*Season's P.O.V.*
"Guess who's here."
I raised an eyebrow at my brother's teasing tone. He seems to be hyped that he even disregarded the fact that I left the house, not by the door, and didn't even tell him, which is a good thing, so that I don't have to lie to him as to where I was. "Who?" I asked. Of course I can't see the living room or anything inside because his tall, broad figure is blocking my view.
"Really? She's here?" That voice! I couldn't be mistaken! There's only one person in the world who has a voice as suave as his, and I would recognize it even if I haven't heard it for ages!
"Collin?" I shrieked excitedly, suddenly having the strength to push my brother aside so that I can enter. Sean just chuckled at my action. When he was out of the way, I stepped in to see a tall, athletic, raven haired guy with tanned and toned complexion. And as usual, my hear summersaulted upon seeing him.
"Hey babygirl." He smiled as he lifted me up in his arms, spinning me around. Gosh! How does he make me feel this way? I felt like a 13 years old girl who got noticed by her crush. Because I may have a crush on him, you can't blame though. He's sweet and funny and - damn attractive. He's also one of the reasons why, I declined most of my suitors. Who needs a boyfriend when you have this guy?
"Yeah, you can put her down now." Sean said in a low tone, as if warning his friend. Collin just laughed at that but obliged anyway. He set me to my feet, but threw his arms around me afterwards. Damn, he's making me feel cozy.
"Where's Eden and mama?" I inquired, noticing that they're not in the living room with us.
"In the kitchen, preparing dinner." Sean answered as he closed the door and three of us settled on the couch. Collin and I sitting beside each other while Sean sat across us. "Where were you by the way?" Now he's asking.
"Just outside, strolling around the city." I straight up lied.
"Still as overprotective as ever." Collin remarked. By the way, Sean and Collin are best friends since middle school, partly the reason why I am close to him too.
"Of course, she's literally my baby sister, stop calling her babygirl by the way." Sean said. I just held back my laughter. This type of conversation between the both of them once again.
"Oh yeah?" Collin said cockily, then he faced me, pinching my cheeks. "How about sugarplum? Awee that's so cute!" He teased, that just made me laugh.
My brother just rolled his eyes at that. "Just as long as you're not in a relationship because damn, I know how much of a womanizer you are." He said. Oops, there he goes.
"Ahh, no worries, I could just make her my wife." Collin retorted.
"Hey, hey, I'm right here you know?" I butted in before Sean could fire a comeback.
"Of course sugarplum, I know." Collin winked. I know to you he's kind of flirting but that's just how we are most of the time and his flirting is harmless, proven and tested.
Sean and I was about to say something when Eden, who emerged from the kitchen beat us to it. "Dinner is ready!" She called out. We all looked at each other and made our way to the dinning room. We had a happy dinner, eating, chatting, and laughing.
When we're done, Sean offered a movie marathon but mama said she'd rather go to sleep, so it's just the four of us. Of course my brother and his wife is cuddled up on the couch so, Collin and I sat beside each other, not that I'm complaining, cause I'm not. We were watching some random scifi film I really didn't care about and halfway through the film, we just started talking among ourselves. Sean and Eden lost in their own conversation, while Collin and I started our own.
"So Season, how's your sisters?" He suddenly ask. And oh, did I mention he was once in a relationship with Sheena? But then one night, he had mistaken Sheila to be his girlfriend, so it brought some twin-sister war and yeah, Collin straight up stayed away from the both of them just to not cause anymore complications. That's what Sean meant with his 'as long as you're not in a relationship' statement earlier. I mean, Collin is very much ideal, and I did hated Sheena back then when she owned my crush but, I don't know. Maybe I was just a silly child way back those years.
"Doing good? I don't know, we don't get along much." I answered. I mean, I'm not in the position to tell him about the illegal transactions and all.
"Oh, of course. How about you? Anything interesting going on?" He asked while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
I chuckled. If meeting, dueling, and talking to mythical beings is interesting for you, well Collin, something really interesting is going on with me right now. But I'm not gonna answer him in that way of course. He's gonna think I'm crazy. Well, maybe I am. "Uhh, nothing much. I just recently decided to live in this country with my brother and I'm still checking the place out, until now." So, smooth half lie, half truth.
"Well, that's nice."
"I guess. How about you? What are you doing here?" I asked. Like, yeah right, I thought he's at Tennessee. I mean I haven't heard from him since I finished high school and didn't go to university, because I have to work, and I don't know what course to pick actually.
He just laughed at my question. "My mom's Filipina you know? And we have a company here. That's why I'm here." He provided. Of course, I totally forgot about his ancestry.
