"Why did you escape again?" He said in between our walks.

I told him to lead me the way but he refused so instead, I am the one leading our way back but with the help of him. He stayed behind me while walking. He keeps on asking the same question all over again.

"Victoria," he called.

"Stop calling me that way," I hissed.

I don't want to be called by my first name. It sounds old to me. Rielle is way much better but I really prefer my nickname "Viri".

"Warren will be really angry if he knows about this-"

"I bet he already knew," I stopped walking and looked at him directly.

"I did not tell him yet that you're here, if that's what you're talking about," he said in a manner that really pisses me.

I faced my back at him. "Then why not tell him right now? I'm sure you have your phone there with you."

"I wanted to know first why did you escapde again."

I faced him again. "Actually, it's really none of your business."

Our eyes met. He looks pissed, too but I don't care. I just wanted to go home now. I'm tired walking all day and I want to feel the comforting feeling of my bed. I just wanna rest. Next time, I won't do this again without Tony. I'm sure there are semestral breaks here so I can just go back here whenever I want if ever I failed to see all the tourist spots here.

"I don't want a fight with you," I said in a low voice.

"I am not fighting you. I'm just asking questions."

"Well, then stop asking questions so you can focus on teaching me the directions."

I heard him sigh. I looked around and the sky is getting even darker. Few more minutes and I'm sure we will not see a single thing.

I looked down at him when he suddenly sat down in front of me facing his back at me.

"What's that for?"

"I'm sure you have this so-called "piggy back ride" in the States. You're so slow. Ride on me so we can get there easily," he said.

"But I can walk on my-

"There are wild animals here. If you continue to insist what you want, I can't guarantee your safety," he seriously said.

There are wild animals here? Or he's just joking? Why does I haven't seen one?

"What kind of wild animals?" I asked again instead of doing what he said.

"I don't know but if we ever see one of them, we won't make it."

"I don't believe you," and I glared at him.

After a few seconds…

"Fine, fine," and I gave up.

What he said is actually true. I didn't notice that we're already out from the forest. It's already dark but atleast we got out.

"We still have to walk a bit until we reached the village where Tony lives. My car is parked there. Can you still walk?"

"I can," I answered.

"Okay. We'll eat dinner afterwards."

I glanced at him secretly and fond him calling someone on the phone.

"Yes, Warren. She's with me. Okay... no problem."

After calling Kuya Art, too he looked at me with his forehead creased.

"Were those my brothers? What did they said? Are they mad?

"They're not," he said. "They knew that you're with me from the beginning you disappeared in your house. I already told the maids and the guards to not say anything. Happy now?"

"Thank you."

I felt guilty for accusing him those things. Of course, I would think that way because he's close with my brother so I just thought...

When we reached his car, I looked at Tony's house and I bet there's no one inside still. Where could they be? I have no money with me again because I always forgot so I can't pay him now.

"Where are they?" I asked Cyrus.

"In the market. Selling the fishes they caught."

Oh. I want to go there, too. Maybe I can help them sell the fishes, too.

"Is it far from here?"

"You're not going there, Victoria. The markets here are way, way different than the markets in the States. It's chaotic and noisy. The floor is dirty, too so you can't stand it."

This guy thinks very low of me.

"Have you been there?" I teased.

"Yes."

"What did you do there?"

"I help them sell the fishes whenever I have free time so Tony can rest and do his home works. Where do you want to eat?" He started the engine of the car.

I opened the window of his car. I didn't hear any complains form him so I did not manage to close it. I really like the cool wind when it's already dark. It's comforting, made me want to sleep now.

"You like it here better than there?" He asked out of nowhere.

"Where?"

"In the States and in Manila."

I simply nodded. Both places are a busy one. I don't like the sound of the noisy vehicles especially the traffic. The people there are also busy. Everyone is doing something. I feel like everyone is running after something. Here... everything that surrounds me feel like in peace.

It took us half an hour to get to the restaurant he was talking about. Of course, this is in the small city of this province so it's far from the shore and where we lived. The malls here are not that big and the place is still not industrialized. It's better if they don't change this place but it's hard because we are evolving. Everyone and everything is being modernized.

I looked at Cyrus while he's choosing what to order for us. He barely smiles. He's always in a poker or serious face like he haven't enjoyed living in his past years. Is he always like this or he's just not comfortable around me?

We've known each other for like a week or so. And this is just my second time meeting him so I think it's normal.

