What Are You Doing Here?

The intruder pledged innocence over what happened the other day at the Lim's residence. As crazy it may sound, the man said he does not remember anything else except passing out under the intense heat of the sun and then waking up in the police station.

Surprisingly, Irene convinced her Uncle Ryan and Auntie Rona not to press charges against the man. This is because when Irene saw the man by the door's peephole, he looked soulless and somehow controlled.

"Irene, our cousin Dodge will drop by today to give us an invitation card to his wedding two days from now," Valerie informed while basking under the sun in order to get tanned.

As for Irene, she is simply sitting down on a portable chair under the shade of a tall coconut tree while her sight is focused on the persevere waves of the sea.

Nodding her head, Irene reaches for the cold mango juice on the table to her right.

"Oh, I can't believe he is about to get married. It was just as if yesterday we got punished and he ended up dislocating his elbow after falling from the mango tree." A smile formed in Irene's lips as she mixed the drink on her hand using a straw.

The coldness coming from the glass of cold mango juice seeped in Irene's palms which somehow was able to alleviate the tropical heat.

Days passed by and Irene is drinking by herself during the reception party of her cousin's wedding.

Irene has always loved being in the countryside because the people here does not think of her as a superstar unlike in the city where people are on their toes when she is with them.

The feeling of being treated as a person and not as someone in glitz and glamour is what Irene loves about the countryside the most.

"Rossi?" Irene almost spilled her drink on her nose after she saw a figure resembling Rossi.

Irene shut her eyes close and shook her head. Afterwards, she furrowed her eyebrows together to see clearly the figure hiding behind bushes.

The wedding after-party is held in the family garden leading to their coconut farm. There are a series of yellow light bulb tied on the branches of trees.

Putting her glass back to the wooden table, Irene walks to the direction of the lady behind the bushes. The other guests and family relatives are too busy to even notice Irene leaving.

Her mouth open wide and her eyes grew extremely surprised, "Rossi, what are you doing here?!" Irene then grabbed Rossi's hands and brought her to their house in order not to attract unnecessary attention given her magical clothes.

"I felt so bad about Amiel, he seemed to be very worried about you. He chose to come back to Rosemoor to protect us from the bandits." Rossi explained while her eyes are roaming around a mortal's house.

Irene furrowed her eyebrows, still not understanding the situation. "Bandits? How? Is that the reason why Amiel was needed in Rosemoor?" In all of Irene's inquiries, Rossi nodded her head as a response.

"Our parents forbade me to come outside of my room fearing for my safety but I just could not lock myself there and do nothing. This is why I decided to come here and look after you in Amiel's behalf." Rossi explained, sitting down on the edge of Irene's bed.

Irene is busy rummaging through her cabinet to find clothes for Rossi to wear. After hearing Rossi's explanation, Irene looked at her, "But wouldn't that make your family worry though? I mean, they would be shocked to see your room empty." She sat beside Rossi.

"I am sure Amiel would understand." In a soft voice, Rossi convinced Irene and herself.

Looking at Rossi pitifully, Irene decided to postpone interrogating her and handed her over a casual dress instead. "Here, change into these clothes." Irene said which made Rossi get the clothes on her hand.

Later that night when the party was over, Ryan, Rona, and a tipsy Valerie arrived in the house.

"Irene! Come help us carry your cousin! Goodness gracious, this kid drinks a lot!" Rona scowled the moment they entered the door while each of Valerie's arms are linked in Ryan's and Rona's arms side by side. Valerie was then carried to her room.

Ryan is a timid type of father who prefers to read newspaper in the morning while drinking his dark coffee in a metallic mug.

During breakfast the next day, Rona was busy preparing breakfast alongside with Irene in the kitchen.

"Your friend is beautiful. Is she a singer too?" Rona asks her beloved niece while she scoops rice from the rice cooker in to a clear bow.

'How should I introduce Rossi to my family?' Irene thought to herself.

"She is my boyfriend's sister." Irene simply replied after receiving the bowl of rice from Rona and then bringing it to the backyard where they will be having breakfast.

Now that Irene is thinking about it, she has not really spoken about Amiel to her Uncle Ryan and Auntie Rona. They may seem like they are just nonchalant about it but Irene knows that deep inside, they want to know him.

"So you are Amiel's younger sister?" Valerie wears her usual amiable smile while she is seated next to Rossi who is still trying to get used to things and of course, controlling her powers.

Rossi smiled and nodded her head, "Yes, I am. Do you know my brother?" She asks back.

"Well, yeah. My cousin and your brother are in a relationship so yes, I know him." Valerie replied while handing over to Rossi a plate.

Rossi could not help but smile. It was the first time he saw Amil become so worried over someone and even leaving Rosemoor. She is happy to know that things are now getting better between her brother and Irene.

Irene arrives holding the last batch of side dishes for breakfast, "Why are you smiling, Rossi?" Irene asks her while laughing too.