Tale of Arcillana

Chapter 9

Cam's Point of View:

"How many people do the council consists?" Out of nowhere, I asked my brother. We are now travelling. We used a Range Rover in this trip. We just let the car windows down to witness the view outside. As of the moment, I can see houses along the way. These houses have the same structures with the same color. There are also trees in every backyard of the houses as well as flowers. And it looked good. It has what we called that, uniformity.

Arcillana is commendable. The place is so clean. You wouldn't see any single wrapper scattered, just dried leaves.

My brother said that aside from the law that protects the environment, there's also an active organization or group of people who cared for the nature. They are sponsored by the council because they believed that what Arcillana had is a gift of nature. There's no one who could protect it aside from it's people. They should take care of the one's who gave Arcillanian a better place and a life out of poverty. There are places who actually could provide to it's people but abused and neglected of protection.

"The second generation of Samaniego, Buenaventura, Costillana and Alejandro. These are the councils. And they are the most power people here in the island." He answered.

I nodded when I remember the faces of the second generation of these powerful families in Arcillana. I've met them during the party. We are introduced by our grandparents. And I can say that they indeed have an authority. The way they stand, the way they smile, the way talk, the way they execute their gestures, and even the way they sip champagne.

"Most powerful? Are they the ones who have the control over the island? Are people of Arcillana moved depends upon their wishes and satisfaction?" I asked not minding what my words could have mean.

"You are too much Sis. Stop that kind of mindset." My brother said seriously. I raised my left eyebrow. Did I say something offensive? I just want to know.

"What? I was just asking. You know I don't have any idea about the island. I just want to be informed. I don't want to be that someone who knows nothing about the place she's at." I said defending myself. I think that's reasonable enough.

"I understand where are you coming from but that kind of question could inflict something on the image of the council and the council itself. It has a negative side. Don't let our grandparents hear that kind of question. It's as if you are asking if they ruled the island because of their personal interest. That's rude you know. Construct your question properly next time." My brother said. I blinked twice digesting what I've heard. I swear, I didn't mean it that way.

My brother might be mischievous at times but he is very considerate to what others might feel. He wants to be fair in every judgment. Your conclusion should come from what available data you have after being synthesized and analyzed.

"But to answer your question, NO. In every rules that the lawmakers written will always benefit the people of Arcillana. It was suggested, studied and debated. It undergone a long process before finally becoming a law. The governing body of the Arcillana are just a representative of its people. Laws are made to protect the people not to control them. Arcillanian is always be part of the decisions made by the council." My brother finally said. That is what I want to hear. "And haven't you seen the way our grandparents speaks about Arcillanian?" He continued.

I stared long at his eyes. He's smiling. Not a playful or an annoying smile but his genuine smile.

I remembered how my grandfather talked about the people of Arcillana earlier during our lunch. He talked about it with so much love and care.

"Yeah. He cared for the people as well as grandma. I can see it in their eyes. They value the people of this island. Sorry, it wasn't my intention to speak ill about the council." I said acknowledging my mistake. And my brother showed me his teeth. He looked proud.

"You are growing Sis." He commented. I just rolled my eyes. "The council would risks their lives if they have to just to protect the island and its people. They are great leaders. These powerful families including ours became the most powerful families in this island because of the respect given to them by Arcillanian not just because of the wealth they had. After all, the abundance of the island goes to the people." He added and further explained. I nodded after hearing what my brother have said.

We drove for five more minutes before reaching the Arcillana Grand Mall. I couldn't help myself but to be amazed one more time. The driver dropped us in a one lane road across the front of the mall before riding its way to the parking lot I guess.

The upper front view of the mall has a big carved golden letters, ARCILLANA GRAND MALL. The mall is a four storey building, quite big.

"The island had every luxury people could wish for." My little brother commented and I couldn't agree more.

We crossed the pedestrian lane while the traffic aide signaled the following cars to stop and assisted us. I can see lots of people from here entering the mall.

"Good morning Sir, Ma'am." The female security guard greeted us. She's wearing her best smile and I gave her my smile also. I commend those security guards who never get tired to show to people their smile despite the fatigue they got from their work. I don't mind or I don't care about the businesses of other people but I do know how to appreciate them. In this world full of challenges, struggles and difficulties, they deserved the appreciation.

The mall welcomed us by these stores who have this exorbitant prices of clothing, bags, shoes and etcera. I don't know to where to focus myself. They are everywhere from left to right. Oh my gosh, I love it!

"I told you sis. You don't have to bring all your clothes because you can buy everything in here." My brother smirked.

"Says who I brought all of my clothes?" I asked while raising my left eyebrows. "I didn't even bring half of it." I continued. He just laughed at me.

