"Guys! Who cooked this porridge? I'm eating it." He shouted to his cousins.

At this moment, at the hallway, Clarence just stepped out from the elevator and saw the dazed Sheila. She only stood there in front of him but her vision past way him.

"Sheila?" He waved his hand at her face.

"Huh? Oh, Clarence," Sheila said softly, too soft, Clarence almost couldn't make out her words.

"Anything wrong? Why are you here? Big bro is waiting for you."

"Huh?" Unexpectedly, she rested her head on his shoulder. She didn't budge or say a word.

This was a different Sheila for Clarence. The Sheila he knew was confident, strong-willed, wouldn't easily give up, and always found a way to solve her problems. However, this Sheila was dazing, completely nonplussed.

"Sheila, what happened?"

"Huh?" No more words came out from her. Her eyes were hazy, her face was dry.

"Did you have a fight with Big Bro?"

She just stood there looking at him but not comprehending what he was saying. Clarence felt terrible. This was totally not right. "Is this about Big Bro?"

She looked at him and in slow motion nodded.

"Did he hurt you?

She shook her head.

"Did you see him inside?"

She nodded again.

"Did you talk to him?"

She shook her head.

Clarence now knew what to do. "Come, why not talk to him? This might all be just a misunderstanding." She didn't budge. "Sheila, you have to let him know if he hurts you in any way. Clear things up first before you decide."

She still didn't move but her face told him she was thinking.

"Do you love him?" Clarence tried another path to get to her.

"Love ... him? I ... I ... I think I have but I don't know now?" Her forehead furrowed. She seemed to be talking to herself. Questioning the viability of her feelings.

"Sheila, tell him now if you don't want to lose him." He was about to say 'same way you lose me' but held his tongue.

"Tell ... him?" Her eyebrows rose.

"Yes, tell him."

She moved her head down and her brows knitted. "I ... I don't know."

"Sheila, looked at me?" Clarence held her chin up.

She fixed her eyes on him obediently.

"Don't hesitate. I think Big bro likes you too and he will be brokenhearted if you won't talk to him."

"He likes me too?" Somewhat unsure but nodded and slowly said, "yeah, I think so. Okay." Sheila bowed her head in obeisance.

He placed his arm on her shoulders as he led her back. Then she said, "do I look terrible? Is my make-up fine?"

Clarence laughed, 'that's hilarious,' but kept it to himself. "You're always beautiful in Big bro's eyes." They went in but her head was still down. They didn't disturb the rest, who were still focused on watching the movie. He brought her to Hugh's room.

Hugh was busy eating the porridge when the two came in. He saw Sheila with her sad face. "Sheila? Are you okay?" His eyes went to Clarence, confused. "What happened?"

"I leave you two to talk." Then Clarence went out and closed the door. He hanged a don't disturb sign on the doork.n.o.b outside.

For the two inside, Hugh reached out to Sheila and hugged her. "What happened?"

Sheila avoided and turned sideways.

Hugh held her shoulders and turned her to him. "Sheila, please tell me, what happened?"

She didn't know where to start, so she dodged the question, still head down. "Do you like the porridge?"

He hugged her. "More than like, it's delicious. Did you cook it?"

She nodded on his chest. Then she wrapped her arms around his middle. "I'm happy you like it."

"Can you tell me now?" He asked with a gentle voice.

She replied with a question. "Do you like me?"

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Do you love me?"

"I think …," a bit of hesitation in his voice, "it's early to say it since we've known each other for only two short days, but I think I do."

She looked up. "Is that a yes or a no?"

"I think it's a yes."

"You think." She pouted.

"Sheila, what's this all about?" He moved back to see her face clearly.

"Are you really serious with me? Or am I just a pa.s.s time while you're here in the Philippines? When you go back to France, will you marry your ...," and apprehensively said, "pregnant girl, whatsoever you call her since you said I'm your first date?"

"What?" Then he recalled his conversation on the phone earlier. "Oh, I get it. You heard me talk with Adele." Relief suffused his features. He brought her to the couch and let her sat on his lap, his arms on her waists.

"Adele is my half-sister. My father's daughter on his first marriage but they got divorced before my mother met him." He paused and waited for his words to sink in.

Sheila gasped with her hands on her mouth. She felt ashamed after hearing his short explanation. "I thought ..."

He finished the sentence for her. "You thought she's my girlfriend and that I impregnated her out of wedlock. Now, you know, she's my sister."

Sheila's enthusiasm rekindled and spoke faster. "What do you mean then when you said you'll stay by her side and won't leave her?"

"Because she's way past her prime. She's already thirty-nine years old and it's her first baby, so she's at high risk. She wants me to be there when she gives birth, in case a problem occurs. So I need to a.s.sure her."

"Oh, I feel stupid. I thought …" She placed her palm on her forehead, feeling angry at herself. Why didn't she ask at that time? She suffered mentally and almost lose him for nothing.

Hugh placed a finger on her lips. "No need to say more. You should have asked me. Never mind. As long as you understand now."

"I'm sorry." She rested her head on the side of his head.

"I believe a kiss would be best to appease my falsely accused heart." He winked at her.

She laughed and gave him one long kiss. "Mwah! That will do."

"It's not enough." He pulled her to him and kissed her.

Outside the room. The movie was already finished and everyone saw the 'don't disturb sign.'

"Are we expecting a double wedding?" One of the cousins asked.