Dior stepped on a mini ladder with a straw rope in his hand. He asked their other three cousins waiting below, “Does it look good? Is it well aligned?”. Zaydi – a highschooler replied, “Nah, you’re doing it incorrectly”. Silas – the stubborn one shrugged, “Am I helping? I see no work to keep my hands busy. Better if I just go back inside and play with my consoles” he uttered. “Zaydi, come up here. JL might get back in a while” he commanded and so Zaydi did. Olivia – the only rose among the thorns managed from the things below.
The city life is noisier than ever. Vehicle horns, neighbors chatting, and alarms from different buildings are heard. It has been nine years since JL left home. In those years Prideus kept testing them; they lost for a decade or two. This time, JL has the team he has been managing it for a few years already. Major Cevino Peredo who vowed that JL can be one of the family legacy’s representative is now Lieutenant Colonel Cevino Peredo. After a lot of misfortune, the team’s senior still managed to get his rank into an upper level.
Endrei – the youngest in the team handed over an iPad to Olivia. Lorenzia from the video chat appeared with gossips. “Guess here in the province, everything now is well civilized unlike before when technologies were so low” she said while leaning on her office chair. Zaydi replied, “That’s the visual representation of ‘civilization’”. Dior asked, “How is it there? Did anything change except for the way of living?”. Lorenzia asked, “There’s one more thing why I called you guys. Remember JL’s ex? She’s now a co-CEO in Borderless’ Media’s branch in Australia and guess wha-.”
Lorenzia failed to finish what she is talking about when JL stepped in the conversation that made Endrei drop the call. Endrei is just about nine years old but he knows what happened between JL and Naomi – thanks to Zaydi and Dior the ultimate gossipers. JL is wearing a nursing uniform with a black backpack and with a kid clinging to his neck. JL asked, “Aren’t you going to say hi to your older cousins?”. The cute little girl waved at the five. She resembles JL and she is quite taller for her height. Dior commanded, “Endrei, play with Caleigh. It’s more fun to play toys than to play your iPad, you know”.
Endrei tsked and didn’t manage to listen to Dior’s command. He shook his head, “Such an introvert” he said. JL looked up to see the tarpaulin being posted by Dior and Zaydi. Olivia crossed her arms, “They’ve been doing that for a while now, and they haven’t managed to balance every inch of its alignment” she said. JL shook his head, “Mind if I do it myself?” he asked. Zaydi answered, “Just let us do this thing. Wait for us inside”. The tarpaulin shows acknowledgement and dedication for his achievement in passing his medical internship (mostly done by Filipinos to show the act of being proud for an accomplished family member).
Now he is taking a degree in general surgery; a big milestone for him to pass again. He is already in his mid - twenties; more mature than the sixteen - year - old high school student from 2010. After a lot of catching up with their relatives and friends, another year of Prideus Mite is being discussed again while the banquet is being held. Lt. Col. Peredo asked, “If ever I say that there will be another season of Prideus, will you agree to get listed?”. Silas immediately answered, “No. No thanks”. JL elbowed him secretly; signaling that what he did was rude.
JL answered on behalf of the team he is leading. “We will join. Get us listed” he answered. None of them contradicted except for Silas who’s studying schedule will be greatly affected. As an aviation student, he thinks of his love in his passion more than their family legacy which he also thinks of being impractical. He shrugged after realizing that his choice cannot be done only because he wants it to put into an effect. Lt. Col. Peredo smiled, “I promise if we fail this year, we will not get ourselves listed next year” he uttered. “Yeah right. I’m so sick of it” Silas replied. JL looked at him with disappointment, “Silas can you filter your words just this once?” he asked. Silas shook his head and continued consuming his vegetable salad.
“Anyway, I congratulate you, JL. You are one step closer to being a General Surgeon. By the way, is this your sister already?” Lt. Col. Peredo asked, referring to Caleigh. The eight - year - old girl looked at him also as if she is not familiar with him. JL replied, “Oh right… This is Jean Caleigh, eight years old, basically my younger sister”. Lt. Col. Peredo gasped, “I almost failed to recognize her. I remember the last time I saw her. I think she is just about four that time?” he said. JL nodded with a smile, “Yeah and we have a lot of catching up to do”. Their aunts paved the conversation as they were the most curious about what happened since JL left.
FLASHBACK
JL entered the campus while wearing a pure white uniform. It is a big university as he expected. No friends, no acquaintances, just him independently taking the path he chose. He got used to having lunch alone and going to everywhere all by himself. The same year his mom gave birth to his little sister, Jean Caleigh. His time for four years was only divided into two: his studies and his family.
His college graduation for his nursing degree was the most accomplishing time of his life. After the ceremony, his professor approached him. “You can now work in the biggest hospital in this city. I hope to see you in your future hospital conferences” he said. And just as that, his studies are finished. He is now an intern in a big hospital. He receives funds every time he celebrates his birthday. He is filthy rich and he looks forward to two things: to get revenge for Luke’s actions and to prove that he is not the old JL they once knew.
They lost the family’s legacy with him being the King. Now, for the last time, he will join at it again but as a representative of their family. On his way back to the province, he saw New Empire International’s building in the town center. He glanced at it and Dior – the one who is driving the car, noticed JL’s curiosity. He breathed heavily, “Naomi is not there anymore” he said. JL glanced at him from the rear -view mirror and replied, “Who said that I am still curious of her?”. Dior just shrugged; JL really got every love vanished and what’s left on JL’s heart is nothing but repugnance.
