Chapter 02

Chapter 02

REIGAN arrived in Manila, Philippines yesterday. He didn't tell anything to his parents but Seagun, his elder brother, informed his parents about his arrival.And because it was a surprise, his parents didn't manage to fetch him in Manila but they were expecting him to come home.

Little did they know, Reigan rode a bus to Z city. He even rented a taxicab and headed to their Hotel and Resort in Catalina. It was indeed a rural area of Z city but they established the Hidden Paradise for personal and leisure purposes.The place is free from civil disturbance that's why he wanted to rest there for at least 3 days before he'll go back to city proper.

He shut down his cellphone to prevent unhelpful calls especially from Ebony, his rumored girl friend in Z city. That girl never stop fussing him and he couldn't drive her away. She's the daughter of Vice Mayor Monteclaro and he'll bet, everyone knows the rumor that they were in a long distance relationship. Well, who wouldn't have heard the news? He's the youngest son of Mayor Diaz. He'll probably hit the headline.

Reigan massage his temples while still lying on the bed. It's already 11:46 in the morning and 4 hours of sleep wasn't enough for him. It was too short and he wanted to sleep all day! Travelling overseas isn't really his thing. It made him so empty and exhausted but if it wasn't for Elena, his mother, he won't go home in Z city.

Reigan heave a sigh. He has to gather energy. He'll gonna die if he won't eat mango pie and sip some coffee. It's one of his favorite breakfasts in Barcelona and sometimes he'll eat them as snack.

He reached the telephone on the bedside table and ordered his favorite food. Reigan forgot that he was in Catalina and he almost threw the telephone when he realized that he was in rural area of Z city.

"What kind of breakfast are there?" He asked to the other line.

The staff enumerated various filipino meals including foreign meals. Reigan isn't a picky eater. He loves to eat but not travel. The staff keep on uttering in the other line but he's not listening. He's starving already and his mood was craving for mango pie and coffee! It was his stress reliever.

In his dismay, Reigan hang-up without prior notice.

"Damn it! I'm gonna die here." He cussed.

Let alone where he was. He can't afford to eat raw food, he must do something. Reigan changed his clothes and headed to the lobby. He was astonished right after the moment he saw some tourists who are giggling and chatting around the corners. He didn't expect it. He thought he was alone.

For your information, hidden Paradise is a well-known Hotel and Resort in Z city. It's great distance didn't hinder people to come and spend their time there. And because it was located at Catalina, most of the residents were working there too.

"Good afternoon sir, how can I help you?" The woman in the front desk asked Reigan because he's just standing and watching the pretty girls in the lobby.

"Uh.." he trailed."I'm Reigan Diaz. May I use the kitchen?"

The woman dropped her jaw and obviously mesmerized. Of course, Reigan isn't mundane! He's a personified greek god! He can catch a woman's heart in just a single glance just like what happens to the girl now.

"I'm Sherra." She said.

Reigan looks at her, confused. Why did she tell her name? He wasn't asking for it. He was asking a permission to use the kitchen.

"May I use the kitchen, Miss Sherra?" He asked.

The girl named Sherra blushed and flashed a sweet smile as she give the passcard to Reigan.

"Thanks." Reigan smiles back and it was the reason why Sherra giggled.

Reigan shook his head. That kind of scene wasn't new to him. What do you expect? He's a heart throb. We can't blame Reigan for being a girl magnet. Even if he didn't make a move, girls will always stick to him. Just like Ebony.

The chefs are currently doing their jobs when Reigan entered the kitchen. All of them stopped from working. They couldn't believe Reigan was here and they were dumbfounded.

"What are you doing here Mr. Diaz?" The head chef asked him.

Since Reigan isn't a bossy-type. A shy smile drew on his lips as he scratch his nape.

"I just want to cook my own food." He said a little bit shy.

The head chef advanced in his direction while holding a knife. "What will you cook?"

"Anything? As long as it will satisfy my cravings."

The head chef narrowed his eye and studied his face.Reigan swallowed hard but he was standing firm.

"Here! Cook your own food." The head chef gave the knife to him and then he faces his fellow chefs."Alright! Continue your work!"

Reigan beams like an idiot. It's an honor for him to cook in their hotel's kitchen.

