SUNSET

Chapter 1

I despise being in the province. It feels like my mother is punishing me for auditioning for the school's theater, even though I didn't really have much interest. I was compelled to join a school fair because I didn't have a club yet.

I consistently explained to her that I wasn't intending to take it seriously, but she believes I have a talent for it.

"What about your participation in that pageant last year? How do you justify that?" she inquired in one of our disagreements.

"It was just for fun, Mama!" I insisted.

Even though, to be honest, those activities didn't bring me much joy...

"It was just for fun?! Myrah, I know how much you love attention!" she finally spat.

I was surprised and felt a bit saddened by what Mama said.

"If you knew that, then just let me do it! It won't hurt you anyway!" I said, leading to her slapping me.

I was stunned, and the anger within me intensified because of that slap. My mother's eyes were brimming with tears as she gazed at me, feeling betrayed and wounded.

The truth is, I truly enjoy being the center of attention. Perhaps it's inherent in my character, but I recently discovered why. My father, the workaholic chief of the country's navy, rarely comes home and is always busy. My mother constantly follows my father in whatever he does, in addition to managing her own businesses. Clearly, the three of us have never had their undivided attention.

Perseus, my older brother, sought approval through his academic performance, always excelling. He never did anything to upset either Mama or Papa. Meanwhile, Picses and I are both still seeking attention. In my case, I seek it by being the focal point among my friends, and now, it's not enough.

I sighed as I looked at the shoreline ahead. Life in this province is completely different from my life in Manila. This is truly a punishment. My mom knows how much my friends mean to me. Now, she brought me to this quiet and deserted place.

I want to cry. She disapproves of my involvement in the arts because she believes it's inappropriate for a Montemayor-Suarez to gain fame in that manner. We must uphold our lineage as elite and unapproachable.

"Miss Maria Yrah, your belongings have arrived," a maid spoke from behind me.

I sighed into emptiness, finding it hard to believe this is happening. All this time, I've been in an exclusive school, and now suddenly, I'll be studying in the province? And Mama is really going to make this happen?!

Picses too young to mind it. He doesn't even know what it means to transfer schools. But for me, it feels like the heavens and earth collided!

I forced myself to stand and finally decided to return to the mansion to check my things. At the beginning of the vacation, I thought Mama's threats were just that. I never expected that tomorrow, I would actually be studying here. I don't know what to do to change her mind about it, though!

I miserably surveyed the school items. We often visited the province during vacations, but it was only for a break, not to permanently live here.

I slowly sank onto my bed, embracing the pillow, and reached under it for my cellphone to call my friends.

"Don't worry! It won't be too difficult. I heard the Montecielos' are from there."

I let out a groan. "They are from here, but they're not even studying here. They are studying overseas! And besides, I don't even have the same age group as them, so what am I going to do?!"

"The Fuentevella, too, right? Julianne will be a good friend to you-"

I groaned again. "Trust me, they are not even seen here."

Almost all of my friends are excited for me because of the well-known people living in this province. But they hardly ever come here because they are busy with their lives. I know because during the few times I returned here when I was younger, I never even saw a trace of the people they mentioned.

"Well, then... at least your Aunt? And Ace and their sister? Don't they have a sister?"

No matter what they say, nothing can ease my discomfort in staying here. This is not the life I wanted. I'm not used to it, and I never will be.

None of them understood why I hate this place so much. They all think I'm in heaven for living here just because of the men they offer. Perhaps that's really how it is. Those who dislike it the most are the ones least interested.

I fought back tears, refusing to shed them again for this. I knew that no matter how much I pleaded with Mama, she wouldn't give in. I would only be wasting my tears, and besides, she's not even here, so what's the point?

Reluctantly, I faced the inevitable. The next morning marked the first day of school. As I entered the campus, students were already giving me curious looks.

Walking past the gates, I noticed the stares and hushed conversations. I brushed it off, unsure of what they were talking about or why they looked at me that way.

Eventually, I realized I was different from them. In my previous school, it was normal for students to have bodyguards and nannies. Here, it seemed I was the only one.

"Why is a Suarez studying here?"

"She has a sibling in elementary. Are they studying here now?"

"I heard they're buying the adjacent hotel to the one they're constructing. Maybe that's why they came back."

Those were just snippets of what I overheard on my first step into the classroom. Sitting alone, I arranged my things while my bodyguard and nanny waited outside.

"She even has a bodyguard. The Montecielos', when they visit, don't have a single guard. But she has two."

