Chapter 9: Viral Video

[Lexxeignne]

As soon as I entered the school, I overheard some students talking about me in every corner of the school. Everyone is talking about what happened last night in the shoe shop.

The girls greeted me happily.

"Oh. Lexxy baby! Do you already know the news?" I nodded.

"Oh, my! You're viral now on social media!" Mara said.

"It's just a matter of that woman being criticized online! That's what a stupid person like her deserves! Alas! I won't go to that shop either, I don’t want to see that woman!" Andrea said.

I just kept quiet. Somehow, I felt bad for the woman.

"Hmph! I wish you brought me last night with you so that I can embarrass that stupid girl! Just because your appearance looks simple doesn’t mean you can't afford those shoes? It's unbelievable!" Sam blurted out and looked really pissed.

"And did you know? The post of a saleslady in the shop where you bought the shoes is also viral! It says there, 'How lucky I am to accommodate such a kind customer. She even bought the new stocks from Paris. Those shoes cost an arm and leg. She bought 6 in total! Thanks, ma'am beautiful for buying in our shop! We will be glad to assist you again. Because of you, we accommodate a lot of customers today. And my boss complimented me for the job well done! Thank you so much, Ms. Beautiful!' It has a lot of likes and comments. You are really awesome, Lexxy baby!" Camila said. I smiled at what I found out. So I didn’t just help the shop but also the girl.

Alliyah also sends me a message saying thank you.

I was quiet all day, and they noticed that. But didn’t nag me about it. I’m still thinking about accidentally colliding with mommy at the mall. The pain came back again. Maybe I'm not totally okay yet. I am still bound by the past. Whatever I do to avoid it still haunts me like a plague.

First, I saw Sister Georgina. She was the one I saw before being bullied by the b*tches. Next, Ayenn and Zenno. And last night, I met Mommy. Who's next? Is it daddy? I don’t know what to do if I saw daddy again because he hurt me the most.

As I was driving home, my past occupied my thoughts. I messed up my hair frustratingly. I stopped the car on the side of the road and leaned my head on the steering wheel. And I banged my head on the steering wheel multiple times.

Damn, this is driving me nuts!

When I raised my head, I frowned at the sight ahead on the dark side of the small road. There seemed to be a commotion, but I saw a girl suddenly run and being chased out by a group of men.

I counted five men chasing the girl. The girl was cornered and struggled by their grip. I quickly got out of the car to help her.

"Hey! Let her go!" The ugly men turned to me and smirked.

"Look, we got a jackpot tonight. Sh*t, the girl is beautiful and has smooth skin." They approached me and I motioned for the girl to run. She hesitantly followed my signal.

These men are drunk while looking at me with lusty eyes. Tsk. They are nothing but weaklings for me. I punched them one by one and they stumbled to the ground. With all the troubles I have in my mind, I can only get it out by fighting.

I planned to do it at the gym at home, but this is a given chance. Given my foul mood these days, I poured it all into my strength. I pounce at them like they are a punching bag. They can't even get close to me. I immediately put them to sleep, lest I will regret killing them.

F*ck! I promise myself not to resort to violence, but here I am doing it again. Sigh…

The men were all lying unconscious on the ground, all bloody. Tsk. I turned to look at the girl on the side of the road while crying with fear. I approached the girl and there I saw her familiar face.

"Yas?" I gasped in surprise. She looked at me with expectant eyes.

"Lex? Lex, is that really you? Huhuhu. Thank you for saving me. I thought I was at my wit's end. Huhuhu," she said, and I hugged her.

I pulled away and looked at her ruined clothes. I supported her upright, and we walked to my car. Then I gave her the spare clothes I always carried with me in case of an emergency.

I dialed the emergency hotline and explained the details. To get away from trouble, I just said that I saw five men lying unconscious on the ground, all bloody. Sigh…

"How did you end up in this place?" I asked her as I started the ignition.

“I came here to look for a job. I left that place, Lex, to venture somewhere else because I don't want to fight anymore. My parents approve of my decision because of my persuasion. So I ended up here, but someone stole my bag with my money at the bus terminal. Since yesterday, I have been wandering on the road, clueless about where to go. I'm very hungry and I don't have the strength to fight those rapists." She explained. I felt sorry for her.

"Don't worry, Yas. It’s my turn to help you. When I didn't have a place to stay before, you welcomed me wholeheartedly. You know, I had the same experience when I first came here. I was also walking on the road with a grumbling stomach and almost died, but a beautiful woman helped me…” I told her with a smile.

"Really? Like what happened to me today? A beautiful girl also saved me. You look like an angel who fell from heaven." She said with a smile.

When we arrived at the mansion, Mr. Delfin saw my car and quickly opened the gate. I saw Yas staring out the window with her mouth hung in awe. I parked the car in the garage.

Yas was still in awe, and I giggled. I got out and then opened the passenger door. "We’re here, Yas."

