Later that night, I sat on my bed listening to some tunes.

Well...I just had one of the longest sermons I've ever had and it lasted for two straight hours. As Kevin would say, I got "chewed out" by my parents. They scolded me on the need of me having to sleep early and that I should not have been up so late. They also pointed out how irresponsible I was for using my tablet for my "silly" interests. And they moved the topic on how I need to set a better example for Ken-Ken and should look up to Ate Mary as an example. After the "talk" I was told they wouldn't give me back my tablet because I still need to "prove" I'm trustworthy to them. Also the LAN wire connecting my computer to the internet modem had been detached so I had no internet access. This did not do well for me as Sir. Albert's assignment required research. Because of that, I had to use the main P.C. in living room under the watchful gaze of my parents as they watched the news.

Let me tell you...I do not like people watching me do my thing. Usually I would pop open some unrelated...*ahem...I mean self-interest websites. I would do this while researching. But now it seems I have to focus entirely on my studies and research.

When dinner came, despite the delicious food, I was in sulking mood all throughout dinner. Not to mention, I had several extra chores added to my usual after-meal dishwashing routine.

As a result, by the end of it all I was completely depressed as I retired to the second floor. I took a bath after which I shut myself in my room. I managed to do both of Ma'am Luz and Sir Albert's assignments even with a heavy heart. And as soon I was done with them, I quick lay down on my bed completely exhausted.

As I lay there my thoughts drift back to everything that happened today. My brother ratting me out...meeting an odd new classmate named Amy...me making a fool of myself and injuring Amy...then that conversation I heard this afternoon...

Apart from getting busted by Ken-Ken...most of what happened today centred on Amy Kawaii. What was going on there with Amy Kawaii and her "family"? What was their conversation about? Just who were they really? Was I in big trouble of something very dangerous here?

I was getting quite scared of my own train of thoughts. I need to distract myself or I'll get schizophrenic from the anxiety. Since I don't have the internet with me I decided to pop on my headset and relax to some tunes. This does the trick and I find myself lost in the music. I've listened to several songs and was now moving to the next song: Live the Dream by Mayph.

"...The moon and stars shines bright...

...Brightening the dark night...

...Never fading from sight...

...Telling me it's alright...

...I drift away in a daze...

...To where my secret dreams come true...

...There's that special place...

...Where there's nothing I can't do..."

The singer of this song, Mayph, happens to be quite a well-known recording artist and is quite popular across the globe. She's a teenage girl from Japan and is about my age. She also sings the opening and ending songs of some of my favourite anime shows. In the case of theme songs, she even does western shows and even movies. She doesn't stick to one genre, varying from love songs, rock and pop. I've heard that she was having concerts all across the globe but something weird happened.

Two years ago, I saw the news that she suddenly cancelled her concert at Belgium for no apparent reason and hasn't made a physical appearance ever since. From time to time she would release new songs and would voice act for animated shows but never showed up in person ever again. Some say she fell into an accident that left her disfigured. Others say she eloped with someone and got pregnant. I find this theory quite stupid as she would've been fourteen at that time and something like that is a kiss of death in stardom or in any society for that matter.

However, she did voice out that she wanted some time off for herself but again not explaining what that is. Strange as it may be, I don't really mind it much. She probably had some issues like any old drama queen teenager and went off wallowing in her condo in Hawaii. On a personal note, I find her songs quite catchy and like a few of them. Live the Dream is one of her gentler, lullaby-like songs. I almost feel like getting my pen and start...

"Kuya Ricky?"

I sat bolt upright from my bed and saw Ken-Ken entering my room.

"What are you doing here?" I grumbled, still feeling quite resentful of my little brother.

"That's nice of you. He wanted to give you something..." says a voice from the doorway.

It was my sister Ate Mary. She was still wearing her nursing uniform with her name pin still attached on her bosom. Evident she had just returned home.

"Oh, Ate Mary you're home!"

