The Black Diamond

Chapter 3

A gentle pat brought Aerine back from his silly memory of that day he first laid his eyes on the man sitting across him with his attention glued to the stapled papers on his hand while his free hand is resting on the white polycarbonate table, tapping quietly to the rhythm of a beating heart. His hair has grown few centimeters from the first time he met him and Aerine admiring it from his scalp up to the tip. He barely knows the man and assuming that he's sitting in the same table with Kyle, he is also at the same age as his older cousin.

"What do you want to eat? The usual?" It was Kyle. He quickly turns his head upwards to Kyle's direction while trying to act normal and wishing no one noticed what he's been doing the minute he took a seat.

"Uhm... Do they have sandwiches here?" Kyle furrowed his brows in question why he wants a sandwich when he clearly needs to eat more than that but before Kyle answers, Aerine added, "I had a salad earlier and I still feel full, Kyle." Though it is a lie, he never mentioned it to Nathaniel, too so this must be a good excuse per say.

"Nathan didn't say about you having that. Is that why you don't want to have lunch?" Aerine nods while the guilt starting to flame up. Kyle gives him a sigh before nodding his head acknowledging Aerine's first question. "Brix, what sandwiches we have here?" Kyle asks to the man, sitting next to Leo, with his eyes fixated in front of his laptop. He is the typical trying hard student to excel in all academics but good enough to be part of the passers. His eyeglass that is bigger than the smiley sticker on his laptop, fading its colors already due to heavy use while biting his lower lip.

Without leaving his laptop's monitor, Brix simply replied, "Tuna, I guess. That's what I had earlier."

"You can't have it, Aerine." Kyle quickly said to Aerine which he earned a sigh and a nod.

"Ae—who?" Brix bombarded in surprise. Must've he overheard Kyle talking to someone and it fed his curiosity until the name was mentioned. Once his sight landed on the boy staring at him with wide eyes, Brix gulps silently, astonished and amazed what lies before him.

"Aerine, Brix. This," Kyle places his both hands on Aerine's shoulder, squeezing them gently as he introduces him. "Is my cousin."

It took exact thirty seconds before Kyle's words totally sunk in to his overloaded brain. "Oh yeah. You mentioned him before. Did you?" Brix, once again, was confused. He scratches his head lightly as he tries to not look awkward but failed. Aerine chuckles at him and instead of being humiliated, Brix laughs at him. Damn. That's cute.

Kyle only shook his head before leaving them behind. "I'll figure something out." He assured Aerine.

"Okay."

"Hey, Kyle! I want—" Nathaniel shouts causing his older brother halts.

"Pick up your own, Nathan."

"Favoritism. I see. Alright. Alright!" He said raising his both hands mid-air before following Kyle.

"And Brix, don't freak the little guy out." Kyle warns before taking his way to the food stall few feet away from their table. Brix nods to him he's not sure if that was acknowledged or not.

"So, Aerine, from what faculty you're from?" Brix interrogated.

Aerine casually places his both hands on his lap before answering the guy across the table without loosing his focus to him but his peripheral catches the other guy sitting next to Brix. "Business Administration."

"Whoa. Smart. And I assume you're freshman?"

Aerine nods eagerly. At some point, for the first time in his life, he wasn't nervous but comfortably eager talking to him. Brix's best trait is how approachable he is and friendly. He flashes a genuine smile and that made him receives a compliment from Brix. "Wow. You are handsome as a boy and beautiful as a girl." Aerine widens his eyes as the blush creeps up on his both cheeks. "And you are really blushing!" Brix pointed out. His voice catching the attention of the guy sitting next to him with an annoyance pestered on his face.

"Will you shut up, Brix? Kyle said don't freak the little guy out!" Leo said in a flat annoying tone, facing Brix and stares at him for good reasonable seconds before turning his gaze to Aerine.

One.

Two..

Three...

