I never faked sick. Even when I was actually sick, I chose to work only to not miss the day's allowance. However, I had to apply for sick leave even though I was feeling well. Only because of the monster in the suit. Keiran Wolfe.
Our every encounter was embarrassing, and I needed at least two days off to recover from the fear and embarrassment I had experienced. Luckily, the manager accepted my leave request, but on the condition of accepting to work overtime the next few days.
It turned noon, but I kept scrolling through the job sites hoping to find any, but there were none. The interviewer's words continued to revolve in my head, and for some reason I wanted to finish my high school and college, though I was past the age of school and couldn't even afford the fee.
Ignoring my useless thoughts, I continued to scroll through my cell phone, and Matthew's name popped up on the screen.
"Hey!" I answered immediately with a bright smile on my lips. "What's up?"
"Hey… Are you okay?"
My eyebrows narrowed in surprise as I wondered why he asked that. There was no chance for him to know the incident that happened at the club.
Fear struck my mind as I asked, "Why do you ask that?"
There was a few seconds of silence before he spoke, "I heard you didn't clear the interview. You might have received the message."
A ray of relief hit me, and I took a relaxed breath. I spoke, "That's fine. If I get that job, the people with degrees would feel bad."
Even though I said it jokingly, a part of me felt so bad. I kept quiet, not knowing what else to say, and then he spoke, "Hey! Shall we go out?"
"Don't you have school today?"
"No! There's a school event today, so there'll be no classes."
"Cool then! I'll get ready."
After an hour, he took me to an action movie, which I barely watched. Even though I didn't particularly like watching action movies, his little effort to cheer me up brought a smile all over my face. His focus was on the hero in the movie, and my focus rested on my hero who sat beside me.
The urge to hold his hand rose in me. After fighting with myself for a while, I put my hand over his. My heart started to beat at an unusual pace when his gaze fell on mine.
"Do you enjoy watching the movie?" He whispered into my ear.
"I enjoy watching you."
I cringed at my words, but they were from my heart. Among all the people, and the noise, my eyes never left him.
A smile appeared on his face, and he intertwined his fingers with mine and brought my hand near to his lips to kiss it.
Butterflies erupted in my stomach, and even though I couldn't see, I understood how red my cheeks had turned.
Later, we roamed around the mall. His gaze fell on an expensive watch for a moment, but then he shifted his gaze.
"Do you love that?"
"Who wouldn't?" He replied, making a proud face, "One day, I am going to buy it. A couple's set."
"And who's that girl?" My heart didn't stop racing as I asked the question. In just a few seconds, many thoughts and questions revolved in my head. I hoped he'd say my name. But another part of me was scared he'd say someone else's name.
Looking into my eyes, he said, "The one who enjoys watching me."
That was it. The blush spread all over face, which only made him laugh. Later, we roamed the city, and in the night, we ended up near our school.
"Why are we here?"
He held my hand and took me to the street beside our school, which was famous for the street food. When we were students, all our classmates used to go there.
"Let's have some food."
Excitedly, I nodded my head. We then had the famous chicken wings, popsicles, juices, and other things until we couldn't eat anything more.
When I wiped my mouth after having my cranberry juice, he said, "This is where I first saw you."
He brought his fingers closer to my cheek to stroke it gently. "You were having my favorite ice cream with your friends and laughing like you had nothing to worry about. You looked like an angel."
A shy smile appeared on my lips, and I bent my head down, biting my lips. Then I said, "You were such a nerd. It took you so much time to notice me."
I looked at him, recalling every moment of my school days. "We were in eighth grade, and you transferred to our school. In the admissions department, I saw you and from then, I kept watching you."
He looked surprised. Then he let out a laugh of happiness, nodding his head.
"It's getting too late. I should go." I said, noticing the time.
"I wish you would apply for more fake leaves so that I can spend more time with you."
"I wish I could do that."
Then I waved my hand to leave. He insisted on coming along, but I didn't agree, as it was late for him as well.
When I entered my house, I saw my houseowner, and my belongings were being thrown out, which perplexed me.