"Don't 'Oh, Ate Mary!' me! Ken-Ken here has something he wants to give you!"

I turned my gaze at Ken-Ken who fidgeted uneasily.

"Well? What is it?"

He shuffled forward and handed me something. It was a handmade card which I assumed must've been made at his Arts and Crafts Class in school. When I opened it, there were large letters written in glitter glue that spelled 'I'M SORRY' over a badly-cut heart that was pasted on the card. I could see there were some blotches of glitter where Ken-Ken may have held it when he fingers where still sticky with glue. Ken-Ken had also drawn on some stick figures of our family holding hands. I was the one with big circles drawn on my face (which were probably supposed to be my glasses) holding hands with Ken-Ken.

"I'm so sorry Kuya Ricky...I got you into trouble."

That's an understatement...

"If I didn't say what I said this morning Mommy and Daddy wouldn't get mad at you. I'm sorry..." he looked at me and I noticed there were tears there.

All at once, my resentment melted, "Oh Ken-Ken...Come here..."

I put the card beside me and pulled my little brother close and hugged him tight. He's a sweet and a good kid really. I should count myself lucky to have a little brother like him. I heard my classmate Louie has a little sister that drives him insane.

"Can you forgive me?" Ken-Ken sniffled.

I ruffled Ken-Ken's hair. "Of course I do! It's alright! I forgive you..."

Ate Mary nodded, "Well, isn't that sweet! The two brothers are making up!"

I ignored Ate Mary. Can't she see she's pouring cold water on this?

"Just be careful of what you say from now on, alright? You could get other people into trouble!" I say to Ken-Ken

"Our teacher always says to tell the truth!"

"Well, teacher is right...But sometimes saying the truth isn't the right thing to do in certain times. So you have to lie-Ouch!"

Ate Mary smacked me.

"What are you trying to teach our little brother, Richard?!"

"I'm just teaching him when it's the right time to say the truth or not!"

"And so you're teaching him how to lie?"

"Technically it's called a white lie."

"That's still lying! Just look at what it got you. Mom told me you lied through your teeth for sleeping late-"

"Okay, so you're saying I should keep telling the truth, huh?"

"Well, yes!"

"So what if I told Mom and Dad about that sexy lingerie you bought last week?"

Ate Mary turned ghostly white as her uniform.

"How did you know about-?"

"Last week, Kevin and I stopped by the mall on the way home to buy some school supplies. I know it was you in the cashier and you bought some pretty lacy stuff. Now that I think about it... the day after you stayed at boyfriend Kuya Cody's house when you had your late shift-"

SLAM!!!

Ate Mary quickly slammed the door shut.

"Ricky..." she turned to me and I saw a dangerous aura enveloping her, "You wouldn't dare speak of this to anyone will you?!"

"Hey, if I did I would've said it a long time ago-OW! OW! OW! MY LEG JOINTS DON'T GO THAT WAY!"

Ate Mary pinned me in a wrestling move. She's a supposed to be a nursing student not a pro wrestler!

"If you dare to say one word...I'll post on Facebook about that embarrassing thing you did in the Christmas party during your second year junior high!"

Crud! It should've dawned on me that I was digging my own grave when I spoke about the lingerie thing. The last thing I want is for everyone to know what happened at that party. Actually the whole class at that time had some embarrassing moments. Even Kevin did...well, I can't say as it was too horrible to recount. In the end, the whole class vowed never to speak of it.

Unfortunately, Ate Mary found out about it somehow...she still hasn't told me who blabbed.

"Don't threaten me while threatening to wrench my leg off!"

"Swear on this hip joint that you won't breathe a word!"

She twists my leg in another degree and I hear cracking sound!

"I SWEAR! I SWEAR!"

She let's go of my leg.

"Ate Mary, what' a lingiee-thing?" asks Ken-Ken, "And what happened at your school, Kuya Ricky?"

Both Ate Mary and I stared at Ken-Ken then at each other. We had forgotten that Ken-Ken was there us! And he heard everything!

