After getting back to the hotel, I didn't forget to message the family group chat.

The time zones didn't line up very well, which was good in this situation. It was late at night in Malalaka and early in the morning in Polo as well as Basilian. ​​

I didn't bother messaging them earlier, since they would have been resting, but now I don't know if that was the right choice or not anymore.

Me: [I got to Malalakan. Went to the national museum and later the street market. Just got back to the hotel safely!!]

Big Brother Theo: [Why didn't you contact us earlier? Do you know how worried we would be?]

That was bs, I let Theo monitor my situation. If he wanted to know of my safety, it was as easy as a tap on his phone.

He was obviously digging me a hole.

Just what did he do this time?

Me: [Isn't that because I didn't want to bother your sleep?]

Big Brother Theo: [Still!]

He definitely did something.

Mom

Now they're grouping up to attack me…

Dad

Good one dad!

I would have been left in the dark if you didn't come in for the save.

Me: [ Gasp! Big Brother Theo. I didn't know you were this kind of person. I've miss judged you （>﹏

Big Brother Theo: [I told you it was a misunderstanding! And the forum post was already taken down. I got my first kiss stolen. Shouldn't you be comforting me rather than attacking me all together?]

Karma.

The second you turn around.

It stabs you in the back.

Mom

Big Brother Theo: [His identity won't matter for long! And I already told you, the day I'm gay is the day that… well whatever that is never going to happen.]

Big Brother Theo was definitely going to do something to that other guy…

I wonder what happened.

Big Brother Theo: [Even Big Brother Nathen is more likely to be gay than me! And he's the straightest man on Earth!]

Big Brother Nathen: [Why was I dragged into this?]

Me: [Oh Big Brother Nathen! You're here. You didn't miss too much. Let me do a small recap for you. Big Brother Theo was just about to come out of the closet when he got nervous.]

Big Brother Nathen: [Oh I see. So that's why you had to use my name. That's okay then. But don't do it again. Let me tell you that I am a very sexually flexible person, so you might not want to compare yourself to me.]

Big Brother Theo: [WTH. They're obviously working together to attack me!]

Big Brother Theo: [Mom! Dad!]

Dad

Dad

When your parents use text emojis.

Too cute.

Mom ₃

Big Brother Theo: [Can I just disown myself already? (ಥ﹏ಥ)]

Me: [Why would you say that? You'll make our hearts ache if you say such harsh things. （>﹏

Big Brother Nathen: [How can you stand to make Emi so sad?]

Big Brother Nathen: [We were just trying to help you accept a part of yourself. You should know that your sexual preferences don't matter to us, we will accept you no matter who you like. You are still you.]

Mom

Big Brother Theo: [You're all too two-faced… *Coughs out blood*]

Me: [Big Brother Theo, you have to take better care of yourself. I know that social pressure on same-sex couples is high, but the times are changing! You shouldn't have to worry yourself so much that you're coughing up blood!]

Me: [We're all here for you if you want to talk about it.

Dad <3: [Yes, we'll always be on your side. <3

Big Brother Theo: [I'll be going before I cough up more blood.]

Me: [Yes, you should go to the hospital to do a check-up. Rest well.]

Big Brother Theo: […]

Mom

Me: [I also have to get going to sleep]

Big Brother Nathen: [Sleep early, I'm going to get going to my morning class.]

Dad

After leaving the family group chat, I made sure to check up on Theo.

Me: [You okay? What happened? Will you be able to take care of it yourself or do you want me to step in?]

Big Brother Theo: [Nah, I'll be able to handle it]

Big Brother Theo: [It was just an accident, I hope. If not. Then he should better start praying for himself. It's no big deal, but it was in a public setting. It's probably going to be forgotten within the month or so.]

Me: [Be careful, it might come back up when you least want it to. That's normally how rumors and gossip work.]

Me: [Depending on what kind of person you want to portray yourself as in the entertainment industry, you may or may not need to be careful about such things.]

Me: [I don't recommend you trying to make a whole new persona like Big Brother Nathen. It takes a lot of work and self-control.]

Big Brother Theo: [Are you saying I have a short fuse?? Haha. You're right though. I don't think I could do it.]

Me: [It's not that you can't do it. It's just that while Big Brother Nathen's persona won't be constantly challenged due to his image, yours will. There will be people constantly provoking you and just waiting for you to make a mistake so that they can sign your execution in the industry.]

Big Brother Theo: [I guess it is a battlefield after all.]

Me: [A psychological battlefield that takes and changes real lives.]

Big Brother Theo: [I'll be careful.]