END OF FLASHBACK
Night time came; all are exhausted because of the catching up they made. In their hacienda they sat down in an amish furniture table set and brought beer. JL removed his stylish eyeglasses that makes him studiously gorgeous. He unbuttoned two hooks on his sleeved polo and sat down. Dior chuckled, “Since when did you learn how to style? I remember orienting you before on how to perfectly dress up for a date!” he teased. There are three of them in the set up: JL, Dior, and Silas.
JL replied, “Just got civilized”. Silas talked, “I remember setting you up with two girls. Both of them are flight attendants. What happened?” he asked. JL opened a can of beer and answered, “I don’t feel like dating them. They are quite young and they are taking things easily”. Dior’s eyebrows furrowed, “What do you mean ‘they are taking things easily’?”. JL sighed, “Let me tell you then…”
WAYBACK 2017; two years before the present time.
Inside the battle camp the three conversed. “I guess, my life is quite boring lately. You see, I do diaper changes then go back to med school again” JL shared. Dior threw him a bottle of water. “Yeah, I know that’s boring. I have girls on my mind this time. Want to have a spare?” Silas asked. JL look at him while gasping, “You have three girlfriends at the age of seventeen?!” he surprisingly asked. Silas answered as if nothing is wrong. “Yeah, and why does it seem so surprising?” he asked.
Dior sat beside the two, “Maybe when JL was seventeen, he just sat down in a classroom’s corner and reacted nothing even girls are chasing him off”. JL got curious on what Silas offered, “What do you have, little playboy?” he asked. Silas smirked, “I can let you borrow two flight attendants. They are just about three to four years younger than you” he answered. JL thought thoroughly; even before he graduated, a lot of girls admired him because of his looks and his wealth but none of them attracted JL like how Naomi did.
JL replied, “I’ll give it a shot then”. The two wowed as if a good spirit entered JL’s body. The two flight attendants were introduced by Silas on a blind date. The first one is tall and has a fierce face.
Her legs are exposed because of the tight short skirt she wears. Her white fitted blouse partnered her silky red mini skirt. JL was tempted by it but when she spoke, JL got turned off. She talked nothing but managing assets and riches which made JL think that she is not ideal.
The next one came with a black sleeveless dress and a black high heels. Her red lipstick colored her tight and thin lips. Everything went well but when the food is served in their table and when the conversation starts to get deeper, JL felt the woman’s pointed toe sandal in between his legs. He smiled and held the woman’s hand. He uttered, “Sorry, but I am not like the man you are expecting”. The woman’s eyebrows furrowed when JL left her alone in the venue.
END OF FLASHBACK
Dior chuckled as JL storied what happened with the two flight attendants. Dior commented, “That second flight attendant wants you to go to the extremes! If I were you, maybe we have been ended in a hotel room”. Silas smacked his arm, “Hey, have you forgotten I owned them?” he asked. Dior replied, “Yes… owned; past tense”. Silas shook his head and sipped on his can of beer.
Silence filled the area not until Dior broke it with a bomb. “How about catching things up with Naomi?” Dior asked. JL froze for a moment; the name he never heard for a long time eventually made a bang. He looked away and answered, “I have nothing to feel. I just learned how to despise her and her new lover”. Silas added, “You mean, Luke Fuerte the CEO of the company where my dad works?” he confirmed. JL slowly nodded, “Unfortunately, yes”.
Silas wowed; he is familiar with Luke but he seldomly remembers what Naomi looks like. He uttered, “There is a rumor that he will get married soon. The press released the news after they shared the CEO position in Borderless’ Media’s branch in Australia”. JL does not seem surprised because he is expecting it. Silas added, “And I have also heard that the CEO will come back here with his fiancé”. JL leaned back; “I guess… I’ll just wish them nothing but goodness?” he replied.
Dior chuckled, “You’ve really mastered the act of masking up, JL. Now I am really convinced that you have already moved on. And I know, you have changed for the better” he said. The three enjoyed the beer session while talking about personal issues in their family’s legacy and in their works and schooling.
JL’s life is a lowkey one. While he is studying, he dated few girls but none of them surpassed Naomi’s place in his heart. Truthfully, he already moved on but every time they talk about it, the feeling relapses and it gets more painful. What’s left is his anger towards Naomi and Luke. He walked tipsily inside his old bedroom. It is still arranged like how he left it.
He pulled small keys from his pocket and opened the dresser’s compartments. His wristwatches stopped machinating now because they were left for a long time. His necklaces and bracelets were well kept and is still good as new. He opened a small box from the rightmost area of the compartment. He opened it to see the necklace Naomi gave him the moment they are mutually related. He breathed heavily while reminiscing the memories with her.
“It’s been nine years and it still hurts” he whispered. He placed back the accessory inside the compartment and sat down in his bed. All the emotions he felt when he was in high school sunk back as he roamed his eyes in the space. He was startled when his little sister moved. He leaned closer and gave her a kiss in her forehead. He tucked her pink blanket contrasting with his pure minimalist black bed sheets. “Sleep tight, Caleigh” he whispered.
He went outside when his phone rang. His dad’s contact popped on his iPhone XS – the newest iOS model at that time. “How are things going there, JL? Aren’t you stressed to have your vacation with Caleigh tagging along?” he asked. JL chuckled, “It’s not stressful at all considering our aunts were the ones who accommodated her” he answered. His dad replied, “Sorry for not going with you. We will catch up next week after our medical mission here”. He answered back, “No worries dad. Just be safe always with mom”. Just as that, the call dropped.
He went back to his room and started unpacking Caleigh’s things from her pink luggage. Her dresses were all fixed by JL who adjusted his clothes just to fit in Caleigh’s things inside. The gray cabinet was impaired by the pink and flowery clothes of Caleigh. JL looked at it in an overall view. It looked weird but he did not mind. For now, the girls he ultimately loves are Caleigh and of course, his mom.