"I see. By the way, you're already twenty seven right?" Yeah cause he's two years older than the twins and two years younger than my brother. "Any wife at hand? Or a prospect?" I inquired. Not that I want him to be already be married but, I just had to ask that.
He looked at me meaningfully. "I don't know who to choose." He jokingly said, which made me laugh. Gosh, he really is a womanizer.
We noticed how the film ended despite us not watching and Sean offered for Collin to stay the night here in his house and he happily agreed. We retired to our respective rooms after that. And upon entering mine, I sighed as I felt the cool breeze coming from the open window. My back pocket felt heavy so I fished out whatever is inside of it and was surprised to see the rose that Kaloy gave, not even wrinkled or the least bit withered. It looked perfectly fine so I placed it on a thin vase and added a little water from the adjacent bathroom before I changed to my pajamas. This day is eventful, so I slept peacefully.
Breakfast in the Tarver's residence is lively the next day as Collin and Sean entertained us by the way they chatted most of the time, reminiscing their youth, making us laugh and comment at their acts all those years ago. I, for one, remembered them clearly because I was there too. Not all the time, but still. "Anyways, I texted my Ma, she said it's okay for us to visit our place today. We'll have luch there and have a sleepover. Who's in?" Collin offered when we're almost done with our meals.
"Sure. It's a Saturday anyway. Are you coming ma?" Sean asked.
"Of course. I'd love to see new faces and meet new people." Mama answered as she started clearing the table.
"No extra duties today love?" He said, turning to Eden.
"No calls so far. So no. Count me in." Eden answered.
"Not asking me?" I finally voiced out when they just stood from their seats about to leave. Damn, how could they forget me? But of course Sean and Collin just laughed.
"Do I really have to ask you?" Sean countered with an eyeroll, which I mimicked.
"You're not gonna ask me Collin?" I inquired, ignoring my brother. His best friend smirked and suddenly got down on one knee infront of me. The heck?
He smiled and I glared as he took my hand. "Do you, Season Cheng Tarver, take my-" he started off sweetly making my insides melt. Shit! Curse this crush that I have on him. But of course he didn't get to finish his statement or well, question because my brother bitterly butted in.
"Offer to go to your house." Collin briefly looked at his best friend pointedly. "What? That's what you're going to say right? Go on." He even added.
See? He's bummer. I pouted at him and Collin just chuckled as he looked at me once again. "Sorry about the interruption sugarplum, but yeah. Would you like to go to my house?" He asked, looking me straight in the eye as if he's asking me a really serious question. Curse his playfulness!
But I decided to play along, just to irritate my brother. "And live there?" I suggested, which made his eyes twinkle in mischief, understanding fully well what I'm doing.
"What a brilliant idea! Of course, sugarplum honeybun-" that's it. Sean whacked him at the back of his head. And I, who was anticipating that act, laughed. Hard. In fact we all shared a good laugh at that. Then Collin and I stood up, deciding not to piss Sean even more.
"We're all going." He declared, marching upstairs and we all just looked at each other, laughing once again. We all know it's just a joke. And his reaction was really funny.
It's a mansion surrounded by nature. That's how I would describe the Jacob's residence. Yeah, by the way, Collin's complete name is Collin Alvarez Jacob and I knew since our younger years that he lived a sophisticated life, so it's not a wonder why his house or well, his family's house would look like this. The huge gates opened to let our cars in, yes we brought two cars, not that it's necessary but it is practical. Collin and I came in first cause I rode with him on his car while Sean and the others followed us on my brother's car. It was a long four hour trip from Capiz to this place, apparently we're in a different province now, Antique to be exact. And we are welcomed by Filipino delicacies prepared on a table in the porch and the warm smile from Mrs. Jacob.
"Hey ma!" Collin called out as soon as we got out of the car and his mom rushed to us, hugging him.
"Hello ijo." She said, letting go of the hug and turning to me who's just beside Collin, her smile widening. "Hello to you too ija. I'm Corazon, but you can call me Mama. Are you his girlfriend?" What?
Before Collin and I could react, "Season! Sean!" Mr. Lincoln Jacod greeted as he rushed down the steps of the porch and stood beside his wife. Ah, of course, he's the only one who's always at Tennessee, that is why he knows me and my siblings.
"Hey Pa!" Collin and Sean chorused.
"Hello boys. Hello little one." He greeted back, pulling me to a hug. Heh, we're kinda close. "And don't be silly Corazon, she's too young to be his girlfriend, when in fact his ex-girlfriend is her sister." He said as an answer to his wife's question earlier.
