The Black Diamond

Chapter 2

"Were you sunbathing all morning?" As much as Aerine wanted to keep his cousin's hysterical voice to catch attention, Nathaniel continues to examine his reddening skin from his face down to his hands. It is very rare to see Aerine in this state because he rarely goes out without any skin protection applied to his body or atleast his special made umbrella his mother bought from Europe when they had their business trip years ago. Nathaniel, a year older than him, is the cousin and brother that he couldn't stand when he's getting worried sick over simple things. It runs in the blood-was the only reason he can get from him. Nathaniel is the second son of his uncle Emerson and aunt Natalia. He came out a year earlier than Aerine but their bond is beyond cousins but like twins-one as the happy-go-lucky while the other is the innocent one. Nathaniel and his older brother, Kyle, protected Aerine since they were kids and treated him as their younger 'sister' which Aerine doesn't understand why since he is a boy. "Where have you been, huh?" Another question was thrown again when Aerine didn't answer the first one. "Did you take the bus to get here? You should've called me or Kyle to fetch you, Jade." Nathaniel added looking directly to the quiet boy in front of him.

Heaving a sigh before answering his cousin's questions was his natural way of being apologetic in a silent way. He didn't have a choice but to tell Nathaniel how was his morning and how did he get the skin irritation. All along the story telling, Nathaniel nods and sigh and every now and then throw questions of whys and who and how. "I didn't know the umbrella could protect me less from it but that's a better one than nothing, right?" Aerine asks in hope that Nathaniel can see it as a better reasoning than nothing.

"It is but how are you?"

Aerine smiles at him before answering, "I'm alright, Nathaniel." Nathaniel raises his brows at him, waiting for him to say the words he wanted to hear. "I will honestly let you know if I don't feel alright." And with that, Nathaniel nods approvingly.

Cathalina Suri University or CaSU has been nurturing and producing geniuses all across the country. With its well-known name from the woman founded the school, the school is one of biggest establishment being said and also the most competitive school among all. It has been the alma mater for some of the well-known professionals including the business tycoon Claude James Braddock-studied for almost 8 years with 2 different courses; Journalism and Business Management. The school ground is housing 15 massive infrastructures including the football (soccer) field, theater, teachers' office and the faculties. A bus as the means of transportation is needed to travel from faculty to faculty and security is at a high level to prevent and maintain the peacefulness and order within the school premises.

The school was built as a small clinic which served aid to many citizens of the neighboring districts until the lady Cathalina Suri took interest in expanding it to a hospital. It wasn't easy at first to establish the plan because of different circumstances. His late father was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer and needed immediate medication causing them to move out from the country to United States in hopes of cure. It took 4 months before the cancer ended Mr. Suri's life. With this one block, Cathalina pursued her dream of expanding her clinic with the single goal; to help and cure those who are in need. She doesn't want others to experience what she and her family had through. It was devastating and hopeless. What can money really do if life's greatest gift is being taken away slowly?

Dormitories and student houses are also present within the vicinity and just a few kilometers away from the school. Those who prefer living in the school premises, stay in dormitories and student houses while others chose the other option. Other students chooses neither the two options but instead, going home was their resort. Commercial buildings are prohibited within the 5 kilometers range of the school to avoid students loosing their focus in studying and to guide them properly. School's visions. Most of the students staying within the dormitories are from far districts and also those who were enrolled in the CaSU Special Program or the scholars.

The case of the Esguerra brothers, Nathaniel and Kyle, is like the usual-a student house bought for them in between their house and the school to minimize the traveling hours and to avoid too much tiredness because Kyle takes medicine as his course, time and rest are the things he needs the most. The distance from the school to their house is 1.5 kilometers which is an ideal distance. The student house they bought was a two storey building with 4 bedrooms, 5 toilets and baths, a kitchen, garage and a terrace. The style was built and decorated based on a Victorian house back in the days-most of the student houses are built based on this style. Although the house is big enough and plenty of space for only the two of them, they pretty much know how to fill and occupy those spaces. One of the two remaining rooms was turned into a library and the other one was turned into a gym which favors Nathaniel. Aerine sometimes lives with them whenever there is a storm landed on the country, either stayed late at school or if Nathaniel wants Aerine to be with them.

