"LOTTIE!!" Ate Carmen shouted. I suddenly sat up in bed and looked at the alarm clock. It was nine in the morning? Wait, it's a holiday today, so there's no school. I wonder what Ate's problem is?
"Ate, what's wrong? What's the matter?" I asked, still half-asleep.
"Get ready, quickly! Make sure my body looks presentable today!!" she ordered in a panicked tone.
I couldn't understand what was happening today. I am currently in Ate's body since we alternate swapping souls every night.
"Ate, what's happening today? Just tell me!" I insisted.
I didn't move from where I stood until she told me what was going on. Suddenly, the doorbell rang outside. Ate peeked through the window, wearing only my pajamas and undershirt as sleepwear.
"He's here! Hurry up and take a shower, scrub my body thoroughly!! Take a scented bath and dress nicely!!" she became even more frantic.
"W-Who is he? Do you have a visitor, Ate?" I asked, puzzled.
Ate Carmen faced me with a serious expression. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Listen, the man standing in front of our door right now is none other than Mr. Alejandro Valdez. Now, our only task is to pretend and make sure he doesn't find out our secret!"
Mr. Valdez is here in our house? I was taken aback by what I heard. I nodded quickly and headed to the bathroom. Ate, on the other hand, changed her clothes and faced the visitor outside.
After taking a shower, I hurriedly dressed and went to the living room to greet Mr. Valdez. "S-Sir, welcome!" I greeted him politely.
He smirked and chuckled lightly. "Ms. Carmen Montreal? You seem like a different person again. Well, I've noticed that in the office too. Maybe you have a dual personality," he said with a smirk.
I suddenly became nervous, my hands grew cold, and I couldn't look straight at him.
I noticed Ate watching us from the kitchen as she prepared juice for the guest. She glanced at us from time to time, surely listening to our conversation with Mr. Valdez.
"Ah, Sir, how may I assist you? Why are you here?" I asked him, feeling shy.
He suddenly looked puzzled, and Ate arrived carrying a pitcher of juice and two glasses.
"Sir, here's some juice for you," I poured the juice into a glass and handed it to him.
"Don't you know? Didn't I tell you yesterday that I would be coming today to discuss something?" he asked.
W-What could it be? Ate didn't mention anything to me. I noticed Ate, her face turned crimson. Mr. Valdez was sitting behind the sofa, out of my sight. Ate and I exchanged glances, our eyes communicating. What should I say? I have no idea what they discussed. Ate tilted her head slightly, as if she was telling me... no? Don't? She didn't want me to answer?
"Huh? Your sister is behind me, how interesting. What grade is she in now?" Mr. Valdez suddenly noticed Ate.
Ate stood up and walked towards me like a robot.
"Uh, well, she's in grade 10," I replied hesitantly.
I noticed the peculiar gaze Mr. Valdez had towards Ate. "You know, I sense Carmen's aura in you, I don't know, maybe because you two are siblings?" He spoke with curiosity.
I noticed that Mr. Valdez's behavior was also different. He wasn't the serious man who faced people at the office. His presence felt lighter. He looked clean, well-dressed, and undeniably handsome.
"Hohoho! You really know how to tease, big brother! You know so much," Ate said, taking the glass of juice and drinking from it.
"Is it alright with you, dear, if your sister Carmen becomes my girlfriend?" When Ate heard what Mr. Valdez said, she suddenly coughed and choked, spewing the juice she was drinking onto my hair, accompanied by bits of saliva.
"A-Ate?!" I exclaimed in shock.
"Huh? Ate? Isn't she your younger sister, Carmen?" Mr. Valdez asked, puzzled.
I quickly stood up from my seat, and Ate Carmen responded with a forced smile. "S-Sorry, sister!" Ate hugged me tightly and whispered, "Come up with an excuse..."
"Y-Yes, right! She's my sister, so she should clean up the juice she spilled!" I made an excuse.
Ate tightened her embrace around me, whispering again. "Whatever happens, never answer with a Yes, do you understand... Ate?"
"Yes, you're a deceiver! My sister told me everything. You're already her girlfriend! She caught you together at the mall, holding hands, and you had such a sweet smile on your face!" Ate confronted Mr. Valdez with a disgusted expression.
"W-What?" Mr. Valdez looked at me, puzzled.
The room fell silent for a moment, and I could feel the tension between the two of them. I had no idea such a situation existed between Ate and Mr. Valdez.
Mr. Valdez stood up, straightening out the wrinkles on his shirt.
It was a shame, he looked so good in his outfit: a short-sleeved polo, jeans, and a white undershirt.
"Ms. Carmen, I had no idea you were feeding your sister with lies." He stared at me, and I felt like he was accusing me even though I wasn't the one who said those things. I felt a sense of sadness. It seemed like Mr. Valdez genuinely cared for Ate. I couldn't find the words to respond to him.