"They say she even has a roaming bodyguard around the whole campus. More than five."

Why is it such a big deal? I miss the normalcy of having bodyguards from my previous school. This school and place suck! I don't want to make friends with anyone. I sighed into the emptiness, and later, when the class started, I just listened to the teacher.

It went on like that for a week. I might die of boredom in this province. Nothing fun or entertaining in school. I'm not interested in making friends with my classmates, and they seem uninterested in me as well.

"Mateo," a new student entering the school said, extending his hand, becoming my seatmate.

I looked at his hand. Mestizo, as tall as me, with slightly curly hair. I glanced at the curious classmates. They started whispering again. Maybe because Mateo is the son of a politician in the province, or because he had the audacity to introduce himself when no one else did.

"Myrah," I said as I shook his hand.

He smiled in a friendly and enthusiastic way before sitting on the armchair beside me. We were the only two seatmates in that row, at the back because I'm taller than the other female classmates.

He sat down, placing his fancy belongings on his armrest. I glanced at them, and suddenly, I felt a bit lighter. Finally... a human being.

"So... Suarez, right? Why did you choose to study here?" he asked with an enthusiastic smile.

I looked at him slowly.

"I don't really know," I replied in a snobbish manner.

He chuckled. "I heard your family is arranging your marriage with Vince Fuentevella. Is that the reason? Sorry to burst your bubble, but that family is like a ghost. If they're here, the village doesn't feel their presence. Their mansion always seems deserted, and they're elusive."

I glanced at Mateo and saw his smile suddenly brighten, probably because he noticed the irritation in my eyes. I'm not actually that irritated; I just struggle with being friendly to new people. In fact, I'm grateful that he's my seatmate, despite his nosiness. I feel like I can relate to him more than to the people here.

"I'm not interested in Vince Fuentevella. There's no contract for arranged marriages, so they can be broken."

"Whoa!" his eyes widened, and he grinned.

Somehow, even though he's cute, he seemed like an expressive clown to me. Too enthusiastic.

"That's the first time I've heard that! Even my cousins want to attend the parties just to catch a glimpse of and talk to those siblings. Hoping to get introduced! And here you are not liking him?"

I ignored him.

"Or do you?" he raised an eyebrow. "Maybe it's just a facade so you seem different from other girls."

This time, instead of ignoring him, I turned to him with a raised eyebrow. I couldn't believe I heard that. He's right, though; there are girls like that. Pretending not to be interested when, in reality, they are, just to avoid standing out because they're not interested.

"I don't have to explain anything to you," I said.

He laughed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to judge you. I just thought about some tricks my acquaintances play to get attention. That's what they do. I thought it applied to everyone."

My gaze remained fixed ahead. Understandable, but still...

Even though I treat Mateo this way, I can't deny that he's one of the reasons why I feel a bit better at school. He's loud and chatty, even when he notices my annoyance. He's determined to converse, even though I always cut our first few conversations short. He's also friendly to others, even though, like me, he grew up in luxury as a Salvador.

"Thanks, Akira," Mateo said after talking to one of the most popular girls in school.

It's six months into the school year. Somehow, I've adjusted because of Mateo. But until now, he's my only friend.

I saw Akira glance at me before joining her group, mostly made up of girls who act cheap and think they're beautiful. I rolled my eyes and continued eating my cafeteria food.

"You're friends with her?" I asked Mateo as he sat in front of me.

At our table, it's just the two of us, even though it's for six people. During recess, we always sit there. Our bodyguards reserve it for us before the bell rings, and no one dares to approach us and join us. I feel comfortable there.

"I just talked to her in the library."

I raised an eyebrow, doubtful of what he said. Mateo chuckled and ran his fingers through his wavy hair.

"It's not bad to be friends with them. They seem cool, and she's pretty," said Mateo.

"So, you want to be friends with her because she's pretty?"

He laughed again. "She's also nice, Myrah. And of course, you're more beautiful."

I raised an eyebrow and bit into the fries I was eating. I put the part of the fry I touched on a tissue paper, along with the rest of the fries I ate a while ago.

"I don't like them. They seem backstabbing."

Mateo furrowed his brow. "How did you find out?"

I sighed. "How did you think she's nice? Maybe she's just nice because you're a Salvador? I'm not naive. I've met people like that back home, and I'd rather not have friends like them."

He groaned and picked up his lunch. "We may have such a good family name, but we're not as wealthy as you."

