worse. Going to a spa or staying home to rest would be better,” I suggested.“Haist, your downer, sir. Is that the way the elderly think?” Kim’s voice was barely audible, but I managed to catch her words.I don’t feel like getting into a debate with her. I close my eyes instead so I can have a nap during the trip, even if just for a brief moment.FlashbackFour years ago“Leave me alone.”After returning from the prom, Russell paid me no attention. I quickly seized Russell’s wrist as soon as Ryker disappeared
Daniel“What? Did she really say that?”We crossed paths in Ryker’s office. He directed me to his office, but he declined my invitation to coffee since he was heading home in a few hours.“Does she still hold a grudge against me after all this time? Perhaps that’s the reason Alice is absent when I pick up Russell from school.” Ryker bursts into laughter.“You probably haven’t moved on yet.” I leisurely enjoy my cup of coffee.Ryker and I sat facing each other in the lounge of his office. As I entered his office, he had just finished his meeting.“I’ve moved on, and you’re well aware of that." Ryker saidA warm grin spread across his face as he savored his morning brew. Although I don’t want to jump to conclusions, I have a clear understanding of why he decided to move forward.“Oh, just so you know, Russell informed me. According to her, you managed to upset and frighten her last night. Is it true?” Ryker asked.Unfortunately, her number was contacted while we were shooting at the synd
Russell“Do you think we should enter?” Claire askedWe had just exited the cab and found ourselves standing outside the bar, the very place where Patricia’s birthday celebration took place.“You know, Pat, she will get me into trouble again if we don’t go to her party,” I told Claire.Claire and I glanced back into the busy bar. With the anticipation of a lively atmosphere, it was impossible not to find oneself swaying to the rhythm inside the bustling bar, eagerly seeking out familiar faces among the crowd.“Russell, Claire!”As we glanced around, our eyes landed on a classmate who was enthusiastically waving at us from a distance. Hurriedly, we made our way to join the others at the table. As we saw our classmates at that table, we noticed that they were nearly a full group, except the people that Patricia held disdain for. Patricia believes that nerds hurt the fashion sense of teenagers.“I told you guys that Russell was coming,” Pat said to our other students.Our male classmates
DanielI arrived at a secluded resort in Batangas as the sun began to set. Ryker was not present upon our arrival, indicating that he may have been engaged in a meeting. As I pulled over, Russell and Claire stepped out of the car. They sprinted eagerly towards the beach. I gazed upon the scene before me, a serene expanse of water stretching out towards the horizon. A smile graced my lips as I took in the breathtaking view from Russell. I quickly put away my phone and snapped a photo of her.“Why not approach them, sir, to capture a stunning photograph?”I glanced at the elderly gentleman beside me, who had gone unnoticed until now.I greeted the elderly gentleman with a polite, “Good afternoon.”A warm smile graced his face as he welcomed me. “Well, I’m Jose, and I’ll be spending two nights and one day with you here at the resort.”“I am...”“Yes, Daniel, my boss has already informed me of your name.”“Is it so?”The three cottages were near my vehicle, which is where Jose brought me.
Daniel‘Sh*t, I still can’t calm down...’I’m relieved that my fully conscious member didn’t bring attention to himself throughout our drinking session. I fear the consequences if he discovers the truth about his sister’s involvement. I quickly consumed the entire contents of the bottle.“Are you feeling better now?”And there, my gaze fell upon Ryker. “Yes, certainly. Why?”A grin spread across his face. "It seems like you’re in quite a rush.”“No,” I replied.“Hey, how are you and Ann?” Ryker asked, “Has she become your girlfriend?”Before I uttered a word, I couldn’t help but crack a smile and savor a refreshing beer.“Not,” I said. “You don’t seem to understand our rules.”Ryker chuckled. “Your minds function similarly, which is why you and my brother Ryker get along so well,” Russell said.We both turned to look at her. She seems to be drunk. Claire seemed to be experiencing dizziness, too. Ryker grinned.“When you speak, your gut doesn’t seem the same as Claire’s,” Ryker said.“A