Three seconds. Fantasies barged in into their own realities. Aerine's eyes shines like the gem Leo only knows, diamond. It was the most precious gem he had been dreaming of seeing and now he is staring at them with desire. The time around them freezes and they're both taking this moment to speak on their minds. We meet again. Yet they are capable of speaking, both their lips are tight shut letting each other's eyes do the talking. Leo's heart started to beat increasingly as the moment intensifies between them. No movements involve but Aerine's presence is enough to make him drive a little off of the road. As if a cold water poured onto him, Leo snaps back from the eternity. Blinking away and clearing his throat, he manages to stay calm and stern to himself.

"I am not freaking him out. He's really blushing!" Brix reasoned, unaware of what had happened between the cross seaters.

Leo groans silently. "Yeah. Whatever."

"Rude." Brix pointed out before staring at Aerine once again. "Don't mind this dude. His name is Leonard." Brix added while pointing his thumb at Leo's direction.

Leo rolls his eyes before dropping the papers on the table. "It's Leo, dumbass."

"Well, tell him that! I was just trying to introduce you to him!" Brix cried.

"Didn't ask for it."

Brix smirks at Leo as something funny came up on his mind. "Are you shy, Mr. Confident?"

Before Brix could say another annoying comments, Leo stands up from his seat. "I better get my meal. You're annoying, Brix." He said looking dead at Brix before turning his gaze back to Aerine. "Don't believe eighty percent of his words—he made those up." Then walks away. If he keeps telling him about Brix then he would've been trapped again in an infinite bliss.

Leo's retreating back was the last thing Aerine remembers as he stays there with Brix who has been talking nonsense stuff and medical terms that he doesn't have any idea of. He felt the same feelings he felt when he first met him. He was excited and happy and shy at the same time. The butterflies inside his stomach were dancing and swarming in a blissful music that he could only hear. If he could've confidently spoke to him then they should've been in good terms. Knowing him and talking to him might be a good start in building a good relationship—as friends.

Yes, Aerine can dream about him for whatever time he wants or for whatever reasons he have but what if the other person find it creepy and disturbing? What will he do?

Time flies quickly and so does the opportunity Aerine and Leo have to talk to each other or get to know more about them. Despite of the casualties and formalities, they somehow know each other's name and basic information. The lunch was taken longer than they expected especially Nathaniel and Aerine because they need to travel back to their respective faculties without being late. The lunch was utterly normal in exchanging conversations about lessons and all other stuff that gave interest to them.

Surely did the two of them, Nathaniel and Aerine, ran late to their afternoon classes and all through out the rest of the day, they managed to finish it all, prepared for another day tomorrow.

•

When the weekend flashes like a lightning, Leo planned on spending it with his grandmother and uncle, who has been taking care of the old lady, on the outskirts of the town where their ancestral house that withstood over a hundred years of storms and every natural calamaties but yet still grand and strong. The house is not that as of a the grandest house from the houses in the main city but it is one of the most refined house in this side of the country—fairly secluded in the forest and few kilometers away is the old dock over the calm sea.

Growing up under the shades of trees and to the breeze of the sea, Leo adopted quickly to his environment. He learned how to survive in the middle of the forest or in the shorelines. He considers himself as a country boy at young age. He dreamed of building a house next to their ancestral house and raise horses, cows, pigs and even fishes for living. But the city life wanted him back so he had to leave his dreams behind the trees and the sea to pursue his adult dream—to be a doctor.

Only if he arrived earlier in the ancestral house, Leo would've met the local rancher's head who invited the old lady and his son to their event that will be held later at night. Luckily, his uncle left the invitation on the receiving table next to the old family picture where he wasn't even born when that was taken. The rust around the corners of the metal frame has been slowly visible to the naked eye. The glass was old and kind of blurry but was cleaned perfectly to have a clearer view of what's behind it. His father rarely visits his grandmother but when he does, it would only take couple of hours of staying before leaving her again. Leo only has a little knowledge of what had happened between his grandmother and his father. Despite of that misunderstanding, Franco didn't forbid Leo to visit his grandmother because she is a part of his son's life and doesn't want to take that away from him. To say that the old Navarro lady was glad and thankful of that, she swore to herself to not stain her relationship with his grandson.