"Hey little brother! What are you eating?" Seagun asked to Reigan from the other line.

After cooking, Reigan brought his food in his room and he's eating them now while video chatting with his two brothers.Good Lord, he learned how to cook in Barcelona.It's profitable to make your own food sometimes, right?

"Hotsilog." He answered.

"What was that?" Seagun inquired again but Michigan snatched the phone from his brother.

" You are eating hotdog and fried egg with fried rice?" Michigan almost shouts in disbelief. Reigan just nods as an answer. He's really starving to death, you know.

"What the hell! I miss that meal!" Michigan blurted.

"What kind of meal is that?." Seagun asked behind his brother.

Seagun and Michigan were born in Spain and they studied there since grade school. Both of them are managing their own businesses now and they will only visit their mother's hometown whenever they had a free time. In the contrary, Reigan was born in the Philippines but he was sent in Spain after his grade school and to avoid trouble, the siblings gained their dual citizenship.

"You still don't know that food?" Michigan asked to Seagun and the latter shook his head as an answer."Oh man! You're not getting any younger. You should know its taste before I'll bury your unusable body on the ground!"

"Can I book a ticket now?" Seagun uttered innocently. Poor Seagun! He really don't know that food.

"Where are you going?" Reigan asked while still eating. Never mind his mouth that was full. His brothers still loves him even if he behaves like an idiot.

"I'm coming home. I wanna taste that." Seagun pouted his lips like a kid.

Michigan rolled his eyes. "You don't have to book an expensive ticket for hotsilog! We can buy that in supermarket! Idiot!"

"You know what? You should have told me earlier." Seagun said sarcastically.

"Use your brain. Moron!"

Reigan shook his head in amusement. He's indeed the youngest but seems like he's more mature than his two brothers. Look at them, they were arguing about hotsilog--a filipino meal.

"Hey! Tell me if who won the battle, I'll call you later." Reigan wasn't sure if they heard what he said. He just hang-up quickly and finished his food.

He enjoyed eating hotsilog and drinking lemon juice. It's like new to him and it feels like heaven! He'll cook another filipino meal again or maybe, mango pie.He heard that there's a farmland nearby and their number one product were mangoes. He'll visit the farmland and order a bunch of mangoes if there's a chance.

***

THREE days after Elysiah was enrolled, she went to Catalina with Ian. They had a villa there and they can stay there whenever they want.The villa was large and it was made in lumbers. It has three rooms including the master's bedroom and then two guest rooms. The kitchen was large too and the dining area can accomodate one dozen of people.

Actually, they went to Catalina not just for relaxation but also to help their parents in harvesting. They already spent one week in harvesting mangoes and today was Saturday. Their rest day.

"Where's your brother?" Melissa asked to her.

Elysiah was washing the dishes just the time her mother speaks behind her. They have several maids and caretakers but Elysiah used to do the chores. Her three siblings used to do chores too. They were a responsible children, aren't they?

She took a glance and found out that her mother were peaking from the kitchen's entrance. Melissa looks creepy there and she can't help but to arch her eyebrow.

"He's still in his room. I bet he's doing his morning rituals."

"Ritual?" Melissa frowns at her."What kind of ritual is that?"

"It's a boy thing, mom." She explains.

Melissa didn't utter a word. She didn't like what was Elysiah said and when her daughter returned its gaze to her, she compelled a murderous look. Elysiah was stunned but still managed to flash a mischievous smile.

"I'm just kidding mom! Brother woke up early and he went outside for jogging."

"I see." Melissa sighs.

"Hon, have you seen my printed polo shirt? I prepared it last night but it's nowhere to be found."

Both of them gazed to the direction of the voice. It was owned by Elias, Elysiah's father. He was on the second floor of the villa. His two hands were gripping the wooden railings of the stair.

"I think I know where it is." Melissa answers. "Wait me there and I'll get it to the laundry area."

"Make it quick." Elias nods to his wife.

Melissa went to laundry area and search the polo shirt while Elias maneuvered inside their room. Elias was conscious when it comes to shirts. If he already prepared some thing to use, that's the only thing he wanted to use.

