rfully as the van came to a stop

round. The resort was beautiful-wide open spaces, palm trees lining the paths, and just beyond, the sea

eldest daughter gasped in awe. "We'r

ery moment," Matet replied, happy to see t

added one of their comp

imed in. "Especially the kids-look, t

l like I might actually get to relax here," Matet said, t

d rumor has it? He's hot. The kind that'll make your pantie

Marvin scolded. "St

n't you just let me fang

e the resort owner," Matet tea

ly. "But seriously, Tet-you never know. Y

sthma attacks from seeing a good-

" Ivy snapped, tryi

till owed Marvin for the van rental. She reached into he

. For the

ought you all here safe," Marvin sa

-never takes money. Always will

"I know how expensive gas is right now. And th

her. "Tet, don'

one else to drive us home," Matet replied, fe

gas and tried to return the rest. But before Matet could grab

ked Aling Minda,

Nay," Marvin said,

glance. Matet gave her a small nod

n," Ivy said, climbi

ing with us?" Matet ask

ed of this place. If it were Boracay, I w

nal plan when she and Ivy talked about vacationing once she got back from abroad. But

ve fun!" Ivy waved as

d to her group. "Let's head inside the reception

she walked straigh

" the receptionist gr

on under Matet Gariz. I

on the computer. "Room numbers 503 and 504, ma

d, then turned back to he

eeted by a spacious and bright interior

sleeping here?" Thea a

smiled. "Ni

r conditioning too! It's gonna be s

new kind of experience for most of them. And as it t

n't expected it to be first-class. What puzzled her was how cheap the rate was-especially with the

her mother asked, clearly skeptical. She had

ust showed them the booking receipt to put the doubts to rest. Sh

t, "Let's head down to the can

ner of 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰𝘨 and 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢 �

, slightly exasperated. Her mom was like that during family events-alw

day, Tet. Food at the resort is prob

n't have to worry," she said gently. But her mothe

hought meals were separate," her m

rent packages. I got the one with

eat what I brought today

rs so we can all eat together," she sa

st sibling. In the other room were Lea and her child, her mother, and Ronnie. The adjacent rooms had a family suite setup,

time to eat," Matet said

e eating, Te

packed food today. Tomorrow we'll

stood up, not even done un

own to the pool if you want t

can swim alread

okay? It might be deep. Stay in the water sli

g with us, Tet?"

check what time her older sister-who lived in the city-would be arriving

ead down first," her m

be able to get back in without them," Mat