Emerson Esguerra is the youngest child of the Esguerra family and the only brother of Ruby Rose Esguerra-Braddock, Aerine's mother. Aerine is lucky enough to have cousins from his mother side because on his father side, he doesn't have any since Claude Braddock is an only child, too, just like him. Grateful he is that he has Kyle and Nathaniel to rely on most of the time.

The usual morning classes routines went by as fast as the students could imagine more with lots of homework assigned, projects on plan, and activities ahead of them. What time of the year does CaSU celebrate the Parade of the Flags? In few weeks. Everyone is looking forward to this event as this isn't just a tradition in the school to honor and give thanks to Cathalina Suri herself but also to welcome the new students of the school. Aerine heard a lot of fun stuff happening in the said event from his cousins and very excited about experiencing it for the first time. As a freshman of business management, things might not be as easy from the start and will be stressful along the way-not only to him but to others, too. So to start the new school year, this tradition will give them the hype to study more and be more cheerful that will last for some good time.

Students' noise emerge through the hallways of every building when the bell for an hour and half lunch break rang the entire premises. Food stalls in the cafeteria, shops within the school, and the once quiet pantries started to be filled with hungry students. Lines were formed from one stall to another. A total of five massive cafeterias were built that can serve two faculty buildings since each of the buildings have its own pantry with limited food selections. Those students who are too lazy to wander around and have their own lunches choose the pantry, some wanted to go out and have some fresh air. Others have the option to go to a coffee shop or cake shop or to any establishment they prefer to spend their time.

On the good contrary, the school ground is like a small civilized and well-developed community with all the necessities being accessible by the students. They wanted to let the students feel that they're being trained to live outside of the gates to the real world someday. As to the young Braddock, it is a total new environment to him and then again, he is lucky to have a close family to accompany him.

A good fifteen minute drive from the Faculty of Engineering to the Business Admin building was all it takes to Nathaniel to be there on time when Aerine exited those stained panel glass doors of the building. Aerine doesn't have any plans with the time how he's going to spend it as he is not in the mood to grab any food and Nathaniel will surely bug him because to this man, food is life. He'll probably work on a homework while waiting for his cousin to finish his food or read books for the next class.

Nathaniel was on doing some drumming on the steering wheel when he entered the car as a song playing on the background, fastened his seat belt before remarking him. "I've seen drummers and you're failing at it, Nate." Giggling a little causing his cousin to stop on what he's doing, turning to Aerine and giving him a stern look.

"Can you just atleast pretend you support me and not point out what I'm doing wrong?"

"I'll pretend."

Before saying anything, Nathaniel gives him a fake smile. "Charming." Revving the car to life, the two of them drive quietly through the busy street and in hopes of finding a good spot to spend their lunch break. The drive was dead silent. None of them tried to talk or make any attempts to reach each other. Aerine's mind was wandering inside his head with thoughts of everything he reluctantly remembers.

On the driver's seat, Nathaniel's focus is on the road ahead of them. He wanted to reach Aerine and asks how was his morning classes but failed to, instead, he assumes that his cousin must be thinking of what to eat. Then Nathaniel was strucked with that thought, where are they having their lunch? "Jade, where are we having our lunch?"

Aerine quickly snaps out of his daydream, unknowingly how to answer Nathaniel's question. "I thought you have a plan."

Nathaniel widens his eyes in realization that Aerine didn't think of it and not thinking of it after all. "I was quiet all the time letting you think about it or just thought you were, you know, thinking of a place?"

"Wasn't thinking about any place, Nathaniel."

Suspicions rises in Nathaniel's mind. "You're not eating."

"I don't have the appetite, Nathaniel. Please."

"It is not to my likings, Aerine Jade."

"Natha-" Before Aerine finishes his plead. Nathaniel cuts him off with an idea that surely an unpleasant idea he wouldn't resist.

"We'll have our lunch with Kyle." Instead of few minutes driving to a nearby shop or cafeteria, this idea will be consuming 30 minutes of their time. Nathaniel knows Aerine is not good at revoking and that is for sure. He can't say no or win any debates between him when Kyle is involved.

