Lips parted a bit, I closed the front door of the house and slowly takes step forward towards Sam and Theo's direction who's both sitting on the sofa. The box of donut is already opened and Theo is already eating. I sigh and sat beside the empty side of Theo. 

"What are you doing here?" I sternly ask, glaring at Sam as I don't want to see him here. Gosh, this man. He's getting on my nerves. 

He look up at me, a smile printed on his lips, "I told you, I want to see Theo." he said, his smile getting wider. 

My brows furrowed, I crossed my arms in front of my chest and scoff, "And when did you ever get this close with my brother?" I asked, raising a brow. 

"Well... I was here the other day, then I found out you're in Manila so I travelled back to the city, but as I arrived there, the next day Theo messaged me that you came back here in Tagkawayan, so I ask my driver to take me back here." he replied and my brows furrowed, both ends of my eyebrows almost touching each other. 

"Are you for real, Samuel  Ponce? Cause I am not believing all the things you're saying." I sternly said, glaring at him once again. 

He squinted his eyes and lips pouted a bit, "It's true, Louise, I've been going back and forth just to see you." he said and I slowly shake my head before chuckling bitterly. 

I stood up, "You're... insane." I said before leaving the two of them in the living room and taking my way to the kitchen. When I reached fridge, I immediately opened it and grab a  carton box of chocolate drink. I place it on the kitchen island and grab myself a tall glass and pour some in it. 

"Do you hate me that bad?" I sigh as I hear his voice from behind. I put down the box and turn my body around to see him standing by the door frame. 

"I told you, hate is a strong word." I said before picking up the glass and taking a sip. He took the steps to walk towards me, while I lift myself up and sat on the kitchen counter. 

"But your actions speaks louder, Louise." he said and my eyes widened. 

Did he just... call me by my second name? 

"I know, and isn't that enough reason for you to stop?" I said, raising my left brow. I saw him bite his lower lip before walking towards me and standing at my side, leaning on the kitchen counter where I sat. 

"Stop on what, Louise? All of this? Me picking you up for date? Me doing things for you? Me getting close to your brother? Me going back and forth, Manila to Tagkawayan and vice versa? You want me to stop all of those?" he ask, I pick up the glass and took a sip before slowly nodding, looking straight to the white wall. 

"Yes, no one asked you to do all of those things, Samuel, no one did. I didn't ask you to do all of those." I said, still not sparing him a glance. 

I hear him sigh, "I'm doing all of those not because someone asked me to, I am doing all of these because I like you." I just felt my throat tighten and my body tensed up. Did he just... confessed to me? My grip on the glass tightened and I suddenly felt at panic. 

"I am courting you, Louise. At least acknowledge it." His voice sounded sad and down which gives me this different feeling in me. 

"Why are you doing this?" I ask again, playing with the glass in my hand. 

"I told you, I like you." he repeated and I mentally scolded myself for forgetting. But can he blame me?! I am at shocked, this isn't the first time someone confessed to me but this is the first time someone seems to sincerely like me and it's giving me this different kind of feeling. 

I sigh and that's when I have the courage to look at him, "You know I'm seeing someone else, right?" I said and he lifted his head up. 

"Are you sure about that? Does he really sees you more than friends?" he ask and my brows furrowed. 

"What do you mean?" I ask, slightly getting intrigued with what he just said. 

"I mean... I know what you mean when you said you're seeing someone, you said you two are not dating?" He ask and I slowly nod. 

"Well yes, we're not--"

"Do you like him though?" he cut me off and my brows furrowed. 

"Well no, we're just friends." I replied and he slowly nod. 

"Then why does it seems like you don't want me to court you?" he ask again and I took a deep breath. 

"Cause all of these things, all of this things happening... it's all just an arrangement, Samuel Matias, all of this are just part of our parent's businesses, okay? Don't push yourself into me so much. Huwag mong ipilit, Sam." I said, emphasizing on my last sentence before hopping down on the cold floor. 

I turn my back at him and put the box of chocolate drink back in the fridge when he spoke, "Hindi ako napipilitan, Louise. I am serious about my feelings for you." he said in a serious and stronger tone. 

My brows furrowed and face him, "Don't play with me--"

"I play on computer games and football, Louise. But I'm not playing with you." he cut me off once again. 

I sigh and caress my forehead, "Fine, fine! Court me if you want, but I can't assure you that I will give you that yes immediately." I stated and a smile prints on his lips. 

"But I still have a chance to get that yes, right?" he asked with a teasing tone. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips. 

"Fine, fine, annoying as fuck." I said as I walk pass by him and was about to leave the kitchen when he spoke again. 

"When's your birthday pala?" he ask, I took another deep breath, trying to calm myself down. 

I faced him, "February 14," I replied and his eyes widened. 

"How come I didn't get an invitation---"

"Look, I don't celebrate my birthday, at all! My friends would pretend it isn't a thing, February 14 is for Valentines and just for Valentines only! Okay?! Nothing else. I let the t4th of February pass by without thinking of anything." I sternly said, putting stress on my words as I turn my back at him once again and proceed on exiting the kitchen and get back to the living room with my brother. 

