Chapter 18 Alright

Jomar was shocked to see me enter the class this Monday. Maybe he was worried about me because it was Friday. I can't blame him either. Even I was worried about myself.

Mariel and I were hugging when I saw them there. I smiled at them and they immediately seemed to have let go of each other. I just put my bag on the chair and ignored them. The day had a good start for me, my joy was unbearable and I had a good outlook on life today. I still can't forget what Levi promised me yesterday.

"Your hotel in the center is nice. When I last went, it wasn't there."

If it was a normal day I was busy drawing but no, I got bored there and just laid it on his desk. I just watched him while he was busy working. He's not teaching me now, he just lets me draw earlier while he's so focused on what he's doing.

"Really?"

He side eyed me since he was busy checking on some papers. "Hmm-hmm." I nodded at him. I still looked at him as he was busy reading the mountain of paper on his desk.

There were some papers he would stop, then he'd scribble something on it, maybe it was his signature. Earlier his answers to me were sparing. I read hard but I can't seem to read the piles of papers in front of him.

I can't help but marvel at the time he devotes to it. I stared at her face when she didn't follow my words. His thick eyebrows are more depressed because of his frowning. Her lips twitched softly as there was no sound as she read the papers in front of her. I got up and went to the glass door to open it.

I saw him stop reading and peeked for a moment where I was going. I smiled at him and he also smiled when he saw what I did. Even before I finally opened the door, the papers were welded on his desk. He kept laughing at what I did. I grinned and let the air in. I stood in the doorway and sniffed at him.

"Okay okay."

He suppressed his laughter and stood up at his desk to go in my direction.

"So the hotel is nice, what else?"

A smile left on her lips as her hand clung to one side of the sliding glass door. He was inside while I was on the railing. He waited for my answers but I just made my eyes chinky to let him know my point. The ghost of smile in his lips made me roll my eyes a bit but when I realized what I had done I turned my back on him. I turned my back at him and traversed the little terrace space. I placed both of my hands in the banister.

I tried to snatch away the beautiful scenery I could see and let go of the sulk in him. The vast wide blue ocean seems to never meet it's ends. Vast, infinite. But the funny thing is that it was just all in our eyes. Everything has an end. Everything has boundaries.

Everybody has their own limit. My heart jumped a bit when I felt his presence on my back, his hands are on my side locking me and his hard chest was bumping into my back. My lips parted and my breathing seemed to stop for a moment. What is he doing?

"I'm sorry,"

He breathed. Even if I don't look back at him I can almost see the smile on his lips because of his tone.

"I have to read those proposals today. Hmm. "

Her voice was so tender and I could no longer explain what her voice had done to me. It was like a lukewarm water spread through the system I wanted to want to evaporate and flow. I just nodded and didn't speak. My lips didn't have the strength to even notice what he said. He can finish all of his works without telling me for goddess sake. Why would he tell me that?

"Uh-hmm?"

That tone of his is weird, seems like he's mocking me and he's not convincing on my simple nod.

"Someone's upset."

I was especially blown away by his tone. I wanted to face him but I was afraid he would see my reaction so I let him think everything he wanted to think.

"What about, we go to the capital tomorrow and I'll fetch you to your school?"

My eyes twinkled at his offer. I turned to face him regardless of the small distance we were. I looked up into his eyes and couldn't help but show the joy on my face.

"Are we going to the center?"

He nodded at what I said. He even fixed my hair and touched his index finger to the bridge of my nose.

"And y-you'll fetch me?"

He nodded softly and rolled his eyes. He smiled at me and brushed my cheeks lightly. So I can't help but wish that this day is over and that Levi and I can get to the center. He told me some things and place that took my attention. I can't wait to stroll the capital with him.

I could hardly sleep last night because I couldn't wait for tomorrow to arrive.

"Oli, are you okay?"

I asked Oli because he is an idiot now and does not move his food. He's not like that because if he was okay he would have finished earlier and shared my food.

"A-ah of course Cy!"

I just looked at him in astonishment but he still said nothing. What he says is contrary to what he shows.

"Cy, Ma'am is asking me to do something. I'll be the first."

He stormed out without even touching his food. While I was left here alone with a big question mark on my face. Is he really okay? In the last few weeks since I started working, I haven't been able to talk to him and keep up with him when I get home, so I'm worried that he has a problem and he doesn't tell me. He is always by my side whenever I have a problem so it's sad if he needs help now and I'm not there. A few minutes passed and I continued to consume the food I had bought in the canteen. I don't know what I'm going to do with Oli's food.

I also didn't know what to do with him.

"Cy,"

Jomar said, taking his place in Oli's seat earlier. I was a bit startled and I even stopped eating.

"What you saw is nothing. Mariel and I are just friends." he grinned.

I wondered why he was telling me this.

"Hmm, okay?" me sounding so confused.

"Maybe you're angry at what you saw."

I shook him violently to prove that I was not really angry with what I saw. But on the side of my brain I was wondering why Mariel and I would hold hands if they were just friends. Levi held my hand before, and we're friends. I nodded in my mind. Jomar was right again.

"I'm not mad Jomar. I don't need to."