"Is this your house?" she asked in a daze. I nodded with a smile.

"Let's go in." She steps out.

"Your house is huge! Wow!" I laughed at her reaction.

"Mother Fe! Mother Fe?" I called.

"Yes, hija?" she suddenly shows up from the kitchen.

"Mother Fe, is there any food left?" I asked.

"Yes, you arrived just in time because I just finished cooking dinner. Who's with you, hija?"

"She's Yasmin, Mother Fe. She’s my friend. From now on, she will live here with us." I said, smiling.

"I'm going to live here, Lex?" her eyes widened. I nodded. She hugged me with glee. And thanked me again.

"Come on. Aren't you hungry already?" I said, and she nodded. We went to the kitchen. Mother Fe seems happy to have her with us.

"Just feel at home here, Yas. Don't be shy about approaching Mother Fe if you need anything. I have some clothes that aren't used. I'll send them to your room later." I said.

"Thank you, Lex." She smiled sincerely.

"All right. I'll go to my bedroom first. I felt very uncomfortable. You can take a shower, too. Mother Fe, please help Yas settle in." Mother Fe nodded.

I went upstairs and took a shower. After I finished and all, I picked up the clothes I hadn’t worn yet and brought them to Yasmin's room beside me. I smiled, then walked downstairs.

I overheard Mother Fe and Yas talking in the kitchen. Mother Fe was washing the dishes while Yas was sitting in the chair.

"You know, Lex is really a kind child. Even though we are not related to each other, she still treats me like her mother. And I love that child very much. I treat her like my child, too. I don't have a child so I considered her my only child. Hehe," I smiled at what Mother Fe said.

"Yes. She is really kind. She has helped me several times and saved my life from troubles every time. Since meeting her, she has been my inspiration. It really saddened me when she had to leave. But I am happy now because we met again. She's like my sister too. I didn't have any siblings. I felt like I had a sister through her. I was really happy back then. Because finally, I have someone to talk to besides my parents. Hehe," Yas said. Mother Fe laughed.

Yas words reached me. All along, she considered me a sister. I smile because I remember the time she cared for me like her own sister. Honestly, with her, I felt the care of an older sister. So I’m glad I met her back then.

"Do you want me to be your sister, Yas?" It surprised them when I spoke and smiled when they saw me.

"Of course, Lex. I've always wanted to have a sister. Hehe," she said, making me smile.

"Ok. From now on, you're my older sister! Sister Yas! Hehe," she smiled broadly.

"Really? Thanks, younger sister!" My smile slowly faded when I remembered the only person who called me a younger sister. It’s Eldest Brother Van. I miss my brother.

"Is there a problem? Are you uncomfortable being called a younger sister?" I shook my head and smiled.

"Of course, I want to. I just remember my late brother. It's been a long time since someone called me younger sister." I said.

"Don't be sad, younger sister. Wherever your older brother is now, I'm sure he's happy. He's happy with what you've achieved." I smiled.

"I already prepared your clothes in your room, Sister Yas. Take a bath now because you stink." she pouted. Mother Fe and I laughed at her.

"All right, I'll take a bath. I really stink. Hahaha,"

"Come, sister, I'll show you your room."

"It's really nice someone calling me sister..." We smiled at each other.

"And it's also nice to have someone I called a sister, and a sister calling me her younger sister." I was about to hug her when she stopped me.

"Hep, Hep. Keep your distance. I haven't had a bath yet, remember?"

“Aye!” We burst into laughter.

We walked into her room, and I pushed her into the bathroom. When I left alone, I went to my room and brought other clothes I had taken from my walk-in closet to her room. I arranged the clothes in her closet. It's just a little because I'll just buy her some clothes tomorrow. After a while, she finished taking a bath, and I gave her the clothes I had prepared.

"Thank you, younger sister. Don't worry, I'll look for a job so I can help with the expenses." I approached her.

"Sister Yas, I didn't let you live here to charge you. You are my sister now, aren't you? So from now on, consider this your own house."

"Eh, I have nothing to do here. I will only get bored, younger sister. You know me. I can’t stay at home all the time without doing anything." I laughed. Of course. How can I forget? She was always away looking for different jobs.

I gave it a thought, and an idea popped up in my head.

"Why don't you go to school, Sister Yas?" I turned to her and her eyes widened.

"Really?! I can go to school? That's a good idea, younger sister!" she says with excitement. She sat down next to me when she finished getting dressed.

"Did you graduate from high school?" she nodded.

"It's just been 2 weeks since the class started. You can still catch up. I'll take care of it! What course do you want to take?"

"Really?! Hmm. I want to be an engineer one day. When I was little, that was always my dream.” She said,

"Ok! Don't worry! It's easy! My attorney will take care of your papers."

"I want us to be in the same school."

"Of course. I'll tell my attorney that."