When Ate spoke again, she stood in between Mr. Valdez and me.
"My sister doesn't tell lies! It's better if you leave!" Ate declared firmly. I felt embarrassed witnessing myself speak in such a way. I lowered my head and Mr. Valdez was allowed to leave through the door. I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye. I remained silent, as did Ate.
That evening, we both stayed quiet.
No one wanted to speak, when suddenly the doorbell rang outside. I quickly peeked through the window to see who was at the gate. When I saw the man standing there, I immediately went out and opened the gate for him.
"Oh, it's you, Ervine."
"Good evening, Charlotte," he greeted me nervously.
I warmly welcomed Ervine into the house.
We sat him down at the dining table, along with Ate Carmen.
"What is this rat doing here?" Ate asked, her tone hostile.
Ervine didn't back down, he smirked at my grumpy sister. "Tsk! It's really different when you're around Charlotte. Then you act all grumpy like that, it doesn't suit you."
"You're the rat!!" Ate Carmen retorted in annoyance.
They really didn't get along. Ate didn't like Ervine, and Ervine didn't like my sister's attitude.
"Let's eat first, and then you can tell us your purpose for coming, Ervine." I interrupted their argument and we started eating dinner.
That night, when Ate and I ventured to Baclaran, Ervine was the man standing behind us.
At first, I couldn't believe it. He was the one reciting the incantation that opened the magical door. Ervine was an apprentice to Switch, a true orphan. He was left on the streets as a baby and was found by Switch, who became his guardian ever since. Switch taught Ervine magic spells, how to make potions, and much more. Ervine had no intention of seeking out his biological parents; he was content with having Switch as his parent figure.
"Thank you for the delicious dinner. Your cooking is great, Charlotte," Ervine expressed his gratitude, feeling a bit shy.
"It's nice to know that you found out I cooked the food," I replied, feeling embarrassed too.
We both exchanged shy glances at each other. Ervine knew about the curse that Switch had placed on us. On the day we visited their magical home, Ate Carmen was almost in disbelief.
Their place was filled with moving objects. There was a large cauldron and various ingredients that were not of this world. They also had a black cat named Misha. The interior had an ancient design, made of wood and filled with magic. Their home was truly captivating.
"Why are you smiling like that, Lottie?" Ate suddenly asked.
"Sorry, I just remembered something." I gently brushed my hair away, smiling again.
"Stop trying to act cute with this rat!" Ate Carmen retorted, annoyed.
I stood up and cleared our dining area, then I seated Ervine in the living room with Ate.
"Seriously, do you two have something to hide? I'm warning you, rat!" Ate said sternly to Ervine.
"A-Ate, come on!" I scolded Ate.
After I finished washing the dishes, Ervine revealed his true intention for visiting our house.
"Here, take these!" he said.
He handed us two necklaces. They were heart-shaped and made of crystal, with a small stone at the top, bottom, and on both sides.
"What is this necklace for?" Ate asked angrily.
"That's a magical necklace. It will illuminate and turn red when you feel true love. Your stomach will tell you whether what you feel is genuine or not. It turns black whenever you experience negative emotions, such as jealousy, anger, or pain. It's called the 'Crystal of Truth.'"
"That's amazing. But what if it gives the wrong sign?" I asked.
Ervine stood up and answered seriously, "As the name suggests, the true essence of what you feel will appear in the light of this necklace. It never fails!"
Ate Carmen and I took the Crystal of Truth and put it on. The crystal shimmered, enveloped in magic. Ate stood up from the sofa.
"So many tricks from that Switch! Instead of returning us to normal, they have all these gimmicks!!" Ate exclaimed in frustration as she walked out.
She didn't like these things, finding them too complicated. She had forgotten once again that it was her own bad behavior that caused us to be cursed.
"I'm sorry for my sister, she's had a hot temper since this morning," I apologized to Ervine.
"It's alright, that's just how she is, even at school. Whenever she's in your body, her actions are crude and unappealing for a woman. I really don't like overly dramatic girls!" he emphasized.
It reminded me of Luke, who liked Ate's personality when she was in my body. Whereas Ervine did not. Sometimes, people have different preferences. What about me? What do I really want in a man? Someone like Luke? Or someone like Ervine?
"Hey! You're spacing out again?" he tapped my shoulder.
"S-sorry, it's just how I am... I'm really sorry," I apologized to Ervine, feeling embarrassed.
I walked him to the gate. It was already late at night, and yet he still came all the way here to give us the necklace.
"Thank you for giving this to us."
"It's nothing. I hope it helps. The truth is, I actually made that necklace. I followed what Mamita taught me and used all the magical ingredients to create it," he explained.
"I don't know why you're doing this kindness for us, but thank you so much!" I smiled at him while he stood there silently, putting his hands in his pockets. He gestured and finally went home. I was left standing there, watching him walk away.