He also said nothing and just smiled. Wonder and why is he here? The time I had been waiting for the most came and I went quickly at the gate of Mar De Vena high to wait for him.

He told me to stay here and wait for him. I played with my hands while thinking about what we could do later. I have been to the center a few times but now the joy of my heart is strange.

Five minutes became twenty until it became thirty and almost an hour. There are not many students coming out and some teachers are coming out. I can no longer draw my face in excitement and wonder why he is not there yet.

Does he know Mar De Vena High? Or maybe he finished his job again? I waited a little longer and tried to convince myself. I ditched my work today for his plans. So as I slowly thought that he would not come my heart ached.

Silly Ava, Levi will not break his promise. It was almost an hour before a car stopped in front of me. It wasn't Levi's car so I backed away. The front door opened and a man came out of it.

"Lourd?"

He was wearing an oversize wayfarer but I know it was him. He was so wrapped up in his hoodie and could barely recognize who that person was. I just know it was him. He rolled his eyes around as if he was trying to avoid being seen by anyone. He opened the door of the passenger seat and motioned for me to enter.

"Get in."

I frowned as I backed away and turned my back on him. When I last listened to him, my mind was confused so now I don't have plans to listen to him.

"You're Romeo asked me to pick you up."

He mockingly said reason to stop me. I looked at him in surprise.

"I don't usually follow his favors so please, don't make this hard for me and just get.in.the car."

I swallowed at what he said. Levi isn't coming? But h-he said he'll fetch me ... we're in the center ... My eyes filled with tears as I followed the scene we were passing through.

My mind is clouded with all the thoughts that's burying me deep. Whatever I tried to convince myself that I was okay I couldn't do.

Why didn't he pick me up and why couldn't we stay at the center? He told me that, he promised me.

"Tss. He promised?" I ignored him and pretended not to hear. I feel that I will be even more immersed when I listen to what he has to say.

"And you believed?"

I also want to assume that he is not here. Whatever Levi says I know I will believe it, even if maybe a lie I will still believe.

"Where did your beliefs take you?" He chuckled.

The tears that I had been forming earlier flowed. I swallowed the lump on my throat. My chest tightened at what he said. I shouldn't be upset from this mere things. What now if I believed Levi and he didn't fulfill it? I can understand that ... I have to understand.

A sob escaped even though I tried hard to conceal it. I violently wiped the tears incessantly from my cheek and the annoyance condensed into my heart. It's been a while since I've had so much fun now it's coming back to me. He probably have reasons Ava. You have to matured about it. The world does not revolve around you. I convinced myself. I heard him sigh harshly.

"Fuck that brother of who."

He spoke sternly. I was still deaf to him even though I was annoyed when he cursed at his brother.

"Stop crying, Whatever reasons he may tell you he has to make sure it's worth your tears. Or else, "

I turned to him and and he looked straight at the road. He did not continue what he said. I didn't even pay attention to him because I didn't feel like talking.

"I hope I just go straight to the coffee shop." I said to myself.

"Wouldn't it be better if you didn't go in there?" I frowned at him.

How did he know that I was working there?

"I'm working in a model agency, I can sign you up."

I was even more confused by what he said. Model? Me? Never in my life that I imagined doing that. This one is crazy. I ignored him and looked out the window again. We are close to the Solidad's house.

"I'm serious Ava, there's much opportunity waiting for you. If you are interested just let me know." I side eyed him.

He seems serious though. His car stopped at the gate of Solidad's. I saw a Levi's car parked there before, now with someone else.

"Thank you."

He had other suspicions but I didn't understand that because I was already focused on entering the mansion to find out who was there. I heard some chit-chat from the entrance, and from there I met his eyes.

He was a bit shocked for a moment but that also disappeared immediately. He clenched his jaw and stared at me intently. Ate Celest was on his side while some snacks are served on the center table.

"Cyreese you're home. I thought you were late, Nana told me you always came home late." I never thought tha Celest's voice would be this distracting for me. I hesitated to smile at Ate Celest.

"Yes sister, I'm going to rest."

I walked fast and I never looked at him again. Not even a glance. I ran two steps up the stairs and hurried into the room as if I had been chased by a thief or something. He did not come because ate Celest came home.

My shoulders trembled at the sob that I tried to hide afraid of being heard by anyone. You're so dumb Ava. You're so dumb. I lay on my bed bawling my eyes out from crying until I fell asleep. I woke up late and never fell asleep again.

The morning came and even a few minutes of blinking I didn't even make it. For a few hours I still wondered if I was just dreaming yesterday, just to realize it was all true. Why would you assume that he would choose you over Ate Celest Ava?

I was still wearing the uniform I was wearing yesterday, so even though I felt heavy, I decided to just take a shower and go down to have breakfast. There is no need for attendance now because only clearance is done, so I might just go to the coffee shop this afternoon. No one was awake except a few housemates.

Maybe it's better to eat first than to go with the two of them later. I could barely move the food that Nana Celia cooked for me even though I knew in myself that I was hungry because I hadn't eaten last night.

Nana Celia asked me a few more times if I was okay. And of course what else can I answer? Rather than ask me what my reason is. After I ate I saw Levi descend. He saw me and stopped on the mid-stairs but continued on as well later.

