More Than Yesterday

Chapter 1

FRANCINE's POV

I opened my window one morning when I woke up. I had a good sleep last night, thanks to Brother Khai. I went to his house yesterday to ask for help with one of my subjects, and voilà, I learned a lot. He's a great tutor, and I love him. I chuckled softly at the thought. I'm only 15 years old, but him? He's turning 22 soon.

I have my own balcony, and it faces Brother Khai's. We're neighbors because my parents and I moved here ten years ago, at my request. I wanted to see my crush every day.

Imagine, I was only five years old when I made him pinky promise that he would wait for me, and when I grow up, he would be my groom, and I would be his bride.

10 years ago...

I was playing with my doll when Daddy suddenly called out. We were in the living room. Mommy left me for a moment because she said she was going to make us a snack.

"Francine, baby!" Daddy called out. I hugged my pink doll and stood up, then went outside where Daddy was.

My steps were slow because my legs were still short. Unlike Daddy, who has long legs. But I like it when he always carries me.

I didn't have a baby brother or sister yet. I was the only child because I was only five. But I always told my mommy and daddy to give me a playmate, which is a baby sibling. I only played with my doll and sometimes my kitchen stuffed toys.

"Daddy? Why do you keep calling me?" I asked Daddy, my eyebrows furrowed as if I were serious. But to be honest, I was curious.

"Look who we have here, honey. Come here, baby," Daddy said sweetly. I smoothed out my pink dress while walking towards Daddy.

Daddy's smile was so sweet that I couldn't help but smile too. So I hurried my steps but stopped when I saw a tall guy standing to Daddy's left.

I froze, and my eyes widened because I was shocked!

"Brother Khai?!" I exclaimed, recognizing the son of my godmother, Ninang J. I squealed and ran towards him. "Brother! You're here at our house?!" I raised my little arms because I wanted him to carry me-I mean, he's really tall now.

"God, she's really excited, right, Alkairro?" my daddy asked.

"Yes, Uncle," Brother Khai replied with a smile and then carried me. I stared at his handsome face, and he looked even more dashing, just like my daddy. "How are you, Francine?" he asked me, his voice naturally gentle whenever he talked to me. But to others, I knew he was quiet and serious.

"I'm perfectly fine," I answered and kissed his cheek. He kissed me back. I pointed to my other cheek, and with a laugh, he kissed that too.

brother Khai was wearing a white t-shirt, a gray blazer, black pants, and a pair of white sneakers. His clean-cut hairstyle suited him well. And he had fair skin, uh...mestizo, right?

"Glad to know that, Francine. Oh, you're heavier now," he said, and I hugged his neck tightly.

"Silly you, ! I'm still five, and you're as handsome as my daddy!" I said happily. Both he and Daddy laughed, and Brother gently pinched my cheek. "Are you alone, Brother Khai? Where's my Ninang J?" I asked.

"Mommy isn't with me. She's busy with a photoshoot, Francine," he replied, and I nodded. I miss my godmother.

"Let's go inside, Francine, Alkairro. You can continue talking inside, lovebirds," Daddy said, and I giggled when I heard that. brother Khai let out a short laugh too.

"You heard that, Brother? We're lovebirds," I joked, and his smile widened.

Daddy then took me and carried me. I blew a flying kiss to Brother, pretending it had a heart that flew towards him, which he caught. My cheeks warmed, and I hid against Daddy's chest. I heard him chuckle and kiss my temple.

"You're so sweet, honey," Daddy Storm uttered.

We were in the living room, and I sat on Daddy's lap. Mommy Z was sitting beside Brother Khai. He was happily chatting with us while we ate our snack.

Mommy made pizza, we had pineapple juice, and also sandwiches. I was so focused on Brother presence that Daddy had to feed me.

"He's grown so tall, babe, isn't he? He's a young man now," Mommy Z commented.

"Yeah. He's left his childhood behind," Daddy replied, and I frowned because I knew what that meant.

"Daddy, that's not fair," I said, pouting as I looked up at him. I leaned against his chest. He kissed my pouty lips, and I smiled at him. I really love my father, and my mommy too. I glanced at Brother Khai and quickly hid in Daddy's chest because he was looking at me.

