Swimsuit

The guest room is large. Even ten family beds can fit. No wonder it belongs to the Villaverdes. One of the most powerful clans in the province of San Fernando. The room is too big that it feels scary to sleep alone. She was tired from their trip that had been almost all day. Even though that she was but seemed like still she couldn't sleep. She has a habit of innovating when she's new to place or unfamiliar around where she is. It was few hours ago that she's inside the room but she got already bored. She was lying and staring blankly at the ceiling. She didn't want to think about things. All she wanna do is to empty her mind. Feeling stress free alone. She thought of walking outside to see at least one person to converse with, so she got up. In the kitchen she went to mingle with the maids of the Villaverdes. At first it was as if no one was giving any attention to her. She didn't know why, she felt like the people around seems avoiding her. Maybe because she's a Mondragon. Zaviah thought of the thoughts thats seemed impossible to happen too.

"I want to help with chores here in the kitchen," she offered.

"No ma'am. You're a guest. Sir Miguel might get mad if we will allow you to help the chores here in the kitchen."

Fortunately, someone answered her. She wanted to know where is Miguel but she ashamed to ask it.

Gradually Zaviah became uncomfortable around. She asked herself if the stares of the people in the kitchen meant anything to her. Fiancee, that's how she was introduced to Rod. So she suddenly wondered if the same was said to household helpers.

"Sir Miguel left together with senyorito Rod. He instructed us to let you rest and sleep. And told to cook you something to eat when you're awake as well."

"I haven't slept. And I got tired of lying down on bed. So I decided to get out of the room."

*We thought you were asleep."

"May I know where will I take a ride? If I'm going to board to EDSA."

"No ma'am. We can't answer you. We're instructed not to tell you and watch over you till he come back around. He said you might leave without letting him know."

Zaviah shuddered. Why is it that she looks like a captive. House helpers will watch over her. What she heard was annoying.

"All right. I understand."

Zaviah turned her back. Left no other comment and take a walk outside to freshen up. She saw a swing on her right outside. And she was very glad to see a swimming pool as well. And noticed the beautiful landscape. How beautiful are the fake falls that are also made next to the wall that adjoins the swimming pool. She quickly walk back to the room. Luckily, she had something to wear for swimming. She really likes to swim and soak in the water. One by one she stepped her feet down into the water. She wanted to estimate herself whether she could resist the cold water or not.

"Do you want me to turn on the light here ma'am? You wanna go swimming, won't you?" the gardener ask.

It was twilight. So it's time to turn on the lights in the Villa. Donya Celestina's important instruction to them was to turn on the light before dark. It is better for the light to precede before the darkness come.

"All right. But can you please don't turn on the light here in the swimming pool. I don't want to be too visible."

"It's okay. You have to open it when you go up. The light switch is on the side of that pole here."

"I'll take care of it," she replied.

She had been swimming in the cold water for almost two hours. Water was getting colod. She was soaked too much. The night has finally come so she will go up. A car is coming so she stopped going up.

'Maybe it was Miguel who came and Rod' she guessed.

She didn't want to be seen in what she is wearing. She would wait them to enter the mansion.Then she would pick up her overlapped dress that was there on the side of the swing she left. It's dark in the swimming pool so she definitely wouldn't be noticed. Unless Miguel can predict that she is in the swimming pool. She turned and look at the pole where the light suddenly switch on. Her eyes lit up and she wondered who turned the light on. She could no longer hide in the dark. Just by standing the man and his shadow not far away. She knew who it was.

"They're already at the table eating dinner. I even went to the guest room to find you, you're just here."

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't think dinner was that early."

"There are rules here at the Villa for anything. Even dinner time must be before seven o'clock in the evening. And all dining times have a proper time that is followed not just dinner. But it doesn't matter I bring dinner in your room later. "

"O...kay," she replied.

Somehow she managed to answer okay. She was surprised to see someone standing on the side of the pole.

"You came up now. It's getting too cold in the water. You might get sick."

It still seemed authoritative to Zaviah's hearing. Even if it seems to be mentioned with concern. So she would not have wanted to follow it. She didn't want to stand up. She could be seen again wearing swimsuit. But Miguel was already holding his overlapped dress. Maybe she won't be able to yell anymore so she will just go up. There's nothing more to say about. She is in a swimsuit to face Miguel. The scene that she would have avoided the most.

"Why are you holding that again. I never left it on the lawn. So you have no reason to bother to take it."

"You're just annoyed because I've seen you look like that again. C'mon Zav! I've already seen it all. So what else can you hide."

It seemed that cold water poured over by the word she heard. Isn't she shouldn't be proud anymore. What she hated even more was the smile on Miguel's face.

"I don't need to hear that. Nor to be reminded. And yes you've seen what I have but you still can't look at me that way. It's as if your annoying stares are just as silly like what you're thinking. So don't make me look like that."

She was completely got embarrassed by what she heard. So she answered it bluntly. It is not important to be kind. She can also show it according to what is also shown to her.

"Sorry."

"Those were just a joke, I know. But it hurt. In my ear, in my heart, in my brain or shall I directly say it hurts for my wholebeing. Those words buried me deep down into the ground."

Zaviah boldly expressed her resentment. It's good to be honest. And it's good for Miguel to know what she felt. To never tell her that again and watch over his words.

"Please forgive me. It won't happen again. I promise."

Miguel ask forgiveness seriously and wholeheartedly. He didn't think it was too insulting to Zaviah. That his simple jokes as he thought would made even more upset.

"It happened. You will not be able to recover what you have said. Well it's good to be true. As a matter of fact I can now tell you who you are."

Miguel can't blame Zaviah. So he just stared when it left him alone. He sighed and followed inside.