Chapter 7 Hurt

It's been a week since that incident and up to this day, we haven't exchanged a word yet. I only saw him once in a while at the mansion because in the morning I left early to go to school, and went straight to the coffee shop in the afternoon and if I went home it would be late at night.

We met once in the living room, when I once came home from the coffee shop and I saw him holding some documents when he saw me and ignored me at the same time. I just passed him and went straight to my room. I once met him at the dining table one morning, but not a word did he say. He was just busy holding his newspaper and enjoying his cup of coffee. Beside that, nothing else.

I couldn't help but wonder if he was mad at me or I just didn't know my place in this house, he was one of the most respected people in the house because if I thought he was also the boss- I don't even know how, but technically the Solidad's let him stayed in their mansion so he is.

I was so tired to go home today because it happened to be Friday and there were a lot of people in the coffee shop, it was already a week but I'm still adjusting from my life style now. There were a lot of school requirements that I had to chase because I was away for a few days and I was tired at the coffee shop. I'm not complaining because this is what I chose, in fact I was glad to finally do something new and sensible.

I'm feeling productive, well ... kind of. I shrugged my shoulders at the numbness it felt as I entered the entrance of the mansion, and there I saw Sir Levi again. This time he was leaning against a post with his arms crossed and looking at me intently. I stopped what I was doing and smiled at him awkwardly.

Different from those days that I met him in this mansion, this time it seems like he was really there standing for a long time and waiting for someone. Who is he waiting for? I just nodded and just wanted to pass him,

"Are you busy with your school?"

I looked at him when I heard him say. I kind of heard some hint of second thoughts on his tone but, I'm not sure if it was just my tiredness creeping out althrough out my body.

I just turned to him and saw him looking at the bag behind me and the apron I was holding that I hadn't put in the bag because it was already dirty.

"Uhm, kind of."

I don't know what he's thinking and he wants to hear so I just told the truth, because I'm really busy because the finals are only a few days away, now that I've thought about it, I remember I have things to do later .

I thought the rest I wanted was something I couldn't do. I just passed him because he didn't say a word about what I said. I heard some foot steps following me, I was about to go upstairs when he said.

"I will be serving dinner, get back here if you're done with your things. I'm gonna wait here."

I turned to him and he went straight to the kitchen. Now I look around the house and realize how quiet it is. It's too late for me to realize that my housemates aren't here. I've been busy for a few days and I haven't talked to Nana Celia yet. So why no one is here I don't know.

After I cleaned my body which is I'm not quiet sure if I cleaned properly because I chose to just take a quick shower because I can't forget someone is waiting for me at the chin. I just arranged a few things and decided to go down.

I went straight to the kitchen and here, I saw him leaning on the bar stool intently, and when maybe he would notice my presence he brought himself to a chair at the table with a plate on it.

Looking at the table it seems that it has been prepared earlier due to the neat stacking of food dishes and cutlery. I'm really the only one waiting. He didn't speak and me handling this cold air between us was the most nerve wrecking time of my life. I just walked to one of the chairs here where there was another plate and it was opposite his seat.

He started eating as if I'm not here, so even with hesitation I slowly started my meal, there were two dishes there and it wasn't just that. Did he cooked this? Probably Cyreese, Who will cook? The neighbor?

A few moments have passed and we're still like that, no one is still trying to talk to us and that's not the case with me, maybe he's just not used to eating alone so he invited me. Who told you Cyreese that you like he talk to?

I can't help but notice every single detail that he does, his flaws are screaming with manliness and table manners. We we're silent only the clinking of the dishes and cutlery.

When I noticed that he's done,

"I'll wash them, thank you."

Even I'm not sure what that gratitude is for. He didn't move and he didn't seem to hear anything and I felt his cold gaze on me which made me feel uncomfortable.

"Which grade are you again?"

"12, Senior High."

I hesitantly said before I swallowed near my exhausted food. I haven't heard from him since then. And since I don't know why he still doesn't leave his seat, I just spoke to break the silence between the two of us.

