CHAPTER 1

Hey, kuya. Are you busy? Can you go to my office?" I asked my brother Caleb on the phone.

["Why? Is it important?"] He asked.

"Yes, so please faster. Come here as soon as possible."

["What if I don't want to?"] He teasingly ask.

"It's very important."

["What does it all about? Why don't you just say now."] He said. Irritated.

"I want to talk to you personally."

["Can we just talk it later in our house?"]

"No, you're going to be here for thirty minutes."

["Well, do you think I was just in your company, hello I might have to drive, before i get there."] He sounds so annoyed.

"Yeah i know." I said while signing the documents that needed to be signed.

["I think i can come there in 4:00 p. m.] He said. I also look at the time.

"What, are you gold? I gonna wait for 3 hours? You just have to be here before 2:00 pm." I said, I heard him take a deep breath.

["It's thirty minutes too!"]

"Oh, glad you know." I said teasingly. And he hang up the phone.

He even texted me that if he get here. He'll sue me. And i replied back saying "Oh, I'm scared. Lol."

"Akala ko hindi ka pupunta e. Napaaga pa pagpunta mo ah, sabi ko 30 minutes bakit nandito ka na wala pang 30 minutes?" Tanong ko sa kan'ya pagkapasok n'ya.

"Para matigil ka na." Sagot n'ya sabay upo.

"Okay, good dog. Masunurin ka rin namang chihuahua ka e." Sabi ko, binato naman n'ya ako ng unan.

"Aray, ayaw mo ng chihuahua? Edi german shepherd nalang." Sagot ko at ibinato pabalik sa kan'ya ang unan.

Sinamaan n'ya naman ako ng tingin. "Kung ayaw mo sa dalawa labrador ka na lang, arte mo e pangit mo naman." Pang-aasar ko pa.

"Kuya mo ako kaya kung pangit ako mas pangit ka." Sagot n'ya naman.

"Ay hindi, hindi ganon 'yon kung pangit ka. Ikaw lang ang pangit hindi ako."

"Ano bang sasabihin mo? Bilis may lakad pa ako." Inip na sabi n'ya. Napairap nalang ako.

"Arlyn called me, she said she wants to talk with you." Panimula ko, napataas naman ang kilay n'ya.

"Then?"

"Anong then edi puntahan mo para hindi na mangulit." Iritado kong sagot.

"Bakit naman ako ang gustong kausapin hindi na lang ikaw?" Tanong n'ya napakibit balikat naman ako.

"Importante raw 'yon e."

"Ayon lang ang sasabihin mo kaya mo ako pinapunta rito?" Tanong n'ya habang nakataas ang kilay.

Arlyn is our cousin by the way.

"Meron pang isa pero ito muna." Sabi ko nakatingin pa rin s'ya ng diretso sa akin.

"Can you tell to Jackson to stop his freaking foolishness. Nakakairita." Inis kong sabi natawa naman s'ya ng mahina.

"Bakit ako inuutusan mo? Edi sabihin mo sa kan'ya." Sabi n'ya habang nakangisi.

"I already told him many times but he didn't listen to me what a freaking shit guy."

"Wala nga'ng makapanligaw sa 'yo e tapos si Jackson lang hindi mo mapatigil kulitin ka? What's happening to Amara Bella Albrecht?" Pang-iinis n'ya.

"Iba 'yon, hindi sila sa 'kin natatakot. Sa 'yo sila natatakot. Pero si Jackson hindi takot sa 'yo kasi sinusuportahan mo pa!" Inis kong sigaw sa kan'ya. Humalakhak naman s'ya

" Hoy Calbe. Gusto kong umuwi muna sa pilipinas." Sabi ko.

"Anong Calbe, gandang-ganda ng pangalan ko e. Saka isa pa anong gagawin ko? Edi umuwi ka magpaalam ka kila mommy at daddy."

"Payagan kaya ako?" Tanong ko.

