EPISODE 3.
Michael's deep, husky voice sent shivers coursing down Diana's spine, as he spoke with a harsh, mysterious tone that made her throat constrict with unease. He towered over her, his tall, chiseled frame looming, casting a long shadow that stretched across the ground.
Yet, he bent down to meet her gaze, his piercing eyes locking onto hers with unnerving intensity. His words dripped with skepticism, each syllable heavy with doubt.
"No, Michael, I'm not doing anything on purpose. I was actually going to get my phone. I forgot it in the cafeteria. I was just on my way to get it," Diana stammered, her head hung low in a mixture of shame and unease, her voice barely above a whisper. Just as the air seemed to thicken with tension, a sweet, melodious voice interrupted them, shattering the silence.
"Hello, babe..." A girl with a radiant smile and sparkling eyes appeared beside them, her gaze flicking between Michael and Diana with curiosity.
"What's going on here?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of possessiveness, as she wrapped her arms around Michael's waist, her fingers intertwining. Michael's expression remained impassive, a mask of calmness, but his eyes clouded over for a fleeting moment. Then, he smiled, and slid his arm around the girl's shoulders, his touch possessive and familiar.
"Nothing, just having a little chat with... Diana, right?" he said, his eyes never leaving Diana's, boring into her soul, daring her to look away. The girl pouted, her lips curling into a sulky smile.
"You're so busy lately, Michael. I miss spending time with you," she cooed, her voice dripping with sugary sweetness, as she nuzzled her head into his chest. Diana felt a searing pang of something – she wasn't sure what – as she watched the intimate scene unfold before her. It was clear that Michael was taken, and Diana was just an insignificant stranger to him, a mere spectator in their private world.
Diana nodded to herself, a bitter taste forming on her tongue. "Well, I should go get my phone," she said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the turmoil brewing inside her.
"Yeah, go ahead," the girl said, her voice dismissive. Michael's eyes still locked onto Diana's, his arm remaining possessively around the girl's shoulders.
Diana felt a shiver run down her spine, as she turned and walked away, the weight of his gaze lingering on her skin.
As Diana quickened her pace, eager to escape the awkwardness. she couldn't shake off the feeling that Michael's eyes had seen right through her. Who was he, really? And why did he seem so... intense?
*******
After school, Sia approached Diana, concern etched on her face. "Diana, what's up with you?" she asked, noticing the dark clouds gathering on Diana's face. Diana hesitated, unsure of how to articulate the emotions swirling inside her.
She won't deny the fact she was immensely off in class, however the feelings of him watching her like he sees through her was disturbing. The truth was, seeing Michael with that girl had left a raw, aching feeling in Diana's chest.
"Nothing, Sia. I just don't feel well," Diana murmured, trying to brush off Sia's concern. Sia's offer to drop Diana off at home was kind, but Diana's pride wouldn't let her accept.
As Sia drove off, Diana trudged to the bus stop, her feet heavy with unspoken emotions. The ringing of her phone broke the silence.
It was her mom. Rita.
**"******
Back home, Diana changed into comfortable clothes and settled in for a nap, but an unknown number flashed on her screen. Diana stared at the unknown caller number, her mind racing with possibilities.
Who could it be? She never gave anyone her phone number except her mom, so this call was a mystery. Diana picked up, her voice hesitant.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Diana. It's me, Sia," Sia said, her cheerful tone a stark contrast to Diana's guarded one. Diana glanced at the number again, still trying to process how Sia got her number.
"How did you get my number, Sia?" Diana asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Oh... I... actually, Ms. Evana gave it to me," Sia said, her voice trailing off slightly.
"I told her I'm your friend, and she gave it to me. I wanted to ask you for your number, but you were in a moody state, so I left it."
Diana's curiosity was piqued. Why would Ms. Evana give out her personal info without her consent? Sia's voice brought her back to the conversation.
"What's up with you? Don't lie to me, Diana. Am I your friend?" Diana reflected on their brief interactions.
Despite their short acquaintance, Sia had shown her kindness, and Diana appreciated her company. "Yes, Sia, you are my friend," Diana said, a sense of gratitude washing over her. Sia's tone turned playful.
"So, what's going on? You seemed a bit off today. Want to talk about it?" Diana hesitated for a moment before deciding to share her encounter with Michael.
"It's just that today in school, when I told you I forgot my phone in the cafeteria, I encountered Michael and his friends on my way there," Diana said, recalling the intensity of Michael's gaze.
Sia's curiosity was palpable. "Really? What happened?"
Diana recounted the scene, mimicking the girl's voice as she called out to Michael. "A girl came out of nowhere. She hugged Michael and called him 'babe' and 'Micky'."
Sia's laughter erupted through the phone, and Diana couldn't help but join in. As their laughter died down, Sia's tone turned serious.
"Only one girl calls Michael by the name Micky. She is known as Michael's girlfriend, her name is Zoya." Diana's heart sank, a sense of disappointment washing over her.
She didn't know why she felt this way, but knowing Michael was taken made their encounter feel even more insignificant. "So, what's the deal with Michael?" Sia asked, her voice laced with curiosity. Diana hesitated, unsure of how to articulate her feelings.
"I don't know, Sia. He just seems... intense," Diana said, trying to capture the essence of their encounter. Sia's response was thoughtful.
"Michael is a complex person. He's charming, but also guarded. Not many people know what he's really like." Her words sparked Diana's curiosity.
"What do you mean?" Diana asked, her interest piqued. Sia's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Let's just say Michael has a reputation. He's not someone to be trifled with. But I'll tell you more about him another time. I have to go now, Diana. I have some schedules calling for me." Diana nodded, chuckling silently even though Sia couldn't see her.
"Okay, Sia. Talk to you later." The line went silent, leaving Diana with more questions than answers. Her first priority was to avoid falling in love or feeling anything that has to deal with it, but here she's. Trap between jealousy for so
meone she just meant days ago.