Professor's Pet Series: Quinn Ellis

XXV. Hidden Paradise And A Kiss

We arrived at my parents' beachfront vacation house a little after eleven am. Dad purchased the property as an anniversary gift to Mom. Tuwing umuuwi ang grandparents ko from States ay dito rin sila madalas mamalagi. The beach house was well-maintained because Dad personally hired people to look after the property.

Pagdating namin ay agad kaming sinalubong ng dalawang matandang may edad na. Sila ang mga katiwala sa bahay. Dad already called them last night to inform them about our arrival this morning.

"Magandang umaga, Ma'am Quinn. Mabuti naman po at nakarating kayo ng matiwasay." Nakangiting bati ni Nana Celia.

"Good morning, po. Good to see you again Nana, and Tata Elmo." Bati ko sa mag-asawa.

Nagsibaba na rin ang iba sa kanya-kanyang sasakyan nila. I can see amazement in their eyes when they finally get to take a good look around the property overlooking the ocean.

"Wow! This is definitely worth that bumpy ride." Eli exclaimed, and I chuckled at her remarks.

From the highway kasi is another fifteen-minute drive to the property itself. And, it's definitely bumpy dahil sa mga bato at buhangin, ayaw din ipa-semento ni Dad ang daan, because he wanted to preserve the natural estate of the place as much as possible. It was also the reason why I asked them to bring their trucks, and, not their toy cars.

"Oh, my goodness! This is definitely a hidden paradise." Bulalas din ni Miss Andrews, as she look around the place. Taking in the lush green forest surrounding us, and, the emerald-colored ocean.

I looked over at Miss Mendez. Nakaharap ito sa dagat habang nakayakap sa sarili, she looks so serene. So beautiful. I truely hope na makapag-unwind nga siya habang nandito kami. I'm willing to set aside my personal agenda with her, if it means a little peace of mind for her.

"Anak, kukunin ko na ang mga gamit niyo at ng makapag-pahinga na kayo ng mga kasama mo." Pukaw ni Tata Elmo sa atensyon ko.

"Oh, no, Tata. Let them carry their bags." Protesta ko ng akmang lalapit na si Tata sa mga sasakyan namin.

"Yes, manong. Ako na po ang bahala. I'll carry these ladies' bags inside. Kaya po nila ako sinama para may taga-bitbit talaga sila." I rolled my eyes at Greg, pasikat na naman.

After retrieving my bag and Kelsey's from the backseat ay dumiretso na ako sa bahay with Kelsey closely behind me.

"Hey, lemme carry my bag, Quinn." Kelsey called after me, at akmang kukunin ang bag niya sa akin pero agad kong nailayo.

"It's fine, Kels. Baka lalo ka pang lumiit niyan, kasing bigat mo pa naman itong duffle bag mo." Natatawang sagot ko.

"Hoy, that's not true. Akin na kasi 'yan." Protesta niya, at bago pa niya maagaw ay naglakad na ako palayo sa kanya, but, not before catching a glimpse of Miss Mendez shooting daggers at us before rolling her eyes and looking away. Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin, at dumiretso na sa bahay.

The two-storey house consisted of five bedrooms. Three on the first floor, and two on the second. Floor to ceiling glass walls provided unobstructive view of the ocean. The second floor also boasts a covered porch surrounded by glass railings. Aside from the three bedrooms, the first floor also consisted of a large kitchen area adjacent to the dining room, it's own bar, and, the living room area.

Nang makapasok na lahat ay kanya-kanyang salampak sila ng upo sa sala.

"Wow. This place actually reminded me of my grandparents' vacation house in the Carribean." Kelsey remarked as she take a sit beside me, still looking around the interior of the house.

"Oh, yes. The one we frequently spent summer vacations back in our younger days. Yeah, I remembered that one." Sabad ni Miss Andrews bago naupo na rin.

Kasunod niya si Eli na hindi magkanda-ugaga sa pagbitbit ng mga bags nila. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa sa hitsura niyang pawisan ng maibaba na niya ang mga bags sa sahig saka sumalampak ng upo sa tabi ni Miss Andrews na hingal na hingal.