"Bakit hindi ka papayagan e desisyon mo naman 'yan sa buhay mo." Sabi n'ya napabuntong hininga naman ako.

"Ilang linggo ka ba ro'n?" Tanong n'ya.

"Mga tatlong buwan siguro." Sabi ko nanlaki naman ang mata n'ya.

"Tatlong buwan? Sinong mag-aasikaso ng kompanya mo?" Tanong n'ya.

"Ako, kahit naman nandoon ako magagawa ko pa rin 'yan. Ako pa." Sabi ko

"Sige, ikaw bahala basta ako susuportahan nalang kita." Sabi n'ya napatingin naman ako sa kan'ya at ngumisi.

"Wow ang sweet naman ng kuya ko, anong nakain mo?" Tanong ko, ngumisi rin s'ya pabalik.

"Secret walang clue." Sabi n'ya napangiwi naman ako.

Childish.

"Yes dad, three months is enough." I told to my daddy while signing another piece of paper for the contract.

["Don't worry about your company. That's going to be fine while you're in the Philippines when there's a problem they'll tell you right away. Don't stress your self."] Daddy said on the other side. I smiled.

"Yes dad, thank you. I'm still going to take the company while I'm on vacation." I said, then i give to Megan the paper i already signed.

["Sige as long as kaya mo at hindi ka nai-stress papangit ka n'yan kapag na stress ka sige."] Pananakot n'ya natawa naman ako.

"Sure dad, thank you! I just gonna finish all of these paper works. Bye!" I said and was about to hang up but he ask a question again.

["When are you leaving?"] He asked.

"Maybe in a week dad. I'm not sure yet." I answered.

["Oh, okay. Bye sweetie i love you."] He's a really great man. Aw.

"Okay bye dad, i love you too." I said. i also hang up the phone.

"Are you going back in the Philippines ma'am?" Megan asked and I nodded.

"Do you want to go with me?" I asked Megan.

She is the only Filipino employee I am close with. "Si ma'am kunyaring magpatatanong pa tapos hindi naman ako isasama. Hmp." Pagtatampo n'ya natawa naman ako. Bagay sila ni kuya. Ship, ship.

"I'll come with you so I can have someone with me and then we'll come back here together." I said. I saw that her eyes were shining.

"Are you serious ma'am?" She asked and I nodded. "When do we leave ma'am?" She asked and hug me and I hugged her back.

Cute

"Maybe in a week, I will just finish my remaining tasks so that everything will be okay before I go back to the Philippines." I said she let go of my hug and jumped.

"Sure ma'am! You are the best CEO in the world!" She said while raising his hand and pretending to put a crown on me. I just shook my head.

Today Megan and I are here at one of the malls here, shopping because I asked her if she wanted to go shopping so she could pack her bags and buy some things for her family.

Well, I'm very happy. "Ah, I miss the Philippines so much my ghad!" I said when we got off the plane.

"Kaya nga ma'am grabe 'yung hangin owemji!" Sabi naman ni megan habang dala-dala ang maleta n'ya.

"Alam ko nandito na si kuya..... Ah basta 'yung susundo sa atin." Sabi ko at tumingin-tingin nakita ko naman na may papalapit sa aming lalaki siguro kasing edad lang s'ya ni kuya. Mukhang gwapo sa true lang.

"Ma'am Amara?" Tanong ni kuya at halatang hindi pa sigurado tumango naman ako at ngumiti.

Hindi pala gwapo. Sobrang gwapo.

Tumango naman si kuya at kinuha ang mga dala-dala namin.

"Ay famous s'ya ma'am hindi namamansin." Natawa naman ako. Narinig yata ni kuya kaya tumigil s'ya. Muntik pang mabangga si Megan sa likod n'ya buti na lang nahawakan ko ang braso n'ya para mapatigil s'ya.

"Bakit kuya, may problema?" Tanong ko.

"Ah wala po ma'am." Sagot n'ya at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad. Tumigil kami sa isang sasakyan at pinagbuksan kami ng pinto bago n'ya inilagay sa likod ang dala-dala namin.