If mom and dad hear a single word about this...it'd be a disaster!

"Now you see what I mean?" I hissed at Ate Mary.

"You're right..."

She plops on the bed beside us.

"Ken-Ken? My favourite little brother..." Ate Mary says to him in a forced-gentle voice.

Favourite?

"Please, please, promise us that you won't repeat anything you've heard in this room?"

"Please? For Kuya and Ate?" I say to him.

"Hmm...Can you buy me a box of ice cream just like the one last time?" he says, with his eyes glimmering.

Both mine and Ate Mary's smiles froze.

A couple of days ago we had a party held at our home for dad's team's success in their advertising project. Apart from good food, we also bought a large tub of ice cream. Ken-Ken consumed about ten cups of those before he nearly passed out. It's not really expensive if you're a paid worker but it's a whole another story for students. We'd have to pool our allowances just to buy one.

"Um, how about something else? Would you like a chocolate bar instead?" I offered.

Ate Mary shook her head, "A chocolate bar, really? That's your bargaining offer?" she says sarcastically.

"Then what else are you going to suggest?"

"Let me try. Ken-Ken...? How about we buy you some cookies instead?"

"And where are you going to get cookies? Plus you sound like a kidnapper!"I snorted.

"But I want ice cream!" Ken-Ken demanded, flailing his hands in agitation.

Damn it! He's milking that situation! What happened to the sweet little brother who was apologizing to me just now?

"S-sure...we'll get you some!"

"Yay!" cheered Ken-Ken.

"But you'll have to promise us that you won't say anything about what we discussed in this room! Or else no ice cream!"

"Okay!" Ken-Ken nodded.

"Barely safe..." Ate Mary sighed.

"I think I need a drink of juice..." I stood up from my bed.

"Ah, perfect timing! Can you get me some Darjeeling Tea from the shop? I'm famished too!" Ate Mary waves her hand imperiously.

"And me, some juice too!" pipes Ken-Ken.

"You went in my room to apologize and now you're ordering me around?! Plus you too, Ate Mary, what are you doing in my room in the first place?"

"To make you get me some Darjeeling Tea while I get a bath! Now get going, or do I have to make you do it?"

I heard the threat underlying her "request."

"Fine, I'm going! I'm going!"

I made my way downstairs and quietly walked pass the living room where my parents were still watching the news. I then made my way to the annex where we have our very own little coffee shop.

"Ah, Apo...do you want something?" Lola greets me as I enter the cafe.

There were only two of our usual customers tonight. She was busy serving tea to a customer who happens to be our next-door neighbour, a chatty gossip named Tita Monica. The other was a call-center agent who I never got to learn his name, who was about to go on his night shift.

"Hi Lola...I just want to get a couple of drinks for me and Ken-Ken. Ate Mary wants some Darjeeling Tea."

"Well, there's some in the ref. I've just boiled some water for tea so you can get the tea bags on the shelf over there!"

"Thanks, I got it!" I nodded as headed towards the shelf and started to brew some tea.

Lola turned her attention back to Monica.

"So Esmeralda...did you hear about that new coffee shop in the next street."

"I've heard, yes..." Lola Esmeralda tightens her lip as she serves the call-center guy his usual coffee and dinner.

"Wouldn't that be a problem?" Tita Monica pressed on. "At lot of your usual customers are going there now."

Lola Esmeralda sighed sadly.

This coffee shop had been in the family since my great-grandfather set it up several decades ago and hasn't changed a bit. Now it's run by both my Mom and my grandmother. There's a counter with old wooden bar stools, a display case with homemade baked goodies that Lola makes and several Formica tables with monobloc chairs. Even the small kitchen behind the counter, still used an old oven and stove. The only modern parts of the cafe were the fluorescent light bulbs and the T.V. which was an old box type. It's not surprising that some of our usual customers are heading out to the one next over, where I heard has WI-FI and is air-conditioned.

