Secret Rendezvous

PRANK

The sight of the water gave me a panic attack. I hurriedly scampered inside the hotel to calm myself. I can’t show Nadz and Stella how scared I was. I don’t want to ruin the fun. It’s almost ten years, but I still never overcome my fear of water.

I can feel the utmost happiness that my friends are in right now. Seeing them enjoying our staycation is priceless to me. This is the only way I can ease the guilt I feel by not giving them time on the entire summer break.

I called Restaurante Amore and ordered our dinner for room service. I went to the room and unpack my weekender bag and changed into PJ’s right after. While waiting, I stood by the veranda watching my friends. It was a hot and very muggy evening. Almost the end of summer and the rainy season is about to start. The wind blows warmth to my skin. Making the moment nostalgic. I can hear Nadine and Stella giggling, They are having so much swimming and diving in the pool.

“Beshie, call us when the food is ready!” Nadine requested.

“You bet! Dinner will be ready in a half-hour,” I answered.

“You're the best, Beshie!”

I smiled at Nadine and watched Stella as she swam back and forth with her butterfly stroke swimming style. I tried to catch Stella’s attention, luckily she gazed at me.

“Luningning!” I hollered her name.

“Yes, Sunshine!”

“Shush! Don’t say bad words.” I grumbled. “Hey! Are you sure Red and Dhrim are coming? How about Bren? ”

“Red and Dhrim are on their way I think. Bren won’t make it,” Stella answered.

“Okay. Did you tell Bren where we are right now?”

“No! Because Little Miss Sulker doesn't want Little Mister Foodie around,” said Stella teasingly.

“Nadz, why don’t you call your boyfriend to come over?” I asked out of curiosity.

Knowing Brennen even if he said he couldn’t come bribe with food and he will surely come. He is the mister foodie amongst us. He could eat anything and everything with no limits.

“No! I don’t want him around,” Nadine shouted.

“And why is that?”

“Because . . . because . . . never mind. Please don’t call him over,” Nadine begged.

“I’m calling Bren now.”

“Summer! Don’t call, Brennen. Please. I’m not ready to see him. We broke up last week and he will eat all our food,” Nadine cried out.

“Bestie, Nadz is making up a story. Bren saw Nadz with Red last week and he thought they were dating. It’s just an itsy-bitsy lovers' quarrel. No biggie! So, call him in.”

“Okay! If you say so. I’m calling Bren over. I ordered a family combo. Good for 6 pax. I thought Dhrim was coming too, but he called me and told me he has a date with his girlfriend.”

I wasn’t done talking with the two when the doorbell rang. Ding dong . . . Ding dong. . .

I peeked through the door hole. Room service has arrived. I opened the door.

“Come in. Please place it on the dining table. Thank you.”

“Miss Summer, Storme would like to give you this.”

“Thanks!”

The room service employee handed over a porcelain noodle bowl with a lid. He's one of the assistant cooks. Jake the engraved name on his nameplate. He was young, maybe about his early 20s.

“Did you prepare our dinner?”

“Oh! Not only me, Miss Summer. Sir S—Seth... Chef Seth cooked these.”

“Oh, okay! Tell him thanks to me. The food looks delish! Mm-hmm. How about this? What’s inside this bowl? Did Storme tell you?”

“Sorry, I do not know, Miss Summer. Storme just wanted me to give it to you.”

“Okay. I'll call you when we're done eating.”

“Buzz the intercom when you need anything,” Jake said before he walks out the door.

“Alrighty. Thanks!”

I opened the bowl he handed me earlier. I was thinking maybe it’s my favorite chicken

Arroz Caldo or the beef mami noodles with lots of bone marrow and roasted garlic. But the bowl was not hot. It’s cold and something is jumping inside.

The room service crew waved us goodbye as he pushed the food cart out of the suite, “Enjoy your meal—.” Jake did not finish what he was saying when I dropped the bowl. It shattered on the floor, making a loud bang that made Stella and Nadine rush towards me.

“Oh—my—god! C-centipede!” I screamed. “Storme, You. Are. So. Dead !!!”

“Centipede?! Beshie? Are you alright?” worriedly asked Nadine.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Holy crap! That freaked me out.”

“It’s fake, a rubber centipede. Whoever did this prank. It’s hilarious!”

“It’s not funny at all, Nadz! Don’t you think it’s only kids who pull this kind of prank? Ridiculously childish!”

Storme filled the porcelain bowl with thread snakes, froglets, and rubber centipede. Thread snakes are tiny snakes that resemble large worms. It is a shimmering dark-gray worm-like reptile often called flowerpot snake or worm snake. I do not know where he took them from. I knew it! He planned all of this! I do not know how he collected these poor tiny froglets that are now jumping all over the suite. Did he scoop a thousand tadpoles and raised them just to prank me? How childish he can be? I admit the centipede scared me to death. I am fuming in anger. Perfect! Just perfect! He perfectly ruined my oh-so nostalgic night! Knowing Storme, he will not settle for not getting even with me. He's very egoistic.

Ding dong. . . Dingdong. . . The doorbell rang again.

“Nadine! Please open the door.”

“Okay,” Nadine responded.

“Summer, I'm calling the front desk to send someone up to clean and help us catch all those frogs. My god! Don’t tell me it’s Storme. Such a turnoff!” said Stella.

“I bet! You’re right, Stella.

“You think so? Storme?”

“Hell, yeah!”