"Sister, can I sleep here in your room like before? Hehe," she chuckled.

"Of course, younger sister. I miss our sleepover!"

After catching up, we slept soundly. For the first time in a while, I smiled as I fell asleep.

~~~

[Yasmin]

"Sister Yas, I’m going to school now. You won't be bored here. You can go to the music room, the gym, the library, or you can swim in the swimming pool. Suit yourself! Hehe," Lex said, and I smiled. I was really lucky to meet her.

"Don't worry about me, younger sister. Mother Fe is here. Be careful at school, okay? Don't fight with others." I said.

"Yes, Sister. I’ll go now. Bye-bye!" She walked towards her car and got in. And I happily watched her car drive out of the house.

I saw mother Fe watering the plants.

"I'll help you, mother Fe!" I took a hose and watered the other plants.

"Slow down. Careful not to get wet!" Mother Fe shouted. I laughed.

"Aye!" I saluted, which made her laugh.

I sang a song while watering. Afterward, I cleaned the pool. There are some leaves floating in the water.

"Yas! Hija! Can you come inside?" I heard mother Fe yell.

"What is it?" I wondered and walked inside the mansion.

"Lex is on the phone, looking for you."

"Why?"

"I don’t know." She shrugged her shoulders. I took the telephone in her hand and answered the call.

"Hello, younger sister! What’s up?"

"Hello, sister! I have good news for you!"

Good news?

"Yeah? What is it?"

"You're already enrolled in university! And all you have to do is take the entrance exam this afternoon!"

"Really?! Oh my! I'm so excited, younger sister!" I beamed. A piece of good news indeed.

"All right, sister. I have to go. Our break is only 15 minutes. I only call to let you know. I'll get home at lunch, so get ready. See you later. Bye-bye." she immediately hangs up the call.

I chuckled. When I look at the clock, it's already half-past ten.

I have to get ready.

~~~

[Lexxeignne]

"Who did you call, Lexxy baby?" Sam asked.

"Ah, my sister."

"Your sister? Why didn't we see her at your house?" Mara said, eyebrows furrowed together.

"It’s a long story." They nodded and didn’t ask further. Since the break was over, we walked to our classroom.

The class is so boring. I rummaged through my bag and took out the book I hadn't finished reading yet.

Hours passed by until the bell rang. It's time for the lunch break. I quickly stood up.

"Girls, I can't join you for lunch today. I'll pick up my sister at home because she's taking the entrance exam today. Bye-bye!” I said and kissed them on the cheeks one by one. Then I left in a hurry. Without getting their response.

I heard them rambling something. But I just waved my hand at them and ran to the parking lot.

---

When I got home, Sister Yas was already ready. We had lunch first before leaving the house for school. I parked the car in the college department and I accompanied Sister Yas inside.

The college students looked at us. Maybe they’re wondering what I’m doing here. We arrived at the registrar's office immediately and got in. The registrar's office said that my sister might take a long time to take the exam, so I'll just have to come back later to pick her up.

“Break a leg, Sister Yas!”

“Haha, thanks!”

I bid goodbye to her and walked towards the high school department. Exactly when I arrived, our teacher also arrived. I greeted the girls with a smile.

All afternoon, I was just reading my unfinished book. I didn’t pay much attention to the teacher's discussion because I already studied the lessons.

When the bell rang, I bid goodbye to the girls and quickly went to the college department. Sister Yas must be waiting for me.

I stopped walking when I bumped into Sister Georgina. I was about to pass by her when she grabbed my arm. We looked at each other.

"Lex, can we talk?" she said.

"Younger Sister!" I looked ahead and saw Yas waving at me. I smiled and removed Georgina’s grip on me. Then I walked towards Yas.

"Sister! Did I keep you waiting for long?" I greeted her and gave her a quick hug.

"It's alright, younger sister! Oh, is that Georgina? Do you know each other?" she said and walked to Georgina.

"Hi, Georgina!" Yas greeted Georgina. Sister Georgina just smiled. She kept looking at me with a sad expression.

"I… I have to go, Yasmin. Nice meeting you again." Georgina said and walked towards the parking lot.

"Let’s go, Sister Yas," I said, and we walked towards the parking lot.

"How is the exam?" I asked.

"It’s fine… I guess? It's a bit difficult but I think I do well! Hehe," she scratches her nape. I laughed at her.

"I'm sure you will do well!" I exclaimed.

"Hope so! Hehe,"

We arrive in the parking lot and get inside my car. Then I drove away from school to the mall.

Sister Yas' eyes widened when we arrived at the mall. "Woah! Why didn’t you say earlier that we’re going here? Oh, my! It’s my first time here!" Yas beamed a smile and got out of the car excitedly, which made me chuckle.

She’s like a little child while looking around the mall. I bought her new clothes, shoes and other necessities. I also bought her a cellular phone.

So far, I enjoy shopping with Yas.