Masked Beauty

Chapter 6

I was too preoccupied because of my conversation with my brother. I am so worried that I can't even sleep last night. I really need to find a way so that i can at least lend a money for him.

I don't want him to experience the things I've experienced during my elementary and high school days.

I don't even have money to buy my own snacks. Sometimes I don't even eat lunch so that I can still go to school.

I want a better life for my brother. I want him to be at peace while achieving his dreams.

Whenever I am seeing him having a hard time on his studies because he can't even buy projects, it feels like someone is stabbing my heart and tearing it into pieces. It hurts me seeing him having a hard life.

I am planning to call Mother Isabela so that she can give a little amount of money for my brother or else I will end this show already.

Now I am slowly realizing that she is just having a revenge for Mrs. Lauchengco's family.

How can she just spend her money for revenge when people are finding for money to sustain their daily lives. If we have enough money in the family I will never hurt someone or all the people around me.

"Señorita Ethel, Señorito Darkin is outside. He is already coming.

"What? I didn't even wash my face yet." I said in disbelief before running upstairs so that I can take a bath.

"Aren't you going to eat first?" Teresa shouted while I am still running.

"What happened?"

My eyes widened when I finally heard Darkin's voice downstairs.

"Nah, she is just going to change and wash her face first, as she said."

That is the last words I heard before I finally closed my room's door.

Why did he come so early? What is wrong with him?

I immediately took a bath and find a dress to wear. We are going to the market later.

I didn't expect him to be this early.

I need to bring a blazer or something. Or maybe an umbrella. Sun will surely hurt.

After a few minutes of fixing myself I quickly run downstairs.

"I thought you are not coming." I sarcastically said when I saw the intimidating look of Darkin while sitting in the couch.

"Tss, you blackmailed me last night, how can't I come?" He uttered while crossing his arms and slowly stand.

"Blackmailed? Did I kidn*pped your family or something? Or do I have a secret of yours that made me blackmailed you." I laughed while rolling my eyes.

"You are like 'I will consider that as a yes nye nye nye.'" He muttered while copying my voice as he made a face.

I wanted to laugh and teased him because he looks annoyed but looks like doesn't have a choice but to go with me.

"Tss, stop that, you are like a kid. Okay, I'll go alone if you don't want to drive for me." I said dramatically while hiding a smirk.

He just rolled his eyes and throw his keys in the air.

"Let's just go." He uttered as he walk towards our door before glancing at the dress I am wearing.

"Your dress is kind of cute." He added as we continued outside.

Yeah and the one who is wearing is not.

I rolled my eyes as I followed him. i***t.

We arrived at the market so early.

Gladly there are no plenty customers and people there yet. Maybe because it is still early. It will be easy for us to find ingredients.

"Don't walk right behind me, Darkin. You looks like a bodyguard or something. Let's walk together." I said in a serious tone but my brows furrowed because he is just smirking like an i***t.

"Why are you smirking? Do I look like a clown?" I ask while looking for some fresh chicken for the tinola that I am going to cook. Tinola is a Filipino dish, a soup made by chicken and veggies together.

"Nothing, I just realized that you didn't call me using my name that much since before. It feels different whenever I am hearing it from you." He said that made me confused while staring at his playful expression.

"Then? What is the big deal?" I ask as I also continued choosing chicken.

"How much is the kilo of this chicken, ma'am?" I ask while Darkin is just waiting and talking behind me.

"It is a big deal because you hate me and it means you are being nicer now." He answered that made my brows raised.

"What? Are you saying that I am mean? And who the hell told you that I hated you?" I answered with an irritated look.

"Why are you cursing?" He ask while laughing.

I just rolled my eyes and give the payment for the chicken.

We continued walking again and he keeps watching the way for me.

"I think we need to buy more veggies too because the dish won't taste good without a lot of vegetables on it."

"I bet you can also cook so good." Darkin uttered sarcastically while following me.

We find the vegetables area and continued there.

I am also amazed about how organized their market. It is not that big like what the city have but it was clean and neat.

The vendors are also organized through wearing proper uniforms such as wearing apron, hair net and gloves.

For sure tourists also love coming here because they have better community and productive people here.

San Poblacion is such a nice and unforgettable place.

If I can choose a life I will choose to have this kind of place in my life.

Peaceful and no need to worry about a lot of things.

There are trees who will give refreshment. People that so nice to be with and also the unique resources hey have. All you have to do is to be hardworking and work with efforts.

"Teresa, can I cook for the dinner tommorow?" I ask.

"Why Señorita? Don't you like the foods we always serve?" Teresa ask with a worried face so I immediately smile to her and shake my head.

"No, I just want to cook a special dish for Mama and Papa. Lately they are so busy and I think they are so tired about their works. I want to make them feel better." I explained while watching Teresa put some milk powder in the glass for me.

"You are really so sweet Ethel. Your parents are so lucky to have you." Teresa uttered while smiling widely.

No Teresa, the real Ethel is so lucky to have them as a parent.

It was already ten o'clock when Teresa told me to sleep already so that I won't get eye bags for staying late up night.

I am alone at the room when I remember finding something from the bag I've brought here.

I need to call my brother. Maybe My mom is thinking that some nuns took me somewhere for work. I am used about feeling that she doesn't care about me but I am sure my brother will worry.

Antonio is still a kid and he is used me being with him always. I am the one who provide his needs at school. I am worried that he will get anxious without me. My mother used to beat him.

I heaved a sigh before finally getting the phone that I tried to hide.

I charge it first so that it won't shutdown if I'll use it.

After a few minutes I decided to open it already.

I really need to call Antonio.

I immediately copied his number inside the phone and type it in the telephone inside my room.

It was ringing but he is not picking it

It is making me worry more.

The rings finished but he is not still picking it.

I tried to call it again until someone finally answered the call.

"Hello?" I said while waiting for someone to answer in the another line.

"H-hello?"

My heart is beating so fast a I listened from the other line.

"Antonio?" I ask nervously.

What is happening?

"Who is this?" I can hear my brother's voice from the other line but I can clearly identify that he is sobbing.

"Antonio, this is your Ate Aera." I said that made his voice change a little.

(Ate is a Filipino term to address your older sister)

"Ate."

I failed to hold my tears when he called me while sobbing. What is happening to him?

"What happened Tonio? What happened? Tell me. Why are you crying?"

I don't know what is happening but it feels like I wanted to run towards Nelay City and look for my brother. He is too precious for me. He is my weakness.

"Ate, I didn't made it. I failed." He answered while sobbing.

"Answer me, what happened? Where are you?" I asked again in a worried and desperate voice.

I know he is feeling lonely again. I knew it. Our mother won't give a damn to my crying brother. I am sure she will just watch him and ask my brother to stop and never going to ask about his problems.

What am I doing here? I left my brother for this? How cruel I am!

"What do you mean you failed?"

"Mama is so mad at me. I failed. I am not in the list of top students anymore." He cried even more.

Being a top student is so important for him.

"Are you mad at me ate? Where are you? I need you right now, Ate." He sobbed.

But I need to continue this, Tonio.

I need this to make our lives better.

"Ate, my teacher ask me last week to pay for the school contribution and Mama don't have any money. I don't know what to do anymore." He said, still crying.

I can't help but to cry while listening to him.

"Don't worry, sooner or later i will go home already. I will find ways for the contribution, okay? Stop crying please, ate is just here. Stop crying, you can make it in the next quarter."

I don't know but my crying brother will be always be my weakness, my biggest downfall.

I need to make this fast.