8 Years Before The Engagement

AFTER that ear deafening shout of Ate, she settled and calmed down. Mama and Papa didn't know about Ate's hysterical reaction upon seeing that Decart Lizares. So they didn't questioned about it and we continue eating our breakfast. We were silent, except that Mama, Papa, and that Decart Lizares were talking about the factory and other businesses. The other two Lizares: Tonton and Sonny were occasionally butting in the conversation, as if they really knew something about the business, which is kind of impressive at their very young age.

After breakfast, Mama lets me prepare first before I can go to the Jomax Peak and study peacefully. I also got the chance to ask Ate about her weird reaction awhile ago.

"Ate, are you mad at Decart Lizares?"

She stop what her doing, which is putting some lotion on her body and glare at me. It's like I ask some forbidden question or something.

"Ugh! I really hate that man!"

"Why?"

"Mama and Papa said he's the one I'm gonna marry from the Lizares clan."

Arrange marriage. Marriage by name. Marriage for convenience. Whatever you call that. The Osmeñas are very fond of that. Well, actually, the first generations of the Osmeña clan are very fond of that arrangement. Even in the second generation. Most of Papa's siblings and their wives, and even Papa himself and Mama, were a product of arrange marriage. They need to do that to keep the family business intact with the right people. The people who can make the business boom and prosper.

This time, it's our generation that needs to follow that tradition. Kuya Yosef, being the oldest son and grandson, is being groomed to find one. I think he's bound to marry the daughter of a prominent business tycoon in Asia. I just forgot who. There are so many business tycoon in the Asia.

I think Ate's next and they're planning to get the Lizares. I don't know much about the Lizares. All I know is that they're a family friend. But I don't see them in some socialites gathering around the area. That's why I know less about them.

And me? All I can expect is that I'm going to marry someone too, for the company. And I am very much ready for that to happen. That's why in order to prepare myself for that forthcoming event, I am enjoying every meal that is available in front of me, I'm enjoying the plays that I do with my playmates, boys.

~

I STARED at the greenery and mountaineous view in front of me. I'm here in Jomax Peak already and been studying for hours already. I am motivated to study well because of the view. It's so beautiful! The air is so refreshing, I can live here all year round.

But I am not alone. Few tables away from me, Kuya and the two other Lizares: Tonton and Sonny, are seated. Mama and Papa allowed me to stay here for awhile with Kuya's presence. The two guys joined us while their Kuya, Decart Lizares, joined Mama, Papa, and Ate back at the factory.

It's Saturday and usually this tourist spot is jampacked with people, but luckily it's quite in here and we're one of the fews who visited the place.

After hours of studying, Kuya told me that I need to stop to eat. I joined them.

While the foods are being serve, Kuya and Tonton Lizares were busy talking while the other one, Sonny, is staring at me. It's so obvious because he's silent and I always caught him staring at me. I'm so use with people like that but this guy's different. I think he's enjoying that I know that he's staring at him.

"So, you like studying?" Finally, he broke the silence. Kuya and Tonton Lizares stopped talking when Sonny talked.

"Not really. Need to study for the exams."

I give my attention to the food that is being serve to me. I answered him casually.

"Where were you studying again, MJ?" Tonton asked.

"MCCEI."

"Oh? You and our youngest are schoolmates," Tonton answered.

"Darwin Charles? Why? He's studying here?" Kuya asked.

I continue my eating session, since I assume they're going to talk again.

"Yep. Since last year. It was just a sudden decision. But after high school, he'll go back to the States to study college their." This time, Sonny answered.

"Oh? Harvard, right?"

"Yeah, it was his dream, though. You know, he's the youngest and Mom and Dad are both spoiling him."

And I don't know what are they talking about. Why am I here anyway if I can't relate with their conversations?

"How about MJ? Is she going to study college abroad? Like the States?"

I hear Sonny mention my name so I look at him. I smiled nicely. Like my usual smile with casual people.

"Nope. American school is not my thing."

The Lizares are so far nice. But I can't be comfortable when they're around. My siblings and cousins will always say that Lizares are untouchables.

I didn't mind their conversation at all and just continue eating my food. I can still hear their talks but I never butt in again.

~

AFTER that weekend, I face the coming hell week. One week of examinations.

