2

After fifteen minutes, Kuya Argos and Kuya Habagat arrived. I’m glad that I kicked Ashford out early or I’m doomed if they see him here. It’s a good thing that Manang Seda already cooked lunch because my brothers are so hungry that they ate like they haven’t eaten for a week.

I ate with them as we talk business as usual.

Honestly, at first, it wasn’t my intention to be a part of our business the way they want me to, but they are persistent in letting me in with the business stuff and the ropes, so I became involved in a sense.

Seven years ago, we were so far from what we are right now. We were just living a simple and normal life in a compound inside a Hacienda where my father and my brothers work. Not that it’s a bad thing, but no one ever imagined we’ll be able to be blessed like this. Even us.

I sometimes miss when I and my brothers would eat at our small dining table inside Hacienda Esquillo. Our lives were very simple but we were happy.

Not that we’re not happy now but I just like looking back at times.

I also believe that you cannot see a bright future if you’re too afraid to look back to where you came from. And that’s exactly what my two older brothers think too.

After having our lunch, they didn’t waste more time after resting for a bit. They went directly to the fields to talk to the workers and to see the crops.

Our land isn’t as big even half as big as Hacienda Esquillo or any other haciendas around, but I am proud because it is ours. It’s the land of our blood and sweat with my brothers. We did not waste even a peso in our salaries while working for a few years and it led us here, to what we have, and what we will have more in the future.

Aside from our land and other properties here in Isabela, Kuya Argos and Kuya Habagat established their own businesses in Manila. And while I am also active in accepting endorsements, photoshoots, and other offers, whenever I am not busy, I always take my time to help them.

That, or I’m screwing with the oldest of the Roswell siblings.

When we went back to Manila, we were fetched by my brother’s wife, Ate Via, and their eldest, Hyacinth. We dropped Kuya Habagat along the way to his own flat while I went with Kuya Habagat to their house. It’s where I usually stay whenever I am in Manila anyway.

I stayed at their house for the night but I left the next morning. Kelly, my on-call assistant, reminded me that I have an interview that day with Preview Magazine. Thirty minutes before the scheduled time, I was already there and just waiting. I hate arriving late.

“What’s my schedule tomorrow?” I asked Kelly as we walked out of the building after my interview and photoshoot.

She immediately got her iPad from her bag and checked.

“You need to attend a ribbon-cutting event at ten in the morning in Eastwood, and then you’ll be a guest judge in a Beauty pageant in Valenzuela at seven in the evening. You have plenty of time to rest in between.”

I nod. “Okay,” I’ve had tighter schedules before and it was hard, so Kelly knew better than to accept more than we can handle.

We booked a car. I don’t usually bring my car with me when I have schedules like this because I think it’s impractical, especially if I’ll hire a driver. Kelly can drive anyway, but as much as possible I don’t want her to do a job outside her job description.

After going around, I went home around eight in the evening. I just got out of the shower when my phone beeped. It’s a text message from Ashford.

Roswell:

What’s your schedule tomorrow?

I smiled. Can’t get enough of your hands off of me, huh?

I decided not to reply for a while and fixed myself first. I was about to type my response when he called instead.

“Very impatience, are we, Roswell?” I answered playfully.

“So you already saw my message?” He scowled.

I chuckled. “I just got out of the shower. I was about to respond but you were already calling.”

“Are you still in your towel?” There’s a hint of naughtiness in his voice and it made me long for his touch.

“Maybe.”

He sighed. “God you always ruin the mood.”

I chuckled again.

“What’s your schedule tomorrow by the way?”

“Ribbon cutting in the morning and pageant judge in the evening.” I decided to just answer him because it feels like he’s going to throw a tantrum anytime soon.

“Send me the location and I’ll fetch you tomorrow night.”