Aside from his uncle Mathias, his cousin Marco also lives in this house and currently studying at the local college for Veterinary Medicine. Leo will be waiting until 5 PM for his cousin to be at home because Marco enrolled for advance studies and he can only attend it during Saturday. After settling his stuff to his room, he headed to the back garden where a small gazebo was built and surely his grandmother was. Once he saw the figure of the old lady, a small smile drew on his lips as he takes his steps into a faster pace. The old lady wasn't surprised when two warm hands engulfed her fragile body from behind.

"How's your trip, my boy?" The trail of her old age lingers on the excitement on her voice as she pats Leo's hand gently.

Before replying to his grandmother, Leo planted a soft kiss to her wrinkled forehead and took a sit next to her under the shed of the gazebo. Thankfully, the tall trees around them give enough protection and shade from the sun during this time of the day and so the fresh breeze dancing around them. It is so peaceful sitting on that gazebo while watching the beauty of nature, taking in as much peacefulness as they can. "I was too excited to be here, grandma, but it was great. Mom said she'll visit you next week."

"Really?" She said surprisingly. "I will wait for your mother. How's your father?"

"He's just fine, grandma. Kinda busy on his work so he doesn't have much time to come here." Leo said truthfully but not wanting to let his grandma thinks the other way. Franco, in all honesty, was really busy with his work lately and barely stays at home than he was normally. With the upcoming events, every managers on their company should atleast work harder for the preparations.

"I see. Make sure don't get in your father's way when he's busy."

"I am doing my best, grandma. By the way, there's a letter on the table I saw earlier. Did uncle read it?"

"He did before he left. It's an invitation to the local ranch's event later. You want to go? You can ask your cousin to tag along."

He paused for moment thinking if that'll be a good idea or not. "I'll have to reconsider, grandma."

"Oh come on. You youngsters should explore and enjoy. Mathias will never attend that and luckily you're here. You'll be our proxy and Marco. And what if you meet someone you might have an interest there?" She said before chuckling lightly.

"Okay, I will and I doubt I'll met someone there, grandma."

"You'll never know, Leo. You'll never know."

•

Bright lights emitting from the homemade lanterns hung across the street was the best scene Leo captured onto his phone. The different colors, the picturesque landscape, night market full of things to sell, the people and their lovely smiles, and that one time glance of the person he hoped of not seeing again caused Leo to be more excited than what he thought he was earlier after taking his shower. From the ancestral house's garage to the half kilometer parking lot of the event place, Marco must've stored and kept a lot of stories to tell to Leo that he is still telling him while walking through the crowd. Leo wanted to stop him but he misses his cousin. This is what makes his life different from the city where he's only living with his parents, no one to annoy him or tell him silly and non sense stories. At university, he got Brix and Kyle. He is glad to have Marco in his life.

7 PM is the time ticking on Leo's wristwatch when he glances on it. He was a little anxious of being late in attending the event earlier when Marco took his time in showering. Speaking of the devil, Marco stopped in the middle of the street, head turned and pinned on his left direction as if he saw something that is eye catchy. Leo tried to call him but Marco only stood on his position, carefully watching on something. Instead of waking up from a dreamy state, Marco fully turns his whole body and started to walk towards the same direction he was facing. Just in time before Marco disappears in front of him, Leo grabs his cousin on his hands and yanking him like a little kid.

"Where the hell are you going?!" Leo asked in annoyance but more like in confusion.

"I saw someone! It's him! I need to follow him and ask his name!" Marco said excitedly not paying attention on Leo's annoyance.

Confusion rises more in Leo's head when Marco answered him. "Who—what are you talking about?"

