Chapter 20-A

It was dark at five o'clock in the afternoon. Probably because of the incoming Low Pressure Area that's now in the southeastern part of Samar. The LPA is expected to appear in the PAR over the weekend according to News.

A few minutes later, heavy rain fell. It hit hard but Jewel didn't budge. She resolutely walked under the heavy rain and gusty wind, holding her umbrella's handle tightly.

Thunder roared and lightning shone in the sky. Her body shivered in cold and fear but she swallowed and continued to stride.

She went to the faculty office to see Gideon but the faculty staff said the man was not there. So it's most likely that Gideon's in the Agriculture building.

Jewel sighed and entered the building. Closing the umbrella, she hang it on the umbrella section at the side of the entrance. Her hands hugged her body as she walked to the elevator.

She quietly walked down the hallway on the seventh floor and saw a few students walking to and fro. Perhaps they were eager to return in the dorm since it's raining harder than usual.

Her feet stopped at the front of a closed door and knocked. She waited but no one opened. Jewel squinted her eyes as she turned the doorknob. A click was heard before the door opened. "Gideon?" she called and walked in.

It's dark. The window was closed and no one was there. She should know. Gideon was not here that's why it was quiet and without light. Closing the door, she turned on the side switch. The interior of the classroom lit up.

Her eyes roamed around and she smelled a mixture of Gideon's perfume and ink. She looked at the whiteboard.

A lot was written there. Agricultural machineries, organic and inorganic fertilizers, all about agriculture. Her eyes looked down. Looked like he couldn't talk to Gideon today.

Just as she turned around to get out, the door suddenly opened. Gideon walked in. His polo shirt was wet and rainwater from the tip of his hair was still dripping on his forehead and cheeks. When he looked up, their eyes met.

"Jewel?" A deep and cold voice echoed inside the classroom.

It was last night when she last heard Gideon's voice. She averted her eyes and did not utter a word. She saw out of the corner of her eye how Gideon step closer to her. He wiped his face. "Why are you here?" he asked.

Gideon passed her by. He turned the professor's desk behind her and took out a folder underneath. He also took out a water-proof envelope and placed the folder there.

"We need to talk," she said and stood in front of Gideon. The man said nothing so she continued speaking. "Are you still considering a certificate to transfer for me? You know you can't do that. My college admission is already stated in the UDM contract. And I'm starting a new life here."

She looked at Gideon's face and noticed it was pale. She blinked as he turned to face her and stepped close. He stopped in front of her.

Gideon reached for the hair that had escaped to her face and tucked it behind her ear. She could feel the cold in his palm. "For you, Jewel ... I can," Gideon whispered.

She frowned. "W-What ---"

"If you're not behaving well, wife." Gideon raised the corner of his lips and then brought his face close to hers. "The security provided footage of you and your friends sneaking into the men's dorm. If you think you can hide everything from me, think again Jewel."

Her feet backed away quickly. "What are you ---"

"Don't ever think of lying to your husband."

It took her seconds before she regained her calm and smirked. "So, what if I did it with my friends?" Her eyes met his sharp gaze. "What will you do?"

She was surprised when Gideon moved closer to her. Her eyes widened as he kissed the corner of her lips. Her hand quickly pushed his body away. "Gideon!" she warned.

"You must be punished for breaking rules, Jewel."

She backed away. "W-What? Punishment?"

Gideon stood up straight. "But let's deal it next time. For now, I want you to fix your things ---"

"Listen, Gideon Manasseh. You won't transfer me. That's final."

"What's this? Being brat again, Jewel?" Gideon frowned.

Her two eyebrows met. "I'm not being a brat. It's you who can't honor his word!"

"I don't trust that Saavedra. You should know that I'm just looking after your safety."

"I can deal with him." Her eyes stared at him, not even blinking for a second. "I can deal with my ex. Okay? So don't bother to transfer me. I can't handle another adjustment after I've married you, Gideon."

Gideon looked at her lips. He smiled softly then avoided her gaze. "Are you regretting being married to me, Jewel?" he asked.

Jewel was dumbfounded by the question. What was her husband thinking? She looked away. "What kind of question is that?" she whispered then tried to walked passed by him.

Gideon quickly grabbed her arm. "I am asking you." And slightly tighten his hold on her arm. "Answer me and I'll let you stay in this University."

She looked at her husband who was staring intently at her. "What shall I answer, Gideon?"

"I want to know," he whispered.

Jewel grabbed his hand holding her arm. “It hurt,” she complained. He quickly let go of her arm so she looked up at him. Their eyes met. Gideon's gaze was gentle and Jewel held her breath. "You know the answer, Gideon."

Her feet quickly turned around and she left the classroom, running to the stairs while holding her chest. Her heart was beating fast.

It was the same feeling when she was with Simoen two years ago. But it's not the exact feeling because now, there's difference. The pulse's stronger than before. She was feeling electrified when Gideon was just around and her body would shiver from that feeling.

Her footsteps came into a halt when someone hugged her from behind. Jewel drew a breathe.

"Jewel," Gideon whispered, chanting her name. He brought his mouth close to her ear. "I can't read your mind, but I ask you to stop seeing your friends. They're bad influence to you. You will only suffer with them."

Her face darkens and she untied the arm wrapped around her waist. She faced Gideon. "Are you asking me to ---"

He nodded. Jewel clenched her fist and slapped Gideon in no time. Her husband's face turned to the left. She could still feel the pain in her palm because of the strength she used to slap him. "Will you stop controlling my life?"

"How many times do I have to remind you, Jewel? I'm not controlling you."

"But it seems like you want to control me, my life!"

"No ---"

"It's the way I see things, Gideon!" Jewel screamed.

There was silenced between them. Gideon's shoulders moved up and down as he suppressed his emotions. "Stop seeing your friends and I'll let you stay here in this University!"

"Gideon!" she shouted, frustrated. "They're my friends!"

"They are not good friends, Jewel."

"No." She shook his head, biting her lips. "No!"

Gideon frowned. "Jewel Laine Hernandez."

"Arg! I don't want to see you again! I hate you!" She burst into tears, annoyed. She bit her lip and continued running down the hallway and down the stairs.

"Jewel!"

Her tears flowed even more. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Gideon chasing after her.