QUEEN
It was Friday evening when Uncle Jordan called and asked if we could come to the resort to help. He explained that they were short-staffed because two workers had called in sick, and another had to leave town for an emergency. There was a photoshoot scheduled for Saturday morning, and the place was swarming with tourists. They really an extra help.
We left the house early to arrive in time to assist Uncle when I heard my brother.
"I'm excited! I want to dip in the water, and relax." Ace said enthusiastically as we loaded our bags into the car.
I shook my head with a small sigh. "Me too, but we need to work first," I reminded him, squinting my eyes at the thought.
Work my face, it's impossible.
"Yeah, work first."
"Haa, work first my face I know you are excited because there are a lot of girls there. You just want to show your abs there!"
"Chill Queen." Ace laugh and King scratch his head.
"Wasted."
"I knew you well, I will remind you King the other reason why they sent us here is because this is also a punishment. I will keep an eye on you."
"Haha, relax. I won’t do anything bad," King chuckled, his laughter filling the car.
Ace joined in. "Yeah, Queen. If you keep being so stiff, you’ll age faster. I don’t want my sister turning ugly. Smile."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please!"
As the boys bantered, I opened my phone and scrolled through Twitter. Trending topics like #ALoveToLast and #JuleneCapturedOurHearts filled my feed. I rolled my eyes as I spotted Carlene and Junno’s overly polished promotional videos.
There is also a video of the couple, sending thanks to their supporters for their non-stop support and love for them. And there are Jude and Janelle's supporters who also made trending topics #Junellealltheway, #junelle #JunelleBestCouple
"Looks like Carlene’s trending again," He muttered and I just shrugged my shoulders. "I bet after their contract ends, they’ll leave OC Entertainment."
"OC made them famous," I pointed out, bu he shrugged and I shut off my phone. I suddenly feel sick seing her face.
I looked out the window, letting the soft hum of the car drown out my thoughts. After what felt like hours, we finally pulled up to L. Imperial Resort.
The sun was already shining brightly, and a few people were splashing in the ocean. The sight of the cool water made me jealous—I wanted to swim, too.
When Uncle spotted us he immediately greeted us and ushered us to his office. "Thank you for coming. It’s been a chaotic day. I’m really sorry for dragging you into this," he said, handing us uniforms.
“It’s fine, Uncle,” I reassured him. "We are free and have nothing to do."
He looked genuinely grateful. "Thank you. I’ll owe you one."
Ace, King, and I split tasks. I was assigned to clean the guest rooms on the first floor. As I worked, Ace dropped by with a cart of supplies.
"I’ll take it from here," I told him. "Go help Uncle."
"You sure?"
"Mm, yeah."
"Okay."
I rolled the cart to the next room and knocked. "Room service." It was silent, maybe the guest was still asleep. I knocked again and there is still no answer I was about to leave when the door opened.
"Your food is-... the hell."
I shut my mouth when I suddenly muttered the word the hell. It was Vermont in front of me, I sighed as he looked like he had just rolled out of bed, his hair a tousled mess, and he was only wearing boxers.
I avert my eyes and coughed.
"Yes?"
"Here's your order, Sir." He remained his blank face and crossed his arms. I said curtly.
He crossed his arms and gave me a hard look. "What are you doing here? Are you following me?"
I raised my eyebrows and point myself. Me?
"Why would I follow you? Do I seem to like you? You’re not even my type," I muttered and I saw hoe he frowned.
"What did you say?" he snapped, his tone irritated.
I smiled sweetly. "Your food’s getting cold, Sir."
"Whatever," he sneered. "You may go in."
I got goosebumps when he suddenly smiled and opened the door widely. I look at my back, what If there is someone behind the door and hit my head? I look around and when I confirmed that he was alone I left the food there.
"Thank you, Emerald."
"Sir, My name is not Emerald. It was Diamond."
"Yeah, Yeah whatever. Thank you, Diamond. HAPPY?" My face crumpled when he smirk before closing the door.
"Chills. That guy is creepy," I muttered as I moved on to the next room.
I pushed the cart and go to the next room.
"Emerald your face and did he think he do look handsome and have a good body? Well, okay he is handsome and have a good body. Still, he has a crappy personality." I murmured while walking and knocked on the next door.
"Room service." Then a handsome man opened the door.
"Oh?"
"Here's your order Sir." Now he hesitantly smiles and opens the door. My smile faded and immediately leave the food there.
"Thank you."
"Enjoy your stay here." I politely said even though I was a bit annoyed at him. Then before I leave the room, I heard a voice of a woman asking if the food was already there. I was about to knock on the next door when the door opened and he peek.
"Hey... Again, Thank you." Then I just nod and rolled my eyes when he finally closed the door. After delivering the food I go down to help my brothers and uncle and when I received a call asking for room service. It was in Vermont's room.
The rest of the day was uneventful until Vermont called for room service again. When I knocked, he opened the door and told me to clean his room.
I knocked and sighed, is he doing this on purpose?
When he opened the door, he told me to clean the mess he made in his room.
"Do you work here?" he asked me while his attention is focused on his phone.
"Nope."
