Make it Last

Chapter 1

Chapter One

I felt the scorching sun burning my skin and tiny beads of sweat forming from my forehead to my neck. It is my first summer here in the Philippines after 6 years. My mom had to convince me with her power to come back here. It is not that I don't like to be here, the place and its scenery are beyond words for me to appreciate it. After I get my bag from the trunk, I look at the magnificent and huge ancestral house infront of me. It is almost like a British manor but with a hint of modern mansion. It's weird to have it here in this country knowing almost all ancestral houses here are more like Spanish hint homes.

"Avrey..is this already my apo?" coming down from the grand staircase, an old man but with still a strict and lean physique, my grandfather. Arms were wide open anticipating a hug.

"Lolo, good afternoon" I said and as I hugged him tight, I missed him so much. He chuckled as we dismissed the hug.

"You are very beautiful, I hope you can still speak in Filipino, baka maubusan ako niyan ng English.." he said while still laughing..

"Syempre dad, even in the States I still speak with her in our language" as my mom interrupted us, and hugged her dad as well.

We are not just here for vacation, but we heard lolo's health is deteriorating. I'm close with my grandfather, afterall I grew up and spent my childhood days here before studying middle school in the states even late.

"I'm really glad you decided to spend summer here, akala ko mamatay na lang kayo di pa kayo makakauwi." Ohh I still can't forget my lolo' humor, still dark!

"Lolo..don't say that.." I said while pouting.

"Dad talaga, di na nagbago" my mom said, still side hugging lolo. We are also greeted by some housemaids and I'm not already familiar with them, but I just smiled and nod curtly. I almost gasped as I saw the feast welcoming us, it's like fiesta!

"Ohh I prepared a lot, I just thought you missed the food here!" my lolo happily said as he guided us to the long table to take a seat, and he went to the kabisera of the table. I am still here feasting over the food, it really looks delicious!

"Before I forget, I invited the son of my friend here. He is like an intern or apprentice to me now, as he's studying Architecture in his last year." He uttered and I already started getting my food infront of me, there was even a maid who poured me juice.

"Thank you.." as I glanced at here and she shyly nodded

"You're welcome, ma'am.." as she excused herself. I'm still not used to this kind of treatment. I know we are well-off, but in the States we serve on our own. We only have a helper and we call her for cleaning. I'm not used to this kind of lavish lifestyle, maybe because mom left the socialite here in this country.

My dad is in the US Army, and my mom met him and fell inlove while she's studying in Seattle. We are permanently based there. They decided to leave the lavish lifestyle here and live like normal citizens in Seattle..I think?..well compared here, and maybe also with the nature of dad's work. My mom is the only daughter of the great Architect and Businessman Theodore Dawson. He ventures in architecture and investments in real estate, and is also owner of some big real properties. They are rich, and my mom still can work even and comes here often if the boards are called. My mom can't really leave everything behind because she is the sole heiress and my dad is not interested in it. I snapped from my thoughts when my grandfather stood up and welcomed someone.

I glanced at the entrance and I saw a man, an extremely gorgeous man. Not even men in the States could look like this, not especially my age. Sported in white fitted t-shirt that hugs perfectly his lean and you can say muscled but just enough for his height, with his denim pants and caterpillar boots. Those deep gray eyes found mine, and I can't help but turn my gaze away and I blinked many times as I was just caught off guard bewitched with this man, Damn!