"Ate what took you so long sa kitchen?" Theo asked when I sat beside him. 

"Ahm... naghanap pa ako ng chocolate drink eh." I said, showing him the drink I have in my hand. 

"Ah... there's a lot of drinks sa fridge." He said, not looking at me because his attention is focused in the movie. 

A chuckle escaped my lips, "Still, nahirapan ako maghanap." I said before ruffling his hair. 

Maya-maya ay nakita ko si Sam na lumabas ng kusina, he's looking around and probably wondering around. 

"What do you do when you're bored?" he ask as he sit down beside me. Nice, now they're squeezing me in the sofa when there's literally 2 more humongous sofa. 

"Well me kuya, I watch movies or play with my Play Station." Theo replied, look at Sam with only my eyes as I take a sip of my drink. 

"Do you want to play with me after the movie?" Sam asked but Theo shake his head which made me snort. 

"I've been doing that for the past weeks, Kuya. I'm sick of it na." Theo replied and Sam nods. 

"What about you, Louise?" He ask and I look at him with furrowed brows. 

"Call me Lory." I said, he then chuckled, "Calling you Lory is what you do when you're bored?" he ask and I rolled my eyes. 

"I mean don't call me Loui--"

"No no, I want to call you Louise. Now, Louise, what do you do when you're bored?" I took a deep breath trying to control myself from splashing my chocolate drink to his face. 

"Ate do a lot of stuff! She reads, she paints, she sew, she... she do... a lot kuya." Theo answered, I shut my eyes tight as I grip on the glass. 

"Oh... you paint? I do too! Why not let's paint after---"

"No! NO! You're not gonna touch my art materials." I cut him off, Gosh! Is he for real?! Nakakainis na! 

His lips formed a small 'o', "Oh... well then, I'll buy us our own materials." he said before standing up. 

"I'll be back." he said before rushing out of the door. When I hear the door slam, a long sigh escaped my lips. 

"Theo... ate will just call someone, okay?" I said and he nods, still focused on the movie. 

I stand up with my phone in my hand and my drink in the other. I proceed to the kitchen since it will took longer if I go to my room. 

When I reach the kitchen, I place down the glass on the kitchen island as I sat on one of the tall chair. 

I dialed Ali's number and thankfully she picked up.

[Hi bestie!!] she sounded happy which made my brows furrowed. 

"Hey, what's up, you sounded happy." I said as I fix my seat. 

[Ah yes, but I know there's something up to you so what's up?] she ask back. 

"Well... ikaw muna--"

[No no, mamaya na yung akin, priority sayo. So go on bestie.] She cut me off and I slowly nod. 

"Ahm... Sam went here in our house and he said he likes me. Now he's courting me and he's trying to get closer to me and my brother. And I don't know why but he's giving me this odd feeling. Ali help me!" I said in a fast phase as if I am being chased. I think if I say it slowly it will be embarrassing. 

[Oh... OHHH, bestie! He's courting you! He likes you! And you're having an odd feeling... you like him too!] she exclaimed and my eyes widened. 

"What?! NO! Never, Ali! Oh my God! Bakit mo naman naisip yun?!" I asked and she chuckled from the other line. 

[Stage 1, denial.] she said and I rolled my eyes. 

"Ali... you know what, forget about it, what's up with you? Why are you so happy?" I ask and she giggled again. She sounded like an excited kid.

[Haciendera na ako bestie! Nakabili ng malaking lupain sila mama sa bukid! 6 hectares!! Bestie haciendera na ako! Kaso wala pa nga lang bahay, pero it's ours! Ang laki bestie! Ang laki talaga! Ang happy ko! Pwedeng mag picnic dito! Or ride a hoarse, pwedeng maghabulan dito, mababagu nga lang yung taya! Ang happy ko talaga!] she said from the other line, she's really happy because she's already shouting at the call. 

"I'm happy for you, tingnan mo, mayaman naman kayo, ang kuripot mo minsan." I said and she chuckled. 

[Gaga, hindi kami mayamaan--]

"Hindi daw pero may 6 hectares na lupa, huwag ako Alejandra," I cut her off and I hear her burst out laughing. 

[Bastos sa Alejandra bestie, di ko talaga bet, sorry.] she said from the otehr line which made me chuckle. 

From the window of our kitchen I saw Sam's car pull over, 

"Fuck..." I mumbled, 

[Bastos naman bestie--]

"I gotta go na Ali, Sam's back. Thank you for your time, congrats may haciendera na sa atin. Bye!" I said before turning off the call and rushing back to the living room. 

I saw him entering the door with paper bags in his hands. 

"Don't tell me..." I paused and walk towards him to look at the paper bags. 

"Paints, brushes, canvas." he said, smiling. 

I sigh, "Seriously?" I ask and he nods, "It'll be fun!" he said before walking pass by me. 

"Where do you want to paint, Theo?" he ask my brother. Theo looked him and jump out of the sofa before turning off the television. 

"Sa may pool kuya, it will be a big mess kasi kapag dito sa loob." he replied and the two nod before walking towards the back door. 