"So why are you here? Tell me the truth you are following me, eh?"
"Why would I bother following you. Honestly, I don't want to see your face and your friends. The way you look at me makes me uncomfortable."
"Hmm. Is that so?"
"And If I do have a crush on you, the real question was 'why would it be you?' As I said a while ago, you are not my type."
"Tch." After I am done cleaning, I get the used towels and replace it with new ones. After that I look at him.
"I'm done, is there anything I still need to clean? I won't get back here twice just to clean your mess. We are short in people you know." he shakes his head and stares at me.
"Are you like that to others?"
"No just for you, because you are special." I smiled and started to walk.
"You know what Emerald. I mean Diamond we can be friends."
"Eh?" I asked with a surprised face and he smiled. "Why?"
"Okay, fine. I admit I was a jerk. I’m sorry for how I treated you before."
I hesitated before replying, "Apology accepted."
"Friends?" He held out his hand.
With a raised eyebrow, I shook it. "Friends."
"Cool."
But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Vermont had ulterior motives.
"I will go now." I immediately go to the elevator and run after I get out then I almost bumped into Ace. "Shit!"
"What happened?"
"Nothing." He nods and puts his arms on my shoulder.
"You're done, right? Let's eat now."
"It is still Eleven thirty-five, why eat early lunch?"
"I don't know." I just followed Ace when I saw him looking around, I poke him and ask.
"You looking for something, no someone?"
"Uhh yeah, my seatmate..."
"Hmm. Ace let's go. I want to pee."
"Ok. I’ll just look for him later." I stare at him when he said him. Hmm. Smells fishy...
"We already ordered." I nod and told them I will just go to the restroom, after I was done doing my thing, I wash my hands and when I turned around.
My face turned left because of the sudden impact. It started to get numb then I tried to touch it.
What the fuck just happened?
"You slut! What were you doing in Vermont’s room earlier?" she asked angrily.
I glared at her, holding my burning cheek. "I was cleaning his room. That’s all." Shit. That fucking hurt.
"Liar! Stay away from Vermont!" she pointed me and I shake my head at disbelief. "Do you think I will believe in you, you whore! I'm warning you don't go near Vermont. Leave this place immediately! I don't want to see your face."
“Fuck this.”
I leave first as I hold my cheeks, how dare she slaps me. I texted Uncle that I will go back home first because I suddenly have something to do. When I look at my face it was red and there is also a small cut. 
That Damn old hag.
Why can't they believe me and just started to jump to conclusions, If they just tell me what did that Astrid does to them and if they would listen to me that I am not Astrid!
Karma is bitch.
You'll pay for calling me slut, whore and for slapping me. Just you wait.
When my brothers came home, they ask me why did I had suddenly go home, I just ignore them and didn't talk to them. I always made sure to go early to university, eat alone in the gymnasium and go home alone but before that I made sure to eat dinner outside and once I get inside my room I will never go out.
I also didn't see Vermont and I wasn't planning on talking to him after what his sister do to me. At first, I thought that I should slap him instead of his sister but I change my mind. I will find the perfect timing to execute my plan.
The exams were coming and I was studying when Ace suddenly go inside my room without knocking and there, I saw them. I coughed and King and Ace's faces reddened, while uncle shake his head.
"Sorry!" after that they leave me alone and I finally got some peace of mind.
"I'll go now," I said and gathered my books.
"You won't come with us again?" I shake my head and immediately leave the house.
I was on my way to the university when a small kid approached me.
"Hi!" I look at her and smile. Her hair was braided and has flower and butterfly pins on her hair. She was also wearing many colorful bracelets.
"Hello. What do you want for me?" what a cute little girl you are!
"Let's go and play there!" I look at the playground and I was about to decline her when she grabbed my hand and pulled me there.
"Okay." We sat on the swing and she stared at me. "Why?"
"Your pretty, sister is so pretty."
"Thank you, your pretty too."
"My brother told me that she did like you, his eyes were only looking at you." I giggled and lightly pinch her cute chubby face.
"And who is your Brother? What if we are meant for each other?"
"He is shy." I just smiled at her at pat her head.
"What a cute girl. Tell to your brother that he shouldn't be shy to me, no just kidding." She nodded and cutely smiled at me. "Let's buy some ice cream." Her face started to blush and nod her head. So cute!
"Okay." she held my hand and we started walking I did buy two ice creams and she started to talk about his brother.
The way she describe his brother was cute because it looks like he was really a good brother to her.
It was then a black car stopped and I was shocked when I saw him.
"Hop in, let's talk."
I bid my goodbye to the cute girl who doesn't want to let go of my hand. I give my number to her and she happily let go of my hand. Then I sighed and stared at the road.
"What do you want?" I asked him and sighed waiting for him to talk. "You better have a good reason, now lets go straight to it."
"I just missed you."
"What the fuck? Are you out of your damn mind?" I asked and he just laugh it off.
"Yeah, I'm going to get crazy. I really do want to see you."
"Fucker." I murmured and left hid car. I slammed the door and went inside the university. He didn't call me and maybe just watch me from his car.
Haa, I should have slapped his face before I left.
—IAmRoseee