TROUBLED MEMORIES

START

# Three years later #

Sophia's POV

"Whew. It's good to be back."

The plane landed at NAIA at 8 o'clock in the evening. When I stepped out of the plane, I stopped, closed my eyes, and felt the fresh air of the Philippines.

"Ma'am, you have a phone call from Master Jzuxe." I opened my eyes and took the phone.

"Yeoboseyo," I greeted.

("It's good to know that you're back.") the voice on the other line said.

"Hmm."

("We have a welcome party for you. I already instructed your driver on the way to the venue. Just wear a simple dress.") he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Can I just wear jeans and a shirt? I don't like wearing dresses! They're so girly!"

("Well, there's nothing you can do, you're still a girl after all.")

I hung up.

"Bring me to the nearest mall. I'll change my outfit."

"Yes, Ma'am."

We arrived at a mall, and I immediately went to a boutique to pick a simple blue dress and went to the fitting room. "I think this will do."

After trying it on, I went to the shoe section and picked 6-inch heels, as that's the height I'm used to wearing. Then, I looked for a bracelet and necklace that would go well with my outfit. I chose a silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a key, and a bracelet with a similar key pendant.

"I'll buy this," I said and handed my credit card to the sales lady.

"Okay, Ma'am."

"Kuya Adam, I'll wait at the car. Please get my card," I said to my driver.

"Yes, Ma'am."

I walked out of the boutique. As I strolled through the mall, I noticed many people looking at me.

"What's wrong with these people?!" I wondered irritably as I continued walking until I reached the parking lot and got into the car.

Kuya Adam returned and handed me my card, starting the engine.

While we were on our way to the venue, my phone rang.

*ringring ringring*

I answered the call.

("Where are you now?") Kuya Jzardhii asked on the other line.

"I'm on my way, hyung," I replied.

'Ang O-O.A nagpa-party pa talaga. Kung sana pinagpahinga nalang muna nila ako at bukas na yang party na yan eh! Tch.'

While lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice that we had already arrived at the venue for the party. I looked outside and noticed everyone entering with partners.

"Anong kaO.A-han nanaman 'to?!" I thought.

"Kuya Adam, you'll be my partner, okay?"

He looked at me. "Pe-ro Ma'am, hindi po iyon pupwede."

"I don't care," I retorted, looking outside. He scratched his head but kept looking at the road.

Numerous camera flashes surrounded us as we walked together.

"Leave it to me, Kuya! I also told Ate Citi that you will be my partner," I said, smiling.

He nodded.

Upon reaching the entrance, my brothers approached me.

"I miss you, bunso!" Kuya Jzengzi greeted me with a big smile, and I hugged him tightly. Then I released Kuya Adam.

"H-hey! I can't breathe, hyung!" I complained.

"Tsk! Nakapag Amerika ka lang English ka na ng English!" Kuya Jzuxe teased.

"Duh!? As if I can speak Tagalog there?" I raised an eyebrow, questioning him.

"Ay, ang sungit!" Kuya Jzorde chimed in.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're all picking on me. Kuya Adam, let's go," I said and started walking.

I found a vacant table at the far end. Kuya Adam followed, and I sat down, crossing my arms and making a face.

"Kuya, sino ang mga invited dito?" I asked them.

"The children of our business partners, and some of our business partners are here too," Kuya Jzengzi replied.

"Ah, so this is not a welcome party then. It's a business party!" I said sarcastically.

"Sophia? Please understand," Kuya Jzardhii pleaded.

I sighed and stood up. "I'll go. See you."

"Take care," they said.

I made a face and headed for the exit. As I walked, I noticed people looking at me again.

'Ugh, not again with these stares!'

I rolled my eyes and quickened my pace, accidentally bumping into a guy.

"What the--??!!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah! What the heck?!!" I shouted back at him, standing up.

He stared blankly at me, and I glared at him.

"Get out of my way," I said, not even looking at him.

"Tsk," he muttered as Kuya Adam moved him aside so he could leave.

I sighed and shook my head before hurrying back to my car. It was a quiet ride home, and I had little on my mind due to exhaustion.

When we arrived at the mansion, Kuya Adam opened the door for me.

"Thank you," I said, appreciating the gesture.

He smiled in return.

"Kuya, you'll be flying back to the States tomorrow. Your kids miss you already. I'll take care of Grandpa," I informed him with a smile.

"Oh, Ma'am, you don't have to. It's part of my job."

"I have already booked your flight for tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Good night, Kuya," I said, walking away.

As I reached the front door, I sighed and grabbed the doorknob.

'It's been a long time since I've been here.'

I shook my head and turned the doorknob, entering the house. The once white interior had turned dark.

'What happened here while I was away?'

I wondered, but I had no means of communication with them.

I looked around the house and made my way up to my room on the left side of the house. It was at the far end.

I opened the door and gazed at the room.

'hmm, nothing has changed. That's good.'

I sat on the bed and closed my eyes.

"I'm so tired. Tsk," I said, and I drifted off to sleep.