Compared to Starbucks or that other shop, this coffee shop seems run-of-the-mill and pretty outdated. I would suggest we renovate to attract more customers but I know that we don't have the funds for that.

"So what are you going to do?"

"To be honest, I don't know... It's been in the family for years now."

"Ever thinking of closing it up?"

Lola Esmeralda looked as though she had vigour recharged her body, "As if! I'm not going to close up just because of some competition. As long as I'm still able and capable this shop stays open!"

Silently, I breathed a sigh of relief. It did seem quite sad that the shop she worked so hard for several years would just close up. But Lola wasn't the type to just give up without a fight. I guess the coffee shop will still stand as long as Lola is around.

The tea was almost done brewing. I took the cup and took some cold drinks out of the fridge, as well as few torta cakes.

I was about to make my way back into the main house when Tita Monica makes another loud exclamation.

"Well, would you look at that? Youngsters these days are getting quite popular!"

What was she talking about? Did they change the topic?

As it turns out they were watching a flash report from the old T.V.

"This is Kris Korina reporting live from the Manila Hotel where we have breaking news! We have received word that the international teenage superstar Mayph is confirmed to be in the country!"

I almost dropped the drinks I was holding.

Mayph? The Mayph? The one whose music I've been listening? The one who suddenly vanished from show business? Has turned up now is in the Philippines?!

I quickly put the drinks on the counter and listened to the news for the first time in my life.

"There have been a series of rumours regarding her sudden cancellation of her concerts and as well as her withdrawal from showbiz two years ago. But as of now, we received word from Mayph's very own manager Yuko Ashikawa that she was indeed in the Philippines, but not to hold a concert but for a vacation. Mayph and her crew had arrived at NAIA and checked-in at the Manila Hotel last Saturday. However she was said to have checked-out the following day along with a few close personnel. Her manager says that she wanted to privately tour the country and no word has yet been said as to where her exact destinations are. Details have yet to be released as to..."

"Ricky? Aren't you going to bring that upstairs?"

I jolted. I was so wrapped by the flash report that I didn't realize that Lola had been talking to me already.

"Ricky?"

"Oh, um, sorry..."

"Well, you better head upstairs now. And don't forget that you have to help out tomorrow."

Oh right...the extra chores that were added on my plate."

"You have to admit...she looks quite young!" continues Tita Monica.

"Too young... I wonder if she is living a normal life under all that attention."

I looked at the T.V. again and I saw an image of Mayph been flash on-screen. She had wavy blond hair with pink highlights. Her highlights change in every appearance she makes. She had peachy skin. As her usual outfits, she was wearing a frilly dress with lots of ribbons, a pair of pink boots with leggings reaching up to her thighs, and on her head was miniature top hat. She looked vibrant and cheerful as always.

But then I suddenly had this weird feeling hit me.

She looked strangely familiar...

Ever got that feeling that you're supposed to know something but couldn't point it out? It's just like that. This was very weird as I've always seen Mayph on the internet. I always watched her videos and thought of her as some famous person. But it was only now that I felt this way...like I'm supposed to know her or something?

"I sure miss the good old days! You know, I used to be a show girl there at Manila."

"Do tell? That's a first I've heard of it!" Lola asks her.

I can't imagine someone as old as Tita Monica as a show girl so rather than mentally scaring myself I quickly made my exit out of the cafe. Ate Mary got a little annoyed that I took too long but Ken-Ken was thankful for the torta I got him. I managed to get them out of my room so I can have some time for myself.

Later that night, as I drift off to sleep my mind was still on Mayph.

She was somewhere on her vacation roaming around the country. Probably trekking on some high mountain or soaking at a hot spring. I actually imagine myself meeting her and thought of the different scenarios that would play out. Noticing the clock was reading eleven o'clock already I had to quit those daydreams otherwise I'd wake up late tomorrow.

My mind slowly slows down and my thoughts turn to what's ahead for me tomorrow.

Amy Kawaii...I still haven't apologized. I guess I'll have to do that tomorrow...