I quietly put down my large notebook as I held onto the large rock and finally looked for a place to sit. The day was perfect. The sun wasn't harsh on the skin and the air was fresh. I deliberately hung out by the sea to think of the words that would finish my song.
I closed my eyes and listened to myself. Daddy and I used to hang out here often back then. When my siblings come home, we also bathe and bond here. We had a picnic, right before their vacation ended and returned to Canada.
I was nine years old when I decided to stay here with Dad. My family migrated abroad and Dad stayed here with me because of his work. I want to be a famous performer and songwriter. Completely different from what my siblings and family want. My parents were both lawyers. Dad dedicated his life to the laws and justice for the people. And Mommy, she's also a lawyer and started a business abroad. Our eldest child is a petroleum engineer. The second one is currently in law school, and the next one took up economics. They all studied and lived abroad.
But I'm in love with music. They won't object to that. In fact, my brother bought me a guitar from Paris. And Mommy, she always sends me money for my music class and even enrolled me in the best music school to nurture my talent and help me love my passion more. I'm fortunate enough to have my support system despite choosing a different path.
I stretched my arms to compose myself. I saw the gate of our house in the distance as I turned to the other end and saw a white mansion. It was owned by the Valdemores, a mansion built by their ancestors.
Eyes lifted to the sky
I prayed that I would never let you go.
How many times have I failed and tried?
You're the only one I'll go back to.
That's the first stanza I wrote. I bit my pen and thought about what to add. I really regretted being tempted to go down because of the water... to splash around. I couldn't hold back anymore and I stood up. I set aside my belongings before slowly descending between the rocks.
"Oh, damn it," I cursed because I almost tripped.
I pulled up my jogging pants so they wouldn't get wet. My feet sank into the wet sand, so I got a little distracted. I soaked for a few minutes before noticing something. The wind blew coldly. I fixed my hair before stopping and thinking.
When I was young, my older brother always told stories me about a shokoy in the sea. He said there were creatures under the sea who were interested in people. I immediately felt a slight chill on the back of my neck.
The water moved not far from where I was standing. I don't believe in such myths and legends... but if creatures shows their form to me just to make me believe that thay exists, I'll just lie and say I believe in unseen creatures! It was cumulus, so I was even more scared. I almost punched someone to death when someone came up!
"S-Shokoy!"
I lost my balance and completely fell into the water. I made a big splash, which is why the water splashed harshly.I closed my eyes and cursed.
What the hell!
I opened my eyes and realized who it was. He finally came up and looked at me. Surprise was evident on his face. His thick brows furrowed as he tried to fix his wet hair. Isko fixed his hair as he walked toward me. He looked at me coldly as he wrung the end of his shirt.
"Are you okay?" he asked. The water moved because of his flexes.
I sighed.
"Yes! I was just surprised. I didn't notice you swimming!
"I've been there for a while," I pulled myself together before he could get any closer to me.
"I've been underwater for a while now. Don't tell me... you believe what others say about deep creatures. You think I'm a shokoy?" He smirked.
He's trying to tease me, huh?
If I didn't know him, I'd be annoyed by the twitch of his lip, but because he's Isko, the eldest child of the Valdemores, I'll just ignore it.
"I was really surprised," I said to defend myself.
He nodded and finally said goodbye to me. He immediately passed me. He's back already? So, his family is finally back home?
I looked at him again. I saw him grab his towel hanging on the big rock. He wiped his black curly hair to dry it. His hair texture is a bit thick compared to his siblings'. He's tall too, just like Mr. Valdemore was a famous model in her time. He's also dark-skinned. Many people said she inherited her Latina mother's beauty.
In terms of style, he usually likes street styles and sometimes... he's a shaggy person. He has a certain charisma... even though he's not in his best-looking era, it still suits him.
I used to see him at church, but he didn't even bother to dress up. Just a simple black shirt and faded pants with white shoes, that's always his outfit. If not a black shirt, a checkered polo with the same color. His dad even scolds him because he has a nose ring! He's too wild to attract any attention. He's not like his siblings, who are very formal in their posture and clothing.
Isko waved his hand to say goodbye. I pouted and realized maybe that's just how he really is. Annoying.
And because I was afraid of getting the flu, I quickly grabbed my things and ran home.
"What happened?" Dad asked me.
I smiled. "I'lll get dressed first, Dad! Are you leaving?
"Yes. I have a hearing today." He gets his briefcase and signals to his driver. "How many times do I need to tell you about-"
"Gotta change now, Dad! I'll remember you! Love you!"
"Rene," he called me, but I ran to my room. That's why I don't want my dad to catch me sometimes, because he'll just lecture me again.
I immediately took off my clothes and went straight to the bathroom. I didn't know how many hours I take. I enjoyed soaking so much that I didn't realize how much time had passed.
After taking my bath, I got ready right away. I went downstairs carrying my iPad and guitar to eat and get back to the song I had started.
I saw some frozen strawberries in the fridge, so I just ate those because I was tired of the pasta my dad cooks before he goes to work.
I plucked the string to play my tune. I just can't focus because I'm not in the mood. In the end, I just gave up and ate my food with more gusto.
After I ate, I immediately went to the terrace to get some fresh air. I can hear the waves crashing, so I just stare blankly at the sea instead of continuing the song.
I have so many distractions.
"Rene!"
I lowered my guitar and saw Charlotte, my brother's childhood friend. We're not that close, but we talk because of my older brother. She was still in her jogging attire and sweating profusely as she climbed up to get closer to me.
"Charlotte?"
She raised her hand for a while. "Hoooh! I'm glad you're here," she said and took a deep breath.
"Why?"
"Can you do me a favor? Uhm, this coming Saturday, maybe you could sing at my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. "Eh, Rainier said I should go see you because you're a singer."
I pouted. "What song?"
"Hmm... Anything romantic," she whispered. "The kind of song that makes you feel how wonderful it is to love," she added. Of course, we both laughed.
"Okay... I'll go."
"Really?! Thank you! She even hugged me. Just us, okay? Any blue dress will do."
"Okay."
Charlotte said goodbye to continue her jogging. I repositioned my guitar and tried to get myself going again. Three more stanzas to go, and my piece will be finished. I just realized I don't have a blue dress in my closet, so I decided to look for dresses online.
This doesn't suit me.
I canceled my cart and turned off the data. There are no decent clothes online, so I thought I'd just go to the mall to buy and choose. I quickly got dressed and grabbed my phone. I went to Daddy's room to pick up the car key I would be using.
I ran to the garage and immediately got into the car. The gate opened, so I drove straight through. After a few more turns, I passed the Valdemore mansion. Their long gate caged the path to their white mansion. There's still a guard house near their gate. The road was a bit rough, so I slowed down a bit.
I saw someone familiar with his Land Cruiser. I couldn't help but look back when he stopped at the side. I was curious... not until I saw him... kissing a girl. And I knew in my heart that it wasn't just a kiss. My eyes widened because they were kissing on the side of the road!
I just saw him swimming in the sea a while ago! And now... he's kissing a girl?! Who could that be? Isn't he afraid to do that near their mansion? Aren't they afraid someone will see them?
I immediately looked straight ahead. I wasn't surprised again why so many people say he's completely different from her siblings. That's him.
So the rumor is really true. Ismael Cody Valdemore is an asshole. A shaggy asshole.