Then suddenly Sam stopped walking and look at me, "Sunod ka nalang." he said before they continue to walk at the back door. I sigh nd shake my head before going upstairs, defeatedly, and grabbing my art materials in my bedroom and heading to the pool area at the back to follow them. 

When I arrived at the pool area, I saw the two of them putting a lot of news paper on the floor. 

"Kuya said it will be better if we put new papers." Theo said as I put down my art materials on the floor. 

"Louise... you know you can also use these paints I bought." Sam said which caught my attention. 

"But you bought those for you and Theo." I said and he smiled, "And for you too. Now come on, I brought a lot of canvas." he said before grabbing a big one, but same size that I use. The three of us starts our own works. Since I am more into nature paintings, I just painted another sunset but the view is from a mountain. 

I would hear the two of them talking but I don't even listen to what they're talking because I'm focusing on what I'm doing. 

Around 3PM, maids started serving us snacks. Theo and Sam are eating while painting while I just continue on painting because I don't want to loose my momentum and my focus. Paints all over my hand and shirt, gladly I'm wearing a plain white shirt and not one of my favorite or expensive ones. 

With a finishing touches and few more outlines, I finished my work. 

"Perfect." I mumbled before standing up, hearing some bones crack from sitting down for hours. 

"Wow..." I hear from my back, I look at Theo and Sam and saw them staring at my work. I look at Theo's work and it is Spider-Man while Sam is... an abstract which has very powerful since he used vibrant and dominant colors. 

"You did such a great job, Louise!" Sam said before standing up from the floor and walking towards my art. 

"Is painting your therapy?" he ask as he look closer at my work. 

A smile crept on my lips, "I don't know, I just like it." I said before grabbing a juice box and a bread. 

"Ate, tissue first? Your hands are dirty." Theo said before handing me a box of tissue. I chuckled and nod before taking he tissue box from him and wiping my hands. 

"You need wet tissue." Sam hands me a pack of wet tissue which I know is what I needed more. 

"Would you pursue your art passion?" Sam ask me as we are now dipping our feet at the pool while eating our snacks. It is now 4:48pm and we just finished cleaning the area where we painted. 

"I don't have the passion on anything, I just do it for pass time." I said while watching Theo swim, he said he couldn't handle the heat of the summer so he proceeds on jumping into the water. 

"But you did such a great job." he said in a soft voice. I turn my head at his direction and smile. 

"Thank you, you're one of the people who appreciates and acknowledge the good things I do." I said before taking a sip of my juice box. 

"I see, toxic house? Or parents?" he ask and I scoff. 

"Toxic mom." I replied and I slowly nod. 

"Not letting me live my own life, always controls me, she have my life in her hands and I can't get away from it." I said, taking a bite out of my cookie. 

"You know... I'm excited when we start living together. I can also have more freedom. Don't you think it is quite a good thing when we start living together?" he ask and I face him and slightly tilt my head. 

"Having our own freedom, yes. But don't you think we also loose a part of ourselves? We are tied to each other." I said and he smiled at me. 

"Not when I like you, and will most probably love you soon." he said and I chuckled. 

"Cheesy, Ponce." I said and take another sip of my drink. 

"It's true anyways." he said, giggling as well. 

"What if I fall in love with another man?" I ask and he stopped smiling, he look at me and sigh. 

"You really don't see yourself loving me don't you?" he ask and I sigh before slowly nodding. 

"I'm sorry," I said but he shook his head. 

"It's fine Louise, I don't blame. And I shouldn't force myself to you, I shouldn't force you to like me too. But... can I at least continue courting you?" he ask and I nod, 

"Of course Sam, in that part, it will be your decision, it's upon you." I said and he smiled at me, a very beautiful smile. 

As days pass by, Sam would always be here. He always hang out with us, he even tried sewing with me, he brought a lot of cloth and threads when I have a lot in my room. He would accidentally hurt himself so I make him stop what he's doing and just make him watch me work. He is even with us when mom and tito Thiago got home from Taiwan. And mom was beyond happy when she found out that me and Sam are getting a long. I may don't like the idea that they arranged the both of us together, but I think meeting Sam isn't a bad idea. 

Classes returned, mom enrolled me to STEM strand, why? I don't know, but I also don't have any problems with it. Us six are in STEM, me and my friends are classmates which is good. But I know deep inside me, I am not liking STEM. Maybe a reason why mom also enrolled me in this strand is because it is considered as one of the elite strands in Senior High School. 

"Ano plano natin sa birthday mo, Laura?" Gwen ask when we are walking out of the school gates.

"Ikaw Ali? Magsabay nalang kayo ni Laura." Tobi suggested, I remember Laura's birthday is in the 15th of June while Ali is in the 20th. 

"Alam niyo sira kayo, alam niyo naman an busy si Laura." Ali said, 

"Ay oo nga 'no, busy ka nga pala sa buhay model, bestie. Sige enjoy mo nalang." Gwen said as we reached the gates. We parted ways since we have our own route and Ali's father is here to pick her up. 

Our driver is also here so I step inside the van where Theo already sat. 

"How's school?" I ask, he look up and smiled, but my smiled dropped when I saw a bruise on my brother's lips. 

"Theo, what happened?!"