"Thank you for the food you cooked. I'm the only-"

"And your instructors gives you tons of responsibilities to the point that you'll get home this late at night?"

At first I didn't know what he was referring to but when I remembered his question earlier I realized maybe he was wondering why I came home in the afternoon or evening.

He was probably irritated because he has to cook for dinner and I was just here enjoying his service.

"Uhm, I'm sorry. I'm working on a part time job, I didn't know the housemates weren't there today, if I only knew I'd say goodbye to go home early to cook dinner."

"Part time job?" He said emphatically.

I just nodded and spilled the last meal on my plate and reached for my water. I tried to avoid his deep stare at me for no apparent reason. After I drank quickly I quickly got up to put the dishes in front of me to wash them. I feel his gaze following every move I make, I don't know how to act at this moment, I don't know if I can still pretend that I'm not affected by his presence.

"What time will you go home tomorrow?"

I thought he was talking to someone else so I turned to him to see if my suspicions were correct. But i wish I was right.

"Hmm?"

I picked up the overlapping plates and turned to her before entering the kitchen. I waited for his answer as to what he meant by what he said but it seemed like a contest of stare because I lost.

"I-I work in the morning and in the afternoon as well."

Why? I wanted to follow but my mouth was already covered. He just nodded and I just nodded because I didn't know what to do in situations like this. I went straight to the kitchen to wash them.

Sometimes I still can't help but think why he's here at the Solidad's mansion, my curiosity won't leave me alone, and why I've learned that the Solidads aren't here yet.

This is just the first time that a visitor has stayed at Solidads and it's been what? Weeks? The Solidad usually stays in Manila for a month or so, does this mean that this is how our situation will be here in a few weeks? I'm not even sure if it's okay to talk to him because the Solidads might get mad at me.

Now I can still really think about when we don't talk anymore compared to the past few weeks. I shrug all my worries away and just focus on finishing the dishes. I went out of the kitchen to go upstairs and rest, but I hit something on the table, and it looked like a wrap thing. It didn't exist before when I left it here, apart from Sir Levi I left nothing here.

When I approached it to look at it, I immediately took it. It was a plant.

A smile crept in my face. Only a knock on the door ruined my smile.

Only tomorrow I express my gratitude.

"Cy. Do you have someoneto eat with?"

I was surprised when my classmate Jomar approached me. I was sorting out the papers used in our exam earlier because my teacher had instructed me.

"Break time? Yes, with Oli."

I immediately saw him listen to what I said.

"Is that Oliver your boyfriend?"

My eyes immediately widened at what he said and violently shook my head in denial of what he said.

"I-I'm just friends with Oli."

I want to be horrified by what he said, I can't imagine Oli being a Boyfriend. He is like a brother to me. I hugged the papers I was carrying and my dad would have known.

"Why Cy? Do you think that my friend will be interested in you? Just hope so! After all, since you were adopted by the Solidads, you have become ambitious." Someone pinched in.

They laughed with each other until the whole class looked at us who were now leaving and various sarcasm was uttered. Tears welled up in my eyes and I could do nothing but hug the papers I was carrying tightly. I tried to practice my breathing because I could feel my chest tightening at what they said.

I even tried to convince myself that nothing happened while saying "it's okay" Such things are not new to me, they have been for several years but I still can't help but get hurt every time I hear things coming from them. It's only two hours and my class for today will be over.

I hurriedly walked down the hallway of our building to the faculty because I was sure that Oli was waiting for me in the pathway where we often waited. The faculty door was open so I entered slowly and carefully so as not to disturb the teachers there. I saw a few teachers gathered andit looks like there is something to talk about, Ms. Rodriguez just thanked me and I hurried out.

"What are you, Cy? Are you short of food and your body is like that? I don't think that's right."

Oli irritatedly said while still having difficulty speaking because her mouth was still full of the noodles she was eating. I gave him a smile hearing his humor. Is it possible to lack food Solids?