"Still richer than those here..." I glanced at the other table.

"Akira is the daughter of the Mayor, so she's still considered well-off. And Solana owns a grocery chain in the Visayas."

"A small grocery chain," I corrected.

He just laughed. "You really are raised in such an environment."

I shrugged. That's true.

"What I mean to say is that we could have more friends."

"They're backstabbing," I said, trying to ignore his proposal.

"You said you're used to having many friends in Manila, right? You must be so bored and tired here because I am your only friend. It won't hurt to try and mingle. I'm not saying we trust them immediately. And... backstabbing? Well, we're only being talked about because of our bodyguards. And you, even have a nanny. They're not used to that. And Suarez, you're like a Montecielo who suddenly went to school in this small campus, so naturally, they will talk about you."

I was taken aback by what he said. He had a point.

Back in my exclusive school, it would take more than my name and entourage to catch people's attention. Because everyone there came from good families and had entourages. Here, I'm only known for that.

I fell silent, and my mood lightened a bit.

"It's up to you. I still stand by what I know. I don't trust that group. If you want to be friends with them, go ahead. I don't really mind. But I can't promise you I'd like them."

He smirked.

"Another thing. I really think I'm just passing through here. That I won't stay long. That tomorrow or the day after, I'll be back in Manila. Forging friendships here is futile and unnecessary."

"Alright. Let's just try then, shall we?"

I admit Mateo is the reason why staying on Isla Siquijor has become somewhat bearable. Because of his friendliness, I've made a few more acquaintances. Almost a year in, and I can say it's not that bad.

"Do you have a helipad at the hotel being constructed?" Solana asked, surprised after just coming down from the chopper. Maybe Mama went home.

"Yes," I said, smiling.

"Wow! I've never ridden a chopper! How many times have you flown?"

"Countless times," was all I could say.

We're at the group's house now for swimming. It's always us four: me, Akira, Solana, and Mateo. Sometimes, we invite a few friends of Akira and Solana, and I can say it's not bad. They're less wealthy than my friends in Manila but not bad for provincials.

"Maria Yrah," I heard Mama's voice.

The group greeted her. Mama welcomed them, smiled politely, and asked if we needed anything. But, of course, I had already provided for the small party, so eventually, she made me follow her to her study.

Wearing only a bathrobe over my swimsuit, I went upstairs to talk to Mama.

"I'm glad that you are having newfound friends."

I gradually felt the tension in what she said.

"They seem like good influences. Mateo, in particular, seems nice. Is he courting you?"

"No, Mama," I replied listlessly.

Even though I've made friends, I still don't want to stay here. I want to go back to Manila. So now that she seems pleased, I feel like she won't let me go back.

"I want to go back to Manila. I'll study there. I promise I won't try to model or get into theater-"

"Why? You're happy here."

I gritted my teeth, knowing this is not going anywhere.

"Also, I'm here more often than in Manila. I only go there when your father is around. Here, I'm fixing the hotel, and I'll buy the adjacent one."

"But-"

"Just prepare yourself for spending your whole high school life here."

"But Mama, it's an ordinary school! Aren't you concerned about my educational background?" I pointed out.

"What do you mean by that?" she was somewhat surprised by what I said.

"That's a small school for the poor! It's different from my Ivy League school! It will show on my transcript-"

"Myrah!" her voice thundered.

"And look at my group! That's the cream of the crop, but they're still poor-"

"When did I raise you to look down on others?" she stood up from her swivel chair and confronted me.

I immediately got nervous. I thought I might get slapped again. She almost slapped me. But I looked at her with angry eyes, almost challenging her to slap me again!

"You don't classify people like that! That's not good! Judging people based on their social status is not right!"

"Didn't you want me to leave the club because it makes me less elite? Then tell me why-"

"Your father is chief! We are rich! That doesn't make us good people! But I need to protect your private life, as the children of your father, and as Suarezes! You can't be out there, sharing your life with people you barely know! That's a different story!"

"I want to go back to Manila and leave this godforsaken place, Mama!" I demanded, ignoring her reasoning.

"No! With that attitude of yours, you are not leaving here!"

She hadn't finished speaking when I turned away.

"Myrah!" she called.

I continued my heavy footsteps.

"We'll talk about the Fuentevellas-"

I cut off her voice with a loud bang from the door. Tearfully, I descended the grand staircase. And when I reached the beach to join my friends, my tantrum continued. They asked what happened, and I remained silent for a while. I only told them later why Mama and I argued.