My First Love

Chapter Two

I woke up hearing some voices outside my room. Lumabas ako sa kwarto ko at tumungo sa sala para tignan kung sino ito.

"Gising na pala ang ating prinsesa ate Myrna." kuya Justin joked.

Ate Myrna is my maid since I was in grade school. She's been with me a quite long time now. She witnessed how I grow. She was there when I was so hurt and broken because of my family. She's always there for me and I am very thankful for that. Pero ngayon bumibisita na lang siya paminsan-minsan dito tulad ngayon at dahil marunong na din naman ako mag luto at mag linis kahit paano.

Kuya Justin is sitting on my sofa while ate Myrna is sweeping the floor.

"Himala nga at alas dose umuwi iyan kagabi, Justin." sabat pa ni ate Myrna.

"I was bored there, ate." sabi ko sa kanya.

"Bored o lasing?" kuya Justin asked while smirking.

"Whatever, kuya. Bakit ka nandito?" tanong ko sa kanya bago umupo sa tabi niya at kumuha ng donut na dala niya.

"Bakit? Bawal na bang bumisita dito?" he asked while raising an eyebrow to me.

"Spill it, kuya." I said habang kinakagatan ang donut.

"I want to break up with Elise. Please?" he pleaded habang nag pa-puppy eyes.

"I thought she's a nice girl kuya, why?" I asked between my curiosity.

Hindi talaga pinapakilala ni kuya Justin sa amin ang mga girlfriend niya dahil ako at ng iba pa naming mga pinsan ang ginagamit niya para hiwalayan ang mga babae niya kapag tapos na siyang paglaruan ang mga ito. Womanizer. And besides, our family don't want us to have a high profile except for the boys who will surely inherit the family business. I don't know why but it's a good thing for me. I want my life to be private and away from the spotlight.

Ayaw ko naman na kapag may issue ang kompanya nila dad at ng mga kapatid niya ay kami ang guguluhin ng mga reporter at kapag may ipa-publish na mga article na nandoon kami nang mga pinsan ko ay pinapakuha nila dad at nang mga tito ko for our own safety because our grandmama died because of some heartless and selfish businessmen who wants the company down at dahil doon natuto na sila dad. They keep us for our own safety and I understand that.

We have social media accounts but we don't use our real sure name there and we don't upload pictures with my dad, uncles and grandpapa. Only our relatives and closest friends know who I really am. That's why not everybody knows that I'm connected to the famous Ortega Security Inc. at sa Ortega Foods Incorporated.

"That's the point. Masyado siyang mabait. Ayaw ko ng patagalin pa." he said like it's a boring topic.

"Hay nako. Kailan ka ba mag seseryoso kuya? I'm sure karma is on it's way to strangle you." pananakot ko pa.

"Will you do it or not?" he asked impatiently. The nerve of this guy. Siya na nga nanghihingi ng pabor siya pa itong nagmamadali.

"Okay! I'll do it." I said and he hugged me right away.

"You're the best cousin in the whole world." he said happily.

"Hep, hep! Ano akala mo? For free na lang ito? May kapalit ito no." I said cutting his happiness off.

"What do you want? Make ups? Bags? Shoes? Another camera? Studio?" tanong niya sabay kuha ng cellphone niya para siguro tawagan ang kanyang sekretarya sa kung ano ang gusto ko.

"I want to go to Palawan with our cousins at sasagutin mo lahat ng gastos." I said as I sipped on my coffee that he also brought.

"You know I can't go, right? I'm busy with the company." sabi niya.

"Edi 'wag. Try to persuade our other cousins baka pumayag sa gusto mo." sabi ko habang pinipigilan ang ngiti. Alam ko kasi na wala na siyang choice kundi ako.

Our cousins, Liz, Mica and Nile who got this role before ay hindi na ulit pumapayag dahil tinatapunan sila ng juice o nang kahit ano at sawa na din sila sa drama ng mga babae ni kuya.

"Okay. Deal!" he sighed and called his secretary to book our ticket.

Liz Mari Ortega, Nile Ann Ortega are tito Mond's children. Justin Ortega, Matthew Ortega, Mica Iza Ortega are tito Stephen's children. Mikee Ortega and me, Ma. Isabelle Ortega are Franco's children. Dad is the eldest and tito Mond is the youngest.

"Book us seven tickets to Palawan and tell the maids to clean the beach house." I heared kuya Justin ordered his secretary while sipping his coffee in my overlooking balcony.

I went back to my room and called all of my cousins and kuya Mikee to clear their schedules for our trip to Palawan. Game naman silang lahat. Wala namang hindi game sa aming mag pipinsan basta gala ang usapan. Na pagusapan din namin na dito na mag dinner sa condo ko at magdadala sila ng pagkain para ma pagusapan ang vacation namin.

Bago pa man dumating ang hapon ay umalis na kami ni kuya Justin para i-meet si Elise, ang kanyang flavor of the month.
It was easy dealing with the girl but I'm sad for her dahil kung bakit sa pinsan ko pa siya na punta na walang puso.

We went straight back to my condo for me to pack clothes but Liz called and she said na bibili na lang kami mamaya sa mall.

This is it. I'll tell them my plan once na sa El Nido na kami. I've made up my mind. I'm going to Canada for mom and accept her offer to work as a photographer under her friend's company.

Since I was a child I loved taking pictures everywhere I go. I print and collect them in my albums. Capturing photos makes me happy. I don't know but everytime I take pictures of nature, insects, animals, places, and people, it satisfies me. My mom knows how much I love photography that's why she offered this to me and I'm taking it. I know I can do it alone without the help of dad and kuya Mikee. I will be successful in my own field someday.