And in that whole week... all I can notice is that my friends were so motivated to face all the exams and they always mention about this Kuya Darry. Kuya Darry there, Kuya Darry here. The hell with that!

~

Months after, we're now Grade ten. Last year of Junior High!

I rest my back at the comfortable couch of a popular chilling place here in our city. I comfortable close my eyes and enjoyed the soothing music from the stereo of the establishment. It's Friday and we decided, I mean my friends, to chill around. Old House it is.

"You okay, MJ?"

I slowly open my eyes and give my attention to the one who asked, Nicole, and smile to her.

"Yeah, why?"

"You don't have a fling right now?" Jessa sarcastically entered mine and Nicole's conversation about something.

"Searching... Rocky's so lame. He's name is Rocky but he's so soft. The irony, right?"

We were interrupted again by Maj's loud laughter. They were all listening to our conversation. He laugh so hard, I think he almost died with that. Okay, what's going on?

"Idiot, MJ! I already told you, Rocky has a soft heart. He's gay, MJ. But still, you continue flinging him." And then he laugh again.

"Hey, Major Gerardo! You're so OA! Stop laughing!"

Lory throw a piece of fries to Maj. Nicole soothes his back to calm him down. I just shrug my shoulder and stood up.

"I'll go to the powder room."

But one listens, they just let me go to the powder room.

I did my thing there. When I went outside, I hear someone yell my name.

"MJ Osmeña!" She smile widely and spread her arms like aiming for a hug. I hug her and even greeted him.

"Hey, Madonna. Who's with you?"

Madonna Vaflor. Ate Chain's, my cousin, bestfriend. I know him well and she's that friendly so I don't know if who's with her because aside from my cousins, she has a lot of friends. Like me. Everyone's friendly here in our small city!

"Hey, cousin!"

Before Madonna could answer my question, Chain Osmeña appeared. Ate Chain is the only daughter of my Tito Ed Osmeña, the second of the Osmeña brothers. "Hi, Ate Chain!" I hug her the tightest!

"Who's with you?" She ask after the hug.

"I'm with my friends. We're near the entrance."

"Come here, my friends wants to see you. They've been talking about you all night. And someone wants to meet you. You're available and single right?"

I smirk at Ate Chain. She's one of my bad influence cousin. She knew that I'm just fifteen years old but here she is, letting me introduce someone I think that has the same age of her.

I knew some of her friends because they're also has the same group of friends with my other cousins and siblings. I smiled to everyone and had a small talk with them. And then there he is, the one I don't know and the one I think they're going to introduce with me.

"Erico, this is my cousin... the one I'm talking about?"

Hmm, I didn't know about this guy. He's familiar.

He looks at me and it's funny because I already knew the meaning of that look. I was so exposed with other boys that at the age of fifteen, I already know what their intestines were shouting.

I smirk at the back of my head. So funny!

"Hey, Chain! Are you selling MJ again?"

I was about to accept Erico's hand when Kuya Clee entered the scene, he's one of my cousins again.

Kuya Clee. Clee Osmeña. Oldest son of Tito Arm Osmeña, the third of the Osmeña brothers.

"Don't be a KJ, Clee. This is what MJ wants. I heard she's available and Rocky and him were off."

"Hahaha! You and that Rocky Geroso were really flings, huh?"

I roll my eyes and almost shown Kuya Clee my middle finger but he's older than me so I didn't.

"Oh, shut up, Kuya! It's not even funny. It was a mistake, okay?"

He mess with my hair and smirk. "Good job, you have learned another lesson."

One thing I wanna say with my cousins is that... they're all bad influence with my welfare. The girls in our family are hard drinker and the boys are womanizers. And unfortunately, I got the two traits of the family. I'm a hard drinker and at the same time a player at a very young age. Creepy isn't it?

"Just go back to your friends. They might be looking at you. I saw Vad awhile ago."

And just like that, my cousins just shoo me. I didn't mind at all.

I walk back to my friends. There are a lot of people here in Old House. I don't know, maybe because it's Friday and school's about to be done. Or these teenagers and young adults were here just for fun, to waste money, or to bond with their respective friends just like what I'm doing with my friends.

But in the middle of the crowd, I bump into someone. It was all sudden and all I can say is... "I'm sorry."

