Flowing Rhythm

19

"I might be late for the show tomorrow... Can you cover for me?" I asked Lennon, and he nodded right away.

"I'll catch up."

I was sure rumors had already started to spread after what happened earlier—we suddenly walked off the stage and left Winona to continue the show on her own.

That was so unprofessional.

"Take care," Lennon and I parted ways because I went with Uncle, while Lennon returned to the concert.

"I-I can't believe this day has come... They're going to be so surprised," Uncle said happily while driving.

"I don't know how I'll face them, or what I'll say once we meet. All I know is that I want to see them..." I muttered, lost in thought while looking out the window.

"Just follow what your heart says, we're family," he replied.

"Where do you live, by the way? Seems like the trip is taking a while," I asked, confused by the unfamiliar places we passed by.

He grinned before answering briefly, "Flora Vista."

My jaw dropped in shock and disbelief. That place was familiar to me because it's where all the rich people lived—each household owned land in addition to their mansions.

And the Asuncions live there?

At first, I thought they were just well-off based on how Uncle Arwin told me about them, and I thought he exaggerated how rich the Asuncions were—but it turned out he understated it.

I saw Uncle chuckle at my reaction, like he expected me to act this way.

I fell asleep during the long ride. I was finally able to rest, even just for a while. So much happened today, and I was amazed I managed to survive it all.

I only woke up when the car stopped in front of a massive mansion. When we got out, a man took Uncle's keys and parked the car for him.

"Welcome to your home," Uncle said, his words hitting me right in the heart. He instantly made me feel like I was part of the family even though we just arrived.

"Come on in," h,e smiled at me and helped me walk inside.

We were welcomed by women in uniform—probably housemaids. But why are there so many of them?

"Where's Mom and Dad?" Uncle asked one of them.

"They're in the dining hall, sir," the woman replied smartly—with an accent, even!

I noticed they were all looking at me, puzzled why Uncle brought a guest at this hour.

"Oh... Roella, these are our housemaids."

"Uh—Hello po."

"She is the real Roella," Uncle added, and the housemaids all greeted me, surprised. So they knew about me, too...

"Good evening, Ma'am," they said in unison, which made me a bit awkward.

"Shall we?" Uncle offered and walked ahead of me. We headed toward the dining hall the woman mentioned earlier.

But before we entered, I took a deep breath and mentally prepared what I would say.

"Loosen up, this isn't a research defense. You're just meeting your family," Uncle joked before we went in.

Well, yeah. The family I never knew existed.

Inside was a long and wide table surrounded by chairs. A luxurious chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Five people were seated at the far end, quietly eating, but our entrance interrupted them. In the center was an elderly man—I assumed he was Don Asuncion.