26: Elise (ii)

26: Elise (ii)
I wondered about that the night I was beaten up. But if there are people like Charis, there are also ignorant ones who were their victims. Like me. And now that I saw how angry my sister was that she was shedding tears for me, I suddenly couldn’t believe I didn’t want to file a case. I felt more terrible now that I didn't get to fight. I bet Anna would feel better if I had fought and landed a good kick or slap on that bitch. 
“Mom said she’s going to sue her, so don’t be mad anymore,” I tried to console her.
“The fact that it happened even though you were in a supposedly safe place means you’re not really safe there.” She wiped at her tears again. “I mean, Ate Elise, you were at the Verrazzano house. He’s part of that circle. You’ll interact with them all the time. I’ve started reading about those guys…”
She began to list what she had learned. That’s Anna. She’d research if she had questions, and on the internet, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. When she talked about the wild behaviors of some well-known elite personalities she saw on YouTube, I laughed. 
“Anna, that’s just like the wild behaviors of ordinary people. Just more glamorous. I don’t frequent the places they frequent, and I don’t really drink. I have so many books to finish reading at home, and I'd really rather like binge-watch KDrama, thank you very much. I don’t interact with them because my lifestyle is different.”
She frowned. “What about that Charis? The one who beat you up? She’s much worse and wilder than most of them. I got into her official Facebook account, but it’s really a dummy account handled by her PR so I trolled her friends’ accounts until I saw a link to another account in another social app where she uses a different handle. She’s so vulgar. She shames people on her wall and openly hooks up with men who also used dummy accounts. I bet they do hook up for real even though they’re strangers to have—”
“If she’s using a handle, it might not be her at all,” I interrupted. I felt awkward talking about Charis with Anna.
She stopped petting Tootsie’s back and widened her eyes at me. “She talked about Gian! And she talked about you!”
I blinked. “What? What did she say?” I asked despite myself.
That’s when her mouth shut up. And I knew that whatever she's read, no one who loved me could bring themselves to repeat them to me.
My chest constricted with my anger. I was already beaten up, okay? Why did my sister have to suffer because of that woman, too? “Anna, stop that. It’s not healthy to get exposed to someone like her.”
“I took some screenshots. She might delete posts. We could use those when we sue her.”
“Then give it to our lawyer. Drop it and just focus on your studies.”
She shook her head. “I’ll not mention it unless necessary. I didn’t like what I read, ate. She hates every woman who got involved with Gian but she hated you most. She’s obsessed with Gian.” She shook her head. “She doesn’t belong in jail. She should be in a mental hospital.”
I hugged her again. “I appreciate you wanting to help me out, but that’s enough. Don’t look into that woman’s account anymore. It’s not good.”
“She beat up my sister. Of course, it’s not going to be good – for her!”
I was surprised into laughter. “Wow… you really love me, huh?”
“Of course!” she said.
I smiled when I heard her laugh again. I didn’t want my sister this stressed about me. I should be the one worrying and taking care of her. “So, what do you want? You must want something. Let me see if I can do it.”
She pulled away and whispered to me excitedly. “Ate, Gian is so handsome. He’s so thrilling! Tell me more about him – the good stuff. Ugh. I want to erase everything that freaky woman said from my mind!”
“Ugh. Charis again?"
“Yes! Everything was about sex. She’s such a freak!”
I could imagine! “Okay, okay. Gotcha. What good qualities does my boss have?” I looked up at the sky and thought, pretending to have a hard time.
She giggled.
“Okay. Of course, you already know the obvious. Like he’s very handsome, intelligent, charming, macho… the works.”
She nodded rapidly. “Sexy, hot, and delicious. I know…!”
I gave her a stern look. “Hey!”
“Ate, I’m seventeen already, okay?! Inay already discussed safe sex and responsible dating with me.”
“So? As if you’ll get away with dating until you're past twenty.”
We both laughed. But she wasn’t done with Gian yet. “He’s just so irresistible! He’s really handsome! I wish he could be my Valentine’s date!”
“Really?”
Anna and I both turned in shock to see Gian standing behind us, grinning widely while holding two boxes of roses and a ribbon-wrapped box of expensive chocolates.
“Then your wish is my command, Anna.”
When Anna recovered from her surprise, she scrambled to her feet from the sand and squealed in the highest pitch I had ever heard from her.