2 Summer Breeze

The next day, as I was approaching the White House on my all-terrain-vehicle (ATV), I saw Justine on the second floor terrace looking intently at me. My heart skipped a bit. Intrigued with my heart's reaction, I stole more glances. He was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and burnt orange shirt. His shirt complemented his olive skin. His hair was uncombed but framed his face nicely. He continued looking at me. I waved hello at him. He didn't wave back. He hastily retreated to I assumed his room. I shrugged and entered the kitchen. Auntie Anita greeted me warmly and offered me a cup of coffee. I helped myself to a mug and sipped it while looking at the carpet of trees below the hill. The hill was dotted with a sporadic burst of colors. When Grandpa Anton's wife died, he planted bougainvilleas all over the property. They crawled on trees and during the summer months, we were treated to a spectacle of colors--- red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. Like this day, as the sun rose, the bougainvilleas seemed to fight for the sun's attention. They were a sight to behold.

"Where were you last night's dinner?" Justine interrupted my reverie. I noticed he put on a light brown long-sleeve polo over his sunburnt orange shirt. His good looks distracted me.

"I ate at home. Good morning to you, too." I answered with slight teasing.

"Uncle Amor joined us for dinner. You didn't. I thought you lived in this house." He said as a matter of fact. 'Or was it an accusatory tone I detected?' I wondered to myself what was he accusing me of.

"I'm sorry for missing dinner last night. I got engrossed watching a Netflix series, I forgot the time. Had I showed up late for dinner, Auntie Anita would scold me no end…"

"Did I ask for an explanation? I just gave an observation that you were not with us last night. That's all!" Justine retorted, interrupting my explanation. He sat at the breakfast table. A kitchen staff offered him coffee. He declined. He poured himself a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice instead.

I stared at my mug of coffee. I didn't know what else to say. I was puzzled by Justine's attitude towards me. I wondered what I did to bring out this hostility from him. I have not ridden an airplane nor traveled abroad yet so I didn't know if this was the effect of jetlag. Tears welled up in my eyes but I summoned my restraint not to cry. Someone hugged me from behind, laughing.

"Good morning Princess Nina, good morning bro!" Alexis beamed. "Is my brother terrorizing you?" He asked.

I just giggled. But I saw Justine giving his younger brother a sharp glance. Alexis stuck his tongue at him and laughed.

While we ate our breakfast, I concluded that jetlag has nothing to do with his attitude. Maybe it was just his character---icy cold. His younger brother however was all sunshine and cotton candy. 'Can't he try to be a little bit like his brother?'

As if reading my mind, I caught him again looking at me deeply. I boldly met his stare but couldn't hold it. There was a strange feeling creeping inside me, making the hair on my nape stand. He was still staring at me when I finished my breakfast and joined Alexis outside.

In the wide driveway, Grandpa Anton, my father, the farm agriculturist Uncle Tino Villanueva and his son Karlo, and three more farm workers were already waiting for us. Two new ATVs were also in the driveway. Grandpa Anton again introduced his grandsons to everyone. He told the two boys to familiarize themselves with the farm. He showed them the new ATVs. "These are for you. Choose the color you want."

"Really, Grandpa?" asked Alexis. He thanked his grandfather with a hug. Justine just said thank you and proceeded to choose the all-black ATV. Alexis got the black and orange combination. Lolo Anton asked Karlo and I to teach his grandsons. I caught a hint of protest on Justine's face but it disappeared quickly. He turned to talk to Karlo. They hit it off instantly. They got busy tinkering how the ATV worked.

Grandpa Anton, my father, Uncle Tino and the rest of the group prepared to leave. As they were driving away, my father shouted: "Be gentle on the american boys, Nina. Don't give them a hard time!" I blushed. I felt so betrayed by my own father! But that was how we've always bantered so I was quite confused why I felt embarrassed.

"Why bother learning how it works when I can just backride with you?" Alexis asked playfully. By this time I was getting used to his care-free spirit. Although we were the same age, I felt the need to protect him. He was like the younger brother I never had. Plus he was really adorable with his curly hair and sweet smile. "I don't mind but I can't take you all the time, so you have to learn how to ride it too." I answered.

"Don't be such a baby Alex," Justine said. "And don't baby him," he added in my direction.

"Hello? Are you ordering me?" I answered back.

"Yes," he said. "Do you have a problem with that?" he asked.

I was fuming mad. "Nobody orders me around in this farm except Grandpa Anton and my father. And Auntie Anita!"

"Hey, drama princess, I'm just telling you not to treat my brother like a baby, okay?" Justine sneered.

"Back-off bro. I can take care of myself!" Alexis rebuked.

"Whoa, cool it guys. We're here to survey the farm and have fun. Com'on," Karlo butted in.

Uncomfortable silence filled the air. Justine put on his helmet and reflective safety vest, started his ATV and took off. Karlo followed with his top-down Jeep. He overtook Justine to show him the way.

"I think my brother likes you. He's never been like this to any girl." Alexis said.

"Hah! Don't pull my legs, Alexis. More like he hates me I think." I retorted.

Alexis laughed while looking mischievously. He added, "But you're my princess first. Ah, maybe because of that?" He laughed amused with something.

I dismissed what he was saying. I couldn't care less except I knew I was pissed with Justine! Alexis and I practiced operating the ATV a bit. When Alexis was confident enough to be on his own, we also donned our safety gears and followed suit.

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