I usually don't look back whenever I bump into someone because I always bump into someone especially in crowd places and I'm always in a crowded places. But this time, out of curiosity, I look back.

I think I bump into a guy. A guy with long hair... because of his manbun. Do I know some guy with a manbun? With long hair? I don't know.

I just shrug it off because in the end, I still don't know that guy.

"Let's go home?" I ask them when I went back to our table.

We can't stay longer because were still under age and for sure, their parents are looking for them already.

"Where did you go? What took you so long?" curiously asked by Ressie while sipping on her pineapple juice.

"You didn't saw Kuya Darry," Jessa interrupted. And this time, my cousin, Steve is beside her.

Yes, you read it right.. Steve's my cousin. Second son of Tito Ram Osmeña, the sixth of Osmeña brothers. He's one year older than me but because he's an asshole, we are at the same grade level.

I just roll my eyes when I heard that name again. Kuya Darry.

"I saw Ate Chain and Kuya Clee near the powder room. I just talk with them," I answered to Ressie. "You saw them, Steve?" I then ask my cousin.

One rule about our cousinship... if we're at the same place, we should, and really should at least make appearance to their group of friends or themselves. Anyways, the important thing is that you need to show up with your cousins. The perks of being an Osmeña.

Steve nodded. I didn't ask anymore and just enjoyed myself to some finger foods in the table. I guess no one's going home yet.

"Kuya Darry!"

"Oh? Is he going home now?"

"Who's going home?" I ask out of curiosity while eatin a piece of cheese stick. I look at Lory since she's the last person I heard who talk.

"It's Kuya Darry."

I roll my eyes again.

Kuya Darry again!

~

"AH!"

Justine let out a loud moan. Good thing we're inside his car. No one's gonna hear it. I continue touching his crouch. It's already hard and it's been minutes since I started massagin his crouch. Damn it. He was turned on that fast?!

He was busy kissing my neck while still moaning. He's too loud and it's kind of distracting. I don't like guys who were loud.

Look where my playgirl trait and fondness of flings brought me. I can do base two now because I'm in Senior High and few years to go, I'm gonna be of legal age.

When Justine aim to kiss me lower, I stop him.

"Sorry, Just, time for school."

I stop him from kissing me and prepare myself to go to school. He volunteered to send me to school today that's why I'm in his car. He's so generous that's why I accepted that offer. I didn't know he has other plans. But good thing I'm prepared enough to go with the flow.

He lazily set back, some kind of disappointed face is currently painted on his face.

Sorry, Justine, you're the third disappointed guy this year.

I saw that he clenched his jaw, maybe trying to calm himself from the disappointment he got from me.

"I'll see you later." I kiss him on his cheek, savoring the very last drop of my cliff hanger experience for him.

"Please do see me later, MJ, and please don't... don't stop me from doing what I just enjoyed. Damn it."

"I'll try my very best, Justine. Ciao."

Ciao because I think it's not gonna happen again.

I went out of his care and walk gracefully to school like nothing has happened. I smile to my other schoolmates who just arrived at school. I saw that he look at my back, probably at Justine's car. Maybe they already got the idea that Justine's my fling of the moment.

"Your lips are swollen. Justine sent you to school?" I saw Paulla on the way to our building and that's the first question she ask.

"Justine is a lame kisser. Should I change him?"

"What the f, Maria Josephina Constancia? Are you serious? You called him a lame kisser but your lips is read, looks like you enjoyed the kiss."

"He is, Paullita, a lame kisser."

"I really can't believe you, MJ. May I remind you, he's like the third guy you called a lame kisser. Are you really serious? He was called the national lips of the college campus then you're just calling him a lame kisser?"

"His lips are protruded but he's not a good kisser. Just so you know, Pau."

I am just telling the truth. Nothing but the truth.

"Ugh, MJ! Why don't you go with Siggy Lizares? Make him one of your flings if you're looking for a good kisser. Because I heard he's really a good one."

I stop midstep and look at her. "I told you, Paullita-"

"The Lizares are untouchables... Yeah, I know, MJ. You said it a a million times since Junior High."

She continue walking but what she just said left me dumbfounded. I watch her as she enter our classroom.

"Hey, MJ! What are you doing there?"