And so, after a good exact 30 minutes of driving across the entire school, the Faculty of Medicine came to their view on its clean white paint from bottom up to the top, glass panes that were cleaned this morning, the mini garden patch with the bermuda grass that were trimmed a couple of days ago and some students walking aimlessly along the path with their books and bags, some are laptops and tablets. It was an easy job to Nathaniel to find a good parking spot next to the 8 storey building where his older brother's car is parked, too.

Nathaniel was the first one to exit the car to call Kyle and filling him up with what happened on their way. Aerine should've asked Nathaniel to go to this coffee shop near his faculty which serves the best and the tastiest sandwich he never had before. It was a chicken breast wrapped in bacon with cheese, freshly cut tomatoes, cabbage, and a choice of dressing. He always goes for the mayonnaise because of how it compliments the freshness of the vegetables and juiciness of the meat with its blandness taste pair with a glass of green apple juice that's purely fresh with ice. Comparing to the other boy, he eats what he sees as food and boy, he is still fit.

Long after a couple of minutes, Aerine's appetite came to life and his stomach growls like he haven't eaten this morning that Nathaniel heard it and smirks at him when he re-entered the car. "Don't start me now, Nathaniel." He pleads.

Nathaniel only chuckles at him as he raises his both hands mid air. "Will not, princess."

"And don't even tell Kyle." Aerine added. Kyle will surely give him the lecture of his life if Nathaniel says anything about him loosing his appetite and excuses and with that, Aerine will be upset to himself.

Not long enough when a knock from the passenger's side mirror caught both of the two boys' attention from the inside. Looking impatiently outside, Kyle couldn't see what's happening inside or who's sitting where although it is his younger brother's car, Aerine could've drove it as a practice since the streets within the school aren't as busy as on the highways. His white long sleeves' hem were tucked neatly under his blank pants that complimenting his manly thighs and exposing some of his underneath that girls have been drooling about and those butt that are sexy making him equally like a Greek God. Being a student of Faculty of Medicine takes a lot of toll-knowledge, wisdom, time management, and patience-that Kyle learned how to pack these within his brain. His good looks is a great addition to his character to top it up.

Both of the boys from the car exited at the same time and Kyle's surprise when Aerine exited on his side, giving him a smile before caressing his cheeks. "Good to see you coming around here, Jade."

Aerine blushes furiously when he felt Kyle's hand against his cheek. "He wanted us to have lunch with you. How's your morning class?" He said pointing Nathaniel indicating what he said on the first part.

"It wasn't as good as when I started studying this course." Kyle replied jokingly. "Nate told me about you-"

"I'm sorry I was just-"

Kyle sighed at him making him pause and waits for Kyle to finish what he wanted to say. "And I don't know what happened earlier to make you forget about eating but I was worried on top of that. I thank Nate for bringing you here to see myself how you're doing, Aerine Jade. I have a company inside though but don't mind them, alright?"

Hearing those words from Kyle made Aerine felt a relief but the guilt was beyond when he made Kyle worried. He doesn't want to be a burden to someone else, let alone with his older brothers especially Kyle with a lot of things on his plate. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again, I promise."

"I always trust you to do the right things, Jade. Always. Now let's get inside. I don't want you to get burned."

Upon entering the building, it is more grand than the Business Administration building. The tiled floor is shiner and cleaner like on those of real hospitals. The atmosphere of the building is also like from a real hospital. It was an enclosed building with limited windows, lots of bright lights inside, the walls are as white as their uniforms and well-organized unlike from neither Aerine's faculty building nor Nathaniel's. Business Administration building is somehow like a real company with rules and regulations posted on every bulletin boards every floor, organized but not like this one they are in and not as lively as the medicine students giving the idea of how difficult this field of education is.

Every now and then, Aerine couldn't resist his self in being amuse of the building. One of his fears is being admitted to hospitals or being in there for too long. Some students they stumbled upon on were greeting Kyle with simple hellos and he's been responding the same greeting with smile plastered on his face. Aerine has been wondering how popular Kyle is in this faculty judging by how many people know him and greeted him on that occurrence. But not only Kyle gets attention, Nathaniel also because of his resemblance to his older brother while Aerine is getting the who is he vibe around him. Being around with many people will make him uneasy and uncomfortable but he knows how to relax and ignore most of them. Some of the students already have an idea who the other boy is. Aerine's popularity was starting to spread across the entire school but he didn't know about it either. He's closed off from the real world. His mind is only focusing in reaching his goals-study and be a part of the drama club. Opening of the clubs hasn't been started until the upcoming event in the school.