Right after Elysiah was done from washing the dishes, she decided to took a bath for at least fifteen minutes. The villa was surrounded by trees and it's really refreshing. Sometimes, it's good not to take a bath. But, one of the reasons why Elysiah wanted to bathe early is her long hair. She still have to dry it using a blower.

IAN woke up early for jogging. It was his daily routine. The sun was till hiding when he left home but it's already shining above him when he returned to their villa. He rested for 2 hours before he decided to take a bath and eat his breakfast.

"Hey there big brother!" Elysiah blurted behind her brother as she hug him.

Ian was watching a television in the living room and he was surprised. He didn't see his little sister this morning.

"You seems energetic. What's the reason behind it?"

"Nothing." She informs. "Bu I have something to tell you."

"What's that?"

Elysiah sat down on the other sofa and focused her eyes on his brother. Ian's attention was on her, he was waiting for the little cat to speak.

"Stop looking at me like that. You're making me worry, Ace." He muttered. His sister's expression was bothering him.

"Can you please teach me how to drive a car?" Elysiah uttered in a fast way. Her fingers were flicking.

"Now?"

Elysiah nodded.

Ian taught his sister how to drive since it was their rest day. She made some research about driving and it's more authentic if she'll use what she have read. Anyway, only few vehicles were using the Catalina's road and it's a perfect place to test drive. Accidents were rare and the place is really eco friendly. It's really a nice place to freshen up.

The driving session lasts for 5 days. The first 3 days were rough and everytime Elysiah did something wrong, Ian cussed nonstop. Well, failure is normal for a beginner. The last 2 days went smoothly but of course, Ian reminded her sister to be more careful and attentive. Being a driver isn't that easy.

***

Thursday morning and the Imperial family were busy. Melissa is cooking food in the kitchen with their two house maids, Cilia and Laring. Elias and Ian were helping their people in harvesting mangoes. There's a client from Hidden Paradise who ordered one truck of mangoes and they must delivered it this afternoon.

Elysiah wanted to harvest mangoes too but her father commanded her to stick around the villa and help her mother do the chores. She did it. She cleaned their rooms and fixed some clothes.

"Mom! I'm done cleaning and fixing some clothes! What will I do now?" Elysiah asked to her mother. She's in the living room and she just shouted.

"Get some rest, Ace!"

"Okay. Thanks mom."And then she lean on the sofa. Maybe she'll rest for at least 30 minutes. She's so damn tired.

Meanwhile, everytime Cilia and Laring sees her, they can't help but to admire her beauty and good character. And even if Elysiah is not around, they still talk about her and as elders, they also share some opinions to Melissa.

"Ace is really beautiful and kindhearted young lady. She has so many wooer for sure." Laring commented as she slice some onions.

"She doesn't have suitors." Melissa answers.

"I think, I won't believe that." Laring said but Melissa just flashed a brief smile.

"Why don't you arrange a blind date for Ace?" Cilia snapped."You can choose a perfect mate from the families of politicians or businnessmen. Besides, your family isn't that ordinary."

"I guess, that's a bit good but interfering one's love life isn't favorable."Melissa said in a normal tone.

Honestly speaking, she doesn't like the idea of Cilia but of course, she must pay respect. Cilia is older than her.

"But you are her mother." Laring breath out.

"I'm indeed her mother but I can't control her mind and her heart. And as a considerate mother, I won't dictate who will she love." Melissa sighed. " I trust Elysiah and I will support and protect my daughter at any cost."

There's no skeptical feelings in her words and it touches the hearts of the two elders.They understand Melissa's side. She has a point anyway. Elysiah is not a robot to be controlled. She's a human being and no one can regulate her mind, her heart, her body and her soul.

Maybe you can influence a person but you can't dictate what he/she wanted to do, right?

Cilia smiled sweetly. "You are really a good mother."

The kitchen is only few meters away from the living room and Elysiah, who has been resting in the living room heard everything. At first, she was irritated because they were talking about her but it was dominated by a satisfaction when she heard her mother's sincere opinion.

Inspite of what was Elysiah heard, she decided to assist the three in the kitchen. Aside from eating, reading a novel is also her stress reliever but she has to help her mother. She'll read a novel later.

--

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Love,

Cleasesmarie

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