Sinabi ni Megan ang address n'ya kaya hinatid na rin s'ya ni kuya.

When I got to the house, they were all outside with banners with the text on it saying "Welcome back Ma'am Amara!" Then there are EXO designs on the sides.

Nice omg, i love it! I smiled at them and thank them all before going inside followed by the guy who pick up us on the airport.

I saw a lot of food prepared in the dining room. I went up to my room first, I haven't been home here in a while. I immediately jumped on the bed and rolled around.

It's still clean even though no one is using it. I invited them all to eat together. So we are all here at the table, the rest of them is I already know but there are some new ones. I met Alisha, Xaiver (the one who picked us up earlier.) Ate Hilda and Lylia.

I thought to wander around the next day so I came out here. I was only wearing a hoodie and shorts that I couldn't see because of my brother's hoodie that I saw in his room earlier.

I was surprised when two children suddenly approached me. "Sister, just a small amount of money to buy some food." The boy said. I knelt down. And ask and question.

"You're siblings?" I asked them and they shook their heads.

"We're cousin." Answered the one in a green shirt. It looks older.

"How old are you?" I still ask. "I'm 10." Answer again by the boy who wears a green shirt. "I'm 8." The man in orange also answered.

"Aaah, what's your name?" I asked tenderly. "I'm Carl. He's Owen." Carl answered the boy in green. I nodded and stood up again, extending my hand.

"Come on, let's buy food quickly!" I said while pointing to a mini grocery store. The two happily held onto my hand and jumped around smiling. I smiled too. "Just choose whatever you want." I said with a smile. They didn't want to move yet so I smiled and grabbed both of their shoulders before nodding. They immediately ran to get it. I just smiled while looking at them.

"Oh that's it?" I asked after seeing what they took. They happily nodded. I took a basket and made them walk first. "Take everything you want," I answered. I will still convince them. "Anything sister? Isn't it embarrassing?" They both asked. I shook my head. They were very happy while putting the things they took in the basket. I was the one carrying them. I took another basket because it didn't fit on the other side and they looked at each other before returning the one they were holding.

"Oh why?" I asked "that's's okay sister." They said together pointing to a basket that was already full. "There's no milk yet, breads and candy." I said while taking the one they returned earlier. They stopped me.

"It's okay with me, sister." I ignored them and took milks. I looked at them because they were both bowing. I saw a woman looks like we have a same age who looked at them badly. I turned to the woman. "I'm with them." I said pointing at the two. She nodded and turned her back, I saw her still struggling. I also struggled back.

"Do you have a little brother?" I asked them and they looked at me. They both nodded. I took four diapers. When the two baskets were full, I asked them if they wanted to buy anything else, but they shook their heads and expressed their gratitude.

I paid and when we left they thanked me again and again I said it's fine because I'm beautiful. Kidding. I said it's fine because I want to help because I'm a genie, they looked at each other before both laugh and I pouted. I follow them home carrying their shopping.

I said I'll just carry it because it's a bit heavy. "Hi." I said when we got to them. Their house is patchwork of iron and bamboo. "Oh ma'am, please forgive me for this." Their mom said when Owen and Carl said I bought them food. "It's fine. How are you?" I asked them.

There are quite a few of them here. "It's fine ma'am. We told them they don't need to beg but they are really nasty." The other said I think it's Carl's mom. "You can call be Bella." I told to them and smiled.

"Just tell me if you need anything, I'm willing to help." I told them. I gave the rest of the money I have. "Ah, ma-- bella don't give it too much." They said shaking hands. I took their hand and put the money there.

"It's okay, I told Carl and Owen I was a genie. They just laughed at me." When I joked, they both laughed.

"You're not a genie sister because you're an angel." Carl suddenly appeared beside me and held my hand. "Naks, haha, you're serious. I'll believe you." I said and laughed.

When I got home I ate first and check my emails. I saw Alexa's email, she said there's a lot of people want to invest in our company.

