Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Epilogue Part I

Part I - Love

I grew up to be responsible. People around me expect me to be successful, exceeding the accomplishments of my Dad, Titos, and my grandfather, the great Alessio Saavedra. Being one of his grandsons to take over one of the big businesses our family owns instilled in my mind that I have responsibilities in the family that I need to follow to be a successful one.

Mom and Dad decided, together with Lolo Alessio, Tito Zion, Tita Cassy, Tito Zen, and Tita Lana, to send Zavi, Kaius, and I to New York to study for our secondary education. It was well unquestionable since we were to inherit the three SVD companies – Holdings, Creations, and Designs, we need to be more knowledgeable, experienced, and in-depth about business.

"Mom, I want to be with Kuya Reizo!" I heard my youngest brother downstairs, complaining. It was already morning and last night was when our family talked about my transfer to New York together with Zavi and Kaius.

"Ridge, your Kuya Reizo needs to study abroad. Your Kuya Rion will be here with you." Mom explained to Ridge, but I saw him shaking his head incessantly as soon as I went down.

"Jave and Alas were also there. And I don't want to be with Kuya Rion, Mom!" He irritably uttered, which made Rion look promptly at Ridge.

"I also don't want you! You're claiming Z as your best friend! Look for your own best friend!" Rion shot back.

I saw how Ridge's eyes widened. "What? Z told me that I was also her friend. She kissed me on my cheeks!" He pointed at the part of his cheek where the controversial kiss happened. "And you also have other friends, Kuya Rion! Kuya Reizo is my only friend here! My friends are in New York!"

Rion stood immediately and angrily drew near to Ridge. I looked at Mom, who seemed so problematic at Rion and Ridge, while Dad looked so puzzled at them. On the other hand, I stopped three steps down the stairs, enjoying watching these two annoying brothers of mine trying to claim who was Z's real best friend.

Can I just ask her to be my best friend for them not to argue anymore? But I doubt these two, especially Rion, will sit still and not punch my face if I snatch her precious best friend like he was about to do to Ridge.

"Here?" He wrinkled his brows and pointed at Ridge's cheeks.

Ridge innocently nodded, and Rion harshly wiped that part, which made me chuckle, and both of them looked in my direction. They ran in front of me, and Rion wrathfully glanced at Ridge before turning to me.

"Let Ridge be with you in New York, Kuya Reizo. I don't want to see him trying to befriend Z again."

Well, I think heaven was in Rion's favor because Ridge was here with me flying to New York, including Zavi and Kaius.

"Mom! She's Kaela Aveline. Lolo Cillian's granddaughter." Ridge told Mom while a girl stood beside him, smiling at Ridge.

"Oh, hija! I heard about you from your Mommy Shari. You're so beautiful." Mommy Dane genuinely said to her.

I saw how her smiles widened when she heard what my Mom uttered about her. "Thank you, Ma'am..." She answered shyly with her soft voice.

"You can call me Tita Dane, Kaela."

My eyes widened when I saw how Ridge put his arm on Kaela's fragile shoulders. "She's my best friend from now on, Mom!" Ridge happily said. I looked down again and saw her smiling innocently.

Classes started, and I got busy with my studies together with my cousins. Ridge and his friends – Jave, Alas, and his newfound friends, Spiro and Novel always hang out together mostly in our home. Ridge's girl best friend, Kaela, sometimes goes here, but Ridge comes to their house more often.