"Yeah, you don't have to tell my life story dad. By the way, this is Eden, Sean's wife and Ellen, her mother." Collin said, introducing all of us to his parents and they exchanges greetings and shook hands. After a little chitchat along with a very nice Filipino lunch with a lot of the delicacies, Collin toured us around the property. And my favorite thing about their huge land is the little cabin near the back fence, the vibe in the area is very natural, like you're detached from the luxury that their mansion holds.
Time flies so fast when you're having fun, that's why before we knew it, we're done with dinner and are now on our way to our respective rooms. I, however, is not yet sleepy so, I decided to stare outside the window. I purposely choose a room that's facing the back side of the property so I can see the mini-forest where the cabin is at. But I can't really see it at the moment because it's too dark. I did notice a certain someone just chilling on the back porch, Collin. I debated on wether or not I should join him but, the arrival of a very beautiful woman stopped me. Is he seeing someone? Am I jealous?
Of course not! I was just wondering really. He did imply that he's seeing a few girls. He did say that he doesn't know who to choose. Maybe she's one of them. Why should I care though? I don't. However, there's just something so different about her. I mean I'm only looking from the third floor, I can't really be this judgemental. Besides, I did allow someone to court me right? Why should I still be bothered by my previous crush? Because, he's my first crush, ugh! Conflicting thoughts makes me just want to go to sleep. So I marched to my bed but not before witnessing how Collin and the girl walked towards the mini-forest to do stuffs I don't really care about. It's 11:20 anyway.
I know I'm already asleep but somehow something is bothering me. When I opened my eyes I'm surprised to see that I'm not in the Jacob's guestroom anymore. I am in a really dark place, I vaguely recognize the clearing where I stood and the forest up ahead. If it wasn't for the sound of waves hitting the rocks, I wouldn't know that I'm in that cliff in Lumayan. That Cliff of the Moving Portal that Kaloy took me at just yesterday. But what am I doing here? And furthermore, that forest doesn't look like the boarder woods of Lumayan, it looks like... The Jacob's mini-forest on the backyard. Well? What on earth is going on?
"Season?" I turned when I heard Kaloy's voice and I saw him standing at the middle of the meadow, right at the spot where we talked yesterday. I didn't really notice that I was already making my way to the forest, had he not called me. "Don't go any further." He said with a warning tone.
I wanted to ask why but I can't seem to speak. I tried to open my mouth but nothing came out. I heard shuffling in the forest that made me turn my attention to its direction once again and it flashed to my mind how Collin went there with that girl and something didn't feel right.
"Don't go!" Kaloy all but shouted when I stepped one more time towards the woods. But I'm still wondering why he remained on his spot. Why he's not making a move to stop me and why he's not trying to pull me to him because my feet seems to have a mind of their own as they continued to walk to the forest. "Season-" Kaloy was about to say more when...
"HELP!" Collin! It's Collin!
I abruptly sat up from my lying position and panted heavily. I looked at the clock beside me that reads 11:50. I was only asleep for 30 minutes, but what kind of dream was that? Is Kaloy playing tricks on me again? Why was he in my dream? And why was...
Collin! He had shouted for help! Oh gosh. I know that was clearly a dream but it won't hurt to make sure right? It wouldn't. So I let go of a sigh and walked slowly out of my room. I walked down the hall passing by a few doors until I stood in front of Collin's. I softly knocked and was surprised that the door isn't locked. Even the slightest push made it open, enough for me to see the perfectly made and empty bed. Collin is not here. My heart pulsated rapidly in my chest and I hurriedly, but quietly went downstairs. I said I might as well be a ninja and I really am thanks for those trainings at a time like this. I turned the knob of the back door and panicked even more upon realizing that it's not locked. That means Collin is still outside, since he's the last person that I saw outside. Plus, my senses are practically screaming at me. So I rushed back outside, barefoot. Yes. I don't even have slippers on but I didn't mind the feeling of the grass and the uneven ground beneath my feet. I sped walk towards the mini forest and when I was close to it, I remembered Kaloy's words in that dream.
"Don't go any further." His words rang in my head. And why not? This is a private property, it's fenced so I'm sure I'll be safe here. But, why am I worried about the safety of my friend? Ugh! I just shook off the thoughts and continued to walk. When I'm officially under the canopy of the forest trees and nothing still happened, I quickened my pace until the cabin is in sight.
I'm sure this is where they went. There's no other reasonable place to go. I was about to run to the cabin and knock real hard, not caring if I'm interrupting something, Kaloy's voice rang in my head again.
"Don't go!" That was a fierce warning that almost made me obey if it wasn't for the sound of something kind of falling inside the cabin. I didn't think of whatever it is that might have fallen or whatever is happening inside, I just knew that I'll have to go. I'll go. I willed my feet to run there and pushed the door open only to see...