Mariely was in her room when someone knocked on her door. She got up and opened it.
"Oh, brother, why?" she asked right away.
"Nothing, Mom just wants to talk to you," Nathan replied casually.
"Okay," she nodded.
"El," her brother called again in a calm voice.
"Yes?" she responded as she followed him toward the living room where their mother was waiting.
"Don't pressure yourself too much, okay? We're not asking you to be a topnotcher in the board exams. All we want is for you to do your best," Nathan reminded her seriously.
She smiled softly. "Yes, I'll do my best."
"And also, sis, if you don't pass, don't get too down, alright?" He added, playfully messing up her hair.
"I'll try not to get depressed," Mariely said with a small laugh.
"Most important of all—time management, okay?" he added firmly, just like he always did.
She gave him a quick salute. "Yes, sir!"
"Mom," he called out as they entered the living room.
"Oh, how were your first two days of teaching?" their mother asked, hugging Mariely tightly.
"It's okay, Mom. It's tiring, but I just need to keep going," she answered with a cheerful tone.
Her mother nodded. "Your first review session is this Saturday, Mariely. Are you ready?"
She nodded confidently. "I can handle it."
"Don't let the pressure get to you, okay? Just relax."
"Yes, Mom. Brother already gave me the same sermon," she replied with a giggle.
"Is that so? It's just a reminder—you know we're always here for you, right?"
"Of course, I know that already, Mom," Mariely smiled.
"You're slowly reaching your dreams, El," her dad chimed in. "But I'm just a bit worried you might end up an old maid."
Mariely laughed at her father's teasing.
"Dad, I'd rather she become an old maid than get married at all," Nathan replied, crossing his arms.
"Nathan, let your sister live her life. Since high school until now, no one's dared to court El because they're scared of you. Let someone else take care of her too," their mom scolded.
"Mom, I'm not just going to hand her over to anyone," Nathan replied with all seriousness.
"Brother," Mariely tried to hold in her laughter. "Don't worry. No one's courting me. Besides, I'm not even the type who gets courted. I'm not that pretty."
Nathan lightly smacked her head. "Who said you're not beautiful? Only the blind would think that."
"Wow, such a supportive brother," she said as she gave him a hug.
"Brother, don't change, okay? Even if you're getting married, I'll still be your little sister, right?"
"You'll always be my little sister," Nathan said, hugging her back and planting a kiss on her head. "That's why I won't let anyone hurt you. They have no idea how much I loved and cared for you. May God forgive me if anyone ever dares to hurt you." His embrace grew tighter with his words.
She simply let him hold her. Soon, he'd be starting his own family, and moments like this would be rare.
"Brother, you really are the best," Mariely said softly.
"I know that, sis." He pinched her cheek.
"Even if I have my own family, I'll always be here for you. You're always welcome in our house—and you'll help take care of your future nieces and nephews."
She laughed. "Wow, brother, are you planning to make me their nanny already?"
Nathan grinned. "Let's eat. The wedding's still six months away; no need to act like it's tomorrow."
They both laughed and headed to the dining table.
****
"Mom," he greeted, seeing his mother busy at work in the study.
"You're home? I thought you were heading to Clover's bar?" she asked, surprised.
"Nah. I'm getting tired of the same old drinks and random flings," he replied.
"Where's Dad?" he asked as he settled down.
"Out of town for a business trip," Becca answered while typing away.
"How long will he be gone?"
"Three days, I think."
"Oh," he replied with a nod.
"Zean, don't come by the office anymore," Becca suddenly said.
"Why?" he asked, though he already had a guess.
"I know why you show up there—it's not for work. You're just hunting for a new woman to entertain yourself."
"Wow, Mom. I don't do that—they're just the ones who happen to like me," he shrugged.
Becca raised a brow. "Get your act together, Zean. You've broken more hearts than I can count."
"Come on, you're the only woman I love," he teased.
"You're joking, right?" she said, rolling her eyes.
"By the way, Mom, do you still remember a classmate named Celestial?"
"Yes. He was your classmate in high school, right? Had a younger sister who was super protective of him. He's a successful architect now."
"Yup. I saw Nathan again, and as expected, he still hates me," he chuckled.
"He hates you because you've always had clashing personalities."
"Well, guess what—he's the older brother of the new teacher you hired yesterday."
Becca blinked. "Really? Is that Faith Mariely?"
"Is that her name?" he asked back.
Becca reached for some documents, flipping through them.
"Yes. That's her. Now that I look closely, they do look alike."
He leaned in to get a look at her photo.
"I can't believe she's Nathan's sister. She's not as good-looking as her brother, Mom. Her brother Nathan is oozing with sex appeal," he laughed.
"Mariely may not be flashy, but she's naturally beautiful. She has a kind of quiet grace," Becca said.
"Natural beauty, huh?" he murmured. "I'm heading to my room."
Becca nodded. Zean changed his clothes and lay on his bed.
Faith Mariely, he repeated in his mind, smirking.
He remembered her clearly—Nathan's little sister who once waited outside their high school. He was a senior then; she was just in her second year. Nathan had let her in while finishing something, and Zean remembered teasing her mercilessly.
"You've got a bad attitude. You're arrogant," she once told him. She had teary eyes then, calling him condescending.
He used to tease her by calling her a crybaby. She was always stuck to her brother, Nathan. Some even mistook them for a couple.
But Nathan had a girlfriend back then—Nadia, who just laughed off those assumptions. She knew Mariely was his sister. Now Nathan and Nadia were getting married.
Tsk. They really are meant for each other. That was all Zean could say.
When will I get married? He chuckled to himself. Not now. It's too hard to trust women these days.
With that, he sighed and let himself fall into sleep.