I just shook my head and stopped smiling and proceeded in finishing the sandwich that I bought. I also can't deny that Oli is right. I also notice the change in my body because my formerly really thin body has probably become even smaller. Maybe my body is still changing at work and stress at school. It doesn't matter because I know the consequences of all this tiredness.

"Cy, I can't go home with you tomorrow, can I? Because that old man has something else to do."

He even complained while putting away what he had eaten. And I also know that the old man he is referring to is the teacher he hates who he often complains about every time we talk, because he is rude and doesn't teach but he does a lot of work. I just nodded. Oli and I don't really go home together very often because I'm always straight to the coffee shop.

"Okay class, So I've been telling you for a long time that I'll give you the requirements for this subject."

Ma'am Rodriguez cut the silence. The Philosophy teacher of our class. He said that we will group ourselves into 6 groups each as this will be our group in the project that he will give.

"Remember that this is not just a project but this will be the last requirement of mine in this whole grading. So don't make everything a game. Dismiss"

That's all he said and took the book he was carrying and left. While my classmates were quickly making noise while looking for their group mates. In such cases, I know what is happening. If there are groupings, I am often the one in charge of the missing group because no one chooses me or the teacher himself will force the groups to include me. I stayed like a rock in my seat in the hope that someone would invite me to join their group but a few minutes ago I didn't show up. So I decided to stand up and put away my belongings just to say goodbye to Ms. Rodriguez that if possible I will do the project alone.

"Cy, you're just in our group." Said Jomar.

He was clutching his bag while his friends were behind him. I looked at his face with a smile on my face and waited for my answer. I looked around first and saw that some were leaving because maybe they already had groups. Who am I to shop and act? I'm grateful enough to have somebody welcome me in their group than the usual "alone" I am.

I happily nodded to Jomar even though some of his friends looked down on me. Especially his female friend. --- I was very tired walking down the road approaching the Solidads' house, only a short distance away I saw three cars parked in front of it.

The usual alone car of Sir Levi is now not alone. It immediately formed in my mind that it is possible that the mga Solidad. Because a car of theirs was there. I just chose to go through the "back door" so as not to disturb the guests of the Solidads because of the noise coming from there I knew immediately that I can not show a dirty look and just look intrusive.

Mother Celia and I were shocked because when I entered, she could almost drop the vegetables she was carrying. I don't know where he came from.

"It's good that you came. Can you help me in the kitchen first because Letty is still not coming back." S.

he nearly wept while saying that. I felt sorry for him because he looked really stressed with what was happening.

"All right Nana, I'll just change."

She thanked me and climbed up while carrying vegetables. I thought it was those Solids in the living room, but in the distance I saw a few faces I did not know, and Sir Levi, next to At Celest? I'm still rolling my eyes to see if what I'm seeing is right because I can't recognize Ate Celest with her new hair color now. I hurried straight up the stairs so that they would not notice me.

But when I looked back at the place where they were, Sir Levi and I caught sight of each other. It was as if I was stoned by that stare. I'm sure he thinks it's embarrassing for me to show up to guests because I look like I'm just a beggar entering the house.

"London was so great. The ambiance was so romantic, I bet it was more great if I was with you Levi-oh"

Ate Celest's words were interrupted when I dropped the teaspoons on the plate causing it to create noise. I grew cold as I stood when I noticed that all eyes were now focused on me, I quickly adjusted it and I could hear Sir Levi's smirk. I continued what I was doing as if nothing had happened.

"So as I was saying, you guys- should be there. It was a perfect place for a couple like you. Levi is so busy."

I couldn't help but listen to what Ate Celest was saying as I was very careful about putting the glasses down on her-her place. There's a man and a woman I'm not familiar with who are with them right now at the dinner table. The man was so serious and in a grim while the woman looks young and carefree but in her complexion and appearance it is also obvious that her status in life is not just that.