They didn't aim for the elevator instead, they headed towards the stairs. "You don't like elevators, Jade, and besides it is faster to take these." Kyle stated matter of factly. Aerine nods at him but Nathaniel, on his usual lazy self, tried to argue with Kyle.

"Thanks for considering me, big brother!" He huffs.

"Always, brother. Always." Kyle said without even looking at him. The three of them take flight to the stairs silently afterwards before reaching the third floor where the noises are being audible from the stairs.

Aerine is assuming that there are lots of students who rather stayed behind than going outside. They took the third hallway leading to the pantry. Upon entering the massive pantry, they were greeted with noises but when all of their eyes landed on the three of them, they quieted down. Nathaniel mouthed an 'Oh' to himself in particular while Aerine started to feel uncomfortable when they noticed that the people are eyeing them from head to toe. Luckily, it only took a couple of seconds before they averted their attention back to whatever they were doing beforehand. It was a big relief to Aerine.

Kyle leads them to a not empty table where his friends are having their lunch already and waiting for him. Aerine got excited when a familiar presence came to his sight.

It's him.

Two weeks ago

After debating whether to take a left turn or right turn, Aerine started to feel scared of his misfortune as the day is coming to an end. He didn't intend to join the rest of their groups to have the meeting on their project in an unfamiliar place near the Faculty of Science which is a 20 minute drive from their faculty. What makes it difficult is that the way to this faculty has many turning points and the buildings are scattered everywhere since the faculty has many branches. One of their group mates suggested to get an advice from one the seniors in the Faculty of Science and not all in the group are required to join, only those who wants to explore the neighboring faculty. Curiosity and excitement filled Aerine's head and without even thinking the consequences, he joined them and that leads to his misfortune.

After the meeting took place, he stayed behind to check the faculty's library that has a rumor of how big it is and how many books it has among all other libraries in the school. He was fascinated at first when he had a little glance of the time, he started to panic amd exited the building as quickly as possible. All he remembers was the entrance of the faculty but beyond that was a mystery. Aerine ended being lost. He tried calling Nathaniel but his phone was unavailable and so was Kyle. He has no one to call for help.

He was stranded on the corner of 11th street and don't have any idea which direction he should take so his guts came out and made a left turn. He walks slowly, looking around to find something that might help him remember his way back to his faculty but only trees and other buildings are on his view. His mind was clouded with thoughts that weren't even helping him out of the situation. He was scared and worried that the sun might set soon and darkness will invade the entire ground of him being lost alone.

The impact was hard enough to make him stumble on his both feet urging him to fall backwards and the last thing he thought was what had happened. Surely it wasn't the wind because there is no wind but gentle breeze of the afternoon warmth. He is silently praying that the fall will be quick and painful but bearable. He is preparing himself for it. He closes his eyes, waiting for it to happen but instead of hard ground, strong and firm hands wrapped around his delicate body like he is just like a feather—light and soft.

"Are you alright?" Masculine, rough and yet worry was on that tone of voice Aerine's ears caught. He opens his eyes, letting the drowning light of afternoon flashes through. It wasn't the sunset that blocking his peripherals, it was those brown orbs that shines above all the shiny things his eyes captured in many occasions. Can he compare these to those materials? No, cannot.

Aerine tried to avert his eyes away from the stranger's gaze. He tried to push himself away from him but the grip was stronger than the windstorm that hit the city few months ago that pulled out many trees alongside the streets across the districts. "I am... I'm alright." At last he said looking away from him.

"Here." The stranger said, letting him go after memorizing every inch of this beauty's face. He met a lot of girls and he found them pretty but this one was beyond that. He wanted to hold him longer, feel him more—not in s****l way but he fantasized him for mere seconds, and stare at his eyes that are so dark that it compliments his pale skin, raven hair and lips that looks soft and sweet. But he have to let go.

Leo have to let him go.