Pearl Of Wisdom

Chapter 1

I was now running late for school, so I was rushing to get there. I had stayed up too late last night, that's why. My apartment is near school, and my apartment-mates had already left for class.

"Why are you late today?" asked the guard, as I finally reached the gate.

"I just woke up late, sir," I replied. "Alright, chief, I'm heading in now."

I didn't wait for the Guard's response and hurried off, running towards my classroom.

"Ms. Torres, why are you late?" Ma'am's loud voice boomed.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, something urgent came up," I mumbled, my head bowed, even though it was a lie.

"Next time, you better be early! Okay, you may now take your seat," she stated. I simply nodded and settled into my chair.

"Why did you take so long? Was it really something urgent?" Ate Ailbhe whispered, chuckling playfully.

She's more than just a classmate to me; she's like a mother figure, especially since she's the oldest among us living in our apartment. I'm so grateful to have her around. Ate Julia takes care of us with her warm cooking, always making sure we're well-fed and happy. As the owner of this apartment, I feel a sense of responsibility, but Ate Ailbhe makes it easier with her nurturing presence. Roisin, my trusted assistant, helps me with the day-to-day tasks, while Orlaith, my talented stylist, keeps me looking sharp. Together, we form a little family here, and Ate Ailbhe is the glue that holds us together.

They all worked for me freely, simply by living with me in my apartment. Other students often called us "dream catchers" because, supposedly, we had everything others dreamed of, but it was actually the opposite.

"Duh!" I leaned back into my seat and rolled my eyes.

My entire day seemed to pass in a blur, in just a few blinks. And now, here I was, at the guidance counselor's office for our meeting.

"Everything is set for our upcoming event. I guess we just have to convince our sponsors about the budget," I said as we finalized all the details. I'm the President of the student council, after all.

"Miss President, treat us, please!" Jhea blurted out, our lively student council Secretary.

We all burst into laughter at her sudden request.

"Okay, okay, since you all did a very good job—though not tonight, maybe next week? Let's go to the barista, how about that?" I agreed, smiling.

"Yes!" They cheered happily, and we ended our meeting so we could all head home.

I arrived back at the apartment to find all of them there, looking utterly exhausted.

"Oh, you're here already! Remember, you have a photoshoot at six. So, freshen up and eat your dinner before we leave," Roisin reminded me, ever efficient.

Aside from being a pre-med student and a student council President, I also have a part-time job: modeling. My parents enrolled me in modeling classes even though they were initially against it, but they really didn't have a choice because I'm their only daughter.

"I'll just freshen up, and then we'll leave. I'll eat when we get back," I said, giving her a slightly bitter smile before disappearing into my room.

Thirty minutes later, I was done getting ready.

"Is it just Roisin coming with me?" I asked them before we left.

"I can't come; I'm still going to church," Orlaith excused herself. She's quite religious, you see.

"Just skip it! I'm sure you're going straight to heaven anyway. Besides, that Roisin has such a rotten attitude!" I complained, but she didn't react.

"I'll just stay here at home, so when you get back, the food will be ready. Just bear with her attitude," Ate Ailbhe laughed, already anticipating my struggles.

"You have no escape now!" Roisin said sarcastically, making the others laugh, and I just rolled my eyes at them in exasperation.

"Come on already!" I stomped out of the apartment in a huff, leaving Roisin behind.

We headed to the location where our photoshoot was scheduled. Roisin served as my makeshift manager.

"That's it, pose like that!" Kirt, the photographer, instructed. "It's giving diva pose. Perfect!"

I struck several poses, and their constant comment was always "Perfect!" It was repetitive, but I knew I was a perfect example of a model, I guess.

"Okay, break time!" Kirt declared.

"Roisin, just get my salary. You can do whatever you want with the money," I told her, wiping sweat from my brow.

"Huh? What do you mean? It's your money, and you're giving it to me?" she questioned, genuinely confused.

"You don't want it? Haven't you paid your tuition fee yet? Just keep the money because I don't need it," I replied, shrugging.

"You i***t! I know I haven't paid my tuition, but you're the one who worked hard for it, and you're just going to give the money to me? What, are you Henry Sy's daughter or something?" she retorted, laughing at my seemingly carefree attitude.

"Maybe I am, but I'm giving you the money for being my assistant as well."

"Forget it! You already let me live in your apartment with free food, electricity, and water. I won't accept any money you give me," she declared, then walked away because the photoshoot was about to resume.

I don't know how many more poses I did, but finally, my job was done. It went well, and Roisin still refused the money, but it's not like I really care about money. My parents are the richest business owners in the entire world, but none of my friends know that, except for my family and teachers at school, because my true identity is kept hidden from most people.

We eventually returned home so we could finally rest.

"Come eat, you two! I already reheated the food in the oven," Ate Ailbhe called out warmly.

"Orlaith's not here yet?" Roisin asked, noticing her absence.

"Not yet. She's probably on a date," Ate Ailbhe replied.

I just let them talk and walked to the kitchen to get a plate. I wasn't that hungry, so I only scooped a small amount of rice. As I was serving my food, Ate Julia suddenly called out to me.

"Dara, your phone is ringing! It's so loud!" she shouted, complaining.

"Can you just please answer the call?" I hurried to wash my hands.

"Hello? Who's this?" Ate Ailbhe greeted as she picked up. "He said 'Baby'?"

