Prologue

I was busy playing on my phone when I heard a knock and saw my brother, Third, peeping on the door, with only his head out. I continued playing after sparing him a glance, but not before I lowered down the volume of my phone.

"Dad wants us all in his office in five," he said and so I replied a small, "Okay." He disappeared behind the door for a second before coming back and told me to turn on the intercom in my room. I grumbled a, "Sure." as an answer.

Fortunately, the game ended shortly after and was ready to go down before five minutes up, making sure my intercom's on and running.

On my way down the stairs, I saw Four, Third's twin, on his way to Dad's office.

"Ow, hey, Kuya," he coldly greeted and nodded on my way.

"Hey, what's going on?" We don't usually have family meetings in Dad's office, as going in there can only just mean a couple of things: trouble, big family decision, a big serious announcement, or trouble. And we usually go solo, if not duo, usually the twins, rather than complete set of siblings, as I saw my older sister, Ate Primo, entering Dad's office.

"Don't know. Third's also blank." I nodded and muttered, "I see." Maybe an announcement then, if we are all clear of trouble.

We greeted Dad, Ate Prim and Third as we entered the room. The place was silent, only the air-conditioner blaring can be heard inside. As we settled on the couch, Dad cleared his throat and looked at us. Okay? Dad looking that serious never failed to make me nervous as hell.

"Now all of you are here, I'll be straightforward about this sudden meeting. Tomorrow lunch, someone important will arrive and stay here for maybe a year or less. She will come from America, and might have a hard time adjusting, so I want you all to help her settle. She's the daughter of a friend of mine and will be studying at your school, so I want you all to look after her very well," he looked at my direction, "especially you, Segundo, because she will be in your class." I wanted to cringe at the sudden responsibility, but held it in as my father will surely see it and kick my ass if I do so. "And as you all remember, your mother and I will be having a business trip and a Europe tour for our anniversary, and well, tonight's our flight. So, welcome her warmly in our stead and be good hosts. I'll leave the house in your care, Primo," my Dad seriously looked at Ate Prim, which made me inwardly grin, "and I hope you won't burn the whole house before we come back, Princess." I snickered with what Dad said and Ate Primo immediately throw a glare at my direction.

I looked away when she sighed and looked back at Dad. "Yes, Dad," she gravely said, and it took some self-control to hold in my laughter.

Later that day, we bid our parents goodbye as they left the house for their flight. We were still all at the living room until we can't see the car from the front porch.

"So, new housemate, tomorrow," Ate Prim said as we all get ready to go on our own ways to our rooms.

"Yeah. Don't know if I'm excited or what," I mumbled.

"Well, worst case scenario is we let her on her own merry way if she's a bitch," Third commented that earned him a hit at the back of his head from both Ate Prim and Four.

"Language, young man." Ate Prim glared at him before disappearing to the hallway towards the stairs near her room. Third snickered before walking up using the main stairs, followed by the ever silent Four.

I slightly shook my head and followed the twins, parting ways at the three hallways towards our rooms. Well, I guess Third's right, worst case scenario is we'll just ignore her and mostly just keep her out of major troubles that will make Dad mad.

Ugh, I'm already dreading tomorrow.

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