"How did you met my brothers?" I asked after he's done with the menu.

"Business," he replied.

He barely talks, too.

"Where and when?"

"Three years ago in a party in Manila."

I'm in the States that time. I am busy with school and they won't allow me to come with them whenever they will go here. They usually stay here for days to a week and go back to the States, too immediately.

"You're best friends with them?" I continued asking.

His forehead creased. What? What's wrong with my question?

""Best friends" is such a childish term. You can use "close friends", instead," he said.

This guy is such a complicated person.

When our food came, we started eating. I glanced at my wrist watch and it's already eight in the evening. We finished the foo quickly maybe because we're both hungry because of a long walk.

He paid for our food so I express my gratitude but he just nodded on me.

When we are already inside of his car, I remember again that I should choose which school I will enroll in. Maybe he knows something about the schools in Manila? Maybe he can help me?

"What's your thoughts about the universities in Manila? Are they good?"

"You're going to enroll there?" He asked.

"Yes. After all, you're finished with your studies so I thought you could help me out a bit."

He smirked. I saw him smirked! He immediately looked at his left so I didn't get to see hi smirk again.

"I'm not yet done at school. Am I that old to you?"

What? But I thought...

"What year are you in the incoming school year?" He asked while focusing on driving.

"Grade 11."

He nodded. "So you're seventeen? Still a minor..."

What does that mean by the way?

"How about you? If you're not yet done in school what year are you in the incoming year also?"

"Second year college..."

Is he joking? My brothers are done with their studies. Kuya Art graduated last year. Kuya Warren graduated two years ago.

"How come you're talking business with my brothers if you’re not yet done with your studies?"

"I'm just representing our company when my parents are not around. My two older cousins already have their positions in our company so is my older brother. They teach me how the business industry works. They familiarize me with the basic I need to know."

He's learning at a young age. I want Kuya Art, too to teach me how next summer so I won't be a failure in our family.

"Where do you plan to enroll?"

"I still don't know..." I answered. "I want to go and see it personally. But I don't think my brothers have time for that."

"You want to come with me when I go back to Manila? If only... your brothers agreed."

My eyes grew big and suddenly want to ask them right now. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay! I'll ask them when I got home!"

I hate the city but I like going to universities and museums for additional knowledge. I can't wait! Maybe when I enroll I can already find a friend there.

When we reached home my brothers are already there. I immediately received a hug from Kuya Art but I waited for Kuya Warren to finish his phone call before kissing him in the cheeks.

"How's my sister, Cyrus? Did she give you any headache?"

They all laughed including him. He's comfortable with my brothers, then?

"You're sister's pretty behave for today. Nothing to worry about."

After a small conversation with them Kuya Warren told me to rest. Before going to my room I met his eyes and I simply smiled to say thank you for today. I left them talking about business again.

Next morning I wake up with a pretty good mood. I don't know why but I want to have a very productive day. I just combed my hair using my fingers and went directly to the living room where my brothers are drinking coffee.

"Good morning!" I greeted them enthusiastically.

Kuya Art raised his hand to have a high five with me while Kuya Warren raised his eyebrow to acknowledge my presence and went back onto his laptop.

"We're going to the office today," Kuya Wren said.

"Even on weekends?" I amazingly asked.

"We have to finish everything before going back to Manila, Viri. Or else we have to leave you during your school days just to go back here," Kuya Art explained.

"You can't be alone in Manila while you have classes. That's what Daddy told us."

"But you said we're going swimming today?"ni exclaimed.

Kuya Wren finished his coffee and closed his laptop. He stood up and placed his laptop in between his arm and waist and pat my head.

"That's why Euan is here to accompany you. We'll try our best to follow there if we finish everything."

Cyrus? Cyrus is here?

And just by including him in my thoughts, he went out of our kitchen in his pajamas, holding a cup of coffee with his messy hair.

"Goodmorning, Victoria. Sorry for the late reply," he said coolly.

He heard me?

"I have to get ready. Art, finished your breakfast," Kuya Wren commanded.

He left the three of us staring at each other. and because of too much awe, I literally forgot how I looked right now!

I ran back to my room and closed the door immediately. What is he doing here? He's wearing pajamas? Does that mean he slept here? Where? What room? Without me even noticing it?

"Victoria, get ready. Cyrus will tour you around," Kuya Art's voice was the last thing I heard before heading to the bathroom.