Marco wanted to be free from his cousin's grip and follow the person he's talking about before his presence totally disappears through the crowd. But only when Leo tightens his grip, Marco yelled in pain and luckily, the crowd's noise is louder than him. "I've been dreaming of meeting that person again when I first saw him, Leo. This is the only chance I've got now and he's gone again."

"What are you talki—"

"The boy, Leonard!" Marco pressed. Then suspicion rose on him. "You weren't listening earlier?"

By that time, Leo looses his grip and crosses his arms across his chest. Although he doesn't want to admit it, it is showing on his facial expression. He wanted to recall anything from Marco's stories, trying his best to pick up something that have relevance or relation to what he's been bragging about. But nothing came up. In the end, Marco retell the story of how he saw the 'boy' at the very far end of the forest that connecting the ancestral house to the other side of the sea. It is a secluded area and no one ever tried to claim it because they're assuming that it belonged to the Navarro's. Even the locals acknowledged it and entrusted the property to them. From the shoreline, a few kilometers away, is a private island that on sale for a very long time. No one tried to contact the seller or get any information from them about the said island. There are humors about it that it was haunted and cursed but that is only a myth. Locals believed it for the longest time and they totally forgot about the said island.

Marco was doing some research on his papers that time when he accidentally got lost in the woods leading him to the shoreline. The sun was still up during that time and he clearly witnessed the beauty of the nature before his eyes. Few more steps from the grassy forest and he will be stepping on the finest sand he have ever seen. Then it happened, a galloping sound of the horse rang on his ears and echoed to the forest. Marco quickly hid from the nearest biggest tree he'd seen and scanned the wide open where that sound coming from. The first thing he saw was a white stallion in all majesty running with the winds, racing with the waves, its mane was like a silk that shines as the light hits it. It was his first time seeing a stallion in a very good shape. And it wasn't only the stallion who caught his attention but the rider. With the helmet on, gloves and the boots he was wearing, Marco couldn't get a good glimpse of his body structure but had a crazy idea that he's slim and well fit. He watches him as he rode the horse back amd forth for a couple of times until the mysterious rider stopped on their tracks. After hopping off from the horse, he patted the horse gently and spoke some words to it. He was intrigued on what he was saying. His position has the best distance to not be seen by the rider. He waited and watches him as he goes around his horse, checking on something or caressing its mane. After doing so, the rider decided to guide his horse to the nearest shade he saw and that was the time that Marco got a clear view of his face.

His skin has the palest color he had ever laid his eyes on but it was beautiful and suits his eyes that are so dark yet full of colors. Some of his hair was covered neatly under his helmet so he couldn't see any of it and wondered if he has the smoothest hair among the girls he met. That clicked on his mind, the rider is a boy and the idea of having his eyes on him as an attractive person was something new to him. He was more excited than when he started dating his crush which was a girl. He was confused, as he assumed as he watches the rider, but he has other reasons—he was just complimenting the other person because of his unique appearance. Marco continued to watch him in silence, taking in all the beauty he could from the boy and astonished by his delicate actions from smiling to blinking his eyes and even breathing. When the rider decided that the rest was enough, he once again hopped on on his horse and readied to take off. The wind has given him a favor that Marco heard a silent command from the rider. It was the sweetest and calmest voice his ear have ever heard. "Fly me back home, Fireball."

Marco can tell this story over and over again and the happiness in his voice will never falter. He was enchanted with the boy—by a boy. Leo can see his cousin's face and excitement and he was happy about him, too. Leo thinks that Marco deserves to be happy and he respects that. This one opportunity of him meeting the boy he was dreaming is what they call fate. His unawareness causes a big block to his cousin's fate and so he wanted to make up for it. "I remember now. The night is still young and chances are still at the table, Marco. We'll find him besides we're here to enjoy this evening." He said in encouragement to lift the atmosphere from getting down the mud. Marco clearly understood what Leo was telling him and the seed of hope within him started to grow.