I saw Vad below the stairs. I'm still thinking to what Pau said.

"Is Siggy's really a good kisser?"

And before I could get back what I just said, it becomes too late.

"What kind of question is that, MJ? Are you that high with Justine?"

~

I WAS thinking if how could I get away with Justine. We've been into this game for almost a month and I'm getting bored already. I want to find somebody else. I really can't last with someone. So far, he's the longest I've been with. The hec, right?

But a miracle just came. I don't need to get away with him anymore let him fetch me because Mom said our family driver will fetch me.We need to go somewhere. An important family meeting with someone I don't know. I did not ask further more questions. I know it's out of my business.

After class, I went home. I prepared myself because my familywill be there and I'm the only who's gonna go there.

I wore a flesh-colored one-shoulder knee length dress. I let my hair flow. Then I wore a gladiator sandals to match up my get up.

When I arrive at the venue, I eventually greet my family. We're inside a VIP room. No one's here except for my family. Maybe the visitors aren't still around. And thank God I'm not late.

We're five in the family but there are seven spaces in front of us. I guess we're meeting a family. And I cannot guess who among our family friends will be here.

"Ate, what's going on?" I innocently ask my Ate when I can't take it anymore. She's beside me so she's the nearest person I could ask for what's goin on.

Her brows furrowed and her face can't be painted anymore. It's like she eat something sour. Um, we still didn't started our meal yet, still waiting for the other visitors.

"Mama and Papa still pursue the engagement," she bitterly said.

"What? With the Lizares? So, Lizares will be here?"

She nodded.

"I thought it's Kuya first?"

"Yosef is buying his time that's why Mama and Papa focused on me. Ugh! I really want to kill Anthonio Josefino Ricardo! He's an asshole." She only whispered those words. It's gonna be a war if she ever let Kuya Yosef hear those words.

I let her calm down for a second. Then I ask her a question. A very dangerous one.

"You really don't like the Lizares, Ate?"

"Like what I always tell you... Lizares are untouchables. They're so unreachable. It's like reaching a moon. So impossible, right? And besides, I have a boyfriend and Decart's not my type. Nothing in that Lizares brothers is my type."

I was about to answer Ate's sentiment when we heard that someone's coming. The door of this VIP room opened. My family then stood up.

And there they are. The boys, my cousins and siblings warned me about, are here.

I still remember my one cousin said... "If you play dirty, the Lizares plays the dirtiest. They can never be trusted. That's what made them untouchables."

I watch them, individually.

The first one is their oldest... Ate's future fiance, Decart Lizares. All I can say is that... he's an Adonis. A total package Adonis.

Everyday in my life, I always see handsome and pretty faces. It's not new to me anymore. But never in my life I saw a real life Adonis, until today. He's macho and he's handsome. Is Ate really sure he's not her type?

The second is the Einny Lizares. And this one? Well, he's like a greek god who was thrown out straight from heaven. He's equally macho and handsome with his older brother, Decart Lizares. But Einny's facial hair is more evident than his older brother.

Third is Tonton Lizares. He was known as the goofy Lizares because of his playful personality. Way too different from his two older brothers. He has the same features with his two older brothers but the difference lies on his hair. It's longer than the usual guy's cut of the two.

The fourth one... well, Siggy Lizares is the name. And the heck! My eyes went down on his lips.

Punyemas, Paullita Hannabelle Lacson! What did you planted in my brain!

Okay, Siggy Lizares. You know when God poured some good faces on earth? He's one of those people who were awake that time and bathe in that rain, enjoying every bit of the rain drops. It's like he received all the good features of good faces in the world. He has more soft features than his three older brothers. He's like a baby version of them. And his lips? Punyemas, it's as protruded with Justine, but more protruded but what Pau said... punyemas! Stop it, Maria Josephina Constancia Leonardia Osmeña!

Stop imagining about Siggy's lips and let's proceed to the fifth son. Sonny Lizares. The first one you'll gonna notice with him is his nape hair. It added more to his defined jaw, defined brows, defined pointed nose, defined eyes, and his defined long lashes. If I were to ask who's the most handsome among them? I'll answer Sonny. Because he is.

What's happening to you, Maria Josephina Constancia? Are you out of your mind? How can you identify who's the most handsome among the others? The hell!

