4

As soon as I woke up, I mentally listed the things that I can do today. I have been staying here for two weeks now but I have not done any meaningful things. This is totally hell. I do not know what to do anymore aside from eating, sleeping, video call my boyfriend or workout. Even walking on the shore does not sound very pleasing to me. I always stay at the mansion.

Should I learn how to swim? Go to the near island? I thought of visiting the island that my father had bought for my mom. But how will I go there? For sure there's someone from here who can accompany me there, right? But I think this is not the perfect day to visit that island.

Good thing that our mansion has beautiful intricate details. I have something to look at that's worth my time.

Our mansion was substantial and modern stylish. The windows were high ground-floor and well lighted. The roof was rectangular flat. There was also a huge and open-air swimming pool. Around the pool was a grassy area dotted with pine trees. All over the mansion, there were polished concrete paths, a paved outdoor area and flowerpots. But I think it needs a bit renovation. I should talk to Dad about it. 

I stared at the ocean from my balcony. It was full of mystery. It was so huge... as though it was unending. How do people from here live? The sunrise and the sunset... the smell of the salty sea air and during the midday sun, don't they get tired of seeing it every single day?

Or maybe they always feel a little bit smug. After all, they get to live somewhere that people yearn to visit every year. But I'm not one of those people. I'm talking about the people who loves ocean. The locals from here have seen Belleza Eterna at its calmest best and at its roughest worst. And they totally understand how important it is to protect it. How I wish I could love this place as much as they do. 

Why can't I love this place? If you are not into ocean, you are not going to love Belleza Eterna. Even though the soft white sands, the turquoise waters, the rock formations and the small islands not so far from here are mesmerizing, I couldn't still push myself to love any of it. Maybe I should learn how to swim so that I could enjoy my stay here? And then what? I'm going to swim for two whole months while waiting for school? No, thanks.

I went downstairs to eat some breakfast. I greeted our maids, Fely and the two other maids. They said that the daughter of the other maid who left because of sickness will arrive today. 

"Good morning, Ma'am Talianna. I wish I was that beautiful even in the morning."

I smiled at Lusing as I pulled out a chair. They prepared some bacon, french toast, sausage and garlic rice. Fely put the cup of green tea infront of me. I thanked her before sipping on it. 

"Where's your father, Talianna?" Fely asked as she puts garlic rice on my plate.

"He is still probably sleeping."

"Oh? What are you going to do today, anyway? I'm sure you are getting bored in here. I think it would be a great idea if you learn how to swim," she suggested as if that was a big problem. But she's right. It was a big problem for me. I really need to learn how to swim. I'll be staying here for God knows how long. If I'm being surrounded by the sea, the first thing that I must know is to learn the basic techniques in swimming so that I can save myself. I do not have friends here who would help me if ever.

Wearing a white summer dress, I decided to go for a walk after I had my breakfast. In this kind of place that your only view is the ocean, dresses are the only perfect clothes to wear. 

My eyes caught someone that caused me to stop walking. A man was busy cutting the plants in our garden. I shrugged it off and continued walking.

"Good mornig, Señorita!" A cold voice greeted me.

I stopped for a moment and glanced at him. He was smirking at me, holding a grass cutter. He was wearing a white t-shirt and gray shorts. I furrowed my brows. He was quite familiar...

I tried to remember where I probably saw him.

"Morning," I greeted back before turning my back on him. But I stopped after a few steps and looked at him again. I decided to talk to him. He was familiar and I know it would hunt me forever if I wouldn't be able to know where I saw that face. 

He gave me a quick glance when he saw me but continued doing his work. When he noticed that I was coming to him, he completely turned his attention to me.

"We have met before, haven't we?" I furrowed my brows.

He raised an eyebrow at me and pouted. 

Those green eyes... how the hell did he get those? Or maybe he was just wearing contacts?

It was him! The fisherman that I saw few weeks ago.

"I'm not sure. Have we met before?" Confusion was written all over his face.

I shook my head slightly. "Forget it." I crossed my arms across my chest as I looked at the grass cutter he was holding.

"Why are you here? Did my father know that you are here?" 

His eyes slightly widen. His green eyes twinkled in amusement as if he knew something I didn't. 

"Of course. I wouldn't be here without the permission of the owner." He sounded amused with a hint of sarcasm. 

