I slowly opened the door and saw her sitting on her bed. I smiled as she did not notice me entering her room. Looks like she's too preoccupied right now.
"Honey" I tried calling her attention
Irene looks at me. She quickly jumps out of the bed and cling into me. I chuckle as she hugs me tightly.
"Gosh I thought you're not yet done talking to Lolo" she said
"Sorry, your Lolo had a lot to say to me. You need to know something too"
"What is it?"
She broke the hug and pulled me to sit on the bed. She sat on my lap and rest her head on my shoulder.
"Well it turns out na your Lolo knows my Dad. He's your Lolo's former assistant and your Dad's best friend pala"
"W-What? Really? That's why he said earlier that you look familiar?"
"Yes, your Lolo seemed to be happy of what he discovered. He told me to take care of you always" dagdag ko
"I couldn't believe it. Last year he's so angry about Iris and now he's so proud of us? He even assure me that Iris will be the next CEO of SAC"
"Well people change Irene, let us be thankful that your Lolo tried his best to be a good father and grand father"
"He needs to apologize to my parents specially to Iris"
"He's doing it right now, anyway how do you feel? Are you happy, still worried or what?"
Irene is good at hiding her emotions and thoughts. I need to know her condition right now.
"Hmm to be honest I don't know what to feel. One thing for sure is that I feel at ease knowing you're still here with me Czari"
Our eyes met. Irene slowly went closer and kissed my lips. Slow yet deep. I groaned as she bites my lower lip.
"Gosh not now..." she hissed
We heard a knock kasi. I laughed before I let go of her. She stands up to open the door.
"Earl?" tanong niya
"Congrats for being the second gay member in our family. Mind going in?"
"Sure"
Earl went inside and looked at me.
"Czarina...you're a brave girl unlike Charlie"
"Hey Earl, you know we do not mention that right?" tanong ni Irene
Earl just shrugged and sat beside me.
"I am just amazed you have a brave partner cousin. Finally I can say to my stupid brother that you are not a witch. He keeps saying that you are a heartless witch kasi" he said
Sa lahat ng Smith siya na siguro ang pinaka walang preno sa pagsasabi ng totoo. He seemed cool unlike his big brother.
"Earl right? How old are you na pala?" tanong ko
"I'm turning sixteen next month. You will be at my party"
It feels like I am talking to Irene's younger self. Parang mas kapatid niya si Irene sa paraan ng pananalita nito.
"Hey you should be polite Earl, she's older than you" singit ni Irene
"Sorry ate Czarina, can you attend my party next month?"
Nginitian ko ito at ginulo ang maayos na buhok.
"Sure Earl, akala ko eighteen ka na. Ang tangkad mo kasi tapos sobrang seryoso mo pa pag nagsasalita. You remind me of Irene when she's fifteen"
Earl looks at Irene. Irene just rolled her eyes and sat beside us.
"You've been friends with ate Irene for a long time?" tanong nito
"Yes we met at tenth grade but your ate Czarina needed to leave after three months of staying with us in Montessori. Without even saying goodbye to me, worst case is that she forgot about us" pagmamaktol ni Irene
"That's evil, why did you forget my ate?" Earl asks
Itinaas ko ang parehong kamay na parang sumusuko.
"I...I don't know why. It has been seven years Earl, I am too young that time and had so many memories to keep. But I feel bad and I apologize for forgetting her" paliwanag ko
"You're here now, ate is happy with you so apology accepted. Be sure not to leave her again or else I will sue you"
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.
"I will never do that again. Your ate and I are unbreakable" I said
"Good to know" he said
"Earl your parents might be looking for you right now. I think you should go down now" biglang sabi ni Irene
"Let them be, I'm bored staying with them. Plus Isaac is too angry at me because of what I said at the dining area earlier" paliwanag nito
"Why do you keep on starting a fight with him? You know that he's stronger and older, your dad will not also side with you" Irene said
"Because he always insult you and ate Iris. He's such a jerk. And I do not care about Dad, I don't expect him to defend me cause I can handle myself"
Napanganga ako sa sinabi ni Earl. Gosh ang tapang din niya, and he seemed independent too.
"You love me that much huh?" biro ni Irene
Earl quickly acted like he's going to vomit. I started laughing while Irene just rolled her eyes.
"Fine I will go na, I know you want to spend your time with ate Czarina. Anyway be sure to attend my party next month ate, I will be waiting for you"
"Sure, I will be there I promise" sabi ko
Earl left the two of us again. I sighed and hugged Irene by the back.
"He's cute. Protective pala si Earl sa inyo ni Iris"
"Ever since he realized what kind of brother and father he has Earl started defending us. He's not scared to fight back when Isaac or Uncle Peter insults us" she said
"I like him, sila lang ba yung pinsan niyo sa father side mo?"
"Yes, actually they're our second cousin. Auntie Celina is Lolo Julio's only child"
"Lolo Julio?" tanong ko
"Ah Lolo Gregory's brother. Hmm so magpinsan pala si Sir George at Miss Celina?"
"Honey you should call them by Tito and Tita, drop the formality. I think Dad already knows about us too" bigla niyang sabi
"Well...papagalitan kaya ako ni Tito George?"
She started laughing while shaking her head.
"I think he will not do that. But of course he will talk to you about us. Don't worry my dad will not do anything bad to you hon"
"So are we officially together since your family knows about us?"
"Not yet, your family should also know about me and you too Czari"
Oo nga naman. I guess bibisitahin ko sila before this month ends and if my girl wants to go with me then it's better.