The last one who entered the door are the couple. The elegant couple of the Lizares clan.

The patriarch, Gabriellito Nikola Lizares or what everybody calls Don Gabriel. If Siggy enjoyed the rain of good faces. Don Gabriel was the one who poured the rain together with God. It's like all the good features I saw from his sons were all put together on his face. He surpasses all the description of a greek god in a book. For sure Zeus and Adonis will back out if they're in some contest of who's the most handsome of all among the universe, entire universe and galaxies. His hair is longer from the normal cut of a particular guy like my Papa and Kuya Yosef. But that long hair added to his handsome face.

The matriarch, Felicithea Prowess Lumayno Lizares or also known as Doña Felicity. From the Lumayno clan who married a Lizares. The name itself, you already know it's deadly. She's deadly. Drop dead gorgeous. I don't want to describe anymore. I lost words to describe her and the definitions in the dictionary isn't enough to describe her. She got it all. All the beauty in the world. Beauty and elegance. It feels like all her actions are calculated. And there's the poise, the very elegant poise. Aphrodite is surely be irritated when she will know someone surpasses her beauty. She will just not send it to the underworld, just like what she did to Psyche, but maybe in other dimension. I'm not overeacting nor over describing. She is really beautiful.

The night continue and I remained silent since I'm the only underage among this group. I never butt in with their talk. I'll just answer if they'll ask me.

I'm getting bored already. I really don't like formal dinner like this. I hope my cousins are here. My parents were busy talkin to Don and Doña. Kuya's having a serious conversation with the other brothers and Ate's silent the entire dinner, just like me. But it's evident on her face of how irritated she is to what's happening now.

Mama and Papa decided to have a private conversation with Ate, Decart Lizares, and his parents unto the next table. Kuya's still talking with Einny and Tonton. While thw two remaining brothers, Sonny and Siggy are here in front of me.

Gosh! This is so awkward! Of all the families here in our island, why will they choose the Lizares? I thought they're untouchables?

"Why are you silent?"

I drop the fork I'm holding when I heard the thunderous voice of Siggy Lizares. I swallowed hard. Trying to calm my shockness.

"Sorry..." I muttered. I look around if they notice the noise I just made but everything's in place. My parents are still talking with them and Kuya's still talking too with them. It' like they didn't hear the noise.

"Sig, don't shock MJ like that."

I look at Sonny when he spoke.

"Sorry. I noticed she's not just on herself and she's silent the entire dinner. It's very unusual from the stories we heard about you."

A smile slowly crept in my face. "Why? What did you hear about me? Is it all about how playful I am as a girl?"

"Whoa! Calm there, kid! We didn't say something like that," defensively said by Sonny.

Kid, huh?

"What I mean is... you're talkative, as what others said. The life of the party. Why is it we're seeing from that now? Is what Justine said is true or you're just like that to your flings?"

Because you are untouchables!

I want to say it to them but I am more curious to what he just said.

"You knew Justine?"

"We knew Justine," Siggy answered.

"He always talk about you." Sonny."

"And?"

"Nothing on his stories said that you're silent and likes studying."

"And?"

"And you didn't have any attitude just like what you're showing now."

"So?"

"This is going nowhere. Maybe it's true that you're only nice with people who are your flings." I can hear irritation from Sonny's voice when he commented that. A smile crept into me at the back of my head.

Siggy leaned on his back and crossed his arms, eyeing me intently.

"I suggest that you need to break up with Justine."

My smirk faded. But it went back when I realized what he just said. "What will I break? We're not even in a relationship?"

"Playgirl..." Sonny said after whistling. "Sig, let's find another. Charles don't deserve her. He will be hurt for sure."

And I don't know what Sonny is talking about.

"I also suggest to stop playing games. You're not a little kid anymore, MJ. It's not suitable for an angel like you to just play around, to just play with love. Stop it beforehand to lessen the future pain."

My brows furrowed. Confused to what this Siggy Lizares laments about.

"Thank you for your suggestion, but no thanks." I set aside the table napkin and stood up.

"We need to find another, Siggy."

I turn around and walk to the direction of the comfort room. Not interested to what are they talking about. But their conversation still reaches my ears.

"What can we do, Charles like her."

~

(To be continued... She Leaves - 3)