I pouted as I stared at him. I just can't help it. His eyes... they were so beautiful to stare at. I wish I had those. I couldn't help but feel some irritation.

His smirk faded when he probably noticed that I was staring at him for too long. I raised an eyebrow.

"Are your eyes real?" I couldn't help but asked. He faced the plants and started cutting the unwanted parts before answering.

"They are." His voice was filled with arrogance. It was cold, but I'm not sure if it was his usual tone.

"I don't believe you. Don't lie to me. You're just wearing contacts, aren't you? It is impossible for a fisherman like you to have green eyes."

He was silent for a moment, as if didn't expect what I just said. A smirk crept across his lips when he faced me. "What do you mean impossible? Are you jealous of my eyes? I'm sorry. I never wished to have these. I am just blessed." He shrugged nonchalantly.

I rolled my eyes. "You're so full of yourself for you to say that I'm jealous just because of your eyes." I gritted my teeth because he was right! I was a bit envious! But he didn't need to know that!

He bit his lower lip, suppressing his smirk. His eyes stared at me for a moment. "Don't always roll your eyes. They might fall down," he mumbled before turning his attention to his work.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes for nth time. "Do your job perfectly. I will tell my Dad to not hire you again if you won't!"

"Of course, Señorita. You can count on me," he answered in an annoying tone.

"I'm serious," I said through gritted teeth. 

He quickly glanced at me. "I'm doing my job perfectly. Am I doing it wrong?" His voice was innocent.

"You're not doing it right! Look at this side." I pointed the right side. "There's still unwanted plants over here!"

"That's because I'm not yet finished." His tone was slightly filled with annoyance.

"You're just playing around! You're not serious with your job!"

His brows knitted in confusion as he stared at me in disbelief. "Playing around? Do you even know how to do this for you to say that? Show me then. Come on. Show me how to do this job perfectly," he said in a challenging tone.

"That's your job! Why would you ask me to do it?"

I saw how he aggressively heaved a deep sigh before looking at the plants. Irritation filled me when I heard him whispering something under his breath.

"Are you saying something?" I retorted.

"I'm just saying that you should calm down. You're quick-tempered," he mumbled softly while cutting some plants, not looking at me.

I rolled my eyes. "You're a fisherman, right? Why are you suddenly a gardener now?"

He gave me an incredulous look as if I said something ridiculous. "Can't I be a gardener and fisherman at the same time? This job is too easy. Everyone can do it. Why? Don't you know how to cut plants?" His voice was serious.

Why am I even talking to this... idiot?! God!

"Finish that! I will feed you those plants if you won't!" I glared at him before turning around. I glanced at him for once and I swear! I caught him making faces at me. His eyes widen but he immediately looked away, continuing his work while laughing.

I decided to just stay inside the mansion. My desire to have a walk at the shore was completely ruined! I will just call Davien. If I only knew how to surf. Maybe I should include that to my to-do list.

I came across with Fely, holding a tray that has orange juice and two sandwiches on it.

"Where are you going to bring those? You have a visitor?" I asked her.

"Oh. It's for Nabrel. Just wait a minute, okay? I'll bring these to him. And your father was looking for you. He is in the dining area."

My brows knitted. I tilted my head. "Nabrel?"

"The gardener. He's at the garden. Have you two met each other yet?"

I pouted. "I haven't met him." I don't even know why I lied. "Bring his food. I'm sure he is starving," I dismissed her before walking away.

I went to my father. He was busy with some documents as usual.

"How's your morning, princess? Do you have any plans for today?"

"I don't know, Dad," I said wearily while finding the ingredients for my smoothie inside the fridge. I'm gonna make a super fruit smoothie. I asked them to buy the ingredients yesterday. All I need is cherries, kiwi, almond milk at chia seeds. 

"You should go outside. There's a lot of people your age out there. It's a bit far from here. Be friends with them then you can invite them to sleepover here so you won't be bored anymore. I notice that you're just always in the mansion."

I rolled my eyes lazily. He wouldn't see that because my back was on him.

How would I even befriend the people here if they don't even want to look at me? They seem scared! Last time, I went outside to breathe some fresh air. I tried to approach this particular girl same my age but she didn't even bother to open her mouth. She just nodded when I asked her if she's from here and then she just left me! I even made sure to look approachable while talking to her but she didn't appreciate that!