I looked at it one by one and Alexa was there to make a good deal. I call her on wechat and she answer it right away.

"Hello."

["Hello ma'am, good afternoon."] She said in the other side.

"Does the company doing well?" I asked if I was talking to someone and saying good-bye.

["Yes ma'am Sir Caleb visit here sometimes. He told me if you're calling me i said not yet maybe you're busy there."] She replied.

"Ow okay, thanks!" I said, but I heard someone speak out there again and I didn't end the call yet.

"No sir, i said if you want to invest you need to talk to Ma'am Amara first. I'm just her secretary." I heard Alexa said. My forehead creased.

"I know you don't want my investment!" He shouted on the other side.

"I didn't say that sir." Alexa replied calmly.

"Alexa? Alexa?" I asked but she didn't seem to hear me.

I turned off the call before calling again.

["Yes ma'am?"]

"Is there's a problem there?" I ask and heard that she let a heavy breath.

["Ma'am, Mr. Adler want to invest. Then i said to him to talk to you first. But he didn't listen on me."] she calmly answered but I heard someone scream again.

["Then now he's shouting at me!"] She yelled at the other line that was obvious to the man.

"Can i talk to him?" I asked if I had given the cellphone to him

"Hello sir?" I said with a polite and calmly voice. I was surprised when he was yelling at me as soon as I got down and distance the cellphone into my ear. Tf. My ear drums gonna destroy because of him.

["I fvcking want to invest in your company!"] He's screaming.

"You're trying to invest, you should be talking nice and properly. Why you're yelling at me!" I irritatedly yelled back.

I took a breath again before I spoke.

"Open the camera." I behest. He immediately obeyed.

He look shock for a moment.

"Kung nandyan lang ako nasakal na kita!" ("If I had been there I would have been able to hit you. You're getting into my nerves!)

"What's she's saying?" Mr. Adler asked Alexa. of course she doesn't understand too. You're both Americans.

"I don't know, do you think I know what she's saying? Why don't you ask her?" Alexa replied with sarcastic response.

"Ano, hindi mo ako maintindihan? Buti nga sa 'yo!" ("What don't you understand me? Well, you deserve it.")

"I said if you want to invest, you need to be calm. Do not mistreat us like you own us."

"I'm sorry i thought you don't want my investment." He's just like a puppy.

"Yeah, you're not mistaken we want your investment, BEFORE but now we don't need your investment sorry. We don't need investor with rude attitude." I said the call was turned off. I'm here for a vacation, not to be angry.

I fell asleep shortly after I checked emails.

I woke up at six. I quickly got up and saw that my brother had called. I'll call him later.

As soon as I got out of the room, I even had to blink three times. I even closed my eyes before someone suddenly knocked me out in my forehead.

"What are you doing?" My brother asked me. I was still shocked.

"When you come back home?" I asked and beat him but he just raised his eyebrow.

"Earlier." He simple answered.

"What did I heard that you had an investor with?" He asked curiously.

"He's boorish, he also yelled at me. I was really calm and polite when i speak to him but then he really have no manners." I said and went down.

"Who?" He asked.

"Adler? Mr. Adler?" I'm not sure about my answer.

"Adler huh?" My brother asked me. Reason why my forehead crease.

"You know him?" I asked him.

"No." He replied, I just shrugged my shoulder. And continue walking to go downstairs.

Now my brother and I are here in the drive thru. Why? Well, my brother just wanted to wander around. Ah, doesn't he even know that I'm a very busy person?

Just kidding. I don't have anything to do an home. So yeah.

"Why did you come back here at the Philippines?" I asked while biting the burger.

"I just like, is it bad?" He also asked.

"You, who are you with? When you came back here?"

"I'm with Megan ." I said and look at his reaction, but his reaction is just normal. Nothing new.

We were home late, maybe about midnight.

As soon as we arrived they were still awake. They're all in.

"Why are you still awake?" I ask worried.

"We're waiting for you. We're about to call the police." Manang said.