**Sophia's POV**

*Krrrriiiiiiinnnggg! kriiiiiiiiing!!*

I picked up the alarm clock, turned it off, and stood up to take a shower.

After showering, I dressed. Plain white loose shirt, faded jeans, converse shoes, and my hair in a bun. I just put on some eyeliner, a bit of lip tint, and my sunglasses. I looked at myself in the mirror.

"That should do it."

I left my room and went to the dining area. I saw everyone already seated.

"Good morning," I greeted them and took a seat next to my brother Jzuxe.

"How's your sleep, Sophia?" Mommy asked.

"Peaceful," I replied to her.

"Kuya, please pass the hotdog," I asked my other brother, Jzardhii, who was on my right side.

He took it and placed three hotdogs on my plate.

"Thank you."

"Do you have any appointments today?" Daddy asked.

I adjusted my seat before answering. "Yes, sir. I'm going to Sly University to enroll. And I'm also going to meet Arkhiea, Xylia, and Gensae."

"What course do you want to take up?" he inquired.

"Elementary Education," I replied.

"Don't you want to be a doctor or a business executive?" Mommy asked.

"I already have my own business, and I'm content helping poor people through medical missions. Now, I want to be a teacher and have my own school."

"Why Elementary?" Daddy asked.

"Because of children. It's all about the children," I explained.

Daddy nodded and continued eating. I finished my meal and said, "I have to go," before standing up.

I walked out of the dining room. My brothers said their goodbyes as they were leaving too.

"Bunso! Wait!" my brother Jzuxe called out. I turned to look at him.

"How did you do that?"

I furrowed my brow. "Do what?" I asked, puzzled.

"Answer Dad like that! You're the only one who can do it!" my other brother, Jzengzi, replied.

"Huh? How should I answer then? You're overreacting!"

They all shook their heads. "Alright, alright. Go on, leave early to get home early," Jzardhii said.

"Are you pushing me away? Fine, I'm going. Bye," I said and went to where my car was parked.

I honked before leaving the garage.

As I got out of the village, I called the three friends I was going to meet.

"Where are you guys?"

("I'm already at SU,") Arkhiea replied.

("On my way. There's heavy traffic here!") Gensae answered.

("Oh no! Wait for me! I'm still getting dressed!") Xylia said.

"She's late, so she'll treat us to lunch. Okay, see you," I told them and ended the call.

I arrived at Sly University and parked my car next to Arkhiea's.

"Oh, how are you?" I greeted her.

"I'm good. How about you?"

"I'm still better than you, of course," I joked.

"Haha! You're such a brat! The wind is strong!"

"Haha, silly! I'm just telling the truth!"

Suddenly, a car zoomed past us and nearly hit us.

"Wow, what a show-off!" I exclaimed.

"That was close, huh?"

The man driving the car got out. I was about to approach him, but Arkhiea stopped me.

"Leave it, S."

"What?! Are you out of your mind?! We almost got hit!" I shouted.

"Just leave it. I'll take care of it, okay?" she said.

I glanced at the guy's position earlier. 'Tsk, he has already left.'

Xylia and Gensae arrived, and after that, we went to the registrar to enroll.

"What courses did you guys choose?" I asked them when they caught up to where I was.

"Civil Engineering," Arkhiea said.

"Business Administration," Xylia replied.

"IT," Gensae added.

"Wow," I said with a pretend wipe on my forehead.

"What about you?" A asked.

"Elementary Edu--"

"Oh my-- Bwahahahahahahaha! Seriously? Since when did you become interested in kids, S?! Haha!" Gensae burst into laughter.

"Seriously?! You guys are so mean! People can change, you know!" I protested.

"Hahaha! Alright, alright. If you say so," A said, and they all laughed.

"Let's go! I'm hungry!" Xylia shouted.

"You're the late one, so you'll treat us to lunch! Thanks for reminding us! Haha!" I said, and we all laughed.

"Oh no, I forgot!" Xylia said.

"Haha! Let's go!"

We went to the White Restaurant, our old hangout from our Gnyx Academy days.

"We haven't eaten here in a long time. I wonder if people still remember us," I said to them.

"Yes, they do! We still eat here. They even ask about you, especially Jake, the owner," A replied.

"Oh, I don't remember him. You know, my memory still hasn't fully returned since I came back," I said to them.

"Alright, let me call the waiter," Xylia said.

"Waiter!"

"Yes, ma'am, what would you like to order?"

"Two Set C's, three buckets of fried chicken, and ten extra-large fries," Xylia told the waiter.

'Are we going to turn into whales with this much food?!' I thought to myself.

The waiter blinked before repeating the order, "Two Set C's, three buckets of fried chicken, and ten extra-large fries. Is there anything else you need, ma'am?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, ma'am. I'll serve your order after 15 minutes. Just press the button if you need anything. Excuse me."

We nodded at him, and he left.

While waiting for the food, the four of us chatted about what happened while I was away. I learned that they stopped studying because of their businesses.