"I'm fine here, Dad. I'd rather stay inside the mansion rather than befriending other people who don't even like me. I'll just socialize once I'm at school," I said weakly. I don't even feel excitement for schooling.

"Okay. Just tell me if you need anything," my dad said. 

I didn't answer him.

I didn't even notice that I was spacing out for too long while looking at the ingredients being blended together. I made three servings. Dad stopped me when I was about to place the glass infront of him.

"Give it to someone else, princess. I'm fine. I'm sure Fely will love that. And I've already tried that smoothie, right?" He smiled gently. 

I sighed and nodded. The first time Fely tried my smoothie, she didn't like it. I know my dad also didn't like it but he was just denying it.

I waited for Fely to come and offered her the smoothie.

"It's yours. I made three servings. I won't be able to drink all of it." I smiled.

Her forehead creased as she examined the smoothie. "I don't like the taste of it, Talianna." She shook her head and almost pushed the glass away from her.

I knew it.

"Okay. Just throw it then if you don't want." My voice became weak, slightly affected.

"Oh!" Fely took the glass from my hand. "I will give this to Nabrel. He will surely like this. Wait for me, okay? I'll just bring this to him," she said before walking away.

I just shrugged. I brought the smoothie in the living room as I decided to watch a movie. While watching, my eyes turned to Fely when she showed up with this unfamiliar girl beside her.

"Talianna, we have a new maid," Fely announced. I seated properly and smiled at the woman. She was wearing a simple white shirt tucked in her high-waisted jeans. She has a straight jet black hair. Her smile made her more beautiful. She was tall, taller than me. 

I stood up and I smiled at her. She looked friendly. 

"Good morning, Ma'am Talianna. I'm Blair. My mother is sick so I'm the one who will replace her temporarily," she mumbled, a smile was on her lips.

"She's the daughter of Edna," Fely commented.

I nodded. "I see. Dad is in the dining area. Please, introduce her to him."

I went back to watching after they walked away. After a minute, the fisherman showed himself all of a sudden. What's his name again?

"Señorita." His voice was serious as he approached me.

Why the hell is he calling me that?

I raised an eyebrow while I remained on my seat. He was really tall, I noticed that. 

"What?"

He halted few yards away from me. He ran his fingers through his hair. I noticed that he was looking at somewhere. When I checked it, it was the new maid. The fisherman nodded his head at her before turning his gaze on me.

"I just wanted to bid goodbye. My job is done. Where's Sir Lavino?"

"He's eating," I answered as I went back to the movie.

"Alright. I'll just talk to him." I heard him whispered but I didn't bother to look at his direction. I just nodded my head slightly. I could see from the side of my eyes that he already left.

"I went to your house but Senyel told me that you already left. You didn't even text me." It was Blair's voice.

"I'm sorry, Blair. I forgot. How's Tita Edna, by the way? I will visit her later," the fisherman uttered.

I couldn't hear their voices anymore because they were already gone. I can't help but raise a brow. Are they together? Hmm. Obviously.

A maid and a fisherman. What a perfect couple we have here, huh? Don't tell me they're just gonna flirt here instead of doing their jobs? But I think the fisherman is not always here. He can't cut the plants in our garden every single day. It will ruin the beauty of it!

My attention was completely on the movie that I didn't even notice the fisherman.

"Señorita." 

He seriously should stop calling me that.

What's his name? I'm sure it starts with letter N. Naruto? 

I raised an eyebrow when he went closer to where I was seated. 

"The smoothie was good. Thank you for making that. It seems to me that you are very health conscious." He smiled gently. I can see how his eyes danced with amusement.

This fisherman is indeed lucky to have those! I even searched about it and I found out that green eye color is the rarest color and it is roughly calculated that only around two percent of the world's population have green eyes! Can you believe that? He's freaking part of that two percent!

I just shrugged my shoulders and went back to the movie. "Yeah. No problem," I said wearily without giving him a glance. 

"Next time, you should put less chia seeds. I felt like I was swallowing a sand while drinking it."

I looked at him annoyingly. His face was serious as if he didn't even think that I could be offended with his words!

"Isn't it normal for you to eat sand? Considering that your province is being surrounded by it." I rolled my eyes.

"No matter how soft the sand we have here is, I will never try to swallow it," he uttered with a straight face but his eyes were telling me otherwise. He's making fun of me and it seems that he's enjoying it! 