"You have a lot of it. You'll probably bringing a one stop shop of branded clothes." My lil brother commented.

"I agree." My lil sister seconded while raising her right hand.

"Hey. I've donated some of it." I defended.

Aside from the foundation our company has. I have my own ways of helping other people. Yes, most of them would know me as a spoiled b***h who gets what I want in this world but I do have a heart, a soft heart. I am selling my clothes less than the original price since I wore them already probably once or twice. The three other girls are also doing that. We are collecting the money and donate them in other charities like for cancer patients and orphanages. Sometimes we conduct our feeding program or we buy clothes for them to wear and other stuffs.

That's us, bitches with a purpose. We do believed that we have this kind of life because we have the purpose to help other people who are in need. In this little way, I can say that we are serving our purpose in life.

"Yes, but you're buying half the number of the clothes you've been donated." My little brother said. They are ganging up on me!

"Whatever! Come on let's have Dior first." I said. I walked gracefully as if owning the mall and leaving them behind.

The sales lady welcomed us in their store. She assisted me to looked for something that would fit and suit me.

I scanned the whole place and every items inside. I picked everything that I want and let the lady holds it. One is not enough so there are three ladies who are now following me.

I also choose for my brother. His taste in fashion is not so good. Thanks to his designer he dressed well and looked good in his visuals. So I did the honor of choosing for him.

"Are you going to buy all of these miss?" One of the sales lady asked. She sounded like irritated. I stopped from walking and faced her. I don't like the way she asked me.

I raised my left eyebrow and looked at her from head to toe. Before I could open my mouth my goody goody brother butted in.

"Yes miss, we will." He said politely. I rolled my eyes over it. "Come on Cam let's pay for it. I bet we still have other stores to head to." He added and walked towards the counter.

He didn't even let me have a word to this ugly sales lady. I should have taught her a lesson. She should have not used that kind of tone to her customers. She should have value her customers because customers are the reason why their stores are profitable and she received a monthly salary.

I followed my brother to the counter and looked for my wallet.

I bit my lip after realizing that I don't have any cash here. Wait, do we have the same currency here?

"I got it sis." My brother chuckled as he get his wallet out of his pocket.

"You brought cash? That's new!" I asked surprisingly. He is not likely the person who bring cash. He only brings cards wherever he goes. That is why he has a lot of debts in his team because whenever he needs money to pay for something, one in his team would likely to pay for his bills. He's an artist who have so much debts.

"Nope. Still a card." He said while smiling. He showed me a gold card.

My lips formed an O shaped after seeing him raised a gold card. I got it from him and checked it out. It seems it is the same from a black card however there's a cursive word imprinted on the upper right of the card, Arcillana. And there's an identity on the card. My brother's name is written on it.

"What is this card?" I asked curiously.

"This gold card is exclusive to Elites only. You can spend as much as you can using this card. There are three other cards but we don't use them. Those are for upper, middle and lower class." He said. He gave the gold card to the cashier to pay for our bills.

"Where did you get that?" I asked again. It's not just fair that he have that kind of card while I don't have one.

"Grandma. She gave it this morning. The twins also have their cards." He explained. What? Am I the only one who doesn't have a card? "I know that kind of reaction. Not our fault that you woke up late." He said while chuckling.

Gosh. This is just not fair. He should asked for it at least and gave it to me.

"Thank you for the purchased Mr. Montidalgo." The cashier said while beaming. Her smile turned awkward when my brother winked at her. She opened her mouth to say something but ended up closing it again.

We are about to turn and walk towards the sofa provided for the customers where the twins are patiently waiting when the cashier called my brother.

"Sir." She said. "Can I have a photo of you?" She asked. I saw how the other girl snapped the the cashier.

"He's a Montidalgo." The other girl reminded the cashier. Her faced turned red. Mortification is evident on her face right now.

"Sure. Why not? We could have a photo together if you want to." My brother said. The cashier immediately made her chin up after hearing what my brother have said.

She smiled and get out of the counter and come near us. She get her phone out of her pocket.

"Miss can you please take a photo of us." The cashier said politely. I automatically raised my left eyebrow.

"Come on sis. Don't be KJ. Sorry your brother is famous." He said obviously teasing me.

I took three shots of them and gave back the cashier's phone. Standing beside my brother doesn't make her beautiful. Tss.

"Show me your cards." I said to the twins.

"What card?" Light asked.

"The gold card." I said.

The two showed me their cards and I am pissed even more. Their names are imprinted on it.

Prince Dark Montidalgo.

Princess Light Montidalgo.

I couldn’t just accept the fact that among the four of us, I always receive items late!