Meeting The Avelino's Family

After a long drive back home, Natalie locked herself in her room in shame. The whole incident came like a quick blow to her.

That event, including when Nicole put herself in danger just to save Natalie, keep bluffing Natalie herself. Everything happens so fast, her mind keep swindling around her past.

Her heart almost explode when she remembered the warm welcome she offered Nicole. Tears flow down to her cheek as she moans in pain. "How could I be so cruel? Why did you offer to help me when I treated you so badly? Oh Natalie, what have you?"

Natalie remain locked in her room as she keep battling with her emotions.

While Troy lean on his bed gazing deeply at the rooftop. He was lost in deep thought after a shocking terrifying incident took place without his knowledge.

Then, there's Nicole. He bump into her two times in one day and she came out of nowhere and save his sister from a strange rapist.

A kind of warmth surge around his heart. He keeps thinking about Nicole and couldn't get her off his mind. For the first time ever since his mum died, he felt an unusual closure and peace, and all this started when he met Nicole.

Troy was stunned. He grab his chest and rub it softly, he spoke in a low tone, "Who are you Nicole? Why am I affected by your existence?"

He is a guy who have great hatred for women and ladies. He have shut himself from the world and also from himself. All of a sudden, someone just bust out of nowhere and unlock the door without knowing it. How is it even possible?

He fall back on his bed and cover his face with blanket. Troy tried to get her off his mind but he couldn't. Troy got frustrated. He suddenly lashed out, "Geezzz! What's wrong with me, what wrong with you Troy? C'mon, get your act together. Pull yourself in one piece, she is nothing. She have no effect to you, so stop thinking about her."

He took a deep breath and exhaled. He inhaled and exhaled, then he maintain a calm composure for awhile. Surprisingly, her beautiful puppy face gleam brightly in his head. Troy couldn't take it anymore, he push the blanket away and growls loudly, "Arghhh!!!"

*****

Meanwhile, Nicole has been so admirably happy. She feel so eager to share her first day experience in a such a big school with her new parents. She waited for them at the sitting room while watching a new soap opera.

An hour later, the door widen open, Mr/Mrs Reyes step in.

Nicole giggles cutely, "Good evening mom, dad," She stood up from her seat and hug them.

George gasps when Nicole hugged him, he glance at Vida and smiles happily. Vida chuckles cutely as she shook her head.

"How was... School today," George said with his heart racing fast, he almost swallow his words.

Nicole face brighten up as her dimples slowly emerge.

Vida was amazed. She chuckles, "With these reaction of yours, I guess things went so smooth in school."

Nicole laugh out loud, she could no longer suppress it anymore, "It went very well. Though, it started very bad but I manage to conquer it in the end."

"Really? Did you befriend Natalie as we discuss earlier?"

"Uhmm yea. It was looking very impossible at first, but I was able to conquer it. I can't really say Natalie and I are friends but I can say that we will be in a matter of time. Who knows tomorrow?" she scoffed.

Vida pats her on the hair softly. "Good job?" She wink her brow as she stared at George.

Nicole look at the clock and realize it was too early. She furrowed her brow, "Why are you home this early?"

They glance at each other then stare at Nicole, "Well Nicole today we will be visiting the Avelino's family, so go to room and get dress. They are expecting us by 7pm," Vida explained shortly.

She gave them a feverish smile, "Wow I didn't expect it this quick."

George gaze at Nicole, "My wife and I are close friends with Richard and so are you. They invited us for dinner, so we have to be there."

"Ohhh... I'll go to my room and change," Nicole said in a cool voice.

"Okay we'll be waiting," Vida smirked as she sat at the couch.

Nicole didn't know how to react to the news, she gradually went upstairs.

------

Richard and Tessa arrived to Villa later that evening. Miss Roces approach them nice gesture, "Good evening Sir, ma'am," she took their bags and slowly took off their shoe.

"Thank you," Tessa said in a calm voice.

Richard glance around very awkward. He yelled out, "I'm home!!" His voice echoes vibrantly, yet there was no sign of anyone.

Richard gaze at Roces in an unusual way, "Roces, are the kids back?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Where are they? Where is Natalie, though Troy might not want to come but it's nothing like Natalie. Is everything alright?" He was curious.