I set the glass down in Sir Levi's place which was now in his frequent position. The two hands held each other as his lips seemed to kiss it.

"Cut the crap Celest. We're here for business."

The man I didn't know said coldly and hard. Reason for me to raise my head at the tone of his speech. The woman looked pale and shocked. She smiled and laughed like she was constipated.

"Ahhh, Ate Celest Next time. Erato is also B-busy with the Company."

She look so nervous whiles saying that. And he changed the subject and Ate Celest and I talked about things that I no longer understood.

"You should rest."

That voice I heard was so faint that I looked at the source to make sure I was hearing correctly. The two of us caught sight of each other and I could hardly swallow the blockage in my throat because it looked like he was saying that. I couldn't speak and put the last glass on and Celest and left the table. WeakeningI leaned over the sink while squeezing and feeling my chest. Is it possible that your heart is hurting for an inexplicable reason?

"Hija are you okay? Are you too tired? Or he just let you rest."

I could feel mother Celia holding my arm.

"Nana Celia, I'm fine. I'll bring those."

Me, when I saw a dish he was carrying. I don't know how many days Ate Celest has been here in Mar De Vena. I'm not used to seeing him come home alone and not with his parents. I got home exactly early today because the coffee shop was closed. Regular employees have an outing and I just didn't go because I preferred to rest.

I was also unable to hang out in front of the mansion for a long time and read a book so that's what I did when I got home early. I saw the car stop in front of the mansion. Sister Celest's slender and perfectly shaped body was what I saw.

The new color of her hair really matters to her. He became even more mestizo and I think he looked even more beautiful in my eyes. He didn't notice me here because I was a bit covered with thick vegetation. I stared at her walking inside.

When he disappeared from my sight I turned my reflection to the window from the mansion. I looked at myself and briefly lowered the book I was holding.

Nothing has changed yet. The distance of my body to the matured body of sister Celest. Wearing a t-shirt and shorts, I looked even more skeletal in my clothes. It seemed like a sudden idea that I would stop what I was planning to do and go upstairs to change clothes.

I wore a racer back top that almost rotted in my attire. The court of my body came out but it was still not like Aunt Celest's body as if it was deliberately curved. My collar bones are even showing! I combed my hair with my fingers and squeezed my cheek and it immediately turned red.

I bit my pale lips and in the end I was just saddened by what I did. I look like a stick man, I don't seem to be doing all this on my own. I picked up my sketch pad and walked out my door. Even though it was a bit dark the hallway of the second floor I walked straight towards the office door.

I looked up at my head there and a twinge of nervousness in my chest to see him there and seriously focused on his laptop. Before I could even think of stepping back, he saw me. I almost jumped in panic but I was no longer on my own to show up completely to him. His eyes are looking amused seeing me.

While I was embarrassed and could not look at him. I saw how his lips parted as he trail his sight towards me.

"Yes?"

I bit my lip. I slowly walked towards him. I even watched what he was doing. But when he saw me looking at it he immediately closed his laptop and arranged his desk as if he was done with what he was doing.

"Uhm, nothing. I'll just let you see if I did it right."

He tilted his head a bit. He stood up in his chair and attempted to take the sketchpad in my hand.

"Levi- Oh Cyreese?"

I gasped when I heard Sister Celest's voice. Why am I here?

"Celest."

"Do you ... need something from Levi?"

"Yes-"

"None!"

I'm cutting to whatever he has to say.

"Sure you have."

Celest's face was confused as she looked back and forth between the two of us.

"Come on let me see."

None of my own I hid the sketch pad behind me and shook. Dark eyes wrinkled his forehead at my posture.

"Well, whatever it is ... Uhm, can it wait? We have some important matters to do."

He looks at Levi. I stopped and was stoned at what I heard. I turned to Levi and saw that he didn't seem to understand what Celest had said.

"O-okay."

I stormed my way out without looking back. I still heard Levi's weak voice but I no longer understood that. Just that day I just fell asleep and they still did not leave the office. That hurt. A bit.