Cynthia Lyn stared and pulled away from Richard. “And you fool! You did it before me!” And she ran after Topher.
“You’re just jealous,” Topher teased and ran away. They chased and teased each other like they were still kids.
"Let's get inside so you can have a snack," Esmeralda invited her neighbors who were with Richard.
Jeremy pulled him inside. He wanted to go to every place he had seen from the television. Esmeralda, on the other hand, distracted herself from preparing the food. Now that he had confirmed that she was leaving, she wondered what time he would return to Manila?
“So, what brings you here?” she asked when she returned to the living room.
“I want to talk about my plan to reconstruct the damaged houses around here. I found out from Topher that the government’s assistance does not reach you, and you only have each other for help,” Amadeus explained.
"And he wanted to build a shelter as an evacuation center during a typhoon," Kadyo said.
“I hope the bridge would get fixed, too. So that we don’t have to face risk when crossing the river or pass through the next town,” Mrs. Ising said and sipped her coffee. “I am too old to walk that far when I can just cross the river.”
"I have already talked to Governor Angeles to give attention to your bridge here," Amadeus said, and her neighbors applauded. "The bridge must be replaced with a new one that's solid and stable."
Esmeralda nodded. “Thank you for your concern to the people of San Luis.”
She would give him the benefit of the doubt. He might be arrogant toward her, but maybe he was generous to other people.
“Brother Richard is here to fulfill his promise to teach me surfing with my friends,” Jeremy announced. “So, when are we leaving?”
“Tomorrow. You have nothing to worry about food and the place to stay. All you have to do is bring yourself,” Amadeus said.
“I’ll just stay here,” Esmeralda said at once. “Besides, Jeremy should not be exhausted because of…”
“I asked his doctor if he can go surfing. He said it was okay as long as he was careful and in moderation. There are nurses at the resort who can check him if he was allowed or not. Besides, the sea breeze would be good for his heart,” Amadeus countered. “You can call his doctor if you want to confirm.”
She fought gazes with Amadeus. Esmeralda hated that he was meddling with her decisions for her brother. He even talked to Jeremy's doctor. They would only go outing, but he was interfering big time.
Jeremy hugged her waist. "Sister, please. It's my dream to learn surfing. I will not toil, I promise. And you're coming with us because I want you to be happy, too."
“Why don’t you play with Jenny and your other friends for a while so adults could talk?” she asked him. His brother obeyed knowingly, but she saw his imploring looks to her neighbors and asking for Amadeus’s back up through his eyes. This man would not really give up on her brother even though she had told him to stay away.
“Why don’t you indulge Jeremy? He’d be left out by his friends. It was him whom Richard promised surfing, after all. The kids around here could not stop talking about surfing with Richard,” Mr. Tonyo told Esmeralda. “I’m actually jealous. I want to learn, too.”
Amadeus laughed. “I can teach every one of you if you like. I want everyone to enjoy and have fun at the beach.” He turned to her. “So, are you coming?”
"Of course, she's coming. She broke up with her boyfriend, and it looks like the wedding's canceled," Cynthia Lyn chimed in. Esmeralda wanted to beat her friend that very instant. Why did she have to announce to the neighborhood that her wedding was canceled without her permission?
“So, you have broken up and did not bother telling us. Is that why you came home early?” Topher asked, worried. “Why did you break up?”
“Because Aiden had a nosy brother who was against the wedding because Esmeralda was only poor. He looked handsome, but he’s got a terrible personality,” Cynthia Lyn said without a halt.
Amadeus choked on his coffee. Esmeralda subtly stroked his back. “Oh. Be careful.”
She noticed the uneasiness in Amadeus’s expression. Good for him. Somehow, Cynthia Lyn’s tactless mouth did something good. Amadeus was hit.
“That’s the more reason you should go with us to the beach. You can easily move on if you have fun with us,” Mrs. Desta said.
“We won’t let you sulk here all day. You need to move on. You’ll go with us to the beach. Even if we kidnap you to make it happen,” Cynthia Lyn threatened.
Esmeralda was compelled to nod because she was already caught up. “All right. I’m going, too.”