Lively musics filled the entire place after the program started with an opening speech from the head of the organization who planned the event. The invitation was sent only to the major sponsors of the city and those who contributed a lot in the process of building the community. All the fifteen sponsors and members will receive a recognition in honor of what they had done for the community. The Navarro family is one of the sponsors and with the situation of the head of the family, either Marco or Leonard will be receiving the said recognition. When the recognition took place, Marco ended up being the one to received the recognition because according to Leo, he lives in this side of the country and he needs it the most for future. It was a framed certificate that nothing to brag about but it felt proud to received such recognition for what their family had done in the past. Name after name, representative after representative and nothing was more exciting when the last name was called in.

The Esguerra family, a very well-known horse breeder family and owner of the biggest mining company in the country, has their own representative. When the name was called in, Leo wondered if that was a coincidence because that was the last name of his friend, Kyle, or might be he was just wondering. In fact, based on Kyle's background, his mother is a teacher and his father is a businessman. If he deducted it correctly, there is no way that Kyle Esguerra is related to this 'Esguerra' family who contributed the most in this community.

The cheering and clapping of the crowd brought a great excitement and nervousness to Aerine's whole body. He was lucky to be representing his grandfather although Kyle and Nathaniel have the biggest part of it since the two of them carry the name. Unfortunately, the two brothers were busy with studies and they didn't have time to attend the said event. Luckily for him, when he visited his grandfather this morning, the letter was fully addressed to him. The letter had his name written on it in the most neatly cursive writing in black ink. The atmosphere in this small county was lively and very welcoming. Aerine fell in love in this place the moment he witnessed how beautiful the seas and trees are and the kind people living here in peace and in harmony. In fact, he was thinking of having his own jewelry shop in the market place where he was strolling earlier.

"Are you ready, Aerine?" Asked Johanne, his escort.

Aerine smiled at him and nods cheerfully.

"That's good. Don Armando will be happy about this." Johanne added, thinking of the old man.

"I owe him my Fireball and doing this will make us equal, fairly, I guess." Aerine reasoned, talking about his unpaid present from his grandfather. Even if it was a simple present from his grandfather, he still thinks that it was too much. Nathaniel and Kyle did not even receive a present like what he had. His uncle said that both his son were not interested in horses unlike him so it was understandable for the old man to give him the finest horse they have in their ranch which Aerine named Fireball.

"And you still think of that way, huh?" Johanne jokes before chuckling.

"That's my only reason to be here, Johanne. You know me."

"If you say so, young master."

"You called my name earlier."

"That was my mistake, I am being paid for serving you."

Aerine only rolls his eyes and shakes his head disapprovingly to Johanne. "I swear you're richer than me!" Johanne wanted to replied but their little conversation was cut off when the emcee called in for Aerine.

"We couldn't thank enough the biggest contributor of building this community and maintaining the harmony. Don Armando Esguerra has been good to us ever since and continously doing so. To honor him all the goodness he showed us, we give this special recognition," the emcee introduced, on his hand is a platinum plaque with the symbol embedded on it. "to Don Armando Esguerra!" The crowd started to clap and cheer accompanied with a lively music. "Don Armando is not available tonight due to his health problems but we are honored to have his youngest heir to receive this precious recognition! Please let us all warmly welcome, young master Aerine Jade Esguerra-Braddock!"

As if a bucket of cold water washed over Leo when Aerine's name was called. His heart skipped a beat when Aerine's presence lightened up the stage. That graceful entrance, vibrant smile, his raven black hair that shimmers from the bright lights, the pale skin that is delicate and soft and those dark eyes illuminating happiness, excitement and innocence. For a moment, Leo felt happy seeing him again with a smile plastered on his face. On the other side of the stage, Marco was strucked by lightning watching Aerine. His heart was beyond happy when the boy he has been dreaming of showed up in front of him with a name.