"You know what..." I squeezed my eyes shut, suppressing my growing annoyance towards him. "Just leave," I gritted.

He pouted and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry. I'll go now." He smiled a bit before turning his back on me.

Sighing, I shook my head as my gaze followed his disappearing form. 

I tried to cook adobo for our dinner. I thought it was easy as what I noticed from our maids whenever they cook it. I searched the recipe to make sure that I'm doing the right thing.

"Are you sure, Talianna? Oh my God. You don't even know how to fry egg," Fely snorted when she realized that I was really determined to cook. I asked her to prepare the ingredients.

"Manang, I will never be able to learn how to cook if I won't start trying it," I said defensively.

She scratched her head and didn't say anything. It made me smile a bit.

"Do you how to slice that?" Her voice was full of concern when she saw me removing the skin of the onion. I lazily rolled my eyes at her exaggeration.

"I've watched a tutorial about this. I can do this. Trust me! Just watch, okay? And please, refrain yourself from saying any offensive words. I'm not stupid."

But it was not easy as I think it was. The slicing part was already torture for me. I was bathing with my own sweat. My eyes were tearing up because of the onion! 

"It hurts. I can't do this." I put down the kitchen knife. That was a sinful onion! I should have worn an eye protector glasses! 

Blair handed me the tissue box. I took some and wiped my eyes. But I felt like it was just getting worse. I can't help but cry out the stinging pain.

"What the hell? That's the worst vegetable! I swear! I will never touch that thing!" I cried out. 

I caught Fely laughing a bit together with the other maids. Even Blair! I can't believe they find this funny!  

"Your nose is so red, Ma'am. Cute." Lusing giggled. 

"It's not funny. As if you have never cried because of onion." I glared at them.

"No! Because you rubbed your eyes with your hands! Crazy!" Fely was still laughing.

I just let them finished cooking the adobo. I waited until my eyes were okay. When I feel better, I helped them.

They watched my every move as if anticipating me to make some mistake. 

I smiled proudly while watching Fely tasted the soup of my adobo. But my smile disappeared when I saw how she grimaced.

"It's so salty, Talianna," she commented. She immediately grabbed the glass of water and drunk it.

My shoulders sagged while staring at the boiling soup. I tasted it and I realized that Fely was not lying. I don't even think it's edible!

"You add some water then wait for it to boil," Fely suggested and I immediately did that.

I did what she said. When it boiled, I called Blair who was busy drying the plates. She was wearing the maid's uniform. Of course! She's a maid here and that's what she should wear. I'm the only one who has the right to wear maxi dress in this mansion.

"Blair, taste it. I'm sure this is better now." I smiled at her.

She licked her lips after tasting it. Her brows furrowed, as if thinking about something.

"How's it?" I asked cheerfully.

"It's okay, Ma'am. It's tastes like adobo now." She shrugged.

"What did it taste earlier, Blair?" Fely asked in between her laugh. I squinted my eyes at her.

Blair just smiled. 

"Really? It's okay? But I want it to be perfect! What do you think I should do to make it perfect?"

"It's really good, Ma'am. You will be able to cook it perfectly sooner or later. If you want, I can teach you how to cook different kind of dishes."

She knows how to cook then? And different dishes? I have never even cooked an egg perfectly. I don't know what's gotten into me today and why did I even think about trying to cook a much difficult recipe. 

"What dishes do you cook then? I want to learn the kare-kare." 

She nodded. Her smile widened. "Yes. That's not a problem at all. Kare-kare is very easy to learn. Well, for some people I think. And that's Nabrel's favorite. I always cook it for him."

I noticed how her eyes twinkled with so much adoration, as if she was talking about a very important person in her life.

"Really..." I said, not really interested. I turned around to cover the adobo.

"When will I teach you, Ma'am?" she asked. 

"I'll think about it."

"We can do it tomorrow, Ma'am, if you want. Nabrel will be here and he could be our judge for your kare-kare."

My brows knitted. "Why? Is he going to cut some plants in the garden again?"

"He's the one who's going to tour you around the Belleza Eterna. You dad talked to him. Sir Lavino mentioned that you're bored here that's why."

I pouted. Tour? I think it's much better than to sleep all day. That's not a bad idea at all.