When we were talking, I saw the guy who nearly hit us earlier in the day, entering the restaurant.

"Hey!" I called out to him.

He was on the other side of the street in front of the restaurant, looking at me. He grinned mischievously and put on his jacket's hood before running towards me.

When he stood in front of me, he removed his hood and grinned again.

"Are you following me?" I asked him.

His grin widened. 'Damn, that grin gives me chills!'

"Why would I do that?"

"Who knows?" I replied.

"All things have their right time. And this is not the right time for that question."

"Are you expecting me to ask for your name, age, address, blah blah blah! Whatever! Well, I'm not interested!"

"Neither am I."

"Ugh! I don't get you! Fine, I'm leaving!" I shouted at him, and he grinned once more before walking back to the restaurant. When he reached it

, he waved at me before entering.

"Who's that?" someone behind me asked.

I turned around, facing my friends. I raised an eyebrow at them.

"Seriously? Aren't you supposed to avoid talking to strangers?"

"I'm curious. He's always around me," I explained.

They all widened their eyes. "Did you guys meet last night?!"

"Wait! What's wrong with your faces?! Who is he?" I asked Xylia.

"N-nothing. You just arrived last night, and now you're already making enemies," A explained.

"I'm not making enemies! I'm just annoyed because he keeps bumping into me! He even bumped into me at the parking lot earlier! We almost got hit because of his stupidity!"

"Alright, stop it. People are staring," Gensae scolded us.

"Tsk."

The waiter arrived with our food, so we ate in silence. I found myself eating more than I thought.

"Until tomorrow, I won't need to eat anymore. I'm so full!" Arkhiea exclaimed.

"Sigh, my diet is ruined!" Gensae said.

I listened to them while eating my sundae.

"Oh, what about you, S? No complaints?" Xylia asked.

I shook my head and got another sundae.

"Do you really expect her to complain? She might have worms in her stomach!" Arkhiea teased.

"Hey! You want a slap? What worms? I'm just healthy because you guys don't exercise and are gaining weight so fast!" I shouted at them.

"Haha! S, you're no longer joking!" A laughed at me as he backed away.

"Cheh! Fine, I'm leaving. It's already 4 pm, and I have to go somewhere. Take care. Chat later. These two sundaes are mine! Bye!" I said, leaving the restaurant.

"Greedy pig!" they all called out.

I rolled my eyes at them. "You too! Go ahead! Alright, I'm leaving now. Goodbye!" I replied and drove away.

I arrived at my brother Jzuxe's boutique. This was where I said I was going earlier.

I entered the boutique and was greeted by a lady, "Good afternoon, quee- I mean, ma'am Sophia."

I gave her a puzzled smile. "Good afternoon. Where's Jzuxe?" I asked her.

"Ah, ma'am, he's in his office."

"Thank you," I replied and went to Jzuxe's office. I knocked on the door.

"Come in."

I entered, and he looked up at me.

'Oh, Sophia, what are you doing here?'

"Kuya, I came to submit my designs. They're for the relief goods and clothes I'm donating to the victims of the typhoon," I said to him.

"Where are your drawings?" he asked. I handed him the envelope containing my various clothing designs.

He looked at them, nodding his head as he examined them.

"Hmm, when did you make these?" he inquired.

"Ten days before I returned here."

"Alright, I'll take these."

"Yes! Thank you, Kuya!" I said and hugged him.

"Hep! Hep! Easy now, your head is so heavy!"

"Ayahhhh! Kuya, I'm not heavy!" I shouted at him.

"Hahaha! Go to sleep now! Your mouth is running again!" he teased, and I pushed him away.

"Heh! Fine! Good night, my princess," he said, and kissed my forehead.

"Good night, Kuya!" I replied.

He left the room, and I sat on my bed when I entered my room.

'What a tiring day. It's confusing. I didn't know this is what I would encounter coming back here. I wonder how Grandpa is doing? Maybe I should go back there! Life is simpler and better there. Here, it seems like everything I do needs to be approved by them! Tch.'

I fell back on the bed.

That guy...

"Sometimes, we don't know we're living in a world full of lies. We're blinded by people. People we didn't expect to do things against us."

'Weird. But... I don't know! It feels like I know him. Oh well, what do I care! Maybe it's just a coincidence. Or maybe he really is following me. But he doesn't look like a stalker. He's not hiding; he even seems to want attention! Ugh!'

"Ugh, it's giving me a headache!!" I shouted and rolled around on the bed.

*riinggg!ringgg!*

Who is stupid enough to call at this hour?!

"Hello, who's this, please?" I answered the phone.

I heard a chuckle on the other line, "Do you really want to know?"

"Yeah!"

"Haha! There are two of us. You know one, and you don't know the other. Someone likes you, someone ruins you. Day by day, time by time, they both know you," the voice said in a serious tone before hanging up.

"Wow, that was intense! I actually understood you! Promise!" I shouted at my phone before placing it on the side table.

Better go to sleep! People are so weird!