C3 "Zack Lamont."

"SIR Zack is kind, too. It's just that he has a rebellious side and always seems to be angry. He has a high temper but he has a good heart. Surely, you will have no trouble being with them."

As we pulled up to the Lamont Resort's front entrance, I found myself speechless.

The car stopped at the parking area and Pako led us the way.

"Come straight in and sir Alanson Lamont is waiting for you both."

Mom nodded. "Thank you very much, Pako."

Mom and I entered. I couldn't help but be impressed by the scenery we drove through. The resort is spacious and well-kept. There are two large vintage ancestral houses, one with cabins, and a large hotel.

Finally, I could see the sea and hear its forceful waves, which appeared to entice my eagerness and longing to feel its salty water all over my body.

We could already see a few people waiting for us at the cottage not far away. A man who appears to be the same age as my mom, a man in his mid-twenties, and a girl who appears to be a few years younger than I am. They are probably the Lamont family.

Mom's boyfriend approached us and welcomed us with hospitality. She smiled as brightly as his.

"Fidelia, you're finally here." Happiness is evident in the man's voice.

"Yes, Alanson. Did we make you wait so long?"

"Not at all. You just arrived on time and we are currently preparing roasted seafood for our lunch," he replied and then he looked at me. "This must be your daughter, Fidelia?"

"Yes, Alanson. This is my only child—Irryn. Ryn, this is your uncle Alanson." Mom introduced us.

"Hello, hija. Nice meeting you,” he greeted me cordially.

I smiled and nodded politely. "Hello, uncle. Nice meeting you, too."

"I'll introduce you to my children. I'm sure you'll easily get well along with them."

He led us to the cottage where his children were waiting for us. The guy in his mid-twenties was busy with the grills while the young girl was playing in the white sand of the beach.

"Kids, our guests are here. Come here and I'll introduce you to your auntie and your future stepsibling."

The two smiled with affability on us. They almost look like twins. A boy version and a girl version who looked the same. But anyway, I remember Pako said that uncle Alanson has three children? So, where's the other one now?

"Daddy, is she going to be my sister?" inquired the young girl.

"Yes, my child." Uncle Alanson nodded and chatted with his only daughter. "This is Irryn. From now on, I want you to call her your 'sister' and treat her the way you treat your older siblings, okay?"

"Okay, daddy!" Rhian answered hyperly and turned a sisterly hello to me. "Hi, Irryn! It's nice meeting you! Can we be playmates from now on? I want us to be really good sisters!"

Uncle Alanson and his eldest son exchanged heartfelt smiles. They were obviously pleased. I was feeling glad, as well.

I bowed down to level at Rhian's face. "Sure. Why not!"

"Yeah hey!"

"Enough, Rhian Agatha! Don't ever abuse your sister Irryn because she's kind!" Uncle Alanson joked around and he turned to me again. "This is my eldest son, Ryn. Rylan Luz or better known as Ryle. Ryle, this is Irryn and she will be your new sister."

The young man in his mid-twenties beamed at me, as genuine and bright as his little sister's, and extended his hand. "Hello there, Ryn. I'm hoping we'll get along splendidly!"

I accepted his hand. "Hello. Me too. I’m wishing to bond with you, my new siblings."

Uncle Alanson then introduced my mother to his children. They, like me, greeted mom in a nice, cool, and warm way.

"Uhm, Alanson... didn't you say you have three children?" My mother spoke warily. "Where is the other one?"

I saw how uncle Alanson's jaw clenched. In anger? I wasn’t so sure. Why would he be angry when it comes to his child who wasn’t even seem to be around today?

"He's also here. He's in his room at the resthouse. He doesn't want to go down."

"Oh, why is that so?"

"He's stubborn and defiant. He doesn't listen to me." Uncle Alanson's face was etched with anger and anguish.

I am suddenly saddened about what he said. While his oldest and his youngest children are both kind and easy-going, there's his second one who, according to him, is rebellious and disobedient. The one I have never seen yet and if I am not mistaken his name's Zack, just like Pako said when we were driving earlier...

Now, I'm wondering why he is stubborn and rebellious...

I feel like it will be easy for me and for mom to bond with uncle Alanson's two children, with Rhian and Ryle. These two are obviously light but Zack Lamont? Unfortunately, I am unable to comment further at this time, but based on uncle's description, he seems to be quite dangerous. There's no way I can stop worrying about it. Is it possible that he wouldn't want my mom and I to be a part of his family? What if he will not accept us?

"Come here, my sister! Join me make the white castle!"

I was astounded whenRhian had brought me into the sand at the beach's edge.

I gladly let her hold my hand and led me to her play area. I even heard the gentle laughter of my mom, of uncle Alanson and Ryle while watching us bond together.

We sat in the white sand and I helped Rhian assemble her little castle. I couldn't help but rejoice because I had to admit that I had been hoping for this once in my life—to have a sister to play with. And now, my dream was coming true. I felt like I have known them for ages and bonded with them since a long time.

I'm hoping to get the opportunity to bond with my other stepsibling, too. The one I haven't seen yet.

As I glanced at our cottage, I saw that Ryle continued grilling while his father was helping mom to arrange the foods on the table.

I couldn't help but smile. If it was a dream, I wouldn't wanna wake up anymore.

I was diverted to the thought when Rhian spoke, "Sis, you love playing at the beach? Because I? I really love playing here!"

"I would love too, Rhian. But this is just my second time coming to a beach. The first one was when I was kindergarten. I was very young to remember all the details back."

"Why is that so? While us, every summer vacation, we always come to resort!."

I nodded and smiling. I suddenly remembered their second brother. "Is your other brother present today? Is his name—Zack?"

Rhian agreed. "Have you met him already?"

I shook my head. "Haven’t met him yet.”

"You should meet him. He's kind and he's such a cool brother!"

Brother who is kind and cool? So, how could their father's narrative differ from her own when it comes to her second brother? Uncle Alanson describes Zack negatively, while Rhian appears to like and interact well with her brother.

"I just don't know why he always makes dad angry with him."

It looks like I can now picture out a Zack Lamont who is constant. He's a stubborn son but he's a good brother... based on his father's and on his sister's different descriptions of him.

I was stuck in that idea when I became aware of keen eyes looking at me from all around or further away. I wasn’t sure why, but I suddenly felt as if someone was staring at me from afar.

I seek to look for those eyes, and I walked up to the resthouse's patio on the second floor. From there, I noticed a man standing on the balustrades. His black eyes fixed on me. Even though it was still sunny outside, I couldn't see his face properly, possibly due to his distance from me and the height of the floor where he was.

I took a deep breath when I noticed how his hands turned into fists while he was directly glaring at my way.

"Sis Irryn? Are you okay?"

I came back to my senses because of Rhian's repeating calls at me.