“I’m calling now.”

“No, don't call the front desk. It’s unnecessary. I'll clean it up myself. The housekeeper already has a lot on their plate. I can manage.”

“Miss Summer, let me help you clean that up,” Jake offered, taking the broom and dustpan that I found at the kitchen pantry from my hands.

“Thanks! If you can help us catch those frogs. That will be great! By the way, where’s your boss, Jake?” I looked at Nadine peeking through the hole. “Nadine, who’s at the door? Is it Red and Kurt? Let them in.”

“Beshie, no! It’s Storme. Should I let him in?”

“Storme?!” I grunted irritably.

“Yes, Beshie.”

I heard his footsteps and the dragging sound of his foot. I quickly glanced at the door.

Storme stepped inside, walked towards me, and said,” Looking for me, Sunshine?”

“Y-you are really stupid!” I said, clenching my hands into fists. I am so ready to blow a punch to his face. “You did nothing but ruin my day! Do you think those thread snakes, frogs, and centipedes will scare me? What? Are you happy now?”

A shiver of anger ran through my body. Ugh! I swear if it's not a mortal sin to kill. I already killed Storme.

“I'll do everything to get even with you, Summer. You took my sanctuary! I thought I could make you leave with the worm snakes and the frogs. How’s the centipede? Did it freak you out?” Storme chuckled, plastering an evil grin. Storme was actually laughing.

“Oh, my world! You thought that would scare me?" My brows pulled together in a frown. “You’re delusional! Tsk! Let’s see what I can do to tame you little devilish demon,” A smile crinkled my mouth. ”I'm calling Papa right now. Didn’t I tell you my father gives me everything I want? Everything I need? What if —mm-hmm? Oh! I know what to tell him. I should tell my father I want all our shares in this hotel to be pulled out in an instant!”

“Summer, no. Please Sunshine, please don’t call your father. I’m begging you, please.” Storme was panicking and was fidgety.

“Gotcha! Do one more of this Devin Storme, I swear to all the demons! You’ll regret it!” Suddenly, Storme becomes submissive. “Oh, what? Who's scared now? Withdrawing our money from your company will take you to the swamps. Don't try me, Storme. I am no longer the child you were used to bullying. So, please, leave me alone!”

“I'm sorry. I don’t want to stay at my father’s mansion. I am comfortable living here alone. ”

“I am easy to talk to. You could have asked if you can stay. What a hogwash! Such a childish prank. Jeez! Grow up, Storme! ”

“Can I stay here, please, Sunshine?” Storme asked.

“After the trouble? You still get the nerve to ask a favor? No way! Go home! We will check out tomorrow night. I can't bear to see your face around here. Your face disgusts me! So, please, leave!” I shouted.

I might be a little too harsh on him. This is too much of a happening for a day. After cleaning the floor, Storme left. He cleaned up the mess and caught every single froglet jumping inside the suite.

An hour later, Red and Kurt arrived. Bren soon followed. For food? It’s impossible that Brennen won’t be on the scene.

“Nadz, Stella. I’m so sorry, we are only staying here until tomorrow night. If we stay here any longer, our fights will only get worse. I don’t want you guys affected,” I apologized.

“Oh, why? What's the matter?” Red asked.

“Don't find out. You are crazy too. You might even beat Storme, ”Stella told Red.

“Who's Storme?” asked Kurt.

“Is that the transferee lad from California? That’s the son of the owner of this hotel, right?” Bren interrupted.

“Yes, and he owns this unit. It turned out to be a private unit and is no longer open to guests,” Nadine explained.

“The only and only Devin Storme Buenavente. My so handsome Storme?” said Stella.

“What handsome? I should be the only one who is handsome in your eyes,” said Kurt,undeniably, Kurtis is jealous again.

“Jeez! People, get a room!”

“You're just jealous. Why don’t you say yes to Storme so that you have a boyfriend too,” Stella teasingly replied?

“No! I don’t need a boyfriend. Besides, I have Red. Red is enough, I don’t need another one.”

“Beshie, we meant like sweetheart boyfriend, not boy best friend.”

“Stop me, Luningning! I want to rest now. Have fun! Enjoy your stay here. You can turn on the jacuzzi and relax there. The view is marvelous too, and the stars are out. See? It’s a full moon.” I walked away but came back to them again. “You four! Staycation rules. Make sure you are not sleeping together. I do not want your parents to scold me.”

"Yes, ma'am. Noted!” simultaneous answer of four.

“Summer, aren’t you eating?”

“No! It’s okay, you guys enjoy it. Devour the food. I lost my appetite. See you in the morning!”

Maybe Stormes is in full devilish act because it’s the full moon. That idiotic full is really stupid. I hate him to the bits!

Before I went to bed, I first called Papa to let him know that my one-week stay at La Casa Bueno with my friends will only be for a day. Father of course asked why and what happened. He will not buy my excuses, so I told him everything that happened. I am not as evil as Storme. I mentioned nothing about the shares. I still care about his future and his family.

Someone delivered breakfast in the suite the next morning. I haven't ordered breakfast yet because my friends are still asleep. They probably stayed up late. The view of the veranda is breathtaking. The flashing lights from the buildings at night are pleasing to wash. The fresh air is very relaxing.

While I was opening the covered food that was on the table. A piece of heart-shaped neon green sticky note caught my eyes.

The note says,” My Princess, I'm sorry. Please, forgive me.”