Lies over Love

Chapter 9

AILA

I thanked God that the last subject is done already. Yes, Sandro and I got the perfect score, and because of that, some of our classmates complained about why we were put together as a pair that both of us are smart. I just kept quiet because it was our teacher who chose my partner.

I saw Sandro leave the room, and I remembered what he said to me earlier. I averted my gaze from his rigid back as fast as the movement of the second hand of the clock. He might say something stupid if he caught me looking at him again.

 “Let’s go?” I asked Ynna.

 “Yes. Le-let’s go, Aila.”

I went out first but even before we arrived at the gazebo, Ynna saw her father who stopped her from walking. I can sense that something is wrong with them. What is the problem between her and Uncle Dante?

"Ynna?" There was a threat to her father's voice.

I look back and forth at the two of them. I saw Ynna trembling like she is nervous or something.

 “D-dad?”

"Where are you going? Isn't your class over now?” he asked and finally walked towards the two of us. I wanted to block him and mediate between the two of them but he moved faster and he immediately grabbed Ynna's hands and pulled her hard closer to him.

 “U-Uhm. Hi, Uncle! Y-Ynna and I were about to do another project so I asked her first--” he did not let me finish my sentence.

 “We have to go home because there is an emergency at home. Sorry, Aila. I was not able to tell Ynna that I am going to pick her up after class because I was in a hurry too. There is always a next time for that project of yours. Right, Ynna?” he looked at Ynna, and based on his tone, every word that came out of his mouth was obviously a threat.

 “Y-yes, Dad. S-sorry, Ai. I will not be with you today. Maybe just.. umm next day. We are allowed to pass it next Monday, right?” she cheerfully said but her eyes could not hide the sadness and fear that were posted on it.

I squinted my eyes to her because I wanted her to just go along with what I was going to say to get through from his father. I knew something bad was happening at her behind her happy appearance, and his father had something to do with this.

 “Ynna,” there was a mandate in her father’s tone.

 “Yes, Dad. Aila, I am really sorry,” She took my hand and held it tightly. "I'll just make it up to you next time," she added and almost did not want to let go of my hands but her father pulled her away.

The tears that welled up in her eyes did not escape my sight.

I felt sad for being so useless at this moment. I could do nothing to help my friend with whatever problem she is having today. I can’t do anything, for now, Ynna, but I promise you that I will do my best to help you.

Ynna tried to turn around but because her father was holding her hand tightly, she was almost running to keep up with him. I followed them with my gaze until they got into their black SUV.

What now, Aila?" I said to myself sadly.

Because of being immersed and distracted by the situation, I never noticed that I was close enough to the gate of our school.

 “Feliz.”

A familiar voice staggered me for a moment. I rolled my eyes and was surprised to see the man we had just talked to last night. He knew how I hate being called by my second name so he likes and enjoys calling me that. 

 “Romoss?” My eyes widened as I called his name.

He came a little closer to where I paused which made me almost drain the blood from my body resulting to freeze in my place. Why is he here?

"Feliz, long time no see," he said happily as there with a wide smile on his face.

The past years made him more striking. He has been tall ever since he and my brother were just studying. And that is one of the reasons why a lot of women are obsessed with him. I know his image when it comes to ladies because that is almost what they were talking about every time my brother and their friends are in the house. Many people had already liked him when he was just a student, how much more that he is now famous in the field of business? Maybe many have already knelt in front of him just to get his attention.

His brown fair skin tone and muscular body summed up to his Adonis-like appearance. His sparkling expressive green eyes seemed to speak every time they focus on you, and this is one of the things I used to like about him before.

Even though time had already passed but I can still see in him the same cheerfulness as before.

 “Oh, hi! How are you? How did you know that I am studying here? Did Mino tell you?”

 “Yes, I actually asked him. I missed you... I mean, your naughtiness,” his squinting eyes disappear every time he smiles.

"Yes, how the time flies so fast. You were on abroad for six years."

 “The years were passing very slowly for me. Every time I come back here and whenever I visit at your house, I never saw you once because it was well-timed that you were not there,” he explained shyly.

 “A-ah, yes! You know, I am busy with school and other activities that I participate in.” Well in fact the truth is that I am really avoiding to cross our paths because even a lot of things had happened and perhaps he might have forgotten everything, there are still times that I feel flustered of what I did before.

"It’s alright. I am already here for good,” he assured. "By the way, I will take you home, but can I invite you for dinner first? I already asked permission to your Mom and Dad, and actually as well as to your siblings.”

I was surprised by what he said. Everything that would happen later was all well-planned by him.

"S-sure!" I reluctantly said and just nodded even though I was shy and accepted his offer with a bit of hesitation. I could not hide anymore because he caught me from the start.