"I don't really know Sir, Natalie and Troy are in their room. I can't say about Troy, but I think ma'am Natalie is in a bad mood or something I don't know," Roces said.

Richard knit his brow, "I don't understand, Roces. What do you mean?"

"I I don't know, maybe I'm the one just saying things. I'm very sorry Mr Avelino," Roces started trembling as she avoided Richard gaze.

Richard glared at her. He tried to keep his cool, "Roces, I don't want hear any more words from you." He glared at Tessa who gave an instinct of ignorance and less concern. He groans and went to his room.

Tessa sat on the couch helplessly, she was very exhausted. "Lily, please take those things from Roces."

"No don't worry, I'll take them to your room," Roces hesitated.

Lily stood there and stare at Tessa.

Tessa sighed. She rub her forehead feeling so wary. "Ahhh my head hurts. Lily, I want you to prepare a very nice dinner, the Reyes family are coming over tonight and their daughter just came back from the states."

"For real? I didn't Miss Vida have a daughter," Roces blunt out.

Tessa crunch her teeth, "Not like I have seen her daughter before, Vida always bring up the topic about her daughter."

"Uhh ma'am..."

"Roces, gossip may be your middle name but you work for me. If you want to keep your job, do you work and stop looking for a prep talk to make do as a topic to gossip," Tessa bashes at Roces.

Roces frowned, "Madam c'mon that was so harsh."

"Roces?" Tessa glared at her.

Roces groan as she walk out of Vida's sight.

Vida grumble feeling a little annoyed, "Arghh another headache that need a some medication." She lean on the couch then she shut her eyes closed and fall asleep.

Tessa was awoken by Lily's voice. "Ma'am, ma'am, madam?!"

Tessa jump up instantly, "Yes, yes, yes!" Tessa was exhausted, she look so pale. "Madam, you don't have to worry, dinner is ready, I already prepared dinner," Lily assured her.

Tessa nods her head feeling very delighted, "Thank you. I'll go to my room and change."

Lily shook her head with her head shoved down.

Tessa managed to use the last strength and walk to her room.

In a short period of time, the Reyes family arrived. By then, the Avelino's were ready including Natalie and Troy who finally came out and join their parents in the living room.

They step down from the car and went inside together.

"We are here..." Vida utters.

Nicole eyes scan the whole building. She was amused by the beautiful aura from the environment, "Wow... This house is so big and beautiful."

George chuckles and said in a cool manner, "Welcome to the Avelino's Mansion."

Roces welcome them in, "Good evening ma'am, Good evening sir." She greeted them.

"Good evening," George responded.

"Tessa...!"

"Vida..." They perk one another while George and Richard exchanged hand shake.

"Good evening Uncle George and Auntie Vida," Troy and Natalie kiss them at the cheek.

"Good evening my dear. By the way, I want you to meet my daughter, Nicole." George slowly pull Nicole who was standing behind Vida.

Nicole became nervous as she walk close to them, "Good evening Auntie Tessa and good evening uncle Richard."

"Good evening my dear. It is my pleasure to meet you in person, your parents have said a lot about you," Richard pat her at the head.

Troy and Natalie were stunned. Nicole? Again?! Their eyes wide open. Nicole awkwardly curls out a smile, "Hi Natalie. We meet again."

Natalie furrowed her brow while staring at Nicole, she had several questions to asks. Yet she only managed to produce one word, "Hello."

Tessa knit her brow as she gaze deeply at Nicole. She drew closer to Nicole and said, "You look so familiar, have we will meet before?"

Vida and George heart beats very fast, they wee totally clueless.

Nicole smirked, "Uhmm I don't think so, we haven't met before." Nicole tried to dodge the question.

Everyone in the room were confused and lost. All eyes were on both of them.

Tessa thought it was a foul play but her feelings say differently. She shook her head in disapproval, "I disagree, your face look familiar. I have met you from somewhere."

Nicole was flustered. She took a step backward as she tremble in fear.

Tessa successfully capture what she was looking for. "Ahhh, I knew I know you, you're the girl from the grocery shop, I remember you clearly."

Rich, Troy and Natalie were shocked. "Babe, you mean the girl who put herself at risk just to get back your purse?"

Tessa shook her head, "Yes Richard, she is the one. I'm not mistaken, it's she. She is the girl from the grocery store."