Chapter 3 The Excitement

• “HEY, APOLLO!”
• Isla greeted her brother who had just come home. She looked at the clock on the wall and it was already five in the morning.
• “Did you find him?” she asked and went closer to her brother who was now frowning at her.
• “What? I’m just asking if you find him,” she said and smiled.
• Apollo nodded which makes Isla’s smile reach her eyes. “Great!” she exclaimed.
• “Cut your fantasies to that man, Isla. He’s no good for you. Zero is like your older brother,” Apollo uttered as he walked towards their wide kitchen.
• “Yeah, right. You told him he will be my last dance?” she asked, excitement-filled in her voice.
• Apollo then glared at her. “You promised me that you won’t fantasize—”
• “Big bro, I know right? Anyway, what do you want? Brewed soya beans or hot caramel coffee?” she asked as she walked to the other side of the kitchen.
• Apollo frowned. “Caramel coffee. You should let the maid do the chores—”
• “Bro, I’m already big and we only have Nana Norm and she’s already old. You’re diverting the main topic again,” she said and shook her head.
• “Zero will come and already agreed for that fucking—"
• “Bro! No cursing! A baby here,” she interrupted and raised her hand.
• Apollo arched his brow. “Yeah, our baby. So, don’t you dare have a boyfriend? ‘Kay? You’re too young. You should focus on your studies first.”
• “Yes, father,” she replied and laughed.
• Apollo just shook his head. His sister is really playful. She’s a star that gives light to their life. She’s too jolly and always saw things in a positive way. She’s too pure and innocent.
• “So, Zero—”
• “Zero again?” he asked and his forehead creased.
• Isla smiled and gestured a peace sign. “I’m just happy and you knew that he’s my crush ever since—”
• “Crush or are you already developing something, hmm?”
• She bit her lower lip and continue what she was doing. “J-Just a crush…” she muttered.
• “Be sure of it. Focus on your studies, you’ll already be a college student next month. You’ll be staying at the dorm—”
• “No! I don’t want it. I will be staying in a condo with my best friend. Mom and I already talked about it,” she said and looked at him
• Apollo heaved a deep sigh. “Bring Nana Norm with you, okay?”
• “What am I? A five-year-old kid?” she retorted and put the cup of caramel coffee in front of him. She pulled the chair across from him and sit down.
• “Yes. You’re still a baby to us. You know mom is always busy with those business trips and can’t see you all the time. I have to manage my own company too. I can’t see you all the time either. You’re growing up and we only want the—”
• “I already know how to take care of myself, Bro. I knew my limitations.”
• Apollo sighed. “You don’t know how this world works, Isla.”
• She laughed and shook her head. “I didn’t know that approaching you will bring me to a certain life lesson. Don’t worry, my awesome brother. I will do my best to make you and mom proud,” she uttered.
• Apollo smiled. “We knew that. And sweetie, you already making us proud always,” he said and winked at her.
• “Aw. I’m really flattered. Love you.”
• Apollo arched his brow. “Hmm… it’s unusual of you to say those words to your big bro,” he grinned, “what do you want?”
• She flashed a smile. “Can I spend a night with Becca?”
• Apollo frowned. “Sleepover?”
• She nodded and tried her best to look cute in front of her brother. “Can I?”
• “No.”
• “Eh! Apollo, come on. It’s not that I will go somewhere else. Ask Becca if you want to,” she said.
• “As far as I can remember, you also said that to me about a few months ago. But where did you go? You went to a bar with your friend, disguising as a lady of their right age because you were tall and drank.”
• “I only did that once. And I swear, we’re just going to bond. You can come if you want to,” she said but a playful smile is lingering on her lips.
• “Not a single chance.”
• She then burst into laughter and stopped when her brother is glaring at her. “I’ll stop! But you should’ve seen your face when I’m mentioning Becca’s name.”
• Apollo sipped on his cup and stood up after. “I’ll go upstairs. Remember what I told you. Stop fantasizing about Zero and no sleepover.”
• She frowned. “Pretty please?” she said and clasped her palm together.
• “No.”
• “Fine! I’ll just invite Becca here.”
• “No!”
• She arched her brow. “And why? I’m also the owner of this house and have the right to invite my friend,” she asserted.
• Apollo pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay. You can go. But call me when you get there. And please, don’t make it as an alibi again and go to a bar. You’re still a minor, Isla.”
• She saluted and smiled. “Aye, aye, captain,” she replied.
• Apollo just shook his head and left the kitchen.
• When he was gone, she jumped out for joy! “Yes!”
• Well, she knew that her brother dislikes Becca because he kinda likes her. Well, he always told her that stop fantasizing about Zero. However, Apollo, himself fantasized about her best friend.
• When she’s done in the kitchen, she climbed upstairs and makes a call to her friend.
• She dialed her number and with just three rings, she picked up her phone.
• “Becca!” she exclaimed.
• “What the hell, Isla!” the lady on the other line uttered, feeling irritated. “Can you just lower your voice?”
• Isla could imagine how Becca rolled her eyes.
• “I have good news for you.”
• “A-huh?”
• “Apollo agreed and I’ll be there before five. So…”
• “Perfect! We need to prepare for the gig tonight,” Becca replied.
• “Yeah, right! And I’m super excited!”
• Becca laughed on the other line. “Yeah, I can see it through your voice. Anyway, according to my source, Zero will also be there.”
• Hearing his name makes her heart flutter and her stomach tumbled down. “Great!”
• “However, there’s a possibility that your brother will be there too.”
• With that thought, her smile faded. “We need to take precautions then. Anyway, seeing him will be fine though,” she answered.
• Becca let out a soft chuckle on the other line. “I know. So, see you then.”
• “See you. Bye!” She uttered and ended the call.
• She threw herself on her bed and stared at the white ceiling, indulging herself in her deep thoughts.