Oh gosh, it was Kuya Gabby! He's my cousin, and we're really close because he's the one who practically takes care of me. We actually used to live in Spain, but when it was time for college, I transferred here to the Philippines.

I quickly walked over to her, snatched my phone, and went out to the terrace.

"My God, Kuya! Will you please stop calling me that? It's embarrassing! People will think you're my boyfriend!" I hissed into the phone.

"I don't care. At least no one will try to court you; you have to finish college first before having a boyfriend," I could practically feel him smirking through the phone.

"Hello! I don't have time for that 'love' thingy, Kuya. I didn't even entertain that jerk who was trying to court me, and I don't have any plans to, either," I retorted, being deliberately sassy.

"Oh really? How could you let someone court you without telling me?" he pressed, sounding mock-offended.

"Duh!" I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, even though he couldn't see me. "What for, Kuya?"

"Oh, baby. You're such a brat!" He chuckled, clearly amused.

I was used to it already, every time he and my brothers called me "baby." I am their only little baby princess. Sometimes, their girlfriends used to get upset because of how my brothers and Kuya Gabby acted or cared for me.

"You don't have to remind me, 'cause I know that I am a brat. Anyway, what made you call?" I asked, cutting to the chase.

"Just... checking on you. You haven't visited me for weeks already, baby. I missed you so much. When are you going to visit me?" he reasoned, a slight whine in his voice.

"I don't know, I'm just so busy now."

"Why don't you take a break for a while? I mean... what are you trying to work so hard for? You get everything you want with just one command to your parents or to me."

"It's nothing, really. I'm just doing these things for fun. Nothing else, just for fun, Kuya. Besides, I do visit you. Just not lately, because I'm busy."

"Whatever you say, baby," he replied curtly.

"I'll stop by tomorrow, after my classes. Maybe I'll even sleep over there, so don't be sulky like a child."

"Really?! Do you want me to pick you up at your school?" His voice instantly turned excited.

No, no, no! People will make a big deal out of it again, not ever again.

"Don't you dare, Kuya! That's the one thing I would never let you do ever again. I'm so done with those nonsense issues, Kuya, as if I'd ever get involved with my own cousin. And especially not with my cousin, no way!" I reacted with genuine horror.

"Ouch! You sound like you're disgusted, huh?"

"You're being so dramatic! You're like a gay guy, that's why I wouldn't date you if we weren't cousins—because you're gay!" I teased, laughing so hard at him. "Gay!"

He didn't respond. I think I made him mad.

"Kuya? Are you still there?" He still didn't respond.

"Sorry, I was just attending to something," he lied, and I knew he was annoyed.

"You sure?" He just hummed in reply. "Kuya? I have something to ask, if it's okay?"

He hummed again before finally answering me. "Fire away, baby?"

"Is it okay if I could drink with my friends next week?" I asked, my voice laced with nervousness.

I knew he wouldn't allow me to. He acts as my guardian, so I need to ask permission from him, even though we're living apart.

"Of course you can, baby. Where exactly are you going to drink?"

"Really? You're letting me drink with my friends? Kuya, are you sick?" I was utterly surprised when he agreed, because it was the first time he had ever let me. Sometimes, I used to have to sneak out at midnight just to have a drink when we were still living under the same roof.

"Why? You don't want to?"

"Of course I want to! Thanks, Kuya. This is why I love you so much! I would really love to spend my remaining time with you tomorrow. I've missed you so much too, you know."

"You're joking, right? Just a minute ago you were fighting with me and even called me gay, and now you're being all sweet just because I allowed you?"

"Ugh, do whatever you want!" I was pissed. Here I was, trying to be nice, and he was acting like an i***t.

"Good night, baby. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I love you always," he said with a sound like a kiss.

"Good night too, love you," I ended the call and walked back inside, my face set in a pissed-off expression.

So irritating, honestly!

"Since when did you have a boyfriend?" Roisin greeted me, her question immediate.

"I told you he is not my boyfriend! Why are you all so stubborn?" I blurted out, frustrated.

"But your endearment is 'Baby'?" Ate Ailbhe and Sandra exchanged knowing glances.

"Is that even allowed?" Orlaith chimed in as she opened the door, coming back from her date, or perhaps her "church" as she claimed.

"Maybe, but at least that's all it is! Unlike you! You say you went to church, but you came home not a virgin," I said frankly, hitting below the belt.

"Excuse me?! I'm still a virgin even if I have a hickey! And it's true, I really did go to church," she admitted, a mix of denial and defensiveness in her tone.

"Who sucked on your skin, a vampire? What, are you gold for someone to suck on?" Roisin questioned, completely incredulous.

"Why did this conversation turn to me?! And at least someone's sucking on my skin, unlike you, you don't even have a boyfriend!" Orlaith snapped, looking at the three of us before glaring specifically at Roisin.

"Stop your bickering already! It's late. The neighbors will complain about your noise!" Ate Ailbhe scolded us, stepping in as the peacemaker.

"It's Mine and Dara, you know!" Orlaith tattled, pointing at us.

"Well, don't butt in then!" I shot back.

"Damn it! My name is Roisin, actually!" Roisin retorted, correcting Orlaith.

"Just stop it, all of you, and go to sleep. We have an early start tomorrow. You too, Dara, but eat first," Ate Ailbhe insisted gently.

"I don't want to eat anymore. I lost my appetite."

Ate Julia didn't say anything further. She knew that no matter how much she tried, I wouldn't eat. We all went into our respective rooms.