Chapter 4. New Home

* Barbie *

"Welcome back Rafael!"

The voice of the old man echoes around the place as my brother came down from the black Pajero and meets him. I notice the four expensive vehicles in the parking and our ride is the fifth. Mama Irma came down and then I followed. I saw my brother hugging the old man before he turns to the young girl grinning at him and then they all look at me.

"Barbie? Is this your sister Rafael?"

I smiled when the old man mentioned my name. His greyish hair tells me that he is a lot older than Mama Irma. She must be younger than him by a decade or more. Rafael pulled me lightly on my arm.

"Come Barb, meet Papa Enrique and Erich. Everyone this is Barbie Anderson, my sister!"

Just like Rafael told me to do before our journey, I walk towards them and then took the right hand of Don Enrique then I bow my head a little lower and I place the back of his hand on my forehead. "Nice meeting you Mr. Dela Vega."

His eyes smiled when he looks at me, his visuals are more vivid up close and I could tell his Spanish blood based on how he looked. "Welcome to the Villa Barbie please Mi casa e su casa. Make yourself at home my child, since this day forward you are officially a part of our family."

His warm words are soothing, I can see the strict aura however I know that the old man has a soft heart or Mama Irma would not be this happy and proud while looking at him and staying by his side.

"Thank you, Sir! You have a beautiful home."

"Call me Papa Enrique, please. And thank you, this is an old house that I inherited from my Spanish grandfather. It is old but filled with so many memories that I am so proud to have."

It was a sudden request, calling him Papa, that made me a little surprised. Unlike my brother, I am not related to this family by blood. The only family I have left is Rafael since my mother totally forgot about me.

I gulp down a lump in my throat as I look at everyone waiting for my answer. Rafael nodded when our eyes meet. I guess I will be calling this rich old man as Papa.

"Then Papa Enrique it is!"

The old man laughs happily, it made him look a little younger. Then the teenage girl moves forward and opens her arms for me. "Welcome to our home Barbie, I am Erich and I bet we are of the same age if you are about to go college this year."

"Hello Erich, yes I am!"

I accepted her warm embrace, a little bit surprised that we are of the same age. I thought she look younger than me. They are a picture of a perfect happy family Don Enrique, Mama Irma, Tom, and Erich. One can quickly tell the similarities in their appearance, however, my brother Rafael looks more like a Westerner the same as me. I wonder if he feels different every time he comes here and eats with them.

Tom's gaze is on me as we proceeded inside the huge villa. I can feel his heated stare which makes me feel nervous and excited at the same time.

"Let's all head to the dining hall and let Barbie have a taste of our local dishes. Rafael is also hungry I can tell that the food outside the country is not to his liking."

Rafael chuckled and put his right arm on Mama Irma's shoulder. He might have lost a little weighed but I did not notice. It is about thirty minutes past eleven in the morning, I think it's not bad for an early lunch.

"You are so tall and very slim Barbie! And you're face is so pretty. No wonder your Dad gave you the name, it suits you well!"

Erich exclaimed as she sat on the opposite side of me at the long wooden dining table with twelve seats. Beside her is Tom and then Mama Irma while Don Enrique is at the center. On his left is my brother Rafael and then me. Tom who is directly facing me elbows her softly.

"Erich! You and your big mouth."

They all look at me worriedly, they know how I still feel devastated from the loss of my father. They must be worried that mentioning him would make me upset.

"It's alright, thank you for the compliments, Erich. And you are so pretty too."

Tom looks at me with a shadow of concern in his eyes and I could not help but notice how dark his lashes are and how attractive they seem to be at a very close range. Some women would envy her lashes maybe because it is how exactly I am feeling right now.

"Oh! That is enough talking girls, here comes our food. Come, Laura, please hand a spoon full of every dish on Barbie's plate before you put it at the center."

The uniformed made who came in from the wide open door of the kitchen brought with her a big plate of steaming chicken in slices. It has a dark brown color and it smells great. "Take from the local dish could adobo Barb."

My brother mentioned as the old woman smiled and put one chicken thigh on my plate. Everyone stop talking as they waited for me to take a bite. I hold the small knife and fork then cut a little from the chicken thigh, the smell of garlic and onion had my stomach growl. I took one bite and liked it, I made a thumbs up for everyone to smile.

"We're glad you like it Barb, you can taste the pancit next and then the vegetables mixed called chop suey. All are your brother's favorites."

"Oh, I know chop suey, Mama Irma! Rafael cooked it once in Texas and I love it so much especially with the vegetables not overcooked."

Rafael smiled and nodded, Mama Irma laughed heartedly.

"Great! Then let us all start eating!"

There is also a chicken soup which everyone started eating first and I thought it was alright, I love the smell of lemon grass on it. It looks very simple but tastes good. I don't know the other ingredients used and mostly I only listen to Mama Irma who is busy talking.

Everybody seemed to enjoy the food, especially my brother Rafael who eats with so much gusto. I liked all the food being served and I feel special that they are concerned about me all the time. I wonder if I only get this attention because I am new or if this is really how they treat a new member of the family. The furniture in the dining hall looked antique and the utensils are made of silver. This could only mean that Don Enrique is a wealthy man and so is his family.

"Glad you enjoy your food Barbie, it looks like you need to gain some weight."

The deep voice of Tom almost startles me as I put a spoon full of pork menudo in my mouth. Mama Irma smiled proudly as I chew the food in my mouth and swallow first before I answer him.

"It is delicious! I have no reason not to enjoy every bite. You are right, I guess I would gain weight if I am always eating like this."

His eyes stayed on my face for a few seconds before he looks at his plate to continue eating. Mama Irma is happy that I have enjoyed the food, I could tell by the look in her eyes. I look around and thought about touring the whole mansion soon. I am curious about the rooms upstairs and where they would place me. I hope next to Erich so that it won't be so awkward as she seems nice to me, actually everybody is.

"It will not harm your figure to putta little bit of fat Barb."

Erich commented as she looks at me. She isn't the chubby type, in fact, I admire her small size and cute height. Tom's eyes again fall on me but I pretend like I didn't notice otherwise. It took almost an hour when we finish our food and I could say that it was one of the best meals in my life.