Nana Celia immediately left the table without a word. I tried to avoid his gaze and hurriedly put me away  food to put it in the sink. I washed my hands and immediately left the kitchen so as not to have any encounter with him.

"Ava,"

I just passed him as if no one had heard. His voice was saturating me. I was afraid to look into his eyes and give in to what he had to say.

"Ava." I stopped. I chuckled.

He really knows how to pick me up. With just one word from him he knew I would follow everything he wanted.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know Celestine would be home last night."

I faced him and still did not look into his eyes. There's no need for you to say that, whatever your reason is is fine with me.

"It's okay. I understand."

My lips are trembling as I said those words.

"No. It's not okay."

He approached me and tried to hold my hands. But I backed away and saw him stop what I was doing.

"It's okay. Celest is more important. It's good that she's home."

I smiled to assure him.

"What? Ava, no-"

He took one more step and I also took one more step back. His forehead furrowed and his patience seemed to have waned and he finally approached me and touched my wrist.

"I said I'm sorry. Stop talking about Celestine-"

"Good morning!"

I turned to the healing of that voice and immediately removed his hold on me. I turned my back on him without looking back and almost ran up the stairs just to get out of there.

"Ava, come with me for breakfast."

Celest said when I met her. I could not look at him because of the tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm done."

And he turned his back as well. I didn't go out even once after that. I tried to entertain myself with other things but even though I almost hated drawing, even if I read a book nothing enters my mind.

I just sat in front of my window and looked at the dancing trees, the rumble of them even the waves of the sea. I didn't realize I was asleep there as I waited for the afternoon to come to work at the coffee shop.

When I came down I saw Levi and Ate Celest there in the living area. They had guests so my actions were slow so they wouldn't notice me. He was the only one who glanced at me and followed me with his gaze until I got out of the mansion. I made up my mind, I just want to ignore him. I don't want to interfere with anything he does in life. I'm not his little sister who promises to buy ice cream when I'm kind. I'm not. I'll be kind whenever I want.

All day in the coffee shop I was not on my own. Fortunately, I'm just here at the counter and I can't bother other people in case I get slapped again like when I was sick. And if this day could get any worse, this is probably the perfect timing for that.

"I told you, leave this coffee shop and join my agency."

I almost stared at him when he said, "Can I just take your order?" His lips rose, "I'm not having coffee. You're the one I'm here for."

I saw the line of people behind him and restrained myself from scandalizing here so I faked a smile at him. I called Marie and pleaded for a moment to drive this man away. He smiled devilishly when I stepped out of the counter and went into a corner. He was wearing his uniform and he had a face sober here.

"I work here, can you just bother me when it's over?"

I begged him to be like a child. He shrugged.

"Please?"

Maybe he'll feel sorry for me. I had enough of this day. He sneezed and removed his wayfarers.

"What's his reason? Is it worth your tears?"

It was like a pinch of pain that passed for a moment in my chest and I was stunned by what he was referring to.

"It's nothing. He's just busy."

I tried so hard to pursue a smile but when I saw a little pity in his eyes tears immediately formed in my eyes. I bowed and laughed.

"Tsk. I told you, it better be worth it."

I felt his palm on my head, he patted me as if I was a little child. Somehow, for some inexplicable reason I felt relieved that he was here. I feel like he is the only one who can understand me.

I'm thankful I didn't know what had gotten into this man and he actually stayed at the coffee shop until I finished, there were a few people looking at him because his posture to one side while wearing a uniform caught my attention.

There were also a few students who met him and asked for a photo. But he just insults it. I just shake every time he makes a scene there.

"Cyreese, are you? In the past, the one who came after you could take off his panties, don't tell me this is what you're after now?"

I was aware of the malice in the tone of Marie's speech. He touched her curly hair as his eyes rolled as he looked at Lourd Vidalio in his seat. I wanted to remember what he said but he was already swayed by the tremor of his bamboo. I just sighed and shook at what I saw. I have nothing more to say to this man. I don't know why he's still here, now that I'm on my way home I'm figuring out what he wants to happen. Even at 5 o'clock I didn't leave the counter, even though Marie was pushing me away I didn't budge and waited for her to leave.

15 minutes passed and I saw him leave his mirror and his dark eyes I saw as he approached me.

"It's already 5 Ava, how much do they pay you that you still don't want to go home?"

I wanted to roll my eyes at what he said. First I didn't work just for money. Secondly I haven't had a thousand days here. I averted my eyes from her and turned the counter to count the money there and record it in the log book before handing it to Marie as I was about to go home. I heard some English that was cheap to him because I ignored him but I still didn't pay attention to him.

"Is that Lourd Vidalio?"

"Not kidding."

"He's wearing a UMDV uniform."

He was released a few cheap times because of the students noticing him.

"Shit. I'll wait outside."

I followed the look of the person like lightning who came out of the coffee shop. I remember seeing him being chased by the press last time. As well as what happened that day. I don't know but I'm sorry to see him like that.

My heart ached again when I saw him waiting outside and seemed to be hidden from everyone who could see him.