"Like she's really shy, babe. She just got a glance from her crush," Mommy teased, and I covered my eyes.

"Don't bully my daughter, babe," Daddy said. Mommy just laughed. She was teasing me because Brother Khai was our visitor today.

"Thank you for the fresh flowers, Alkairro," Mommy said, and I looked at them. He had given her flowers.

"No worries, Auntie. I also came here because I haven't seen Francine in a long time," he explained and quickly glanced at me and Daddy's side. Specifically at me.

"Yay! Our only daughter is feeling giddy!"

"Mommy!"

Then, it was just Brother Khai and me left in the room. I moved closer to him, and he helped me sit beside him, where I studied his face. He's really super handsome.

brother Khai doesn't have a daddy because my godmother doesn't have a husband. But everyone thought Ninang J was just his sister. Because they didn't believe it, he also calls his grandparents mommy and daddy.

"I wonder, Brother, if you look like your daddy," I said, and he pinched my cheek.

"My daddy?" I nodded.

"Aren't you looking for your daddy?" I asked again, and he laughed.

"Your daddy. You really are still a baby, Francine," he said, and I leaned against him.

"Brother" I showed him my little finger, and he looked at it, puzzled.

"Yes?" he responded, making me smile.

"Can you wait for me, Brother? I want you to wait for me to grow up, and I also want to be your bride. brother Khai, I want to marry you when I grow up," I said.

"Oh, you like that? Should we make a pinky promise?" I nodded. "How long will I have to wait, Francine?" he asked, holding my chin.

"When I turn 18. I also want you to be my last dance and then my escort."

"Eighteenth," he uttered. "So, I'll be 25 by then, and I'll wait for you for 12 years. You know, Francine, you're still a baby. Your preferences for a guy might change. You might see someone your age and want to marry him when you're grown up," he said thoughtfully.

"But I like you, Brother," I insisted, my expression turning serious. He just kissed my temple.

"Okay. There's no harm in trying a pinky promise," he said, and he mimicked me. We made a pinky promise. "I promise to wait for Francine to grow up and be her groom."

"And give me something, Brother Like...uh-" I didn't finish my sentence because he unbuttoned one of his blazer buttons and gave it to me.

"Then this is mine," he said, taking off my pink bracelet. My mommy bought it, but I didn't mind if Kuya took it.

"Thank you."

The present...

That's where Brother Khai and I started our promise to each other. I know to him, it might have just been a joke, or maybe he just indulged a five-year-old's request.

But the truth is, I'm going to take it seriously and do everything I can to win him over. I know he loves me, but as a little sister. For now, I'll accept that. We're very close, anyway.

"Good morning, Francine." I was startled, my shoulders jerking in surprise, as I suddenly heard Brother Khai's voice. He was on the neighboring balcony and had apparently been watching me for a while. His arms were resting on the railing of his balcony.

I was busy monologuing about past memories and the pinky promise we made when I was five years old.

I smiled because, first thing in the morning, I was greeted by his handsome face and killer smile. He looked fresh, already dressed in his white uniform, probably ready to head to his university.

He's a graduating student and always takes me to my school-not because my school is on his way, but because it's actually out of his way. He started picking me up and dropping me off when I entered junior high school, and now I'm in grade 9.

My dad usually takes my mom to work, but even though my dad insists on taking me, my mom always butts in and says I should just go with Brother Khai. We've gotten used to it. It's a favor for me too. Hehe.

I know my mom and my godmother are doing this on purpose. Ninang J is very supportive of me and is one of the few who knows I have a crush on her eldest son.

"Good morning, Brother" I greeted him back, smiling sweetly.

He looked me over. I was just wearing pink pajamas and a white tank top. I ran my fingers through my hair, which now fell past my shoulders. As usual, my heartbeat sped up. The reason for my racing heart was standing right in front of me.

"Did you just wake up?" he asked, and I nodded. I rested my chin on the railing and gazed at his handsome face. If I could watch him all day and all night, I would. I didn't mind the warm sunlight hitting my skin. It was breezy up here anyway. "So, you probably still smell like drool?" he joked, and I laughed.

To Be Continued...