Romoss guided and led me to a blue-colored Sedan Mercedes-Benz but before I could finally open the door of the passenger seat, a loud beep honked from behind us startled me!

Romoss frowned as he glowered at the back and I, too. A black Ford Raptor stopped about a meter away from Romoss' car. I only know one person who brings a black Ford pickup to school.

Sandro.

 “f**k? The road is too damn wide and he managed to push himself on the side? What kind of stupidity is that?” Romoss complained and he was ready to advance to the driver of the car behind us but I immediately grabbed his arm.

"Could you just let this slide? Let’s just hurry so we can leave," I went inside and Romoss closed the door and turned around to go to the driver's seat.

 “Are you okay?" Romoss asked worriedly.

He started the engine and maneuvered its carbon fiber leather steering wheel to move his car, hence the vehicle behind us moved too. I could not take my eyes from the side mirror to look at the Ford Raptor following us that I did not give my full attention to the man next to me who decided to hold my left hand to regain my consciousness.

 “Hey,” he added.

I snatched my hand from him in shock.

 “Ah, yes! I am okay. Come on, maybe the driver at the back is in a hurry,” I said to Romoss who was not and did not pay attention to the short contact of our hands together just a few seconds ago.

Our conversation inside the car did not progress until we arrived at a famous restaurant, The Cuisine. He opened the door for me and then we went inside together.

The luxury and splendor of this restaurant can be seen from the outside to the inside of the building. It was also almost full of people dressed formally and I looked at myself because I was the only one who was wearing my school uniform inside.

"Hey, I look so out of place that I am still in my uniform. You should have just told me last night or even beforehand that we are going to have dinner,” I said with a smile even though I feel embarrassed.

“You always look gorgeous in whatever you wear, Feliz, even if you are dressed with some ragged clothes. And I know that you will decline me if I had told you last night that we are going out today. Am I right?” He replied with a smile. He was right, I am not going to show up to him.

I just looked down because of shyness and continued ordering.

When our order arrived, Romoss and I started eating. The place was loud because of the men playing the piano on the stage but the silence between Romoss and I was even more deafening.

He sneaks at me from time to time but every time I catch him, he quickly avoids and turns his head in the other direction.

"Do you have something to say?" I could not stand it anymore and asked if anything was bothering him.

 “A-ahh, yes. You are still beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks burn because of what he said so I quickly drank the water from the wine glass on the side of my plate.

 “Thank you,” I answered timidly.

“Well, of course, I know you that you are already beautiful since then. I assume you have some suitors now?”

 “Me?" I asked in disbelief. "I have none! No one dared, na-da! Maybe because they were afraid of my siblings when I was in high school. I think almost of the people knew that my studies are my only priority at the moment. I am focusing on my academic standing and I do not have time for things such as entertaining some suitors or being in a relationship,” I explained and chuckled at the end.

Romoss clutched the wine glass and stared at me. I could see the pure joy from his expressive eyes. My forehead creased. 

And to what is his happiness for?

He let out a bright yet shy smile before he made another small slice of steak and put it into his mouth.

"Really?" he asked and seemed that he was not convinced with what I said.

"It’s true! No one tried though, and maybe nobody likes me.”

"There is, but maybe he is too shy to confess his feelings for you."

 “You look so sure, huh? How can you say that?" I asked while laughing.

No one really tried to court me since then. I heard some talks that someone likes or admires me but nothing went beyond that.

 “Just because,” his tone became serious.

I just shook my head and continued eating. Of all other topics in the word that we could converse about, we really did focus on that subject. I have nothing to share when it comes to those things. What if I asked him in return?

"How about you? Maybe you had a lot of girls while you were out of the country. It was unavoidable to see you on some news spreading on social media with your so-called hot a*s ‘girlfriends’. Is that true?" I raised an eyebrow at my question emphasizing the word ‘girlfriends’. Let's see if your handsome moves are still the same when it comes to women.

 “Well, I am not lying when it comes to such things. Yes, I had girls but none of them became my girlfriend.”

 “Wow! So boastful, meaning a lot? ”

"What kind of question is that Feliz?" he said while preventing himself to laugh. Maybe he did not want to get the attention of others so he took the table napkin and used it to cover his mouth.

 “Can you just answer? A lot? Why don't you have a girlfriend yet? Are you gay?” I realized the last thing I said. s**t! Sometimes I put myself in a bad situation for being so curious!

“I am waiting for someone. But she is not available...jus yet,” he solemnly said while his eyes were fixed on me. Suddenly my heart pounded for no apparent reason. There seemed to be something on what he said that buzzed in my system.

Even I am not sure about what I feel at this moment. Am I hurt because my childhood crush likes someone else? Or am I hoping that maybe, just maybe, I’m the one he’s referring to?