Secret Rendezvous

SUMMER

Finally! I can relax. Cutting in line earlier was supposedly a prank, but we end up in a senseless confrontation. We never expect that it will be a disaster. And worst, Storme even threatened us. Yes, he is good-looking—a boyfriend material, but he's arrogant and tops it all his, my mortal enemy. 

“Woo-hoo! Thank God it’s over. Let’s go?” I asked Nadine and Stella.

“Bestie, good old days, okay?” Stella excitedly asked.

“Cool! Let’s hit up the mall food court for lunch. We haven’t spent time together for a while. You’re always busy, Summer,” Nadine said in a sulking tone.

“Okay, let’s eat lunch. It’s my treat! But I have to go home after. Is it okay? I haven’t slept yet for thirty-six hours. I look like a zombie already. Promise, I will make it up to both of you. We can hang out after the freshmen college orientation. Is that alright?” I said.

“Alrighty!” Stella agreed. “Since you’re paying for our lunch, it’s fine. Right, Nadine?”

Nadine’s eyes sank. “Okay! I can’t do anything to change her mind, anyway. Since Summer already decided.”

“Hey! Beshie, why are you grouchy?” I asked.

“Because!” She rolled her eyes and curled her lips. “Why do you need to do a summer job? You could have spent time with us. We could have taken a trip to Cebu or Boracay or in Calaguas Islands at least.”

“Nadine, you're upset. Please, don’t be upset.” I stepped closer to her and embraced her. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll have time for you guys. On Friday, we have the entire afternoon together. What if . . . mm-hmm . . . a slumber night? We can stay at La Casa Buena Hotel for the weekend, and then we can go to school together on Monday. Is that okay with you?” I excitingly suggested. I know they won't say no.

“Okay, fine! Slumber night sounds good! Can we eat at Restaurante Amore too? Their Italian seafood pasta and rosemary bread are the best!” Nadine answered. Her sulking face is now covered with excitement.

“Okay, slumber it is!” Stella thrillingly said. “Shall we go? You two are such a drama queen. I’m already tom jones. Let’s go!”

I went home after lunch. It’s been an exhausting day. Why am I feeling guilty? I didn’t really spend time with Stella and Nadine for the entire summer. I can spend the rest of the day with them, but my detective mode is on. I needed to find out if Devin Storme Buenavente is Vin. It’s been ten years since the accident. Aunt Devine didn’t mention Vin is coming home. So, I phoned Popsie Storme to ask if Vin is back. I am closer to Vin’s grandfather than his parents. My father and Vin's grandfather are best friends. I often see him at the hacienda or visiting Papa at his office. After my phone conversation, I found out Vin is Devin Storme. So now, at this moment, I’m declaring war with my used-to-be childhood sweetheart, Prince Vin.

Nadine and Stella are right. Why do I need to do summer jobs? I took that route because I want to be independent. I just started working as a bartender this summer and will be on-call on Friday nights when school days start. Then I will have a regular gig with The Halo Band as a drummer at The Halo Corner every Saturday.

I am not the only child. I have a twin sister with whom I don’t get along. Snow lives with our parents while I live alone in the city. Savannah Snow is the heiress of the Sy clan, and I am the heiress of the Almeda. Unlike me, a homebody, my twin sister spends her summer vacation traveling with her socialite friends. To avoid clashing with her, I became hands-on with my father’s business, and later, I decided I want to be independent.

I wanted to live a simple life, blend in with others, and enjoy my teenage years. I am still young, but my father is overexposing me to his business. I’m not too fond of it. I feel suffocated and have no freedom. Being born with a silver spoon is living a manipulated life. But what can I do? My father’s word is a law, but he supported me to be independent at sixteen. After all, he has grown the Almeda Empire from rags to riches.

 One business that I supervise is Playa del Sol Beach Resort. Playa del Sol is one of my father’s beach resorts on Calaguas Island, a private resort that needs club membership. Playa del Sol was initially for the Chinese and Spanish Congregation family members but was later opened for the public to subscribe for a club membership.    

Playa del Sol club membership entitles members to annual unlimited access to the beach resort. Daily entertainment like Tahitian fire dance, live bands, and unlimited alcoholic drinks with barista exhibition shows are some benefits club members can enjoy. The barista exhibition is the reason I got hooked on reading about liquors and cocktail drink mixes. 

I was fourteen when I started supervising Playa Del Sol during the summer. But this year is different. After graduating from high school, I moved to the city away from my twin. At first, my father disagreed about me working, but I convinced him I wanted to earn independently. It’s my way of learning how to run our family business after college. Father agreed, but of course, under one of his friend's son’s supervision. Because of Papa’s influence, I got a job at The Halo’s Corner. Sir Andrew became my bartending mentor. He was so nice to show me exceptional barista tricks and exhibitions. 

That afternoon after I left, Stella and Nadine. I spent time stalking Vin at La Casa Buena Hotel and Buena Vista Penthouse. I even phone my mother to ask Aunt Devine about Vin. And there, before Friday orientation, I proved it. Storme is Vin, my mortal enemy.

Then Friday came. It was a compulsory orientation for transferees, newcomers, and first-year college students. After the event, Stella, Nadine, and I went to Ecology Maze Park, where we spent time together. Then we ate lunch and watched a movie. I am hydrophobic and nyctophobic, so I must sit between Nadine and Stella during the movie. I got to sit where there should be a bit of light, or if not, they will only be the ones watching Star Wars.

We still have ample time before nightfall. We spent time together at the malls' food court and eat our favorite street food. Because I was missing in action for the entire summertime, my punishment is to buy my friends food and serve them. I didn’t get it why only I have punishment. Nadine and Stella must have punishment, too, because they started the prank. The two planned it, but I was the one who ended up getting into trouble.

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