CHAPTER 1

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"Saan ka nag-aaral sa America, Jewel?"tanong sa akin ni Natasha. We are here in the dining room and having our dinner. I put my spoon and fork down and grab a tissue and wipe my mouth, before answering her question.

"Bernard University, but the boys and girls have different campuses."ngiting sagot ko.

My uncle Sebastian is currently the one holding the University and is called the dean of the school.

"Ah. So hindi ka makalandi?" I laughed.

"Well, you can still date, but not inside the university," I said and they all nodded.

"May naging boyfriend ka na ba sa America, Jewel?"tanong ni Natasha.

"Yeah, I had one, but he broke my heart. I prefer flings now, but usually, those men disappear in a week."

"Why?"

"I don't know."kibit-balikat kong sabi."My brothers are very protective of me. It's not serious to me, since I prefer fictional man."

"Do you prefer a 'badboy'?"Tumawa ako nang dahil sa sinabi ni Sapphire. Well, yeah, but in fiction. In real life, na-ah!I would die if that happens.

"Gusto kasi niya nang mala-Harry potter na may pagka-Edward Cullen."tawang sabi ni Amber at tinignan ko ito ng masama.

"I was obsessed with fiction, and you can't blame me."I said."Besides, my feelings will not involve reality guys, I would rather stick with fictional guys, 'cause I know that they won't hurt me."

They also told me about themselves and how Amber act inside this house. I also found out that they already have boyfriends, even Amber.

"Really?"My eyes widen.

"Yeah. You didn't know?"Natasha asked, shock visible in her expression.

"No. "I chuckled, while looking at Amber who is avoiding my gaze.

"Hala ang sama mo, Amber. Cousin mo yan."Sapphire nudged Amber and Amber glared at her.

Nang matapos na kami sa pagkain ay pumunta kami sa aming mga kwarto at matulog na. I decided to take a half bath and when I was done, I wore my night pajamas and laid at my bed. I grabbed my laptop and started using my social media.

Napangiti ako nang biglang tumawag si kuya Jackson sa akin at sinagot ko naman ito. When I answered it, his face appeared at the screen.

"Hi baby sis!"ngiting sabi niya.

"Hey, kuya."

"Musta ka?Kailan ka uuwi?"

"I just arrived, kuya."I rolled my eyes. Bakit ba gusto nila umuwi na ako?Noong araw na aalis na ako ay tinanong nila kung tutuloy pa ba ako.

"It amuses me, when you're pissed, baby sis. You look cute," he said and bit his lips and I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks. I don't know if it is a compliment or a f*cking insult."I said with no expression, but he still continued laughing."Stop laughing, a**hole!"inis kong sigaw at napatigil ito nang biglang bumukas ang kanyang pinto.

"Why are you laughing, Jackson?I can hear your laugh around the house."rinig kong sabi ni kuya James.

"Its Jewel."ngiting sabi ni kuya Jk at lumapit naman si kuya James at tinignan ako sa screen.

"Hi Jewel, when are you coming home?"tanong niya at ngumuso ako. Pati ba naman si kuya James.Well, he was the one who started it.

"I just got here, kuya."

"Fine, whatever. Just don't do stupid things."Napatingin ako sa kanya nang hindi makapaniwala nang dahil sa sinabi niya.

"I'm not a rulebreaker, kuya."I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Well, explain when someone annoys you from the core and you decided to put eggs and tissues in her car and it was a whole mess. Luckily, you weren't seen on the CCTV and I and Jackson defended you."Sabi niya at napatampal ako sa aking noo. Well, it's not my fault! She was bullying someone I am friends with!

"She deserves it, Kuya. You know that."I hissed and he rolled his eyes."Where's Jamie?"

"He's asleep." Kuya James answered.

I heard the door opened and I smiled when I saw kuya Jaydee, kuya Jedan, and kuya Jem.

"Who's that?"tanong ni Kuya Jaydee at mas lalong nilapitan ang kanyang mukha sa screen. Still squinting his eyes.

"It's Jewel." Kuya Jackson answered.

"Hey, sis!"bati nang kambal at kumaway. Ngumiti ako at kumaway din.

"Kuya Jaydee," I said and he smiled.

"How are you there?"

"I'm fine."ngiting sabi ko.

"Just making sure that you're fine. You don't want me going there and dragging your ass out back to New York."ngisi niyang sabi at tumawa ako.

"I'm fine, kuya."

"That's my baby sis."sabi niya at nagulat ako nang bigla ito binatukan ni kuya JK.

"She's my baby sis, d*mba**!"inis na sabi ni Kuya JK. Napailing ako at alam ko na ang mangyayari sa mga lalaki kong kapatid. They are gonna fight again of who's the best kuya for Jewelry Grace Bernard Smith.

"Hell, no! She's mine!"

"Baka nakalimutan niyo na kami ang gusto ni Jewel kaysa sayong tatlo?"sabay na sabi nang kambal.

"Huwag kayong piling!"sabay din na sabi ni Kuya Jaydee at Kuya JK kay Kuya Jedan at kuya Jem.

"Stupid, we both know that she's mine." cold na sabi ni kuya James at humalukipkip.

"Choose, Jewel."sabi ni kuya Jackson at napatingin ang lahat sa akin.

"Ewan ko sa inyo," I said and rolled my eyes.

"We're not gonna end the call, if you don't choose-"

"Anong ginagawa niyo diyan?"rinig ko ang boses ni mama.

"Hey, mom."bati nang mga kapatid ko kay mom. Tumingin si mom sa computer at nagulat ito nang makita ako.

"Jewel, ikaw ba iyan?"tanong ni mama at lumapit sa screen. Mahina akong tumawa nang dahil sa inasta ni mama.

"Yes, mom."ngiting sabi ko.

"Okay ka lang ba?Gusto mo na ba umuwi?"tanong niya at tumawa kaming lahat. Why does everyone wants me to go home?

"No, mom. I'm okay."tawa kong sabi.

"Are you sure you're not sweating?Ang init nang Pilipinas at hindi mo ito nasanay dahil malamig dito sa America."alala niyang sabi.

"Mom, I'm okay, and it's not that hot, like I imagine," I said and looked at the air conditioner. Yeah, it was hot when I was at that airport. I can still feel the scorching heat of the sun that penetrated my skin.

"Just making sure you're comfortable, sweetie."ngiting sabi niya."Bakit ba kasi gusto mo umuwi diyan?Eh, ang ayos na nang buhay mo dito sa America."

"I just miss this place."

"Eh, kami?Hindi mo ba kami namiss?"tanong ni Kuya Jedan at hinintay naman nang lahat ang sagot ko.

"Hindi."walang ekspresyon kong sabi at ngumuso naman sila."Just kidding."tawang sabi ko at napabuntong-hininga ang lahat.

"Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog?Gabi na diyan sa Pilipinas, diba?"tanong ni kuya James.

"Yeah, it's already night-time. Maybe, because of jet lag."I said while looking at the window reflecting the dark sky and the full moon. There were even stars that started to show. I feel like I saw Big Dipper.

"Matulog ka na, anak, upang masanay ang katawan mo diyan."

"Yes, mom. I have to go."I said and Mom nodded.

"Sure, bye sweetheart."sabi ni mama at kumuway naman ang lahat. Ngumiti ako at kumuway din.

"Bye," I said and ended the call. I looked at the clock and saw that it was already 10 p.m. and I decided to force myself to sleep so that my body would adjust.

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